The tremors on the rooftop gradually subsided.
The third coffin stood steadily on the ground, forming a triangle with the other two.
As the rock barrier dissipated into fine sand, the scene behind was completely exposed before Hiruzen's eyes.
"This is..."
Hiruzen stopped abruptly, an expression of disbelief surfacing on his aged face.
The three coffins were like three tombstones, radiating a suffocating sense of pressure.
Orochimaru watched his teacher through the gaps in the coffins, a playful arc at the corners of his lips.
The plan was progressing perfectly according to his preset pace. Now, he only needed to wait for a certain prey to walk into the trap.
A piercing "creak" sounded as the coffin lids slowly opened, revealing the true faces behind them.
In the first coffin, a man with long black hair wore red layered plate armor. It was the First Hokage, Hashirama.
In the second coffin, a man with silver hair and red eyes was wrapped in blue layered plate armor. It was the Second Hokage, Tobirama.
In the third coffin, a man with short brown hair dressed in black ninja attire was none other than the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
"As I thought... the Kazekage has already been murdered by you." Hiruzen stared at the third coffin, his voice heavy.
The three people in the coffins stepped out slowly, their movements slightly stiff but still carrying the majesty they held in life.
"Long time no see, Monkey." Hashirama spoke first, his voice gentle yet hollow.
"It's you. You've gotten old too, Monkey." Tobirama's red eyes were dull, but his tone was sharp.
"I didn't expect to meet you two brothers again because of something like this." Hiruzen shook his head bitterly. "I feel deeply regretful."
"It seems we're going to cause you some trouble, Hiruzen." Rasa spoke expressionlessly.
"Orochimaru... even you were murdered by him." Hiruzen responded, his eyes full of sorrow.
"Hehehe..."
An abrupt laugh broke the solemn atmosphere.
Mamoru descended from the sky, landing lightly beside Hiruzen.
He scanned the three people in front of him and smiled playfully. "This is something else."
His gaze lingered on Rasa for an extra moment. 'So that's how it is. Orochimaru's third coffin didn't contain the Fourth Hokage, but Gaara's father.'
"Mamoru?" Hiruzen glanced sideways, his tense shoulders relaxing slightly.
Mamoru grinned. "Old man, if I didn't come to support you, you'd be in big trouble. These are the First and Second Hokage, right?"
"Kid, you know us?" Hashirama asked.
Mamoru didn't show the slightest bit of tension as he shrugged, "I see your head carvings every day when I go out. How could I not know you?"
Tobirama spoke meaningfully, "It seems you must have some skill to remain unfazed before us."
Then he turned his head to glance behind the coffins. "Are you the one who summoned us? Quite a remarkable fellow."
Hashirama sighed, "In that case, Hiruzen, we'll have no choice but to fight you."
As he spoke, the coffins crashed to the ground, revealing Orochimaru's pale face behind them.
"Mamoru, long time no see." He said in a raspy voice.
"Orochimaru, are you ready to die?" There was no warmth in Mamoru's eyes, only a killing intent so thick it was almost tangible.
"How scary. Don't be in such a hurry, the good show is just beginning." Orochimaru chuckled darkly as he took out three Kunai with red tags attached to the ends, slowly walking behind the three Kage.
"Must we fight no matter the era?" Hashirama shook his head helplessly, his tone tinged with sorrow.
"Hehehe..." Orochimaru laughed lowly. "You enjoy it, don't you?"
"To dare mock the dead... playing with time will not end well." Hiruzen could bear it no longer and said angrily.
Mamoru glanced at Hiruzen, hesitating to speak. According to the original story, this culprit not only wasn't held accountable in the end but was even completely redeemed, receiving a happy ending.
Orochimaru inserted the Kunai into the back of the three Kages' heads one by one, and a weird mist immediately rose around them.
Taking advantage of this gap, Mamoru leaned in to discuss in a low voice with the Hiruzen, "Old man, I'll leave the three dead guys for you to pin down. I'll take care of Orochimaru."
Considering mobility and explosive power, he was more suited for a quick solo kill than the elderly Hiruzen.
"Don't be ridiculous, I can't handle three Kage by myself." Hiruzen countered with a frown.
Mamoru whispered, "Orochimaru's use of this technique is very crude, the strength of these three living dead is barely a tenth of what it was. Just pinning them down shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Hiruzen shook his head with a bitter smile. "I really have a hard life, having to fight such opponents at my age."
Mamoru grinned. "Just hold on for a bit. Once the others arrive to support you, or once I deal with Orochimaru, this technique will naturally be dispelled."
"It seems there's no better way. I'll just have to give it my all." Hiruzen took a deep breath, his eyes becoming resolute once more.
"I'll block the first wave of attacks for you. After that, you're on your own, old man."
Before his voice had even faded, the Chakra within Mamoru's body exploded. In an instant, the scorching Chakra turned crimson, and a flame-like shroud enveloped his entire body.
In the blink of an eye, he was clad in a flame Chakra shroud, the tips of his black hair all turned crimson.
"This is..."
Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock.
Equally shocked was Orochimaru. His golden slitted pupils suddenly constricted, followed by an explosion of extreme greed and obsession.
A voice in his heart screamed frantically. 'I must have this perfect body!'
"Here they come!" Mamoru warned loudly.
Hiruzen snapped back to his senses, his gaze locking onto the three figures charging towards them.
Zzzztt!
Mamoru's intermingled black and red hair stood on end, and crimson electricity jumped wildly within the flames. The roof tiles beneath his feet were grazed by the overflowing electrical arcs, instantly turning to powder.
His figure suddenly vanished, turning into a streak of crimson light that tore through the air.
Hashirama and Tobirama instantly scattered to the sides, one leaping into the air and the other rolling downwards, narrowly avoiding this lethal strike.
But Rasa, who was charging at the front, didn't even have time to react before he was struck by Mamoru's flying kick, which was wreathed in crimson lightning. A red heatwave and lightning exploded.
Bang!
The terrifying force of the impact sent Rasa flying straight toward Orochimaru in the distance.
Orochimaru's expression changed drastically, it was too late to dodge.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
In the nick of time, the six-armed Kidōmaru slammed into Orochimaru to push him aside, while simultaneously spitting a dense spider web at the incoming red light.
However, the moment before the web could even make contact, it was completely melted away by the scorching energy.
Bang!
The crimson light slammed hard into Kidōmaru, carrying him along as it flew into the distance.
Boom... Boom...
Rasa and Kidōmaru crashed like meteors through the roof of the adjacent building, leaving two shocking holes.