Orochimaru's lips curled into a twisted grin as he gazed at his former teacher. His unnaturally long tongue slithered out, licking his own cheek in excitement. His expression was unsettling, yet the joy in his eyes was undeniable.
"Sensei… you shouldn't ask me about this. After all, my current state is no different from yours! Everyone here… we are all souls brought back from the dead! And it's all thanks to Souta Kazuki. He has resurrected us perfectly and even granted us a unique form of eternal existence!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's breath hitched. His old eyes widened in shock.
His gaze darted toward Souta Kazuki, the young shinobi standing calmly amidst the chaos. Was this child hiding such terrifying abilities all along?!
He recalled the moment he had attempted the Shikigami Sealing. Something had felt off. The very fabric of the jutsu had resisted him, as if the God of Death itself feared this boy!
What exactly was Souta Kazuki hiding?
As these thoughts stormed through his mind, Souta received a system notification. His summoning had been a success—Sarutobi Hiruzen was now among the resurrected! As a reward, he had gained an S-rank technique from the Third Hokage himself—the Five Styles Great Linking Bullet!
With his affinity for all five chakra natures, this jutsu would be effortless for him to master.
"Monkey…"
A deep, solemn voice cut through the tension. It was Senju Tobirama.
The Second Hokage's piercing gaze fell upon Sarutobi, and for the first time in years, the Third Hokage felt a surge of unease.
Guilt gnawed at him. He had made so many mistakes. He had failed to protect the Senju clan, allowed the Uchiha clan to be slaughtered… how could he face his mentor after all this?
Sarutobi's throat was dry. "Sensei… I…"
Tobirama's stare didn't waver. His expression wasn't filled with fury—it was disappointment.
"Monkey, you have failed as Hokage."
Sarutobi felt his heart tighten. He had expected his teacher to lash out in rage, but this… this silent disapproval hurt even more.
"I… I was wrong… Teacher!"
Tobirama sighed, waving his hand dismissively. "We will discuss your failures later. For now, settle your matters here."
Sarutobi swallowed hard before turning toward Souta Kazuki. His sharp eyes studied the young shinobi, searching for answers.
"Souta… tell me exactly what is going on here."
Souta's expression remained calm as he explained, "Do you remember when I reversed a summoning during my time at the Academy? That wasn't just an accident. That day, I signed a contract with the spirit world itself. By paying a certain price, I gained the ability to summon souls… turning them into my summons."
Sarutobi's face darkened. "You mean to tell me… that all of us, including me, are now your summoning beasts?"
Souta nodded.
The Third Hokage clenched his fists. "Then… does that mean you were behind Orochimaru's attack on Konoha?! Did you orchestrate the Konoha Collapse Plan?!"
Souta's eyes flashed with irritation. "Excuse me?! Third Hokage, you can accuse me of many things, but don't go around throwing baseless accusations!
Yes, I have summoned you all, but I do not control you! You still have your free will, your own choices! This contract is no different from a normal summoning beast pact!
And what's with this absurd claim? You're blaming me for Orochimaru's plan? Your body outside isn't even cold yet, and you're already making me a scapegoat?! Do I look like Shimura Danzo to you?!"
Souta scoffed, crossing his arms. "For your information, the Konoha Collapse Plan was Orochimaru's idea from start to finish. I had nothing to do with it. If anything, you should be grateful to me! I resurrected you, and not in your weakened, old age either! You are at your absolute peak!"
Sarutobi's breathing slowed as he processed Souta's words. Tentatively, he focused on his own body, examining the state of his chakra and physical form.
It was true. He was back at his prime. His body was brimming with strength, his mind sharp as ever. The only difference was the spiritual contract that bound him, but after closer inspection, he realized—it was a simple, equal pact.
Nothing about it forced obedience.
His thoughts swirled with doubt.
Orochimaru chuckled, stepping forward. "Sensei, I can fill in the gaps for you."
With a wicked smirk, he began to explain everything that had happened—Souta Kazuki's actions, the events in the spiritual space, and the drastic changes that had unfolded in the outside world.
Sarutobi Hiruzen listened carefully, and with every revelation, his mind became heavier.
Uzumaki Naruto had fully harnessed the power of the Nine-Tails.Uchiha Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.Several students from Souta's generation were now being trained by Senju Tobirama himself.
But what truly shook him—Souta Kazuki's ambition.
Unification of the entire shinobi world.
Sarutobi's breath hitched. Such a goal seemed impossible.
But then his mind drifted to two names.
Senju Hashirama.Uchiha Madara.
These two legendary figures were Souta's mentors. With such power guiding him, could unification actually become a reality?
Sarutobi exhaled slowly. Had Konoha changed so drastically under his watch?Had he truly been so blind?
He grimaced. If only he had used the Telescope Jutsu more to observe these new shinobi, instead of… wasting it on hot springs.
He glanced at Orochimaru, unsure if he should be angry or relieved.
Before his death, he had come to a realization—Orochimaru had come to personally send him off, not out of hatred, but to ensure that he wouldn't be cursed after death.
A twisted sentiment… yet, it was still loyalty in its own way.
But that didn't erase the past.
His fists clenched, and his voice turned sharp.
"Orochimaru!!! You may have been my most gifted disciple… but your attack on Konoha is unforgivable!!!"
His battle-hardened eyes narrowed.
"As your master, it's only right that I discipline you!"
A smirk spread across his lips as he took a step forward, feeling the raw power of his prime form coursing through his veins.
"And truth be told… I want to see just how strong my master's peak state truly is!!!"