Chapter 215: Orochimaru Will Make the Uchiha Clan Great Again!
The cold sound of grinding metal echoed endlessly through the vast underground factory. The air was filled with the nauseating stench of chakra mixed with machine oil.
Hashirama Senju was still forced to repeat monotonous motions, infusing his Wood Style chakra bit by bit into the specially made scroll before him. Gone was his usual hearty and cheerful demeanor, replaced by deep exhaustion and suppressed anger.
Those eyes, which had once witnessed the end of the chaotic Warring States Period and the founding of Konoha's golden age, were now dull and lifeless.
Only when he occasionally glanced at his brother, similarly bound beside him, did complex emotions flash across his face.
"Tobirama… You said the Impure World Reincarnation you invented would end up being used on ourselves… Is this what they call—reaping what you sow?"
Hashirama's voice was hoarse, tinged with self-mockery. His hands didn't stop, his chakra output as steady as a machine.
Tobirama Senju snorted coldly, his silver hair swaying slightly with his mechanical movements. He was responsible for the more precise calibration of jutsu formulas; every chakra circuit connection required extreme precision.
"Brother, there's no point in saying that now. Thinking about how to escape, or at least figuring out what that Orochimaru intends to do, is the priority."
His tone was as cold as ever, but his furrowed brows betrayed his inner turmoil.
They had been "working" here for an unknown amount of time. The concept of time blurred here. Only the semi-finished products constantly delivered on the assembly line and the occasional mechanical sounds from the distance reminded them that they were merely cogs in the machine.
Rasa, the unfortunate Fourth Kazekage, after his initial rage, had also gradually fallen silent, leaving only numb labor. Occasionally, Hashirama could hear his unwilling whispers, cursing Orochimaru, cursing this endless torture.
Suddenly, deep within the factory, the teleportation device connecting to an unknown space erupted with blinding light again. A strong chakra fluctuation, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirred up ripples.
Hashirama and Tobirama paused simultaneously, their gazes drawn to the light.
Another "newcomer" had arrived.
As the light faded, a slightly aged but still upright figure stumbled out, crashing heavily onto the cold metal floor with a muffled thud. Like the other Kage, he wore simple work clothes.
"Subject: Fire-003. Recording ability characteristics: Mastery of Five Nature Transformations… Identity confirmed."
A cold electronic voice broadcasted emotionlessly in the factory.
"Task assignment: Construction of core arrays for composite sealing scrolls, calibration of chakra attribute balance. Execution begins immediately."
The figure slowly raised his head, revealing a face incredibly familiar to Konoha ninjas.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage!
His eyes were filled with shock, confusion, and a lingering deathly stillness.
"Little monkey?!"
Hashirama exclaimed, nearly dropping the scroll in his hand. He couldn't believe his eyes.
Tobirama was also stunned, the cold mask on his face cracking.
"Monkey… how did you…"
Hiruzen looked at the First and Second Hokage before him. Two predecessors, now prisoners just like him. He opened his mouth to speak, but found his throat too dry to make a sound. The scene before him was even more despairing and absurd than the collapse of Konoha he saw before dying.
"Lord First… Lord Second…"
"I…"
"This… this is Orochimaru…"
Hiruzen's voice was strained. He finally understood where he was and who had dragged him from the Pure Land back to this place of despair.
"Look at the fine student you taught…" Tobirama said coldly, scrutinizing Hiruzen sharply. His hands didn't stop working, but his tone carried obvious blame. "It seems Konoha ultimately headed towards the ending we least wanted to see."
Hiruzen's face showed pain. He couldn't refute it. As Hokage, he bore inescapable responsibility. Moreover, Orochimaru was indeed his student.
"Sensei… I—"
Hiruzen wanted to explain, but swallowed the words. Tobirama's blame was justified.
"Tobirama, now isn't the time to assign blame," Hashirama said gravely. He was most concerned about the village he built. "Monkey, Konoha… how is Konoha?"
Hiruzen's body moved uncontrollably toward his assigned workstation, beginning his daily tasks according to the commands. While skillfully constructing complex sealing arrays, he recounted in a heavy tone the plight of Konoha, the assassination of the Daimyo, and his own death in battle.
Hashirama listened with heart-wrenching pain, but his working hands never stopped. "Orochimaru… that bastard! He actually… actually destroyed the village!"
Tobirama focused more on the details. "The Daimyo were all killed? What was the reaction of the other villages? Why does your student, Orochimaru, possess technology far surpassing yours? How did he learn these things?"
As they conversed, familiar footsteps approached.
Orochimaru, wearing his signature sinister smile, appeared before the three. Behind him followed countless identical "androids" in Sound Village uniforms, moving in perfect unison.
"Heh heh heh… Sensei, it seems you've already caught up with Lord First and Lord Second."
Orochimaru's gaze lingered on Hiruzen, amused. "Adapting to your new work environment so quickly saves me a lot of trouble."
"Orochimaru! You traitorous disciple!" Hiruzen roared, but his body couldn't make any aggressive moves.
"Traitorous disciple?" Orochimaru licked his lips. "Sensei, you still call me that. However, I don't really care."
"Since you were unwilling to move forward with me, this is the only way. As Kage, you are still somewhat useful."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Tobirama.
"By the way, speaking of Konoha, I also helped you clean up the Uchiha clan within the village, although I just wanted their Sharingan."
"Speaking of which, my most respected Lord Second, you were truly far-sighted."
"The Uchiha clan could never enter the inner circle of the high command, only daring to show off within the authority of the Military Police Force. As those who punish crime, they were easily resented. Although they dared not truly dictate to the Konoha high command, for various reasons, they also became more arrogant towards the lower class."
"Placing them on the edge of the village, supposedly to monitor criminals, was actually segregating them. Forcing them into a corner step by step, cannibalizing them."