Born in Sunagakure, dedicated to antagonizing Konoha for decades

Hiruzen Sarutobi cursed inwardly when he saw Shiki pull out his greatsword, looking eager to use it. However, he had to maintain his image in front of his two teachers, especially to let the Second Hokage know that he hadn't misjudged him. So he put on a righteous and awe-inspiring look, ready to die at any moment, and said to Kakashi outside the barrier.

"Sandaime-sama!"

"Third generation sir..."

"Hiruzen, I knew I hadn't misjudged you! Water Release..."

"Well done, little monkey... Wood Release..."

As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi's move was quite effective. Not only were the Konoha underlings outside deeply moved by his righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor, but even the two CEOs of the Senju clan praised him highly. However, praise aside, he couldn't stop what he was doing.

Who told this brat to dare boast that he's the "strongest Hokage in history"? He's completely disregarding them...

"I... Orochimaru! Stop! The area outside is full of Konoha ninja."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, still wanting to continue his acting spree, once again dodged the two CEOs' ninjutsu in a flustered manner, and earnestly advised his former beloved disciple.

If it were ten years ago, facing two teachers whose strength was reduced to less than one-tenth, he could still put up a fight with his amazing composite ninjutsu. But now he is sixty-nine years old, and the ninja world has long since passed away at his age.

Don't be fooled by his still energetic appearance; he's actually incredibly weak inside. Although his two teachers are only a fraction of their former strength, they're still top-tier martial arts masters. The fact that he's managed to hold on this long is a testament to God's simple wish that he wouldn't die so soon.

Whenever he was exhausted and could no longer exert any strength, a surge of immense power would surge through his body, enabling him to dodge the attacks of his two teachers. But if this continued, he would eventually perish.

God can't always favor him like this.

Therefore, persuading one's former beloved disciple to lay down his weapons is the right path...

1005. Master Thousand Hands was born in the wrong era.

At that moment, he really wanted to slap Mitokado Homura a few times.

He finally understood. Although the two teachers said they were unwilling, their actions betrayed them. Although Orochimaru was controlling them, there was no trace of reluctance on their faces. They must have been provoked by the title of "the strongest Hokage in history".

But the person who gave him this crazy idea back then was that bastard Mitokado Homura.

They said that since he had just taken office and wasn't a member of the Senju clan, even with Lady Mito and the others protecting him, his position wasn't very stable. He needed to come up with a catchy slogan to make a name for himself.

At first, he was unwilling. Lord Mito was not dead yet. What if he made Lord Mito unhappy and summoned the Grim Reaper to chat with him at night?

However, at that time, this was the only way to suppress those old people who relied on their age and also to intimidate the surrounding small ninja villages. So, he had no choice but to accept his friend's idea. Afterwards, the thing he was worried about did not happen. Lord Mito did not summon the Grim Reaper to chat with him at night because of this title. Moreover, the effect was good. Ever since the title of "Strongest Hokage in History" was spread, the surrounding small ninja villages immediately quieted down.

Later, Sunagawa and Onoki followed his example. In order not to lose face, he could not take back the title back then, and over time he stopped caring.

But who knew that while Mito-sama didn't care, the two teachers cared so much about this title... It's just an empty name, isn't it?

Is it really necessary to take this so seriously...?

"Dad, the Third Hokage is no good. He was almost beaten to death by the First and Second Hokage."

The long-legged girl, who had stopped paying attention to the two tailed beasts' pointless fight for leadership and was instead drawn to the battle, watched Hiruzen Sarutobi being harassed and pushed around by Senju and Senju Nissou, and made some sarcastic remarks.

"Well... well, they were the First Hokage and the Second Hokage after all..."

Huang Tu didn't know how to explain it to his precious daughter. He couldn't very well tell her that Hiruzen Sarutobi was considered lucky, and that his idiot grandfather was actually immobilized by Madara Uchiha, who couldn't even defeat Hashirama Senju...

"I never expected Orochimaru to know such a dangerous forbidden technique."

Rasa didn't have time to worry about his youngest son. The One-Tailed Beast was still full of energy even after being beaten up by the Nine-Tailed Beast for so long. At this rate, the two tailed beasts would probably keep fighting for at least a year and a half. As long as his youngest son was alright, he would let them continue fighting. After all, this wasn't Sunagakure. Besides, he couldn't stop the two tailed beasts from destroying their home with his thin arms and legs. It would be more satisfying to watch Hiruzen Sarutobi get beaten up.

However, the thought that Orochimaru was so powerful that he could summon the dead to fight made Rasa's scalp tingle. Such a forbidden technique was simply too powerful!

