Naruto: Journal of Hope
After the second half of the Chunin Exams Naruto is passed over by Kakashi to train Sasuke. Angry, he storms out and runs far away to an almost forgotten place. There he stumbles across a journal, written by his mother and holding the secrets of his lineage. Inspired by his parents' love, hope and dreams, he decides to become the Ninja his parents believed he could be.
Chapter XIV: Invasion Part II
Atop the Main watchtower, two opponents stood before each other. A Former Master and his Fallen Apprentice, a wise Mentor and his once brilliant Student…a surrogate father and his wayward son. Orochimaru and Sarutobi glared at each other as the tiles beneath their feet began to crack and the force of their chakra and killing intent was almost overwhelming.
"S-Such Chakra…" one of the Anbu guards said as they felt the pressure of the two.
"Indeed, this is the power of our Hokage, and his former student…" Zo said as he narrowed his gaze under his mask. "We might not be able to assist the Hokage, but be ready if the Barrier comes down…" he instructed while the Naruto Clone arrived on the roof and he stared at the man.
"Old Man…" he whispered, as even he felt the power radiating off the Hokage. "So this…is the power of a Hokage?"
Sarutobi and Orochimaru charged at each other, Orochimaru stretched out a snake from his tongue, and it bit Sarutobi on the neck. Orochimaru smirked before his eyes widened as it became a pile of mud, and he recalled his snake.
Sarutobi went through hand signs as he shouted. "Earth Style: Mud Slide!" he shouted as the roof under Orochimaru's feet became mud and he was swept down the side. "Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bomb!" he shouted as he summoned a Dragon's head made of Earth that bombarded him with mud bullets, but he wasn't down yet as he flashed through more hand signs and shouted. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bomb!" He then lit the mud balls on fire and they impacted Orochimaru as he screamed in pain.
"A-Amazing! He combined Earth and Fire Style!" the Anbu member said as Zo nodded.
"He was once called the Professor and the God of Shinobi for a reason," Zo explained as the Naruto Clone watched in awe.
"Whoa…the old man is wicked strong…" the Clone said while Sarutobi glared.
"Quit the stupid act," he demanded as the mud and fire ended, and Orochimaru emerged from the rooftop without even a scratch.
"Very good, but did you seriously think that level of Jutsu would work on me? I'm insulted Sensei…" Orochimaru mocked, as Sarutobi glared.
"Apologies, my former student, next time I'll make sure to hurt you," he said as the two then dashed forward. Sarutobi throws a single shuriken before flashing through hand signs at blinding speeds. "Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he shouted as the shuriken became many, as Orochimaru smirked as he flashed through hand signs as well.
"Summoning Jutsu: Impure World Reincarnation!" Orochimaru shouted as he slapped his hands together in a sort of prayer, as two large wooden coffins emerged from the ground. "One! Two!" he said as the coffins blocked the shurikens. "Three!" a third Coffin began to rise as Sarutobi cursed.
'Those coffins, I have to stop him from summoning the third coffin!' Sarutobi said as he attempted to stop the coffin from rising. But the Coffin then stopped as it was pulled back into the earth.
'Hmm, I see…so the third was no good after all. Perhaps the Jutsu is still imperfect…or, there is something else denying me access to the Fourth Hokage's soul…oh well, these two will be enough…' Orochimaru thought with a dark glee as the coffin lids opened.
Sarutobi glared as two bodies emerged from the coffins. One was a man in ancient red shinobi armour, with long black hair and brown eyes. While the other wore a blue variation with a white fur collar, red markings on his face and spikey white hair. However, both of them had cracks running through their bodies and had black sclera eyes.
"I-It can't be!" Zo shouted as he gazed upon the two.
"Who are they captain?" his subordinate asked as Sarutobi glared.
"Orochimaru, how dare you defile the dead for your gain. To bring them back from the dead, you are truly vile…though I must say, it's been a long time…I never thought I would see you two again, my old masters…Lord Shodaime and Lord Nidaime," Sarutobi said as the two men looked around.
"What!?" Naruto and the subordinate shouted as Zo nodded.
"Yes, who you see before you are the Lord's First and Second Hokage, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, the founders of our village. This is not good, Lord Hashirama was once considered the first 'God of Shinobi' before Lord Third and the strongest Ninja of his age, even battling Madara Uchiha in the past. While Lord Second, Tobirama, was the man who instituted many of our village's practices and created many of the Jutsu we use today," Zo explained as Tobirama looked around.
"Saru, is that you? You've gotten old…" Tobirama said as he looked around. "It would seem a significant amount of time has passed. If we are here now…" his eyes narrowed at the man behind them. "Ah…I see…the Reincarnation Jutsu…he's used my forbidden Jutsu…" he cursed as Hashirmama sighed.
"I told you not to create that Jutsu, brother. I told you it would come back to bite you in the butt, but no you didn't listen to me," Hashirama said with a shrug as Tobirama turned and glared.
"Shut up elder brother! This is not the time for your nonsense!" Tobirama shouted as Hashirama flinched, then hung his head as a cloud of depression hung over his head.
"...that's the first Hokage?" the subordinate said as he felt a little…underwhelmed by his demeanour.
"In any case…" Tobirama said as he looked back at Orochimaru. "This youngster knows what he's doing. He hasn't brought us back to full strength, otherwise, we could simply overpower his control," Tobirama said as the former snake Sannin grinned.
"Of course, I am no fool, Lord Tobirama, I'm well aware of the capabilities of the First and Second Hokage, and thus have limited your powers. You were reckless when creating such a powerful Jutsu if someone like myself has gotten his hands on it…" Orochimaru mocked as Tobirama glared. "And now that power will help me destroy the village you two created,"
"If I get the chance to break your control, I will teach you some respect, youngster…" Tobirama said with a glare, while Hashirama turned to Sarutobi.
"Saru," Hashirama said as he looked at his former student. "It looks like we have no choice but to fight you, do not hold back. Because in our current state, we will not…" Hashirama instructed as Sarutobi nodded. However, his eyes did glance towards the barrier as he spotted the young Naruto Uzumaki as the two stared at each other.
