Chapter 597: The Experiment Succeeded, Senju Hashirama and Tobirama Are Revived!

Heh heh heh…

Orochimaru's lips curled into a sinister smile as he gazed at the three bewildered White Zetsu.

"Since you've been following me for so long, you might as well serve as sacrifices. I just so happen to need some materials for my experiment, and you three will do just fine."

Without their ability to merge and conceal themselves, White Zetsu were nothing more than weaklings, easy prey for someone like Orochimaru.

With minimal effort, he subdued them and began preparing the necessary materials.

His goal was to test whether using White Zetsu as sacrifices would allow him to fully control those revived through Edo Tensei and how powerful they would be upon resurrection.

If he could successfully manipulate the revived individuals, no one would dare underestimate him ever again.

Orochimaru had always been a man of action. Once an idea took root in his mind, he would execute it without hesitation. Fear was not something he ever considered.

As for whether Tsunade would hunt him down and kill him afterward? That was of no concern to him at the moment.

With the sacrifices ready and the necessary materials in place, not conducting the experiment would be a waste.

After years of researching Edo Tensei, it was time to bring his findings to completion.

In the past, Orochimaru had attempted Edo Tensei before. However, due to inferior sacrifices, the resurrected individuals had either been too weak or had shown signs of breaking free from his control.

This had forced him to halt his experiments.

But now, the time was ripe.

Using a Shadow Clone to divert the attention of the ANBU, Orochimaru slipped into the deepest part of his laboratory with the sacrifices in tow.

This underground space was something he had excavated in secret. Even the ANBU were unaware that beneath his research facility lay a vast, hidden chamber.

As long as the forbidden technique didn't spiral out of control, the space was more than sufficient for his needs.

Within moments, the ground was inscribed with the intricate seals of Edo Tensei. At the center of the formation, two restrained White Zetsu lay motionless within the designated summoning circles.

Once everything was in place, Orochimaru wasted no time.

"Edo Tensei!"

The intricate seals on the ground activated in unison, connecting into a web of glowing symbols.

In an instant, the two White Zetsu sacrifices were engulfed by paper-like fragments, which rapidly consumed their bodies until they vanished completely.

From their places, two distorted, grotesque figures began to take shape.

As the figures gradually became more defined, their facial features revealed their true identities—

The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

If anyone in Konoha were to witness this moment, Tsunade would undoubtedly have the urge to kill Orochimaru on the spot.

But Tsunade knew nothing of what was happening beneath the earth.

Slowly, the grotesquely warped bodies of the Senju brothers began to stabilize, regaining their former human appearance.

However, like Uchiha Madara, their bodies were covered in ominous cracks, resembling statues on the verge of shattering.

The two lifeless figures stood still for a brief moment before signs of awareness flickered in their eyes.

"This is… Edo Tensei?"

Senju Tobirama was the first to react.

After all, he was the original creator of Edo Tensei. No one understood the technique better than he did.

Orochimaru and Black Zetsu had merely refined it, but true mastery of its mechanics belonged to its inventor—Senju Tobirama himself.

"I thought I was dead… Where is this place?"

Senju Hashirama turned to look at his younger brother, his expression filled with confusion.

Compared to Tobirama, he was clearly slower to grasp the situation.

"We've been revived through Edo Tensei," Tobirama said coldly, his sharp gaze locking onto Orochimaru like an eagle eyeing its prey.

His voice carried an unmistakable edge of hostility.

Orochimaru wasn't wearing a Konoha forehead protector, which only made Tobirama more suspicious. To him, the one who had used this forbidden jutsu to bring them back could only be an enemy.

"Hey, kid over there, who are you? Why have you revived us with this technique?"

Unlike his brother, Hashirama's tone was much gentler.

But Orochimaru wasn't intimidated by either of them.

Instead, he was thrilled.

Not because he was in the presence of the legendary First and Second Hokage.

But because he could sense the strength emanating from them—stronger than expected.

They weren't weakened or restrained.

They had been resurrected at their peak.

This meant… his experiment had been a success.

That was the true reason for his excitement.

Orochimaru had never cared for Hashirama or Tobirama personally, nor did he hold them in any particular regard.

His sole concern was that Edo Tensei had finally yielded the results he wanted.

However, in his enthusiasm, he failed to realize one crucial thing—

The two men standing before him were capable of breaking free from Edo Tensei's control.

"First Hokage, Second Hokage, my name is Orochimaru," he introduced himself smoothly. "You may not know me, but you should be familiar with my teacher—Hiruzen Sarutobi."

His long tongue flicked out, licking his lips in a habitual motion.

It was an unconscious action—one that no one in Konoha had ever reprimanded him for.

Not even Tsunade or the Third Hokage had objected to his mannerisms.

At most, they found it unsettling, but they never outright forbade it.

It was just a habit, after all.

Nothing to be ashamed of.

Hashirama didn't think much of it either.

At most, he was a little surprised.

"Monkey's student has a rather long tongue…"

However, Tobirama's expression darkened instantly.

Of course, he knew exactly who Sarutobi Hiruzen was—his own disciple.

But what he hadn't expected was that this man—Orochimaru—was one of Hiruzen's students.

And the fact that this so-called "student" had the audacity to use such an abominable technique to revive them?

For Tobirama, this was utterly unacceptable.

"If you're Monkey's student," Tobirama's voice was cold and sharp, "then why have you used such a vile forbidden technique to resurrect us?"

His sudden outburst even caught Hashirama off guard.

Orochimaru, still reveling in his achievement, froze in place.

He hadn't expected such a reaction.

After all…

Even Hiruzen himself had never spoken to him in such a reprimanding tone.

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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read the rest of the Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01. 

DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING