Chapter Sixty-Seven: Hashirama and Tobirama

Orochimaru returned, commanding his fully-armed mobile fortress, which stood imposingly at the center of the battlefield. The ten cannons mounted on the fortress fired in unison, their thunderous roars unceasing as countless members of the White Zetsu army and the Allied Shinobi Forces from the Four Great Nations fell in swathes. Orochimaru stood aloof atop the fortress walls, indifferent; this battle would cripple both the Akatsuki and the ninja coalition, finally bringing lasting peace to the Shinobi World.

…

Meanwhile, at the three famed "Great Sacred Grounds"—Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest—their keepers had gathered: the Great Toad Sage, the White Snake Sage, and the Slug Sage. The Great Toad Sage was enormous, his form slack and flabby, skin hanging loosely with the marks of extreme age. His eyes narrowed as he spoke, a gigantic bead inscribed with the word "Oil" hanging from his neck.

"How long has it been since the three of us last met?" the Great Toad Sage asked.

Since being hailed as "Sages," the trio had not met in ages—a span so long it had faded into legend.

The White Snake Sage, a massive white serpent with a bead bearing the word "Conceal" around its neck, replied with a wistful air, "It has been a long time, indeed. Cough, cough."

Unlike the two elders, the Slug Sage was just as large but radiated youth and vigor. "Let's get down to business. Young Tsunade needs me at any moment—I don't have the leisure you two do," she declared, the bead at her neck inscribed with "Divide."

The Great Toad Sage, ever serene, glanced at the Slug Sage and drawled, "Little Slug Lady, you’re as lively and youthful as ever."

The White Snake Sage turned as well. "Unlike us—old and weary. You, at least, still visit the Shinobi World for fun."

The Slug Sage snorted in disdain, "Oh, stop pretending. Everyone knows you could be young again whenever you wish. As for the Shinobi World, just because you don’t visit doesn’t mean you don’t care."

Three great sages: two in seclusion, one frequently sending her divided bodies into the Shinobi World for amusement. Yet, all three were deeply attentive to the world's affairs. Their bodies brimmed with nearly infinite Sage Chakra; youth and age were but a thought away.

"Let’s get to the point. If we delay any longer, that snake brat will flatten the entire Shinobi World."

They had not gathered by chance, but for a purpose: to prevent the unification of the Shinobi World. Only in a state of perpetual war could their Sacred Grounds remain transcendent; if unified, the snake would surely seek to dominate the realm of contract summoning as well.

The White Snake Sage opened her massive jaws, releasing a swirl of Sage Chakra. When it touched the ground, a ritual array formed. Her eyes flashed; the array activated, forcibly summoning Orochimaru—the one bound to Ryuchi Cave—into their midst.

…

At that moment, Orochimaru was atop his mobile fortress, bombarding the White Zetsu forces and the Allied Shinobi Army. Amid the relentless barrage, only those possessing the power of elite Jonin could survive unscathed. But such individuals were too few. With each salvo, scores perished. The elite Jonin were all left to Kimimaro and the resurrected powerhouses to handle.

The First and Second Hokage moved together. Amid the chaos, the First Hokage seemed unmoved, while the Second felt immense pressure.

"Konoha has actually been destroyed. Damn it—all because I created this wretched jutsu!" Tobirama, the Second Hokage, referred to the Reanimation Jutsu.

Hashirama, the First Hokage, was unconcerned. "Well, why fret? We’re already dead."

The fate of the Shinobi World was for the living to decide; they were but the dead.

Tobirama, frustrated, retorted, "Brother, you weren’t always like this. Give me time and I’ll develop a way to break this Reanimation Jutsu."

Orochimaru’s version had been improved for greater control; even these incomplete resurrected Hokage could not break free. Yet Tobirama knew that, with time, he would inevitably find a way.

"Break it?" Hashirama looked skyward, then smacked Tobirama’s head. "Why bother? Things are fine as they are."

It seemed Hashirama truly had no desire to break free.

Tobirama rubbed his head, baffled. What had become of his brother?

"But if Orochimaru is allowed to continue, how many more will die?" Tobirama could not bear the thought.

Hashirama’s face grew cold. "I said, no."

Whenever Hashirama became serious, Tobirama felt a deep unease. What had changed?

"Tobirama," Hashirama gazed up at the blue sky, "do you remember asking me once why I didn’t unite the Shinobi World?"

Back when Hashirama and Madara reconciled to found the Hidden Leaf, they were without question the two strongest. Had they continued fighting, unification was inevitable, but Hashirama chose to divide the Tailed Beasts and pursue peace.

At the time, Tobirama could not understand. Why stop when victory and unification were within reach? Hashirama had not answered then.

"I can tell you now," Hashirama said, a trace of sorrow in his expression. "I no longer wished to see death."

He had the power to sweep aside all resistance, but he could not bear the casualties; his compassion forced him to choose peace.

Tobirama fell silent, well aware of his brother’s gentle heart.

"But brother, why now…" Tobirama gestured, meaning Hashirama’s refusal to break free and end the war.

If the Reanimation Jutsu was undone, Tobirama believed he could restore his brother to full power and quickly end the conflict.

Hashirama shook his head. "Tobirama, the war has already begun; casualties are inevitable. If I were leading, I’d still choose peace, but that’s not a lasting solution. And thankfully, I am not the one in charge."

He looked at his brother earnestly. "Orochimaru is formidable—he’s taken a path I dared not walk."

Tobirama said nothing for a long while.

For true peace, perhaps ruthless unification was needed. Many would die, but the long-term effect could be profound.

Tobirama understood. "Still, I will continue my research, just in case we need to break free."

If necessary, he would unleash Hashirama to restore order.

Hashirama said nothing. Freed from Orochimaru’s control, he was unsure what he would do. Perhaps, to lessen the bloodshed, he would oppose Orochimaru after all?

…

As the two Hokage conversed, a surge of space-time energy suddenly enveloped Orochimaru, and he was reverse-summoned before the Great Toad Sage, the White Snake Sage, and the Slug Sage.

At the same time, countless toads, snakes, and slugs manifested in the world, intervening to halt the fortress’s bombardment.

Orochimaru’s pupils contracted at the abrupt shift but he remained composed, looking up to see all three Sages gazing down at him.

Why had these three gathered together?