"Brother?" Tobirama asked as he followed his gaze. "What is it, do you know that child?" he asked as Sarutobi and Orochimaru looked to see Naruto staring at them.
"Naruto…no…a Shadow Clone…" Sarutobi said as Zo and his Anbu looked at him.
"Genin, what are you doing here!? Get back and find cover!" a subordinate said before Zo stopped him.
"It's fine, that's the same boy who went off to face the One Tails. This one is more than likely a Shadow Clone. Besides, it's not like he can do much but watch like us," Zo said while Hashirama and Naruto stared at each other. They didn't know why, but for some reason, they felt a connection with each other. Something neither of them could understand, and yet it felt…
Familiar?
"...it's nothing…" Hashirama said as Orochimaru smirked.
"Well, now that that's taken care of…" Orochimaru said as he drew two Kunai and implanted them into the Kage's heads. "Let's get this show on the road," he said as their bodies began to steam and their appearance became more vigorous.
"They look more like themselves than the last time I saw them…" Sarutobi commented as Orochimaru smirked.
"Of course Sensei, I wanted this to be a proper reunion between Master and Apprentice. It will make it much more exciting when you are cut down by your former mentors…" Orochimaru said with a snicker as Sarutobi glared.
"I won't let you defile their memory, Orochimaru!" Sarutobi shouted as he charged at the two, as the battle began. Sarutobi charged at the three as he flashed through a series of hand signs.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bomb!" he unleashed a massive stream of fire as it propelled itself towards the three, the flames becoming so hot it was almost unbearable. But the second Hokage flashed through hand signs.
"Water Style: Water Wall!" Tobirama expelled a massive amount of water, as it blocked the flames in their path.
"To cast such a Water Style Jutsu with little access to water, I can see why he was the Second Hokage!" Zo commented before the Second flashed through more hand signs. Water particles began to be pulled towards the Second Hokage.
"Water Style: Water Shock Wave!" Tobirama shouted as a massive wave of water rushed towards the aging Hokage before he used a Jutsu Naruto was familiar with.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!" he shouted, but instead of pulling earth from the ground, he spat out mud from his mouth and created a large wall that acted as a shield for the Hokage. The wall stopped the water from sweeping him away and created an almost rocky shore-like landscape. Sarutobi jumped up to the top of his wall, as the First Hokage sped towards him. Sarutobu tried to stop him with fireball Jutsus, but Hashirama merely reflected them. The two briefly engaged in Taijutsu, but the aged Hokage was no match for the reincarnated Hashirama as he was kicked in the face.
"Old man!" the Naruto Clone shouted before Sarutobi was pulled under the water. But just as quickly he managed to escape, only to avoid pressurized water bullets, as they carved through his earth wall and he landed on the roof. The water retreated as he managed to catch his breath.
"To face you two again…is quite a challenge…" Sarutobi managed to breathe out before he noticed a small plant begin to grow beneath the tiles. "Crap, this is not good…" Sarutobi said as he watched more roots and trees begin to grow.
"Hey, what the heck is going on!?" Naruto asked as Zo narrowed his gaze.
"This is…" he said as more roots and trees began to grow and spread out amongst the roof.
"The Secret Ninja Art that only the First could do, damn it," Sarutobi cursed as he bit his thumb and went through hand signs.
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!" Hashirmama shouted as large roots and trees rapidly grew out and created a small forest inside the barrier, the vines and roots quickly wrapping around the Third as they held him in place.
"Whoa…so that's what Pervy-Sage was talking about, the Wood Style of the First Hokage…" the Naruto Clone said as he recalled Jiraiya explaining the Elements and Sub-Elements. Wood is particularly rare as only the First Hokage was ever able to use Wood Style. Sarutobi was essentially trapped by the roots, but he still had just enough strength to stretch out and placed his hand on the root.
"Summoning Jutsu: Monkey King Enma!" a puff of smoke appeared before a large Monkey with long spiky white hair, sideburns and a tail, whilst clad in a black suit with mesh armour underneath, over which was a sleeveless kimono-shirt with white fur trimmings and markings reminiscent of tiger stripes on it, which was held closed by a red sash. Orochimaru glared at the familiar sight before him.
"Something pesky just arrived, figures you'd bring him here for this," Orochimaru said as Enma looked down at the former Snake Sannin and glared.
"Orochimaru…So, it's finally come to this," Enma said with a glare before he turned to Sarutobi. "Hiruzen, you were a fool. You should've killed him when you had the chance, and now you're paying for it," Enma lectures as Sarutobi sighed at his summon.
"Well, that'll change now. I'm going to fix the mistake I made years ago," Sarutobi said as Enma shook his head.
"It's a little too late for that, you're old and past your prime. I won't be surprised if he kills you today," Enma said as Sarutobi struggled against his bindings.
"Enma, transform!" he commanded as Enma nodded, while Orochimaru cursed.
"Stop him!" He commanded the undead Hokage as they charged at the monkey, but Enma was no slouch as he slammed his fist into the Second Hokage's head, and sent him to the ground, while he dodged the First Hokage and sent him away.
"Lucky these things aren't at their full strength, otherwise this fight would be more challenging!" Enma said as he jumped back and struck a pose. "Transform!" he shouted as was enveloped in smoke and became a long black pole with both ends a shade of gold before the pole spun around and smashed the roots around Sarutobi.
"Thanks, Enma!" Sarutobi said as he held the staff in his hands. Meanwhile, the Naruto Clone and the Anu watched on as they felt helpless.
"Damn it, I can't just sit by and do nothing! We've got to help him!" the Clone shouted as the Anbu turned to him.
"We can't, so long as that barrier is up, we can't get inside to assist the Hokage," the Anbu subordinate said as Naruto looked around.
"Well, what about going under? Can that work?" he asked as Zo shook his head.
"No, this barrier Jusu creates a full three-dimensional prison around a certain area. Even if we could get under, we'd only hit the bottom of the barrier and burn up like our fellow squad members. It's impossible to get in or out unless we take out the casters," Zo explained as he pointed to the four Sound Ninjas in place.
Naruto cursed as he desperately tried to think of something. The Old man may have screwed up by not telling him about his parents, but he was still somewhat of a Grandfather to him, and he didn't want to see him die. Not to some freaky snake guy and a bunch of zombies.
