NOVEL NEXT Chapter 290: This is Konoha
"Is this Konoha?"
When Tobirama Senju withdrew his scrutinizing gaze and uttered these words, despite the tone of uncertainty, his expression was affirmative.
"Konoha? Tobirama Senju, are you saying this is Konoha?"
Before Orochimaru could speak, the astonished booming voice of Hashirama Senju echoed,
"While I wish Konoha would look like this, where are the Hokage's building and rock? And the grand gate with the Konoha emblem? I remember building that myself."
"This is indeed Konoha! The Hokage's building, the gates, they must have been rebuilt. But the Hokage rock hasn't disappeared. Although from here, it's obscured by various tall buildings, upon careful observation, one can still discern its edges."
Tobirama Senju was certain at this moment.
Seeing this, Hashirama Senju, who understood his younger brother well, finally became serious, clearly following suit.
Since his younger brother was so certain, he wouldn't make a mistake.
So...
This truly is Konoha!
In an instant!
A genuine sense of surprise surged within Hashirama Senju.
When he looked again at the city before him, if before he merely expressed admiration and envy, now, it completely transformed into joy, pride, and a shared sense of honor and disgrace.
As if witnessing a sapling he personally planted had grown into a towering tree.
At this moment, while greedily imprinting the current splendor of Konoha deep into his mind, Hashirama Senju laughed excitedly:
"Ha-ha! So this is Konoha! Tobirama Senju, this is the Konoha that you, I, and everyone else built together! It's amazing! How did the descendants of Konoha achieve this? They are truly outstanding compared to you and me!"
"Indeed impressive."
The more reserved Tobirama Senju's expression wasn't as exuberant as his elder brother's, but there were ripples of emotions surfacing in his heart.
But soon, he rationalized and suppressed them.
Only because he was very clear about the current situation.
Just as Hashirama Senju was jubilantly celebrating, Tobirama Senju looked back at Orochimaru again, saying coldly, "This is Konoha. And you, are a defector of Konoha. Isn't what I said correct?"
Orochimaru smirked oddly, not denying, "Indeed, this is Konoha. Originally, considering your seniority, I intended to let you both have a reminiscence, not to reveal the final truth, to spare you from despair. But now, it seems my goodwill is in vain. Furthermore, about my identity..."
At this point, Orochimaru suddenly chuckled, casting a peculiar gaze at Tobirama Senju, "Speaking of which, when I was a shinobi of Konoha, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was my teacher. In that case, esteemed Second Hokage, you're my master's master!"
The Third Hokage... Sarutobi Hiruzen...
Through Orochimaru's words, Tobirama Senju quickly understood the success of his past efforts in seeking answers.
'It seems the monkey, this Hokage, did quite well.' Tobirama Senju glanced at the bustling Konoha. "However, judging by the appearance of this individual claiming to be the monkey's disciple, if the monkey is still alive, he must be quite old now. Logically, the current ruler of Konoha should be the Fourth Hokage. So, is all this the doing of the Fourth Hokage?"
With just bits of information, Tobirama Senju accurately deduced the significance of the Fourth Hokage in Konoha, truly deserving to be the true strategist of the Senju clan and Konoha.
Then, his expression remained cold as he continued to address Orochimaru, "The so-called disciple of the supposed monkey, whether what you said is true or not, you are currently a defector, and by summoning us, it's clear you mean harm to Konoha. I have no interest in acknowledging such 'descendants.'"
"It doesn't matter. Regarding Konoha, regarding master and disciple, I no longer have any feelings."
Orochimaru extended his long, snake-like tongue, eyes darting between the two Hokages and Konoha, excitedly licking his lips.
"Comparatively, I'm very interested in having the First Hokage and Second Hokage attack the Konoha I founded with my own hands! That's quite intriguing!"
A look of increased coldness spread across Tobirama Senju's face.
Meanwhile, Hashirama Senju, who had finally torn his gaze away from Konoha, frowned as he addressed Orochimaru, "Descendant, if the Third Hokage saw potential in you to become his disciple, then his initial judgment must not have been wrong. Can you tell us why you chose to betray Konoha? If there's a misunderstanding, I can mediate. If not, I would like to believe that the flame of the will of fire still burns within you. Cease this now. Even if there's a grievance, it shouldn't be directed at ordinary civilians."
"Reason? Misunderstanding? Will of fire?" Orochimaru calmly shook his head, "I lost interest in the will of fire long ago. As for why I defected, it's simply because this small world of Konoha could no longer contain my ambitions! Furthermore, not harming civilians? Not every shinobi is as naive as the First Hokage! Especially during times of war."
"War?"
In an instant, both Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, sensitive to this word, raised their voices.
But Orochimaru was no longer interested in explaining.
After the recent exchange, his interest in historical figures like the First and Second Hokages had waned, and he decided it was time to act.
"Regarding war, let's discuss it next time when I summon you both again. For now, let me fulfill my obligation in summoning you here."
With that said, Orochimaru formed a single-hand seal, intending to erase their wills.
Even though he had completed the Reanimation Jutsu, there were still some imperfections.
For instance, occasionally, the resurrected individuals resisted orders.
To prevent any surprises, Orochimaru decided to erase the wills of both Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju first.
Despite this causing a decrease in their potential power.
However, beneath the grand reputation of the First and Second Hokages, Orochimaru preferred this overtaking greater risks.
After all, his original intention wasn't to destroy Konoha; the current power was sufficient to disrupt the Konoha train station.
"Damn it!"
At this moment, Tobirama Senju, sensing his will being swiftly erased, wore a grim expression.
Apart from extracting intelligence, during the earlier conversation with Orochimaru, he had been trying to delay
time, secretly attempting to break free from the control of the Reanimation Jutsu.
Despite appearing free alongside his brother, in reality, under Orochimaru's meticulous control from the beginning, they could only move within narrow limits.
For instance, attempting hand seals to release themselves from the jutsu was utterly impossible.
'If only the quality of this original body were stronger...' Tobirama Senju thought with immense regret.
The strength of the summoned individual and the quality of the sacrificed body were crucially linked.
The Tobirama Senju summoned presently could not even exert half of his original strength.
Hence, when he attempted to break free from the jutsu's control, he discovered his strength was insufficient.
Ultimately, with insufficient power and too brief a duration, Tobirama Senju could only be erased of his will in deep resentment, becoming a stiff puppet, obeying commands instinctually.
On the other hand, compared to Tobirama Senju, Hashirama Senju, whose power had been significantly diminished, followed suit closely.
Watching the two before him, whose gazes had dulled, now completely obedient to his commands as the First and Second Hokages, Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction. Then, he looked toward bustling Konoha and uttered with a serene smile:
"The time has come. Therefore, let the 'Konoha Assault Plan' officially commence!"