"Flaming Emperor!" Naruto murmured.
Boom!
A massive fire suddenly erupted, instantly reducing the giant vines surrounding Naruto to black ashes. Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama in front of him were also engulfed by the flames.
"What a potent Fire Release!"
"It's the first time I've witnessed Fire Release with such power."
The Anbu ninjas standing beside the Fourth Hokage and the Third Hokage were once again astonished.
However, the Third Hokage's expression grew even more bitter as he thought to himself, "It's not just powerful; this Fire Release is not far behind Uchiha Madara's."
Naruto stood amidst the flames, watching the Four Violet Flames Formation disappear, slightly stunned.
"Orochimaru escaped?" Naruto attempted to sense Orochimaru's chakra but couldn't feel it.
"However, it doesn't matter. Our priority now is to restore the sanity of the First Hokage and the Second Hokage," Naruto said after contemplating.
To enhance the power of Hashirama and Tobirama, Orochimaru used kunai inscribed with a special ninjutsu to forcefully control them, turning them into mindless fighting machines.
As for Orochimaru's escape, Naruto didn't bother to dwell on it. It wouldn't affect his plan, and as long as Orochimaru didn't attack Sasuke, he could continue roaming freely.
"Contract seal!"
Naruto waited for Hashirama and Tobirama's bodies to reassemble, then placed his palm on Hashirama's body, severing his connection to Orochimaru. He then positioned himself behind them.
"Damn, why are Orochimaru's developed ninjutsu always so repulsive..."
Disgusted, Naruto inserted his hand into the back of their heads and retrieved the kunai.
Since Naruto had obtained the final improved version of the Impure World Reincarnation ninjutsu, following Orochimaru and Kabuto's continuous upgrades, his understanding of this technique was unrivaled. Hence, he knew how to undo Orochimaru's jutsu.
He shook his hands and washed them with a Water Release.
"Huh? My consciousness has returned?" Senju Tobirama turned his head, surprised.
"The feeling of being controlled is gone too! Could it be that the Impure World Reincarnation has been undone?" As the creator of this Forbidden Technique, Tobirama was well aware of his state. He felt that he could return to the afterlife whenever he wished.
"Is the battle over? Who emerged victorious?" What concerned Hashirama wasn't himself, but the outcome of the previous battle with Sarutobi.
"It's over. You are free now," Naruto stepped forward and stated.
"Konoha's ninja... Where is that damn bastard?" Tobirama asked angrily.
How dare someone control him with his own Forbidden Technique?
Despite his talent, Tobirama wanted nothing more than to strike the offender down!
Tobirama's temper could be more volatile than Hashirama's.
"He escaped, but despite the intense battle, the result wasn't bad," Naruto shrugged and replied.
"Did... you cause all of this?" Hashirama looked at the chaotic aftermath on the rooftop, the remnants of Wood Release and Ice Release still lingering, and gazed curiously at Naruto.
"That's right," Naruto nodded.
"Good boy, well done," Hashirama chuckled as he observed Naruto. He was able to withstand their attacks, repel Orochimaru, and restore their consciousness. This young shinobi was truly exceptional.
"It was easy."
"What's your name?" Tobirama inquired.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto answered.
"Uzumaki? So you belong to Mito's clan?"
"Yes, my mother was the last Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, Uzumaki Kushina, and I am the new Nine-Tails Jinchūriki," Naruto nodded, explaining.
"Oh? You were the one who fought in the forest earlier? So you have mastered the power of the Nine-Tails?" Hashirama exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes," Naruto replied.
"Haha, that's truly impressive! Well done!" Hashirama praised Naruto. Tobirama on the side also laughed. After all, Naruto belonged to the Uzumaki clan, making him like a family member.
Thus, Tobirama was delighted to witness the excellence of his junior.
"Damn you! Senju Hashirama!"
Through the sealed space, Kurama glared unhappily at Senju Hashirama. It still harbored resentment towards Hashirama for sealing it.
"Naruto! First Hokage! Second Hokage!"
"First Hokage! Tobirama-sensei!"
Upon witnessing the dispelling of the Four Violet Flames Formation, Minato knew the battle had concluded and immediately brought the Third Hokage over.
"Hiruzen, it's good to see you're alright," Hashirama smiled with relief.
Fortunately, the Third Hokage had survived the battle.
Otherwise, if Hashirama had been forced to kill his descendant under the enemy's control, he would have been deeply devastated.
"Hiruzen, it's good to see you again," Tobirama nodded and asked, "And who are you?" as he turned his gaze towards Minato.
"My name is Namikaze Minato, and I am the Fourth Hokage," Minato replied, pointing his thumb toward the Hokage Rock.
"Oh! The Fourth Hokage? Haha, looking at it this way, all four Hokages of Konoha are present, and you're still quite young," Hashirama laughed.
"Hiruzen, you've chosen a worthy successor," Tobirama expressed his satisfaction with Minato. Although he didn't know Minato's true strength, he could sense that Minato possessed a strong spirit. Becoming a Hokage at such a young age through his own merits meant that Minato was not an ordinary Hokage.
Tobirama couldn't believe that his student's judgment had been off.
"I owe it all to your teachings, sensei..." Hiruzen nervously replied.
How could he not be nervous at this moment? He still didn't know what Minato and Naruto were plotting behind the scenes!
If these two individuals, in front of him, became aware of his actions, Hiruzen doubted whether he could survive... He was currently in a state of panic.
"Hiruzen, what's wrong with you? As a Hokage, even if you're getting older, why were you so frightened when facing the enemy!" Tobirama chastised the Third Hokage with a raised voice.
"Sensei... I... I didn't... I was just injured and depleted a significant amount of chakra, so..." Hiruzen stammered in response.
"Alright, Tobirama, Hiruzen is already quite old. Why don't you give him a break? Can't you see that there are many people present?" Hashirama intervened, stopping Tobirama from continuing his reprimand.
Considering Sarutobi's advanced age, Tobirama also thought it would be better to let the matter go. After all, Sarutobi was his apprentice.
"Sensei! Naruto!" Kakashi and Guy approached.
"Father! Are you alright?" Asuma asked, his voice filled with concern as he supported the Third Hokage.
Asuma, Kurenai, and several other Jonin were also present. Even elite Jonin like Hayate Gekko and Genma Shiranui were present.
After dealing with the ninjas from Sunagakure and Otonin Village, they joined this side to help control the situation completely.
"First Hokage?! Second Hokage?!" But all of the ninjas were surprised and excited when they witnessed the legendary First Hokage and Second Hokage with their own eyes.
They never expected to have the opportunity to meet these two legends in their lifetime.
"Hahaha, excellent, excellent!" Hashirama expressed great joy at seeing so many talented juniors.
"Hiruzen, it seems that you have managed Konoha well, despite the events of today," Tobirama also commended the Third Hokage, believing that he had made the right choice.
…