The End of an Era

Tobirama's gaze refocused on the heart of the matter. "So, kid, why did you show up here to watch this master and disciple kill each other?"

Qianyu's calm gaze swept over Orochimaru before finally settling on Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged yet upright figure. He slowly spoke a few words.

"To prevent someone's hands from being sealed."

Everyone was taken aback. Hands being sealed? What did that mean?

Qianyu did not explain immediately. Instead, he turned toward the First and Second Hokage and swiftly recounted some of Hiruzen Sarutobi's controversial decisions in his later years in office: indulging the growth of Danzo's Root in the name of so-called balance; tacitly allowing suspicion and isolation of the Uchiha, which ultimately led to their extermination; standing by as White Fang was driven to death by public opinion; and even secretly permitting forbidden experiments on Senju Clan members and orphans in pursuit of Wood Release power...

The more Tobirama heard, the darker his expression became, cold fury radiating from his body. He might have disliked the Uchiha, but he found it even more intolerable to coldly scheme against and sacrifice companions from the same village. It completely violated his original intention in establishing the Konoha Police Force and Ninja Academy to unite the various clans.

When Hashirama heard that even members of the Senju Clan had become experimental subjects, the smile vanished from his rugged face. He fell silent for a moment, then let out a heavy sigh. "Fortunately... the Senju Clan's strategy of voluntarily integrating with the common people spared us the fate of becoming targets. But, Monkey..."

He raised his head and looked at the disciple he had once thought most highly of, his eyes filled with profound disappointment. "You have disappointed me greatly. Konoha is a village meant to protect children, not a chessboard for political games and sacrificing comrades to preserve an illusion of peace."

Tobirama was even more blunt, his voice as sharp as a blade. "Though the Uchiha Clan may have been full of uncertainty, they were still citizens of Konoha—part of the group that founded this village! How was such cruel treatment any different from the blood feuds of the Warring States Era? Monkey, you have done far too many foolish things. Look at yourself now. The mighty Hokage is under attack at the heart of Konoha. Outside this barrier, are there any elite clans you trusted, any ANBU confidants, risking their lives to save you?"

Listening to his two teachers' merciless rebukes, Hiruzen Sarutobi's body swayed almost imperceptibly, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to deepen. He lowered his head, his voice hoarse and dry. "I'm sorry, Teachers... I... have failed your expectations."

But when he raised his head again, the final flame belonging to the Hero of Shinobi had not gone out in those aged eyes. "But right now... I am still Konoha's Hokage. As for how my mistakes should be dealt with, when I reach the Pure Land, I will personally apologize to the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and everyone who suffered because of my decisions..."

With that, his hands formed seals. His Hokage robe fluttered without wind as chakra erupted from his body. He actually charged straight at the controlled, murderous Tobirama Senju!

"Enma!"

The Adamantine Staff swept out and collided with Tobirama's fierce Water Release ninjutsu! Enma also transformed into the muscular form of a burly man, assisting from the side as he blocked Tobirama's lightning-fast taijutsu attacks.

However, a Reanimation body possessed limitless chakra and an immortal nature, while Tobirama's combat experience and mastery of ninjutsu were among the very best. Hiruzen Sarutobi was strong, but age had weakened him. Before long, he was struggling to cope, repeatedly driven into peril.

Hashirama looked at Qianyu, his expression complicated. "Are we... just going to watch?"

Qianyu replied calmly, "This is between master and disciple. We can just watch the show." After a pause, he added, "Oh, right. I get along very well with your granddaughter, Tsunade."

Hashirama's eyes lit up. "Huh? Is that okay? After all, you did use my cells..." Before he could finish, even he felt that the relationship was a little too complicated.

Qianyu waved a hand, his tone casual. "As far as the level of life is concerned, my current body might count as your ancestor. The generations are already all mixed up, so we can each mind our own generation. It's no problem."

Hearing that crooked logic, Hashirama actually found it somewhat reasonable. Scratching his head, he said, "That's true... You young people can handle your own affairs." He really did fold his arms and watch the fierce battle with Qianyu like an outsider, though his brows remained tightly furrowed.

In the arena, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already covered in wounds, his breathing ragged. As he watched Tobirama attack once more, a flash of resolve crossed his eyes.

His hands suddenly came together, forming a complex and ancient seal.

"Forbidden Technique: Reaper Death Seal!"

An invisible chilling wind rose abruptly. A colossal phantom in white robes, a short blade clamped between its teeth, appeared behind Hiruzen Sarutobi. Only the caster could see it, but it exuded a frigid aura that made souls tremble.

"This is my final trump card, one I never taught you... Orochimaru." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice carried endless exhaustion and a trace of remorse. "I'm sorry... I failed to teach you well."

Orochimaru watched Hiruzen Sarutobi's resolute stance and felt the terrifying fluctuations of the soul, though he could not see them. Yet there was no panic on his face. Instead, he revealed a peculiar calm.

