Born with a great love for the Uchiha

He raised his head, looked around, and instead of looking at the dead snake-like Orochimaru, he fixed his gaze on the depths of the earth.

"Although I don't know who you are, I've memorized your chakra!"

Hashirama Senju's words seemed to resonate deeply.

"That guy who likes to hide in the shadows, next time I see you, I won't let you off easily!"

As Hashirama Senju finished speaking, his soul officially broke free from the shackles of his impure body and flew towards the Pure Land in the darkness.

Before his soul returned to the Pure Land, a thought flashed through Hashirama Senju's mind.

'If I had learned the Impure World Reincarnation Technique from Tobirama back then, could I have stayed here now...?'

Without the support of its soul, White Zetsu's body returned to its original state.

It lay limp on the ground, turning into a lifeless, empty shell.

The ground above the laboratory ruins was silent, save for the forest created by [Wood Release: Advent of the Tree World], which rustled in the breeze.

A moment later.

Orochimaru's twisted body landed with a thud, and he opened his mouth wide, spitting out yet another brand new, sticky Orochimaru.

Orochi Style: Substitution Jutsu!

"That was close! I was almost killed!"

Orochimaru licked his lips, his gaze towards the wooden dragon now filled with awe and apprehension.

“The next time we meet, you will definitely not be as ‘free’ as you are today, First Generation Master…”

If it weren't for the fact that his self-created [Orochi Style: Substitution Technique] was powerful enough...

The injuries Orochimaru sustained from the impact of the Wood Dragon Technique were enough to take half his life.

Rao is so.

Orochimaru was also in a very weak state at this time.

【Orochimaru Style: Substitution Technique】While powerful, it essentially uses a large amount of chakra to stimulate the activity of body cells in a short period of time, thereby growing a completely new body, which consumes a great deal of energy.

Even a powerful figure like Orochimaru was somewhat overwhelmed by the repeated use of the Orochimaru Substitution Technique within a short period of time.

Thankfully, it's all over now...

Black Zetsu emerged from the depths of the earth once again.

This time, however, it deliberately maintained a safe distance from Orochimaru.

The half of Black Zetsu's pitcher plant cloak that had just been cut off by the Kusanagi Sword has now been mostly restored.

But unless absolutely necessary, it doesn't want to be slashed twice more by Orochimaru...

"Orochimaru, you sent Hashirama Senju away?"

Black Zetsu's tone was tinged with disappointment, but also with a hint of relief that even it itself didn't realize.

"if not?"

Orochimaru glanced sideways at Black Zetsu, his eyes filled with disdain for the black-and-white-faced man.

The guy who ran away faster than me has the nerve to come out now...

“Jue-jun, you said before that the First Generation Lord has ‘lost control’.”

Orochimaru strode forward, heading towards the laboratory ruins.

"I have no way of controlling the First Generation Lord who has already 'gone out of control'."

"If you want to see the First Generation Lord again, then wait for the next time."

Having witnessed the true power of the First Hokage, Orochimaru's passion for the Impure World Reincarnation Technique not only did not diminish, but intensified.

He was determined to continue improving this forbidden technique, integrating control methods into the summoning ritual.

The next time I use the Impure World Reincarnation on the First Hokage, I must control this legendary ninja god beforehand and make him obey!

Orochimaru walked to the wooden dragon's side and gently stroked its skin texture a few times.

"The First Hokage's Wood Release is far more powerful than I imagined..."

The mere fact that "the effect of Wood Release did not disappear after Hashirama Senju's death" was enough to make Orochimaru happy.

Danzo Shimura and Tenzo's mastery of Wood Release was less than one percent!

Orochimaru underestimated the power of Wood Release.

[Wood Release] is no ordinary bloodline limit!

“Jue Jun”.

Orochimaru turned to look at Black Zetsu, who had silently followed, and spoke in an unquestionable manner.

"I want White Zetsu, more White Zetsu, higher quality White Zetsu, plus special White Zetsu with the Wood Release bloodline limit."

White Zetsu is a good thing.

Using White Zetsu as a sacrifice for the Impure World Reincarnation Technique is absolutely the best strategy!

Black Zetsu wasn't surprised by Orochimaru's request.

Rather, it's more accurate to say...

After this secret laboratory was destroyed by Hashirama Senju's Wood Release.

Orochimaru's demand for more living White Zetsu was exactly what Black Zetsu had anticipated.

"How many more White Zetsu do you need to completely perfect the Impure World Reincarnation Technique?"

After thinking for a moment, Black Zetsu asked in a deep voice.

"The Senju Hashirama you just summoned was nowhere near as powerful as he was at his peak."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's eyes flickered for a moment.

Just kidding?

Was that not Hashirama Senju at his peak strength?

How strong would Hashirama Senju be at his peak?

After Orochimaru was utterly defeated by Hashirama Senju, he basically concluded that one of his "old friends" had been bragging all along.

How could someone as useless as Kakuzu possibly defeat the God of Shinobi in a one-on-one fight?

That womanizing cyborg probably threw a shuriken at the God of Ninjas from 800 miles away...

Orochimaru thought for a moment, then asked directly.

"Lord Jue, have you ever witnessed the power of the God of Ninjas at his peak?"

If Black Zetsu had truly witnessed Hashirama Senju at his peak.

Orochimaru felt it was necessary for him to re-evaluate this black-and-white-faced freak!

The longest-lived creature he had ever seen was probably the White Snake Sage of Ryuchi Cave.

However, if we limit ourselves to the category of "human beings".

The person Orochimaru has seen live the longest is probably Kakuzu.

No matter how much Kakuzu likes to boast about himself.

He is indeed a "centenarian" who has lived from the end of the Warring States period to the present day.

In the ninja profession.

Kakuzu's age is incredibly valuable!

Could it be that Black Zetsu, Kakuzu, and the First Hokage were all ninjas from the same era?

Faced with Orochimaru's questioning, Black Zetsu did not offer much explanation, but instead answered indirectly.

"That Hashirama Senju from earlier was probably not even half as strong as he was at his peak."

Hehe~

Orochimaru sneered.

"Really? I don't believe it."

Hashirama Senju was indeed a monster.

Even if the opponent is strong, you still have to follow the basic principles of ninja!

Believe it or not.

Black Zetsu snorted coldly.

"In my opinion, that Senju Hashirama was definitely no match for Uchiha Gen!"

Once these words were spoken, Orochimaru had no choice but to believe them.

The members of Akatsuki generally knew that, apart from gathering intelligence, Black Zetsu spent most of his time with Obito Uchiha, like an inseparable shadow.

Obito Uchiha fought Gen Uchiha multiple times, ultimately losing his life...

Black Zetsu had witnessed the power of Gen Uchiha at his peak—at least at his current peak.

Orochimaru had no doubts.

He also fought against Gen Uchiha—from an observer's perspective.

But that was Uchiha Genji on the battlefield in the Land of Rice Fields at that time.

And later, the Fifth Hokage, who was recognized by the ninja world as the god of ninjas in the new era.

The difference in strength between the two is like heaven and earth!

"The Fifth Hokage..." Orochimaru pondered for a moment, "Just how strong was he?"

"The issue isn't whether Uchiha Gen is strong or not; he's a very special kind of ninja..."

After hesitating for a moment, Black Zetsu chose to find a reference point.

"The peak strength of these two generations of ninja gods is probably roughly equal..."

Orochimaru quickly calculated the results in his mind based on Black Zetsu's assessment.