Fortunately, their previous choice was correct; they didn't get involved. Otherwise, just thinking about facing the First and Second Hokage would have given him the creeps.

Although it's unclear why the First Hokage's Wood Release wasn't as overpowered as described in history textbooks, and the Second Hokage wasn't as formidable as Shinto-sama boasted, the fact that Hiruzen Sarutobi, despite being chased and beaten by two monsters with unlimited chakra, is still not in bad shape is simply a matter of divine favor.

"This forbidden technique was clearly developed by the Second Hokage. My father told me that the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, developed many forbidden techniques throughout his life, so it's not surprising that he could develop such a terrifying one..."

Although Tobirama Senju wasn't the Tsuchikage, his birth was far better than Rasa's. Plus, his father was still alive, giving him frequent access to many obscure facts about the ninja world. After all, Tobirama Senju had been dead for many years, and before Minato Namikaze rose to prominence, people didn't know much about the Second Hokage of Konoha. At least people knew about the First Hokage's Wood Release. But after Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique impressed the ninja world, people realized, "Oh! So the Flying Thunder God Technique was developed by the Second Hokage," and that was it. At most, a few long-time ninjas knew that Tobirama Senju was once the most handsome man in the ninja world, and that was about it.

It has to be said that this is the tragedy of being born in the era of Senju and Madara.

Although even the great masters Senju and Madara could not completely overshadow the talent of the second master Senju, he was from the same era as the great masters Senju and Madara, and his fame was not much higher.

Otherwise, if the Second Master of the Thousand Hands were in any other era, he would definitely be a top star. He has both good looks and talent, and most importantly, he is powerful and wealthy. It would be an injustice if such a person did not become famous.

However, in the era of Senju and Madara, when people mentioned Konoha, the first thing that popped into their minds was either Senju, the "God of Shinobi," or Madara, the "Shura of the Shinobi World." After all, their achievements were so exaggerated that there was simply no one who could rival them.

The most impressive feat of Senju Nissou was simply killing Uchiha Izuna, who was Madara's younger brother. Although Izuna also awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, his achievements were not as exaggerated as Madara's.

Compared to the achievements of the first and second masters of the Senju clan, the influence of the second master of the Senju clan is much smaller.

So even though Rasa is the Kazekage, his father died young, and although his grandfather, who was Shinto's old leader, lived through Madara's era, he was just a lowly Karami back then, so how could he know about this?

But Onoki was different. He was the grandson of the First Tsuchikage and a disciple of the Second Tsuchikage, a true member of the royal family. His social circle was far more prestigious than that of Rasa's grandfather. Onoki even fought Madara when he was a child...

Although it wasn't a pleasant experience, Rasa's grandfather didn't even have the right to experience it. Back when Madara and Retsuto made a duel over a girl, Rasa's grandfather didn't even have a standing ticket.

Therefore, the two came from different circles, and Huang Tu naturally knew more about these things than Luo Sha.

"Hiss... They can even develop this kind of ninjutsu."

Upon hearing Huang Tu's explanation, Luo Sha couldn't help but gasp. He had never even considered such a forbidden technique for summoning the dead, yet the Second Hokage had actually developed it, and what's more, Orochimaru had even learned it.

At this moment, Luo Sha finally understood how terrifying scientists could be.

He secretly resolved that when he returned, he would have to discuss the education of the next generation with Lady Chiyo. Ninja academies should not only teach how to kill, but also pay attention to culture. If a scientist could emerge from the next generation and develop a ninjutsu that could summon the dead, Sunagakure would be rich. Even if Lord Shinto died, they would not have to worry about the village being unable to protect itself.

Just summon it when you're fighting...

1006. White Fang: If you talk less, he won't get beaten up.

"...These two seem to have a lot of advice for your former boss."

Seeing the Senju brothers teaming up to utterly defeat Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shinto was startled and somewhat surprised. He said to Sakumo Hatake with a hint of astonishment, "Orochimaru is definitely not controlling them. All their actions are spontaneous. Although their strength is only a fraction of what it used to be because their bodies are in disarray, their chakra is limitless before their bodies collapse due to the Impure World Reincarnation. That's a bit like cheating. Hiruzen Sarutobi is already sixty-nine years old. No matter how well he takes care of himself, his body is still old. Normally, even if a great mage like Hiruzen Sarutobi or Onoki could still use ninjutsu at this age, his taijutsu would be at its lowest point. But with the two Senju brothers taking turns bombarding him with ninjutsu, he didn't even have a chance to fight back."

Moreover, after observing Orochimaru's somewhat amused gaze and the Senju brothers' verbal warnings to Hiruzen Sarutobi to be careful, Shinto showed absolutely no mercy in his actions, displaying a whole range of large-scale ninjutsu. It was as if the Senju brothers weren't just playing a trick on him.

