[Fifth Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: As expected, if I had to describe it, calling it Sea Release is quite fitting.
[Senju Tobirama]: @Mei Terumi, Mizukage, I've tolerated you for long enough.
[Senju Tobirama]: I am the Hokage, the Hokage, stop calling me Mizukage!
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Well, Tobirama is a pretty proud guy. But actually, that Water Formation Wall and Water Dragon Bullet combo ninjutsu was developed by the Mizukage herself, wasn't it?
[Senju Tobirama]: That's enough, big brother!
[Minato Namikaze]: Still, Lord Second, we're currently in the middle of a battle—is it really okay to be checking the little chat group?
[Senju Tobirama]: It doesn't matter. Whether I watch or not makes no difference.
[Senju Tobirama]: Since the opponent is Orochimaru, whatever we do won't help, right?
[Senju Tobirama]: Orochimaru is just that slippery. Even if I cut him down here, he doesn't die so easily.
[Senju Tobirama]: Look, the Eight-Headed Serpent is also gone. He probably used Reverse Summoning Technique to slip away, and summoned the serpent away with him.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: That's a real shame, then.
[Senju Tobirama]: Not necessarily.
[Senju Tobirama]: Or rather, the current situation... is still within my control.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Oh?
[Senju Tobirama]: Although I don't like Orochimaru, this guy called Orochimaru used Edo Tensei to reincarnate me.
[Senju Tobirama]: So now I have a body that can move around in Konoha. Which means if I want to do something, I now have the physical means.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Isn't that great then?
[Senju Tobirama]: Not really.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: ???
[Senju Tobirama]: After all, I was brought back by Orochimaru's Edo Tensei. As the developer of Edo Tensei, my control over it is deeper than anyone else's.
[Senju Tobirama]: While I've broken free from Orochimaru's control, that evil guy already undid the Edo Tensei. So my current form won't last long.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: I see, that is indeed unfortunate.
[Minato Namikaze]: Yeah.
[Senju Tobirama]: …Minato, calm down.
[Senju Tobirama]: Because I need to calm down too. I have quite a bit to do.
As soon as Tobirama said that, everyone understood instantly.
Because he'd yelled "Damn you, Sarutobi" more than once in the chat group.
And earlier, when Orochimaru reincarnated him, he grabbed a sword and almost struck Sarutobi Hiruzen.
That alone made his attitude clear.
········
Back on Kitahara Kaede's side, he had already climbed down from Shukaku's belly. Shukaku sat up, waiting for instructions.
As previously agreed, he had lost, so he had to join Konoha.
Only, he wasn't fully himself right now, still sealed inside Gaara.
Since he was awake, that meant Gaara was asleep. If Shukaku relinquished control, Gaara would wake up.
It was a delicate balance.
"Return to your original form first."
Kitahara Kaede said.
"We'll talk about joining Konoha later."
"I still have to take the Chūnin Exams," Kitahara Kaede added.
"..."
"..."
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Good heavens!
[Cowardly - Ōnoki]: After everything that happened, he still remembers the Chūnin Exams!
Ōnoki was also shocked.
[Kakashi Hatake]: Well, I'm used to it by now.
Kakashi had also arrived at the Valley of the End, so he was part of Konoha's forces.
But now that the battle was over, paying attention to the chat group was fine.
"Lord Second!"
The Konoha higher-ups, led by the Third, began to pay respects to the Second Hokage.
Although he had been briefly captured by Kitahara Kaede right after reincarnation, making for an embarrassing sight, Tobirama had then broken free and unleashed unmatched Water Release jutsu that even made the Mizukage tear up.
These moves restored his dignity.
·······
Elsewhere, outside Konoha.
"Hah…"
"Hah!"
Thud!
A bloated white serpent fell to the ground. The eight-headed white snake landed, and one of the snake heads opened up, spitting out a man with long black hair.
He was covered in slime, but had a sickly white hue and an unhealthy aura.
This was Orochimaru, once praised as the most outstanding and favored disciple of the Third Hokage.
In his left hand was a sword—one of the Three Sacred Treasures: the Kusanagi Sword.
Of course…
In the ninja world, a kunai can kill. So the Kusanagi Sword was just sharper and less likely to break.
"I'm lucky Tobirama thinks I'm slippery," Orochimaru muttered. "Otherwise, I might've really died there."
Even if he had been killed by Tobirama, Orochimaru wouldn't be finished. He could still be reborn via the Curse Mark of Heaven.
But as he admitted, this was a joint experiment of Living Corpse Reincarnation and the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave—very incomplete.
Whether it was Living Corpse Reincarnation or Curse Mark Rebirth, both consumed his soul.
Reincarnate a few more times, and he might end up brain-dead.
As Orochimaru spoke, he suddenly looked like he was going to vomit—and, like how the Eight-Headed Serpent had spat him out earlier, he coughed up a sealing scroll.
Inside was the corpse of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
His original plan was to gauge Tobirama's strength, then reincarnate Hashirama too.
Tobirama's strength was merely a measuring stick. Everyone knew Hashirama's power was several times—or even dozens of times—greater than his.
That was Orochimaru's true ace in the hole.
So he could've kept fighting… but seriously, screw that!
Even though he hadn't brought out Hashirama's corpse yet, he just didn't feel secure. Tobirama vanished just like that, before Orochimaru even laid a hand on him.
If the fight continued, maybe even the First Hokage would be wiped out.
And the First was hard to reincarnate.
Tobirama could initially be suppressed using Hashirama's Wood Release cells, but trying to use those same cells to control the First himself?
That was a joke.
So, Orochimaru chose to flee.
"Reverse Summoning Technique!"
Falling from the Eight-Headed Serpent's mouth, Orochimaru changed clothes and began the reverse summoning to Ryūchi Cave.
The reason was simple.
He admitted that using Tobirama as a tool to capture Kitahara Kaede was a mistake. And although Tobirama would disappear in a few days, Orochimaru wasn't about to abandon his new target.
Originally, he planned to go after Sasuke. But thanks to the chat group, all his Konoha Collapse plans were ruined. So now, his attention was on Kitahara Kaede.
He had to admit—
That body was physically powerful, possessed the Rinnegan, and could even absorb Wood Release.
Wasn't that the standard package for today's top-tier powerhouses?
Using Tobirama failed, so should he give up?
No.
Orochimaru believed in science.
If confused—turn to quantum physics.
Not strong enough? Alternate universes.
So for now, he would return to Ryūchi Cave and consult the White Snake Sage.
He knew nothing about Kitahara Kaede's origins.
Time to consult an ancient fossil for advice.
········
Back at the Valley of the End—
Even though Senju Tobirama was in Edo Tensei form, the Third and the others showed respect. Members of Root glanced at each other, and the Anbu quickly bowed.
"..." Tobirama.
"Hm." Tobirama responded.
Then, he picked up the sword of an Anbu he had set aside earlier while forming signs for Water Formation Wall.
"..." Tobirama.
"So you do remember I'm the Second Hokage."
Tobirama said.
"So what year is it in Konoha now?"
"Konoha Year 61," replied the Third, a bit confused.
He thought Tobirama had been watching everything from the afterlife, hence his angry reaction when he was reincarnated.
But apparently, there were things his teacher didn't know.
"I see…"
"So it's been 40 years since I handed the Hokage title to you, Sarutobi," said Senju Tobirama.
And then—he raised his sword.
"Hah!"
He actually slashed straight at the Third!
"Lord Third!"
The Anbu were instantly alarmed. Sarutobi Hiruzen instinctively raised his aged, thin arm.
And the blade struck flesh.
---
Chapter 180+ on my patreon.com/dzeref887