The Second, Tobirama Senju.
With his elder brother, the First, hailed as the God of Shinobi before him, his own brilliance might have seemed somewhat dimmer in history.
But among the older generation of ninja who had likewise lived through the Warring States Period and the age of ninja villages, none would have rated the Second below the First.
After Hashirama Senju died, the Second Tobirama Senju took over Konoha and surpassed the First in governance. When it came to human nature in particular, he possessed his own keen judgment and decisive responses.
Shortly after being brought back through Impure World Reincarnation, he had indeed inwardly praised Orochimaru's intelligence.
That was also one of the reasons he had immediately tried to kill Orochimaru after breaking free of his control!
It was not merely to buy Minato time.
It was also because Tobirama knew full well that when a clever, capable person used his talents in the wrong way, the consequences could be more terrifying than those caused by thousands upon thousands of evildoers!
He had always understood that truth deeply.
So the moment they engaged at close range, Tobirama, who held an overwhelming advantage against his one-armed opponent, showed no mercy. He gripped his kunai in reverse, intending to drive it straight through Orochimaru's temple this time!
At that same moment, however, something whistled through the air beside him.
Slash!
Boom!
Both sounds erupted at once. Tobirama Senju made no attempt to defend himself and took a heavy kick to the chest from the arriving Second Kazekage, Shamon, sending him flying.
Only then did Orochimaru, now missing an arm, manage to catch his breath in his wretched state. His remaining hand covered the wound on his neck, and his snake-like eyes stared fixedly at the Second as he slowly rose