My Journey as Fourth Kazekage

In the 64th year of Konoha.

Konoha, in conjunction with Sunagakure, is hosting the Chūnin Exams.

After a morning full of exciting battles, the Chūnin Exams have finally reached the highly anticipated crucial match.

This is the match between Sasuke Uchiha, the orphan of the Uchiha clan from Konoha, and Gaara, the son of the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure. The match has drawn attention from guests who have traveled from afar to watch. The thrilling ninja battle has the audience cheering nonstop.

However, just as the match is about to reach its conclusion, an unexpected change occurs.

First, a large-scale genjutsu falls from the sky, causing the vast majority of the spectators to fall into a deep sleep. Then, Sunagakure's originally allies, ninjas, suddenly turn against their comrades. Finally, from the observation tower, the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure suddenly makes a move against the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and takes him hostage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly realizes the reason behind Sunagakure's betrayal.

The man who was supposed to be the Kazekage of Sunagakure throws away his hat and tears off his mask, revealing the face of his most beloved disciple, Orochimaru, a rogue ninja of Konoha, one of the legendary Sannin.

After the four sound ninjas, disguised as Kazekage guards, cast the Four Purple Flames Formation, giving Orochimaru and the Third Hokage a battlefield free from interference, Orochimaru finally reveals his true objective: Sasuke Uchiha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally refuses to comply with Orochimaru's wishes.

After a brief exchange of blows, Orochimaru finally performs the jutsu he had prepared to kill his former Sensei.

"Summoning Jutsu: Edo Tensei!"

"What!?"

Looking at the three coffins rising from the ground, each labeled with the characters for "First," "Second," and "Fourth," Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately forms hand seals, trying to stop Orochimaru.

But the coffins of the First and Second Hokages have already been summoned.

Hiruzen Sarutobi can only do his best to prevent the coffin labeled "Fourth" from being summoned.

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi is about to succeed, the coffin marked "Fourth" halts halfway, as if it is about to return to where it came from.

"Did it succeed!?"

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi can rejoice, he notices that the third coffin, which seemed to fail to be summoned, has risen again, now positioned at the front.

"Did it still fail?"

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkens. Behind the coffin, Orochimaru licks his lips, wearing a triumphant smile. Having the Hokage die at the hands of a Hokage is simply too amusing.

At that moment, the lids of the three coffins slowly open and fall heavily to the ground, revealing the figures of three powerful ninja.

"Could it be... those two are?"

"Who are they?"

"Those are the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who established our Konoha Village!"

"What!? Then who is the third one?"

"That... is actually the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure!!!"

"Orochimaru actually killed the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure!!!"

In that instant, as Hiruzen Sarutobi gazes at the figures stepping out of the coffins, First Hokage Hashirama Senju, Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, and the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure, Rasa, he finally understands the full scope of what has transpired.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, of course, did not believe that the third coffin labeled "Four" contained the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, as his soul was still in the belly of the Death God.

And on such an important stage, Orochimaru would not be so unprepared, not even knowing whether he could use the Reincarnation of the Edo Tensei to bring back the Fourth Hokage.

At this moment, the First and Second Hokages, summoned by the Edo Tensei, regained their awareness. Feeling their bodies, they looked back at Orochimaru and understood what had happened.

"I see, so this is the Edo Tensei. Using this forbidden jutsu to summon us… What an impressive young man!"

The Second Hokage said, his voice familiar to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The First Hokage also spoke with some helplessness.

"As expected, no matter which world, war always exists."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened as he angrily shouted at Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru, you got some nerve to toy with the souls of the dead? This is unforgivable! Sensei, and Lord First Hokage, I never imagined I would meet you both under these circumstances."

Senju Tobirama, hearing the familiar voice, looked over.

"Hiruzen, is that you? Have you gotten so old?"

"Oh, Sarutobi, it's been a long time!" the First Hokage responded warmly.

Orochimaru, however, licked his lips, eagerly pulling out two kunai sealed with a jutsu and driving them into the heads of the two Hokages, completely controlling them.

"Stop chatting, you old fools. Start fighting already!"

The two Hokages immediately began to lose consciousness, leaving behind only one last sentence.

"Sorry, Hiruzen."

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately became alert.

At that moment, Orochimaru drew another kunai, preparing to control the Fourth Kazekage, who was standing in the front.

It was understandable that the spectators overlooked the Kazekage, as the Fourth Kazekage, summoned through the Edo Tensei, seemed insignificant compared to the three Hokages and their complicated Sensei-student relationship. In Orochimaru's view, this newly created Fourth Kazekage Reincarnation seemed weak compared to the two Hokages, with no sign of regained consciousness.

But something unexpected happened just as Orochimaru approached the Kazekage, preparing to use the special kunai to control him.

The Fourth Kazekage suddenly moved on his own, starting to form hand seals.

"Edo Tensei... Release!"

Before Orochimaru could react, countless grains of sand erupted from beneath the Kazekage's feet, transforming into blades that sliced Orochimaru in half at the waist.

"What!!!"

In that instant, Orochimaru's pupils contracted, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He clearly sensed that the Fourth Kazekage, whom he had killed and turned into a puppet, had broken free of his control.

This shocking sight caused not only Orochimaru but also Hiruzen Sarutobi and the surrounding sound ninja and Konoha Anbu to react in alarm.

"Orochimaru-sama!!!"

"What is this?"

Though the attack could not harm Orochimaru, he was quickly sliced in half. However, countless small snakes burst from his body and entangled together, reuniting his two halves.

Still, the unexpected turn of events caused Orochimaru to be cautious and retreat. Fortunately, the sand did not pursue him.

Once at a safe distance, Orochimaru frowned as he watched the Fourth Kazekage standing there, seemingly feeling his new body. Confusion was etched across his face.

"What's going on?"

This sudden change made the atmosphere inside the barrier grow increasingly strange. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the Fourth Kazekage, who had suddenly risen up.

As the silence grew tense, the Kazekage finally looked up, his eyes scanning the surroundings before settling on Orochimaru.

"Edo Tensei, huh? Interesting!!!"

To everyone's further shock, the Kazekage then reached out and grabbed the head of the First Hokage.

"What!!!"

Orochimaru immediately felt a bad premonition and tried to control the First Hokage to retreat, but he found that he could no longer control him.

Then, he witnessed something even more astonishing.

With the naked eye, it seemed as though the First Hokage's soul was leaving his body, transforming into strands of chakra, which the Fourth Kazekage, now reanimated, was continuously absorbing.

Though Orochimaru still did not understand what was happening, he quickly reacted.

"Water Style... Water Break!"