Chereads / Fairy Tail: Metal and Threads / Chapter 615 - The End of an Era in Shinobi History

Chapter 615 - The End of an Era in Shinobi History

Earth Land, Ishgar, Kingdom of Fiore, the Village Hidden in the Leaves. 

 

June 29, x788. 

 

While all the girls from Magnolia were moving to protect the people of the Village Hidden the Leaves, Alfonzo made his way up to the barrier set up by the four shinobi that came with Orochimaru. When he arrived, he found a pair of Anbu standing outside. Even though he could not see their faces thanks to their masks, it was obvious they were quite anxious for Hiruzen's safety. 

 

"what's the situation inside?" Alfonzo asked. "How's the Hokage doing?" 

 

"For now, he is evenly matched with Orochimaru." The captain of Hiruzen's security detail replied. "Had this been only ten years earlier, Orochimaru, that traitor, would have no chance of even standing up in front of Lord Hokage." 

 

"Well, he was called the God of Shinobi in the past." Alfonzo said casually while examining the [Sealing Barrier] around Hiruzen's battlefield. 

 

'Even if that title is a bit of a stretch.' Alfonzo thought. 'Hell, there's no way in hell he could ever match up to Hashirama. Or even Tobirama for that matter. I bet Minato could even take him at their primes.' 

 

At that moment Alfonzo sensed Tsunade, filled with anger, rushing over to this location. 

 

'Oh shit!' Alfonzo exclaimed internally. 'I need to hurry. She's probably coming here to kick my ass.' 

 

At the same time, the first clash between Hiruzen and Orochimaru ended. Shortly after that, Alfonzo and the two Anbu saw Orochimaru go through a long series of hand signs before slamming his hands onto the roof of the arena. 

 

"Damn, he's using the [Edo Tensei]." Alfonzo said as the tips of his fingers lit up with magic power. 

 

The [Edo Tensei], or [Impure World Reincarnation], is a [Summoning Jutsu] created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, that allows the summoner to summon the soul of a shinobi that has passed on to the afterlife, or the Pure Lands as the shinobi call it, into a living sacrifice. After that, the summoner will have control of the summoned individual, able to wipe away all of their thought process, leaving nothing but their fighting instincts, should they desire to. 

 

On top of that, the ones summoned will have an unlimited amount of magic power at their disposal while being unable to be killed. Instead, any injuries will heal automatically. 

 

The only downside to this technique is the fact that the summoner would be unable to control anyone who outclasses them by too much in power. Though, that side effect can be mitigated by summoning them at a level that is lower than their own. Though, the summoned individual would lose some of their fighting prowess as a result. 

 

"Well, aren't you well informed?" A man with six arms asked from one corner of the [Sealing Barrier]. "But even if you are, what can you do about it? This [Four Violet Flames Barrier], though I would not say it's impenetrable, breaking it from the outside requires quite the fire power. Even so, if you were somehow able to do that, you'd end up killing your beloved Hokage, as well." 

 

Rolling his eyes at the taunt, Alfonzo raised his hands that were glowing with magic power. Then, he pressed his fingers on several points on the barrier. As a result, a passage large enough for one person to walk through opened in the barrier. 

 

When the six-armed man saw that, his eyes widened, and his mouth fell open in surprise. The red-haired woman on the other side of the barrier had a similar reaction. And although no one could see the Anbu's faces, they probably had a similar expression, as well. 

 

"You two stay here." Alfonzo said to the Anbu. "Master Tsunade is on her way here. Don't let her do anything reckless and attack the barrier. She'll either end up hurting herself if she uses too little force or killing most of the people inside if she uses too much." 

 

At first, the Anbu wanted to protest when Alfonzo told them to stay outside. They were Hiruzen's protection detail, after all. But when they heard Tsunade was coming and Alfonzo wanted them to stop her from trying to barge into the barrier, they wanted to go inside with Alfonzo even more. Neither of them wanted to be the ones to tell Tsunade that she could not do something. That was dangerous for one's health. 

 

Unfortunately, before either of them could voice their opinions, Alfonzo walked into the barrier. Then, it quickly closed behind him. 

 

'With that, hopefully Tsunade's anger will be diverted to those two Anbu.' Alfonzo thought to himself. 'And if I'm lucky, she'll forget about me by the time all this is over.' 

 

["That was pretty evil."] Bedlam said with a chuckle. ["but better them than you, as the saying goes."] 

 

Once again, Alfonzo rolled his eyes. Then, he stepped forward. As it turned out, this was a double-layered barrier. So, he had to make an opening into this one, as well. 

 

When Alfonzo finally appeared on the battlefield, Orochimaru had completed his casting of the [Edo Tensei]. So, there were three wooden coffins standing up on their ends in front of him, between him and Hiruzen. 

