Hiruzen Sarutobi discussed their next move at a remote island hideout with his companions.
“Jiraiya suggested that we should ally with the Akatsuki. They possess three of the Tailed Beasts, which are crucial in preventing Uchiha Dan from becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. Especially with Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the child of prophecy, who has the best chance to defeat Dan. If all goes well, Jiraiya should already be in contact with the Akatsuki by now,” Hiruzen said gravely.
“So, what do we do in the meantime? Just wait for Jiraiya’s news?” Asuma asked, his face serious.
“No,” Hiruzen shook his head slowly, his eyes sharp. “The Akatsuki is strong and dangerous. To form an alliance with them, we need to show enough strength as leverage.”
“You mean…” Kurenai’s face showed surprise.
“It’s time. I’m preparing to revive those two,” Hiruzen said with determination, walking into a cave on the island.
Inside, the cave floor was covered with complex black markings forming a mysterious ritual circle, with the characters for “Impure” and “World” at the center.
This was Hiruzen’s hidden trump card for nearly a decade, their last hope for a comeback.
Under the tense gazes of Asuma and Kurenai.
“Edo Tensei no Jutsu!”
Hiruzen shouted, quickly forming hand signs before pressing his palm to the ground, channeling chakra into the ritual.
The next moment.
Rumble.
With a tremor and a cloud of dust, two tall yellow coffins slowly rose from the ground.
“Open!”
Hiruzen shouted again, extending a finger. The coffin lids fell forward with two loud bangs, hitting the ground.
Following the sound of clinking armor, two tall figures simultaneously stepped out of their coffins.
One, with long black hair and a resolute face, wore red armor reminiscent of the Warring States period.
The other, with white hair, wore light blue armor and had similar facial features, looking like they could be brothers.
Indeed, they were the legendary ninja who once shook the world and the founders of Konoha—the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
“This feeling… Is this Edo Tensei?” Tobirama, sharp-minded as always, immediately noticed his cracked porcelain-like body and the nearly infinite chakra within him.
As the creator of this forbidden technique, no one understood Edo Tensei better than Tobirama.
“Oh dear, Tobirama, didn’t I warn you?” Hashirama slapped his brother on the shoulder, his tone reproachful. “Edo Tensei violates the natural order and mocks the souls of the dead. It was bound to come back to haunt you someday. And now, you’ve dragged me into this mess too. Sigh.”
Hashirama sighed, shaking his head.
“Brother, I never imagined I’d be the target of Edo Tensei myself one day,” Tobirama admitted. Then, with a cold glance, he said, “Now, let’s see who among our descendants has summoned us back to the ninja world.”
With that, the brothers turned their gazes to Hiruzen and the others.
Though their expressions were calm and their eyes held no malice, the two Hokages’ oppressive aura was overwhelming. Asuma and Kurenai felt a chill, and even Hiruzen felt a palpable pressure.
This was the power of the First and Second Hokages, the founders of Konoha, who had survived the bloodiest era of the Warring States period.
“Who are you? State your name,” Tobirama demanded, arms crossed, staring at the frail old man before him. Hiruzen looked familiar, but Tobirama couldn’t place him.
Hiruzen, tears welling up, responded with a trembling voice:
“Second Hokage, it’s me, Monkey.”
“Monkey?” Tobirama was surprised, remembering the young man he once knew, now old and frail. He asked, “What year is it?”
“It’s the 64th year since Konoha’s founding,” Hiruzen replied quickly.
“Decades have passed,” Hashirama remarked, sighing.
Tobirama, noticing the cave’s simplicity, sensed something was wrong. Stepping forward, he asked sternly:
“Monkey, I entrusted Konoha to you when I passed. Explain what’s happening now.”
“I…” Hiruzen hesitated, finally saying with difficulty, “I failed Konoha, and I failed both of you…”
Before the two Hokages, Hiruzen seemed like a child admitting his mistakes.
“Tobirama,” Hashirama looked at his brother, signaling him to ease up. Then, turning to Hiruzen, he asked gently, “Tell us everything that’s happened. Take your time.”
“Yes, First Hokage,” Hiruzen took a deep breath, recounting the events he had rehearsed countless times in his mind.
According to him, all the tragedies stemmed from the Uchiha clan.
During Tobirama’s tenure, there were numerous conflicts with the Uchiha. These tensions escalated under Hiruzen’s leadership, culminating in the clan’s attempted coup and eventual defection from Konoha.
