After White left, on a small hill a few kilometers away, a White Zetsu was reporting to Pain what he had seen.
"Orochimaru's subordinates just activated the sealing barrier and have left. Should we continue monitoring them?"
Yahiko, in his guise as the Deva Path, looked at the conspicuous ice barrier in the distance and shook his head.
"No need, those things aren't important."
Pain then headed towards the battlefield, with White Zetsu silently following behind him.
Returning to the time when Kakuzu fled.
Aside from Kakuzu, who fled in terror upon seeing Hashirama's face, the others also recognized the three Impure World ninjas.
Hidan didn't know anyone and was completely unimpressed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew of the existence of the Impure World Reincarnation. Upon seeing the three, his face darkened considerably, but he also felt a strange sense of anticipation as he looked at Tobirama's figure.
Only Itachi was truly shocked; being a man of few words, he naturally didn't utter a sound, only exclaiming inwardly.
This... this is the First Lord!
And the Second Hokage Lord!
And the Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure!
As Itachi was still in shock, the last piece of earth flew in, and all three of them opened their eyes at the same time.
"Haha, so this is the Pure Land? It looks pretty much like the Shinobi World. I wonder if Madara is here?"
Unsurprisingly, it was Hashirama Senju who spoke first.
Unlike the oblivious Hashirama, Tobirama Senju and Ai first carefully checked their surroundings.
However, Ai also exclaimed in surprise when he saw Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
He wanted to immediately activate Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but then he realized something was wrong with himself.
"If I remember correctly, I should be dead. So, is this another conspiracy by Konoha?"
He tried to move around and found that he could only turn his neck. He looked around and realized that he was standing in a row with two other guys who were clearly in poor condition.
Judging from his attire, it resembles the style of a samurai from the Warring States period. Besides Hiruzen Sarutobi and a boy, there is a man with a slicked-back hairstyle and a long stick stuck in his heart, and Orochimaru standing to his right rear.
Despite his seemingly rough exterior, Ai was actually quite perceptive. He clearly saw the three factions and, if he wasn't mistaken, he seemed to be being controlled by Orochimaru.
Ai decided to remain silent for the time being and observe the situation.
However, A's earlier shout of Hiruzen Sarutobi, combined with his current predicament, made Tobirama Senju instantly understand many things.
Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose face was covered with wrinkles and age spots, yet whose youthful appearance was still faintly discernible, Tobirama Senju did not ask any brainless questions such as whether the war had ended.
He didn't even ask why the Impure World Reincarnation was listed as a forbidden technique, yet he was summoned.
Tobirama Senju also observed the surrounding environment, especially the conspicuous sealing barrier, before asking a question.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, this doesn't seem to be Konoha. Has a new war broken out?"
Tobirama's voice snapped Hashirama out of his Hashirama, who was still thinking about finding his best friend Madara. He turned to look at Tobirama, then at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Tobirama, are you dead too? And Monkey, why are you so old?"
Having some understanding of Hashirama's personality, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not answer Hashirama's question, but instead pondered Tobirama Senju's question.
After a short while, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke.
"First Hokage, and teacher, I apologize for disturbing your rest. It was my negligence that led to the misuse of this forbidden technique. The one who used it was my disciple, Orochimaru, now an S-rank missing-nin of Konoha. As for the war, it is over."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words caused a slight change in the people present.
Itachi's initially shocked expression returned to calm.
Raikage A felt a chill run down his spine. It really was Konoha's doing. They actually had such a blasphemous technique. As expected of the evil Konoha!
Ai was now plotting how to obtain more intelligence and how to transmit it back to Kumogakure.
Tobirama was even more puzzled. This was clearly not Konoha, and might not even be the Land of Fire. What had happened to make Hiruzen Sarutobi appear here?
Hashirama's focus was somewhat unusual, and he spoke directly.
"So you're your disciple. A very talented young man. I couldn't even understand such a complex technique back then."
After saying that, he looked at Itachi next to Hiruzen Sarutobi with an admiring expression, ignoring the rest of the content and treating Itachi as Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple.
Hashirama Senju's mysterious actions left everyone present feeling incredulous.
Having gleaned considerable information from their conversation, Ai suddenly realized that the legendary God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, might not have been overhyped!
Feeling deeply ashamed, Tobirama Senju's face darkened, and he roared at his older brother beside him.
"Shut up!"