Chapter 25: The First Hokage's Pressure
Back when they were genin, the three of them had been as close as siblings.
But as they grew older, their worldviews changed. Orochimaru's path had twisted him into something dark. His only goal now was Konoha's complete destruction, no matter the cost.
Orochimaru sneered. "I didn't expect you two to show up. Especially you, Tsunade. You should be happy about the 'next time' I mentioned."
Hearing this, Tsunade frowned, sensing a scheme. She knew Orochimaru's strength well. They had fought side-by-side for years, even facing the legendary "God of Shinobi," Hanzo of the Salamander.
"Orochimaru," she said firmly. "We know your power. Surrender now. For old times' sake, we can be lenient. Otherwise, if you fall into Root's hands... you know what will happen."
Hearing the name he hated most pushed him toward madness. "It's too late for talk now. It's time for Konoha to pay the price."
His hands flew through a complex series of hand seals. The Third Hokage's eyes widened in recognition and horror. He tried to rush forward to stop it, but Orochimaru was faster, giving them no chance.
Orochimaru slammed his palms onto the ground. A puff of white smoke erupted, revealing two upright coffins.
The Third Hokage muttered in disbelief, "Is that... the Second Hokage's Impure World Reincarnation? Orochimaru! How did you learn this?!"
Of course, he got no answer. There was no need to answer a dead man.
With a loud BANG, the coffin lids fell away. The figures inside made all three Konoha ninja gasp. The Third Hokage had braced himself, but his heart still leaped into his throat.
But as the eldest and most experienced, he quickly steadied himself.
Jiraiya had never met the two men, but he could guess their identities from their distinctive clothing.
Tsunade's eyes grew moist. But this wasn't a time for reunion. If Orochimaru used this technique, he had a plan.
Sure enough, the two corpses stirred to life, stepping out of their coffins. It was Konoha's First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Their bodies were covered in cracks. They looked around, confused.
Hashirama's eyes scanned the area, landing on Tsunade. He stroked his chin, thinking she looked familiar, then his face lit up with recognition. "You're little Tsunade, right? You've gotten so big! Wait... how am I alive? And you... how are you all alive?"
Tobirama Senju had the same question. But then, their bodies began to move against their will.
Hashirama frowned deeply. "This feeling... Damn, isn't this the forbidden jutsu you created? Why is it used on us?"
Tobirama coughed, embarrassed. "Brother, how should I know? I've been dead for years. Don't blame me. Blame the lax security of the Hokage's office. What's going on, Sarutobi?"
The Third Hokage, respected for decades and called "Lord Third" by all, hadn't been called "Sarutobi" in ages. The others fought back laughter, nearly hurting themselves.
Orochimaru watched their casual reunion with disgust. I summoned you to fight, not to chat!
He immediately took control.
Hashirama's gaze turned to Orochimaru. Though his body was enslaved, the sheer willpower in his eyes was terrifying. But as long as the technique held, even the greatest Hokage had to obey.
Their bodies moved uncontrollably, charging at the three. Orochimaru couldn't draw out their full, god-like power, but even a fraction of the First and Second's strength was formidable.
He couldn't use Hashirama's ultimate Sage Arts like the Deep Forest Emergence or the Wooden Golem, but other jutsu were more than enough. Especially Tobirama, who fought without mercy. In this dry place with no water source, he could still unleash incredibly powerful Water Style jutsu, causing them major trouble.
The Third Hokage summoned his monkey staff, Enma, which transformed into the Adamantine Staff. Jiraiya had no choice. He bit his thumb and slammed his hand down.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A giant toad, Gamabunta, appeared in a massive puff of smoke. Jiraiya landed on his head. The giant toad looked around, a large pipe in his mouth, surprised.
"Jiraiya, boy? Isn't this Konoha? Why'd you summon me here?"
"It's a long story," Jiraiya yelled. "Let's just focus on beating these two guys on the roof first!"
Gamabunta drew the massive short sword from his back. "These two? Easy."
Before he could finish, the Second Hokage leaped into the air.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Blast!"
A huge dragon of water shot from his mouth, slamming hard into Gamabunta's head. The giant toad staggered from the impact, crashing heavily to the ground.
"Dammit!" Gamabunta roared. "Who is that little guy? Using such a strong Water Style in a place like this?!"
Jiraiya scratched his head. "Oh, right. I forgot to tell you. Those two are Konoha's First and Second Hokage. Be careful!"
The annoyed Gamabunta stopped holding back. He swung his giant sword down in a powerful arc.
Hashirama formed a single hand seal.
"Wood Style: Wood Dragon Technique!"
A massive, towering tree erupted from the ground, entangling the giant toad. As he prepared another attack, Tsunade shot forward. Her superhuman strength smashed the wooden bindings to splinters.
Seeing his granddaughter so powerful filled Hashirama with pride, even as a reanimated corpse. But his hands never stopped moving.
"Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!"
Several heavy, red gateways fell from the sky. Anyone trapped beneath them would be pinned.
Gamabunta moved quickly, chopping the gates to pieces with his sword. "Jiraiya, now!" he bellowed.
"Right! Toad Oil Bullet!"
Gamabunta spat a massive wave of sticky oil, drenching the area. Jiraiya, from above, took a deep breath.
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
The combination was their signature move: the Toad Oil Flame Bomb