Hokage Showdown

Although the Third Hokage generation was no longer young, his skills hadn't diminished much. With lightning-fast reflexes, he dodged to the side, the sword tip narrowly missing him.

Using the momentum of a huge falling rock, he turned around and kicked Orochimaru in the head. Orochimaru's long neck immediately tilted to the side, but after shaking in the air, it circled back from behind and stabbed the Third Hokage in the back.

Thump thump thump--

Ninja Technique· Four Violet Flames Formation!

In the chaos, the purple Barrier suddenly rose, with a third of its top protruding above the ground, illuminating everyone's vision.

A large amount of rubble crashed against the Barrier wall and burst into flames, turning into fine ash that drifted away to who knows where.

Tap tap...

Danzo and the Konoha Ninja immediately surrounded the barrier upon seeing Barrier. Two of them rushed to the hostages during the commotion and successfully rescued two Sarutobi Clan Jonin the Sarutobi clan, carrying them on their backs as they lay unconscious.

Then he saw the Third Hokage trapped in the Barrier and immediately shouted, "Elder Danzo, the Lord Hokage...!"

"None of you should make a move!"

The thick smoke settled, revealing the two figures facing off within the Four Violet Flames Formation. The Third Hokage looked at Orochimaru with a somewhat grave expression, his armor and headgear dragging on the ground. "Perfect," he said, "I'll handle him alone."

Sarutobi Hiruzen knew Orochimaru's strength very well; he was strong, but definitely no match for him.

The only thing that raised some doubts was that strange body, which had become almost inhuman. What had the other person been doing all these years of disappearance? Orochimaru would never have fought in this way before.

"Perhaps his body is completely immune to injury; my heavy blows didn't leave a single mark. Is this his trump card? It seems I'll have to try using Ninjutsu..."

"Orochimaru, what exactly is your purpose?" the Third Hokage asked in a deep voice. "Is it because you resent that I didn't choose you as the Fourth Hokage back then, and you want to take revenge?"

Orochimaru shrugged and chuckled, "If I had to say, I might indeed have some pent-up frustration. But that's not the point. Seeing your aged and decaying appearance only strengthens my conviction in my chosen path."

"How pathetic to be so fixated on a village that's only been around for a few decades! Human life is so fragile in the face of time, yet I can make the soul immortal. Look... you should all thank me!"

"What..."

Following Orochimaru's hand, the Third Hokage Danzo, and the others looked towards the four Edo Tensei Body in the corner of the Barrier.

Besides Hyuga Eishi, there were also Jonin the Sarutobi and Shimura Clan, all of whom were their nephews who died in battle.

Even Danzo's expression darkened. "Just how many corpses have you laid hands on, you bastard?"

The Third Hokage and the surrounding Anbu shuddered, fearing that all the heroes who had died in battle within Konoha...

As if on cue, Orochimaru grinned wickedly, clapping his hands in Hand Seals: "Since today's theme is the reunion of master and disciple, I've naturally prepared something special for you."

Summoning Technique: Impure World Reincarnation!

"Not good..." The Third Hokage saw the two coffins rise and immediately used Ninjutsu to try to stop them.

Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet.

The flames spewed from its mouth rushed towards them, but instantly, a large number of water droplets gathered near the coffin, forming a small waterfall and creating a wall.

Water Release · Water Wall!

Sizzle--

Water and fire clashed but did not mix; the high temperature rapidly evaporated the water, and the thick white steam obscured the view inside.

However, it is conceivable that, for the same level of escape techniques, water is a completely counter to fire, and heavy water cannot be broken by light flames.

The Byakugan Anbu were keeping a close watch on the battle, and as soon as they made their move, they urgently reported, "The Third Lord's Fire Release has been blocked, and the caster wasn't Orochimaru, but..."

The water vapor dissipated, revealing two Konoha Ninja: one with black hair and red armor, and the other with white hair and blue armor.

"The First Hokage, the Second Hokage!"

The Third Hokage's face was grim; the ominous premonition had indeed come true.

