Satoru listened to the Third Hokage's earnest words, a faint smirk curling at his lips.
"Rotten oranges... always talking like this," he muttered, his voice carrying a hint of disdain.
The Hokage's idealism and inability to confront certain realities struck Satoru as willful ignorance. "Blind to what's right in front of you, aren't you?"
Sarutobi's brow furrowed as he studied the white-haired teenager. There was something oddly familiar about him, though he couldn't place where the feeling came from.
"Then why did you intervene earlier?" the Hokage asked, his voice calm but probing.
Satoru tilted his head, the bandages obscuring most of his expression but not the slight exasperation in his tone.
"I wasn't saving you," he replied bluntly, his chin resting on his hand.
His white hair and black robe swayed slightly in the wind, contrasting starkly against the bloodstained battlefield. Despite his youthful appearance, there was something ageless about his presence—a confidence that belied his years.
Sarutobi's suspicion grew. "Then what was your purpose?"
Satoru sighed, his tone almost regretful. "I thought I was at least a little memorable... guess not. Fine, I'll remind you."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a meaningful pitch. "Fire and wood coexist to sustain life... Remember that, Sarutobi-sensei?"
The Third Hokage stiffened, his eyes widening as the words sparked a long-buried memory. It was a private conversation they'd once had, a moment tied to an era he'd almost forgotten.
Orochimaru's chuckle broke the tension. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched the exchange.
"An answer? Is that all you're after?" he asked mockingly. "How persistent. Do you even realize who you're standing against? Or is your confidence simply ignorance?"
His serpentine grin widened as he gestured toward the reanimated Hokages. "The First and Second Hokage, the pillars of Konoha's founding. Even in death, their power eclipses most. And you, boy, are no exception."
Satoru turned his gaze to Orochimaru, his pale blue eyes calm and unwavering. "You're right. I'm no match for them."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the admission.
"But," Satoru continued, "that doesn't mean I'll just sit back and watch."
Sarutobi glanced at Satoru, caught between admiration and worry. "Step back," he ordered firmly. "This is not a fight for you."
Satoru gave a short laugh, the corners of his mouth lifting in defiance. "You underestimate me, Hokage-sama. I might not be on your level, but don't think for a second that I'll just follow orders."
His calm demeanor remained, but his words carried an edge that hinted at deeper resolve.
The reanimated First and Second Hokages moved. In an instant, they surged toward Sarutobi, their movements precise and merciless. The clash between the three legends was swift and powerful, their techniques shaking the very ground beneath them.
Satoru watched from his position, his fingers drumming thoughtfully against his chin. "Really? They just... ignored me?"
The dismissal stung more than he cared to admit.
He turned his head slightly to see Orochimaru standing off to the side, watching the battle with a predatory gleam in his eyes. Their gazes met briefly, and Orochimaru offered a sly, almost friendly smile.
Satoru immediately recoiled, muttering under his breath. "Nope. Not dealing with that snake."
His eyes flicked back to the ongoing fight. "Alright then," he thought, his pale blue eyes narrowing with renewed determination. "If they won't take me seriously, I'll make them."
He stepped forward, the contrast of his light hair and dark robes making him an unmissable figure on the chaotic battlefield. Though the clash of legendary shinobi raged on, Satoru's focus was unwavering.
The four shinobi maintaining the barrier chuckled quietly among themselves.
"Look at him," one sneered. "A kid like that has no place in a fight like this."
"Does he think talent alone is enough? This isn't a Chunin Exam. The Hokage's battles are leagues beyond him," another added with a scoff.
Their words didn't reach Satoru, and even if they had, he wouldn't have cared.
As the battle continued, the First and Second Hokages unleashed their devastating techniques. Hashirama's Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence turned the battlefield into a forest of writhing roots and branches, while Tobirama's Water Release: Water Colliding Wave flooded the area, forcing Sarutobi to fight on unstable terrain.
The sheer force of their combined assaults left no room for error, but Satoru's expression remained unshaken.
Sarutobi, caught in the middle of the onslaught, glanced at Satoru once more. "Why won't you retreat?!" he shouted, exasperated.
Satoru's lips curled into a small, defiant grin. "Because I'm not done yet."
Orochimaru watched with growing curiosity. "What will you do now, Satoru?" he murmured to himself, his interest piqued by the boy's audacity.
As the branches of Hashirama's technique lunged toward him, Satoru shifted his stance slightly, his body moving with a deliberate grace.
His decision had been made.
"Let's see if legends notice me now."