"Monkey, could it be that you..." the Second Hokage said, his expression tense.
He knew the Third Hokage. Seeing that look on his face, he had probably already resolved himself to die.
The Third Hokage let out a long breath, then turned to look at the war-torn village below, a trace of guilt rising in his heart.
"Looks like I really am a useless Hokage!"
"Konoha doesn't have any sealing ninjutsu. I may have to trouble the First Hokage and Second Hokage!"
The Second Hokage's assault did not slow in the slightest, but his words noticeably faltered.
"After using that move, you'll die too!"
The Third Hokage was silent for a long while before finally saying only four words: "For Konoha!"
With that, he leaped back and cast three ninjutsu in rapid succession, temporarily restraining the Second Hokage.
He crossed his hands. "Shadow Clone Technique!"
"Poof! Poof!" Two more clones appeared beside him.
The three figures split up at once. Of those still capable of fighting, only the Second Hokage remained.
His true body charged straight at the Second Hokage.
As for Orochimaru and the First Hokage, the clones would be enough to handle them.
Grabbing the Second Hokage by the shoulder, he said softly, "Master, forgive me!"
The Second Hokage turned his head away, unwilling to look at him, but the kunai in his hand plunged into the Third Hokage's chest against his will.
The Third Hokage immediately spat out blood.
Enduring the pain, he roared in a low voice.
"Forbidden Jutsu Secret Art: Reaper Death Seal!"
In an instant, the sky darkened. From afar came what seemed like the cries and howls of ghosts.
A corpse demon suddenly appeared behind him, a short sword clenched between its teeth and prayer beads in its hand.
Across the street from Ichiraku Ramen.
Wu Di looked at the translucent corpse demon in the distance, his feelings complicated.
Although the Third Hokage's reign had been the darkest period in Konoha's history,
it could not be denied that he had also given much to the village. For him to die like this seemed just a little wasteful.
"So the ending still hasn't changed..."
He sighed deeply and raised a hand to rub his temples.
Then he turned and went back into the little shop.
Above the rooftop, the corpse demon's arm pierced straight through the Third Hokage's chest and grabbed hold of the First Hokage and Second Hokage.
"Monkey, I've caused you trouble!"
At that moment, the Second Hokage finally regained control of his body.
He looked sorrowfully at the Third Hokage, his heart filled with grief.
He was the Third Hokage's teacher, and also the previous Hokage.
Looking at the village's current prosperity, he knew the Third Hokage must have endured countless hardships.
He was greatly comforted to have such a disciple.
The only regret was that things had to end in such an awkward manner.
"Hiruzen, you've already done very well!" He forced out a faint smile.
The Third Hokage coughed lightly, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he spoke softly.
"Master, just call me Monkey. I'm more used to hearing that!"
"Monkey... I'm sorry..."
As soon as those words fell, the Second Hokage's soul was taken away by the corpse demon and swallowed into its stomach.
Watching the corpse demon chew, the Third Hokage felt a pang of sorrow.
Then he looked toward the First Hokage.
Half of his soul had already been pulled out.
Unlike the sentimental Second Hokage, he carried a hint of childish fervor no matter the situation. Even with half his soul pulled out, he was still the same.
His face full of worry, he looked at the Third Hokage and said unwillingly,
"It's all because of you, you damned monkey. You got me all interested."
"I really want to see for myself what that little shop you mentioned is like!"
The Third Hokage said casually,
"It's just a little gambling shop called Invincible Scratch-off."
"Gambling!"
The moment he heard those two words, the First Hokage's eyes lit up.
His heart instantly felt as if it were being scratched by cat claws, and he quickly asked, "Another new type of gambling?"
"Yes." The Third Hokage nodded gently.
The First Hokage's face twitched, and he became even more annoyed.
"Gambling is my favorite! Monkey, I hate you to death!"
"If I don't get to experience scratch-off tickets for myself, I won't die in peace!"
The Third Hokage looked at his extracted soul and chuckled softly.
"Don't worry. Your granddaughter goes there often!"
"What? Tsuna? With her luck..."
The First Hokage seemed to have more to say, but his soul had already entered the corpse demon's mouth.
The Third Hokage turned back and said solemnly, "Wait for me. It won't be long before I join you!"
As the souls of the First and Second Hokage left their bodies one after another, the effects of Impure World Reincarnation were immediately undone.
The corpses of two Sound Ninja were revealed inside.
They were Koto and Dosu, who had participated in the Chunin Exam.
The Third Hokage glanced at them but paid them no further mind.
After sealing the two of them in succession, there was very little Chakra left in his body.
Moreover, the corpse demon's time was almost up.
Before it disappeared, he had to seal Orochimaru.
Thus, clutching his bleeding chest, he steadied himself once more and used all his strength to control the corpse demon's massive hand as it reached toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru said in terror, "Master, don't seal me! Don't!"
He smiled faintly, his expression extremely complicated.
"You were once my most prized disciple."
"When I discovered that you had broken the rules, I only made you leave the village."
"I was too softhearted back then, and that led to today's disaster."
"Tell me! Why did you want to destroy Konoha?"
The piercing pain left him gasping for breath.
The corpse demon's huge hand reached into Orochimaru's body and searched wildly.
The Third Hokage spat out blood, and his vision began to blur.
"Could it be... this is as far as I go?" he murmured unwillingly.
Seeing this, Orochimaru suddenly became refreshed. The fear from before vanished completely as he threw back his head and laughed viciously.
"Old man, you're finished, aren't you? Let's see how you're going to seal me now!"
"Today, I'll make all of Konoha accompany you to the grave!"
The Third Hokage spat out blood again.
Given his current condition, he truly feared that he could no longer seal Orochimaru!
Gritting his teeth, he made a compromise.
"Since I can't seal you completely, then I'll seal your ninjutsu instead!"
His hand seals changed, and the corpse demon's short sword fell at once.
Orochimaru's soul was severed straight down the middle!
Watching the departing soul, Orochimaru roared in despair, "No!"
Looking down, he saw that both his arms had turned deathly gray and could no longer move.
"Old man... you... won't die a good death!"
Orochimaru roared, then nervously looked toward those maintaining the Four Violet Flames Formation and shouted,
"Quick, get me out of here!"
As soon as he called out, the Four Violet Flames Formation immediately dispersed.
Kabuto Yakushi, who had been tangling with Kakashi and the others, also swiftly withdrew from battle.
The five of them escorted Orochimaru as they fought and retreated.
After using the Reaper Death Seal, the Third Hokage's life had already reached its end.
The Jonin did not continue their pursuit. All of them hurried over and surrounded the Third Hokage.
Looking at one blurry face after another around him, the Third Hokage's lips curled into a faint smile.
A leaf drifted down from the sky, and he smiled weakly.
"Perhaps... this is Konoha..."
His vision grew darker and darker.
Through the haze, he seemed to hear someone shout, "Move aside..."
"I'm going now. People of Konoha, take care..."
His vision went completely dark, and even the sounds around him seemed to grow much quieter.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly heard the sound of a beating heart.
"Thump!"
Before you continue