Orochimaru was sweating profusely.
That was the only way to describe his current state.
He felt exactly like someone secretly plotting a rebellion in the village, trying to teach his boss a lesson—only to be caught red-handed by said boss.
Scratch that—it wasn't a feeling. That's exactly what he was doing!
Now, all he could do was stand stiffly to the side with a forced smile plastered across his face.
But then, to his astonishment, Uchiha Hikaru flashed him a sunny, kind smile.
"Relax, Orochimaru. It's fine. I've approved it. Summon the First Four Hokage of Konoha—I actually have something I need to ask them."
Orochimaru finally let out a long breath.
Knowing Hikaru, he wouldn't make a big deal out of this—probably. But if things didn't go as planned… he'd likely get a good beating.
With renewed focus, he got to work, fiddling with the repugnant yellow compound in his hand as he painted intricate seals and patterns on the four restrained White Zetsu. He narrated as he went:
"As far as I know, the Wood Style of the First Hokage is a fusion of Earth, Water, and Yang Release. White Zetsu bodies possess a natural affinity for nature-based chakra. Once absorbed, their bodies become even more potent. After undergoing Impure World Reincarnation, they can restore most of their original power…"
Over an hour passed.
Eventually, the four immobile White Zetsu were fully marked—each of them now coated in a sickly, yellowish hue.
Orochimaru pulled out preserved flesh samples from a scroll—tissue harvested from Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Minato Namikaze, and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Uchiha Hikaru didn't even need to ask—he knew Orochimaru must've dug up and reabsorbed parts of their corpses.
"Summoning Jutsu: Impure World Reincarnation!"
The four White Zetsu in the center of the summoning circle immediately began to tremble violently, their expressions twisted in terror as gray-white paper fragments surged across their bodies, slowly wrapping them up.
But halfway through the process, two of them began to convulse. The paper wrapping their bodies suddenly crumbled, scattering across the floor, and the chakra flow within them ceased completely—their life signs gone.
Only two remained, their forms still being consumed by the paper.
Then—with a sudden surge of chakra—the resurrected bodies of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju appeared before Uchiha Hikaru and Orochimaru.
The two brothers opened their eyes at the same time.
Hashirama blinked, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings and studying the two shinobi in front of him. Tobirama's sharp gaze locked onto Hikaru, narrowing with suspicion.
"…Are you Madara's descendant?"
"Tch. Uchiha."
Uchiha Hikaru completely ignored Tobirama's disdain, instead turning his attention to Hashirama.
"Shodaime-sama, this is now Year 63 of the Hidden Leaf. Due to certain special circumstances, we had no choice but to summon the two of you using this method."
Hashirama scratched his head, visibly confused, then glanced toward Tobirama for clarity.
Tobirama had already noticed the other two failed bodies lying nearby. His expression darkened as he turned to Hikaru.
"Uchiha brat, I don't care who you are—I'm not going to help y—"
Before he could finish, Hikaru cut him off and stepped forward, voice firm.
"Oh~? Are you refusing to hear what I have to say, despite me being the Hokage's Assistant?"
Hashirama's face lit up with joy as soon as he heard that. He turned excitedly to his younger brother.
"Tobirama! See? I always said the Uchiha would eventually integrate with Konoha!"
He beamed at Hikaru.
"By the way, are you Madara's son or grandson? Did he finally come back to the village?!"
Hikaru shook his head immediately and began explaining everything—Madara's true plan, the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Ten-Tails revival, and the complex web of recent history.
Hashirama's expression turned grave.
"I see... So Madara still hasn't given up on his plan."
"That... sounds just like him."
Tobirama, meanwhile, had finished processing the deluge of information.
"So you're telling me... the Uchiha are now living peacefully with the rest of the village? Then who's the Fifth Hokage?"
Orochimaru, watching from the side, answered with a sly smile.
"That would be Tsunade. Granddaughter of the First Hokage."
Hashirama immediately collapsed to his knees in shock, like someone who'd just been dealt a critical blow.
Tobirama turned his gaze sharply toward Hikaru, his eyes burning with suspicion.
Something didn't sit right with him—and the more he looked at Hikaru, the more irritated he felt. It wasn't just because he was Uchiha. It was something else… something deeper he couldn't put his finger on.
Uchiha Hikaru noticed the change in Hashirama's mood and seized the moment.
"Shodaime-sama, is there something wrong with Tsunade becoming the Fifth Hokage?"
Hashirama rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Haha~ Not really a problem. It's just that… she's my eldest granddaughter. We pampered her too much when she was little…"
"She even picked up my gambling habits! Hahaha~"
His voice trailed off into fond laughter as he remembered Tsunade's beaming face, clutching her first wad of cash as a child.
Hikaru smiled and said something that made Tobirama nearly explode on the spot.
"Shodaime-sama, that's no issue. My clan has a sizable fortune. If Tsunade wants to enjoy herself now and then, I'll support her."
Hashirama grinned wide.
"Well said! A wealthy man—excellent! Hikaru, you're really doing well for yourself, huh?"
Tobirama, on the other hand, was practically radiating fury.
He raised one finger, eyes flaring, as an overwhelming wave of killing intent and chakra surged out of him, directed at Hikaru and Orochimaru alike.
"YOU! You mean to say… you and Tsunade are together?!"
Orochimaru instinctively stepped in front of Hikaru, hands raised, ready to react.
But Hikaru raised a hand to stop him.
He activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, the air around him igniting with his oppressive chakra. The pressure pushed back against Tobirama's killing intent like an unstoppable tide.
"Nidaime-sama, do you have a problem with me and Tsunade being together?"
Before Tobirama could respond, Hashirama stomped hard on the ground, releasing a shockwave of divine chakra that filled the basement.
"Tobirama. Lower your hand."
"Tsunade has the right to pursue her own happiness. We're already dead—this isn't our place to interfere."
"And besides, Uchiha and Senju finally coming together? That's something worth celebrating."
Tobirama clenched his jaw, then reluctantly lowered his hand. He turned away with a sour expression.
So that's what was bothering me about him… Damn it.
Hashirama now looked at Hikaru with solemn eyes—gone was the jovial smile. He spoke seriously, his tone measured.
"Hikaru… tell me the truth. How is Tsunade doing? Can you protect her?"
Hikaru's gaze hardened. This wasn't coming from a Hokage's Assistant—but from a man, a husband.
"Tsunade is currently watching the tournament in the Konoha Arena. She's doing well."
"As her partner—and as a man—I will protect her. That's my promise. That's my duty."
Hashirama studied Hikaru's expression for a long time… then gave a firm nod of approval.
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