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Kitahara Hitoshi silently watched the fat tanuki flailing in the lava, paddling as though it could somehow escape the molten trap.
Because this idiot was saying something absurd.
"You sure?"
Kitahara Hitoshi raised a brow slightly.
"Yes! I can't beat you, but can't I beat your pet?"
Shukaku, once on the verge of collapse, now patted his round belly with pride.
Kitahara Hitoshi stayed quiet.
In the Children and Grandchildren Chat Group:
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: What's this tanuki even talking about?
Namikaze Minato: Hmm.
Senju Tobirama: I have a theory.
Tobirama no Record: Then say it, Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama: It does make sense.
Senju Tobirama: Shukaku's only been in the group a day or two.
Namikaze Minato: Right. He didn't go through Kitahara's Illusion Book World like the rest of us, but he's still been around long enough.
Senju Tobirama: So while he doesn't know everything, he knows enough to fear Kitahara Hitoshi's strength.
Senju Tobirama: He's pretending to be proud, but in reality, he's already decided to surrender.
Senju Tobirama: He wants to escape, become Kitahara Hitoshi's pet, and join Konoha.
One Tail Shukaku: Hey, that's too much!
One Tail Shukaku: What do you mean, running away and becoming a pet?
Senju Tobirama: Then explain it. Why skip fighting Kitahara Hitoshi and target his pet instead?
Senju Tobirama: Isn't that just cowardice disguised as strategy? Trying to get attention by challenging his pet?
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: So it's a favor battle?
One Tail Shukaku: I—
One Tail Shukaku: Hmph. Kitahara Hitoshi invited me to join Konoha. If I agree too easily, won't it look like I have no pride?
One Tail Shukaku: And I'm not letting Five Tails Kokuō outshine me.
One Tail Shukaku: Let me make this clear. The strength of a tailed beast isn't determined by how many tails it has. One Tail isn't weaker than Five Tails.
Kurama: Hahaha...
Kurama: Just give up, stupid raccoon.
One Tail Shukaku: What's your problem, fox? Jealous? You've already been split in two. One half was taken, and the other's sealed in Naruto Uzumaki.
One Tail Shukaku: You've lost your value.
Kurama: Speechless. If you enjoy being tamed so much, go ahead.
Kurama: You really know how to pick your battles.
Kurama's claws folded across his chest as he leaned back, ears twitching with silent laughter, fully expecting a spectacle.
One Tail Shukaku: Wait... is there something wrong with this match?
One Tail Shukaku: Don't tell me... you all think I can't beat that thing?
Kurama: Go on. Fight. I'll just watch.
One Tail Shukaku: ...
The more Kurama laughed, the more uneasy Shukaku became.
The tailed beasts, once bound under the Sage of Six Paths, had split long ago. After centuries of freedom, each had developed distinct personalities.
Nine Tails preferred forests, mountain springs, and quiet serenity.
One Tail Shukaku favored harsh deserts and sandstorms.
Their differences ran deep, and rivalry came naturally—but they were still tailed beasts.
Kurama's smirk only deepened Shukaku's sense of dread.
Yet the tanuki stared determinedly at Kitahara Hitoshi.
"I'm going to fight."
"My opponent is Five Tails, Kokuō."
"I won't lose to it."
"Even if I can't beat you, I'll prove I deserve better treatment than it if I join Konoha!"
Joining Konoha didn't bother him. Being ignored did. That was why he challenged Kitahara Hitoshi's Ninja White Rabbit.
Ninja Rabbit Little White's eyes turned dull with disbelief.
It never expected that a thousand-year-old tailed beast would act so foolishly.
This beast—soon to be its pet—was actually challenging it.
Wasn't that the same as surrendering?
But could it fight back?
Its power hadn't recovered, just like Kitahara Hitoshi had said to Black Zetsu earlier.
Kitahara Hitoshi glanced down at the tanuki broiling in lava.
"Fine. I'll give you a chance."
"If you want to fight for favor, go for it. Win, and I'll take you with me."
Shukaku let out a long sigh of relief.
So things were going his way?
Meanwhile, Ninja Rabbit Little White remained dazed.
Kitahara Hitoshi gently tapped its forehead.
"You need battle experience too."
He lowered his head and stroked the ninja rabbit.
Shukaku might be a fool, but its combat skills were still decent.
And your combat sense is awful.
Even if I handed you divine tools, you wouldn't know how to use them.
You have chakra but can't wield it. What a waste.
The ninja rabbit contemplated his words carefully.
Then it realized Kitahara Hitoshi was pressing on its back, pouring in a massive surge of chakra.
The energy briefly restored it to its former peak.
Just one second, perhaps.
But that second was enough.
The ninja rabbit closed its eyes and accepted Kitahara Hitoshi's gift fully.
