The high platform woven from branches and tree trunks was like a towering throne, and 'B', standing on the throne, looking down, was like a sovereign, a deity!
Even Orochimaru, who was accustomed to all sorts of scenes, couldn't help but be stunned for a second or two as he gazed at this sight.
"How is that possible!?"
Yakushi Kabuto next to him cried out in astonishment.
He certainly had reason to be surprised, as the fact that Akatsuki's 'B' was a Mangekyo Uchiha was already the consensus of all parties in the Ninja World.
If 'B' had just used the Uzumaki Clan's sealing jutsu, Adamantine Sealing Chains, it could still be argued that the Akatsuki organization was highly resourceful and had circumvented the restriction that Adamantine Sealing Chains required the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline, but the fact that 'B' could now use Wood Release left him utterly confused.
"First Hokage cell transplant surgery, is it?"
Orochimaru was the first to react, and the look in his eyes when he saw 'B' gradually became complicated.
He was one of the few people in the Ninja World who had the most authority to speak about the danger level of this surgery. Among the living Wood Release shinobi in the Ninja World today, one was created by his own hand.
Undoubtedly, that person was Yamato.
Even with the successful case of Yamato, Orochimaru still believed that obtaining Wood Release through surgical transplantation was unfeasible, because Yamato's Wood Release did not meet his expectations.
It wasn't until Tsunade successfully completed the transplant surgery on Yakumo, and the post-surgery Yakumo displayed Wood Release strength far exceeding Yamato's, that he resumed his research on the First Hokage's cells, colluded with Danzo again, and secretly conducted multiple First Hokage cell transplant surgeries.
However, reality was extremely cruel. Let alone creating another 'Yakumo,' they couldn't even create a 'Yamato.' No matter how they optimized and improved the surgery, the success rate did not improve in the slightest; all they got was failure after failure.
It was this kind of experience that made him realize how great the risks of transplanting the First Hokage's cells were. Thus, for a moment, he immensely admired 'B,' who had already acquired great power, for daring to personally attempt such a danger just to gain even greater strength.
Boom!
Just then, Orochimaru's underground laboratory completely collapsed, and the area where the laboratory used to be became a huge deep pit!
Swish swish swish...
Amidst the swirling smoke and dust, the recovered Impure World Reincarnation bodies of the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage sprang out of the giant pit and landed on the ground.
Through Jikibi, Shinji continued to follow Karin's battle.
As he had initially expected, the situation Karin faced became very complicated from the moment Orochimaru summoned the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage via Impure World Reincarnation.
Fortunately, Orochimaru did not dare to relax his control over the three: the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage, which resulted in the three Hokage having extremely low intelligence, dull expressions, and stiff movements, maintaining only the standard of fighting based on instinct.
For the current Karin, this could only be considered trouble and not a threat. However, Orochimaru and Sage Kabuto were still on the field, so the trouble Karin faced was still considerable.
But Shinji was not going to say anything more. Since Karin chose to fight, he naturally wouldn't interfere forcibly.
On the field.
Orochimaru stared intently at 'B' on the wooden high platform and said: "I finally understand why the Akatsuki organization only sent you alone!"
Karin said coldly: "No, you don't understand!"
"Is that so..." Orochimaru chuckled, raised both arms, and began forming hand seals: "Then prove it to me!"
With that, he performed the jutsu and released the restrictions on the Impure World Reincarnation bodies of the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage.
Hiss hiss hiss...
Instantly, bursts of mist rose from the three Impure World Reincarnation bodies. As the mist surged, the three Hokage, who had dull expressions, gradually regained their spirituality, and their expressions became richer.
"Damn it, it's you again!"
The Second Hokage was somewhat irritated.
As a Hokage, being manipulated repeatedly by a junior made him very unhappy!
The First Hokage, however, noticed the platform made of Wood Release beneath Karin's feet and made a slight exclamation: "Hmm, Wood Release?"
The Fourth Hokage looked around, vaguely guessing something, and then shifted his attention to Orochimaru: "Orochimaru, did you do this?"
The Second Hokage looked at the Fourth Hokage: "Who are you?"
"Second Hokage-Leader, I am Minato Namikaze, and I previously served as the Hokage!"
The Fourth Hokage gave an awkward smile, turned around, and revealed the words 'Fourth Hokage' on his Hokage haori.
"Died so young?" The Second Hokage frowned, then asked: "You weren't killed by this Orochimaru, were you?"
The Fourth Hokage shook his head: "No, I died trying to seal the Nine-Tails using a forbidden jutsu to prevent the Nine-Tails from destroying the village!"
The First Hokage tilted his head slightly upon hearing this, his face showing a hint of surprise, but he still approved, saying: "Very well, you did not disgrace the title of Hokage!"
The Second Hokage sighed: "The Nine-Tails is indeed a lot of trouble!"
Hearing that the Fourth Hokage died because of the Nine-Tails, the Second Hokage deeply empathized. Because he was ambushed by the Gold and Silver Brothers, who possessed Nine-Tails chakra, during peace talks with the Second Raikage in Hidden Cloud Village, and ultimately fought to the death protecting his disciples, so he was very aware of how tricky Tailed Beast chakra was.
The Fourth Hokage then asked Orochimaru again: "Orochimaru, I was clearly sealed inside the Shinigami's belly. How did you summon me out?"
Orochimaru chuckled: "Please allow me to explain that later. For now, please help me eliminate that powerful enemy opposite us!"
The First Hokage asked: "Who is he, and why can he use Wood Release?"
The Second and Fourth Hokage also shifted their attention to Karin opposite them.
Orochimaru's expression became a bit more serious: "The opponent is a powerhouse in the Akatsuki organization with the codename 'B.' As for the purpose of fighting me, it is for something on the Fourth Hokage!"
"On me?" The Fourth Hokage was stunned at first, then immediately understood: "The Nine-Tails?"
Orochimaru nodded: "That's right. The Akatsuki organization is collecting all the Tailed Beasts. The One-Tail, Two-Tails, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, Six-Tails, and Seven-Tails have all fallen into their hands one after another. Currently, only the Three-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails remain on the side of the Five Great Hidden Villages."
The Second Hokage asked: "Collecting Tailed Beasts? What do they want to do?"
Orochimaru shrugged: "Who knows, nothing more than world domination or something of the sort! In any case, I implore you all. If we cannot stop her, Hidden Leaf Village will become history."
The Second Hokage showed an expression of disdain: "That's only your side of the story. Do you think we would easily trust a scoundrel like you?"
Yakushi Kabuto respectfully said: "Orochimaru-Leader is not deceiving the three of you. The facts are laid out before you; the opponent will not rest until she gets the Nine-Tails!"
The First Hokage looked at Sage Kabuto: "Sage Chakra?! You actually mastered Sage Art?"
Immediately, the First Hokage turned his attention back to Akatsuki's 'B' opposite him. He began to wonder just how strong the opponent was to make Orochimaru and the Sage Art-mastering Yakushi Kabuto so wary.