Yinsen's Wood Release

Seeing the First Hokage and the Second Hokage standing before him, Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious, yet he had to agree with Orochimaru: he truly could not leave this place.

Fighting within this barrier might put him in a difficult situation, but in return, it bought time for his continued existence.

He firmly believed that the village's shinobi would deal with those troubles. Whether it was the Sand shinobi or the Sound shinobi invasion, neither could truly damage Konoha's foundations.

But if he dispelled this barrier and allowed these two to wreak havoc throughout the village...

"Yinsen."

"Hmm?"

"You should leave first... The battle ahead is not one you can participate in yet."

He was the Third Hokage. He could not consider matters from the perspective of his own safety; he had to think more comprehensively—sacrifice himself to prevent greater harm from befalling the village, deal with Orochimaru and personally eliminate the disaster he had left behind, while preserving more seeds for Konoha's future.

Yinsen was an outstanding young man. He would become Konoha's future and should not die here so early.

"Ah, well..."

Yinsen scratched his cheek. He had not come all this way just to say hello and leave.

"How about you come out with me?"

"No. I have responsibilities as Hokage that I must fulfill."

Yinsen knew Hiruzen Sarutobi would never leave. He had only said it casually, but it did give him an excuse as well.

"Ah, I also have responsibilities as a Konoha shinobi."

See? How lofty and noble. Yinsen almost believed it himself.

"It seems Konoha has developed very well under your leadership. This is an outstanding young man."

The First and Second Hokage, who looked somewhat like zombies, had stood silently all this time. Only now did they speak.

From the moment the coffins