[NTU] [ARC-25] Chapter : 328

"Sasuke, you are my future."

Just as Toshiro was contemplating sending Naruto to rescue Gaara, far away in the depths of Orochimaru’s lair, a far more personal war was unfolding—a battle for control of Sasuke's body.

"Hmph."

Sasuke let out a cold snort, his crimson Sharingan gleaming like a predator's gaze.

"Crawling snakes and insects think they can challenge a hawk soaring through the sky?"
"Keep dreaming."

He had never truly sought Orochimaru’s teachings for loyalty’s sake—only power. Orochimaru was a means to an end. Sasuke had never intended to let himself become the vessel for someone else's ambition.

"Hehehe…"

Orochimaru chuckled, a twisted grin spreading across his pale face as his eyes locked on Sasuke’s Sharingan, filled with both admiration and greed.

"You're confident, I’ll give you that. But did you really think I came with only one trick?"

Even after Sasuke landed a surprise strike—splitting Orochimaru in two—the serpentine figure showed no fear. His body writhed unnaturally, melting into a formless, liquid mass before reconstituting itself right before Sasuke’s eyes.

Orochimaru, still in his prime and untouched by the Shiki Fūjin seal, was not an opponent to be underestimated. And he had more cards to play.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

"Let’s see how you handle this—with the help of these two legendary figures."

A swirl of smoke and chakra erupted. Two figures emerged—grim, powerful, and bound by cursed seals.

Sasuke tensed. Even before they spoke, he recognized them.

The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, blinked slowly, looking disoriented but serene as always.

"Who are you?" he asked calmly, turning his gaze to the youth before him.
"Are you from Konoha? How is the village now?"

The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was less composed. He immediately snapped at Orochimaru, his sharp eyes assessing the situation.

"This technique… Edo Tensei. Only someone from Konoha could've learned this. What’s your purpose here? Who is this Uchiha?"

Orochimaru gave a mocking bow, still savoring the moment.

"Ah, Tobirama-sama—worried about your successor, are you?"
"Rest assured. Under the Fifth Hokage’s leadership, the ninja world has entered a rare age of peace. Konoha is thriving—so much so that there’s talk of expanding the village."

Hashirama’s face lit up.

"Haha! See, Tobirama? I told you Toshiro could be trusted!" he said, slapping his younger brother’s shoulder affectionately.

Tobirama, however, remained skeptical.

"Hmph. Who knows what hidden motives this guy has? Besides…"—his eyes narrowed as he looked at Sasuke—"this Uchiha… you summoned us just to deal with him?"

He had already noticed the boy’s Sharingan. And neither of them wore a Konoha forehead protector.

"Exactly," Orochimaru replied with a grin, holding two kunai inscribed with binding seals.
"I’ll leave this task to you, Second Hokage."

This was the “gift” he had prepared for Sasuke. A battle with legends. He had no doubt it would be unforgettable.

Sasuke’s grip on his sword tightened. He had anticipated something like this, but facing two of the most powerful shinobi in history?

His pulse quickened.

He knew exactly who stood before him.

"Uchiha boy... I don't wish to fight you, but..."

Even under the influence of the summoning spell, the First Hokage’s voice still carried a trace of clarity and restraint.

"As expected of the First Hokage," Orochimaru muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Even under my control, he maintains a degree of awareness..."

He quickly formed a sequence of hand signs, beads of sweat appearing on his brow. He intensified the pressure to suppress the First Hokage’s consciousness.

"Good thing the summoning wasn’t completely perfect. If it had been... things might’ve gone badly."

With a smirk, Orochimaru redirected his attention to Sasuke. "Now then, Sasuke-kun, what will you do next?"

Like a puppeteer tugging invisible strings, Orochimaru sent the First and Second Hokage forward.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he watched their approach—the First charging directly, the Second circling wide to flank.

"Trying to come straight for me, the summoner?" Orochimaru mused aloud, amused as Sasuke began to maneuver closer during the skirmish.

"Let’s see you handle this."

"Bringer of Darkness!"

The Second Hokage, under Orochimaru's command, quickly formed hand seals. A jutsu specifically crafted to disrupt Uchiha perception blanketed the area.

"Water Style: Violent Water Wave!"

Without pause, the Second followed up with a massive torrent of water, crashing toward Sasuke like a tidal wave.

But the First Hokage wasn't idle. As the wave surged forward, he clapped his hands.

"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"

Vines and thick trees erupted from the ground, weaving through the flood, adding pressure from all sides.

"Impressive... these two truly live up to their legends."

Before Sasuke could shake off the genjutsu, the water wave slammed into him—followed by the crushing grip of the First’s Wood Release.

Orochimaru watched intently as the battlefield was consumed by vines, forming a massive wooden cocoon around Sasuke.

"Did we get him?"

The silence was brief.

CRACK!

A sharp sound split the air. The vines exploded into splinters as a dark figure burst out, his body transformed.

"The curse mark..." Orochimaru murmured, watching Sasuke emerge with darkened skin and grotesque, wing-like extensions fanned out behind him.
"Not bad. His adaptability exceeds expectations."

The great serpent behind Sasuke mirrored the wings on his back, menacing and elegant.

"Go!" Orochimaru ordered sharply.

At his command, the First and Second launched another attack, converging on the transformed Sasuke.

But Sasuke only smirked.

"Hmph. The same old tricks?"

Power surged through him, and in an instant, he shattered the Wood Release restraints. The genjutsu of the Second Hokage crumbled under the force of his chakra.

"Now, let’s end this."

With a thunderous blast of chakra at his feet, he leapt skyward, leaving a crater where he stood. His wings beat twice, carrying him through the air in a swift glide—straight toward Orochimaru.

"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"

The Second Hokage fired a razor-thin, high-pressure stream of water that slashed through the air, aiming for the airborne Sasuke.

On the ground, the First Hokage looked up at the boy flying toward his summoner—but did not move. He stood still, eyes following Sasuke with a contemplative gaze.

"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"

From above, Sasuke retaliated. With a roar, a blazing dragon-shaped flame erupted from his mouth, crashing toward the Second Hokage.

He spared a glance at the First—who still hadn’t made a move—and pressed forward, closing in on Orochimaru.