"Damn it…there has to be something…" Naruto cursed as he looked around the barrier.
Until a thought came to him, as he quickly looked at the barrier, then down to the edge of the roof and he peeked under to see no barrier underneath, only the beginning of the barrier's floor just touching the ceiling of the Kage's Box. That's when he had an idea and rushed back to the Anbu.
"Hey, this might seem like a dumb question, but…this thing won't float, will it?" he asked as Zo and the others turned to him.
"What?" Zo asked, somewhat intrigued and perplexed by the Genin's question.
"This Barrier, I mean it's not going to float in mid-air is it, right? I mean those Sound Guys are standing on the roof itself, not the barrier. So they're standing on the existing rooftops. It hasn't cut the roof in half, otherwise, this roof would've just fallen by now. So…this might seem insane but…what if we collapse the building? Would the barrier float, or would it destabilize the Jutsu?" He asked as Zo pondered this for a moment.
"Captain! You can't seriously be thinking of using an idea from a Genin, least of all from him!" the Anbu member said as Zo looked between the Naruto Clone and the Barrier.
"Do you have any better options?" Zo asked as the subordinate shut his mouth. "It's a long shot, but anything is better than nothing. We'll need explosive tags, and move Raido out of the way," Zo said as the Clone Nodded.
"I have a few, but it might not be enough," the Clone said as Zo nodded.
"That's fine, we just need to place them on strategic points that we can use to weaken the building," Zo told them as they nodded. He then pointed to four sections of the watchtower. "There, there, there and there, that should be enough to weaken the tower. But against the reincarnated Kage, and Orochimaru it won't be enough…if only Jiraiya-Sama was here," Zo said as the Clone blinked.
"Wait, I can send a Clone to go find Pervy-Sage, I'll tell him we've got a plan to bring the barrier down and get him to come quickly!" the Clone suggested as Zo nodded.
"Can you find him in time, we are in the middle of a war after all?" Zo asked as the Clone looked uncertain.
"I don't know, but I'll try, I can't make any promises. I also need to be real careful, one stray hit and I'm out," the Clone advised as the Captain nodded.
"Do your best Uzumaki, you've given us a chance to save the Hokage, now go," Zo commanded as the Clone nodded and dashed off. "Alright men, let's get to work!" he shouted, as the Naruto Clone and the Anbu sped off in different directions.
"Well now, things are becoming more interesting…" Orochimaru smirked as he opened his mouth and a katana emerged from a snake hidden inside his body.
'That sword…' Sarutobi noticed as Orochimaru held in his hand a long Japanese-styled sword, as he grasped it in his hands.
"I see, so that's the Blade of Kusanagi, a dangerous weapon. Even my body will feel sore from that blade," Enma warned Sarutobi as he held the staff in a thinner form and charged at his former pupil.
He extended Enma as the pole rocketed towards Orochimaru, who dodged the pole with ease. The two quickly exchanged blows as they parried their weapons. Sarutobi extended the pole as Orochimaru blocked it with his blade, although it was clear that Sarutobi was no longer in his prime, and even Enma's Staff form was heavier than before. Then the two reanimated Hokage appear as they manage to kick Sarutobi to the ground. Orochimaru smirked as he looked at his fallen master.
"Rushing at me like that, without even a Shadow Clone by your side, that's mighty reckless of you Sensei," Orochimaru mocked as Sarutobi grunted.
The fact was it wasn't that he didn't but rather he couldn't. The Shadow Clone dispenses Chakra evenly amongst the number of Clones the user makes. And Sarutobi was no longer in his prime, his chakra levels were lower than they used to be. He couldn't needlessly waste his Chakra, especially against two reincarnated Kage.
"You were once called 'the Professor' for being a master of nearly every Jutsu in the Hidden leaf. But now look at you," Orochimaru said as he picked him up but the scruff of his armour. "You're just a pathetic old man, too old to do anything. You should've retired long ago, sensei…" Orochimaru said as Sarutobi looked up into the eyes of his fallen pupil. Memories of better times flashed through his mind as he regretted many things in his life, but none so more than failing to stop his pupil from falling into darkness.
"Maybe…" he said before he grabbed his arms, and kicked his legs, catching the Snake Sannin off guard. "But I've still got some fight left in me!" he shouted, as he kicked Orochimaru in the face, just as Enma stretched his arm from the staff and grabbed him by the neck.
"I'm going to snap your neck, you filthy snake!" Enma shouted as he crushed his neck, only for it to be a Mud Substitute. Orochimaru emerged from the roof and smirked.
"Nice try old man, but that won't work on me!" he shouted before he was kicked in the face again and tumbled away. That was when he activated the two explosive tags on the kages, as they detonated and the two kages lost an arm and leg in the explosion.
"I see…during the fight you managed to tag them with explosives, clever sensei. But ultimately useless," Orochimaru mocked as the Kage's bodies began to repair themselves.
'So, it's as I thought. So long as the Edo-Tensei is active, those bodies will keep regenerating…I need to deal with their Souls that are bound to this earth…' he then looked to Orochimaru as he glared. 'But, a normal sealing Jutsu won't work if he just cancels the Jutsu and brings them back later, or one of his subordinates also knows the Edo-Tensei…wait…that third coffin. If the first two contained the First and Second Hokage, then no doubt that the third one contained Minato. I tried to stop the Jutsu, but it wasn't me that sent it back…perhaps…it was because Minato's soul now resides within the Shinigami's stomach…if that's the case, I have no choice, but to use the same Jutsu that Minato used long ago and seal the First and Second Hokage so they will remain out of his reach…' Sarutobi wagered as he nodded. 'Then I have no choice but to use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, and seal their souls away where no one can get their hands on them…I just hope the countermeasure the Uzumaki Sealing Scroll provides me works. But even if the Countermeasure works, my soul will still be bound for the Shinigami's Stomach, to forever be separated from the Pure Lands and fight for eternity in its stomach… But at least this way, my soul can never be used against the Hidden Leaf Village,' Sarutobi wagered as he prepared to use the Jutsu.
