The Hokage box glimmered in the light of the distant flames. Sparks flew through the air, descending on the city and town. A cold wind blew across the box, causing the shine to dissipate from the stone. Energy soared upward, four pillars forming around the space.

"I hope Orochimaru-sama knows what he's doing," a broad-shouldered boy fretted.

"Shut the fuck up and keep up this barrier, fatass," the red-haired girl declared, her hand reaching into her pouch. Not that I fucking disagree or anything. Orochimaru may have dove head-deep into his own grave with this move.

Unmei reached outward. His fingers brushed along the edge of the encasing square. "Barrier techniques, huh?" He smirked. "But then again, they wouldn't do a damn thing if I started taking this seriously. I guess you already thought ahead at least that far. You can go at full power; I can't. Very irritating."

Orochimaru said nothing. His eyes narrowed. Of course I know how well I've done. You don't need to compliment me... But then, I suppose you wouldn't do anything else, would you? You believe very much in the idea that enemies must be strong. Otherwise, you yourself are nothing.

The pair stood motionless, staring at each other, for a long moment.

Unmei lunged forward, his swords slashing through the air. He screamed, an echoing sound reflecting a maddened state. Froth built on his lips.

Orochimaru gestured rapidly, his fingers tightening.

The Second Hokage's fingers laced together. "Water Style: Water Bullet Technique!"

A wave of water blasted forward.

Of course the old Hokage are at this level. Unmei fell back a pace, pushed by the water.

A massive wave of water filled up the space, pushing back the body.

Unmei's lips curled upward. It would be a shame if they were less than in their prime! If I really had any trouble with this level, of course, I'd be concerned. But they are here, even if they're only using a few release styles and a few release techniques. Let's see. Based on my data, the best move is to calculate out a path for killing him quickly, and avoid targeting the Edo. A waste of chakra I can't afford in this battle in truth—too risky. I can't bet on my pure power against people who can heal as I can.

The swords flashed outward.

A wave of blue flames cascaded through the air, emerging from the contact point of the blades.

The flames vanished into the darkness.

The steam lifted in the air.

Unmei's eyes narrowed.

The swords lowered.

I didn't see what it is…

The swords glimmered.

What technique did he use to dismiss the blade? I can't understand it… His ability to destroy it. Orochimaru scowled. No matter… since it's the First, I'll use a few of his techniques.

The First Hokage raised his arm. "Hokage Elder Technique: Discipline of the Holy Father of the Leaf!"

Orochimaru opened his mouth.

A tongue emerged from the surface of the mouth.

Since your chakra is so massive, it's said that in the old days it resembled a Tailed Beast's. So I'll use a technique suited to destroying such a power as you possess.

The wood pillars rose around the space, twisting upward from the stone.

Even if it's you, this suppression technique puts you in danger. What will you do? Orochimaru smirked.

The swords lowered.

"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"

A massive wooden dragon formed in the space, rushing toward Unmei.

Unmei's eyes narrowed. He stood motionless, blood trailing down from his lips.

The wood wrapped up the body.

Are you really going to fall before me this easily?

Unmei's violet eyes glinted.

The sunglasses on Unmei's face cracked under the force of the contracting wooden dragon.

Is this really the extent of your power? Orochimaru wondered silently.

"…Boring."

Orochimaru's eyes widened.

"For a second, I thought Hashirama might have deserved that title. The title of a Pillar of Shinobi…"

Orochimaru's body tensed.

"I'll admit, he did well, implanting the DNA of the Terumi's ancestor. That, that was an excellent move. Even learning to use one segment of that DNA of that person is worthy of commendation." Unmei's head tilted to one side. "But… please do not confuse that with mastery." Having said that, I can say truthfully as well that they're weaker than they were. It seems Edo Tensei limits users to the strength of the original caster. At least it's not merely the sacrifices' limitations of strength. That truly would be boring as hell.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. Of course, I expected this. Compared to every other shinobi, myself included... that man is nothing short of miraculous. He growled. That being said, I'll still handle it!

Unmei's hands flashed downward, the swords striking together.

A lightning blast cut through the surface of the tree branches.

The bark severed.

Orochimaru lowered his hand. His mouth opened, a sword emerging from the twisting tongue.

