Bitter Battle

Orochimaru watched Naruto's relentless assault and curled his lips into a cold, sinister smile. With a sudden wave of his hand, he activated the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Countless sharp shuriken seemed to come alive, transforming into a dense swarm of blades that wove and spun through the air, completely concealing Orochimaru's form within.

Though this sudden shift couldn't harm Naruto, it did force him to halt his attack.

The moment Naruto stopped, Orochimaru seized the opportunity to activate the Summoning Jutsu: Impure World Reincarnation.

A massive summoning array erupted beneath his feet, glowing with an eerie blue light.

Then, three coffins shot up vertically from the array at astonishing speed, carrying an intense pressure.

The lids opened in sequence. From the first coffin, Konohagakure's First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, was summoned.

His skin was corpse-like, but his frame was imposing, radiating a powerful aura like an insurmountable mountain.

From the second coffin, Konohagakure's Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, followed. Like the First, his skin was dark, his body agile, exuding a natural authority without anger.

However, when the third coffin rose unsteadily, something went wrong.

Unlike the first two, it contained no powerful ninja—it was empty, then sank back down.

Orochimaru frowned slightly, clearly caught off guard by this development.

He didn't know that the third coffin had been meant to summon the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. But because Minato had given his soul to the Shinigami through the Reaper Death Seal in life, Orochimaru couldn't reincarnate him.

Facing the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, summoned by Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation, Naruto felt a surge of awe.

Even summoned from death, these two legendary figures exuded an aura that made one's heart tremble.

Naruto's sharp eyes easily caught the overwhelming power in their stances, perfectly matching the solemn faces carved on the Hokage Rock, leaving no doubt in his mind.

"This is similar to the Spirit Evocation in the jujutsu world," Gokage Go mused inwardly, surprised by Orochimaru's audacity. "Summoning such powerful beings—aren't you afraid they'll turn on you?"

As his thoughts raced, Orochimaru's fingers moved rapidly through hand seals, and the bodies of the First and Second began to change subtly.

Their pale skin gradually regained life, steaming with warmth. Except for their hollow, black eyes, they looked almost alive.

Yet those empty gazes revealed they weren't truly awakened—just controlled puppets.

Naruto's azure eyes behind his sunglasses gleamed with insight.

A smirk tugged at his lips as he taunted Orochimaru: "Since you went to all the trouble to summon them, why not give them consciousness and let them show their true power? Or are you afraid that once they regain awareness, they'll break free and kill you instantly?"

Orochimaru replied with a smile, his tone laced with disdain: "Kid, even with just their battle instincts from life, these two will give you plenty of trouble.

Especially the First—if he regained consciousness, I'm sure I'd be his target in an instant. But right now, having them on my side is my greatest advantage. However..." He paused, noticing the excitement and fighting spirit on Naruto's face, and shook his head helplessly. "It seems my words are unnecessary."

With a command, Orochimaru's fingers moved through hand seals again, and he shouted, "Then go!" At his order, the First and Second, like activated killing machines, slowly advanced toward Gokage Go.

Hashirama Senju's hands formed seals rapidly, a deep and resonant chant echoing through the forest. In an instant, the entire forest seemed to answer his call, becoming his domain.

Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence! As the technique completed, the ground trembled. Massive trees burst forth at astonishing speed, growing rapidly, intertwining to form a dense green barrier.

Thick branches, like giant arms, lifted the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, high into the air.

From above, the First Hokage controlled the towering trees. Their branches, like flexible whips, whipped through the air with a howling wind, launching a fierce attack on Naruto, who hovered midair.

Each branch carried enough force to shake mountains, trying to trap Naruto in this Wood Style cage.

Meanwhile, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, wasn't idle. He waved his hands, and the Water Style technique activated instantly.

Clear water coalesced in the air into a massive water dragon, roaring as it charged toward Naruto.