Naruto's hand moved almost unconsciously.
His fingers brushed lightly against his neck, tracing over the faint yet ominous mark etched into his skin.
Tsunade immediately noticed.
Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly as she turned her head to look at him. The moment she saw the mark, her expression darkened.
"…Is that Orochimaru's curse mark?"
Her voice carried both recognition and concern.
Naruto hesitated for a brief second before nodding.
"It… seems like it."
Jiraiya, who had been watching the exchange from the side, couldn't help but chuckle, though there was little humor in his tone.
"So he's even targeting Naruto now…"
His gaze shifted toward Orochimaru, who stood not far away, his pale face carrying that ever-present, unsettling smile.
"Orochimaru… you're becoming less and less human."
There was no longer any attempt to hide the disgust in his voice.
Orochimaru simply licked his lips faintly, as though amused by the comment.
But before anyone could say anything further—
"The Secret Art: Needle Jizo Technique!"
Jiraiya's expression hardened as he activated his jutsu.
In an instant, his long white hair shot outward, hardening and expanding at an incredible speed. It wrapped around his entire body, forming a thick, protective cloak lined with sharp, needle-like spikes.
It was both a shield and a weapon.
Orochimaru lunged forward in the same moment, aiming to strike—
But he was too late.
The hardened hair intercepted him.
Sharp strands pierced into his cheek, forcing him back. For a brief second, his expression twisted in irritation.
However, the grotesque nature of his body revealed itself once more.
With an eerie cracking sound, his neck retracted unnaturally—and then snapped back into place, as though nothing had happened.
Jiraiya didn't hesitate.
"Don't even think about escaping!"
"The Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"
His hair surged forward again—this time like a living entity.
Thick, white strands extended outward, writhing through the air like serpents. In a blink, they wrapped around Orochimaru's body, binding him tightly.
Then—
Jiraiya clenched his fist.
The hair twisted violently.
"Ghh—!"
A pained cry escaped Orochimaru's lips.
Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Awesome! Perverted Sage, you've got him!"
Even in such a tense moment, Tsunade couldn't help but twitch slightly at the nickname.
Perverted Sage…
It was ridiculous.
But unfortunately… it suited him.
Still—
Jiraiya wasn't celebrating.
Not yet.
Because he knew Orochimaru far too well.
And sure enough—
Orochimaru's mouth suddenly opened wide.
Unnaturally wide.
Naruto felt a chill run down his spine.
And then—
Something horrifying happened.
Orochimaru spat himself out.
A new body emerged from his own mouth, slick and pale, like a snake shedding its skin.
The bound body was discarded.
The real Orochimaru stood free once more.
Naruto instinctively stepped back, his face pale.
"What… what is that?!"
"…Disgusting," Tsunade muttered, her brows furrowed deeply.
"That's one of his unique forbidden techniques. A form of body replacement… like a white snake shedding its skin."
Her voice carried clear disdain.
"He's abandoned humanity long ago."
Orochimaru merely smiled, as if enjoying their reactions.
Without hesitation, he opened his mouth again—
And this time—
A blade emerged.
The Kusanagi Sword.
Its cold, gleaming edge reflected the light as Orochimaru wielded it directly from his mouth, lunging toward Jiraiya with terrifying speed.
Jiraiya reacted instantly, dodging the incoming strike.
But Orochimaru's movements were relentless.
His body twisted unnaturally, serpentine and flexible, allowing him to strike from impossible angles.
The blade tore through the air—
Then—
Slash!
A deep gash was carved into the ground, the sheer force of the attack sending debris flying.
Naruto could hardly believe what he was seeing.
This wasn't just strange—
It was monstrous.
Their battle escalated rapidly.
Each exchange revealed increasingly bizarre and powerful techniques.
Every movement was precise, deadly, and filled with experience.
Naruto's heart pounded.
This was a level of combat he had never witnessed before.
Everything he had faced until now…
Had only been the tip of the iceberg.
Meanwhile—
Tsunade's attention wasn't solely on Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
Her eyes shifted toward another battlefield.
