Hiruzen persuaded me to die

The figure of the Second Hokage—Senju Tobirama—dashed forward like a thunderclap, his movements unnaturally sharp.

A black kunai whistled through the air, aimed directly at Hyuga Naraku's heart.

His expression was blank, his eyes vacant.

A puppet. Controlled through Impure World Reincarnation.

Behind him, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already retreated, forming hand seals at top speed.

He remembered the last time.

The humiliation of Konoha.

He'd tried to save Asuma from Naraku—rushed forward without thinking.

And Naraku crushed him. Swiftly. Brutally.

He never even got the chance to use the Reaper Death Seal.

If not for the sudden intervention of the masked man calling himself "Uchiha Madara," Hiruzen would have died in Konoha that day.

Since then, Hiruzen had accepted the truth.

He was no match for Naraku in taijutsu. And his ninjutsu? Practically worthless.

Fire Style. Lightning Style. Illusions. Elemental attacks. All of it had been rendered meaningless in the face of Naraku's overwhelming power—especially after witnessing the destruction caused by his colossal Senju Buddha.

So Hiruzen bet everything on forbidden jutsu.

Impure World Reincarnation.

The Reaper Death Seal.

And to use the latter, he needed time—precious seconds to finish the hand seals before Naraku could strike him down again.

That's why he summoned Tobirama first.

Originally, he'd planned to summon Minato Namikaze too.

Two Hokage with the Flying Thunder God Technique—perhaps that would buy him the window he needed.

But the attempt to resurrect the Fourth Hokage had failed.

Fortunately, his teacher—the Second Hokage—had answered the call.

Hyuga Naraku didn't flinch as Tobirama approached.

If anything, he welcomed it.

He needed the Reaper Death Seal.He needed access to the Shinigami—to peer into the realm of death and uncover the mystery behind the Bloodline of the Gods.

The puppet Tobirama reached him.

Naraku calmly raised one hand, and from his palm, a black rod of Yin-Yang chakra extended with a snap.

Clang—!

With a sharp swing, he severed Tobirama's arm at the elbow. The kunai spun away.

But it didn't end there.

Naraku's Tenseigan pulsed.

"Flying Thunder God kunai…"

He caught the chakra mark etched onto the kunai just before Tobirama teleported.

Flash—!

The Second Hokage appeared behind him, just as expected.

Naraku didn't turn around.He simply thrust backward with a second Yin-Yang rod—piercing Tobirama straight through the chest.

"Apologies, Second Hokage."

Before Tobirama could recover, Naraku clenched his fingers, pulling him forward with gravitational force.

Another rod shot from his other hand—stab!—pinning Tobirama to the earth.

From afar, Hiruzen watched in disbelief.

Even the famed Flying Thunder God Technique… defeated in seconds?

Still, his hands continued the intricate sequence of seals.

"It doesn't matter…""That's enough time!"

His eyes gleamed with grim resolve.

"Reaper Death Seal—!"

A cold wind howled across the battlefield.

Naraku's senses tingled.

Something unnatural stirred—something from beyond the veil.

A shadow took form behind Hiruzen.

Clad in ancient white robes, a grotesque figure emerged—face hidden behind a ghostly mask, twin red horns sprouting from its head. Its long tongue lolled from its jaws, coated in drool.

In its mouth, a ceremonial dagger.

The Shinigami.

"Urgh—!"Hiruzen coughed blood violently as the ritual connected.

The pain tore through his soul, ripping at the seams of his existence.

And yet… he smiled.

"You're dead today, Hyuga Naraku…!""Even you… can't defy the Shinigami!"

No matter how strong Naraku was, no one could resist this jutsu. Once the Reaper touched you, your soul would be trapped forever—no reincarnation, no Pure Land.

Only the Shinigami's stomach.

But Hiruzen's gamble came at a cost.

The moment he initiated the Reaper Death Seal, his control over Impure World Reincarnation faltered.

Tobirama's eyes cleared.

Consciousness returned.

"You—You're the Fifth Hokage?"Tobirama looked at Naraku in surprise, recognizing the flak jacket and forehead protector.

Even while under control, he had sensed the events around him.

And now, with clarity returned, he realized who Naraku was.

"Quickly," Tobirama said, "pull out the rods—I'll cancel the jutsu myself!"

Naraku didn't hesitate.With a tug, he yanked the black rods free.

Tobirama stood, weaving hand signs swiftly.

"If you're ever caught in Impure World Reincarnation, remember this—Zi-Yi-Chou-Shen-Yin-Chen-Si-Wu-Wei-Shen-Hai. Perform that seal sequence. It'll break the summoner's control."

Naraku blinked.

"...I'm not dead yet, why are you giving me a post-mortem lecture?"

But Tobirama wasn't listening—he was already finishing the final hand sign.

Poof!

A light gust of smoke blew past.

The chakra binding dissolved.

Tobirama was free.

Nearby, another figure stirred.

Senju Hashirama rubbed his eyes, confused and groggy.

"Huh? Tobirama? Why are we… Where are we? Wait—did you Impure World Reincarnate me again?!"

"There's no time, brother! Cancel the jutsu before you get dragged into something terrible!"

Grumbling, Hashirama followed the seal sequence.

Poof—!

Control released.

With both Hokage now free-willed, they turned toward their former student.

And Hiruzen… didn't even notice.

He was still focused on Naraku.

Spitting blood. Trembling.Glaring with hatred.

"This bastard… this traitor…! He murdered Danzo, Koharu, Homura… even my sons…!"

"He seduced the Hyuga… allied with the Uchiha… and exiled me from my own village!"

"He stole Konoha from me!"

But the First and Second Hokage were no longer looking at Naraku.

They were staring at Hiruzen.

And their eyes were cold.

Tobirama's voice cut through the wind like a blade.

"Monkey…"

"Explain. Now."