After overcoming "numerous obstacles," Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya finally reached the roof of the viewing platform.
"This is...?"
Seeing the two Second Hokage within the Four Violet Flames Formation, even Jiraiya couldn't help but widen his eyes.
"Can you explain it to me now?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and was about to explain to Jiraiya. However, when he turned around, he saw three Anbu ninjas not far away, standing in front of the Four Violet Flames Formation and discussing something.
The actions of the three Anbu piqued his curiosity.
He wondered why, as Konoha's ninja, instead of protecting civilians and defeating the enemy, they were gathering together "sneakily" to talk.
He signaled Jiraiya to stay silent and then quietly approached the three Anbu to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Third Hokage-sama is indeed worthy of being the strongest Hokage. He has been continuously suppressing Orochimaru, the S-rank rebel," said one of the ANBU wearing a white cat mask.
In response, another ANBU wearing a black cat mask remarked, "What about Second Hokage-sama? He faced the combined attack of Reanimated First Hokage and Second Hokage alone and seemed to handle it effortlessly. I'm afraid even Third Hokage-sama cannot match such strength."
The ANBU in the white cat mask, perhaps surprised by this disagreement, replied, "The first and second Hokages summoned by Orochimaru are clearly much weakened in strength. How can they be considered the strongest Hokage if they can't even deal with these weakened versions?"
"That's not right. Didn't the Second-Hokage smash the opponent to pieces several times? If it weren't for Orochimaru's forbidden technique, the opponent would have been completely destroyed by the Second-Hokage long ago."
The ANBU with the black cat mask was momentarily stunned. It seemed he also thought that the Second Hokage was stronger compared to the Third Hokage who was suppressing Orochimaru.
However, he was immediately countered by the ANBU with the white cat mask, who insisted, "I don't care. The Third Hokage is the strongest."
The tone of voice sounded somewhat annoyed and angry.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was eavesdropping from behind, was left speechless.
He thought the three were discussing how to rescue the Third Hokage, but he didn't expect them to be just chatting here.
"Ahem~"
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that he could not let these three slack off any longer.
Even if you are a little afraid of death because you are too weak, you can still escort and protect the civilians.
What's the point of standing here openly chatting and gossiping?
"Who are you?"
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's cough, the three of them immediately stopped talking and turned around. Some reached for their swords, and others grabbed their kunai.
"You don't need to know who I am; you just need to know who he is."
After saying that, Sarutobi Hiruzen pointed at Jiraiya, who was standing not far away.
Jiraiya, on his side, heard Hiruzen calling him and walked over.
"Jiraiya-sama."
They didn't know the young man in front of them, but they knew Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin.
Seeing Jiraiya coming, the three of them hurriedly saluted.
"You three can go somewhere else. Leave this place to me."
"Well..."
Among the three ANBU, the only ninja wearing a dog-head mask seemed a little hesitant.
Instead, the two ANBU with cat masks pulled him aside and then turned to Jiraiya, saying, "Yes, Lord Jiraiya."
After the three ANBU left, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt relieved. He leaned in and whispered to Jiraiya about his and Tobirama Senju's origins, who was currently fighting inside.
"What, you're saying you came from forty years ago?"
"If you want more people to know, feel free to shout louder."
Why did Sarutobi Hiruzen hint to Jiraiya to let the three ANBU leave?
Wasn't it because he didn't want more people to learn about their origins?
Jiraiya's loud shout meant that, if nothing else, the female Sound Ninja closest to them must have heard.
Sarutobi Hiruzen called out to the female Sound Ninja not far from them.
"Hey, did you hear what this fool just said?"
The female Sound Ninja, Tayuya, tilted her head and responded, "No."
"If you didn't hear anything, why do you look so guilty?"
"I don't feel guilty."
"If you don't feel guilty, why are you turning away? Look at me."
"No, you're too ugly."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: ???
Tayuya's sharp remark hit Sarutobi Hiruzen like a hammer.
Even in his old age, no one had ever dared to call him ugly.
Very well, you've piqued my interest.
With a crooked smile, Sarutobi Hiruzen began to scrutinize Tayuya.
"Don't get too caught up with the woman yet. You haven't explained things clearly to me."
Jiraiya, ever the lecherous sage, could tell from Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression that his thoughts were now impure.
Sarutobi Hiruzen pretended to clear his throat with a hint of embarrassment. Then his demeanor shifted as he asked seriously, "Ahem. Where were we just now?"
"I'm starting to believe you are really my teacher. This shamelessness is exactly the same."
Jiraiya covered his face, unable to look at the scene.
"Traitor, don't think that just because you're older and stronger, you can be so arrogant."
"Hehe, what can I say? If you have the strength, you can be as arrogant as you like."
"Jiraiya, don't push me."
"Hahaha, even if I force you, so what? You're no match for me now. Even if I can't fight you, can't I just run away?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was furious upon hearing this. He turned to Tobirama Senju in the Four Violet Flames Formation and shouted, "Teacher, this stupid disciple is bullying me."
"Oh my god!"
Jiraiya hadn't expected that the younger version of his teacher would actually complain.
And he even complained to the Second Hokage.
I'm really old now; I've seen all sorts of things.
In short, I've never seen anything like this before.
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's shout, Senju Tobirama, who was fighting alongside the Reanimated First and Second Hokages, appeared outside the Four Violet Flames Formation with a "swish."
"What's wrong?"
"Uh, Second Hokage-sama, how did you get out?"
Jiraiya looked at Tobirama Senju walking toward them and felt a bit guilty.
"It's simple; before I went in, I left the coordinates of Flying Thunder God outside."
After replying to Jiraiya, Senju Tobirama looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and asked, "If you have something to say, tell me now. If I don't go in quickly, I'm afraid this old Sarutobi will be beaten to death by the three of them."
"Well..."
Seeing that he had really called Senju Tobirama, Sarutobi Hiruzen became embarrassed.
We are all adults, not primary school students. How can we report them to the teacher?
"Lord Second Hokage, you should go in and help the Third Hokage quickly. In just a short while, he has been beaten to the point of vomiting blood by the First Hokage."
Following Jiraiya's words, Senju Tobirama and Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to look at the battle where the Third Hokage was engaged.
At this moment, just as Jiraiya had said, the Third Hokage was besieged by the Reanimated First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and Orochimaru.
Focused on fighting Orochimaru, the Third Hokage did not notice that Senju Tobirama had already exited the Four Violet Flames Formation.
With no target to attack, the Reanimated First and Second Hokage wasted no time and charged at the Third Hokage with full force, catching him off guard.
"What's the situation?"
The Third Hokage was knocked away by a punch from the First Hokage and was momentarily stunned.
As he was dodging an attack, he saw Tobirama Senju chatting with Jiraiya and his younger self outside.
Only then did he realize that he had been betrayed by Teacher Tobirama.
From ancient times to the present, there have only been disciples who betrayed their teachers, but no teachers who betrayed their disciples.
Could it be that Jiraiya, this jerk, is the reason Tobirama-sensei left?
Jiraiya: Teacher, you really have a knack for judging people!
****
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