Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 16: The Return of Dark Release

To Hagoromo Gengetsu's surprise, Orochimaru decisively rejected the proposal to join forces.

“For a great shinobi like you, I dare not let my guard down even a bit.”

Snakes are cold-blooded creatures. Orochimaru preferred to trust himself rather than rely on others. Not wanting any mishaps to occur during his reunion with his revered teacher, he took out another talisman and, without further words, inserted it into Hagoromo Gengetsu's head.

Seeing this, Hagoromo Gengetsu could only shake his head inwardly.

“Ninja of the modern age don't even show a bit of trust. They've truly regressed. Oh well!”

Hagoromo Gengetsu, unable to resist and without the means to do so, calmly accepted everything. There would be other opportunities; he was in no hurry. Like Hashirama and Tobirama, his eyes soon dimmed as his body fell entirely under Orochimaru's control.

Although his consciousness was sealed, Hagoromo Gengetsu could still passively sense everything around him, even if he couldn’t control his body.

“Complete!”

Satisfied with his work, Orochimaru clasped his hands together, smiling slyly at his teacher.

“Enjoy this moment, Sensei.”

As soon as the words were spoken, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hagoromo Gengetsu initially moved slowly. Then, as if suddenly acclimated, the three of them transformed into three incredibly swift dark streaks, speeding towards Hiruzen Sarutobi, breaking the tiles underfoot.

“Lord Hokage! Be careful!”

Noticing the Third Hokage appearing somewhat emotional and lost, the ANBU outside the barrier urgently called out.

“I know.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly regained his composure, taking a deep breath as he swiftly assessed the three approaching from different directions.

A kunai flew at him with a swift swoosh. He tilted his head to avoid it, but Hashirama arrived first, clenching his fist and throwing a powerful punch.

Hiruzen dodged by lowering his body, twisting to plant his hands on the ground and kicking out with his right leg, forcing Hashirama back. But before he could catch his breath, Tobirama appeared behind him.

After several rapid exchanges, Hiruzen seized an opportunity, grasping one of Tobirama's arms and flinging him away. However, at that moment, Hiruzen’s pupils shrank in alarm as Hagoromo Gengetsu appeared like a specter at his side.

Unable to react in time, he felt an overwhelming force crush against his chest. Grimacing in pain, the aged Hiruzen doubled over as his body was launched backwards like a cannonball. Hagoromo Gengetsu, along with the repositioned Hashirama and Tobirama, pursued him relentlessly.

“Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!”

Despite the pain, Hiruzen quickly formed hand signs. In the next moment, a violent dragon of flames spewed from his mouth, enveloping the three pursuers in a massive blaze. Just as the overwhelming fire was about to consume them, Hagoromo Gengetsu stepped forward, calmly extending his right hand.

“Dark Release: Inhaling Maw!”

The raging flames seemed to encounter a terrifying black hole, eagerly rushing towards the palm of Hagoromo Gengetsu’s hand. In an instant, the towering flames vanished, leaving only a faint wisp of smoke rising from his palm as evidence of what had transpired.

“What... what is this?”

The observing ANBU ninja were dumbstruck by the sight. They couldn’t believe that the Third Hokage’s powerful fire release technique had been so easily neutralized.

“Dark Release!”

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared deeply at the expressionless Hagoromo Gengetsu. Unlike the modern shinobi's limited understanding of history, as the Third Hokage, he was well aware of the immense power of someone who had been able to stand against the Five Kage, even earning the respect of the First Hokage as a formidable opponent.

Hiruzen hadn't expected Orochimaru to summon Hagoromo Gengetsu. Combined with the First and Second Hokage, and Orochimaru himself...

The thought planted a deep seed of foreboding in Hiruzen’s heart.

No time to dwell further. 

“Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.”

At this moment, Hagoromo Gengetsu returned the jutsu he had just absorbed. 

“What an impressive talent.”

Watching the scene unfold, Orochimaru licked his lips with his long tongue, visibly excited. In the realm of chakra, as a genius, he had always admired two individuals: the Second Hokage, whom he respected deeply and who had inspired many of his forbidden jutsu, and Hagoromo Gengetsu, known for creating numerous kekkei genkai and possessing talent that even Orochimaru found astonishing.

Unfortunately, after searching for so many years, he had only found a few remnants of Hagoromo Gengetsu's cells. It would be wonderful to obtain more of his flesh for research. According to rumors, after Hagoromo Gengetsu’s death, Hashirama returned his remains to the Hagoromo clan. However, after several decades, the Hagoromo clan had mysteriously vanished from the shinobi world, making them impossible to find.

Shaking his head in regret, Orochimaru refocused on the scene before him.

As the raging flames surged forth, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath.

“Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!”

A massive earthen wall rose from the ground before him, blocking the fire dragon. 

“Water Release: Water Severing Wave!”

Tobirama quickly retaliated. A highly pressurized stream of water shot from his mouth like a razor-sharp scalpel, slicing the earth wall to pieces.

The crumbling wall collapsed shortly after. Hiruzen dodged the debris, preparing to escape the aftermath.

Clap! 

A loud clap echoed in his ears.

“Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!”

Hiruzen's expression changed as he saw, with Hashirama's hands clasped together, a massive forest spring up, covering the entire barrier. Trapped within, Hiruzen tried to escape but was quickly ensnared by vines and roots from all directions. With Hagoromo Gengetsu and Tobirama pressing him, Hiruzen was caught off guard and bound by the wood.

Seeing this, Hashirama released his hands. Outside the barrier, the ANBU ninja, both worried for the Third Hokage and in awe, exclaimed:

“Incredible! This is the legendary Wood Release of the First Hokage, who brought peace to the warring states and founded Konoha!”

Tap, tap, tap.

Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hagoromo Gengetsu walked expressionlessly toward the restrained Hiruzen. Orochimaru followed, smiling faintly.

“Finally caught you, Sensei.”

Hearing this, a subtle flicker appeared in Hagoromo Gengetsu's otherwise emotionless eyes.

“Celebrating too soon can lead to disappointment.”

While unable to move his body, the real Hagoromo Gengetsu, who had observed everything as if from the sidelines, smiled inwardly.

This was fine. The opportunity he had been waiting for would come soon.