White Zetsu, after succeeding, was taken out by Yuki Senju. Only recently has he recovered due to the brief period. Although Orochimaru's analysis of White Zetsu is not too deep, the clear presence of Indra's cells within White Zetsu's body is apparent to him.
After swift testing, Orochimaru discovered that White Zetsu, possessing Indra's cells as a sacrifice for Edo Tensei, was superior to other ninjas. Especially concerning the Thousand-Hand Indra, if White Zetsu with Indra's cells became the vessel for him, it would undoubtedly amplify Wood Release's power.
Orochimaru's current task is to use White Zetsu as a sacrifice, allowing the stronger Thousand-Hand Indra to return to the world. Initially, he refrained from doing so, thinking that Thousand-Hand Indra's strength in its normal state was sufficient. There were also concerns about White Zetsu as a new sacrifice for Edo Tensei.
Originally, Orochimaru, being a meticulous scientist, planned a comprehensive analysis of White Zetsu before capturing multiple samples, repeatedly testing the Edo Tensei ritual's effectiveness with White Zetsu as a sacrifice.
However, time is pressing, presenting the perfect opportunity to inflict the most significant damage on Konoha. Moreover, White Zetsu, a highly elusive being, is not easy to capture quickly.
With only one White Zetsu specimen at hand, Orochimaru is left with using it as a last resort unless there are no other options.
And now is that final moment.
Feeling that Hashirama Senju's actions amidst the confrontation with Kie and Sarutobi Hiruzen are limited, although some of the infrastructure at the Konoha train station has been destroyed, Orochimaru is preparing to take a desperate gamble.
"Edo Tensei!"
Without hesitation, Orochimaru forms hand seals and claps once.
Instantly!
A plethora of paper scraps envelop White Zetsu's body entirely.
Accompanying the soul belonging to the Hashirama Senju, returning from the underworld and transferring into White Zetsu's body.
White Zetsu's body undergoes a significant transformation.
After a few breaths, amidst the swirling paper, the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, clad in red armor from the Warring States era and wearing the Konoha forehead protector, reappears.
"Indeed! Compared to ordinary ninjas before, the strength of Edo Tensei with White Zetsu as the sacrifice is far superior!"
At this moment, feeling the resurgence of Hashirama Senju, much more potent than the previous two summonings, Orochimaru excitedly licks his lips and says, "It's time to show the true power of the beloved First Hokage to the people of Konoha!"
Orochimaru chuckles and then gives instructions to Hashirama Senju within the village.
The next second.
"Huh? Where did they go?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen and others, engaged in battle with Hashirama Senju, Might Guy and others are full of surprise and doubt.
Outside Konoha, after a soft sound, the figure of Hashirama Senju instantly appears beside Orochimaru.
"Take the First Hokage into the village. Let my teacher and Konoha experience the true power of Wood Release," Orochimaru orders, wearing a smile of assured victory.
Still expressionless, Hashirama Senju obeys and approaches his elder brother. As he is about to grab his shoulder and teleport together, suddenly!
Dozens of sturdy tree trunks rapidly sprout from under his feet, instantly pulverizing his entire body.
"How is this possible!"
Orochimaru looks in disbelief at the obvious strike from Hashirama Senju.
In the moment of completing the jutsu, he thought he had completely erased the opponent's will, firmly controlling him.
Why did the opponent suddenly act against his commands?
"Oh no!"
Without further thought, Orochimaru, with a drastically changed face, tightly clasps his hands together, focusing entirely on maintaining the seals for Edo Tensei.
The next second, a deafening and fierce explosion resounds.
The figure of Hashirama Senju, moving at unimaginable speed, appears in front of Orochimaru.
Watching the opponent's clenched fist stop just inches away from crushing his skull, Orochimaru, with a relieved expression, breathes a sigh of relief, "That was close!"
"Indeed, it was close." Despite appearing restrained again, Hashirama Senju autonomously speaks, "I didn't expect you, a younger generation, to develop Edo Tensei to this extent. However, young one, how long can you delay?"
Compared to the previous negligible strength, Hashirama Senju, who has returned to the human world through White Zetsu possessing Indra's cells, though not at his peak, now possesses almost half of his strength, enough to counter Orochimaru, the caster.
Although he cannot fully break free from Edo Tensei's control, commands such as erasing will and manipulating actions no longer affect him.
"Damn it!"
At this moment, Orochimaru's face is grim.
He never imagined that the increased strength of the First Hokage brought back through White Zetsu with Indra's cells, would have such a significant difference compared to the other ninjas summoned through Edo Tensei.
"The First Hokage, he can break free from my restraints, to eliminate me at any time!"
Looking at the calm Hashirama Senju in front of him, extremely nervous, Orochimaru continues to maintain the hand seals, fearing that if he lets his guard down, the opponent will instantly kill him.
However, while fully engaging with Hashirama Senju for control, he wonders how he will handle not only Aya Uchiha and others but also Sarutobi-sensei and the others who will come later.
Orochimaru's eyes shimmer with apprehension.
After making a massive mistake with Hashirama Senju, realizing that dealing a severe blow to Konoha is no longer feasible, he now has the idea of preserving his life as the top priority.
However, after several attempts, he is shocked to find that he cannot, in a short period, dispel the Edo Tensei on Hashirama Senju and send him back to the underworld.
"The First Hokage... the god of ninjas... How powerful are you?"
Feeling the immense, majestic power within Hashirama Senju, even in an extremely disadvantaged position, Orochimaru is immensely terrified.
In his previous Edo Tensei, even summoning powerful ninjas like the Third Kazekage, unexpected incidents occurred. Yet, they couldn't counteract him.
The only thing they could do was, relying on their willpower, break free from his control and return to the underworld.
Not like the current Hashirama Senju, where if Orochimaru makes one mistake, he might lose his life to him.
Even the Second Hokage, who initially created Edo Tensei, couldn't achieve this, right?
Thinking this, Orochimaru glances at the position of Hashirama Senju.
Although Orochimaru can still control him, after the recent strike from Hashirama Senju, the complete recovery of the shattered Hashirama Senju is considerably slower.
And in this gap.
The Konoha group, having defeated the Ten Thousand Snakes Formation, is already closing in.
Among them, Aya Uchiha, amid her fast approach, upon seeing the peculiar standoff between Orochimaru and Hashirama Senju, though slightly taken aback, doesn't hesitate in her actions.
The next moment.
Amidst the swift, piercing sound, Aya Uchiha, approaching at high speed, swings her ninja blade as originally planned, aiming straight for Orochimaru.
"It's over!"
In that moment, despair fills Orochimaru's face.