Not all members of Konoha's ANBU were privy to the fact that Kushina was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
As a result, they didn't fully grasp the significance of her being "kidnapped." However, for elders like Koharu and Homura, the implications were crystal clear.
When they received the report, panic and urgency swept through them. They began mobilizing an investigation and simultaneously prepared to send the information to the Third Hokage, who was stationed on the front lines.
But before their message could be dispatched, they received a communication from the Third Hokage himself.
After reading the contents, the two advisors exchanged a glance, their expressions reflecting mutual astonishment.
The Third Ninja War was proving far more brutal than anyone had anticipated.
Even with the Third Hokage personally overseeing the battlefield, Konoha's situation hadn't improved.
In a desperate move, the Third Hokage had sought Orochimaru's aid. However, their meeting hadn't resulted in a concrete agreement. Orochimaru had made it clear he wasn't interested in conversing directly with him.
The Third Hokage understood this reluctance, leaving Tsunade to act as the intermediary for any negotiations.
At the Kumo Ninja defense line, inside the command tent, Konoha's military leaders were gathered.
The Third Hokage, who had come to assess the battle situation, held a message from Tsunade in his hands. After reading it, he couldn't help but sigh in frustration.
"Acting independently… refusing to take part in Konoha's defense? Why…" He shook his head, setting the message aside. "Never mind. Hyuga Hiashi."
"Hokage-sama," replied Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga Clan, stepping forward with a respectful bow.
"Gather members of your clan and lead a team with me to defend against Kirigakure's forces."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Hiashi said firmly.
The Third Hokage turned his attention to two more individuals standing nearby. "Shibi, Tsume, inform your clans as well."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," they replied in unison.
The Third Hokage knew that Kirigakure specialized in Water Release jutsu and their infamous Hidden Mist technique. A force of perceptive ninjas was crucial for countering them; otherwise, Konoha's combat teams would be at a severe disadvantage within the dense fog.
For this reason, the Hyuga, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans were best suited to this role.
As the Third Hokage issued a flurry of orders, Konoha's defensive formations were rapidly reorganized.
On other fronts, Tsunade and Inuzuka Tsume held the Sand Ninja defense line, while Minato and Jiraiya were stationed against the Iwa ninjas. Hatake Sakumo, alongside the Uchiha Clan, was moved to the Cloud Ninja front. Meanwhile, the Hyuga, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans joined the Third Hokage to defend against Kirigakure.
Though the Third Hokage did his best to balance the forces, the overwhelming disparity in numbers couldn't be ignored.
Konoha's elite combat power was formidable, but against the combined might of four major ninja villages, even their best efforts were strained to the breaking point.
Kirigakure's forces, in particular, were composed of highly trained elites, each with devastating personal combat capabilities. The Third Hokage couldn't help but feel a deep sense of dread.
Wearing his black combat armor and running toward the misty battlefield, he couldn't stop the sadness welling up in his chest.
"Orochimaru… even if you want revenge on me, could you not wait until after this crisis? Please…"
Far to the north of the Land of Fire, at the foot of a mountain along the Iwa Ninja defense line, two figures walked silently, one trailing slightly behind the other.
The figure in front suddenly stopped, surveying the open area ahead.
"This will do," Orochimaru said calmly.
Kushina, who had been distracted, walked straight into his back, letting out a surprised "Ah!" as she rubbed her forehead.
Orochimaru glanced back at her, unimpressed. "Still distracted? Are you worried about Konoha?"
"N-No!" Kushina stammered, clearly unconvincing.
Orochimaru didn't press further. Instead, he moved into the middle of the clearing, signaling for Kushina to keep her distance. She quickly followed his instructions, retreating to a safe spot.
The area was strategically chosen—a high cliff provided cover to one side, a small, clear river flowed nearby, and dense forests surrounded them, making it a secluded yet resource-rich location.
"Lord Orochimaru, aren't we supposed to be supporting the front lines? What are we doing here?" Kushina asked hesitantly.
"Just stay back and watch," Orochimaru replied, his tone leaving no room for questions.
Kushina fell silent as Orochimaru began forming a rapid sequence of hand seals.
With a sharp clap of his hands, Orochimaru activated his jutsu.
"Summoning: Reanimation Jutsu!"
The ground trembled as two coffins emerged, breaking through the dirt with a low rumble.
"Coffins?!" Kushina gasped, her voice tinged with alarm.
The sight of coffins unnerved her, it was an ominous image, one that instinctively made her uneasy.
Each coffin bore a number carved in bold black on a red background: "1" and "2."
The lid of each coffin disappeared into thin air, revealing two figures standing within.
The first figure had long black hair, clad in a black combat suit with red, segmented armor layered on top. Red iron wrist guards adorned his forearms.
The second figure had silver hair and piercing red eyes. His face was partially covered by a forehead protector with a metal mask. He wore a similar black combat suit, overlaid with blue segmented armor and a high white fur collar.
Both figures stood motionless, their eyes closed.
Kushina's breath caught in her throat as recognition struck her like a lightning bolt. Her wide eyes darted between the two figures, disbelief etched across her face.
"Impossible… No way…"
Though she had never met them in person, their faces were unmistakable.
After all, their likenesses were immortalized on the Hokage Monument in Konoha.
"The First Hokage and the Second Hokage?" Kushina whispered, her voice trembling.
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, slowly opened his eyes, his expression one of mild confusion.
"What's going on here? Is this… Reanimation Jutsu?"
The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, regained awareness more quickly, his sharp gaze narrowing as he inspected his surroundings. "Reanimation Jutsu? Someone's misusing my technique…" His eyes locked onto Orochimaru. "Boy, who are you, and how dare you abuse the jutsu I created?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly, his voice calm yet raspy. "I apologize for the intrusion. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Orochimaru, a former disciple of the Third Hokage."
"Disciples of Hiruzen…" Tobirama muttered, his tone carrying both familiarity and disdain. "So you're that gifted kid I heard about. But do you not understand that this jutsu is forbidden? It was not meant for indiscriminate use in Konoha!"
Before Orochimaru could respond, Hashirama interjected with an incredulous question, his voice filled with a mix of wonder and bewilderment.
"Wait… does this mean you're dead too, Tobirama??"
"Brother!" Tobirama snapped irritably. "Can you save your pointless questions for later? I'm trying to deal with this mess!"
"But I just want to—"
"Shut up!" Tobirama barked, clearly exasperated.
Bonus for last week 600 PS