Meanwhile—
Orochimaru had left the group chat.
He stood frozen, stunned.
Because of the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique and multiple body transfers, his soul had grown fragile.
Now it was weaker than most.
Aba... Aba...
His body froze, paralyzed.
The condition lasted ten minutes but was enough to weaken him further.
Once consciousness returned, he examined himself.
His soul was damaged, but his body remained intact.
A heavy loss...
No. Maybe not.
He muttered softly.
His trip to Konoha had two objectives—first, to pay final respects to the Third Hokage, his sensei.
Second, to find his next vessel.
The Forbidden Technique, Living Corpse Reincarnation, allowed him to transfer his soul into new bodies.
With enough vessels, he could theoretically live forever.
But the technique wasn't flawless.
Repeated transfers depleted his soul.
Compatibility with vessels was also unpredictable.
And the jutsu wasn't perfect. Every five years, he needed to change bodies.
His village, Otogakure, existed solely for that purpose.
He raised orphans from childhood, training them to be perfect hosts.
They had to be obedient, capable, and compatible.
The concept resembled the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Body Switch Technique, though that jutsu only allowed temporary control.
Orochimaru's version completely hijacked the body.
Total takeover.
Your body is mine. Mine remains mine.
Ideals are beautiful—but also deadly.
None of that appeared to be an issue. As for soul-body erosion, he pursued a solution through Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode.
But instead of perfecting it, he transformed Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode into something new—a Heavenly Spell.
He was a researcher.
Or rather, he loved research. He loved two things most—ninjutsu and experimentation.
Back when he hadn't yet betrayed Konoha, Tsunade and Jiraiya once asked him what his ideal was.
It hasn't changed.
He wanted to master all the ninjutsu in the world.
A dream shared by many shinobi.
But reality taught him human lives were short. No matter the dream, people were too weak and died too easily.
So he researched immortality.
Don't die before mastering everything—over and over again.
Immortality would bring endless vitality, time, and chakra to fuel his research.
That path led him to Living Corpse Reincarnation.
In the beginning, he considered Kakashi as a possible host.
Kakashi had all five chakra natures and could become the master of a thousand jutsu. It could help him fulfill his childhood dream.
However—
Kakashi bore Obito's Sharingan, which crippled his body with exhaustion.
The side effects were unacceptable.
Orochimaru passed on him.
Since then, he'd searched for the perfect vessel.
Now he returned to Konoha, abandoning the backup hosts he cultivated in Otogakure. He had joined Akatsuki years ago.
Only to be defeated by Uchiha Itachi.
His strength meant nothing before the Mangekyō Sharingan. He was crushed by Itachi's Tsukuyomi illusion.
The Sharingan he once dismissed was now vital.
He realized chakra nature alone was insufficient—bloodline was key.
But he couldn't beat Itachi. Nor could he defeat Pain, Akatsuki's leader, wielder of the Rinnegan.
So he returned to Konoha.
Planning to kidnap Uchiha Sasuke—Itachi's younger brother.
Raise Sasuke, take his body, then challenge Itachi.
He wanted to see if Itachi, who looked down on him, would hesitate when facing his own brother.
Surely, he would subconsciously hold back.
But now—
None of it mattered.
His plans in Konoha were ruined again and again. He had even been killed several times.
That's right.
Orochimaru had died more than once.
But through the development of the Celestial Seal, derived from Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode, he could revive through the seal's imprint.
This was his secret to immortality.
A high price, but similar to sustaining Living Corpse Reincarnation.
That's why people called him a fool.
But that no longer mattered.
Kitahara Hitoshi—
He couldn't defeat Pain. He couldn't defeat Uchiha Itachi. But maybe Kitahara Hitoshi could.
Of course—
He wasn't arrogant. He was calculating. The secret council gave Hitoshi a codename just to observe him—that alone proved the boy wasn't just different, he was extraordinarily powerful.
But so what?
Even if Hitoshi was strong, he was still a ninja of this era. Orochimaru held the DNA of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
Over the years, he'd studied not only Living Corpse Reincarnation but also Impure World Reincarnation.
If he could control the First and Second Hokage and capture Kitahara Hitoshi, then Orochimaru wouldn't need to perform so many Living Corpse Reincarnations. Kitahara Hitoshi had a superior physique to Sasuke, greater talent, and most importantly, the Rinnegan. That's why the current Orochimaru eagerly anticipated Kitahara Hitoshi's rise.
As Orochimaru smiled, a figure approached—a man in a dark cloak wearing a fox mask. A member of Danzo's Root. Yamanaka Kaze, one of Danzo's trusted lieutenants.
"Orochimaru. Lord Danzo has sent a message."
Yamanaka Kaze handed over a letter.