"As for the sword of Kusanagi…"

The Hokage shifted in their places, lifting their hands to form seals.

"You wish to fight me in swordsmanship? Are you suicidal?" Unmei smirked, his eyes narrowing. "Well, I'd say that to be the case after what I saw, regardless of what you said on the matter…"

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.

"You finished that kinjutsu that originally threw you out of the Leaf. Well, I can understand that to some degree…"

The air blazed.

Lightning danced around the two long swords.

"After all, I, too, despise leaving things undone."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.

"Being that as it may, even now, that old man… Sarutobi-jii—even if he did grow quite old, he's stronger than you and these two puppets you bring to your play."

Orochimaru's eyes blazed. "Collapse!" The sword of Kusanagi reversed, hurtling toward Unmei's leg.

Unmei whirled backward.

The tip passed over the face.

Unmei's eyes narrowed. "…I see. I was right—this whole thing has nothing to do with the Leaf."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. As I originally thought, in terms of sheer speed he surpasses me greatly. Weighing things merely in terms of capacity, I can't win this fight.

"It's a distraction… all this is a little play for you to gain immortality. But you didn't seriously think that two would be enough?!" Light poured downward from the blades, sparking off the rapidly speeding surfaces of the metal. Unmei roared loudly. "It'd take at least three Kage to scratch me. Wood Release or whatever, it doesn't matter!" The blades whirled in twin circles.

The wood fell away.

Unmei's eyes narrowed. "Are you finished? Come on. Show me a little more, you two. It'll be disappointing…" He grasped the swords tighter. "It'll be disappointing if you die this easily. I want to hear some magnificent battle, not you two playing around like children."

Orochimaru clapped his hands together.

The Second Hokage repeated the gesture.

Unmei's eyes narrowed.

"Bringer of Darkness!" the pair said as one.

Unmei's sight faded. The senses dulled, one by one.

"Like this, you will be engulfed!"

Blackness surrounded the body.

Hmph. Unmei's sword arms lifted. "What a useless technique."

Outside the darkness, Orochimaru pressed his fingers together, rapidly forming seals with his hands.

A wave of pressure blasted downward.

"I can still hear you just fine! And any swordsman worth his salt should learn to fight blinded!" Unmei's lips curled upward as his hands blurred rapidly.

The snakes rushed downward. Orochimaru finished the seals, his eyes narrowing.

The swords slashed outward.

The snakes fell in pieces.

Orochimaru's eyes widened.

One snake rushed forward through the barricade of blades.

"…Heh."

One snake inserted its fang on the skin.

Unmei's sword slashed outward.

The snake fell to the ground.

Blood fell from the spot.

"Well… for what it's worth, you were probably worthy of the title of Hokage, if you leave out that kinjutsu."

The bloodied snake slithered into Orochimaru's robes.

"…What will you do, Orochimaru? If you're content with this, it might not be enough. On the other hand, the longer you stay here, the more in danger you are."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "Are you insane?"

"I recognize prudence. If my blood is the price to keep your forces from crushing the Leaf, then so be it. I could probably kill everyone involved, but as I said before, my techniques do not discriminate between the innocent and the guilty. Besides…" Unmei smirked. "That blood of mine… its qualities are not so easily replicated. You'll find that if you work with it."

Orochimaru smirked. "Fine." He knelt. "We're leaving. The rest can be dealt with in turn." He gestured to the barrier guards. "Shut this down. We're leaving."

Unmei sighed wearily.

"Before I leave, I have a question to ask you, myself. How serious were you?"

"Well, you're a problem for the Leaf, not internationally. Also...?" Unmei shrugged. "I didn't really want to accidentally kill a lot of Leaf villagers, so maybe... ten percent? Twenty percent? Some number like that."

The barrier guards gasped in shock.

Exactly like Kimimaro. No, maybe stronger if that fucker quit playing around... A red-haired girl swallowed tightly. She clapped her hands together, dismissing the barrier.

Orochimaru smirked. I chose my location well, then. It's thankful that he has such a conscience over the 'innocent'.

The purple flames dissipated as the guards removed their restraints.

"I'll prove you wrong about that blood of yours." Orochimaru turned and walked away.

Unmei folded his arms across his chest. Even I'm not so invulnerable that I could avoid getting hit...

The noonday sun poured down on the battlefield.