Whether it was Orochimaru holding back or the strongest Hokage's strength, Hiruzen Sarutobi fought against two masters and one disciple all by himself. Although he was in danger many times during the process, he always managed to escape unscathed thanks to his endless combinations of ninjutsu.

Even later, when the First Hokage, Senju, gradually used the amazing Wood Release technique, Advent of the World of Trees, which caused trees to grow rapidly on the ground, creating a forest in an instant, and the branches firmly bound Hiruzen's hands and feet, preventing him from breaking free.

Hiruzen Sarutobi used his summoning beast "Monkey King" transformed into the "Golden Staff" to cut the branches that were binding him, and confronted Orochimaru and the others again.

His seemingly invincible strength inspired admiration from the ANBU members watching from outside the barrier, who clicked their tongues in praise.

"The Third Hokage is truly powerful!"

"To be able to fight three masters single-handedly at such an advanced age, he truly is the strongest Hokage!"

Sounds from inside the barrier couldn't escape, but images from outside could. Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his face burning when he heard the Anbu's praise. Didn't he know how much of the First and Second Hokage's strength they possessed in their lifetimes? Being called the strongest Hokage in front of his teacher still made him a little embarrassed.

"Tsk tsk tsk, the strongest Hokage, huh? I wonder how much stamina and chakra you still have, Sarutobi-sensei?"

As if to give Hiruzen Sarutobi a chance to catch his breath, Orochimaru did not continue the pursuit after he broke free from the tree's control. Instead, he and the two reanimated Hokage split up and surrounded Hiruzen Sarutobi, then started exchanging words.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was cold and stern, his eyes unwavering. "No matter how much chakra I have left, my will to protect Konoha remains as unshakeable as a mountain!"

He spoke while taking the opportunity to catch his breath, trying to regain some strength and buy himself some more time.

Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared resolute, but inwardly he sighed, realizing he was truly getting old. Every bit of strength he lost in the battle made him feel closer to death. His thoughts, however, drifted involuntarily to the Sarutobi clan's territory.

I saw that there was a fire inside the tribe's territory. I hope the tribespeople can evacuate safely...

Seeing that Orochimaru had no intention of continuing the attack for the time being, Hiruzen Sarutobi, while recovering, kept glancing warily towards the Sarutobi clan's territory out of the corner of his eye.

To his utter fury, the clan's territory, which he had thought would be restored to peace, was now engulfed in flames, with flames spreading across most of the territory, and in the very center stood a terrifying skeletal giant, several tens of meters tall!

Although he had never seen it in person, the experienced Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately thought of the Uchiha clan's Susanoo!

Orochimaru!

Upon discovering the raging flames and giants within his clan's territory, Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer remain calm and gritted his teeth as he uttered the name of his former beloved disciple.

Although no sound could be heard, his ferocious and twisted face and bulging veins sent chills down the spines of the ANBU ninjas outside the barrier.

"Creating clones during battle is a major taboo. I think it was you, Sarutobi-sensei, who taught me this principle."

Orochimaru showed no concern for Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger. Instead, he took advantage of Hiruzen's momentary lapse in concentration and rage to manipulate the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, into a rapid attack, which, together with Orochimaru's own long and swift neck, created a pincer movement, delivering a vicious blow to Hiruzen.

Despite his best efforts to dodge, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only manage to avoid Orochimaru's imposing neck and head, and was ultimately slashed across the chest by the Second Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi covered the wound on his chest with his hand, using a rudimentary medical ninjutsu to temporarily stop the gushing blood. Anger, confusion, anxiety, and despair surged through him, almost overwhelming him.

Even though they weren't using their original bodies, the strength displayed by the First and Second Hokage was still terrifying. Although Orochimaru didn't show much of his strength, the endless snakes and his incredibly soft body were still difficult to defend against.

With my aging body, I really can't keep fighting any longer!

Given the current situation, with Konoha Village invaded and trouble arising in the clan's territory, it's likely that the Uchiha clan is coming for revenge.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a chill in the air and shivered. The strength of Uchiha Tajima back then was too formidable. If it were him attacking the Sarutobi clan today, it would be a real disaster.

Looking at the few lone, incessantly babbling idiots outside, Hiruzen Sarutobi's despair deepened.

Trapped inside the barrier, no one has come to rescue me yet. It seems I can't rely on the people inside Konoha. My only hope is that Jiraiya can arrive soon.

Both to buy time and to vent his anger, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru and said, "I was the one who drove you out of Konoha back then. If you want to take revenge on me and Konoha, just come at me personally. Why hurt the Sarutobi clan!"

Furthermore, why did you collude with those traitors from the Sand Village and the Uchiha clan?!

At this moment, Orochimaru also saw the skeletal giant in the direction of the Sarutobi clan. A hint of doubt and solemnity flashed in his eyes, but it was not visible on his face at all.

“The pain is only real and profound when it happens to someone you care about, isn’t it?”

Hehehehe, as for collusion, that's too harsh a word; it's just cooperation.

Orochimaru stretched out his tongue and hissed with a strange laugh. The coldness on his face, combined with his long tongue, made him look exactly like an evil monster plotting to wreak havoc on the world.

Orochimaru was also puzzled as to who was attacking the Sarutobi clan. Judging from the skeletal giant and Sarutobi's teacher's reaction, it must have been the Uchiha clan who made the move.

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