"I must say Sarutobi-Sensei…you're running out of breath a lot, you have gotten old, I can't recall the last time you had such a pained look on your face," Orochimaru with a chuckle as he walked over to his sword and retrieved it.
"And what about that do you find funny?" Sarutobi rebuffed as Orochimaru chuckled.
"It's just funny, that you who were once hailed as the Second 'God of Shinobi', one of the strongest kage in history. But I guess not even the 'God of Shinobi' cannot defeat old age…" Orochimaru said as he reached for his face and pulled off the skin. Sarutobi's eyes widened as instead of his former protege was a young-looking woman, with Orochimaru's pale skin, and his snake-like eyes.
"Who…who the heck are you?" Sarutobi asked the woman who merely smirked.
"Is it really that surprising?" her voice was that of a young woman as she smirked. "It's me…Orochimaru…" she answered as Sarutobi's eyes widened.
"No…it can't be…you completed that Forbidden Jutsu!?" Sarutobi shouted at the woman 'Orochumaru' as she laughed at his face.
Meanwhile - Village Walls
The Giant Snake Summons continued to create havoc amongst the village, as the Leaf Ninja threw explosive tags at the snakes but did little damage to them. the Snake turned to the Ninja as it hissed and destroyed the building they were on, as they only just managed to jump out of the way.
"Damn, there's too many of them! We can't handle this on our own!" one of the Shinobi shouted he did not like their chances against the summons. Snake summons was amongst some of the most powerful summonses in the leaf village. And there was no way one of them could take them down.
"We have to hold the line! We won't let the Leaf Village fall!" Ibiki shouted as he and his fellow men nodded and prepared to fight.
"Summoning Jutsu!" They suddenly heard, as a giant toad with two Katanas on its back, landed on top of the Snake. "Bring Down the House!" the toad's weight instantly kills it. Ibiki looked up as his eyes widened in disbelief.
"I-it can't be!" he said as he looked upon Jiraiya standing on the toad's back.
"Long time no see, Ibiki. Looks like you all have your hands full with this lot. Was your body the only thing that grew?" he asked as Ibiki recognised him?
"Jiraiya-Sama!" he shouted as others gasped.
"Jiraiya! You mean one of the three legendary Sannin!?" his comrade asked as Jiraiya smirked and imitated a Kabuki dance.
"That's right!? Open your eyes wide! For it is I! One of the Legendary Sannin and the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku! I am the one, the only! Master Jiraiya!" he shouted as he grinned while posing like a Kabuki dancer. The snakes backed off as they were frozen by the glare of the road. "Ha! You snakes are scared of one toad's glare! Slither back to your holes!" he shouted before his expression grew serious.
'So…you finally started Orochimaru…I was hoping this would never happen…' Jiraiya thought grimly as Ibiki landed next to him. "Where is the Sandaime?" he asked the scarred Shinobi gesturing to the arena.
"He's at the Exam Arena. Reports indicate that he's engaged in a fight with Orochimaru and the reincarnated forms of the first and second Hokage. A Barrier was also erected at the top of the main watchtower, and we couldn't get through. We've also got reports Naruto Uzumaki is currently fighting against Gaara, who's taken on a Tailed Beast form. But it seems he has managed to draw him away from the village," Ibiki informed as Jiraiya nodded.
"I see…there's not much we can do, but protect the village. Let's deal with the snakes, you and your men continue fighting the Sand and Sound," he said as Ibiki nodded.
"Understood," he said as Jiraiya looked to the arena, as he could just make out the purple barrier.
'Old man…don't die on us…' he thought before he noticed someone rushing towards him. 'Wait, is that?' he thought as the Naruto Clone landed on the toad's head.
"Pervy-Sage! Finally! I've been looking all over for you!" the Clone shouted as Ibiki blinked.
"Uzumaki? How are you?" Ibiki asked as Jiraiya placed a hand on his shoulder.
"He's a Shadow Clone, must've sent one out into the village to find me. What do you need, I'm a little busy here if you haven't noticed?" Jiraiya told the Clone who gestured to the Snakes.
"I know, but listen! The old man is in trouble! He needs your help!" the Clone said as Jiraiya nodded.
"I know, but even from here, I can tell that barrier is the Four Violet Pillars technique. Not something a normal shinobi can easily take down, not even the old man if he's fighting off Orochimaru. I doubt even I can break through," Jiraiya told the Clone as the Clone shook his head.
"That's the thing, I might have a plan to take it down!" he said as Ibiki and Jiraiya blinked.
"Bring it down, how? It's one of the most powerful barrier type Jutsu's, only something extremely powerful like a tailed beast could break through," Ibiki said as the Clone grinned.
"Yeah…but my Clone figured out that we won't have to break the barrier down…just the tower it's on," the Clone said as Jiraiya blinked and looked back to the arena.
"Could it be…heh, kid. You are full of surprises…" he told the Clone as he patted his head. "Hey, Gamahiro! Can you handle these guys by yourself?" he asked as the toad nodded.
"Of course master Jiraiya!" Gamahiro said as he drew his katanas. "These worms are nothing compared to me, now go help the old monkey!" he told Jiraiya as the Toad Sage nodded.
"Thank you. Ibiki, I'm leaving you in charge of Gamahiro, he'll deal with these guys, no sweat. I'm going to help the old man." he ordered before turning to Naruto. "Alright kid, let's go help the old man," he said as the Clone nodded and dashed off with him.
Ibiki stared in disbelief before he smirked. "That kid…he's something else," he said as he turned to face the snakes. "Right then…" he said as Gamahiro lunged at the snakes, decapitating two with his blades. "Let's end this!" he shouted as the counterattack began.
Earlier - Exam Stadium
Sarutobi glared at the form of the young woman that held the soul of his fallen apprentice, Orochimaru as the Snake Sannin smirked.
"Why are you so shocked, sensei? It's been 10 years since I left the village old man, I've had a long time to complete my research. And the results are as you see, I've created a Jutsu that will anchor me to this world forever. By using this Jutsu, I can implant my spirit into that of a younger body, thereby regaining a sense of youth and bypassing age…" Orochimaru explained as Sarutobi glared.
