Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 276: The Gathering of the Five Hokage

The cave was bustling with activity. Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato Namikaze appeared and disappeared unpredictably, trying to divert the attention of the Akatsuki members and find an opportunity to escape the encirclement.

However, he overlooked one crucial detail: these enemies were not ordinary shinobi as he had encountered in the past. Each person present had strength comparable to or surpassing that of a Kage. His plans became increasingly difficult to realize, and his situation grew more perilous with time.

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at Minato and then looked away. His Reanimation technique was only a partial and flawed version. After Minato unexpectedly regained his consciousness, Hagoromo could no longer control him. Nevertheless, given the formidable lineup on his side, Minato's fate was already sealed.

Gengetsu did not pay further attention, forming seals with his hands. The Gedo Statue opened its enormous mouth, and Gaara's body began to rise, with Shukaku's massive chakra slowly leaking out.

The extraction of the tailed beast continued methodically.

After a moment, Minato, who had been struggling for quite some time, finally faltered. A puppet's abdomen, controlled by Sasori, opened and swallowed him whole, trapping Minato inside.

*Click, click!*

Sharp steel spikes protruded from the puppet, piercing various parts of Minato's body and sealing his chakra, preventing him from using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

"It's over," Sasori stated calmly from a distance, manipulating the puppet with chakra threads.

"You're amazing, Sasori!" Deidara gave Sasori a thumbs up.

Sasori glanced at Deidara, uncertain if his compliment was genuine or sarcastic, given their past interactions.

Sasuke sheathed his sword and glanced at the immobilized Minato.

The same blonde hair, the same blue eyes.

"Naruto's father."

Naruto's lineage was not a secret among Konoha's upper echelons, nor was it to Hagoromo Gengetsu. Sasuke had known about Naruto's parentage long before Naruto himself did. This knowledge made Sasuke's feelings towards Konoha even more negative. A hero's descendant, the child of the Fourth Hokage, who saved the village, was reviled and ostracized as a demon fox.

A village like this, with such unworthy leaders, held no affection for him. However, Naruto...

Sasuke looked up at Gengetsu, who stood atop the Gedo Statue, eyes closed, contemplating whether to ask him something. At that moment, a bright light suddenly shone from within the puppet holding Minato.

Instinctively, everyone looked over to see Minato's soul departing from his Reanimation body. As he ascended, he glanced at the Gedo Statue absorbing Shukaku's chakra, then turned his eyes to the seemingly oblivious Hagoromo Gengetsu.

"The ninja world... is in danger," Minato muttered, filled with deep concern, before returning to the afterlife.

Sasori retracted his puppet. As paper scraps fluttered, Minato's Reanimation body turned into an unfamiliar corpse.

"That's it? He's done after one fight?" Hidan complained, feeling unsatisfied.

"He's dead; what more do you want? Kill him again?" Kakuzu retorted, flashing back to his position atop the Gedo Statue and resuming the extraction process.

Seeing this, the others also returned to their posts.

Sasuke glanced at Gengetsu, still standing with eyes closed, deciding to ask his question later.

The extraction continued.

Meanwhile, Jiraiya, who had witnessed Orochimaru's rebirth, wore a complicated expression. Seeing the familiar face in front of him, he remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"It's been a while, Orochimaru. I never expected to see you back in Konoha."

"Fate is unpredictable; no one can foresee what will happen next," Orochimaru replied, glancing at the unconscious but unharmed son of the daimyo beside him. He smiled wryly, his raspy voice filled with self-mockery. "Just as I didn't know I would be killed one day and have to use my trump card to come back to life."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "So, Hagoromo Gengetsu killed you?"

Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya, licking his lips with his long tongue. "It seems Konoha knows quite a bit."

"Konoha knows more than you think," Jiraiya said seriously. "Orochimaru, both Konoha and the ninja world need your strength right now. That's why we brought you back. If you're willing to cooperate..."

He paused, then spoke with utmost seriousness, "Orochimaru, this is your last chance. I hope you understand."

Orochimaru's golden eyes reflected Jiraiya's aging face. He smiled and spread his hands. "Of course, of course. Isn't that why I'm back in Konoha?"

"To use Reanimation to deal with Hagoromo Gengetsu, right? I'm happy to help."

Orochimaru understood well that unless Hagoromo Gengetsu was completely dealt with, his fate would be one of repeated deaths and resurrections until his final, complete eradication.

His power alone couldn't defeat Gengetsu, so he had to rely on others. This was precisely why Orochimaru had chosen to return to Konoha.

Jiraiya looked deeply at Orochimaru. "I hope you'll keep your word."

With that, he motioned with his hand, and the surrounding ANBU operatives relaxed their combat stances. Although Orochimaru had been resurrected in a weakened state, the ANBU operatives could easily subdue him if necessary. This assurance gave Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Konoha the confidence to cooperate with him.

Seeing that the cooperation was established, Orochimaru spoke, "To use Reanimation against Hagoromo Gengetsu, we'll need some precious DNA samples. Most of mine were likely destroyed by Gengetsu. It's up to you now."

Jiraiya nodded. "Tsunade will select the necessary individuals."

"Tsunade..." Orochimaru suddenly smiled, his eyes glinting with a peculiar light. "It'll be interesting to see the scene of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Hokage gathering together."

If they were to use Reanimation, they would naturally choose powerful individuals like the former Hokage.

Jiraiya hadn't thought about this initially, but Orochimaru's words brought the idea to mind. "The living and the dead gathering together... Reanimation truly can turn the impossible into possible."