Chapter 22: The Second Hokage
"Naoki-kun, you truly are a mysterious and terrifying man," Orochimaru stared, his gaze sharp and dangerous. "It's as if you are an enigma; no one knows your true depths. To be the enemy of someone like you is a truly hopeless feeling."
In the shinobi world, the importance of intelligence was paramount. Often, the weaker side could emerge victorious simply by knowing their opponent's secrets. For example, Asuma Sarutobi, who was killed by Hidan in the original timeline, lost his life precisely because he didn't understand Hidan's abilities. But now, Orochimaru's own trump cards were being laid bare, making even him feel a profound sense of unease. He wasn't sure how much more Uchiha Naoki knew. This gave him no advantage whatsoever; on the contrary, he risked being countered at every turn.
"Hopeless?" Uchiha Naoki smiled. "I appreciate the praise. I'll strive diligently toward that goal, working hard to make it a reality one day." He then turned to the Scarlet Sand Scorpion beside him. "Leave the Impure World Reincarnation enemy to me. You handle Orochimaru. Is that acceptable?"
Sasori nodded from within Hiruko. "No problem." He didn't understand the intricacies of the reincarnation jutsu and would likely be at a disadvantage facing it head-on. Handing that opponent over to the seemingly all-knowing Uchiha Naoki was the logical choice, while he contained Orochimaru.
Naoki nodded in acknowledgment, then squinted at the coffin. "Orochimaru, your calculations are indeed shrewd. Using the one most adept at Water Release to counter me, you neutralize my most prominent ability. My magma becomes far less effective, and I could exhaust my chakra without breaking through his defense. Meanwhile, you alone are likely enough to handle Brother Sasori. In this way, our mission might truly fail, and we, the hunters, could be the ones eliminated."
Hearing this, Orochimaru's eyes widened once more. "You even know who I've summoned?!" For the first time, he felt an urgent, visceral need to eliminate someone. Facing Uchiha Naoki was like having no secrets at all; it was a deeply unsettling feeling of being completely exposed.
"Is it difficult to guess?" Uchiha Naoki grinned. "You've already marked his identity on the coffin. Furthermore, facing an enemy like me with scorching abilities, the only person you would specifically summon from Konoha's history is obvious."
The Scarlet Sand Scorpion, lost in their riddle-like exchange, asked in confusion, "Naoki, who is in the coffin? Do you know him?"
Uchiha Naoki laughed. "Of course!" His gaze sharpened, focusing on the coffin as he spoke each word deliberately. "The Second Hokage of Konoha. The greatest enemy my Uchiha clan ever faced—Senju Tobirama!"
As if on cue, the coffin lid fell to the ground with a thud. The figure within stirred and stepped out. Who else could it be? His face was pale and crisscrossed with cracks, his eyes dull and lifeless. His body stood hunched like a marionette, motionless after rising.
"I wonder what the Second Hokage would think, knowing he was summoned by the very jutsu he invented?" Uchiha Naoki quipped, still finding room for humor.
Sasori found the situation darkly amusing as well.
"How leisurely you are, Naoki-kun," Orochimaru said, his smile tight with displeasure. All his trump cards had been guessed; there was no element of surprise left. He produced a special kunai inscribed with a control talisman and inserted it into the base of the Second Hokage's skull.
Immediately, the gray pallor of Senju Tobirama's face was replaced by a flush of bloody color.
The Second Hokage was officially revived!
Though still a far cry from his living self, the sharp, calculating light returned to his eyes.
"I am…" the Second Hokage began, startled by his own return. He clenched his fists, frowning deeply. "Impure World Reincarnation?" His eyes turned icy cold. "Who dares to toy with this technique so recklessly?!" He turned his head, his piercing gaze locking onto Orochimaru. "Was it you, you wretch?! Who are you? Why have you reincarnated me?"
Orochimaru gave a low chuckle. "Who I am is irrelevant. What matters is that you, the Second Hokage, have a mission. I did not summon you to be questioned."
Hearing this, Senju Tobirama's expression grew even colder. "Are you threatening me?" A heavy, majestic aura—solidly at the Kage level—erupted from him.
Orochimaru immediately activated the control talisman. Senju Tobirama instantly felt his body freeze, his chakra dissipating uncontrollably. The sensation shocked him, and infuriated him. That he, Senju Tobirama, would one day be reduced to a puppet, completely unable to resist, and controlled by the very jutsu he himself had invented, was a bitter pill to swallow.
"My apologies, Lord Second Hokage," Orochimaru licked his lips. "Do you see that Uchiha boy? He is your opponent today."
Senju Tobirama's sharp eyes immediately fell upon Naoki. "A cursed Uchiha brat! Judging by your attire, you are no longer a shinobi of Konoha. Just as I expected—unreliable, and destined to betray Konoha!"
Hearing this, Uchiha Naoki couldn't help but sneer. "Second Hokage, your hostility towards the Uchiha is as strong as ever. But let me ask you, is it only the Uchiha who are 'cursed'?" He smiled mockingly, pointing at Orochimaru. "This man… is the prized student of your own dear disciple, Hiruzen Sarutobi. A former candidate for Hokage. A man named Orochimaru. Compared to someone like him, who tramples on life in his reckless pursuit of immortality, conducts horrific human experiments, and now toys with the souls of the dead, the 'evil' of our Uchiha clan pales in comparison!"
He watched the dawning fury on Senju Tobirama's face and added teasingly, "How does it feel? Being manipulated by your own disciple's student must be quite the experience."
Orochimaru merely chuckled at this. "It is an honor to be able to wield the Second Hokage in battle."
"Enough talk!" Orochimaru activated the control talisman fully. Senju Tobirama's body stiffened, all traces of his own will and anger vanishing from his eyes, replaced by the blank obedience of a puppet. It was a mercy, perhaps, sparing him the rage of hearing Naoki's final jab.
Whoosh!
Like a flash of lightning, Senju Tobirama closed the distance in an instant. A kunai appeared in his hand, sweeping toward Uchiha Naoki's throat with speed that defied reaction.
"So fast…!" Sasori observed from within Hiruko, genuinely shocked. "Is this… the Second Hokage? The 'Fastest Shinobi of His Era' title was no lie!"
Shunk!
With no time to defend, the kunai tore through Uchiha Naoki's neck. A spray of red liquid erupted.
But Senju Tobirama immediately retreated at blinding speed. Because the kunai in his hand was already melting, and what had sprayed out was not blood, but scorching, sizzling magma. This was no ordinary injury.