"You truly have become an inhuman monster, your twisted sense of ideology, your immoral experiments…it's one of the reasons I didn't choose you to become the Fourth Hokage," Sarutobi said with disgust as Orochimaru shrugged.
"Honesty, I no longer care for such a silly title. The only reason I chose my old face was so that you would be filled with nostalgia at our reunion. All I want is to continue my research, to understand everything about this world, gain all the Jutsu's in the world and become 'the Ultimate Being'. But I must admit, the Jutsu I've created has a flaw. While I can transfer my soul into a newer body, eventually age catches up and I am forced to find a new, more youthful body. But after you are long dead and gone, I will have myself a new younger body to continue my pursuit," Orochimaru explained as Sarutobi's eyes widened and figured out Orochimaru's goals.
"I see…so that's why you want Sasuke Uchiha, you want to take over his body," he said as Orochimaru smirked.
"Correct, I plan to take over his body and make it my own, once it's been aged a bit and made more to my liking. The Uchiha have always fascinated me, with their Sharingan's abilities to copy Ninjutsu, a useful tool for my research…" he told the old man who glared.
"I will never let you have him! I will correct my mistakes from years ago! And kill you!" Sarutobi declared as Orochimaru smirked.
"You are far too late, Sensei…" Orochimaru said as his old face returned. "You will die with this face being the last thing you ever see," Orochimaru declared as the First Hokage was prepared to activate his wood style.
"Hey! Snake Bastard!"
Their heads were turned as they saw the Clone of Naruto Uzumaki as he stood in front of the barrier. A determined glare in his eyes as he stared at the Snake Sannin.
"Oh, what's this, does the Nine-Tails brat have some final words for the decrepit old man?" Orochimaru mocked as Naruto glared at the Sannin.
"I do have something to say. Old man, we're going to get you out!" he said as Orochimaru smirked while the Sound Ninja with the Orange hair, Jirobo, laughed.
"Fat chance brat! Nothing gets in or out of this barrier! So you might as well sit back and watch the old man croak!" Jirobo mocked while the Naruto Clone glared.
"Naruto! Get out of here! There's nothing more you can do!" he told the Clone who shook his head.
"Not going to happen, the thing I want to tell you old man…" he said as gestured to the floor. "Is that you might want to hold on," he said before suddenly a series of explosions went off.
"What!?" Orochimaru yelled, as sections of the watch tower were lined with explosive tags, as they detonated all at once. The foundations of the roof crumbled as the tower began to tilt to one side.
"Wh-whoa! I can't keep my footing!" Jirobo shouted as the roofing under him began to collapse.
"You idiot! Hold your position or the barrier will come down!" The redhead Sound Kunoichi, Tayuya, screeched before she too lost her balance and the roof began to crumble. "Shit!" she screamed as the entire watchtower began to collapse and the barrier was brought down.
"Enma!" Sarutobi shouted, as Enma multiplied and created a cage to protect the kage, while the building and the forest came crashing down.
"Kakashi! Look!" Gai yelled as the barrier Jutsu was coming down along with the tower. Kakashi ran in front as he flashed through hand signs.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!" Kakashi shouted as he ran in front and created a mud wall that protected the crowd from the falling debris. A large cloud of dust clouded the arena as the tower collapsed.
"Lord Orochimaru!" Kabuto shouted before he was consumed by the dust and debris. When the dust finally settled, Orochimaru emerged from the rubble and he coughed out the dust. His eyes then widened as his barrier was down, and his subordinates were currently buried under a pile of rubble, as they struggled to get up. "Lord Orochimaru, hold on! I'm coming!" Kabuto shouted before he was intercepted by Kakashi and Gai.
"You aren't going anywhere, Kabuto…" Kakashi said as Kabuto growled in annoyance. Meanwhile, Orochimaru looked around at the destruction as he could not comprehend what just happened.
"Impossible! There's no way they could've taken down the barrier!" Orochimaru cursed.
"You underestimate my Shinobi, Orochimaru," Sarutobi said as Enma extended and freed him from the debris. "I will admit it's not the most orthodox method, but next time, make sure your barrier isn't on a location that can be easily toppled," Sarutobi smirked before members of the Anbu appeared in front of the Hokage.
"Lord Hokage!" they shouted as they removed their cloaks and drew their swords.
"Zo, glad to see you and your men here. I'm curious as to how you came up with the plan to take down the barrier," Sarutobi thanked as Zo shook his head.
"It was the Uzumaki that came up with the plan," Zo said as he raised his blade. "Honestly, if it wasn't for his outside-the-box thinking, we'd never have thought of destroying the building to get inside. It was a risk, but one that might've just given us a chance," Zo said as his opinion on the Uzumaki was shifting.
"I see…Naruto sure is full of surprises, where is the Clone?" Sarutobi asked as Zo shook his head.
"The Clone didn't make it, he got caught up in the debris and was dispelled. The current condition of the original is unknown, but if there are still Clones protecting the civilians, then he must still be fighting Gaara," Zo informed as Sarutobi nodded. That was when the reincarnated Kage emerged from the debris. Their limbs and bodies repairing as they returned to their original state.
"Damn, not even a building will stop them," Zo cursed as he and his men held their weapons up.
"So long as their souls are tied to this realm, or until Orochimaru cancels the Jutsu, their bodies will continue to regenerate. I have a plan to stop them, but I need you to keep those other Ninjas off my back," he informed Zo who nodded.
"Understood, Lord Hokage," he said as he and his men charged at the Sound Four, as they emerged and looked pissed beyond hell.
"That damn brat…I'm going to fucking skin him!" Jiboro shouted before he cursed as Zo and his men clashed with their blades.
"Hold them off!" Zo shouted as he and his men fought off the Sound Four. Orochimaru glared as the two reanimated Kage stood beside him.
"Do you honestly think this will change anything? You may have taken down my barrier, but you're still outmatched by my Reanimated Kage, and you don't have much Chakra left. You're nothing but an old washed-up monkey!" Orochimaru said as Sarutobi glared.
"I'm well aware, my former pupil. But this old Monkey still has some tricks up his sleeves!" Sarutobi shouted as two more Sarutobi's appeared, and Enma's eyes widened.
