NOVEL NEXT Chapter 77: Hokages
As they all opened their eyes, they were met with the vivid colors of the real world around them. Slowly, they took in their surroundings and noticed three figures standing before them.
Hashirama, the First Hokage, spoke up first. "Hey, where exactly is this place?" he asked, scanning the area with a curious expression.
Hiruzen, who recognized the familiar landmarks, responded with shock evident on his face. "Lord First, this is Konoha," he replied, unable to hide his amazement.
Recognizing Hiruzen, Minato, the Fourth Hokage, asked, "Lord Third, what year is this?"
Hashirama, seeing Minato for the first time, turned to him with a puzzled expression. "And who might you be?" he asked, trying to place the young man in Konoha's legacy.
Minato smiled politely, responding, "Lord First, I am the Fourth Hokage."
Hashirama's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Oh! So Konoha has reached the Fourth Hokage already. But tell me—how is it that you are dead while this 'monkey' here is still alive?" Hashirama asked, a hint of amusement in his voice, referencing Hiruzen's nickname from his youth.
Minato's smile faded slightly as he explained, "I died while fighting the Nine-Tails," he admitted with a hint of sorrow.
Hashirama nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, you died fighting the Nine-Tails?" he echoed, understanding the gravity of such a battle.
Tobirama, who had been quietly listening, couldn't resist adding, "Brother, do you think just anyone can handle a tailed beast like you do?"
Minato responded with a sheepish smile, while Hashirama burst into hearty laughter, filling the area with his booming voice.
As Hashirama's laughter echoed within the barrier, it felt bizarrely lighthearted, as if he hadn't fully grasped the grim reality of his own reanimation. The intensity of his presence, however, was undeniable—a stark contrast to the lifeless gray of his skin and the cracks marring his once-lively form. He looked at Hiruzen, his old "monkey," with a familiar fondness but also a touch of curiosity.
"Seems like a lot has happened while we were… away," Hashirama commented, still smiling yet sounding slightly puzzled. "But, Lord Fourth, you say you fought the Nine-Tails?"
Minato nodded, his expression somber. "Yes, it was the only way to protect the village. I had to seal it away… using my own life."
"Such dedication," Tobirama remarked with an approving, though characteristically cold, tone. "Though it is troubling to be summoned like this, especially by… well, not a friendly hand." He glanced pointedly at Orochimaru, who grinned back with unsettling enthusiasm.
Hiruzen tried to hold his ground, but he knew the situation had spiraled into something only Orochimaru could devise—a twisted reunion of Konoha's leaders, forced to battle their own successor. Hashirama, Tobirama, and Minato stood there, ready to engage, yet seemingly unaware of Orochimaru's full control over their actions.
"Lord First, Lord Second, Lord Fourth," Hiruzen addressed them solemnly, "I'm sorry it's come to this."
But Orochimaru interrupted, sneering, "Save your apologies, old man. I have brought them back to show you the true might of Konoha's legacy… and to make you face it." His voice turned chilling. "Now, it's time to see if the 'Professor' can truly stand against those who created the foundations of this village."
With a wave of his hand, Orochimaru commanded, "Attack!" and the reanimated Hokage turned, now bound to obey, as they prepared to fight. Hiruzen braced himself, knowing he was facing not just enemies, but legends.
Upon receiving the order, Hashirama wasted no time, weaving hand signs for one of his most iconic techniques. "Wood Style: Forest Emergence!" he called out. Instantly, massive trees and dense foliage surged from the ground, creating a sprawling forest that surrounded Hiruzen, striking at him from every direction.
Not one to be left out, Tobirama quickly formed his own hand seals. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" he declared, conjuring an enormous water dragon that roared forward, crashing down toward Hiruzen with relentless force.
Seizing the opportunity, Minato activated his Flying Raijin technique, teleporting in an instant to Hiruzen's side. With a swift movement, he summoned a Rasengan in his palm and thrust it toward Hiruzen, aiming for a direct hit.
Caught in the barrage from all three Hokages, Hiruzen did his best to defend, blocking strikes and countering where he could, but the intensity of the attacks was overwhelming. Withstanding the powerful assaults, Hiruzen staggered back, coughing up blood as he struggled to remain on his feet, his determination unwavering even as he faced the combined strength of his predecessors.
Surrounded by Hashirama's massive, twisting forest, a relentless water dragon from Tobirama, and Minato's swift Rasengan strike, Hiruzen found himself overwhelmed, battered, and bloodied. Every strike, every jutsu, carried the weight and skill of Konoha's past leaders—warriors of unparalleled strength, now his enemies.
But despite the immense pressure, Hiruzen pushed himself to stand again, leaning heavily on Enma in his staff form, who snarled, "These attacks are relentless, Hiruzen. You need a strategy, and quickly!"
Hiruzen's breathing was ragged, but his resolve remained firm. "Enma, we may not win, but we will not go down without a fight."
With a determined glint in his eye, Hiruzen formed a series of hand seals. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Three clones appeared beside him, each one reflecting his unyielding spirit. Then, he activated another jutsu, this one unique to his repertoire. "Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!" Hundreds of shuriken filled the air, transforming into thousands, a deadly rain aimed at slowing down the reanimated Hokage.
While Hashirama's wood absorbed many of the shuriken, some managed to slip through, nicking the reanimated Hokage. Tobirama deftly weaved water around himself, shielding from most of the strikes, while Minato teleported out of the path, reappearing just as swiftly.
Hiruzen took the opening to leap forward, channeling his chakra into Enma to increase the adamantine staff's reach and strength. Swinging with all his might, he struck toward Minato and Tobirama, knowing he needed to create any advantage possible, even if it meant risking everything in this last-stand battle.
"Your sacrifices are not forgotten," Hiruzen muttered, his voice filled with respect for his predecessors despite the battle, "but as the Third Hokage, I won't let your legacy be twisted for Orochimaru's gain!"
As the battle raged on, a new voice cut through the chaos from the opposite side of the field.
"Ara Ara, don't you think it's a bit unfair to gang up on an old man, five against one? And each of you is at Kage level, no less."
The voice carried a hint of humor, but there was an unmistakable edge of authority in it. All eyes turned toward the speaker, curious and somewhat surprised by the sudden interruption.