One - On the Way to the War


Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze.

Four of the most revered shinobi ever to walk the face of the Earth.

Four men who had come back to life.

Four men who were having mixed feelings about going to war.

The reanimated Hokage stood on the cliff on which their faces had been carved all those years ago, quietly contemplating the village in front of them while a special collection of missing nin bickered nearby.

"You know..." Hashirama started.

"What is is, brother?" Tobirama asked, frustration already building. The younger Senju had a lifetime of his brother's antics, and could already sense something ridiculous was on the horizon (he was a sensor, after all). "You just gave us your rallying cry. This is not a good time to be having second thoughts!"

"...I just wish we could spend some time here." Hashirama sighed. "It's nice to be back. I want to have a look around!"

"Brother, there is a war going on!" Tobirama snapped. "I know you enjoy wallowing in sentimentality, but we can't afford to be wasting time on a sightseeing tour! The village is at stake! The village is everything!"

"I know, Tobirama." Hashirama replied, turning to face the Nidaime. "I am perhaps the only person who knows our enemy better than you. An undead Madara - in control of all the tailed beasts no less - is not something these people should have to face without us.

"But does that mean I can't look around the village? This is the creation of Madara and I, even if he is no longer the man he once was! Look at how far it has come!"

Tobirama was unmoved. "Standing here is enough for me, brother. Even from this distance I can see how much the village has grown. I can sense the chakra of those too young to go to war. I can hear the chattering of the villagers. Konoha has survived and thrived, and we must allow that to continue by stopping Madara."

"The village has changed a lot since I was sealed away as well." Minato said, interrupting the brotherly argument. "Actually, it seems a bit...deeper, as well. The buildings and trees were never this far down before. Did something happen to during your time, Sandaime-sama?"

"Not during my time, Minato." Hiruzen replied. "But you may be on to something, because even the buildings have changed since I died. Judging by Sasuke-kun's age, an unusual event occurred within the last four years." He looked down to the Hokage Tower. "Even our own residence has been replaced. Whatever could've happened?"

A voice from the other group gathered there slithered over to the assembled Hokage. "I believe I can answer that question, Sandaime-sama."

"Orochimaru! Did you do this after I sealed you?!"

"Kukuku, while I am touched by your faith in my abilities, I did nothing of the sort. My attempt to destroy Konoha failed. But before I answer that, I believe I can help the Shodaime and Nidaime with their dilemma."

"Oh? How so?"

Orochimaru smirked.

"I have developed a jutsu which warps space and time in such a way that you would be able to collectively explore the village without having any effect on the war. The time you arrive at the battleground would be the same as if you had gone there immediately."

"That seems like a convenient and contrived jutsu. Such a thing should be impossible." Tobirama noted.

"It is convenient, but bringing people back from the dead should also be impossible, Nidaime-sama. That doesn't seem to have stopped you from creating Edo Tensei." The second Hokage narrowed his eyes at this, but the snake Sannin was unfazed. "This would also provide an opportunity for Sasuke-kun to further explore the village, which I think he would like to do given he has decided to save it. The others may also be interested in doing so. I can also end the jutsu whenever you ask me to."

"What are the risks of this jutsu?" Hashirama asked.

"The same as the Nidaime's Edo Tensei – it can only be ended by the user. Thankfully, I am almost immortal, so there is very little chance of me being unable to end it." Orochimaru informed him.

"Ohoho, well in that case, let's do it!" Hashirama replied, full of excitement.

"I like this idea." Minato agreed.

Hiruzen was not so sure, but figured there wasn't much he could do against the other two. "Alright."

Tobirama scowled.

"Tobirama, stop scowling." Hashirama scolded.

Tobirama's scowl deepened.

"What is the problem, Nidaime-sama?" Minato asked politely.

"...Surely you could've used this jutsu while we were giving the Uchiha stripling a history lesson? It would have prevented us from wasting valuable tim-"

Orochimaru quickly interrupted this entirely logical and reasonable argument before it could get any further. "Author Release: Plot no Jutsu!"

Reality warped in a truly astonishing way that cannot be properly described with words alone. Needless to say, this drew the attention of Karin (who had returned to bashing Suigetsu), Suigetsu (who had returned to being bashed by Karin), and Juugo and Sasuke (apathetic viewers of said bashing).

Karin stopped her assault on the Mist Swordsman. "Ehhh? What was that crazy stuff just now?"

Orochimaru-sama saves me again! Suigetsu thought to himself while looking more puddle than human. But I don't think I'll be running anywehere for a while...ugh.

"None of your concern, Karin. I have just manipulated events in such a way that you have as much time as you like to take your frustrations out on Suigetsu."

O-Orichimaru-sama, how could you...Suigetsu wailed to himself.

"Fr-frustrations?! I'm perfectly fine!" The redhead pouted. "There's nothing wrong! I-I'm going to go find some food or something!" And so she left, jumping off towards the village.

"Juugo. Keep her out of trouble." Sasuke commanded. The berserker nodded and jumped off to tail her.

Suigetsu, looking towards the incredibly powerful and important shinobi to one side, and then towards the village where his teammates were, then back to the kage, then back to the village, quickly came to a conclusion. I really don't belong with these guys! With that, he pulled himself together and went off to find the rest of Taka.

Orochimaru watched his experiments go, then turned towards the Hokage again. "Now, concerning the first question…how familiar are you with the Rinnegan?"

The undead Hokage collectively bugged their eyes out. What in the nations had happened since their deaths?