'Those hand signs!'
"Shadow Clones? To think you would risk shortening your life span, on something so reckless!" Orochimaru shouted as Sarutobi glared and went through the hand signs.
"Sealing Art: Dead Demon Consuming Seal!" Sarutobi shouted as he performed the Jutsu, the phantom form of the Shinigami appeared behind him. Its form was that of a translucent, gaunt spectre with a demonic visage. It was much larger than an average human, possessing long shaggy white hair, from which two red horns protrude, as well as purple-coloured skin. It is draped in a large white kimono and carries a set of prayer beads in one hand and a tanto blade in its mouth. Hovering just in front of the Shinigami was a silhouette of Sarutobi, made of Chakra and bound by the Shinigami's hair. Sarutobi looked behind him as he stared at the being.
'So…this is the Shinigami…' Sarutobi noted as he looked at the creature. 'So, it's true that only those that have created a contract with this being can see it, otherwise, Orochimaru would've said something…' Sarutobi noted as he looked back to Orochimaru and down to his heart.
'I just hope the 'countermeasure' I got from the Uzumaki Sealing Scroll will do as it's told, otherwise, my life will end here and now… then again, I am not afraid to die. Only afraid that I won't stop Orochimaru once and for all…' Sarutobi declared as he strengthened his resolve.
"What's this, a Jutsu even I am unfamiliar with? Interesting, it seems you have a few more tricks up your sleeve, sensei. But now it's time to bring this little reunion to an end…" Orochimaru said as he held up his sword and the First Hokage was about to use a Jutsu. When suddenly.
"Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld!" they suddenly heard as the ground beneath the Kage's feet became that of a swamp as they plummeted into the mud.
"What!? This Jutsu!" Orochimaru cursed before a presence landed on an upturned root.
"Ho Ho Ho! It's been a while, eh Orochimaru?" Jiraiya said as he stood on top of the root Orochimaru turned and glared at his former teammate.
"You…I should've known you'd come running here," Orochimaru cursed as Jiraiya grinned.
"You know me, I always liked to ruin your day!" Jiraiya said as he turned to his sensei. "You're not looking so good, Sensei. Has age finally caught up with you?" he asked as Sarutobi sighed.
"It would seem so, how did you know to come here, and what of the village?" he asked as Jiraiya smirked.
"Don't worry, everything is under control, you taught them all after all, old man," Jiraiya grinned as all around the village, the counter-attack was beginning as the tide was quickly turning on the Sand and Sound, having no time to react to the surprise counter. "And as for me, let's just say a little fox told me to get here in a hurry."
"...I see…I suppose I have Naruto to thank for this as well?" Sarutobi said as Orochimaru growled.
"Even I must admit, I'm becoming more and more annoyed by that Nine-Tailed Brat. Though I must say I was surprised you took on another apprentice. You haven't taken on anyone since little Minato. What changed your mind?" Orochimaru asked as Jiraiya shrugged and smirked.
"What can I say, the kid surprises me?" he said as Orochimaru glared and brought up his sword.
"As touching as this is, this little reunion ends here!" he declared as Jiraiya and Sarutobi got ready, while Hashirama used his Wood Style to free themselves from the mud.
"Ho boy, this is not going to be easy, I suppose you have a plan, old man?" Jiraiya asked as he nodded.
"I do, the only way to stop them is to seal them away. I have to use the Jutsu Minato used, but in my condition, I will need help. These two are not at the same level as they were when they were alive, but be careful, they are still strong," Sarutobi told him as Jiraiya looked back to his sensei and nodded.
"Understood…" Jiraiya said as he flashed through hand signs. "Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" He unleashed a powerful flame that rocketed towards the three, as Tobirama countered with his own Water Style. "Figures, even in a weaker state, these Hokage are tough!" Jiraiya remarked as Orochimaru lunged at his former teammate as his sword missed him by a hair.
"Straight for the neck, just as usual, Orochimaru?"
"Even after all these years, you are still as oafish as ever," Orochimaru said as he swung his sword at his former comrade. "Wind Style: Breakthrough!" he sucked in air as Jiraiya countered.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!" he shouted as the Mud Wall blocked the wind attack. However, he had to dodge, as Orochimaru's sword cut through the stone and a snake lunged out from his sleeve. Only at the last minute was it blocked, as Jiraiya's hair extended and covered his body in thick spike-like armour. The spikes killed the Snake, as Orochimaru's neck stretched out to bite his former comrade, only to disappear in a puff of smoke and left a log in its place.
"Substitution - gah!" Orochimaru shouted as Jiraiya burst from the ground and palm struck him in the chest.
"On oldy but classic," he said before he noticed the body turn into mud, as he cursed slightly. "Damn, copying bastard!" he said before he was suddenly attacked by the Second Hokage, who flashed before him. "Damn!" he shouted before the Reincarnated kage stabbed him in the chest with his Kunai…
Only for it to be another substitution. "Phew, that was a close one…" Jiraiya said before Hashirama appeared above him, Chakra around his fist as Jiraiya dodged, and the First's fist smashed into the ground creating a large crater.
"So, you're Tsunade's grandfather?" he said as he looked upon the First Hokage. "I can see where Tsunade got her strength from…" he grinned, before Orochimaru appeared behind him, ready to cut him down.
"It ends here, Jiraiya!" he said as he swung his sword and cut him in half. Only for Jiraiya to grin as he turned into a mud pile. "Damn! substitution" Orochimaru cursed before he felt a rush of spinning wind, as Jiraiya and two clones held a spiralling sphere in their hands.
"You have no idea how right you are…" he said as he slammed the Jutsu into Orochimaru's back. "Rasengan!" he and his clones shouted as Orochimaru screamed as the swirling ball of condensed chakra ripped into his back and sent him flying into the many roots grown from the first Hokage's Wood Style. Hasirama and Tobirama as well were also hit by the Rasengans, used by the two Jiraiya clones, as they were propelled at alarming speeds into the roots, as their bodies were damaged by the powerful technique.
Kabuto was busy blocking Kakashi and Gai's attack when he heard his master's scream as he snapped his head to see the man crash into one of the roots as his eyes widened.
