Underground in Konoha, in the Secret Base Hiruko had carved out for Orochimaru.
"Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu!"
"Come forth! The Leaf's White Fang!"
A silver-haired ninja with short hair, who looked like a larger version of Kakashi, was summoned from the Transition Space between the Living World and the Pure Land.
Hatake Sakumo looked at his hands, which seemed to be made of pieces of ceramic. "I... what is this?"
Sakumo hadn't been sleeping in the Pure Land.
After taking his own life, Sakumo had remained in the Transition Space between the Living World and the Pure Land, unable to let go of the Living World and still worried about Kakashi.
It wasn't until Pain invaded Konoha and Kakashi also reached that Transition Space that Sakumo's heart was finally unburdened. His soul was freed, and he returned to the Pure Land.
He'd just been sitting by a fire, waiting for Kakashi. How had he suddenly been summoned to the Living World?
"Sakumo, long time no see!"
Orochimaru's hoarse voice reached Sakumo's ears. Sakumo looked up and saw a Pale Man with golden eyes.
Another man stood beside him, with pure white hair and bandages wrapped around his face.
"Orochimaru, Hiruko. Was this your doing?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly without answering.
Hiruko sneered. "Sakumo, how does it feel to live again?"
Sakumo shook his head. "It's awful. It's like being sealed inside some cold shell, without a trace of warmth."
Hiruko nodded in agreement. "It's the same for me. No feelings, no desires—just a burning rage toward Uchiha Ryobu."
"Like an evil ghost consumed by hatred!"
Sakumo looked confused. "Ryobu? What did that kid do to you?"
Hatake Sakumo and Yūhi Shinkō were a year ahead of Ryobu and the others. They'd been classmates and had crossed paths briefly.
Hiruko was furious