[Screen Continues]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi was being overwhelmed by the combined assault of the two resurrected Hokage, enduring a relentless barrage of punches, kicks, and ninjutsu attacks. He was clearly struggling, losing the usual dignified bearing of the Third Hokage.]
[Seizing a momentary lull to catch his breath, Hiruzen watched in dread as Senju Hashirama simply clapped his hands together and roared: "Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"]
[Instantly, countless massive trees erupted from the rooftop tiles, rapidly intertwining to form a dense, miniature forest. Hiruzen dodged frantically among the rapidly growing trunks and branches, agile as a monkey, but ultimately couldn't escape the sheer speed and scale of the Wood Release. Thick branches snaked around him, binding him tightly and rendering him immobile!]
[Outside the barrier, the three observing Anbu exchanged hushed comments]
["His chakra itself is the source of life, creating this entire forest... Incredible!"]
["So this is the legendary Wood Release of Lord First Hokage, the power that ended the Warring States period and founded our village..."]
Hokage Square - Viewing Area,
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt utterly humiliated watching his future self being manhandled. Since the passing of the First and Second Hokage, he had allowed the narrative of him being the "Strongest Hokage" to perpetuate, even finding its way into Ninja Academy textbooks – mostly as a tool to bolster the Hokage's authority.
He was vaguely aware that this had led to some sycophantic behavior. He'd heard rumors that an ambitious Academy instructor, seeking favor, had even devised a particular multiple-choice question for exams:
Question: Who is historically Konoha's most powerful, virtuous, and prestigious Hokage?
A: The Master of the Legendary Sannin
B: The Professor
C: Third Hokage
D: Sarutobi Hiruzen
The fact that this blatantly leading question became infamous within the Academy, yet was never officially corrected, spoke volumes about the political climate.
Ōnoki: "I have an unrelated question," the Tsuchikage piped up, squinting at the screen showing Hashirama. "Does Lord First always just clap his hands and shout 'Ha!' to use jutsu like that? No hand seals?"
Terumi Mei: "Don't look at me," the Mizukage shrugged elegantly. "My Water Release certainly requires seals."
Fourth Raikage: "As does my Lightning Release," A added gruffly.
Ōnoki: "Ah, then I feel much better!"
Amegakure (Village Hidden in the Rain) - Akatsuki Base,
Kisame Hoshigaki: (Watching the screen intently) "Pain-sama, why doesn't Senju Hashirama use hand seals for his ninjutsu?"
Pain (Heavenly Path): "'Hand Seals?'" he responded dismissively, his voice monotone. "Why would one need hand seals? Konan, does your Dance of the Shikigami require seals?"
Konan: "No," she replied softly.
Pain: "Deidara, do your explosions require seals?"
Deidara: "Hm! Art is an explosion! No seals needed, yeah!" he declared, almost instinctively reaching for his clay pouches before Pain subtly signaled him to stop.
Pain: "Hidan, do you require seals for your ritual?"
Hidan: (Grinning maliciously) "Heh! Who needs seals when all I need is one drop of theirblood, huh?!"
Pain: "Sasori?"
Sasori: (From within Hiruko) "No. Merely precise control of my Chakra Threads."
Pain: "Zetsu?"
White Zetsu: Seals are…
Black Zetsu : …unnecessary for us.
Pain turning back to Kisame with an almost imperceptible note of something resembling amusement: "You see, Kisame? It appears truly powerful individuals often transcend the need for hand seals."
Itachi Uchiha (Quietly):"My Sharingan abilities generally do not require hand seals either."
Kakuzu (Grumbling): "My Earth Grudge Fear allows me to utilize the stolen hearts elemental ninjutsu without seals."
The atmosphere became awkward. Kisame's gills flared slightly as he stared wide-eyed at his colleagues.
Kisame yelled angrily: "You're all just bullying the honest shinobi here!!!"
/////////////////////////
[Screen Continues - Back to the Rooftop Battle]
[Bound tightly by the Wood Release, Hiruzen Sarutobi strained against the branches. Managing to bite his thumb and slap a hand against the wood, he yelled: "Summoning Technique!"]
[Poof! Monkey King Enma appeared in a cloud of smoke.]
[Enma: "This is a sorry state, Sarutobi!" Enma observed, his tone laced with slight mockery. "This is what happens because you couldn't bring yourself to kill Orochimaru when you had the chance!"]
[Hiruzen: "Now... Now there is no hesitation. Help me stop him, Enma!"]
[Enma sensing his old friend's grim resolve said: "Transformation: Adamantine Staff!"]
[Enma transformed into the incredibly hard and versatile Adamantine Staff. Wielding his partner, Hiruzen's combat prowess surged. The staff could extend, retract, and strike with immense force, forcing Orochimaru onto the defensive.Afterall his staff is Big , Long , Thick as well as Juicy .. err ... not juicy ]
[In response, Orochimaru opened his mouth wide, and with a sickening stretch, regurgitated the gleaming, ethereal blade of the legendary Sword of Kusanagi.]
[A fierce clash ensued – the Adamantine Staff against the Sword of Kusanagi. However, Hiruzen alone, even with Enma, couldn't withstand the combined assault of Orochimaru and the two relentless Edo Hokage indefinitely. He was eventually overpowered, struck hard, and knocked to the ground.]
[Seeing his former master downed and struggling, Orochimaru approached with a triumphant, slithering gaze.]
[Anbu watching this yelled : "Damn it! Lord Third's age... his chakra reserves aren't what they used to be. He can't even maintain Shadow Clones to properly deal with three opponents!"]
[Another Anbu yelled outside barrier: "Lord Third, get up!"]
[Orochimaru loomed over Hiruzen, grabbing the collar of his torn battle armor. "How utterly unsightly," he sneered. "And they call you 'The Professor,' master of all jutsu in Konoha... pathetic."]
[Enma (From the staff): "Sarutobi! What's wrong? This hesitation isn't like you! You know what must be done! Make your decision now!"]
[At that moment, Hiruzen looked up at the distorted face of his former student. Tears of pain, regret, and resolve streamed down his aged face, mixing with the dirt and blood. He roared, his voice thick with anguish: "Orochimaru!!! You fool!"]
[With a final surge of strength, Hiruzen forced Orochimaru back. In an instant, he created two Shadow Clones (Kage Bunshin)! The clones lunged, desperately grappling with the Edo Tensei Hokage to hold them in place. Facing his student directly, Hiruzen began weaving complex, unfamiliar hand seals.]
Hiruzen: "Sealing Jutsu: Reaper Death Seal!"
[Screen Fades as the ominous spectral form begins to appear behind Hiruzen]
//////////////////////