Chapter 14: Caught
A lot of wood clones kept emerging from Hashirama one after another.
He fully used his infinite chakra reserves since he was in the Edo Tensei state.
It looked as if he were mass-producing Wood Clones.
Puck felt deeply with her big, cute eyes and gazed at Hashirama.
Hashirama, however, had no idea what she was thinking.
He figured it was enough after using Wood Clone techniques more than a dozen times.
The clones would cover the entire forest.
"Edo Tensei state..."
Hashirama shook his head slightly.
It felt like playing a game with infinite energy—he could use any jutsu he wanted without worrying about running out of chakra.
Now, the net was thrown.
It was only a matter of time before Orochimaru was caught.
Hashirama leaped down from the tree, landing steadily on the ground, again bringing his hands together.
Boom, boom, boom...
The earth began to tremble, and the ground started to crack open.
A series of square wooden pillars emerged from the ground, twisting and folding rapidly to form a large villa.
The villa instantly took shape and was a three-story design with wooden furniture inside.
Hashirama calmly walked into the villa, his posture as relaxed as if heading out for a vacation.
Puck flapped her wings while trailing behind Hashirama, wide-eyed and curious.
"What a shame I'm stuck in this Edo Tensei body."
Hashirama mused as he reclined in a wooden rocking chair.
"Otherwise, brewing some tea here and waiting for Orochimaru to be brought back would've been quite pleasant!"
He said calmly.
...
Forest
Kabuto was helping Orochimaru escape at a rapid pace.
"Kabuto…"
Orochimaru's body had recovered a bit, and he was now able to speak again.
He'd been temporarily rendered speechless by the knock to his head earlier.
"Orochimaru-sama, don't worry, we've already escaped!"
Kabuto assured him confidently that his skills in escape and camouflage had been honed through years of experience as a spy and that he was certain of his abilities.
"You've nearly killed me."
Orochimaru's voice was hoarse, and his snake-like eyes were filled with fear.
Just thinking about the power of the First Hokage made him tremble.
This was just an experimental version!
They had used one of their own Otogakure genin as a live sacrifice for it!
Orochimaru knew the restrictions of this experimental version better than anyone.
It couldn't display even a fraction of the original's true power.
Even so...
The First Hokage still exuded an overwhelming and unmatched aura that made Orochimaru feel an indescribable sense of fear inside.
"Orochimaru-sama, rest assured. That puppet has already been blocked by the Sound Four. I've used a substitution technique to lure his clone in the opposite direction."
Kabuto's tone was still confident. He had performed these counter-espionage and camouflage tricks countless times.
"Heh heh heh…"
Orochimaru let out a cold chuckle, shaking his head helplessly.
He sighed and said.
"Do you even know who that puppet is?"
"The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama."
Kabuto responded smoothly.
After all, he had been present during Orochimaru's research on the Edo Tensei, so he knew the details of the plan.
"You knew it was the First Hokage, and you still dragged me to run?"
Orochimaru's face broke out in cold sweat as he looked at Kabuto.
"It's exactly because he's the First Hokage that I need to quickly get Orochimaru-sama out of here!"
Kabuto noticed the tone in Orochimaru's voice but still needed to explain his thoughts.
"Forget it, don't say another word. Let's hurry to the southern hideout. We shouldn't show ourselves for the next few decades!"
Orochimaru immediately made up his mind.
There was no turning back at this point, and returning to face the First Hokage would only lead them to certain death.
Since they had fled...
They might as well run away completely!
"Orochimaru-sama, how long can this Edo Tensei last? Can't you just cancel it?"
Kabuto asked with a puzzle.
He was always deeply fascinated by Edo Tensei, secretly taking notes whenever Orochimaru conducted research.
He dreamed of one day creating an immortal army using the technique.
"There's no time limit. I can't cancel it at all, and The First Hokage is just too strong. He's completely beyond the control of Edo Tensei. I'm seriously beginning to doubt the Second Hokage's true intention behind developing this jutsu!"
Orochimaru's face was exceptionally grim.
Ever since he had begun delving into forbidden jutsu, He had never truly understood what it meant to feel fear.
He now understood.
As long as nothing went wrong, everything was fine, but one mistake was a catastrophe!
"You mean…"
Kabuto's pupils shrank in shock as he suddenly realized something, sensing a hint of conspiracy in the air.
"I suspect that the Second Hokage developed Edo Tensei solely to revive the First Hokage!"
Orochimaru voiced his speculation.
He had conducted numerous experiments while researching Edo Tensei.
The hideout was filled with countless experimental subjects, like when Orochimaru was developing the Cursed Seal Technique.
However...
Whether it was the sacrifices of Edo Tensei, the summoned puppets, or the so-called lucky ones who were used as live sacrifices, none of them could resist Edo Tensei.
With that in mind...
Orochimaru took the blood of the First Hokage to Konoha, planning to execute the Konoha Destruction Plan.
After resurrecting many people with Edo Tensei, only the First Hokage remained completely uncontrollable the whole time.
Edo Tensei was a technique developed by the First Hokage's younger brother!
Orochimaru felt like he had become a pawn in someone else's plan.
The thought of it left him deeply unsettled, especially since he had always considered himself above such things.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
At that moment...
Both Kabuto and Orochimaru's faces changed drastically.
They both heard the sharp sound of wind being cut from behind them—someone was approaching at an incredibly terrifying speed.
The speed was the kind that left people feeling utterly hopeless as if there was no chance of escape.
"It's over!"
They both cried out in their hearts as they felt an overwhelming sense of terror descend upon them at that moment.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The First Hokage clones showed up in front of Kabuto and Orochimaru before either of them could do anything.
They were all the same and gave off a terrifying aura of chakra.
"Orochimaru."
"Kabuto."
The First Hokages spoke in unison, their tone playful, as if they were merely toying with them.
"You're surrounded!"