Dead Demon Consuming Seal

Orochimaru leaped into the air, dodging the first wave of attacks.

"Hehehe... Teacher, you've gotten old. You're much slower than you used to be."

Orochimaru laughed coldly. The instant he landed, he drove off with both legs and shot forward, skimming along the ground.

The Kusanagi Sword in his hand gleamed with a chilling blue light as he thrust it straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen's throat.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Orochimaru!" Sarutobi Hiruzen roared.

He swung the staff in his hands in a seamless flurry, perfectly defending against Orochimaru's attack.

Uchiha Yan watched the two fight. He was confident he could kill either Sarutobi Hiruzen or Orochimaru.

Unfortunately, one was impossible to kill, and the other had a technique called Heaven and Earth Longevity.

Not worth messing with. Not worth messing with.

At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen went on the offensive, stretching the staff to attack Orochimaru.

Orochimaru raised his Kusanagi Sword and blocked Sarutobi Hiruzen's strike.

Their faces contorted with effort as they began to test their strength.

Just then, Senju Hashirama swept Sarutobi Hiruzen's legs out from under him.

Orochimaru seized the opportunity and shoved the staff back with both arms.

Senju Tobirama followed close behind, landing a kick in Sarutobi Hiruzen's stomach.

Taking advantage of the opening, Orochimaru planted the Kusanagi Sword in the ground, then beat Sarutobi Hiruzen down with a flurry of punches and kicks.

Orochimaru slowly walked up to Sarutobi Hiruzen and said, "Teacher, is this really where it ends?"

"Come on, Teacher. Pull yourself together."

Orochimaru reached out and lifted Sarutobi Hiruzen by one arm.

"You were known as a master of every ninjutsu, the Professor, and the strongest Hokage in history."

Even Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, whose emotions had been suppressed by Impure World Reincarnation, could barely keep their composure after hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's many titles.

The two exchanged glances, silently communicating with one another.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru, who was gloating.

Tears fell from his eyes—not because he feared death, but because he wondered where the man who had once willingly stayed behind to protect his comrades had gone.

Where had the diligent Hokage of twenty years ago gone?

For years, he had devoted himself to political maneuvering, doing whatever it took to maintain stability, even manipulating ordinary people.

For the sake of so-called politics, he had twisted himself into a monster.

Sarutobi Hiruzen murmured, "I think I've found the person I used to be."

His voice was faint, so faint that even Orochimaru could barely hear him.

But at that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to have found the person he used to be.

Somehow, he found the strength.

He kicked Orochimaru directly in the knee.

Orochimaru reacted too late and fell to his knees.

The staff beside them suddenly sprouted an arm, which seized Enma by the throat.

"Orochimaru, it's over for you! I'll snap your neck."

Enma clamped down on Orochimaru's throat. The terrifying strength made Orochimaru feel as though he were choking.

Enma squeezed hard and crushed Orochimaru.

But the Orochimaru in Enma's hand soon turned into a lump of mud.

Orochimaru appeared in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen again.

Sarutobi Hiruzen kicked him away.

Senju Hashirama prepared to attack, but Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately pulled out a giant Shuriken.

He formed Hand Seals. "Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!" The technique temporarily held Senju Hashirama back.

In the blink of an eye, Senju Tobirama appeared before him as well.

As they fought, Sarutobi Hiruzen slapped an Explosive Tag onto Senju Tobirama's arm.

He immediately leaped back and detonated the Explosive Tag, restraining them both.

And now, the true advantage of Impure World Reincarnation came into play.

Their bodies were slowly repairing themselves.

Senju Hashirama slowly rose and continued forming Hand Seals.

In an instant, Wood Release spread throughout the entire barrier.

Even Uchiha Yan's eyelid twitched at the sight.

As expected of Senju Hashirama. Even nowhere near his peak, he was still terrifying.

The Anbu member beside Uchiha Yan let his feelings show and shouted,

"Lord Hokage, are you all right?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen enclosed himself in a cage for protection.

But the chakra he had spent left him panting.

Then his gaze hardened.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Two Shadow Clones appeared beside Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He slowly formed Hand Seals, and a massive shadow appeared behind him.

A Death God with a dagger clenched between his teeth emerged behind him.

Orochimaru was still gloating. "Teacher, no matter what you do, I've already won."

"Does that old body of yours still have any chakra left?"

"Konoha is doomed!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath and stood up straight.

He felt as though he had become decades younger. "Konoha is my home. A Hokage exists to protect that home."

"I'll do whatever it takes to protect it."

Senju Tobirama showed no reaction. He pressed his hands together and cast the "Bringer-of-Darkness Technique," a jutsu specifically designed to counter the Uchiha.

The instant the technique took effect, Sarutobi Hiruzen's vision went pitch-black.

His feelings were complicated.

His teacher had originally created this technique to be used against the Uchiha.

He never imagined it would be used against him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen struggled to fend off attacks from every direction, while steeling himself for the end.

He pressed his hands together and roared,

"Orochimaru, I'm about to show you a ninjutsu I never taught you."

"Sealing Jutsu: Dead Demon Consuming Seal!"

The Death God behind him, which had been utterly motionless like a statue, suddenly shifted its eyes.

Then it slowly raised its hand.

The prayer beads hanging from its arm transformed into layers of energy, covering its hand.

The Death God's Cursed Seal began spreading from its arm, bit by bit.

The Third Hokage's soul was slowly drawn out.

The Death God's hand gradually sank into the Third Hokage's soul.

The Third Hokage felt a searing pain and nearly collapsed to his knees.

Cold sweat from the agony ran down his forehead.

With the last of his strength, Sarutobi Hiruzen seized the two men.

The Death God passed through Sarutobi Hiruzen's stomach and grabbed the two men's souls.

At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's vision returned.

Senju Hashirama looked at him and said, "Sorry, Monkey."

Sarutobi Hiruzen replied to Senju Hashirama, "Please forgive me."

Senju Tobirama said, "Sorry to trouble you."

The Death God sealed both their souls.

The Shadow Clones had fulfilled their purpose. They vanished.

As the souls brought back by Impure World Reincarnation disappeared, the two bodies used as sacrifices appeared before Sarutobi Hiruzen.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen had no time to look at them. He turned his gaze to Orochimaru.