Chapter 5

"Cough, cough, cough..."

"Hokage-sama, are you alright?"

At the rooftop's edge, two Anbu hurriedly approached to assist the weakened Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Gather all the village's ninjas ranked Chunin and above. We need to launch a counterattack against Sunagakure and Orochimaru!" Hiruzen Sarutobi gasped.

"Understood!"

"Have you located Jiraiya?"

"Jiraiya-sama is already en route to the village."

Currently, Konoha Village faces a severe shortage of high-level combat power. Two of the Sannin have been absent for a long time. If Hiruzen hadn't summoned Jiraiya back earlier, they might not have even had two Kage-level fighters.

Kakashi and Gai are being held back by Baki and Kabuto.

According to the reports from the two Anbu, the Nine-Tails inside Naruto's body is raging and appears to be clashing with Sunagakure's Jinchūriki.

The current situation in Konoha is causing Hiruzen Sarutobi considerable anxiety.

"Danzo, where are you now?!" He muttered through gritted teeth, no longer considering his old friend who had long wished for his death.

"Sensei's strength is still as formidable as it was in life. Now that he's free from the Impure World Reincarnation, could he possibly remain in this world forever?"

For some reason, this thought suddenly crossed Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.

"Lord Orochimaru!"

Among the rubble, the four sound ninja unearthed Orochimaru from beneath a heap of tiles.

Orochimaru was in a dire state.

Facing Senju Tobirama's S-rank Water Release ninjutsu, even with his modifications, he couldn't endure it.

"Retreat" Orochimaru uttered, his voice strained.

The four moved to carry Orochimaru away.

"Oh? Junior, after wreaking havoc in Konoha like this, do you think you can escape unharmed?" A chilling remark halted the five in their tracks.

In a short span, Tobirama had already dealt with his incapacitated elder brother and sealed him away.

A surge of blue chakra emanated from Tobirama's being, almost tangible as it caused the earth to tremble and crack.

Orochimaru's usually composed demeanor now betrayed panic.

"This...this can't be! The Second Hokage has regained his strength in his reincarnated state? It's inconceivable! How can a deceased person become stronger?"

Orochimaru's heart quivered.

The four sound ninjas at his side trembled in fear at the overwhelming chakra.

Everyone recognized the title of his elder brother, the God of Shinobi, but they seemed to have forgotten that Senju Hashirama's younger brother was also revered as a legend in the ninja world.

Now, Orochimaru understood.

Though he couldn't fathom how the formidable Second Hokage had met his demise initially, he knew he stood no chance against Tobirama, now rejuvenated.

Orochimaru's expression shifted, yet a realization dawned upon him:

He wondered how other villages and the Akatsuki would respond.

After a moment of contemplation, Orochimaru drew a deep breath and spoke calmly:

"Second Hokage, I have indeed underestimated you."

Orochimaru was already regretting the day he attempted to manipulate the reincarnation of Senju Tobirama. It was beyond belief that a deceased individual could break free from his control and destroy his plans.

"I wonder what sensei would think of a Second Hokage sticking around? Haha... pretty interesting, isn't it?" Orochimaru chuckled, his laughter laced with irony.

With a few more chuckles, Orochimaru tossed a smoke bomb.

As the smoke dispersed, Orochimaru and his comrades vanished into thin air.

Senju Tobirama made no move to pursue them.

Although he had placed a Flying Thunder God mark on Orochimaru, allowing him to eliminate him instantly if desired.

______________________________________________________

Name: Tobirama Senju

Strength: Low-tier Kage level (partial)

Status: Reincarnation from Impure World

Task:

Thwart the Collapse Plan of Konoha, reverse the situation, and neutralize all Sound and Sand Ninja within Konoha Village.

Reward: Full restoration of strength.

______________________________________________________

With a faint smile, Senju Tobirama glanced at the panel.

The task of foiling Konoha's collapse plan was straightforward, and he didn't even need to intervene personally. After all, even in the original timeline, Konoha ninjas rallied spontaneously to counterattack after the demise of the Third Hokage.

Now, with Senju Tobirama and the living Third Hokage present, completing the task would be a mere formality.

"Are you... the Second Hokage?" came a voice from behind Tobirama, interrupting his contemplation.