Tobirama's Cause of Death Exposed

Four grayish-white figures walked along the mountain path leading to the battlefield.

Moonlight leaked through gaps in the clouds, coating the cracked skin unique to Impure World Reincarnation with a silvery sheen. Hashirama walked at the front, but he was in no hurry—not like a warrior rushing toward battle, but more like an old man out for a stroll. Every now and then, he stopped to look at the wild grass by the roadside, or lifted his head to gaze at the moon.

Tobirama followed three paces behind him, his brow faintly furrowed the entire time. Hiruzen walked in the middle, his expression hidden beneath his conical hat. Minato brought up the rear, his steps light yet steady, like someone accustomed to thinking in silence.

They had left the shrine some time ago. Sasuke, Orochimaru, and the others followed farther behind, maintaining a subtle distance—not too far, not too close. They neither disturbed whatever conversation might take place among the Hokage nor risked being unable to regroup immediately if needed.

The silence lasted a long time.

In the end, Hashirama was the one who broke it. He suddenly stopped and turned around. There was a strange gleam in his Impure World Reincarnation eyes—not fighting spirit, not vigilance, but a pure, almost childlike curiosity.

"By the way, Tobirama." Hashirama folded his arms across his chest and tilted his head at his younger brother. "There's something I've always wanted to ask you."

Tobirama raised his eyelids and glanced at him. "What?"

"How did you die?"

The air suddenly froze for a moment.

Hiruzen's steps faltered, and his gaze flickered beneath the shadow of his hat. The gentle smile on Minato's face stiffened as well, while a trace of complicated emotion surfaced in his blue eyes.

Tobirama's expression darkened almost visibly. It was