Whether the ninja world descends into chaos or not, Konoha decides. Maybe not true, but if Danzo is involved, then Konoha is already shrouded in darkness.
During Orochimaru's defection, he kept in contact with Danzo. His previous Wood Style experiments using villagers had been backed by Danzo in secret. When the truth came out, Danzo betrayed him. Orochimaru didn't care. He had already gotten what he wanted.
Danzo continued to provide test subjects and funds. So there was no issue keeping in contact.
Danzo's Sharingan arm was born from Orochimaru's research. Though it consumed chakra rapidly, it worked differently from Kakashi's. Orochimaru had even infused Hashirama's cells into Danzo, making the condition more stable than Kakashi's.
They used each other. And now, contact resumed.
Two words were written in the letter: End Valley.
Orochimaru frowned, burned the letter, and set off for the Valley of the End.
At the Valley of the End, beneath Hashirama's stone statue, Danzo stood with his eyes closed. His bodyguard Aburame was beside him. Two figures arrived—Yamanaka Kaze and Orochimaru.
"Lord Danzo," Aburame said. "Yamanaka Kaze has arrived with Orochimaru."
Danzo didn't open his eyes. "Orochimaru, now that you're here, return Yamanaka Kaze to me."
A burst of smoke revealed Yamanaka Kaze was a disguise. The real Orochimaru had already vanished, using a Shadow Clone as a decoy.
"So what's the meaning of this?" Orochimaru asked coldly. "Why send Sarutobi and others to hunt me?"
He had died three times in Konoha just today. Danzo had even used Sharingan to interfere in one attack.
Danzo said nothing. "My Sharingan arm was exposed. I sacrificed part to protect the whole."
Orochimaru paused but suddenly leapt away as the ground exploded. Countless detonating tags had been planted across the entire Valley of the End.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "Danzo! If you want to die, don't drag me with you!"
Summoning Jutsu.
Without hesitation, he summoned his strongest creature—Manda. Rebirth could save him, but damage to his soul would occur. Staying alive without death—immortality—was preferable.
"Orochimaru, you dare summon me again. I want one hundred sacrifices—wait, what—?"
Manda towered into view, but the moment he appeared, detonations erupted beneath him. His tail burned and sizzled. "What the hell!" Manda roared, flinching and writhing.
"Orochimaru, you bastard! It's all detonating tags! Over 139! I'm ending the summoning contract!"
Though summoned by Orochimaru, Manda wasn't loyal. Their bond was transactional. Sacrifices were required for every summoning.
Orochimaru had fed him well before. But this?
"Hundred thousand detonating tags and I take the blast?"
Manda's eyes burned with rage. "You damn—!" He opened his mouth and spat thick white silk to counter the explosion barrage.
Time passed. Ten minutes. An hour?
Eventually, the thick smoke cleared. Night fell. Manda lay sprawled on the ground, panting. The scent of scorched flesh lingered.
Still alive. His face charred, his body blackened. But he was Orochimaru's beast. One of the Sannin. Not easily slain.
Still, five layers of skin were scorched. He shed them all. And still—he remained.
"So only four people can do this, Sarutobi," Orochimaru muttered. "Danzo has so many Sharingan. He summoned it. He's dangerous indeed."
"But Third Generation teacher... or Sarutobi... you enjoyed the detonating charm play just now."
"You forgot? Before the Second Ninja World War, there was someone who used detonators better than anyone."
Sarutobi looked puzzled.
"You don't remember his name? You're not a qualified disciple," Orochimaru sneered. "Or maybe Konoha has no good disciples left."
Actually, that was true.
When Orochimaru joined the Akatsuki, he discovered its leader, Pain, had once been Jiraiya's disciple. A Kage-level reaper leading Akatsuki—but Pain never contacted Jiraiya.
Perhaps one day, Pain would inherit the Will of Fire in name but oppose it in truth. After all, Pain and his comrades were war orphans from the Rain Village. Their revenge would one day point at Konoha.
"Let me tell you something," Orochimaru said. "You're old now, Sarutobi. You don't understand how important immortality is."
"I was going to use Sasuke as my container. But I changed my mind. I chose Kitahara Hitoshi."
"How dare you," Sarutobi muttered. He already knew Hitoshi had the Rinnegan. And Danzo wanted to act first.
Is it like Yamato? No. Though Yamato uses Wood Style, he can't stand at the top. But Kitahara Hitoshi, with the Rinnegan, can.
He's a professor of ninjutsu. A scholar of countless texts. He knows exactly what the Rinnegan signifies.
In the past, Jiraiya received a prophecy from the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku to find the Child of Prophecy.
Now the Rinnegan reappears. Isn't that it?
