Orochimaru and Minato, in many ways, could be said to be quite similar.
Neither came from a prestigious family, both were young prodigy ninjas famous in their youth, and both were considered direct successors of the previous Hokage.
Whenever a talented young ninja appeared in the village, comparisons were inevitably made, and anyone who was compared to them would seem insignificant in comparison.
Now, these two stood on opposing sides.
Kushina's fate had erased the last bit of hesitation in Minato's heart.
If he had to act, it would be to the death.
The rain grew heavier, beginning to obscure vision, the dense curtain of rain making the distant surroundings appear blurry.
"Orochimaru," Minato's voice was deep, suppressing an unprecedented fury.
Orochimaru, however, let out a light laugh: "Minato, is this the attitude you should have when facing the Hokage?"
Minato said with a flat expression: "In my heart, you are no longer the Hokage."
A mocking expression appeared on Orochimaru's cold face: "Is that so? Do you think victory is already in your hands?"
"With the trap that Shikaku set for you? I've already sent him ahead to hell."
Minato momentarily lost focus, his expression changing drastically: "What have you done to Shikaku?!"
Orochimaru smiled faintly: "Nara Shikaku was plotting rebellion. Do you think I could do nothing to him?"
"Don't worry, you'll be meeting him soon."
The sound of the rain intensified.
The only sound around them was the torrential rain, which made the oppressive silence even more suffocating.
Minato's figure suddenly vanished from the spot, weaving through the heavy rain, and in an instant appeared behind Orochimaru.
Dense chakra gathered and spun in his palm, forming a high-density chakra sphere.
Without the slightest hesitation or mercy, Minato hurled the Rasengan directly at the back of Orochimaru's head.
This lightning-fast attack was something an ordinary person would never be able to react to.
Yet Orochimaru stood still, motionless, allowing the strike to hit him squarely.
Boom!
Orochimaru was sent flying backward.
The Rasengan's power was immense, and with its impact on the head, from a distance, Orochimaru's fallen form was a gruesome sight, impossible for anyone to survive.
The successful strike left Minato with an uncanny feeling.
Was it a substitution?
His gaze was fixed on Orochimaru's body, yet it didn't disappear.
The brain matter and blood appeared shockingly vivid and real.
"You're fast."
Finally, a voice came from behind, startling Minato.
He quickly turned around to see Orochimaru standing unharmed not far away.
Minato leaped into the air and immediately threw several kunai, each landing in different corners of the area.
These kunai were uniquely shaped, adorned with strange patterns and symbols.
He was preparing to use his signature technique, the Flying Thunder God.
Orochimaru couldn't hold back his laughter at the sight.
"Minato, don't you think it's rather foolish to use your signature technique in front of someone who knows your abilities inside out?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Orochimaru performed a hand seal, and the area around him instantly turned into a muddy pit, trapping the kunai in the muck.
The remaining kunai, stuck in the walls, were swallowed by snakes that seemingly appeared from nowhere.
This didn't seem like ordinary Hell's Swamp or snakes.
Minato immediately realized that the Flying Thunder God mark on his kunai had been severed.
At this moment, Orochimaru slowly spoke:
"Flying Thunder God, the S-rank space-time ninjutsu created by the Second Hokage. Mastering such a technique requires extraordinary talent, but it didn't take me much time to study it. Sealing techniques, on the other hand, should be something you're quite good at, Minato."
Just like how Kushina's Flying Thunder God mark had been severed earlier, Orochimaru had used a sealing technique this time.
It seemed he had come prepared.
Minato's expression remained unchanged as he once again pulled out a kunai from the pouch on his back.
Orochimaru suddenly sighed. "Minato, you haven't improved at all."
Upon hearing this, Minato's brow furrowed slightly.
"You admire the Hokage so much, then why don't you face the Hokage yourself?"
Orochimaru suddenly made hand seals, and the ground in front of them rose, revealing two coffins.
One was marked with the character "初" (First), and the other with "二" (Second).
Boom!
The coffins opened, and two figures stepped out.
When Minato saw them, he couldn't help but show an expression of shock.
These were figures only seen in textbooks, recorded in the history of Konoha—the same figures whose statues stood at the Hokage Rock a few days ago.
"Where is this…?" The cold-faced, white-haired man looked around, frowning.
"Tobirama, it seems we've returned to the mortal realm," the black-haired man beside him said in surprise.
Both of them wore the Konoha headbands, but their attire was extremely ancient, with layered armor worn only during the Warring States period, a style long outdated after so many years.
"Did you use Impure World Reincarnation to bring us back to the mortal realm?" Tobirama asked, looking at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru had the seal to control their movements but had no intention of using it.
"I am Orochimaru, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha," Orochimaru said slowly.
"I brought you both back to the present because I need your help to eliminate this rebel who is disturbing Konoha."
Minato never expected to meet the deceased Hokage of Konoha.
These were legendary figures, especially the First Hokage, who was known as the "God of Shinobi."
He had grown up hearing stories about them and had always admired them.
Was this an illusion or some other form of deception…?
The idea of resurrecting the dead sounded too bizarre.
He had no knowledge of Impure World Reincarnation, as it was a forbidden secret of Konoha known only to the Hokage.
Tobirama looked at Minato, sensing that his chakra wasn't very strong, and then furrowed his brows and said, "Has Konoha's Hokage become so weak that they need the help of the dead?"
However, Hashirama smiled widely upon hearing this: "So you're the Fourth Hokage? The village has lasted until the Fourth Hokage?"
He looked around and, seeing the statues on Hokage Rock in the distance, his smile immediately froze.
Where was his statue?
It seemed there was no statue of Tobirama either.
One of the statues belonged to this young man, and the other one seemed to be of the monkey, perhaps.
Orochimaru chuckled deeply: "Don't say that, Second Hokage. Didn't you create this technique for future generations to use? This person in front of you can even use your ultimate technique, the Flying Thunder God."
Flying Thunder God?
Tobirama also sensed the very familiar chakra of Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was engaged in a fierce battle with another powerful chakra not far away.
It seemed that Konoha was in trouble.
He said coldly, "Since they are rebels, let's kill them first."
Orochimaru, standing beside him, reminded him, "Don't underestimate them, Second Hokage. You are not at your peak anymore."
Tobirama simply glanced at him and replied indifferently, "You should address me as 'Lord Second Hokage.'"
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