Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 18: This Era Belongs to Me

"Sealing Jutsu: Reaper Death Seal!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's resolute voice echoed in the dark space.

"It's here!"

The genuine Hagoromo Gengetsu's expression shifted, brimming with anticipation.

Orochimaru glanced at the Hagoromo Gengetsu's Reanimation jutsu body, noticed nothing unusual, and turned his focus back to Sarutobi Hiruzen. 

Realizing that his master wouldn't make such an extravagant proclamation without cause, Orochimaru's eyes narrowed:

"An unfamiliar jutsu? Then let me see what it's about."

**Clank! Clank! Clank!**

In the darkness, the three Senju brothers launched another attack. Unlike before, Sarutobi Hiruzen, with the Reaper's arm piercing through his chest, could see the souls of everyone in the dark space clearly.

He and his three Shadow Clones moved in unison.

"I've got you!"

Exhausting his body, Sarutobi Hiruzen moved faster than ever, focusing with his Shadow Clones to seize the targets in the darkness.

"How could this be?"

Orochimaru, unable to believe what was unfolding before him, watched in disbelief.

As the darkness faded, Sarutobi Hiruzen's Shadow Clones held tightly onto the Reanimation jutsu bodies of the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Sarutobi Hiruzen himself gripped Orochimaru’s shoulders tightly.

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"It’s over!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed up blood, a large hole ripped in his battle attire.

In his unique vision, the Reaper’s arm, which had penetrated his chest, continued extending into Orochimaru, and the bodies of the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and Hagoromo Gengetsu.

As the Reaper’s arm retracted, the souls of Orochimaru, the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and Hagoromo Gengetsu slowly began to be extracted from their bodies.

“What is this feeling… This is bad!”

Orochimaru could not see what was happening but felt an intense sense of danger from his soul.

Realizing the grim situation, he desperately resisted.

Despite his efforts, against the Reaper and Sarutobi Hiruzen’s unwavering resolve, his soul was slowly being pulled out.

In contrast to Orochimaru’s fierce resistance, the souls of the First Hokage and the Second Hokage remained calm as they were being extracted, offering their apologies:

"Sorry, Monkey."

"Sorry for the trouble, Sarutobi."

Sarutobi Hiruzen closed his eyes, feeling apologetic.

Being swallowed by the Reaper and sealed away permanently was a distressing experience. If he had a choice, he would have avoided it.

"First Hokage! Second Hokage! Please forgive me—"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's apology was cut short by an unexpected voice.

"Hey, hey, hey~ How touching!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.

At the same time, the First Hokage and the Second Hokage turned in alarm to see Hagoromo Gengetsu, who was smiling brightly and waving at them.

Unlike the souls of the First and Second Hokage, which were easily extracted, Hagoromo Gengetsu was still locked in a standoff with the Reaper, and was managing much more easily.

After all, he was facing only a Shadow Clone’s power, not the Reaper’s true form.

"You! How could this..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Hagoromo Gengetsu in shock.

He hadn’t expected the seemingly smooth plan to encounter such an unexpected twist.

Orochimaru was also surprised.

If there were any flaws in the Reanimation jutsu, it was that it was vulnerable to sealing techniques and soul-based jutsus. However, Hagoromo Gengetsu not only resisted the Reaper's attack but, to Orochimaru’s shock, had completely escaped his control.

Unlike the First and Second Hokage, who regained their clarity of mind once their souls were extracted, Hagoromo Gengetsu had fully escaped Orochimaru's control and was now completely in command of his Reanimation jutsu body.

"Don’t understand? Blame your control seals for being inadequate and for giving me so much time."

Hagoromo Gengetsu, noticing Orochimaru’s gaze, cheerfully explained.

During the time he was watching, Hagoromo Gengetsu quickly analyzed the control seals within the Reanimation jutsu. Taking advantage of the moment when Orochimaru’s soul was being pulled by the Reaper, he managed to break free from Orochimaru’s control and take full command of his own Reanimation jutsu body.

At this moment, if Sarutobi Hiruzen chose to give up, letting Orochimaru free could have allowed the latter to regain some control through Reanimation jutsu.

But was that an option?

Sarutobi Hiruzen, having seized the rare opportunity, was determined not to let Orochimaru escape. After all, the opponent had become a monster pursuing immortality by consuming others' bodies.

Even though he himself was merely a reanimated corpse, the choice was clear.

As expected.

After Hagoromo Gengetsu’s unexpected revival, Sarutobi Hiruzen, still holding tightly to Orochimaru, did not loosen his grip. In fact, he pulled harder, trying to extract Orochimaru's soul with all his might.

Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s Shadow Clone put all its effort into pulling Hagoromo Gengetsu’s soul.

"Gengetsu, we’re both dead. Don’t trouble the living any further."

The First Hokage, fully aware of Hagoromo Gengetsu’s abilities, advised him.

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at his old friends, now being swallowed by the Reaper, and replied with a faint smile:

"I have no interest in suffering in the Reaper's belly."

"Besides, Hashirama, you’ve lived long enough. I still haven’t lived enough. Such a rare opportunity must not be wasted."

"Hagoromo, you—"

The First Hokage began to speak, but the Second Hokage interrupted:

"Big Brother, it’s useless."

He then turned to Hagoromo Gengetsu with an unusually serious tone:

"Sarutobi, focus all your efforts on dealing with Hagoromo Gengetsu. He must not be allowed to escape!"

Only those from the same era truly understood Hagoromo Gengetsu’s power and the danger he posed. Even as an Reanimation jutsu body, such a figure could not be measured by ordinary standards.

If given more time, the ninja world might face unprecedented changes.

In comparison, Orochimaru, who had caused greater losses to Konoha, was less of a concern.

Unfortunately, it was too late for the First and Second Hokage to act.

Hagoromo Gengetsu had also anticipated this.

With deep concern and foreboding, the Second Hokage, like the First Hokage, was completely consumed by the Reaper.

"Farewell, my old friends."

Hagoromo Gengetsu watched the departure of his contemporaries.

Finally, feeling rejuvenated, he looked out at the new era. Clenching his fist, he calmly declared:

"This era belongs to me."