Sarutobi wanted to seize the chance. As the Second Hokage once said—find the next generation, nurture them, pass on the future.
If not, Konoha would need to be led by overwhelming strength.
He didn't say it aloud. But he knew. He had suffocated the new generation. Of course he knew.
But now—
"I can't tolerate you anymore," Sarutobi said.
"Yeah," Orochimaru replied. "I don't want to play games with you anymore, Sarutobi."
Orochimaru's body melted into mud—then reappeared behind two Konoha Anbu. Grabbing their necks, he smashed them down.
One Anbu's identity was hidden by a mask. But the other—was Black Zetsu.
Orochimaru didn't hesitate. He pulled out two scrolls.
"You are…" Sarutobi's eyes widened.
"What's his ultimate move?" Koharu asked.
"Could it be… Mitokado Homura," Homura said. "The one he mentioned earlier, best at using explosive charms—was it our teacher?"
Their teacher was Tobirama, the Second Hokage.
"Orochimaru… did you steal the corpses of the Hokage ancestors? Are you going to defile their souls?"
"You want to use Impure World Reincarnation?" Sarutobi shouted. "You want to resurrect the First and Second Hokage?"
Black Zetsu, disguised as Moonlight Gale, froze. Impure World Reincarnation.
Using Orochimaru to test Tobirama's strength within a small group like this… was this a provocation?
Black Zetsu cursed, immediately retreating. His black form burrowed into the earth, leaving behind White Zetsu's body—now just an empty shell.
Black Zetsu's escape rivaled Orochimaru's.
"Yes," Orochimaru said. "Not just the Second Hokage. I'm also prepared to resurrect the First."
"Eh?"
The Moonlight ninja vanished into a gust of wind, replaced by a pale corpse. Orochimaru blinked—then dismissed it.
Just the Second Hokage would be enough.
Originally, with two sacrifices and the stolen Hokage bodies, he could summon both. But now, only one sacrifice remained. So one summon.
Perfect for summoning the Second Hokage.
Within this small group, Orochimaru had used himself as the test subject. He provoked Tobirama deliberately.
The test confirmed it—Tobirama's strength still exceeded modern shinobi.
With the upgraded Impure World Reincarnation and Wood Style cells, Orochimaru could restore 60 to 70 percent of their original power.
Even weakened—it didn't matter. The original Tobirama and Hashirama were too strong.
Even 70 percent was enough to crush today's entire ninja world.
That was Orochimaru's plan.
You're too strong. I have no choice but to seal you away.
Kurama snorted sharply through his nose.
Outside—Valley of the End.
God… it really is the Second Hokage.
Senju Tobirama.
Blue armor, pale skin, distinctive facial markings.
There's no mistake—this is Senju Tobirama-sensei.
Even Danzo was shaken.
The core of his regret—his failure to become Hokage—stemmed from this man.
Senju Tobirama, their teacher, was the one who chose the next Hokage.
Orochimaru!
You're venomous!
The Third Hokage took a deep breath.
You're really defiling the teacher's soul.
He could tell—Orochimaru summoned Tobirama not as an ally but a weapon.
To force them into fighting their own mentor.
It was unforgivable.
Orochimaru only chuckled.
Tobirama said nothing.
He moved.
His figure appeared beside the fallen Anbu.
In one fluid motion, he unsheathed his sword.
In a flash, he stood before Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, blade raised.
Orochimaru froze.
He hadn't even issued a command.
But the Third had already sensed danger.
"Orochimaru, you... you really did control the Second—"
"Can I suspect this was intentional?" Tobirama interrupted.
"Probably not," Hashirama replied calmly. "Kitahara Hitoshi clearly stated he didn't intend to destroy Konoha. That's why he avoided directly attacking Konoha or confronting Shukaku."
"So throwing Shukaku into the Valley of the End should be fine," Hashirama continued. "But are you okay?"
Tobirama nodded.
"I'm fine.
"This is a Forbidden Technique I designed specifically for use with Tandem Paper Bombs.
"It requires an operator to continuously detonate the tags.
"That operator inevitably takes damage from the endless chain detonations.
"That's why the most essential trait of the Impure World Reincarnation is this—no matter how many times the user is killed, they can't truly die. Their body regenerates on its own.
"When used with Tandem Paper Bombs, Impure World Reincarnation becomes essentially broken.
"Even if I'm pulverized into dust, I'll still restore myself."
Tobirama gave a sharp snort.
Izuna, watching from the shadows of the afterlife, was intrigued.
Unlike Tobirama, if he died, it would be final.
Meanwhile, everyone continued watching the group chat livestream.
The broadcast rolled on.
After throwing Shukaku out, Kitahara Hitoshi descended into the Valley of the End.
He scanned the terrain swiftly, analyzing the battlefield and gathering intel.
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