Given Orochimaru's ruthless nature, he certainly wouldn't leave the corpses of the two powerful Hokage unscathed.

"Damn it, why is it so fast?"

Danzo frowned, carefully observing the two Hokage's figures. "This is bad. This Impure World Reincarnation has likely been modified by Orochimaru. Hiruzen is probably in danger."

"What do you mean?" Anbu asked anxiously after hearing this.

"Take a close look at the Previous Hokage's appearance; he looks more like a living person than the other four ninjas!"

"This..." The Anbu Ninja, after being prompted, immediately noticed the anomaly. "The four Edo Tensei Body were covered in dust, but the Second Hokage were not."

"At the same time, this number of manipulations... is abnormally high!"

Elephant suddenly realized and immediately analyzed, "I understand now. Orochimaru has subordinates helping him. It's actually a long-range control that's beyond the Byakugan's field of vision."

Many of his characteristics don't meet the restrictions of the Impure World Reincarnation, so what will the Third Lord have to face...?

"Possibly the Second Hokage at their peak!"

"Hmph, we'll soon see the Hokage's true strength."

A kilometer away from the battlefield, Dou, hiding in the shadows at the bottom of a cliff, maintained control over the Edo Tensei Body, and gently pushed up his glasses.

"Lord Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation does not require talismans to strengthen the restraints and can fully unleash the strength of the ninja in his previous life, as long as there is that creature called White Zetsu as a sacrifice."

Unfortunately, the quantity is rather small.

This is the second reason, besides the Rinnegan, that Orochimaru wanted to join the Akatsuki Organization.

The White Phosphorus Snake's main body contains a large number of Hashirama Cells, making it exceptionally effective at controlling Edo Tensei Body sacrificed to White Zetsu, far superior to ordinary human sacrifices.

However, White Zetsu are creatures that seem to be everywhere when you're not actively looking for them, but are very difficult to find when you are actively searching for them.

When intelligence indicated that they consistently appeared within the Akatsuki Organization, Orochimaru's interest reached its peak; such bodies were particularly appealing to the Living Corpse Reincarnation...

Inside the Barrier, Sarutobi Hiruzen also noticed the problem. His heart sank, but his body moved swiftly. "We must finish this quickly!"

Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!

The hand seals had barely been completed when a giant water ball hurtled towards him.

The Third Hokage was unable to complete the spell in time and was forced to retreat continuously.

Before they could even get their footing, a large number of trees sprang up from the ground, turning the area within the Barrier into a small forest.

Wood Release: Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!

"Uh..."

The Third Hokage's entire body was entangled in tree branches. In the critical moment, he urgently slapped his palm onto the tree trunk, summoning the Monkey King, the Enma.

Boom!

A white-haired ape dressed in yellow appeared, instantly transforming into a thick, black club that snapped the tree branch binding the Third Hokage in a few swift movements.

Before he could even retaliate with his staff, a Kunai grazed his scalp as the Second Hokage Flash behind Sarutobi Hiruzen in a bizarre flash, his blade aimed straight for the back of Hiruzen's head.

"What? He can even use the Flying Thunder God Technique..."

When!

At the critical moment, Enma once again came to the rescue, spinning to deflect the Second Hokage's Kunai. Only then did the experienced Third Hokage turn around.

Two Explosive Tag were attached in the blink of an eye, and with a swing of the big stick, the Second Hokage was sent flying far away. Boom!

"Sarutobi, your movements have become sluggish."

"Feel sorry..."

The Third Hokage merely responded hastily to Enma's shout, then raised his staff and charged towards Orochimaru at lightning speed.

These two enhanced Edo Tensei Body may not have displayed the peak strength of the previous Hokage, and their control may reveal flaws such as delayed reactions, just like the Flying Thunder God Technique just now.

However, if they continue to fight with Ninjutsu at a long distance, the Impure World Reincarnation Body can definitely wear him down to death.

We must defeat Orochimaru as soon as we have the strength, and then find a way to seal the Edo Tensei Body.