[After a barrage of taunts, Orochimaru ripped off his own face, revealing his true identity and claiming to have taken over the female ninja's body.
["The next vessel will be Sasuke," he announced.
[Hiruzen remained shocked for a whole year, pondering to himself: "The person before me is no ordinary woman. He is a hermaphrodite."]
"It appears his experiment has succeeded."
The Third Hokage gazed at Orochimaru, now transformed into a woman on the display screen, and couldn't help but sigh once more.
He had always known of Orochimaru's desire for immortality and extended life span, driving him to conduct countless forbidden experiments at any cost.
During his time in Konoha, the Third Hokage had kept a vigilant watch over Orochimaru, which had slowed the progress of his experiments.
Once Orochimaru left Konoha, however, it took mere years for his experiments to bear fruit.
"Orochimaru, your descent into darkness grows deeper as you exploit Living Corpse Reincarnation to seize others' bodies."
Contemplating Orochimaru's current fixation on Uchiha Sasuke, the Third Hokage resolved silently that Sasuke must be safeguarded at all costs tomorrow, lest his elder brother's instability worsen.
Already burdened with Orochimaru's covetous gaze, Konoha would face dire consequences should Uchiha Itachi intervene, given its current vulnerability.
While the Third Hokage fretted over Sasuke and Itachi, those in Tobirama's office displayed markedly different expressions.
They had never fathomed Orochimaru would assume a female guise.
"This forbidden technique is truly abhorrent."
Even Tobirama, who had no reservations about forbidden arts, couldn't refrain from criticizing this particular technique.
He, after all, was someone unbounded by taboos; otherwise, he wouldn't have devised so many forbidden techniques in the first place.
Do you really think studying forbidden techniques is easy? It requires a vast amount of manpower, resources, and lives.
"You taught Orochimaru, Hiruzen. Why do you think he would seek to occupy another's body?"
Hiruzen pondered briefly before answering, "Perhaps he desires immortality."
"Immortality? Tell me more."
"Yes, Tobirama-sensei."
Hiruzen collected his thoughts and continued, "Orochimaru's parents perished in the First Great War. Witnessing countless deaths made him contemplate life's meaning."
"Is that why he seeks immortality?"
"Yes, he believes the human body holds untapped power, beyond what one can use in a lifetime. He aims to master all ninjutsu and unravel the world's truths."
"I understand," Tobirama nodded.
Having ideals was commendable.
Tobirama once envisioned Orochimaru, decades later, as a man devoid of dreams, seeking only eternal life without understanding why.
Though the ambition to master the world's truths seemed absurd, it was a genuine aspiration.
In his pursuit, Tobirama acknowledged his own desire for immortality.
After all, who in this world didn't yearn for eternal life?
Tobirama desired it to continue working towards peace in the shinobi world.
However, forcibly seizing another's body was undeniably immoral.
Moreover, Hiruzen believed the forbidden technique of body possession must carry severe consequences.
Considering the harmony between body and soul, any side effects are likely to affect the soul.
In the realm of souls, Tobirama is an expert.
The Impure World Reincarnation technique summons the souls of long-deceased ninjas back to the human world, reviving them in physical form.
It's called resurrection, but it actually uses the body of a living person as a vessel.
Over time, the resurrected soul weakens, making it unable to sustain the technique and returning to the Pure Land for recovery.
From Tobirama's perspective, Orochimaru's forbidden technique would certainly damage his own soul.
To eliminate this side effect, the compatibility issue between body and soul must be completely resolved.
"It's not an easy task."
"Why not wait until this battle ends and ask Hayashi Sora?"
On the bright screen, the Third Hokage continued his battle with the First and Second Hokage, and Hayashi Sora's timely words echoed once more.
[At this moment, Hashirama used Wood Release to trap Hiruzen again, while Enma transformed into a "Adamantine Staff" to block it.]
[Tobirama employed an illusion technique once more: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, obstructing Hiruzen's vision.]
[At the age of 69, Hiruzen's health was declining day by day.]
[He had to make a difficult decision and sacrifice himself to use the forbidden technique: Dead Demon Consuming Seal.]
[Two shadow clones sealed the brothers, while the main body sealed Orochimaru.]
[Orochimaru, attempting to flaunt his prowess, saw Hiruzen's growing anger, which in turn fueled his own.]
[With a subtle lift of his index and middle fingers, he deftly wielded his Kusanagi blade, inflicting severe wounds upon Hiruzen.]
[Despite the intense pain, Hiruzen, resolved to strip Orochimaru—whose passion for ninjutsu studies knew no bounds—of all his techniques, managed to summon the Shinigami and severed Orochimaru's hands with great effort.]
[Ultimately, Hiruzen firmly believed that Konoha's Will of Fire would endure forever.]
[Before his demise, he smiled and forgave his son.]
[Thus concluded an unprecedented conflict in history—the tragic spectacle of third hokage battling his godson to the death.]
"So this is how I meet my end."
The Third Hokage's expression was complex as he watched the image of himself, taking Orochimaru away with a smile on his face.
Before the video began, he had doubted what was shown on the screen.
It was only upon witnessing his own death that he finally accepted it.
Because faced with the situation on the screen, he knew he would make the same choice.
There was no alternative.
Outside the Four Violet Flames Formation, there was no rescue. Inside, he was surrounded and pummeled by the First and Second Hokage and Orochimaru.
Moreover, this traitor intended harm to Sasuke. To prevent Itachi's descent into madness, dying alongside Orochimaru was the only viable option.
[In summary, early in the series, the protagonist was still a slacker seeking sympathy. The Third Hokage was his goal to surpass, an elderly man who was humble, cared deeply for everyone in the village, and had a remarkably soft heart.]
[Let's just commend the Will of Fire and leave it at that.]
[Alright, above was the honorable side of the esteemed Sarutobi Hiruzen. Now, let's delve into his "darker" side.]
[Since Shippuden, Hiruzen has gradually taken on characteristics akin to Danzo.]
"Hmm? What kind of language is this tiger-wolf talk? What do you mean by taking my place?"
Originally, Danzo was quite pleased when he anticipated discussing Hiruzen's "dark" side next.
However, in the following sentence, Hiruzen assumed his position.
If Hiruzen had been a delicate beauty, Danzo might not have minded her taking his place.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen was a strong and formidable man, which really irked Danzo.
"Sarutobi, you and Danzo?"
Tobirama couldn't tolerate it either.
In the past, he had thought Hiruzen's feelings for Danzo were just simple friendship.
Even though Hiruzen was particularly tolerant of Danzo, Tobirama hadn't seen it that way.
Now hearing Hayashi Sora's words, he suddenly realized Hiruzen might feel this way towards Danzo?
However, as their teacher, he wouldn't interfere in their private emotional matters.
Regarding the Hokage candidate, he now had to reconsider.
"Impossible, that brat Hayashi Sora is definitely spouting nonsense."
Hiruzen stood up, visibly agitated.
It's no wonder he was so agitated. He was a young man from a respected clan who hadn't yet married. If this rumor got out, would he still find a wife?
For the sake of his future spouse, he had no choice but to sever ties with Danzo.
"Danzo, you disgust me."
Danzo: ???
****
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