Hum!
Just as Minato approached the sealed form of the Second Hokage, a faint luminescence suddenly began emanating from the cocoon of diamond chains that bound the Edo Tensei construct.
A wave of energy that Minato recognized all too well surged upward, transforming into a brilliant beam of light that pierced straight toward the heavens above.
An ethereal figure began to phase through the sealing barriers as if they were nothing more than mist, riding the column of light toward its inevitable destination.
The soul of Tobirama Senju—the Second Hokage—was being recalled to the Pure Land.
At the same time Minato witnessed this phenomenon, two additional beams of light erupted from different locations throughout the village's ruins.
The Second Tsuchikage and the Third Raikage were also being released from their earthly bonds, their souls ascending toward the afterlife as Orochimaru's jutsu was systematically cancelled.
"Impressive speed," Minato muttered, his expression darkening with tactical frustration.
It seemed that Nagato and his allies had accurately predicted his intentions and acted accordingly. Orochimaru was cancelling his Edo Tensei summons before Minato could extract crucial information from them, likely because the Snake Sannin understood that the Fourth Hokage possessed comprehensive knowledge of Uzumaki sealing techniques.
Severing the connection between reanimated souls and their summoner wouldn't have been particularly challenging for someone of Minato's capabilities—which made this preemptive withdrawal both logical and deeply frustrating.
The ascending soul of the Second Hokage paused in its journey and turned to look down at Minato with eyes that held the wisdom of decades of leadership and innovation.
"Second Hokage," Minato called out urgently, "there are critical questions I need to ask you!"
Time was running out. The soul was already beginning to fade around the edges, and he needed to obtain vital intelligence before this opportunity vanished forever.
"Fourth Hokage," Tobirama replied, his gaze focusing on the distinctive white haori that marked Minato's position and authority.
A genuine smile spread across that normally stern face—an expression of approval and perhaps even pride.
"Fourth-generation successor, we still have sufficient time for discourse. There is no need for such haste."
The Second Hokage's smile carried absolute confidence as his hands began weaving through a complex sequence of hand seals despite his ethereal state.
The jutsu activated with barely visible chakra fluctuations, and a subtle light began to play across the surface of Tobirama's ascending soul.
To Minato's amazement, the spirit that had been slowly rising toward the Pure Land suddenly halted its upward journey entirely. After a moment of apparent concentration, the soul actually began descending back toward its physical vessel still trapped within the sealing chains below.
Both the Second Tsuchikage and Third Raikage, whose own souls continued their ascent toward the afterlife, paused to witness this display with expressions of profound admiration.
"As expected of the Second Hokage!" one of them called out in acknowledgment of the technical mastery being demonstrated.
Observing Tobirama's casual manipulation of soul-based techniques, Minato couldn't help but feel deep respect for the legendary leader's capabilities. This was the man who had helped his elder brother pacify the chaotic Warring States era and develop countless advanced ninjutsu that formed the foundation of modern ninja combat.
The Flying Thunder God technique—Minato's signature ability and the source of his fame as the Yellow Flash—was itself a masterwork created by the Second Hokage.
Before Minato's golden brilliance had earned recognition throughout the ninja world, Tobirama Senju had held the title of fastest shinobi alive during the brutal conflicts of the Warring States Period.
Flash!
Minato moved with his characteristic speed to position himself beside the sealing formation, his hands flowing through the release sequence with practiced efficiency.
He placed his palm against Kushina's binding technique and began systematically dismantling the restraints.
As the seal dissolved, the diamond chains that had held the Second Hokage's body began to tremble and vibrate before dispersing into scattered motes of chakra light.
Kushina, sensing through her connection that Minato had deliberately released her jutsu, allowed the remaining chains to retract without resistance.
With the physical restraints removed, the Second Hokage's soul settled back into its reanimated vessel, and Tobirama's eyes opened with full awareness as he rose to his feet.
"The power of that sealing technique exceeded even my sister-in-law's capabilities," he observed with genuine appreciation, simultaneously casting a penetrating look at Minato.
Before Orochimaru had gained complete control over his consciousness, Tobirama had sensed chakra fluctuations that rivaled those of his legendary elder brother—an observation that had shocked him to his very core.
Learning that this incredible power belonged to Sarutobi's successor as Fourth Hokage filled him with both surprise and profound satisfaction.