"Lord Orochimaru!" he shouted before he had to avoid a Raikiri to the face.
"Your fight is with us!" Kakashi said, as Kabuto cursed before he felt a swift kick to his ribs and he coughed out blood, as Gai landed a powerful blow to the traitorous Shinobi.
"Well said my eternal rival!" Gai grinned as Kabuto cursed while using his Chakra to heal his internal wounds.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru cursed as he was forced to shed his skin, and emerged from his damaged body like a Snake shedding its skin. However, the Rasengan was a powerful Jutsu, and even his substitution jutsu wasn't enough to completely negate the damage performed by the Rasengan.
"Damn…that Jutsu…even in death, Minato's Jutsu is still as powerful as the day he created it…" he muttered. "This…is not going to plan, but I still have the advantage. I just need to" he was about to say before two of Sarutobi's clones grabbed the bodies of the reincarnated kage.
"Now!" Sarutobi said the Shinigami wrapped the prayer beads around its arm, as black markings appeared on its skin. Before plunging its arm into the Sarutobi silhouette, its arm shot out of the clones and into the Kage's chest. They then stopped moving, as the Shinigami began to pull their souls out of their bodies. At first, Orochimaru assumed this wouldn't be enough to stop them. However, that changed when their bodies began to break down and he felt his control disappear.
"What is this Jutsu!?" Orochimaru yelled as Hashirama and Tobirama regained consciousness.
"Saru…forgive us…" Hashirama said as he smiled at his former pupil. "It seems we caused you a lot of trouble…" he said as Sarutobi shook his head.
"No, I must be the one to ask for forgiveness, I am about to seal your souls away from the afterlife so that they can be never used again with the Edo-Tensei," Sarutobi said as Tobirama nodded.
"I see, it's alright Sarutobi…this is for the best…this way we can never harm anyone else…you made the right call…" Tobirama said as he smiled. "You have made us proud…Sandaime…" he said before their souls were pulled from their bodies and they were sealed into the clones, before dissipating. The bodies of the two kage crumbled into dust, as they were revealed to have the two Sound Shinobi that failed the Chunin Exam.
"...You used your subordinates…as a sacrifice?" Sarutobi asked with disgust, as Orochimaru glared.
"Did you truly not value the life of your men? They believed in you and you used them like puppets!" Jiraiya shouted as he stood beside his sensei.
"Value the lives of my men? Don't be ridiculous, you two are products of a naive belief! They served their purpose, that's all that matters!" Orochimaru said as he drew his sword and Enma returned to Sarutobi's hand. The three charged as Sarutobi and Orochimaru exchanged blows before Sarutobi managed to knock the sword away, as Jiraiya caught it in mid-air.
"I'll be taking this!" Jiraiya shouted as he buried the sword deep into a tree root. Orochimaru cursed before Sarutobi extended Enma, who sprouted his arm from the staff ready to strangle the snake Sannin.
"Ninja Art: Striking Shadow Snake!" Orochimaru shouted as multiple snakes shouted out from his sleeve, and wrapped themselves around Enma.
"Damn it! You little snake!" Enma cursed before Sarutobi appeared before Orochimaru and grabbed him by the shoulders and glared into his eyes.
"This ends here!" he shouted as the Shinigami's arm emerged from his chest and plunged itself into Orochimaru's chest. He instantly felt his body incapable of moving, he mentally commanded his sword to come to him, but Jiraiya was doing all he could to keep the blade in the tree.
"Damn it! Hurry up, old man! This sword is annoying! I don't know how long I can keep it at bay!?" Jiraiya shouted as he kept his hands gripped tightly on the sword, as it struggled to escape his grasp and the tree.
"D-Damn you…old man…" Orochimaru struggled as he tried to activate a Jutsu, but found they didn't work. "M-My Jutsu, they aren't working!?" he shouted with fear, as Sarutoni smirked.
"The Dead Demon Consuming Seal. It will not allow you to use your own Jutsu to stop it, it will take your soul and seal it inside of me. Your Soul is halfway out right now, so you should be able to see it," Sarutobi said as Orochimaru's eyes widened as the Shinigami appeared before him. The souls of Hashirama and Tobirama appeared before they were cut from Sarutobi's body and devoured by the demon.
"This…is the Shinigami!?" Orochimaru screamed as he looked upon the face of death itself. "No! No! I refuse to die like this! I won't be killed by a withered old man like yourself!" he shouted as Sarutobi grinned.
"There is no escaping this, Orochimaru! This is where you die!" Sarutobi shouted as the Shinigami continued to pull out the man's soul.
"So…this is the Jutsu the Fourth Hokage used…to seal the Nine-tails in…" Orochimaru grunted in pain, as his soul was slowly being pulled out of him. "It doesn't…seem to be quite as fast as before…" Orochimaru noted as he grinned. "I guess…this means you are almost out of strength, Sarutobi? Otherwise, my soul would've already been pulled out, eh Sensei? So I wonder…what will happen if you don't have the strength to pull my soul free?" Orochimaru asked with a dark grin as Sarutobi cursed.
"And don't you see…my men and the Sands are destroying the village, even as we speak…even if you manage to kill me…my side…will win regardless…" Orochimaru said as Sarutobi glared into his eyes.
"D-Damn…" Jiraiya said as he struggled to hold the sword in place. "Old man! Hurry up! I can't hold this damn thing forever!" he shouted as Sarutobi cursed.
'He's right…I don't have enough strength left to fully pull out his soul. The two Shadow Clones I made used up most of my Chakra…and even pulling the souls of Hashirama and Tobirama Sensei pushed it to its limit…I…I don't think I can pull his entire soul out…' Sarutobi surmised as he looked down at the arms of Orochimaru's soul, struggling against the Shinigami.
'...but…if I can't take his soul…then maybe…I can take something else from him…the one thing he cares about the most…' he realized as Enma raised a brow from his prone position.
"Sarutobi?" Enma said as Sarutobi grinned softly.
"...You're right…Orochimaru…I don't have the strength to pull out your soul…" he said before he looked up and he glared into his pupil's eyes. "However…you should know…to never underestimate the Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf!" he said as a hawk flew above, and all around the village, the Leaf Shinobi pushed back the forces.