 

"Tch! Only two worked." Orochimaru said as the third coffin sank into the roof. "But this should be more than enough to deal with you, Sensei." 

 

At this moment, Hiruzen was gritting his teeth while wearing a black body suit with metal plates covering the vital areas. This was the battle attire he had worn for years. On top of that, he was carrying a long black staff that had the ability to change size at will. 

 

This staff was no ordinary weapon, however. Instead, it was created from Hiruzen's summoned beast, the Monkey King, Enma. 

 

A moment later, the two remaining coffins opened. Out from them, two men wearing armor from the Shinobi's warring states period emerged. 

 

"Hmm? This is the world of the living." The first man, standing at 6'1" with waist-length, straight black hair with center parted bangs, black eyes, and tanned skin wearing a black body suit with red warring states armor, said while looking around. "Ankhseram isn't going to be happy about this." 

 

"I know." The second man, a fair skinned man with shaggy, silver hair and red eyes standing at roughly 6' tall wearing attire similar to the first with blue armor instead of red and a furry collar, said while looking around. "That's why I stopped using the [Edo Tensei] back then." 

 

One thing to take note of about these two men was the fact that there were cracks all over their exposed skin. On top of that, their sclerae were pitch-black. These were both signs that they were not alive. Rather, they were here thanks to the [Edo Tensei]. 

 

"Cucucu... How does it feel to be back in the world of the living Lords First and Second Hokage?" Orochimaru asked as the two coffins sank into the roof. 

 

Hearing that voice, the two men, the First and Second Hokage, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, turned their heads back to see who was speaking. And when they saw Orochimaru, both of them frowned. 

 

"You, I seem to have an impression of you." The black-haired man, Hashirama Senju, said with a contemplative expression on his face. 

 

"You're Orochimaru, Saru's student, am I right?" The silver-haired man, Tobirama Senju asked. 

 

"That's right." Orochimaru replied. "And I've taken the liberty of reuniting you with your student, using the very Jutsu you developed." 

 

Hearing that, both Hashirama and Tobirama turned to look at Hiruzen. 

 

"Saru, is that you?" Tobirama asked. "You've gotten old." 

 

Despite wanting to greet his teacher, Hiruzen was in no mood to do so. Fighting Orochimaru was hard enough. But adding the first two Hokage would make that next to impossible. 

 

"*Sigh* I guess we were summoned here to fight against the Leaf, weren't we?" Hashirama asked. "Will the village I built be destroyed by my own hands?" 

 

"No, it most likely won't be. Hiruzen replied while shaking his head after finally finding his voice. "Although I will more than likely die here, we have some rather powerful guests in the village. One of which is Retsu Unohana of the Mermaid Heel guild." 

 

Hearing the name Retsu Unohana, both Hiruzen and Tobirama shuddered, undoubtedly from remembering some unpleasant memories. Even Orochimaru, who had lost his best source of information when Kabuto was capture, shivered at the mention of Retsu's name. 

 

"That woman is still alive?" Tobirama asked in a forlorn tone. "she almost killed me once because I proposed a marriage to strengthen both the village and Mermaid Heel." 

 

"She almost killed me, too." Hashirama added. "Because I let my younger brother go out and speak so much nonsense." 

 

"Wow! It looks like Master Unohana has scared quite a few men back in the day." Alfonzo, who overheard this conversation after entering the barrier, said while leisurely approaching the four shinobi. "She even scares the hell outta Gramps. And he's one of the Ten Wizard Saints." 

 

Alfonzo's voice caused all eyes to look in his direction. And when they saw him, Hashirama and Tobirama looked at him with interest while Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Orochimaru looked at him with a healthy amount of shock. 

 

"Alfonzo Marcus, why are you here?" Orochimaru asked in a panicked tone. 

 

"Well, I was here to watch the Chunin Exam Finals, which you ruined." Alfonzo replied in an annoyed tone. "Some of the kids I helped train were doing pretty good, too. Sasuke would have probably even beaten Gaara. Though, that would have opened up a whole other can of worms." 

 

"Wait! You've been training shinobi from the Leaf?" Orochimaru asked. 

 

"You're not a shinobi, are you?" Tobirama asked. "Why would you be training shinobi from the village?" 

 

"Well, because I was an orphan, and I took a liking to two kids who lost their families in the village." Alfonzo replied. "And while I was at it, I helped train some of their friends, too." 

 

"I see." Tobirama said with an understanding nod. "but why were you in the village in the first place?" 

 

"I was hired to upgrade the training facilities in the village." Alfonzo said. "Master Tsunade was the one who introduced me to the village." 