He wasn't surprised that the second master of the Senju clan was so cunning, but he hadn't expected the first master of the Senju clan to be such a good actor. Look at how Sarutobi Hiruzen was moved by him, dodging his Wood Release techniques while shedding tears—he hadn't even considered that these two masters actually just wanted to beat him up...

"...If you talked less, this wouldn't have happened. Try punching me and see if you can break this barrier."

Sakumo Hatake said, sounding both annoyed and speechless.

If it weren't for you, you bastard, calling yourself "the strongest Hokage in history" all the time, this wouldn't have happened.

Although both the First and Second Hokage were magnanimous people, neither of them ever claimed to be the strongest Hokage while they were alive.

While the old leader had his reasons back then, he undeniably uttered the slogan "Strongest Hokage in History," a fact that cannot be changed. It would be strange if the First and Second Hokage didn't have objections. There are some things you can do but can't say. Just like how even if Sakumo Hatake was incredibly powerful, he couldn't claim to be the strongest member of the Hatake clan, lest his father make things difficult for him someday...

This happened many years ago, and if no one brought it up, he probably would have forgotten about it. But this bastard keeps talking about the "strongest Hokage in history," which is just provoking the First and Second Hokage's nerves. The old leader is definitely going to get a beating. However, if the First and Second Hokage hadn't been controlled by Orochimaru, the old leader would at most get a beating, and there wouldn't be any danger to his life. But now that the First and Second Hokage are controlled by Orochimaru, he is still worried about the old leader's safety.

After all, he had been working with his old boss since his debut, and their decades-long friendship was there. He really didn't want his old boss to be in any danger. He himself was past his peak, and the power of his ultimate move had decreased considerably, so he couldn't break through this barrier. But he still wanted to see if this barrier was as powerful as Orochimaru had said, so he asked Shinto to give it a punch.

After all, the Third Raikage was over sixty and could still take on tens of thousands of Iwagakure ninja single-handedly. This guy is even more shameless than the Third Raikage, and he's not even sixty yet, so his fists probably haven't atrophied yet...

"Don't bother, I already tried it. Although I don't have a great relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi, we've known each other for decades, and I couldn't bear to see him get beaten up. This thing is just like Orochimaru said, unless I use a big sword to cut it, but even if I cut it down, your Konoha probably won't be much better off..."

Masato feigned helplessness by spreading his hands.

Just kidding. His purpose in coming to Konoha to watch the fun was to see Hiruzen Sarutobi get beaten up. How could he possibly bother Orochimaru? Besides, his relationship with Orochimaru is much better than that with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Logically and emotionally, he wouldn't interfere with Orochimaru's plans.

In any case, even if Hiruzen Sarutobi were alive, it wouldn't make much difference to the Fourth Shinobi World War. At most, he could just kiss some soldiers and boost morale. Even if he died, he could still be summoned by Orochimaru and do the same thing. It's not a big deal. It's better to use that to maintain his friendship with Orochimaru.

He admires cultured people like Snake the most!

"...Orochimaru! What are you doing?! Stop it!!!"

At this moment, Jiraiya, who had already dealt with Orochimaru's unknown underlings, also arrived. He spotted his good friend from afar, and Jiraiya's voice was filled with heartbreak, as if his own father had died.

"Hehe, seeing that we can't delay any longer, I'm sorry, gentlemen..."

Upon seeing his best friend appear, Orochimaru's emotionless eyes showed some change; it's estimated that only Jiraiya could make Orochimaru show some emotional fluctuations now.

After all, among the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya's fate was remarkably similar to Orochimaru's, and Jiraiya's was even more tragic. Tsunade was the princess of Konoha, and since the Senju clan still existed when she was young, and Mito Uzumaki was still alive, Tsunade was a precious treasure wherever she went. Jiraiya, like Orochimaru, was born a commoner, and his life was even more tragic. Orochimaru at least knew who his parents were, while Jiraiya didn't even know if his biological father was Hiruzen Sarutobi...

Therefore, the two have had a deep bond since childhood.

Moreover, seeing that Jiraiya had also arrived, he knew that his underlings were basically dead. If they dragged it out any longer and waited until the two corpses couldn't hold on any longer and the First and Second Hokage died before they killed Sarutobi-sensei, then this trip to Konoha would have been in vain.

So he took out two kunai filled with talisman paper and came behind Lord Senju and Grandpa Senju, stabbing them in the back of their heads. Lord Senju and Grandpa Senju's eyes immediately became empty, looking completely devoid of emotion.

