Chapter 54: Hiruzen’s Last Stand

Hiruzen’s expression turned solemn but also bitter.

Because he realized he didn’t have a face to show in front of Naruto. If Naruto were just a normal Jinchuriki, it wouldn’t have mattered.

But Naruto was not only the son of the Hokage, but that Hokage was someone who sacrificed his life to seal the Nine-Tails.

On the other hand, Orochimaru also saw the size of the Rasengan.

"Kyubi-brat? What happened to him? Those rumors Kabuto learned?"

"Hmm! That is Natural Energy. Those eyeshadows! He is indeed using Sage Mode, and it’s perfect Sage Mode."

"Hiss! If he weren’t a Jinchuriki, he would’ve been a perfect body for me."

Although he was more interested in Sharingan, he was also very interested in Sage Art since he hadn’t managed to master Sage Mode.

He narrowed his eyes.

"His threats are too high. I need to deal with him after I kill my teacher."

Although his voice was low, Hiruzen still heard him and steeled his heart.

"Orochimaru, you will not take the life of anyone anymore. I am going to end you here."

As he said that, he created two Shadow Clones and started weaving hand signs.

[Snake- Boar- Ram- Ne- Rabbit- Dog- Rat- Bird- Horse- Snake]

Clap!

As he clapped his hands, a large phantom slowly emerged behind him. This phantom had a ghostly aura, and it was binding a soul.

That soul belonged to Hiruzen.

The phantom was holding beads in one hand and a knife in its mouth with its hair widely spread over its head.

"It’s already too late, no matter what you do. I’ve won! Even that brat isn’t capable of stopping Shukaku with just his Sage Mode."

Orochimaru remarked.

"The Leaf Village is my home! The Hokage is one who continues to act as the main pillar of the house, protecting it!"

"He is the one who carries the Will of the Leaf, entrusted with it. It won’t be that easy for you."

"Look around, you fool! Leaf Village isn’t destroyed, and it will not lose against someone like you!"

Hiruzen replied.

Just as he finished speaking, Hashirama weaved hand signs, and suddenly the surroundings were covered in darkness.

[Genjutsu- Bringer of Darkness]

"What absurd nonsense! To think a child could defeat a Tailed Beast. You’re just a leader in the history of the organization called the Leaf."

"Even the remains of the rock pretreat will eventually fade and crumble!"

Orochimaru’s voice rang inside the darkness.

"Humph! To me, the Leaf Village isn’t just an organization! Every year, there are a lot of shinobi born and raised in the Leaf Village."

"They live, fight, to protect the village and to protect what’s precious to them; they will go to their death."

"Even if we are not related by blood, those of the village like these are to me, my most precious, most important.... Family!"

"Hahaha! Well then, I’ll break you in half, the main pillar that is, and that will destroy the house, the leaf!"

Orochimaru’s arrogant laughter rang.

"Humph! Even if you were to kill me, the beam won’t break! I am the Man who inherited the Will of the Leaf, Will of the First Hokage, and Second Hokage."

"I am the Third Hokage. No matter how much you target the Leaf Village, there will be a new Hokage who’ll inherit my Will and become the pillar to protect the House of the Leaf!"

He formed a tiger seal and continued.

"Orochimaru! I’ll show you a special Jutsu from now on that even you don’t know about!"

"Take this! Sealing Jutsu- Dead Demon Consuming Seal!"

While struggling against the former Hokage in complete darkness, Hiruzen spread the seal into his hands.

After he got hold of both of them using his shadow clones, he finally managed to stop their rampage, clearing the darkness around him.

"Sorry, Sarutobi! We’ve caused you a lot of trouble!" Tobirama slowly came to his senses and spoke with a smile.

"Please forgive me, First Hokage! Second Hokage!" ℯℯ𝑙.

[Seal]

As he activated the seal, two of his shadow clones absorbed the souls of the First Hokage and Second Hokage, forming a mark on his real body.

A mark that was extremely similar to the seal on Naruto’s stomach.

As the Jutsu dissipated, two bodies of the Sound Shinobi appeared in front of him, with only their heads remaining.

But the job wasn’t done yet. He hadn’t dealt with Orochimaru.

He picked up his staff and rushed towards Orochimaru, with every bit of power he could muster.

Orochimaru also clashed against him using his sword, and their clash changed when Hiruzen managed to pull Orochimaru close enough.

As soon as Hiruzen got close, he caught Orochimaru’s hand and started pulling out Orochimaru’s soul using the Death Reaper.

Of course, Orochimaru wasn’t going to let Hiruzen end him so easily.

He controlled his sword with telekinesis and pulled it. Although Enma tried to stop it, the sword still managed to pierce through Hiruzen’s back.

"Urgh! Why...didn’t you avoid it?"

Orochimaru felt gruesome pain in his soul as he asked. He tried to activate a Jutsu.

"This Jutsu, you know...."

Hiruzen was on his last breath as he spoke.

’Eh? The Jutsu won’t activate!’

Orochimaru felt confused.

"In exchange for this Jutsu to work, you hand over your soul to death. It’s a Sealing Jutsu you pay with your life. There’s no need to avoid it."

"Once the Sealing is completed, my soul will be consumed simultaneously. It’s a Jutsu of the hero who once upon a time saved this with this Jutsu."

Unfortunately, things didn’t work well for him. This Jutsu required him to use his Chakra to constantly pull out the souls of his enemies.

Since he had already exhausted a great amount of Chakra before, he realized that he couldn’t seal the entirety of Orochimaru’s soul.

Because of this, he could only focus on sealing Orochimaru’s hand.

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