 

"Master Tsunade?" Hashirama asked in a curious toen. "You wouldn't be referring to my granddaughter, would you?" 

 

"Yeah, that's right." Alfonzo said. 

 

"But why would you call her Master?" Hashirama asked. "Is she the master of the guild you belong to?" 

"Nope." Alfonzo replied. "I couldn't join her guild even if I wanted to. I have a few of… the wrong parts for that." 

 

"So, she's a member of Mermaid Heel, then." Tobirama said. "That would explain why that woman is here." 

 

"She's not just a member, but she's the guild master." Alfonzo said. 

 

"Tsuna? A guild master?" Hashirama and Tobirama exclaimed simultaneously. 

 

Like that, the three, Alfonzo, Hashirama, and Tobirama continued to chat as if they weren't on a battlefield. Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Hiruzen watched, not sure what to say or how to interrupt. 

 

Eventually, Orochimaru reached the limits of his patience. 

 

"Enough!" Orochimaru shouted while making a [Ram Seal]. 

 

In that instant, Hashirama and Tobirama stopped talking as their eyes lost their luster. Then, both men started going through a string of hand signs. 

 

"*Sigh* You could have lived a little longer if you just let us keep talking." Alfonzo said in a disappointed tone. "But I guess you're ready to kick your oxygen habit, huh?" 

 

Orochimaru did not reply. Instead, he also started weaving hand signs. 

 

"Fine." Alfonzo said as he turned to look at Hiruzen. "I'll take care of this. I know you don't' have it in you to kill your student. So, I'll take care of that, too." 

 

Hiruzen had no words to say to that. Instead, he just let out a resigned sigh. 

 

"I'm getting to old for this shit." Hiruzen said in a tired tone. "I guess it's time to pass on this burden to someone else." 

 

Even though he said that, Hiruzen did take up a fighting stance to protect himself during the battle. 

 

In the next instant, the roof in front of Hashirama exploded. Through the debris, an eastern dragon made of wood shot towards Alfonzo. 

 

"[Metal Magic: Circular Cutter]." Alfonzo chanted as a pair of circular saws spinning at high-speed materialized on his forearms. 

 

Then, Alfonzo dashed forward, almost too fast for the eye to follow and swung his arms at the incoming [Wood Dragon]. Then, while swinging his arms, he cut the [Wood Dragon] into several logs. 

 

At the same time, Tobirama finished his hand signs, as well. Then, he took a deep breath before spewing out a large volume of water that took the form of an eastern dragon, as well, as it shot towards Alfonzo. 

 

"[Electromagnetism Magic: Zap Cannon]." Alfonzo chanted as he held up his left palm towards the [Water Dragon]. 

 

Not long afterwards, a sparking orb of electricity formed on Alfonzo's outstretched palm before it was fired at the [Water Dragon] 

 

When the [Water Dragon] was struck, it did not explode, as the orb of electricity had. Instead, the current traveled down the dragon's body towards Tobirama. At the same time, Alfonzo swung his right arm, which was also sparking with electricity, in Orochimaru's direction. 

 

"[Electromagnetism Magic: Supersonic Dismemberment]." Alfonzo chanted. 

 

In the next instant, just before Orochimaru completed his Jutsu, his left arm was cut off at the shoulder and the wound was cauterized by the heat from the circular saw that just passed by him. 

 

*Boom!* 

 

Along with the sonic boom caused by the saw breaking the sound barrier several times over, the entire arena shook when the electrified saw blade slammed into the [Four violet Flames barrier]. 

 

Despite the force with which the interior barrier was hit, it did not shatter. Though, it did crack quite badly. Plus, the four sound shinobi maintaining it all coughed up a mouthful of blood from the backlash. 

 

"Impossible! You weren't this powerful when we fought four years ago!" Orochimaru exclaimed while holding his shoulder. 

 

"Yeah, that was four years ago." Alfonzo said while ducking a beam of pressurized water shot by Tobirama. "Did you think I stopped training after that?" 

 

A moment later, after Hashirama weaved a series of hand signs, a large number of trees grew from the roof towards Alfonzo. However, Alfonzo did not even bother with them as he flashed in violet light before disappearing from where he stood. 

 

Meanwhile, Orochimaru had tipped his head back and his mouth opened far too wide for a human. Then, a pair of hands reached out and grabbed the sides of his mouth. However, before he could pull his head out of the husk's mouth, Alfonzo appeared above him. 

 

"That technique is so fucking disgusting." Alfonzo said as he placed his hand on Orochimaru's head that was just emerging from the mouth of his shed skin. "So, stop using it." 

