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Hashirama Senju was ultimately subdued by Danzo's restraining seals, just as Tobirama had been.
There was no way around it—Danzo's preparations were meticulous and overwhelming.
Ever since his ANBU operatives sent to the Hidden Rain Village were annihilated, Danzo knew that the shinobi of the Land of Rain could not have achieved such a feat. The only person capable of doing so—and willing to do it—was none other than Uchiha Madara.
From that moment on, Danzo grew uneasy, fearing that Uchiha Madara might come to Konoha for revenge. Desperate to find a way to counter Hashirama Senju, he inevitably turned his attention to the Edo Tensei technique.
However, once Danzo set his sights on Edo Tensei, his ambition spiraled out of control. He began to dream of controlling the First Hokage himself.
Under the relentless research of his ANBU division's scientific team, they eventually developed a "Seal of Restraint" capable of controlling those resurrected through Edo Tensei!
As for the materials required for Edo Tensei—both the sacrifices and the cells of the deceased—they were all readily available to ANBU. However, because Danzo wanted to fully restore Hashirama and Tobirama's original power, he needed high-level sacrifices.
After considerable effort, Danzo secured two near-Kage-level criminals as sacrifices.
Fearing that the Seal of Restraint alone might not be strong enough to control two Kage-level individuals, Danzo prepared an additional twenty-eight elite ninja to serve as backup chakra sources.
With everything in place, the final step was executed at the perfect moment—just as Uchiha Madara was wreaking havoc across Konoha. Danzo's plan finally succeeded!
Thud after thud echoed through the chamber as the twenty-eight ANBU operatives who had exhausted their life force collapsed. Their faces were gaunt, their hair gray and brittle. They lay motionless on the ground, their eyes vacant, their lives utterly spent.
Danzo paid them no mind. To him, they were nothing more than disposable tools.
He turned to face Hashirama and Tobirama, observing the dull, lifeless eyes characteristic of those brought back through Edo Tensei. Sensing the connection between himself and the two Hokages, Danzo's excitement reached its peak. His eyes gleamed with greed and triumph.
At this moment, Danzo completely abandoned any semblance of dignity he once possessed as the leader of ANBU. Like a newly wealthy merchant, he rubbed his hands together in glee and issued his first command to the resurrected Hokages:
"Dispose of these twenty-eight useless pawns!"
The instant the order was given, the two Hokages sprang into action.
Hashirama unleashed a devastating Wood Release technique against one group of aged ANBU operatives. Sharp wooden spikes erupted from the ground, impaling fourteen of them and leaving their bodies riddled with holes—utterly lifeless.
Tobirama countered the other group with a Water Release technique. The water surged forth, transforming into razor-sharp blades that sliced through the remaining fourteen operatives, cutting them into pieces beyond recognition.
Once the deed was done, Hashirama and Tobirama turned back to face Danzo, standing as obedient puppets awaiting their master's next command.
Danzo was ecstatic. He couldn't contain his laughter, his maniacal cackles filling the room with his insatiable greed and ambition.
The God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had become mere puppets under Danzo's control. It was both tragic and pitiful.
After his fit of laughter subsided, a ANBU operative entered the chamber and reported to Danzo:
"Lord Danzo, Uchiha Madara is spreading rumors that are highly detrimental to our cause."
"Oh? What kind of rumors?"
The operative explained in detail, relaying the specifics.
Danzo's brow furrowed, his mood souring.
"That Uchiha Madara… he's trying to undermine my authority and reputation! How dare he!"
But then his expression shifted to one of smug confidence.
"No matter. Now, I, Shimura Danzo, will march out with the First and Second Hokages and crush Uchiha Madara's arrogance! Hmph! With the combined strength of the First and Second Hokages, Madara won't stand a chance. Once he's dead, my prestige in Konoha will surpass even Hiruzen Sarutobi's. While his forces are weakened, I'll seize the position of Hokage. And if anyone dares oppose me, I'll send Hashirama and Tobirama to wipe them out!"
By the end of his monologue, Danzo was lost in a vivid daydream.
"Enough talk! ANBU, follow me! Let us confront Uchiha Madara and demonstrate the might of ANBU!"
Flushed with pride, Danzo practically floated as he led the procession. Accompanied by the resurrected Hashirama and Tobirama, along with his ANBU operatives, he emerged from the underground base into the open streets of Konoha.
When Danzo appeared on the battlefield with this imposing entourage, the entire battlefield fell silent.
A gust of wind swept through, and the crowd instinctively ignored the ANBU operatives accompanying Danzo. All eyes were fixed on the two towering figures standing behind him. The sight left everyone speechless.
How could any shinobi of Konoha fail to recognize the First Hokage and the Second Hokage?
Even if they weren't personally familiar with them, the visages carved into the Hokage Monument were seen every single day!
The battered and broken shinobi of Konoha stared in shock, their jaws dropping at the sight of Hashirama and Tobirama.
"Is this… am I seeing things right?!"
"It's the First Lord and the Second Lord!"
"Is this real? Am I dreaming? Uchiha Madara is here, and now the First Lord too?!"
"How are the First and Second Lords alive again?!"
Voices buzzed with confusion and disbelief as the shinobi of Konoha murmured among themselves.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, gravely injured and lying prone on the ground, closed his eyes with a sigh. He had anticipated something like this might happen.
Hatake Sakumo's eyes widened as he gazed at the two Hokages, a sense of unease washing over him.
Orochimaru's sharp gaze locked onto Hashirama and Tobirama. Having knowledge of Edo Tensei, he immediately understood the situation.
Jiraiya stood gaping, dumbfounded. Among the five, he was undoubtedly the slowest to grasp what was happening.
But the angriest of them all was undoubtedly Tsunade.
As the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokages, Tsunade was well aware of the Edo Tensei technique. Seeing the circumstances, she instantly realized someone had used it to summon her two grandfathers.
Her fists clenched tightly, trembling with rage.