"All right, now isn't the time for a leisurely chat."
A faint note of excitement colored Orochimaru's voice as he interrupted this brief "tea party of Hokage across the generations."
Suddenly, his gaze locked onto a spot on the battlefield below like a cold, flicking snake's tongue, his golden slit pupils narrowing slightly.
Following his gaze, the First, Second, and Third all looked in the same direction.
At the edge of the chaotic battlefield, a golden figure was racing toward the rooftop at incredible speed.
The figure was nimble and swift, repeatedly using the Body Flicker Technique or deft footwork to avoid stray enemies and the fallout of nearby battles. His destination was clear-the rooftop sealed off by the Four Violet Flames Formation!
Behind that golden figure followed several equally young ninja boys, each with his own distinctive traits.
They stayed close behind the blond boy, like a sharp arrowhead trying to pierce the chaos and strike straight at its heart.
"No... we could chat a little longer."
The First looked at Naruto.
"Hmm... this child... he looks a bit like the fourth face on Kage Rock... is he the Fourth Hokage? He's so young!"
At the First's words, the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stiffened almost imperceptibly.
A flicker of conflict crossed his aged face.
Was he to reveal Naruto's parentage here, under these circumstances?
He glanced at Naruto, who was making his way toward them with all his strength, then at the two former Hokage waiting beside him for an answer. Finally, he took a deep breath and spoke as calmly as he could.
"Lord First, he isn't the Fourth Hokage."
Orochimaru took over. "His name is Naruto Uzumaki. Isn't that right, Sensei?"
"Naruto... Uzumaki?"
The First, Hashirama, raised his brows slightly. No wonder the boy had felt familiar, though