Having the Third Hokage attend his own funeral?
Orochimaru's gaze slightly solidified, contemplating that the Edo Tensei technique was not intended to be used in this way, was it?
The inventor of this technique, the Second Hokage, Tobirama, probably never imagined that someone would use the Edo Tensei technique to do such a thing.
However...
Orochimaru found it quite interesting!
He mused about reviving Sarutobi Hiruzen and wondered what kind of amusing expression his old teacher would have when seeing himself. And what would be the expression if the teacher were to attend his own funeral?
Orochimaru looked at his immobile hands; he could use this method to retaliate against Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had sealed his hands using the Reaper Death Seal.
"First, help me with the trouble with my hands."
After some thought, Orochimaru nodded and agreed: "Once I extract the soul from my hands, once I dissect his soul from my stomach, I'll reincarnate him using the Edo Tensei technique..."
"I can do it myself."
Akihara Kagura gave a light laugh at Orochimaru: "Lord Orochimaru, you don't think you're the only one who has learned the Edo Tensei technique, do you?"
"..."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
When did Akihara Kagura also learn the Edo Tensei technique? Was this guy also secretly competing with him for the ninjas capable of using the technique?
In the history of the ninja world, there are not many powerful ninjas, and having one more person capable of using the Edo Tensei technique meant less power for himself...
"Let's get ready to begin."
Akihara Kagura picked up the Reaper Mask on the table and threw it to Orochimaru: "Be careful, it's best to use your Orochimaru-Style Substitution Technique to escape in time, to avoid the Shinigami focusing on you and taking your soul as a sacrifice..."
"..."
There are indeed risks!
No wonder this bastard is making me do the Reaper Death Seal release!
Orochimaru stared at the mask Akihara Kagura threw at him, smiled, and said: "Kagura-kun, this dangerous technique can be used by someone else, right?"
"Kagura-kun."
Orochimaru glanced around the office and continued: "Don't you also have many subordinates willing to give their lives for you? Shouldn't we let our own subordinates do such dangerous tasks?"
"..."
Akihara Kagura glanced at his subordinates.
Whether it was Karin or the surviving Uchihas from the Root, they would not mind sacrificing their lives for him.
"Let's forget it."
Akihara Kagura shrugged, unwilling to accept Orochimaru's suggestion: "No matter how many people are willing to sacrifice their lives for us in this world, I never feel there are enough of them, even feeling there are too few. The lives of these subordinates are precious, I cannot let them do this..."
"..."
Orochimaru did not feel good.
Your subordinates are more precious than mine?
You don't want your subordinates to sacrifice, but you want me to take the risk?
"We can just grab someone..."
Orochimaru suppressed the anger rising in his heart, smiled, and continued: "I can have my subordinates grab someone..."
"You are the most suitable candidate."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, unwilling to compromise: "If others were to use this technique, they would die during the summoning of the Shinigami, I'm not as evil as you, I don't want to harm innocent people..."
"..."
Orochimaru's eye twitched.
So, you bastard, you're not afraid of me dying here?
You care about who is innocent and care about innocent people dying?
"Let's start now!"
Akihara Kagura pointed at Orochimaru and continued: "Just wear this mask, summon the Shinigami, and then cut open your belly to release the soul sealed inside the Shinigami, including freeing your hands..."
"Kagura-kun, this might not be the best time..."
Orochimaru looked at his hands, his arms still trembling slightly: "My hands still can't move, it feels like they are burning. Let's release the seal of the Reaper Death Seal when my arms can move a bit..."
"This is the best opportunity."
Akihara Kagura stared at Orochimaru, calmly explaining, "Lord Orochimaru, there is only this one solution to the Reaper Death Seal."
"If the soul of your hands cannot return to your body, no matter what you do, you cannot undo these aftereffects, not even by transferring them into someone else's body…"
"Hurry up."
"I've been waiting for a long time."
"Don't make me wait any longer."