Shizune…
And Kabuto.
The two were locked in fierce combat.
But it was clear—
Kabuto held the advantage.
His movements were calm, calculated, and efficient. Every strike was precise, every step controlled.
In contrast, Shizune was being steadily pushed back.
Her breathing grew heavier.
Her defenses began to falter.
Tsunade's fists clenched.
She was ready to step in at any moment.
But before she could—
Orochimaru's voice rang out once more.
Low.
Mocking.
Cold.
"Jiraiya… I don't have time to play with you."
"And Tsunade…"
He slowly brought his hands together.
"Why don't you meet some old acquaintances?"
A sinister smile spread across his face.
"Summoning Technique…"
"Edo Tensei."
The moment the words left his lips—
The ground trembled.
"Boom—!"
Two coffins burst violently from the earth.
They rose side by side.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Then—
Creak…
The lids fell open.
Two figures stood within.
Jiraiya's expression darkened, but he wasn't surprised.
He had expected this.
But Tsunade—
Her entire body froze.
Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.
"…No…"
Standing before them—
Were the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
And the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
Revived.
Through forbidden means.
Their eyes slowly opened.
They looked around, taking in the battlefield.
Hashirama sighed softly.
"…I didn't expect to be summoned again."
Then he glanced at Tobirama.
"Tobirama… this forbidden jutsu of yours… it really isn't a good technique."
Tobirama, however, remained completely unfazed.
"There is no such thing as good or evil ninjutsu."
His voice was cold and firm.
"It depends entirely on how it is used."
Then his sharp gaze shifted to Orochimaru.
"You're the one misusing it… Orochimaru, was it?"
"…A student of the monkey?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Not just that."
"I'm also the comrade of the two Hokage standing before you."
At that moment—
Hashirama noticed Tsunade.
His expression changed instantly.
"…Tsunade?"
"Grandfather…"
Her voice trembled.
For the first time in a long time—
Tsunade looked shaken.
Deeply shaken.
Hashirama sighed again.
"To think I would be summoned to fight my own granddaughter…"
"…How ironic."
Orochimaru's smile widened.
"Think of it as a family reunion."
"You should be thanking me."
That was the final straw.
Tsunade's anger exploded.
"Orochimaru!"
"How dare you toy with the dead?!"
"How dare you insult the will of the Hokage?!"
Her chakra surged violently around her.
"Whether I become Hokage or not…"
"I will never forgive you for this!"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Do you wish to die as well, Tsunade?"
Her reply was immediate.
Cold.
Resolute.
"I'm not afraid of dying."
"But I will kill you."
Jiraiya stepped forward, standing beside her.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Orochimaru… you really brought this upon yourself."
Orochimaru laughed softly.
"You think the two of you can stand against me… and the previous two Hokage?"
In the next instant—
Both sides moved.
Jiraiya and Tsunade charged forward together.
Once again—
Fighting side by side.
Orochimaru raised his hands.
The reanimated Hokage responded instantly.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Water Release: Colliding Waves!"
Tobirama's massive water release surged forward, completely overwhelming Jiraiya's flames.
At the same time—
Hashirama closed the distance with Tsunade.
Their fists collided.
"BOOM—!"
The ground shattered beneath them.
Every movement carried overwhelming power.
Every strike was devastating.
The battlefield trembled violently.
Dust and debris filled the air.
Naruto stood frozen, his eyes wide.
This was no longer just a battle.
It was a clash of legends.
A fight beyond anything he had ever imagined.
And yet—
Even in the midst of this—
A cry rang out.
"Ahh—!"
Naruto's head snapped toward the sound.
Shizune.
Kabuto's chakra scalpel had pierced through her shoulder.
Blood spilled instantly.
Her face turned pale as she collapsed to the ground.
"Shizune!"
Naruto shouted.
But Kabuto didn't stop.
Not even for a moment.
His expression remained calm.
Cold.
Detached.
The glowing chakra blade in his hand shifted—
Aimed directly at her heart.
"No—!"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)