Bleach x Naruto: Shinigami in Konoha

Sasuke was momentarily speechless at Orochimaru's words. He had just been called a "perfect research subject," and yet Orochimaru still wanted him to follow and serve as an experimental tool?

"I'm negotiating terms with you, aren't I? Besides, do you actually think you're superior in combat power?" Sasuke said indifferently. Though he was indeed somewhat tense, his expression betrayed nothing.

It's about time they arrive.

Caw—caw—caw—caw—!

As expected, a flock of crows descended before Sasuke and morphed into two silhouettes.

"Long time no see, Sasuke. I didn't expect you to become this strong."

A warm, familiar voice sounded on Sasuke's right, as a man wearing a green hooded cloak appeared beside him.

"Sai went to secure the children. You're not injured, are you?" said Itachi, who now stood on Sasuke's left, shielding him with calm determination.

"I'm fine. I'm not exactly weak anymore," Sasuke replied with a light smile.

The man in the green cloak turned to face Orochimaru and another rogue Uchiha beside him.

"I didn't expect to find two of Konoha's S-rank missing-nin in one place. Uchiha Setsuna… you won't escape me this time."

As he spoke, he removed the cloak and drew the tantō strapped to his back.

"Uchiha Shisui!"

Setsuna's eyes narrowed in visible alarm. Though younger, Shisui was on a completely different level. Since Setsuna's defection, Shisui had repeatedly hunted him, each time nearly succeeding in apprehending him.

Sasuke wasn't surprised by Shisui's appearance. After the Uchiha coup attempt, Shisui had taken it upon himself to pursue clan defectors. For six years, he'd operated largely outside the village, effectively forgotten by Konoha's higher-ups—and perhaps even underestimated by some in the clan.

Even Itachi wasn't sure just how powerful his old friend had become.

Just a day before Sasuke's mission here, Shisui had informed Itachi he'd tracked Uchiha rebels to the Land of Rice Fields. The situation seemed complicated, so Shisui requested backup. Conveniently, Itachi's current mission brought him here, and instead of requesting leave, he took the assignment to assist.

Orochimaru, unfazed by the turn of events, let out an excited chuckle.

"Fufufufu… such delightful surprises. Still, as far as combat advantage goes, you're clearly outmatched. Now… Summoning: Reanimation!"

Clapping his hands together, Orochimaru activated the Edo Tensei. Two coffins slowly rose from the earth, marked with the kanji for "First" and "Second."

Reacting instantly, Itachi's Sharingan flared with three tomoe as he cast a genjutsu toward Orochimaru. But it failed—Orochimaru's own pupils transformed into three-tomoe Sharingan.

"Hehehe… Genjutsu? Sorry to disappoint. I've acquired a pair myself. Now tell me—how do you compare to the Hokage of old?"

With a sinister smile, Orochimaru removed the coffin lids, revealing two figures: one with flowing black hair clad in red armor, the other white-haired and dressed in blue.

Itachi and Shisui's expressions tightened in disbelief.

The First and Second Hokage…

Sasuke already knew Orochimaru had developed Edo Tensei. He hadn't told Itachi or Shisui earlier because he needed Orochimaru's cooperation for a certain outcome.

"Orochimaru, how dare you desecrate the souls of the dead!" Shisui shouted.

Just then, the eyes of the revived Hokage opened.

"Where… am I?" said Senju Hashirama, lifting his hand and blinking in disbelief. "I… was brought back?"

"This sensation… Edo Tensei," muttered Tobirama Senju, analyzing the situation the moment he awoke.

Hashirama looked ahead, spotting Sasuke and the others.

"Ah! Are you Konoha shinobi? How is the village doing these days?" he asked cheerfully, waving at them.

Then a voice came from beside him.

"Brother, we've been reincarnated?"

Realizing Tobirama had also been summoned, Hashirama beamed. "Oh, you're here too! Hahaha, I don't really get what's going on, but let's go back to Konoha together!"

Tobirama, clearly exasperated, snapped: "Brother, are you dense?! We've obviously been summoned from the Pure Land. You think the person who brought us here will just let us wander freely?!"

Scolded, Hashirama slumped, head bowed and arms drooping like a punished child.

Itachi and Shisui twitched slightly at the display. Their image of the "God of Shinobi" had just shattered.

Even Orochimaru was momentarily dumbfounded. If not for Hashirama's identical appearance to the stone face on Hokage Rock—and the fact he'd been revived from his own cells—he might have doubted this was the man said to have held the Nine-Tails with his bare hands.

"Well, enough reminiscing. I still need the two of you to help me with these guests."

With a hand seal, Orochimaru pulled out two kunai etched with talismans and embedded them into the back of Hashirama and Tobirama's heads, suppressing their free will.

To maintain control, Orochimaru had used low-tier Chūnin as sacrifices. As a result, the Hokage's power wouldn't be at its peak.

"Setsuna-kun, I assume you don't want to return to Konoha. Let's continue our cooperation smoothly, shall we?" Orochimaru added, his tone laced with warning.

Uchiha Setsuna was in a bind. Backed into a corner, he had no option but to go along with Orochimaru's plan. Yet resentment burned within him.

This is all that brat's fault. If Sasuke had just died like he was supposed to, Setsuna wouldn't have defected. The Uchiha would've become the strongest clan under his leadership. His name would've gone down in clan history!

Setsuna said nothing, but his eyes burned with hatred as he glared at Sasuke.

"You ruined everything, you little punk! Die!" Setsuna roared, activating his three-tomoe Sharingan as he drew his blade and lunged at Sasuke.

Itachi and Shisui stepped forward to intercept, but Hashirama and Tobirama moved faster—blocking them effortlessly.

Sasuke smirked as Setsuna rushed toward him. Although this encounter deviated slightly from his expectations, it remained within his calculated margin of error.

Nii-san… I hope you won't blame me for this.