Everyone on the battlefield froze.
Genya held his blade against Orochimaru's neck, but did not bring it down.
He looked down at the bedraggled Sannin, a teasing smile on his lips.
"How boring."
He withdrew the Purple Radiance Blade and casually twirled it.
"You can't even entertain me, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru slumped to the ground, gasping for breath.
His eyes were filled with relief at having survived, but even more than that, with deep fear and... confusion.
Why hadn't this man killed him?
Genya ignored his confusion. Suddenly, he bent down and asked in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Orochimaru, do you believe there's a technique in this world that can bring the dead back to life?"
Orochimaru's pupils abruptly contracted.
What did he mean?!
Bring the dead back to life?
That forbidden technique that existed only in legends? A realm he'd failed to make any headway in despite years of research?
But Genya stopped looking at him. He straightened and walked toward the First, Second, and Third Hokages.
Orochimaru remained sprawled where he was, his mind in turmoil.
That boy... just what did he know?
Before the First Hokage.
Genya came to a stop, studying the legendary shinobi summoned through Impure World Reincarnation.
Hashirama Senju!
The God of Shinobi, the man who had ended an age of turmoil and founded Konoha, who stood alongside Madara Uchiha as the Twin Pillars of the Shinobi World.
Even in a body created through Impure World Reincarnation, he still radiated a majesty that made others instinctively bow to him.
"First Hokage."
Genya spoke with respect in his voice.
"I heard you were called the God of Shinobi during your lifetime."
Hashirama Senju smiled faintly, his smile warm and easygoing.
"That's all in the past. Now I'm nothing more than a