"Is it really such a big deal?" Homura slammed the table heavily, angrily rebuking Orochimaru. "How can you even ask that!"
"Toying with the dead, bringing them back to life! You ask me if it's a big deal?"
"Indeed!" Torifu chimed in.
No matter what, the Edo Tensei was far too evil!
"Khu khu!" Orochimaru gave them a disdainful look. "But haven't you noticed that my dear teacher hasn't said a word?"
"Besides, you aren't the dead. How do you know the dead aren't willing to return?"
"And all of you were the Second Hokage's disciples. Why are you so surprised?"
Orochimaru countered: "Don't you know the reason the Second Hokage created this technique?"
"..." Hearing Orochimaru's words, everyone fell silent!
Of course, they knew why the Second Hokage created this technique… Wasn't it to protect Konoha for all eternity?
But summoning the dead back... everyone here was afraid of that.
Not to mention other things, just consider how the Senju Clan declined, and how the Uchiha Clan met their end…
If the Second Hokage were to appear now, he would immediately hold them, his disciples, accountable!
So none of them wanted the Second Hokage to return.
Truth be told, compared to the Second, they would prefer...
"Wait a minute!"
Looking at the scroll on the table, Koharu suddenly realized something.
"This scroll is marked 'Dan'. Could it be…!!?"
Thinking of that possible man, Koharu's expression changed drastically!
"Correct. It's precisely that person!" Orochimaru revealed a pleased smile. He had been waiting a long time to see their expressions!
"So, would you like to see him? Your old teammate?" Orochimaru asked.
Hearing Orochimaru's words, everyone exchanged glances. They hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, they opened the scroll!
Bang!
The scroll's seal was released, and a puff of smoke appeared.
Then, a black coffin, using the scroll as its base, gradually rose from the ground!
Then...
Thud!
The coffin door was kicked open from the inside.
A youthful-looking, incredibly handsome, but entirely gray, like an uncolored wax figure… Danzo stepped out coldly.
He swept his cold gaze around the room and spoke: "Well, well, everyone. Long time no see."
Yes, returning to the world of the living through the Edo Tensei… this was the reason Danzo hadn't applied the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing to himself!
"Dan... Danzo..." Staring at Danzo, everyone was utterly stunned!
Fortunately, Hiruzen, who had known about this all along and was the direct facilitator and tacit approver, showed no surprise.
He simply asked the most critical question: "Orochimaru, and you, Danzo. How is the combat power of those revived by the Edo Tensei? Can it withstand Yuki Sora?"
After all, if Sora could kill them in life, why couldn't he do the same in death?
Hearing the question, Danzo revealed a wild, arrogant smile.
"Of course it can! Why wouldn't it?"
Only after his death did Danzo realize how powerful the Edo Tensei was.
If he had known the Edo Tensei was this strong earlier, he would have long since formed an Edo Tensei Army using Root's Ninjas!
"Let me put it this way," Danzo addressed the group. "I currently retain my original strength, possess infinite Chakra, and am immortal and indestructible!"
"What!!?"
Hearing Danzo's words, everyone was shocked once more.
Infinite Chakra, immortality, and indestructibility… these sounded nothing like attributes a normal person could possess!
And after the shock came ecstatic joy!
"Good, good! Excellent! Truly excellent!" Homura Mitokado laughed heartily. "I thought Konoha would decline in our hands!"
"But I never imagined that the Hokage of our Konoha had long left behind the means to turn the tables!"
"Good! Excellent!"
It was no exaggeration to say that Homura saw in this technique the hope for Konoha's return to greatness!
However, Koharu wasn't blinded by the power of the Edo Tensei. She also asked the key question: "Then, Orochimaru, what is the cost?"
"Heh heh, the cost? Negligible!" Orochimaru licked his lips. "Just a single human life, that's all."
Hearing Orochimaru's words, the others also broke into smiles.
Indeed, just a human life… negligible!
Trading one human life for such combat power made human life far too cheap!
"Then, let us begin!"
Thus, after Sora crushed Kumogakure, another piece of news spread throughout the Ninja World.
Orochimaru would assume the position of Fifth Hokage.
Simultaneously, Konoha dispatched the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, to Kirigakure to initiate peace talks!
Of course, this was only the public-facing action.
Behind the scenes, Konoha had already begun scouring its 'materials repository', preparing to dig out all its aged, preserved 'vintage assets'!
Unknowingly, the seeds for the Fourth Great Ninja War were being sown!
However, Konoha's preparations for the Fourth Great Ninja War could not affect Madara, currently located underground in the Land of Rain.
Standing beside Obito, Madara looked at the newly obtained intelligence and let out a scornful laugh.
"Heh. Is that all?"
Although Sora was strong, since he wasn't right in front of Madara, he could only warrant an 'is that all?' evaluation.
"Just killing the Raikage and then leaving? Doesn't hold a candle to my achievements in the old days!" Madara arrogantly assessed!