That night.
No one knew what Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru discussed, but before dawn arrived, Orochimaru had already begun raiding the graves of powerful shinobi, while Hiruzen quietly selected a group of so-called "willing sacrifices" from Konoha's remaining major clans.
There was no alternative.
With no allied clans and no civilians left to rely on, they could only sacrifice their own shinobi.
Within the four remaining major clans of Old Konoha, panic spread instantly.
Even though resentment toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and the village's high command boiled over, none of them had the power to resist. In the end, they all became nothing more than "necessary materials" for the Edo Tensei.
"Clan Head, I don't want to die!"
"I'm only seventeen! I'm a prodigy of the clan—why was I chosen?!"
"Please… let me go… please!"
The selected youths had their chakra sealed, yet their mouths continued to beg desperately.
There was no choice.
They were not fools.
Even if they didn't yet know the full purpose behind their selection, the mere presence of this eerie rogue ninja, Orochimaru, was enough to tell them that nothing good awaited them.
Orochimaru stood silently, his lips curled in mockery and disdain.
Behind him, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado watched the chosen geniuses of their clans with heavy expressions filled with regret.
These were the most talented members of their bloodlines.
Koharu and Homura remained silent.
After a long pause, Hiruzen finally spoke, his voice hoarse.
"Orochimaru… must it truly be them?"
"There is no other way, teacher. You know that."
Orochimaru slowly licked his lips, his tone disturbingly relaxed.
"The quality of the sacrifice determines how much power the resurrected can retain.
If we use ordinary shinobi, they won't last long against Uchiha Jin's elites. They'd be sealed almost immediately."
He chuckled softly.
"Of course, if you regret it, Teacher Sarutobi, we can cancel our agreement."
Hiruzen clenched his fists.
Orochimaru was willing to assist Old Konoha—but only at a terrible price.
These sacrifices were that price.
To allow the resurrected shinobi to display their original strength, the vessels had to be exceptional.
This was not the future era where Yakushi Kabuto could rely on White Zetsu bodies.
For a rogue ninja, gathering suitable sacrifices was no simple matter.
Now, however, the Sarutobi Clan and the other remaining clans were handing over their geniuses and elites, sparing Orochimaru the trouble entirely.
Once he helped Old Konoha withstand New Konoha, the resurrected legends would belong to him.
That was their deal.
He would help his former teacher survive—and in return, gain a terrifying new trump card.
At the same time, Orochimaru was curious about Uchiha Jin.
A once-ordinary ninja who had risen at an absurd speed, unified the Uchiha, drawn numerous clans to his banner, and founded New Konoha in such a short time.
With Pain of the Akatsuki having issued his contract, this war was the perfect opportunity to observe the Uchiha from the shadows.
"I understand…"
Unaware of Orochimaru's deeper thoughts, Hiruzen sighed heavily and looked at the trembling youths before him.
After a long silence, he spoke slowly.
"I know you are innocent. I know we elders have no right to sacrifice you.
But Konoha stands at the brink of extinction."
He closed his eyes.
"Your deaths will not be meaningless.
I swear… your families will be protected."
With a final, weary sigh, he nodded toward Orochimaru.
"Begin."
"Very well."
Orochimaru nodded, completed the preparations for the Edo Tensei, and formed the hand seals.
"Tiger → Snake → Dog → Dragon!"
"Edo Tensei!"
As the final seal was completed, dust and ash engulfed the sacrifices, reshaping them into legendary shinobi of Konoha's past.
Their eyes remained closed. Cracks spread across their faces.
Orochimaru frowned.
Minato Namikaze's resurrection had failed.
Still, with all others successfully revived, his mood quickly improved.
Turning to Hiruzen, he asked casually:
"Teacher, would you like to speak with the former Hokage?"
"No."
Hiruzen shook his head instantly.
He had no face left to meet them.
If they learned what he had done, the Third Hokage might be the first one they killed.
"They will regain their consciousness only once the war begins."
After a moment, Hiruzen asked quietly:
"Can you erase their wills completely and control the two Hokage yourself?"
He clearly did not want them fully aware—even during the war.
Orochimaru shook his head.
"I can suppress their consciousness, yes. But doing so will severely limit their strength.
It won't be enough to fight New Konoha."
Then he added coldly:
"I suggest you think carefully tonight, teacher… about how you plan to explain to the former Hokage that every major clan—including Tsunade of the Senju—has already joined the Uchiha."
With a single seal, rows of coffins rose from the ground.
The resurrected shinobi entered them one by one. The lids closed, and the coffins vanished into a sealed space.
Hiruzen's face darkened.
He lit his pipe, desperately searching for an explanation.
But damn it—
Even Tsunade, the last Senju, had chosen Uchiha Jin.
There was no justification left.
Compared to the burden crushing Hiruzen's chest, Koharu and Homura felt slightly relieved.
After all…
With Hiruzen bearing all the blame, they would survive.
"All preparations are complete, teacher."
Orochimaru turned his back, a twisted smile on his face.
"Now we wait for the war."
Without another word, he left the underground chamber alone.