Watching Zou Hyuga's grave expression, Orochimaru formed hand seals.
Under the formula's influence, the coffin slowly opened, and a figure wearing a Sunagakure forehead protector stepped out.
Seeing the reanimated figure ahead and the iron sand floating around him, Zou Hyuga inwardly sighed in relief.
Orochimaru had summoned the reanimated Third Kazekage, not the First Hokage, Hashirama.
A reanimated body was already far weaker than it had been in life, and this was merely the Third Kazekage. As far as Zou was concerned, the Third Kazekage's title of strongest was nothing but empty acclaim.
Then again, none of the Kazekage throughout history seemed particularly powerful.
In the Desert of the Land of Wind, Magnet Release and sand manipulation could reach their full potential. In other environments, however, they fell far short of the abilities of the other villages' Kage.
After a moment of confusion, surprise appeared in Zou Hyuga's eyes. He asked tentatively, "Is that the Third Kazekage? Didn't Sasori turn him into a human puppet?"
Orochimaru smiled. "Controlling life and death is hardly difficult for me."
Wariness appeared in Zou Hyuga's eyes. "If you can control the Third Kazekage, can you control other ninja as well?"
Orochimaru nodded lightly and said enticingly, "As long as you become my subordinate, I can resurrect someone for you. I heard your uncle died during the Nine-Tails' Rampage..."
Orochimaru stopped at just the right moment, watching Zou Hyuga as he waited for an answer.
Having reanimated the Third Kazekage, he had no fear of a surprise attack.
The last blow he had taken remained fresh in his memory. It had taken him several months to expel the senjutsu chakra.
Zou Hyuga fell silent, seemingly considering the offer. Only then did he ask Orochimaru, "Why are you going to such lengths to recruit Oto