From the Hyuga Clan, Inuzka, Abarame, and Ino-Shika-Cho Generations, to the Anbu and their fellow Shinobi as they changed the tide of the war and brought down the enemy forces.
"They will fight to protect their home and the ones they love! They gain their strength by protecting each other, and that is something you never understood!" Sarutobi yelled as Orochimaru cursed.
"And even though I can't pull out your soul, I can give you an appropriate punishment. You who have been obsessed with Ninjutsu, I will take your Jutsu from you, forever!" Sarutob shouted as Orochimaru's eyes widened.
"What!?" he shouted as the Shinigami raised his blade above him, as Orochimaru's eyes widened. "No! No stop! Don't do it! Stop!" Orochimaru shouted as the blade came down, and the blade severed the arms of Orochimaru's soul from his body.
"Seal!" Sarutobi shouted as his arms were sealed away into himself, and the same seal that Naruto possessed appeared on his chest.
Orochimaru's eyes widened as his arms fell limply by his side, as they slowly turned a darker shade of violet and he no longer felt any control over them at all. He couldn't feel any of them at all, or the Jutsu he had cultivated for years…
...It was all gone...
"M-My Arms…" he weakly muttered as he felt them slip away. While Sarutobi himself felt his soul being taken by the Shinigami. "W-What have you done to me!? What have you done to my arms!" Orochimaru screamed as Sarutobi began to feel weak.
'It's started…I hope this works…I still have my promise to keep…with Naruto…' Sarutobi weakly thought as he brought up his hand in a single-hand sign. 'Uzumaki Sealing Art:...Reaper's Deal…' a small seal located on the old man's chest, in the shape of the Uzumaki swirl glowed red, as it spread itself across his heart. The Shinigami seemed to notice this as the Seal Spread over the top half of Sarutobi's soul, locking it in place as the Shnigami's hair bindings were burnt off and he was released.
The Reapers Deal was a Sealing Jutsu created by a long-dead Uzumaki Seal Master, created some time after the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Its purpose was to anchor a portion of the user's soul to their body, thereby temporarily denying the Shinigami all of the user's soul. However, the seal would not last forever. In exchange for an extended lease on life, the Shinigami would determine when the deal would be concluded and a portion of the user's soul must be taken as compensation. Sarutobi suddenly lost his balance and fell to the floor.
"Sensei!" Jiraiya shouted as the sword stopped moving, and he dashed over to his fallen Sensei. The old man grasped at his legs, as he felt them become useless. However, the old man looked up at Orochimaru as he grinned.
"What are you smiling at, you shitty old man!" Orochimaru yelled as he glared at the old man, as he began to pass out. But not before he saw the fading image of his pupil's youth, and dwelled on the nostalgic memories he once had with his fallen pupil.
"Sarutobi!" Enma yelled as Jiraiya checked his pulse.
"He's alive…but in no condition to fight…" he said as he turned his attention to Orochimaru who glared at him.
"Lord Orochimaru!" Sakon yelled as he and the rest of the sound four broke off their battle and rushed to their master. "Lord Orochimaru!? Are you alright?!" he asked as Orochimaru cursed in pain as he glared at his former mentor that now rested peacefully in Jiraiya's arms, who glared at him.
"...It's over…we're leaving…" Orochimaru said as the Four nodded and grabbed hold of Orochimaru, but not before Zo and his Anbu landed next to Jiraiya,
"You're not going anywhere!" Zo said as he and his men raised their blades at them. But that didn't stop them as the Shinobi with six arms, Kidomaru, flashed through hand signs.
"Ninja Art: Spiders Web Net!" he yelled as he spat a large spider's web at the Jiraiya and blocked them.
"Damn! This web is made of Chakra!" Zo cursed as Orochimaru and his men ran from the area. "Shit! They're getting away!" Zo said, "Should we go after them!?" he asked Jiraiya as he glared at their retreating forms.
"...No…the battle is over…besides, we don't have enough men to chase after them and we need to secure our defences. And we've got bigger concerns to worry about," he said as he walked back to the old man.
"Lord Hokage!" Zo said as he and his men rushed over to him. "Lord Third…is he?" he asked as Jiraiya shook his head.
"He's alive but he needs immediate medical attention," Jiraiya said as Zo nodded.
"Understood," he said as he turned to his men. "Go find a medic, tell them to get here as soon as possible!" he ordered before Sarutobi grunted.
"I…I'm fine…" Sarutobi said as he opened his eyes. "Focus on…the others…" he said as Zo stared at the Sandaime before he nodded.
"...Yes…Lord Hokage…" he said as he jumped away with his men, while Jiraiya held him up.
"Stubborn old man…" Jiraiya said. "Well, it looks like the countermeasure worked, you're still alive…" he said as Sarutobi nodded.
"Indeed…it seems once again I owe Naruto if he hadn't found that Sealing Scroll…I would no doubt be dead…" he said as he gripped his legs. "However…I'm afraid this is the end of my career…" he said as Jiraiya raised a brow.
"...I can't…feel my legs…"
And Scene. Well, here is Chapter XIV of Journal of Hope. Wow, this was a long chapter to write, so I had to split it in two. I hope you all enjoyed it.
So yeah, I decided to change it up and have Sarutobi live just a bit longer. Now, this seal was a fan creation, and it's not perfect. As you can see, the Third Hokage can no longer walk, thus his career as Hokage is over. And the reason Minato never used it, was because neither he nor Kushina knew the Scroll was hidden inside the Uzumaki Compound. So they never knew, plus it's fanfiction, a little leniency is allowed. But yeah, now the old man can no longer continue as Hokage, but now he can keep his promise and tell Naruto more about his parents, and keep the Hokage's souls out of Orochimaru or Kabuto's hands. And despite the chance it could've been to kill Orochimaru, he is vital to the Fourth Shinobi War. The next chapter will explain how long he has, been and the conditions of the Seal, but I hope you all enjoyed it and leave a review, as I enjoy reading your reviews. So stay tuned for the next exciting chapter in…
Chapter XV: Aftermath