This rebellion weakened Konoha significantly, giving the other four great villages an opportunity. They quickly formed an alliance and invaded Konoha, forcing Hiruzen and others to flee.
At this point, Hiruzen’s voice choked with emotion, expressing deep remorse for his failure that led to Konoha’s downfall.
“It’s not your fault, Monkey,” Hashirama consoled, “Your clan’s sacrifice to protect the village must have been heartbreaking.”
Tobirama, however, snorted, “I warned you, the Uchiha clan was Konoha’s greatest threat. Your leniency caused this disaster.”
“Then what happened?” Tobirama pressed.
“After a year, the Uchiha, led by Uchiha Dan, defeated the ninja alliance and reclaimed Konoha, becoming its rulers. This has been the situation for nearly a decade now,” Hiruzen explained.
The two Hokages exchanged shocked glances.
Could the Uchiha really be so powerful? To defeat a hundred thousand ninja alliance?
Seeing their disbelief, Hiruzen mentioned a name:
“Uchiha’s strength mainly comes from one person: Uchiha Dan.”
He then recounted Dan’s life and deeds, from his rise in Konoha, where he became a feared figure, to his role in the Fourth Great Ninja War, where he defeated the Four Kages and killed tens of thousands of the alliance forces.
Dan was now hailed as the strongest ninja in history, surpassing even Hashirama and Madara.
“Hmph,” Tobirama snorted, dismissing the claim. “The strongest? That’s absurd. No one can surpass my brother, not in the past or future.”
Hashirama, unfazed by titles, focused on Hiruzen and asked:
“So, you revived us to help reclaim Konoha from the Uchiha?”
Hiruzen shook his head, smiling bitterly:
“No, First Hokage. Though I hate to admit it, under the Uchiha’s rule, Konoha has flourished, becoming a bustling metropolis. I no longer seek to reclaim it, as long as the villagers are happy, it doesn’t matter who leads.”
Hashirama nodded approvingly, seeing that Hiruzen genuinely cared for Konoha’s well-being over power.
However, Hiruzen’s tone became serious:
“But recently, a rumor from Konoha states that Uchiha Dan has awakened the Rinnegan and plans to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, seeking invincible power and immortality.”
The mention of the Rinnegan made both Hokages pause.
They knew it was the legendary eye of the Sage of Six Paths. Hearing it existed and that a Uchiha possessed it was shocking.
The concept of the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki made their expressions serious.
According to Hiruzen, the Uchiha claimed descent from the Sage, and their shrine contained a tablet detailing the Rinnegan’s secrets and the Ten-Tails.
The Uchiha Dan, as described by Hiruzen, was a ruthless and unpredictable individual. If he gained the Ten-Tails’ power, it would spell disaster for the ninja world.
“Thankfully, the Uchiha have only gathered six Tailed Beasts, with three still in the hands of the Akatsuki, their enemies…” Hiruzen mentioned that Jiraiya was already negotiating with the Akatsuki for an alliance.
“The Akatsuki leader is the Fourth Hokage’s son, the former Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and he also possesses the Rinnegan.”
Another Rinnegan? And the Fourth’s son?
Hashirama and Tobirama were stunned.
Hiruzen’s information was overwhelming, even for the experienced Hokages.
After Hiruzen’s detailed explanation, they understood Dan and Naruto’s current situation and roles.
“Two Rinnegan wielders: one who has killed thousands, the other a prophesied savior… Brother, maybe we relics can’t keep up with these times,” Tobirama finally admitted.
“Progress is natural. The world moves forward,” Hashirama smiled, ever the optimist.
More concerned about someone else, he asked:
“What about the Senju clan? And my granddaughter Tsunade, how is she?”
Thinking of his mischievous granddaughter, Hashirama couldn’t help but smile.
Hiruzen, also smiling, replied:
“The Senju clan, following your wishes, integrated into Konoha’s various families and the civilian population, producing many talents.
Tsunade became my disciple and the most outstanding medical ninja, introducing the medical ninja system…
She now heads Konoha’s Medical Department, training many students and saving countless lives, earning great respect throughout the ninja world.”
Hiruzen praised Tsunade, avoiding any negative remarks—even though she supported the Uchiha and was close to Dan.
He knew the Hokages adored Tsunade and speaking ill of her would be foolish.
“Really? Then we must visit Konoha. What do you think, Tobirama?”
Hashirama, interested, sought his brother’s opinion.
“Indeed, seeing is believing,” Tobirama agreed. “We should see for ourselves the state of the Uchiha and Konoha. And of course, check on little Tsunade.”
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