As Orochimaru drove the cursed kunai into the bodies of the three shinobi revived by the Impure World Reincarnation, the light in their eyes instantly faded, becoming dull and lifeless.
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Hiruzen-sensei, Edo Tensei is still imperfect. It can only unleash about one-tenth of their original strength. But given your current condition… that should be more than enough."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils shrank. He immediately assumed a combat stance and turned toward Uchiha Ran.
"Fifth Hokage," Hiruzen said gravely, "leave Danzō to me. The other two are yours."
As he spoke, he summoned Enma.
A mental connection formed instantly. In the next moment, Enma transformed into a black adamantine staff, firmly gripped in Hiruzen's hands.
"Danzō! Wake up!" Hiruzen roared. "Have you forgotten the days when we fought side by side?!"
His hands flew through seals.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
A blazing, dragon-shaped torrent of flames surged forward, roaring toward Danzō Shimura. The sheer power shocked everyone present—this attack was unquestionably at Kage level.
Just as the flames were about to engulf him, Danzō tore open the bandages on his right arm and formed seals with a single hand.
Izanagi.
Danzō's figure vanished.
Hiruzen froze for a split second—
Then a violent pressure erupted behind him.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere!"
Hiruzen reacted instinctively, trying to turn and erect an Earth Wall, but his aged body failed to keep up. The technique struck his back head-on.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Hiruzen was blasted away, skidding across the ground like a stone skipping over water.
At the last moment, he drove Enma's staff deep into the earth, barely managing to halt his momentum.
If Orochimaru's Edo Tensei had not been limited to one-tenth power, that single blow would have taken half his life. Even so, Hiruzen was left gasping, barely standing.
But there was no respite.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Massive trees burst from beneath the platform, twisting the terrain and rapidly forming a dense forest.
Hiruzen tried to evade—but then a cold voice sounded.
"Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness."
In an instant, his vision vanished. Absolute darkness swallowed his world.
"W–What?!" Hiruzen was stunned.
Wasn't Uchiha Ran supposed to be facing the First and Second Hokage? Why were they attacking him?
Uchiha Ran frowned slightly. He hadn't ordered this either.
Then his gaze shifted to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru met his eyes, smiling knowingly.
Ran understood immediately.
This was Orochimaru's scheme.
Hiruzen Sarutobi—played to the end by his own beloved student.
Even blinded, Hiruzen was still a Kage. Relying on sound, he desperately dodged the forest's restraints and bombardment.
But age and stamina had their limits.
The next moment, wooden bindings wrapped tightly around his body.
A blur flashed before him.
"Flying Thunder God Slash!"
Senju Tobirama appeared instantly, drawing his sword and thrusting it straight toward Hiruzen's heart.
Hiruzen sensed the killing intent and instinctively shifted half a step.
Pfft!
Steel pierced flesh.
Tobirama's blade stabbed into Hiruzen's abdomen, narrowly missing his heart and vital organs.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Hiruzen forced his hands into seals. A water dragon formed from thin air, clamping onto Tobirama and dragging him away.
As Tobirama was repelled, the genjutsu dissipated. Light flooded back into Hiruzen's eyes.
Before he could react—
Bang!
A massive wooden log smashed directly into his face.
Hiruzen was sent flying once more, blood spraying as his body crashed backward.
"Father!"
Asuma Sarutobi rushed forward, just in time to witness the impact. He leaped and caught Hiruzen midair, his eyes instantly turning red.
Orochimaru watched with a satisfied smile.
By the look of it, Hiruzen had likely suffered severe brain trauma. Even if he survived, paralysis was almost guaranteed.
Teacher or not—this was the end.
Uchiha Ran knew the situation could not be allowed to continue.
"Itachi," he said calmly, "use the Totsuka Blade. Seal Danzō Shimura."
Uchiha Itachi froze for a split second. He didn't know how Ran knew about the blade's true ability—but there was no time to question it.
"Yes."
His orange-red Susanoo surged forward, charging straight toward Danzō.
At that moment, Danzō regained consciousness.
"So this is… Susanoo?" he snarled. "Uchiha Itachi! Stop! Are you Uchihas planning to rebel?!"
Outwardly fierce, inwardly panicked.
Itachi sneered coldly.
"Sorry, Danzō-sama. Times have changed. The one in power now is my younger brother."
"The Hokage has ordered your sealing."
"Die."
The Susanoo's eyes flared.
Its right hand raised the Totsuka Blade, blazing with spiritual flames, and thrust it straight through Danzō's Edo Tensei body.
Pfft!
The sound was like a blade piercing paper.
Danzō froze—then laughed inwardly. He was already dead once. What was there to fear?
Killing intent surged—
But suddenly, a powerful suction force erupted from his abdomen.
Danzō's expression changed drastically.
He tried to activate Izanagi—
But it was impossible.
Only then did Itachi realize: the sealing power of the Totsuka Blade was a natural counter to Edo Tensei.
The Susanoo opened its crimson gourd.
Pop.
Danzō Shimura's soul was forcibly torn out. He screamed and struggled, but resistance was meaningless.
In the end, his soul was completely sealed within the gourd.
The Susanoo's eyes narrowed slightly—
As if satisfied.
(Author's Note)
Hey my Handsome and Beautiful readers there will be an announcement made in the next chapter.