 

With that, he pressed down, forcing Orochimaru face first onto the roof. At the same time, a small needle of Techno Organic Metal grew from his palm and pierced into Orochimaru's scalp. A moment later, Alfonzo flashed away from Orochimaru, just in time to avoid a volley of [Wood Shuriken] fired by Hashirama. 

 

Not long after that, Orochimaru climbed out of his husk while glaring at Alfonzo with a murderous glint in his eyes. 

 

"Don't look at me like that." Alfonzo said with a smile. 

 

"What did you do to me, Boy?" Orochimaru asked angrily. "It feels like there's something moving around just under my scalp." 

 

"Oh, that's because there is." Alfonzo said after flashing to avoid a [Watter Bullet]. "Do you remember how I made Kurotsuchi talk about his project? Well, I basically did the same thing to you. Except, instead of attacking your heart, I went straight for your brain." 

 

Alfonzo then went on to explain about the Techno Organic Metal and its properties. 

 

"I'd wager you have about ten minutes." Alfonzo said casually. "Actually, five would probably be enough. After that, you'll be brain dead." 

 

Orochimaru visibly panicked when he heard that. And after realizing that the metal was made with Alfonzo's magic, he, Hashirama, and Tobirama went all out to kill him before the Techno Organic metal could turn his brain metallic. 

 

"I guess I should do something about those two, too." Alfonzo muttered as he finally drew Riot and bedlam from his lower back. "[Run Wild with Destruction at Your Fingertips. Usher in Pandemonium with Creation in Your Hands. Riot, Bedlam]." 

 

Alfonzo's hands and forearms were quickly coated with liquid metal. Along with his hands being covered, Alfonzo's magic power shot up by five times, terrifying Orochimaru and greatly surprising Hiruzen, who had become a bystander by now. 

 

In the next instant, Alfonzo once again flashed in violet light before appearing in front of Hashirama. Then, he thrust his right hand through the First Hokage's chest. And as Alfonzo's hand penetrated through his back, Hashirama smiled. 

 

"Thanks for sending me back.' Hashirama said happily. "I wonder what Mito will think when I tell her about you. She'll probably be surprised that there's such a strong young man in the world today." 

 

"Enjoy the after life." Alfonzo said with a smile. "Hopefully, you won't be back any time soon. Not until you reincarnate, anyway." 

 

With that, Alfonzo flashed away and Hashirama's outer appearance flaked away, revealing Zaku Abumi's, one of the Genin from the Village Hidden in the Sounds, corpse with an arm sized hole in its chest. 

 

In the next instant, Alfonzo repeated his action by piercing an arm through Tobirama's chest, as well. And after a short farewell, Tobirama's appearance also flaked away, revealing the corpse of the Sound Genin, Kin Tsuchi. 

 

"Alright, your helpers are gone, little Pedo-Snake." Alfonzo said as he turned around to face Orochimaru. "Oh, and just so you can die in piece, I was the one who killed your clone in the Forst of Death." 

 

By now, Orochimaru was completely despondent. Despite all his experience, he did not know how to get out of this situation. Sure, he could run away with his forces, but that would not solve the issue of the metal in his head. In fact, he would die before he even had a chance to leave the Kingdom of Fiore. 

 

Sure, he could revive himself with the [Cursed Seal of Heaven] that he placed on the shinobi maintaining the barrier. But that would take time. Time that Orochimaru knew he did not have. Based on the way Alfonzo was able to enter the [Four Violet flames Barrier], he had also deduced that it was Alfonzo who removed Anko's [Seal]. And although the improved [Cursed Seal of Heaven] was much more complex than the one on Anko, he still did not have enough time before Alfonzo undoubtedly removed it from the ones he placed it on. 

 

As a result of giving up his struggle, Orochimaru collapsed onto the roof of the arena. 

 

"Well, I'll leave you a little time to say your last words, Old Man." Alfonzo said as he glanced at Hiruzen. "But I'm gonna make sure his lackies don't' get away." 

 

With that said, Alfonzo flashed towards the barrier, made a hole in it, and captured the five people maintaining the barrier. 

 

Although it seemed like there were only four shinobi maintaining the barrier, one of them actually had two separate bodies, a pair of twins who could assimilate into each other. 

 

Meanwhile, Hiruzen approached Orochimaru and looked down at him with a complicated expression on his face. 

 

"*Sigh* For what it's worth, I never wanted things to come to this." Hiruzen said. "But you can't be forgiven for all the wrong you've done. I just wish I had the resolve to take your life myself. Alas, I'm simply too soft-hearted to be the leader of a shinobi village. I recognize that even more clearly now than when Danzo died." 

 

Orochimaru did not reply. Instead, he just stared into space, waiting for his life to end as his brain was destroyed.