Chapter 181: Second Hokage vs. First Hokage

Sarutobi Hiruzen found himself engulfed in utter darkness.

He attempted to disrupt his chakra flow to dispel the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, but it was futile.

With no other options, Hiruzen gripped his adamantine staff tightly, holding it defensively in front of him.

Suddenly, searing pain shot through his back, forcing him to stumble forward.

Reacting instinctively, Hiruzen jabbed backward with his staff, but it struck nothing but empty air.

Before he could recover, a solid punch landed in his abdomen.

"Flying Thunder Slash!"

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

A barrage of dull thuds echoed as Hiruzen's body became a punching bag for Tobirama Senju. In mere moments, the Third Hokage was battered black and blue.

Even after Tobirama stopped attacking, Hiruzen stood in place, wildly flailing his staff with swollen, panda-like eyes.

"Hahaha! Has Sarutobi Hiruzen lost his mind? The Second Hokage stopped half a minute ago, and he's still floundering around, fighting the air!"

"Humiliated! Utterly humiliated! Sarutobi looks like nothing more than a monkey performing tricks for the Second Hokage's amusement."

"This is supposed to be the strongest Hokage? No wonder he avoided the battlefield."

"So all those titles were just self-promotion? This guy's entire reputation is built on lies!"

"'The Will of Fire'? More like 'The Will of a Fraud!'"

The audience couldn't hold back their laughter as they watched Hiruzen's humiliation. The disparity in skill between the two combatants was staggering.

"This isn't even a contest. The Second Hokage's power is simply overwhelming. His mastery of Water Release techniques and the speed of Flying Thunder God are on par with the Yellow Flash!"

"Didn't you hear what the Second Hokage said earlier? This reanimated body can only use 60% of his original strength!"

"As Tobirama's student, Hiruzen should be well aware of his teacher's power. Yet he still dares to call himself the strongest Hokage? Shameless!"

Tobirama's display left many ninja in awe. Even operating at just over half his strength, he easily ranked among the strongest in the ninja world.

Onoki, A expressions darkened.

Although they disdained Hiruzen's character, he was still a Kage-level ninja—one of the strongest. Yet here he was, being toyed with by a reanimated Tobirama.

Thank goodness Orochimaru was a Konoha rogue ninja. Otherwise, just the Edo Tensei technique alone would be enough to give them nightmares.

"Hiruzen, stop embarrassing yourself," Tobirama's voice cut through the mockery.

The darkness vanished, and Hiruzen found himself face-to-face with Tobirama's calm expression and the mocking gazes of the audience. Overwhelmed, Hiruzen collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

His body trembled, his teeth clenched, and a sob threatened to escape.

The humiliation was unbearable.

He'd rather endure endless torment in a dungeon than face this disgrace.

The image he had worked so hard to maintain his entire life… shattered.

This was worse than death.

How had it come to this? He was the Hokage!

"Sensei, have you rested enough?"

"It's time for your match against the First Hokage."

Orochimaru smirked devilishly, clapping his hands as Hashirama's body moved forward involuntarily.

Seeing Hiruzen's pitiful state, Hashirama's heart softened.

"Hiruzen, I'll go easy on you during our fight," he whispered. "I'll only use basic attacks. Just try to get close and seal me. That way, you can win."

Hiruzen froze, then a glimmer of hope reignited in his heart.

Defeating the legendary "God of Shinobi" would surely restore some of his reputation.

As for the earlier fight with Tobirama…

Well, losing to his teacher wasn't that shameful, right?

Reinvigorated, Hiruzen twirled his adamantine staff with renewed determination.

"In my previous fight, I was holding back out of respect for my teacher," he declared. "But this time, I'll give it my all, First Hokage!"

Watching Hiruzen's dramatic performance, Mirai's face twisted in astonishment.

What impeccable acting! Not a single flaw!

If the ninja world held an Academy Awards for best performance, he'd cast his vote for Sarutobi Hiruzen.

His acting skills and shamelessness were unmatched.

Hashirama, on the other hand, smiled kindly. "Alright, Monkey. Get ready—I'm coming."

Hiruzen snorted coldly, gripping his staff tightly as he charged at Hashirama.

He planned to seal the First Hokage quickly and secure a decisive victory.

As Hiruzen closed in, Hashirama gathered his chakra. Clapping his hands together, he launched his attack:

"Wood Style: Nativity of a World of Trees!"

A surge of vibrant chakra erupted, and the ground split apart as massive wooden tendrils shot into the air, filling the entire barrier in an instant.

"Hashirama, you....!" Hiruzen cursed.

Wasn't this supposed to be a basic attack?

What part of this overwhelming forest was "basic"?

Hiruzen's fragile heart cracked once more.

As the wooden tendrils closed in from all directions, Hiruzen swung his staff desperately. But the wood was too tough and grew far too quickly.

In mere seconds, Hiruzen was ensnared, bound to a massive tree trunk.

The vines drained his chakra, leaving him utterly powerless.

The audience gawked, stunned by how quickly the fight ended.

Hashirama scratched his head, bewildered.

Wait… the battle's over already?

All he did was use a basic move!

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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