Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 19: Watching the Show

The times are changing, and the old era’s remnants find it hard to adapt to the new era’s relentless tides.

But this does not include Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Compared to the end of the Warring States Period, the rapid advancements in all aspects today, especially in technology, which bears a striking resemblance to his previous life, make the current era particularly appealing to him.

This era should rightfully belong to him.

"Don't you agree, useless system?"

Hagoromo Gengetsu spoke to his system in his mind.

[Please complete the beginner mission as soon as possible.]

The familiar notification. 

Even after decades, even though he is now dead and has been summoned back, and has not fully reincarnated, the system continues to diligently issue tasks.

It’s impressive how persistent this system is, sticking with him even in death, showing no flexibility whatsoever.

Just like the introductory mission that had previously chilled him, it still hangs on the system’s page.

However, with Naruto Uzumaki present in this era, it’s quite possible to undertake the task now.

"System, what year is it tonight?" Hagoromo Gengetsu asked once more.

[Year 60 of Konoha.]

Correct. This time the answer was right, without extending the timeline recklessly.

Hagoromo Gengetsu nodded in satisfaction and returned to reality.

There’s no rush for the beginner mission.

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The more pressing matter is to leave this place and achieve true reincarnation.

Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at the Sarutobi Hiruzen shadow clone, who was strenuously maintaining the Shinigami Seal and attempting to seal his soul.

Having received the serious warning from Tobirama Senju before leaving, Sarutobi Hiruzen, despite not understanding the concerns of the two Hokage, still committed himself fully to the task.

“For the sake of Konoha, for everyone, I will use all my strength to seal you completely!”

Hagoromo Gengetsu felt somewhat speechless. "Old man, don’t lump me together with that snake-like fellow and make me out to be some heinous villain. I haven’t even stepped on a single ant from Konoha, so why am I being hunted like this?"

It was the same last time.

He had done nothing, yet the Five Kage had unethically ambushed him.

His life had been truly tough.

Hearing Hagoromo Gengetsu’s statement, Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated for a moment.

Ignoring the somewhat awkward "old man" term, it was true that Hagoromo Gengetsu, like the two Hokage, was forcefully summoned here and had no blame for the previous series of battles.

However...

Currently, Hagoromo Gengetsu had unexpectedly freed himself from Orochimaru’s control and resisted the Shinigami Seal, clearly having his own intentions.

Moreover, he had died at the hands of the First Hokage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s gaze sharpened.

Such a person, who deeply intimidated both the First and Second Hokage, must not be allowed to escape.

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had heard stories of Hagoromo Gengetsu’s genius since he was a child, firmly responded:

“Senior Hagoromo, the dead should not return to the world of the living. Please go back to where you belong.”

“You want me to go back? That’s not something an old man like you can achieve.”

Still firmly believing himself to be a twenty-four-year-old youth, Hagoromo Gengetsu was quite displeased with Sarutobi Hiruzen calling him “senior.”

Fortunately, he no longer had to listen to the other’s words.

Hagoromo Gengetsu smirked.

At the same time, the expression of the Sarutobi Hiruzen shadow clone in front of him changed dramatically: “You—”

Amid their exchange, the battle for Hagoromo Gengetsu’s soul under the Shinigami Seal continued.

Originally, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s shadow clone had managed to extract some of Hagoromo Gengetsu’s soul from the Reanimation jutsu body.

But now, he suddenly discovered a powerful resistance preventing his technique from succeeding, and he watched helplessly as Hagoromo Gengetsu’s soul slowly began to retreat back into his body.

“Did you think I was just chatting because I was bored after death?”

Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at the Sarutobi Hiruzen shadow clone and smiled faintly.

“I was just taking the time to adapt to this new body and understand the famous Shinigami Seal technique.”

As he spoke, Hagoromo Gengetsu’s entire being trembled, and the hands of the Sarutobi Hiruzen shadow clone gripping his shoulders were instantly thrown off.

“If it were your real body, I might find it hard to break free from the Shinigami Seal. But against a shadow clone? Ha!”

Hagoromo Gengetsu pointed, and with a "bang," the startled Sarutobi Hiruzen shadow clone dissipated into white smoke.

Feeling the shadow clone’s disappearance, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was tightly entangled with Orochimaru, turned pale:

“Not good!”

Correspondingly, Orochimaru, whose expression had been grim, now showed a hint of joy. He quickly proposed to Hagoromo Gengetsu:

“Senior Hagoromo, let’s deal with Sarutobi Hiruzen together. Without the Third Hokage, Konoha will face destruction. Isn’t this the outcome you want to see?”

Orochimaru was very aware of the conflict between Hagoromo Gengetsu and Konoha, particularly with Hashirama Senju.

His own plan to destroy Konoha should be of great interest to Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Yet, what happened next was beyond Orochimaru’s expectations.

Now free, Hagoromo Gengetsu did not act but rather crossed his arms and watched with a grin:

“No hurry. The scene of master and apprentice killing each other is rare. I’m curious to see who will win in the end.”

“You all carry on. Don’t mind me.”

Hagoromo Gengetsu had not forgotten that Orochimaru was the caster of the Reanimation jutsu.

To avoid unnecessary accidents, he had no interest in assisting Orochimaru.

Given his current abilities and the difficulty of breaking through the Four Purple Flames Formation, he decided to remain a spectator and watch this famous battle between the Hokage unfold.

Seeing Hagoromo Gengetsu’s nonchalant attitude as he watched from the sidelines, Orochimaru’s expression stiffened.

His soul was being pulled out more by Sarutobi Hiruzen, and his expression grew darker.

“Damn old fool!”

“Damn Sarutobi-sensei!”

“Unable to use ninjutsu, my body is restricted.”

Faintly, Orochimaru could see the giant Shinigami behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, and a rare look of panic appeared on his face.

Unable to rely on Hagoromo Gengetsu, he could only fight desperately against his own constraints.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, despite his persistence, was exhausted from the previous battles and had little strength left.

Moreover, with Hagoromo Gengetsu eyeing him like a hawk, he could not afford to relax.

To prevent any unexpected occurrences, he needed to make a decision quickly.

“It has to be this way.”

Hagoromo Gengetsu’s resolution was already a reality.

Orochimaru’s soul had not been fully extracted yet.

Time was limited.

It had to be done!

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, looking at his disciple, who now seemed dark and cruel, and finally said:

“Orochimaru—”