At the same time, he felt genuine relief when he considered the scale of the threats that had assaulted the village today. Based on the hostile chakra signatures he had detected, Konoha had faced enemies of extraordinary caliber.
Yet the village possessed defenders whose combined strength exceeded even the most prosperous periods of his own era. The presence of multiple combatants at or near Kage-level power suggested that his beloved village had grown far beyond what he had dared hope.
Of course, this assessment had to account for certain notable defections that had weakened their forces.
"Lord Second," Minato began, his eyes widening slightly at the implications of what he had witnessed.
Understanding the unspoken question, Tobirama's expression grew more serious. "I employed a forbidden technique to temporarily anchor my soul within this physical vessel," he explained matter-of-factly.
"While I do possess methods to completely cancel the Edo Tensei technique, this particular summoning lacks the precision and power of the original jutsu. My current capabilities are less than half of what I possessed in life—insufficient to break free through my own power alone."
Having developed the Edo Tensei technique himself, Tobirama naturally understood its mechanics and limitations better than anyone else alive or dead.
His expression darkened with genuine anger as he continued. "Is it true that Orochimaru—who summoned me through my own technique—was actually Sarutobi's disciple?"
The irony was both painful and infuriating. As a former Hokage of Konoha and the creator of the very jutsu being used against his village, being forced to participate in its destruction represented a particularly cruel form of violation.
"Yes," Minato confirmed grimly, his own eyes blazing with controlled fury. "He was once a loyal ninja of Konoha who fought valiantly on countless battlefields, but he eventually abandoned his principles, harmed his fellow villagers, and betrayed everything our village represents."
Whenever Orochimaru's name entered conversation, Minato felt the same surge of killing intent that had driven him to pursue the Snake Sannin across multiple continents.
The Second Hokage remained silent for several moments, clearly processing the implications of what he had learned.
He understood better than most what kind of forbidden technique the Edo Tensei truly was. While it appeared technically challenging, any ninja with sufficient talent for ninjutsu research could eventually master its principles.
However, performing the Edo Tensei required using living human beings as sacrificial vessels, and developing proficiency demanded extensive experimentation on innocent victims.
This was precisely why the First Hokage had banned the technique despite its potential military applications—not only were the requirements fundamentally inhumane, but the very act of forcibly binding souls to the physical world represented a blasphemous violation of natural order.
"Are you also one of Sarutobi's direct students?" Tobirama asked, studying Minato with growing interest.
His enhanced perception could detect traces of the Fourth Hokage's chakra signature throughout the devastated village—evidence of extensive use of the Flying Thunder God technique during recent battles.
That particular chakra resonance was intimately familiar to him.
Minato shook his head respectfully. "My sensei was Jiraiya of the Sannin, who was himself trained by the Third Hokage."
"I see," Tobirama nodded with understanding.
While Minato had not yet deactivated his Sage Mode, the Second Hokage could clearly identify the distinctive energy patterns associated with Mount Myōboku's training methods.
One of the powerful chakra signatures currently approaching their location also utilized this same type of enhanced natural energy.
"Sarutobi has indeed proven himself to be an exceptional leader," the Second Hokage observed with deep satisfaction.
Despite the devastating assault the village had endured, the enemy's objectives had been thwarted through the combined efforts of the new generation that Hiruzen had trained and guided.
The Fourth Hokage whom Sarutobi had selected as his successor appeared particularly remarkable. Though they had exchanged only brief words thus far, Tobirama could assess Minato's character and capabilities through multiple indicators.
Every factor pointed toward an excellent choice of successor.
"Forgive my tendency toward lengthy discourse," Tobirama said with a self-deprecating chuckle. "The concerns of an old man for his village's welfare."
"Your concern for the village's current situation is entirely appropriate, Lord Second," Minato replied with sincere respect.
In his heart, Minato held tremendous admiration for the Second Hokage. As the younger brother of the legendary First Hokage, Tobirama often received less recognition among the general population due to Hashirama's overwhelming charisma and power.
But according to Minato's analysis, without this brilliant younger brother's support, many of the First Hokage's grand achievements would never have been possible.
As Hokage, Tobirama had inherited and refined his brother's Will of Fire, implementing crucial administrative and military reforms that strengthened the village's foundation while successfully transmitting those ideals to the next generation.
When the moment came to protect his young subordinates—including the future Third Hokage—Tobirama had willingly sacrificed his own life.
The contributions the Second Hokage had made to Konoha's development and survival were in no way inferior to those of his more famous elder brother.