However.
Senju Hashirama didn't have time to think deeply.
A summoning command instantly pulled him away from Ryuchi Cave.
Outside Konoha Village.
Orochimaru was a bit regretful yet relieved, chuckling lightly, "It seems the experiment failed. If Manda returned to Ryuchi Cave, then this jutsu..."
"No, it succeeded."
Akihara Kagura interrupted Orochimaru's words.
After speaking, Akihara Kagura immediately formed the hand seals for the Summoning Jutsu and slammed a hand to the ground: "Ninpo: Summoning Jutsu!"
The next moment!
A figure clad in red armor appeared before them, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, successfully resurrected through the Reanimation, with a rather terrifying amount of Chakra!
"What... on earth is going on!"
Senju Hashirama saw Sarutobi Hiruzen who was resurrected through Reanimation and Akihara Kagura who summoned him. Upon seeing Orochimaru, the Chakra within him surged!
A substantial form of Chakra appeared on his body!
"Calm down."
Akihara Kagura raised a finger, instantly calming the First Hokage down: "Lord First Hokage, it was I who resurrected you with the Reanimation..."
"Hmm? It's you?"
Senju Hashirama looked at Akihara Kagura in confusion.
"Everything needs to be explained later."
Akihara Kagura controlled Senju Hashirama and turned to Orochimaru: "Lord Orochimaru, you should have materials for the Second and Fourth Hokage, right? Could you lend them to me for a bit?"
"..."
Orochimaru's hand suddenly clenched tightly!
This bastard knows he has a lot of hidden treasures, but does he think he would just hand them over? Wouldn't that just strengthen Akihara Kagura's power for no reason?
"You hardly have any use for them anyway, right?"
Akihara Kagura softly assured Orochimaru and continued, "Lord Orochimaru, if they are too powerful, you won't be able to control them. Anyway, they certainly pose no threat to me..."
"We can make an agreement."
Akihara Kagura looked at Orochimaru and suggested, "Aside from the four Hokage, I won't touch the other village's Kage; you can Reanimate them as you please..."
"You should understand..."
"As a Hokage Assistant of Konoha, I can't let you resurrect Konoha's Hokage, avoiding any threat to the stability within the village..."
"..."
Orochimaru immediately gritted his teeth, squeezing out a sentence between them: "Having a Hokage Assistant like you is truly Konoha's fortune, huh..."
"It's only natural."
Akihara Kagura's intention to resurrect the four Hokage was clearly not just to gain more power. He continued, "The two advisor elders in the village never want me to succeed to the Hokage position, but if I had the four former Hokage, even if the current Hokage isn't me, I could leverage the other four former Hokage to influence the village's governance..."
"Kagura-kun, that sounds quite fictitious..."
Orochimaru shook his head, not believing Akihara Kagura's explanation: "Would the higher-ups of Konoha be okay with you toying with the dead?"
"But..."
Akihara Kagura looked into Orochimaru's eyes and continued, "If I claim that not resurrecting the four past Hokage would mean Lord Orochimaru continues using them to harm Konoha, it just so happens that at the Third Hokage's funeral, the Hokage's body was reported stolen..."
"Even if we step back a thousand steps..."
"I might even not tell them, secretly resurrecting the four past Hokage. Even if they found out, what could they do? Hasn't the previous leader of Root, Lord Danzo, also hidden things from the higher-ups?"
"And me too..."
"Everything I do... is for Konoha!"
"..."
You really dare to speak!
Orochimaru couldn't believe his ears.
This guy is seriously going for it!
This guy has meticulously laid out a reason!
If Akihara Kagura actually requested to resurrect past Hokage with this reason to Konoha's higher-ups, it might actually be approved...
The effect of the four Hokage being resurrected by a traitorous ninja compared to being resurrected by a Hokage Assistant is different. If a traitorous ninja were to use them to attack Konoha, fighting the Konoha ninja would definitely impact morale...
In that case...
To prevent risks, being resurrected by Akihara Kagura using the Reanimation Jutsu might not be unacceptable.
However, there's still a risk...
Orochimaru's gaze slightly shifted, looking at Senju Hashirama and Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Kagura-kun, I don't think they would follow your orders. If they reveal your true intentions to Konoha, what will you do then?"
This is the greatest risk.
If the four Hokage suddenly turn against them...
"Then I would control the four Hokage and destroy Konoha."
Akihara Kagura's gaze was calm and serene, as if stating a casual fact: "For Konoha, I believe the four Hokage would make a rational choice."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen remained oddly silent.
As Akihara Kagura said, it indeed poses risks, but the danger to Konoha is even greater. For Konoha's sake, they might have no choice but to side with Akihara Kagura.
This is the best way.
As Hokage of Konoha, sacrifice is inevitable.
If everything benefits Konoha, their future relationship with Akihara Kagura might evolve into a strategic game. They can be utilized by Akihara Kagura, but Akihara Kagura is harnessing them for Konoha's benefit...
"..."
Senju Hashirama frowned tightly, still contemplating the exchange between Akihara Kagura and Orochimaru. Suddenly, he seemed to realize the truth: "Wait, you little guy called Akihara Kagura, you're planning to destroy Konoha? You're colluding with this guy called Orochimaru?"
"No..."
Akihara Kagura took a deep breath.
"What I meant is..."
Akihara Kagura slowly raised a finger again, controlling Senju Hashirama in place, speaking in a deep voice: "If the previous Hokage don't follow my orders, I will control you to destroy Konoha, the Konoha built by the diligent efforts of many Hokage..."
"You!"
Senju Hashirama struggled to move his arms!
This brat...
He turned out to be such a dangerous guy!
The most terrifying part is, this brat's power might have long surpassed his own!
Yet no matter what, he couldn't resist Akihara Kagura's will. He couldn't believe that his power was nearly at its peak, yet he still couldn't break free!
"Lord First Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Senju Hashirama, softly advising, "If it's for Konoha, a little sacrifice, even enduring for a while..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had his own little thought.
If Akihara Kagura truly dared to let past Hokage stay by his side, perhaps they could slowly influence Akihara Kagura, leading him to understand the past Hokage, and gradually nurture the Will of Fire in his heart...
For now...
Akihara Kagura seems unwilling to become a traitorous ninja.
"Lord Orochimaru, even your teacher agrees."
Akihara Kagura extended his palm towards Orochimaru: "First, hand over the materials to resurrect the Second and Fourth Hokage, won't you?"
"And our agreement..."
Orochimaru squinted at Akihara Kagura.
Apart from the other village's Kage, Orochimaru also thought of one person, Uchiha Madara, who once fought against the First Hokage. Perhaps he needs to put effort into finding Madara's body...
"Naturally, it counts."
Akihara Kagura nodded, planning to ask Kabuto to go grave digging later.
Currently, there are three ninja in the Ninja World who master the Reanimation Jutsu. It seems like there aren't many grave diggers, but the competition for grave digging and tomb robbing is quite fierce, even Orochimaru at this moment started scheming.
"Then..."
Orochimaru extended his palm, and a puff of smoke appeared in his hand. A Sealing Scroll was thrown towards Akihara Kagura.
"Let's hope for a successful collaboration."