"Teacher, there is no need to say that." Orochimaru's voice was unusually free of mockery. "You taught us very well. Jiraiya became a hero who traveled the world and wrote stories. Tsunade became a master healer who protected lives. And I... found the path to pursuing truth and immortality. Your only mistake may have been sitting in the Hokage's seat for too long. Power and time corroded your original ideals and judgment."

He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged but straight back. "Now, die with dignity as Konoha's Hero of Shinobi, protecting the village. That is far better than dying of old age in a sickbed, or being dragged down in disgrace someday when your old debts are exposed."

After hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi actually smiled in relief. "Fine. But... I'm taking you with me!"

Before his words had faded, the Shinigami phantom behind him thrust out an arm like a demon's claw. Following Hiruzen Sarutobi's movements, it viciously grabbed at Orochimaru with a speed too fast for the naked eye to discern!

The ghostly claw pierced through space, ignoring physical defenses as it went directly for the source of Orochimaru's soul!

However, just as the claw was about to touch Orochimaru's body—

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed abruptly!

Through the Shinigami, he felt that he had grasped nothing. The sensation was empty, completely lacking the solid, heavy resistance that came with seizing a soul!

"Orochimaru, you... your soul... You?!" Hiruzen Sarutobi stared in shock at Orochimaru, who stood so close before him.

Orochimaru, caught by the ghostly claw, wore a gentle, sly smile, as though he had expected this all along.

"Heh... I can't fall here, Teacher."

The next second, Orochimaru's body collapsed like rotten mud. His skin split apart, and several small grayish-brown snakes crawled from the cracks, scattering in all directions before vanishing into the shadows at the corners of the barrier.

A Snake Clone! And one infused with enough chakra and soul aura to pass for the real thing—a supremely advanced Snake Clone!

Still maintaining the Reaper Death Seal's posture, Hiruzen Sarutobi blankly watched the discarded snake skin dissipate in his hand. Then he looked toward Orochimaru's true body, who had somehow already appeared on the other side of the barrier, completely unharmed and silently watching him. He understood. From the very beginning, Orochimaru had never intended to perish with him. The Orochimaru who had approached him proactively, seemingly without any defenses, had been nothing but bait.

All the rage, accusations, tragedy, resolve... and ultimately even his target for mutual destruction had come to nothing.

A bone-deep exhaustion washed over him. The ultimate sealing technique he had activated by exhausting his life had caught only a handful of shed snake skin.

The Shinigami phantom sensed that the contract had been fulfilled, yet it had not received the promised soul. It let out a soundless roar, then reversed its ghostly claw and viciously drove it into the caster's chest—Hiruzen Sarutobi's own chest!

"Urgh—!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi groaned as he felt his soul being forcibly torn out and dragged toward the cold short blade in the Shinigami's mouth. His life force rapidly drained away.

In the final moment before his consciousness sank completely into darkness, his blurred gaze turned toward the distant Orochimaru.

Orochimaru was watching him as well. His vertical pupils were unreadable beneath the crimson glow of the barrier. His lips moved without sound, but Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to understand the words.

"Don't worry, Teacher. I said I would not harm Konoha. In the future... you might even be able to return."

Return? Could one return from the Pure Land...?

Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer had the strength to think. Yet Orochimaru's words, almost like a promise, strangely soothed the last of his unwillingness and fear. He slowly closed his eyes, a trace of peace remaining on his face as his soul was completely drawn into the Shinigami's mouth.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had fought to the death to protect the village during the Konoha Crush Plan.

With the caster's death, the Reaper Death Seal was undone, and the phantom of the Shinigami dissipated.

The area fell deathly silent.

Enma, having reverted from the Adamantine Staff, let out a mournful growl before turning into white smoke and vanishing back to the summoning realm.

Tobirama Senju's reanimated body stopped moving. The fury and killing intent on his face gradually subsided, clarity returning to his eyes. He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, lying on the ground without a trace of life, then at his own reanimated body as it began to crumble into scraps of paper. His face turned livid.

Orochimaru formed a hand seal, preparing to undo the Reanimation.

"Until next time, First Hokage, Second Hokage."

"There'll be a next time?!" Tobirama abruptly turned toward Orochimaru. Even as his body was fading away, the Second Hokage's razor-sharp aura erupted once more. "You innately evil—"

Before he could finish, he and Hashirama, whose body beside him was likewise beginning to crumble, were swallowed by coffins that appeared out of thin air. The lids shut, and the coffins sank into the ground, vanishing without a trace.

The light of the Four Red Yang Formation began to flicker unsteadily.

Outside the barrier, Shukaku's roars and Gamabunta's furious bellows rang out clearly. The battle had reached its fiercest point.

Orochimaru turned to Qianyu, who had stood silently watching all along, a faint smile curling his lips. " 'Prevent someone's hands from being sealed'... It seems you know something. Interesting. My hands are perfectly intact."

Qianyu met his gaze and nodded. "Part of the deal, wasn't it? You got the heroic finale and freedom you wanted. Konoha went through the necessary growing pains, and your hands retained their ability to continue your research."

Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Then what comes next?"

Qianyu did not answer. His gaze shifted beyond the barrier, where Konoha's future was struggling, growing amid blood and flames.

"Let's fight, Orochimaru."