Chapter 26: Danzo's Ambition
On the other side, the Third Hokage was locked in a fierce battle with the Second Hokage. Facing his old teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen held nothing back, unleashing ninjutsu of all five basic natures.
Even Tobirama Senju was impressed. "It seems you haven't neglected your training all these years. Choosing you as the Third Hokage was the right decision."
"Thank you for your faith in me," Sarutobi replied, his voice heavy. "But even so, I must seal you away. Please forgive me."
Hearing this, Tobirama let out a short laugh. "I'm already dead. Dying again means nothing. Besides, this world is no longer mine. Seeing you all again is comfort enough."
As the fight dragged on, Orochimaru grew uneasy. If this continued, all of Konoha's elite would finish off the Sound ninja and converge here. That would be very bad for him.
He decided to be ruthless. He poured all his chakra into the technique, trying to maximize the First and Second Hokages' combat power.
The men being controlled felt it immediately. "I advise you not to do that," Hashirama said coldly. "The two of us are beyond your control. If you unleash us fully, your body will be the first to break."
A trickle of blood dripped from Orochimaru's mouth. "Even if I die, I will destroy Konoha."
Hashirama frowned. He didn't know what grudge this man held against the village. If he knew Orochimaru was once one of Konoha's own, his expression would have been interesting.
Hashirama's hands formed another seal. Jiraiya sensed the immense power gathering and yelled for everyone to get back.
A massive wooden statue, a Wooden Golem, erupted from the ground. It stood dozens of meters tall, its eyes glowing gold. It was nearly as big as Gamabunta. This was the very technique used to grapple with the Nine-Tails in Hashirama's battle against Madara.
The others were shocked by the scale of the jutsu and tried to retreat, but its attack range was too vast. They were all sent flying, even the giant Gamabunta was knocked down again.
Facing this, Jiraiya knew he had only one choice. "Boss! Buy me some time! I need to summon the two sages! The First and Second Hokage are too powerful. And I don't think this is even their full strength!"
Gamabunta nodded. This was the most outrageous enemy he'd ever faced. It was enough to make a toad doubt his life.
Such a huge commotion couldn't escape the notice of others with their own agendas—like Danzo, the leader of the secret Root organization. He had been watching the Hokage's office for a long time.
When Sarutobi became Hokage all those years ago, Danzo's ambition was born. It had festered for decades. He saw the current chaos as his perfect opportunity.
If they all die here, he thought, and I step in to clean up the mess... I can rightfully become Hokage!
The more he thought, the more it made sense. He decided not to act, waiting quietly for the right moment. When they were all dead or dying, he would make his move. He looked at his bandaged arm. He didn't believe the power sealed within it—all those Sharingan—couldn't finish them off.
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage was thrown back, coughing up blood. His body was old. Though he'd been strong in his youth, time waits for no one. A look of grim resolve filled his eyes. If he sacrificed himself, maybe he could save everyone.
Wasn't that the duty of a Hokage? Thinking this, he hesitated no longer. He took out a special scroll and began a final, desperate seal.
But Orochimaru, now fighting for his life, was watching every move. Seeing the Third's actions, he immediately commanded Hashirama to stop him.
The Second Hokage moved like water, using the Flying Thunder God to appear before Sarutobi in an instant. He not only stopped the sealing but also left a deep gash on the old Hokage's body.
Tobirama closed his eyes in anguish. This wasn't his will, but he had no control over his reanimated body. He could only hold the hatred in his heart.
Watching through his telescope, Danzo was almost ecstatic. Fight! Fight harder!
Seeing the Third Hokage's life fading, Tsunade rushed to his side, standing protectively in front of him. "Hold on! I'll save you!"
Unexpectedly, the Third Hokage grabbed her wrist. "Don't waste your energy. I know my body's condition. Don't do anything meaningless. Just... help me with one last thing."
He unrolled the scroll again. Together, Sarutobi and Tsunade performed the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. The price was the user's soul.
A spectral Shinigami appeared behind Sarutobi. Seeing this ghostly figure, Orochimaru's instincts screamed of danger. This damned spirit could truly kill him.
The Shinigami ignored all attacks, reaching straight for Orochimaru. It severed his arms, then appeared behind the Third Hokage. Its seemingly gentle blade carried the finality of death. Nothing could stop the price of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
Danzo, of course, knew this jutsu. He knew his time had come. He rushed toward the battle with his two Root subordinates, Fū and Torune, arriving swiftly.
At the same time, Sasuke and Naruto finally arrived. The scene of devastation before them—destroyed buildings, the scale of the battle—stunned them. They had never seen anything like it.
Naruto's voice trembled. "S-Sasuke... maybe we should go back."
Sasuke glared at him. "You're the one who wanted to come! We're already here. Turning back now is just a waste!"
Naruto sighed, regretting his earlier idea. But there was no choice now. They had to see it through. They crept closer and saw familiar figures.
The Third Hokage lay on the ground, his condition dire. A man in a green robe with one eye bandaged stood over him.
It was Danzo. He began to unwrap the bandages on his arm—an arm that had been sealed for years. Though Orochimaru's arms were now sealed, Danzo wanted to eradicate the root of the problem. He planned to kill Orochimaru here and now.
Sasuke's eyes locked onto the arm as the bandages fell away. It was covered in Sharingan eyes. A wave of nausea and rage washed over him. It wasn't the arm itself that was disgusting, but the horrific truth it represented. Those were the eyes of his clansmen.
This man... deserved to die.