Moreover, under Orochimaru's complete control, his attacks were much more powerful than before. Because he had given his original Kusanagi Greatsword to that spendthrift Nawaki, Orochimaru did not engage in a direct confrontation with Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was carrying a fire poker, as in the original story.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi's fire poker was looked down upon by Shinto during the Nine-Tails' Night, it was still a real threat to those who were still considered human. After all, it was the poker that Hiruzen Sarutobi used to send Onoki flying.

So although Orochimaru also joined the fray, forming a triangular offensive with Senju and Senju, he was at most a turning point in the attack. The real main force was still Senju and Senju. He was just playing a supporting role. After all, Senju and Senju could revive infinitely, even if they died, and they had unlimited mana potions. They were practically cannon fodder!

1007. Shorter and uglier than Onoki.

"Speaking of Jiraiya, it's been over ten years, and you still haven't improved at all. It's already the second half and you're only just arriving. Could it be that you've been studying human body art too much and haven't exercised in a while, making your legs weak? Look at all that nonsense you've written, you've corrupted Kakashi, and he still doesn't have a girlfriend."

Seeing Jiraiya looking like he'd lost his father, Shinto gave him a disdainful look. He was certain that Jiraiya wasn't worried about Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was suspected of being his biological father, but rather about the changes in his good buddy Orochimaru.

The Naruto world is a world where bromance reigns supreme. Just look at Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo back then. With what Danzo did over the years, he would have been turned into a human stick in any village outside of Konoha. But he has remained standing in Konoha for so many years. He brought down the Sarutobi clan and his family during the Second World War, but after returning to Konoha to recover from his injuries, he was still the advisor. Later, he went to the Land of Lightning battlefield and almost got himself killed by the Third Raikage and his men invading the Land of Fire. After returning to Konoha, he was still the chief assistant to the Hokage.

I doubt even Hiruzen Sarutobi would treat his own son this well.

"Damn it, don't make sarcastic remarks at a time like this. Sakumo, that guy Hiruko has escaped, and the situation is very complicated..."

Jiraiya was clearly not in the mood for verbal sparring with him. After his initial sadness, he spoke to Sakumo Hatake with a serious expression.

Although he's been traveling around for years and is now over fifty, his strength hasn't declined because of the Sage Chakra within him. The reason he only managed to deal with them now is because he ran into a tough opponent—his former best friend with whom he used to play in the mud as a child.

At first, Jiraiya was a little confused. Although he hadn't seen his former best friend for many years and he had become much uglier, he could still recognize him at a glance. What surprised him was that his former best friend had clearly been punched into an idiot by that guy, Shiki. It was because his former best friend was beaten into an idiot and couldn't ask him anything, and there was no danger, that he was abandoned in the ward instead of being humanely destroyed.

Back when he was still in Konoha, he would visit him in prison from time to time. Before he left Konoha, he went to see his former best friend. It was more than ten years ago. At that time, his former best friend was still a dull-eyed idiot who kept drooling. But when he saw his former best friend just now, his former best friend was not only no longer an idiot, but was even more sinister than before, and his strength was even more bizarre. In the end, he even used his ultimate move, but no one could defeat his former best friend and he even got away.

He was so excited to see his best friend when he arrived that he forgot about this for a moment, and only remembered it now.

Thinking of the extremely cruel forbidden techniques his former buddy had developed, Jiraiya realized things were getting serious; his former buddy posed an even greater threat to Konoha than Orochimaru...

"Hiruko???"

Hatake Sakumo asked in confusion. Seeing Jiraiya's serious expression, he knew the situation was probably serious, but it didn't seem to affect him much. He didn't know how many powerful people were in Konoha Prison, since Konoha Prison had been established for many years and the number of prisoners inside was immeasurable. However, he still remembered some prisoners with names and surnames. It seemed that there was really no one who could make Jiraiya take it so seriously.

Even Konoha wouldn't dare put a criminal of the Double Flower Red Stick level in prison; they'd be humanely euthanized long ago.

"Oh! He's my classmate from back in the day, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and I think... He's the one this guy beat into an idiot many years ago. He's short, even shorter than Onoki, and ugly too. You, Onoki, are even uglier..."

Seeing Sakumo Hatake's bewildered expression, Jiraiya knew he definitely couldn't remember. But that made sense; Hiruko's status wasn't high among Sakumo's rivals throughout his career. It wasn't surprising that Sakumo didn't remember. If Hiruko hadn't been his best friend, Jiraiya probably wouldn't remember either. So Jiraiya tried to piece together the timeline for Sakumo, but he realized he couldn't remember how many years ago it was either, and could only describe him as the short and ugly Onoki.

"...Jiraiya-sama, while I understand how you feel right now, don't you think it's incredibly rude to compare me to my father like that? (▼へ▼メ)"