Akihara Kagura glanced at his subordinates and causally ordered, "You few, Lord Orochimaru's hands are not convenient, help him put on this Reaper Mask."
"Wait a moment…"
Orochimaru still wanted to say something more.
However, a group of Root ninja, indifferent to Orochimaru's feelings, held his shoulders while another was about to put the mask on him!
"Kagura-kun? Akihara Kagura!"
Orochimaru, watching the movements of the Root ninja, suddenly became angry, desperately struggling not to wear the mask!
"Do not think of escaping."
Akihara Kagura, seeing Orochimaru still trying to resist, continued, "Lord Orochimaru, I can set up a barrier anytime. It's best not to resist futilely; this is all for your own good."
Orochimaru's body shook with anger!
Making me do such a dangerous thing, and you call this for my good?
"You must escape in time. If you don't escape on time, the Shinigami will claim your soul…"
Orochimaru, wearing the mask, his eyes slightly narrowed.
The next moment!
Orochimaru's body twisted violently!
A fierce and enormous Shinigami phantom emerged from behind Orochimaru!
This is the Reaper Mask left by the Uzumaki clan, wearing the mask allows communication with the Shinigami, summoning the Shinigami to appear in this world!
"Lord Orochimaru's hands are not convenient."
Akihara Kagura, watching the Shinigami make no move, quickly ordered, looking at Orochimaru's immobile hands, "Someone go help, slit his belly, like a ritual disembowelment…"
A Root ninja quickly drew a ninja sword, stabbing Orochimaru's abdomen harshly, directly slicing it open, causing Orochimaru immediate severe pain as blood seeped from his mouth corner!
However, as Orochimaru's stomach was sliced open by the ninja sword, a long wound also appeared on the stomach of the Shinigami phantom, and souls started flying out from it!
Many souls sealed by the Shinigami were freed at that moment!
Including the recently used Reaper Death Seal by the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the First Hokage Hashirama, the Second Hokage Tobirama, and many years ago the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato who were sealed up!
These souls flew out of the Shinigami's stomach instantly heading to the underworld, a glowing soul stayed behind, landing on Orochimaru's hands, it was the soul of his hands sealed today, the soul's completeness restoring his hands' ability to move…
"It's true…"
"My hands…"
"Have finally recovered…"
Orochimaru's arms trembled, finally feeling the completeness of his soul, the Reaper Death Seal that had caused his hands immense pain, now finally eased.
"How could I possibly lie to you?"
Akihara Kagura chuckled lightly, continuing, "However, you need to escape from this body quickly, lest the Shinigami capture your soul, because every time you communicate with the Shinigami, letting the Shinigami appear in this world, it requires the caster's soul as a sacrifice…"
"I know…"
Orochimaru nodded, taking off the Reaper Mask.
However, the fierce Shinigami phantom behind him had not yet disappeared, waiting to devour Orochimaru's soul, but it ultimately never had the chance.
Orochimaru suddenly opened his mouth wide, a tiny white snake emerged from within his body, immediately turning his body into an empty shell!
The fierce Shinigami looked down at Orochimaru's empty shell, not finding his soul inside, how could it then collect its dues? Confusion appeared in the Shinigami's eyes, quickly turning to anger as it disappeared from the spot…
On the other side,
The moment Orochimaru's tiny white snake touched the ground, it transformed into a large white phosphorus serpent!
The body of this white phosphorus serpent was densely covered with tiny white snakes, which formed its scales. However, its head resembled a human face, giving an eerie feeling to those who looked upon it.
"Do not release poison gas."
Akihara Kagura seemed to warn the white phosphorus serpent with a glance, and continued, "Also, do not attempt to take over the bodies of my subordinates here, otherwise, I might just burn you alive, Lord Orochimaru…"
"Whose body should I enter?"
The white phosphorus serpent looked at Akihara Kagura and suddenly spoke in a human voice, "Akihara Kagura, hurry and find me a body; I need a human body!"
This was Orochimaru's true form.
