When Orochimaru was still in Konoha, he conducted experiments using living people, attempting to develop the technique of immortality.
Now, it seems his research has yielded results.
Decades have passed since he fled Konoha, yet he looks exactly the same.
"Yes, that child's body is truly fascinating," Orochimaru said, licking his lips with his long tongue.
"Only through immortality can one master all the ninjutsu in the world and uncover their secrets."
Orochimaru continued, "Unlike you, Sarutobi-sensei, you have grown old and weak. Your fighting ability is nowhere near what it once was."
"That may be true," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied, "but even so, it will be enough to send you to hell."
Orochimaru smirked. "Are you sure? Can you really defeat the two former Hokage?"
A flicker of amusement crossed his face.
Earlier, he had summoned the First and Second Hokage using the Impure World Reincarnation technique. Now, the two legendary shinobi stood expressionless, like lifeless puppets.
Orochimaru placed special talismans on the backs of their heads, then formed a complex hand seal. A moment later, the two Hokage moved.
The Anbu surrounding the Four Symbols Formation were stunned.
"They look so familiar…"
"Are you stupid? Those are the First and Second Hokage! Their faces are carved on the Hokage Monument!"
"How is this possible? What kind of technique did Orochimaru use to summon the deceased Hokage?"
"It must be the legendary Impure World Reincarnation. This forbidden technique is something only Orochimaru would dare to use in Konoha!"
"Does the Third Hokage stand a chance against Orochimaru and the two Hokage?"
"A reincarnated Hokage can only use half of their original power, but even at half strength, they're still stronger than ordinary ninja..."
Inside the Four Symbols Formation, the two Hokage, who had briefly regained consciousness, looked around in surprise.
"I've returned to the real world? Was I resurrected using some kind of jutsu?" asked the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, his long hair flowing beneath his red armor.
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, wearing blue armor, curled his lips. "I don't like it when someone uses my own Impure World Reincarnation technique."
They turned to face Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Monkey, you've grown old," Tobirama remarked.
Hiruzen's eyes filled with tears. It had been over thirty years since the Second Hokage had sacrificed himself to protect his team.
"Forgive me," Hiruzen said, voice heavy with guilt. "I failed to guide my student properly and disturbed your rest."
"I didn't summon them for nostalgia," Orochimaru interrupted, his grin sinister.
The light in the Hokage's eyes faded as their self-awareness disappeared. Now, they were nothing more than Orochimaru's puppets.
Without hesitation, they attacked.
Hashirama clapped his hands, summoning countless trees to fill the Four Symbols Formation. Tobirama followed with a Water Style technique, targeting Hiruzen.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru produced a snake from his mouth, which in turn spat out a gleaming Kusanagi sword—the indestructible blade.
Outside the formation, the Anbu were anxious.
"What do we do? The Third Hokage can't hold out for long against three enemies!"
"We need to break the formation."
"The Four Symbols Formation burns anyone who touches it. It can only be broken from the inside…"
At that moment, a figure with a painted mask appeared.
"Let me try."
Morkel spoke calmly.
A few minutes earlier, he had been fending off enemy ninja, protecting the unconscious spectators. Amidst the chaos, Konohamaru ran into the Chūnin Exam venue.
Had Morkel not noticed in time, Konohamaru and his friends would have fallen into the hands of the Sound Ninja.
Seeing the battlefield, Konohamaru was confused.
"Brother Morkel, why is everything so chaotic? Is the Chūnin Exam always this intense?"
"No," Morkel answered. "The village is under attack."
Konohamaru's eyes widened in alarm. "What about Grandpa? Where is he?"
Morkel pointed to the Four Symbols Formation on the rooftop.
Konohamaru froze. "Grandpa is trapped in there? Will he be okay?"
Kakashi appeared beside them. "Don't worry, Konohamaru. Hokage-sama is the strongest shinobi in Konoha."
"But he's all alone!"
Konohamaru's voice broke as he began to cry.
Despite his usual desire to outshine his grandfather, in this moment, he was nothing but a worried grandson.
"And Orochimaru… Grandpa said that if Orochimaru ever returned, he'd drag him to hell with him!"
Overcome with panic, Konohamaru tried to rush toward the Four Symbols Formation, only to be stopped by Kakashi.
"This isn't the place for you to mess around!" Kakashi scolded.
"No! I won't just hide! Please, save my Grandpa!"
Morkel watched the enormous barrier overhead and made a decision.
"Konohamaru, go back. I will protect your grandfather."
The boy sniffled. "Really?"
"Really. When have I ever lied to you?"
Konohamaru knelt and bowed. "Please, Brother Morkel!"
Morkel nodded. "Go to the nearest fortification and stay safe."
Konohamaru obeyed, running off.
Morkel turned toward the barrier.
"Now isn't the time for heroics. The Four Symbols Formation is dangerous. Even with Wood Style, it won't be easy to break."
Kakashi warned.
"Don't worry, Sensei," Morkel said, stepping forward.
"I have a feeling… I'm pretty awesome."
Kakashi's eye widened.
Morkel turned, revealing the markings of Sage Mode on his face.
"This kid always surprises me!"
Near the formation, the Anbu stared at Morkel's red hair in shock.
"Is he really going to do it?"
"Step back," Morkel said. "You might get caught in the blast."
Though they might have dismissed such words from another twelve-year-old, this was Morkel—prodigy of miracles.
The Anbu wisely retreated.
Morkel clapped his hands together.
"Sage Art! Wood Style! True Several Thousand Hands!"
The ground trembled.
Then, a massive Guanyin statue, hundreds of meters tall, emerged from the earth. Thousands of wooden hands surrounded it.
The Chūnin Exam venue was lifted into the air!
Panic spread among the spectators as they fled.
Kakashi palmed his forehead. "This kid doesn't know how to hold back… He's going to wreck all of Konoha!"
Meanwhile, Yamato's jaw dropped. As another Wood Style user, he was overwhelmed.
"He mastered Sage Mode already?! I thought it would take years!"
Orochimaru, seeing Morkel's technique, was frozen.
This was the power of the First Hokage.
The power he had always coveted.
Hiruzen, mid-battle, laughed. "That boy Morkel… He has already surpassed my expectations."
Morkel stood atop the towering Guanyin.
"The Buddha on the Top!"
Thousands of wooden fists slammed into the Four Symbols Formation.
The barrier shattered.
The Four Oto-nin collapsed, coughing blood.
Orochimaru, realizing his plan had failed, turned to flee.
Morkel clapped his hands. "Wood Dragon Technique!"
A massive dragon surged forward, capturing Orochimaru.
Sarutobi threw shuriken. "Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
Before the attack landed, Orochimaru melted into the ground.
"Morkel, I will have your body one day!" he vowed before vanishing.
The battle was over.
Hiruzen smiled. "Morkel, you are already Konoha's most outstanding ninja."
Morkel, composed as ever, simply replied, "Hokage-sama, Naruto and Sasuke are pursuing Gaara. I'll go assist them."
Before Hiruzen could respond, Morkel was gone.
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