At Orochimaru's command, the two Sand Ninja guards beside him immediately sprang into action, throwing smoke bombs from their hands.
"Boom! Boom!"
The bombs exploded, covering the entire stands in thick smoke.
Aburame Shigeo moved as well, stepping in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi and removing the lid from the insect gourd on his back.
"Whoosh!"
Crimson-colored kikaichū insects poured out in a torrent, forming a protective red "insect wall" around Hiruzen.
At the same time, Orochimaru charged forward.
However, instead of attacking Hiruzen, he grabbed Aburame Shigeo by the neck and leaped out of the smoke, landing on the rooftop above the stands.
As they landed, the two Sand Ninja guards tore off their disguises, transforming into four Sound Ninja, each wearing forehead protectors marked with the Sound Village symbol.
The four ninjas positioned themselves at the four corners of the rooftop, forming hand seals simultaneously.
"Ninja Art: Four Violet Flames Formation!"
A deep purple barrier shot up instantly, encapsulating the entire rooftop and isolating it from the outside world.
Standing at the center of the barrier, Aburame Shigeo observed the incoming Anbu surrounding Hiruzen outside the semi-transparent wall. He couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth.
"Uh... Orochimaru-sama, I have a question for you. Did you perhaps kidnap the wrong person?"
"Hehehehe..."
Orochimaru let out a raspy laugh and then ripped off the human skin disguise on his face, revealing his pale complexion beneath.
"So you recognized me, Shigeo-kun. Impressive. Can you tell me when you figured it out?"
Aburame Shigeo rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't you answer my question before asking one of your own?"
"Hehe... You're right!"
Orochimaru laughed again as he released his grip on Shigeo's neck and tossed aside the Wind Shadow hat.
"Initially, my target was Sasuke, but during our last battle, I realized you were a better choice, Shigeo-kun."
"Well, that's unexpected."
Shigeo raised an eyebrow.
"I don't recall having anything worth your attention. Care to tell me what it is so I can change it?"
"I'm afraid not, because what I value is your body!"
Orochimaru's gaze locked onto Shigeo as his face twisted into a sinister grin.
"With chakra as powerful as a tailed beast, the regenerative ability and strength comparable to the First Hokage, you are far more valuable than the Uchiha clan's Sharingan, Shigeo-kun!"
"Oh, so there's no room for negotiation?"
Shigeo tossed aside the now-empty insect gourd from his back and spread his arms toward Orochimaru.
"Fine. The rules of the battlefield are simple—one-on-one. No cheating!"
"Hehe... Agreed!"
Orochimaru grinned wider, quickly forming hand seals before clapping his hands together with a loud snap.
"Summoning Jutsu: Impure World Reincarnation!"
Damn it!
Shigeo's expression changed as he lunged toward Orochimaru, attempting to stop the summoning.
But it was already too late.
"Boom!"
From the deep purple summoning circle, a coffin marked with the kanji "First" rose from the ground!
Soon after, a second coffin marked "Second" emerged.
By the time Shigeo reached Orochimaru, a third coffin labeled "Fourth" was halfway out of the ground.
"Get out of here!"
Shigeo yelled, his fist glowing with green chakra as he struck the top of the third coffin with all his strength.
"Boom!"
The coffin shattered into pieces with a deafening crash, causing the purple summoning circle to vanish.
The summoning was forcibly interrupted.
Orochimaru's face darkened, and he immediately retreated to put distance between himself and Shigeo.
That kind of punch? He did not want to take another one.
It hurt too much!
Shigeo, unaware of Orochimaru's thoughts, turned his attention to the first and second coffins.
With a sweeping kick, he smashed them into splinters. However, no bodies emerged from the shattered wood—only dust scattered across the ground.
Seeing this, Shigeo sighed with regret.
"Still a step too late."
As he spoke, the dust on the ground moved.
The particles gathered in front of Orochimaru, rapidly merging into two figures.
One was a man with black hair wearing red armor, and the other was a white-haired man in blue armor.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had arrived with several Anbu on the rooftop, saw the two figures inside the barrier and immediately grew somber.
"This is bad. Orochimaru actually used the Impure World Reincarnation to summon *them*!"
A black-robed Anbu ninja asked nervously, "Third Hokage-sama, who are they?"
"They are the previous Hokage!" Hiruzen said grimly. "The one with black hair is the First Hokage, and the one with white hair is the Second Hokage!"
"What?!"
The black-robed Anbu gasped, and the other Anbu members wore equally shocked expressions beneath their masks.
After their initial shock, their concern shifted to Shigeo, trapped within the barrier.
After all, the two individuals before him were the legends who had created an era and founded the Hidden Leaf Village.
Within the barrier, the reanimated Hokage opened their eyes.
The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was the first to speak.
"Impure World Reincarnation, huh?"
He glanced back at Orochimaru with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"A young man capable of summoning us—truly remarkable."
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, turned his gaze toward Shigeo.
"This means we must fight you. May I know your name, young man?"
Before Shigeo could reply, Orochimaru interjected.
"His name is Aburame Shigeo. He's someone who has inherited your power, First Hokage-sama. He might even become the Fifth Hokage—if he survives. Now, enough chit-chat."
Orochimaru retrieved two kunai inscribed with talismans, crucial for controlling the reanimated Hokage.
When the kunai were plunged into the bodies of Hashirama and Tobirama, a surge of heat emanated from them.
Their originally earthen skin regained color, becoming indistinguishable from that of living humans.
Simultaneously, their consciousness was completely suppressed, turning them into emotionless killing machines.
Admiring his handiwork, Orochimaru smiled with satisfaction.
"Finally complete. Let's begin, Shigeo-kun. Enjoy yourself!"
He formed a hand seal, commanding the reanimated Hokage to attack.
Hashirama and Tobirama staggered forward like puppets, their movements stiff at first.
Then, they crouched slightly, their bodies tilting forward.
"Whoosh!"
With a gust of wind, the two charged at high speed!
Watching them approach, Shigeo sighed.
"Sigh... I said no cheating in a one-on-one fight. If this is how you want to play it, then I have no choice but to..."
Adjusting his sunglasses slightly, he clasped his hands together and interlocked his fingers.
"Wood Style: Wood Clone Jutsu!"
(To be continued...)