Orochimaru had long transformed himself into a white phosphorus serpent to facilitate his possession of other people's bodies, even capable of fighting in this state.
Moreover…
As long as the white phosphorus serpent was not completely dead, as long as one small snake survived, Orochimaru would not die and could be resurrected by taking over a body.
"It's right here."
Akihara Kagura shook his head and raised his palm. A muddy white creature emerged from his palm and transformed into a White Zetzu.
Even a dark curse mark appeared on the palm of Akihara Kagura and was quietly imprinted on the White Zetzu: "Lord Orochimaru, try this body and see how it feels?"
"!!!"
Orochimaru, disregarding everything, instantly transformed into a small snake and directly burrowed into the White Zetzu's mouth, which slowly changed into Orochimaru's appearance.
"What kind of creature is this?"
Orochimaru looked incredulously at this body, feeling an extremely high compatibility with his soul: "This body is actually compatible with my soul, and even shows no signs of rejection…"
The next moment!
Orochimaru realized something was wrong!
He felt the power of the curse mark on this body and immediately looked at Akihara Kagura: "Kagura-kun, why does this body…"
"Because I've tampered with it."
Akihara Kagura did not deny his meddling and continued, "Lord Orochimaru, don't you also like to leave curse marks on others?"
"…"
Anger appeared on Orochimaru's face!
How could these things be the same?
He leaves curse marks on others to control them!
Was Akihara Kagura's curse mark on him meant to control him?
"Alright, don't worry about this little thing."
Akihara Kagura sat up, waved his hand to indicate Orochimaru not to be so petty: "Just a little countermeasure to prevent you, Lord Orochimaru, from betraying our alliance…"
"Kagura-kun."
Orochimaru gritted his teeth, looking displeased at Akihara Kagura: "Your actions seem more like a violation of our alliance…"
The curse mark arranged by Akihara Kagura…
Was even more powerful than his own!
This was something the typically proud Orochimaru found hard to accept, especially knowing the effects of the curse mark, which contained the caster's chakra and could cause trouble for the host at any time!
"I highly respect our alliance."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, pointed to Orochimaru's body, and continued, "Didn't I find you a body highly suitable for you? Although it might have a little flaw…"
"Is this a little flaw?"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly, feeling a chill on his back from the curse mark Akihara Kagura had placed.
"It's just a minor issue, don't mind it."
After saying this, Akihara Kagura looked towards the Root ninjas present: "Bring over the sacrificial offering I've prepared; I want to resurrect the Third Hokage."
"Do you have the materials for his resurrection?"
Orochimaru furrowed his brow and looked at Akihara Kagura.
"They're being delivered right now."
Akihara Kagura nodded and continued, "I expect by the time the sacrificial offering I prepared in advance arrives, the body of the Third Hokage will also be here…"
In fact.
The body of Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived a bit earlier.
This Hokage had just been placed in a coffin and buried in the ground, and a group of ANBU was still arranging the Third Hokage's funeral at the memorial site behind the mountain.
Akihara Kagura had already arranged for White Zetzu Awei to quietly emerge from the ground, bringing Sarutobi Hiruzen's body in front of them.
Seeing his former teacher's body, Orochimaru's eyes showed a hint of melancholy; he suddenly recalled a conversation he once had with Jiraiya…
Killing his own teacher…
Might not be as satisfying as imagined.
In fact…
It was somewhat saddening.
Orochimaru gently squatted down to arrange his teacher's appearance when a group of Root ninjas carrying the sacrificial offering for resurrecting Sarutobi Hiruzen walked in.
"The sacrificial offering you've prepared for resurrecting the teacher…"
Orochimaru heard footsteps, looked back, and saw their other ally, Shimura Danzo, lying on a stretcher with a cross-shaped scar on his chest.
Clearly.
No one else appeared.
Shimura Danzo must be the sacrificial offering for resurrecting Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Orochimaru felt the absurdity of the world and fiercely looked at Akihara Kagura: "Kagura-kun, is this what you meant by… respecting the alliance?"
~~~
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