Chapter 62: The Forgotten Shino

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I saw two slightly dull figures emerging from the two coffins summoned by Orochimaru.

"Sarutobi, I don't care about your age, monkey," Hashirama Senju said.

"Oh~ it's you, Sarutobi. You look really old now," Tobirama Senju commented.

"I really didn't expect to meet you two again under such circumstances," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, his face serious.

"Sure enough!" Naruto frowned.

"What's wrong?" Shikamaru asked.

"Nothing," Naruto replied, his gaze fixed on the incomplete souls of Hashirama and Tobirama. The sight of these two, in their artificial mental states, made him reflect. No wonder he had seen so much of the Third Hokage on TV and played as him in various games.

"I didn't summon you to catch up," Orochimaru interjected, his hands reaching for two kunai and throwing them at the two Hokages. I could see the life returning to their movements at a speed that was almost visible.

Soon, Hashirama and Tobirama lunged toward the Third Hokage.

"Damn! Damn Orochimaru, Fire Style—Fire Dragon Flame Bomb!" The Third Hokage expelled a burst of flames from his mouth, sending them toward the two Senju brothers.

Tobirama quickly performed a hand seal: "Water Style—Water Barrier!" A wall of water emerged between the fire dragon bombs and the Senju brothers.

"To be able to release such a large amount of water without any natural water source... As expected from the previous Hokage. Don't you agree, Teacher Sarutobi?" Orochimaru taunted with a wicked smile.

Tobirama clasped his hands together again: "Water Style—Water Wave!" A swirling vortex of water appeared above the roof, quickly transforming into a massive wave that surged toward the Third Hokage.

"It can't be repaired! Earth Style—Mud Wall!" The Third Hokage reacted quickly, forming a massive wall of earth to block the incoming water.

A figure appeared atop the wave, and Hashirama landed on the water's surface, his fist colliding with the Third Hokage's face.

Tobirama emerged from the water, swiftly pulling the Third Hokage beneath the surface.

"How can this be repaired?!" The Third Hokage struggled, managing to escape and land atop the earth wall.

"Water Style—Water Severing Wave!" The two brothers formed high-pressure water blades beneath the Third Hokage, splitting the earth wall in two. The Third Hokage fell.

Hashirama quickly clasped his hands together: "Wood Style—Secret Technique! The Birth of the World Tree!" Countless roots erupted from the ground, binding the Third Hokage in the air.

"It's tough, isn't it, Teacher Sarutobi?" Orochimaru strolled forward, taunting his former teacher. "Why do you continue struggling? Haven't you realized that you don't have ten people backing you up? Under my power, a noble death is your only option!"

The Third Hokage remained silent but pressed one hand weakly against the tree's trunk. He sighed deeply before performing a summoning jutsu.

"Ninja Art—Summoning Jutsu! Ape King, Enma!" With a massive roar, a large white monkey, wearing a tiger-skin sweater, appeared.

The Ape King, Enma, took a few steps forward: "So, it's you, Orochimaru. It's truly pitiful. Sarutobi, I blame you for not ending this madness long ago."

"Please, Enma! transform Golden Stick!" The Third Hokage begged.

"Hmph. Fine, let's go," Enma grunted, transforming into a thick wooden staff and smashing the roots binding the Hokage.

Orochimaru reached into his mouth, pulling out the Grass Pheasant Sword and sneering. "Finally, it's getting more interesting, Teacher."

The battle resumed instantly.

Soon, the Third Hokage found himself besieged by Orochimaru and the two former Hokages, his face bruised and bloodied.

The Third Hokage looked at Orochimaru's face and then at the village of Konoha. His resolve hardened.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" The Third Hokage created three clones.

A massive Shinigami appeared behind him, its ominous form casting a chilling shadow.

"Is this the Shinigami the Fourth Hokage spoke of?" the Third Hokage thought, realizing that he too was about to meet his end in the same manner as his predecessor.

"Orochimaru! You shall die with me! While I may not have been the best Hokage, I am willing to sacrifice everything for the peace of the village! Sealing Jutsu—Reaper Death Seal!" The Shinigami gripped Orochimaru's soul with its powerful hands, pulling out a glowing blue soul from the two Hokages.

"Impossible! You old man!" Orochimaru shrieked in panic, his Pheasant Sword stabbing toward the Third Hokage in a desperate attempt.

Meanwhile, Naruto looked at the forest covered by giant trees, stood up, and brushed the dust off his butt. "Let's go, there's nothing left to see."

"No, it's not over yet?" Shikamaru asked, perplexed.

"No, it's over!" Naruto replied, glancing at the dark barrier, and bolted out of the scene.

"What a hassle," Shikamaru muttered, following Naruto.

The two rushed through the forest outside of Konoha, passing the remains of traps set by Sasuke while chasing Gaara.

"Look ahead!" Shikamaru shouted at Naruto.

Temari was attempting to stop Sasuke's advance.

She threw three kunai at Sasuke, who dodged them with a tilt of his head and a dismissive sneer. Kankuro quickly helped the injured Gaara, but Sasuke was about to pursue when he saw Temari open her fan and unleash a Kamaitachi jutsu toward him.

"Huh, you're looking for death, Fire Style—Flame Impatiens Jutsu!" Sasuke spat several fireballs from his mouth, sending them at Temari, who quickly enveloped herself in a fiery circle.

"Fire Style—Great Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke unleashed a massive fireball that hit Temari directly.

...ask for flowers...

Suddenly, Temari's voice echoed from below. "Ninja Art—Kamaitachi!"

Sasuke quickly stepped back, but it was too late. He slipped, landing on the sand that Gaara had left behind!

"He's been fooled!" Temari gasped, delighted. She jumped into the air and threw several kunai, hitting Sasuke in mid-air.

"Success!" Temari cheered, rushing to check Sasuke's body. But to her shock, Sasuke's form turned into a log, with a detonating tag burning on the ground beneath.

"Oops!" Temari shouted.

There was an explosion, and just as she thought she was about to be seriously injured, a warm hand grabbed her, pulling her away from the blast.

"Naruto, what are you doing?" Sasuke muttered, black lines across his face.

"Ah? The hero saves the beautiful lady. Can't you see that?" Naruto grinned, flashing a cheeky smile.

"Hey! Naruto's fighting against a ninja hostile to the village," Shikamaru remarked, speechless.

"Stop talking nonsense," Naruto shot back, turning to Temari. "Beautiful lady, we meet again. Here, flowers for you."

As he spoke, Naruto conjured a flower from his hand and offered it to Temari.

The other three were taken aback. "Wood Style?!"

"There's no one who uses Wood Style to flirt with girls!" one of them remarked.

Temari finally reacted, pushing Naruto away. "Let go of me, you pervert!"

"Don't be like that. I did save your life," Naruto whined, his arms still around her waist. "Besides, your Kazekage has become Orochimaru. Who knows if your mission was true or not?"

"Nani?" Temari was startled.

"So, just follow me for now," Naruto said, still holding her. He waved at Sasuke. "Sasuke, keep chasing Gaara. I'll exchange feelings with Ms. Temari."

"Hmph. Idiot." Sasuke cast a disdainful look at Naruto, then continued to chase Gaara.

"Come on, beauty, let me show you something special!" Naruto winked with a mischievous laugh.

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