Chapter 130: The Second Hokage is the Culprit
Beyond the living, throughout Konoha, discussions were quietly stirring among the dead as well.
"Is Hyuga Fuji really dead?"
"He must be. No matter how terrifying Hyuga Fuji was, he was only sixteen. All of his forbidden techniques came from the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. He could never be a match for Tobirama. And now, his body has been nailed to the Second Hokage's rock face—this is clear proof!"
Among the resurrected, it was well known that Tobirama and Hyuga Fuji didn't get along. The former was bound to make a move eventually.
Last night's timing was indeed ideal.
With Konoha's strongest fighters all out of the village, the odds of being discovered were significantly reduced.
Konoha had several landmark buildings—the Hokage Rock, the Hokage's office, the ninja academy. But Hyuga Fuji's body had been deliberately left on the Hokage Rock, and specifically, on the Second Hokage's visage, pinned with a blade.
No matter how one looked at it, the act bore the hallmarks of a single individual.
The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
"I heard the Second Hokage was a master swordsman, and his Flying Thunder God Slash is said to be terrifying. That blade could very well be the one that pierced Hyuga Fuji's body.
And by displaying his body in such a prominent location, it serves two purposes: first, to declare that this was his doing; and second, to warn shinobi from other villages not to act rashly while Konoha is vulnerable."
"I see!"
Not far from the two Edo Tensei shinobi, hidden in the shadows, Hatake Sakumo scratched his cheek and sighed as he listened to their discussion.
How terrifying—such a small amount of evidence had led to such a "conclusion." Should he admire the intellect of these Kumogakure shinobi, or question how their minds worked?
Strangely, part of it almost sounded reasonable.
If he didn't know the truth, even he might believe it.
Sakumo silently ridiculed their reasoning.
As for why Hyuga Fuji orchestrated this… Sakumo suspected it was nothing more than a petty move to irk the Second Hokage.
After all, of all the Edo Tensei shinobi, the only one who could potentially kill Hyuga Fuji was Tobirama. And Tobirama indeed had taken action.
While Hyuga Fuji had acted as if he didn't care, Sakumo had observed him long enough to recognize his new superior's… twisted sense of humor.
Perhaps this was Hyuga Fuji's way of giving Tobirama the satisfaction of "killing" him?
Still, Tobirama himself was likely furious.
As Sakumo thought this, his gaze grew cold as he focused on the two unsuspecting shinobi. His blade gleamed as he vanished.
With swift strikes, his blade cut down the two Edo Tensei shinobi. As their bodies slowly began to regenerate, Sakumo placed two green mental spheres into them.
Hyuga Fuji's words echoed in his mind:
"Humans are creatures that seek benefit and avoid harm. Many beings in this world only accept facts that serve their interests, mistaking them for truth."
Hyuga Fuji's research on life and death had been laid bare for them, yet they refused to accept it. Those who instinctively believed Hyuga Fuji could die so easily were no longer of any use.
They would now serve as disposable resources, fulfilling their final value.
As the two shinobi, now lifeless puppets, stood under his control, Sakumo vanished without a trace, his expression indifferent.
There were many more like them.
…
In a forest, consuming flames were extinguished by water techniques, leaving the air thick with mist.
Orochimaru emerged from the haze, facing Hiruzen Sarutobi. Ignoring the battle between ANBU and the shinobi who had defected with him, Orochimaru smiled.
"Sensei, are you here because you're confused, or because you've seen the bigger picture?"
"What are you talking about?" Hiruzen, dressed in battle gear, frowned. "I've come to bring you back!"
"Ah, so Shikaku kept the information from you to avoid distractions." Orochimaru nodded knowingly, his smile widening. "Today, Konoha will see significant changes."
"…I know the Fourth is dead."
As he spoke, Hiruzen's expression darkened, the lines on his face deepening.
A year. It had only been a year.
Today marked exactly one year since the Fourth Hokage took office. And now, the young Hokage was gone, his life tragically cut short.
When Hiruzen first received the news, he had struggled to believe it. But before he could process it, Orochimaru had led a high-profile defection, forcing him to suppress his grief and pursue his former student.
Now, Orochimaru's words reignited his unease.
"I know about Jiraiya's disappearance as well. If he's dead too… we will avenge them!"
"Revenge?" Orochimaru chuckled. "You misunderstand, Sensei. I'm not the only one leaving Konoha today."
Hiruzen's frown deepened. "What do you mean?"
Orochimaru didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "The Fourth is dead. Jiraiya is missing. I've defected. How do you think Konoha's situation looks right now?"
"Fuji can hold it together!"
Hearing this predictable response, Orochimaru shook his head inwardly.
Yes, Hyuga Fuji could have held everything together.
But he was gone now too.
Every event unfolding in Konoha was being relayed to Orochimaru through his prearranged network.
The Fourth's death, his own defection—these alone wouldn't have caused such chaos. Shinobi might have been angry and questioned things, but without witnessing it firsthand, they could be placated by Konoha's calm leadership.
But Hyuga Fuji's "death" in Konoha had been the catalyst, igniting every hidden tension.
Now, all that was needed was a leader to direct that anger…
Thinking of the most likely candidate to return to Konoha, Orochimaru felt a pang of complexity. He hinted, "I think you'd better return and take a look. Otherwise, things may spiral beyond repair."
But Hiruzen remained resolute. "The techniques and knowledge you possess are valuable treasures of Konoha. I cannot let you leave with them!"
He didn't bother trying to persuade Orochimaru. His former student had always been strong-willed, and this deliberate defection was no impulsive act.
He only regretted ignoring Danzo's warnings in the past, failing to foresee this and prevent it.
"Do you have the resolve to kill me?" Orochimaru licked his lips and chuckled. "If you're unwilling to strike a fatal blow, how do you plan to capture me?"
Before he finished speaking, Orochimaru swiftly formed seals.
"Summoning Jutsu: Edo Tensei!"
Two coffins rose from the ground, and two shinobi clad in armor from the Warring States era stepped forward.
Seeing the familiar forbidden technique and the Uchiha shinobi with equally familiar Sharingan, Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"You've studied this technique… to desecrate the dead?"
Orochimaru smirked indifferently. "Do you know, Sensei? My apprentice and I once discussed Konoha's strongest fighters. Among them, you posed the least threat to us. Do you know why?"
"Do you think two dead men can defeat me?"
Hiruzen snorted coldly. "Is it because you think I've grown old?"
"I know your strength well. Setting aside forbidden techniques, your raw power still surpasses mine."
But strength alone wasn't the issue.
The Fourth Hokage is dead. No doubt, memories of past failures are already haunting you, aren't they?
How strong is your resolve now?
"If you're not careful, Sensei, today could end very badly for you."
With that warning, Orochimaru disappeared in a blur, the two Edo Tensei Uchiha shinobi following close behind, their Sharingan gleaming with an ominous light.
(End of Chapter)
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