[The scene displayed on the screen is none other than the final arena of the current Chūnin Exams where Hiruzen Sarutobi is presently located.]
[The scene is utter chaos.]
The moment the image appeared, everyone in Konoha was dumbfounded.
"Is… is this a future scene?"
The Sand shinobi present instantly felt their hearts sink.
They never expected the ranking scroll to show future footage—if so, their entire plan was about to be exposed.
"Hurry! We must find a way to report back and renegotiate the plan with Lord Kazekage!"
"And everyone—prepare for battle immediately! Stay alert around the Leaf ninja!"
…
On the screen—
[The Kazekage has taken the Third Hokage hostage.]
[After exchanging a few lines with the Third Hokage, the Kazekage admits that he is actually Orochimaru.]
At that moment—
The entire shinobi world was stunned.
And the most shocked of all was naturally Sunagakure.
"Wait—WHAT?! That's Konoha's Orochimaru, so where is our real Kazekage?!"
"None of this was the real Kazekage's plan—we fell into a trap?!"
Kirigakure.
Mei Terumi's eyes widened.
If Orochimaru hadn't confessed himself she would never have imagined that the Kazekage was merely a disguise.
Kumogakure.
The Fourth Raikage, A, frowned deeply.
"Even if that's the future, given the scroll's power, it must be true."
"In other words, the Kazekage currently sitting beside Hiruzen… really is Orochimaru!"
Iwagakure.
Ōnoki: "Well, this is about to get interesting."
If such future footage was being revealed, then a conflict between Konoha and Suna was inevitable—perfect for Iwa to reap the benefits.
Konoha.
Hiruzen immediately stood up and flashed away to gain distance from Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was his disciple, yes—but he knew full well the man's power was nothing to scoff at.
Everyone present stared at Orochimaru with wide, suspicious eyes.
Orochimaru, though panicking inside at being publicly exposed, kept a calm façade.
He smiled faintly. "Aren't you all curious about the rest? Since I'm exposed anyway, why not watch the whole thing before you settle the score?"
No one dared act recklessly, so they continued watching.
Pure Land.
[Hashirama Senju: What in the world? Orochimaru calls the Third 'teacher monkey'? Looks like he's the Third's student… But where's the real Kazekage?]
[Uchiha Madara: Hashirama! Do you even need to ask? He's probably dead already!]
[Tobirama Senju: Impossible! He was still the Kazekage! How could he just be killed by the monkey's student?]
[Uzumaki Mito: Seems like Sunagakure is going downhill.]
[Rasa: Fine! I admit it—I'm dead. Orochimaru ambushed and killed me.]
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, spoke up angrily.
His ability to speak in the Pure Land confirmed without a doubt that he had indeed been killed by Orochimaru.
[Third Raikage A: HAHAHA! This is killing me! The great Kazekage of Sunagakure gets killed and no one even noticed!]
Rasa trembled with humiliation but could not refute—facts were facts.
…
[The Third Hokage and Orochimaru begin to battle.]
[Both sides exchange probing attacks using ninjutsu.]
Ōnoki: "???"
Granny Chiyo: "???"
Mei Terumi: "???"
Pain: "???"
Deidara: "???"
…
This was the "strongest Hokage in history"?
This?
[The view zooms out, showing several ANBU standing outside the barrier.]
[ANBU 1, eyes full of admiration as he watches the Third battle Orochimaru: Lord Third truly is the strongest Hokage!]
[ANBU 2: Yes! His battle sense! His jutsu! Absolutely incredible!]
[ANBU 3: With the strongest Hokage taking the lead, there's no need to worry—we've already won!]
…
Upon hearing this exchange, the Kage of each village—and members of the Akatsuki—were all speechless.
Ōnoki: "This is the strongest Hokage Konoha's history produced?"
Chiyo: "Seems the title scared us more than the man himself."
Amegakure – Akatsuki Base.
Hidan: "Kakuzu, didn't you say you fought the First Hokage for three hundred rounds? How strong was the God of Shinobi?"
Kakuzu recalled the time he threw a shuriken at Hashirama's clone from eight hundred miles away… then turned tail and ran.
Awkward beyond belief—but saying it aloud would be worse.
So he only nodded and said calmly, "Decent."
Tobi: "Wow! Kakuzu-senpai actually fought the First Hokage! Amazing!"
Deidara: "So this is Konoha's 'strongest Hokage,' huh?"
Hoshigaki Kisame: "Heh. Looks like capturing the Nine-Tails will be as easy as reaching into a pocket."
Except for Itachi, Pain, and Konan, every member of Akatsuki was openly mocking Hiruzen's strength.
Pure Land.
[Uchiha Madara: Strongest Hokage? Tobirama, your student is incredible! I'm trembling in fear! Hahahaha!]
Madara's voice dripped with sarcasm.
[Hashirama Senju: I'm not the strongest Hokage? Little brother, did YOU give him that title?]
[Tobirama Senju: Big brother, I swear I have no idea! None at all!]
After watching Hiruzen fight Orochimaru, Tobirama felt like his pride had been publicly shredded.
[Uchiha Madara: Zzzzzzt—so who exactly crowned him the strongest Hokage?? Liang Jingru gave him the courage???]
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