Senju Tobirama moved swiftly!
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen looked slightly puzzled and shocked!
"Second Hokage-sama?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the charging Senju Tobirama with some confusion, frowning as he asked, "Eliminate me? What is this all about? Did Orochimaru control you?"
"No."
Senju Tobirama kicked Sarutobi Hiruzen, responding coldly, "We know what you've done. I can let go of the Uchiha matter..."
"Tobirama, we can't let go of the Uchiha matter either!"
Senju Hashirama quickly interrupted Senju Tobirama, rushing over to Sarutobi Hiruzen and punching his arm, forcefully knocking him back!
"Monkey, you've been the Hokage for too long..."
Senju Tobirama quickly continued the attack, kicking Sarutobi Hiruzen on the shoulder and sending him flying again: "Have you been blinded by power?"
"Our purpose is only one..."
Senju Hashirama looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, speaking helplessly, "To prevent Akihara Kagura, that kid, from being forced by you to become a traitorous ninja, we have no choice but to deal with you here. That kid might be even stronger than me, have you thought about the consequences if he becomes a traitorous ninja?"
"!!!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart tightened, suddenly looking at Orochimaru, who was sneering: "Orochimaru, what is this all about?"
This scoundrel...
What exactly did he tell the two former Hokages!
The most troubling part is, why did they mention Akihara Kagura's potential defection!
"I didn't say much..."
Orochimaru looked at his teacher being besieged by the two Hokages brought back by the Reanimation Jutsu, seemingly enjoying it immensely: "In fact, this wasn't even my initiative; it was the two Hokages who took the initiative to eliminate you, teacher!"
"After all..."
"You've made too many mistakes..."
Orochimaru grinned, providing a strong piece of evidence: "Didn't you just say you wouldn't pass the position of Hokage to Akihara Kagura?"
"Kagura is too young."
Sarutobi Hiruzen coolly refuted, continuing, "If he were to become Hokage, Konoha would undoubtedly fall into chaos, and there might even be war..."
Orochimaru, relying on his understanding of the situation, suddenly laughed: "So, only when you have control of power will Konoha be at peace?"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen realized that he had fallen into a verbal trap.
Refusing to pass the title of Hokage to Akihara Kagura while holding onto it oneself became portrayed by Orochimaru as a true power-hungry individual!
Power...
It's always about power.
Shimura Danzo attacked him for his love of wielding power, and now Orochimaru was using this same power against him. Today, it has become an insurmountable hurdle!
The troubling part is...
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't even have an excuse to rebut.
He had been Hokage for too long and was unwilling to pass the title to a suitable candidate, which factually portrayed him as someone overly desirous of power.
Such matters...
Couldn't be explained away with just a few sentences!
And even with ample time, it would be difficult for him to explain clearly!
Many Konoha ninjas observed the scene of the Four Purple Flames Array, and quite a few of them gathered, trying to rescue the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
They also heard Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen's conversation.
Compared to Shimura Danzo's limited eloquence, Orochimaru excelled at interpersonal communication, quickly seizing upon Sarutobi Hiruzen's weaknesses, showing no intention of letting Sarutobi Hiruzen shift the topic.
Other matters easily revealed flaws!
The fact that Sarutobi Hiruzen had held onto Hokage's power without deciding to let go had concrete evidence, leaving no room for denial, and he had just asserted that the strongest Akihara Kagura wasn't suited to become Hokage, setting a trap for himself he couldn't avoid!
"So it is..."
Senju Tobirama's face showed a hint of disappointment.
"The Hokage doesn't carry power..."
Senju Hashirama frowned, charging at Sarutobi Hiruzen again!
"Fire Release: Impatiens Fire Jutsu!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly formed hand seals, spitting out balls of flame!
But Senju Hashirama was utterly unfazed, dispersing the flames with his bare hands and charging directly to Sarutobi Hiruzen's face!
Orochimaru watched Sarutobi Hiruzen struggling to hold on under the assault of the two Hokages, the smile on his lips growing more pronounced: "Teacher, don't blame the two Hokages for wanting to kill you; everyone considered using that kid Akihara Kagura as a tool, but your methods were more mature and skilled, using the Hokage's power to bring Akihara Kagura under your influence..."
"I am not!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen hastily refuted, receiving another punch from Senju Hashirama to his face, yet stubbornly retorting: "I have never considered Kagura as a tool; I wanted him to carry on the legacy of the Will of Fire..."
"Isn't that just your usual pretext for luring someone into becoming a tool?"
Orochimaru chuckled, deftly steering the conversation: "Always under the guise of it being for Konoha, any ninja who defies your will or command is considered disloyal to Konoha, until everyone is forced to act according to your desires..."
"Ask yourself..."
"Isn't this the truth?"
Orochimaru, understanding Sarutobi Hiruzen well, shattered Sarutobi Hiruzen's defense: "Teacher, what's the difference between your 'for Konoha' and Danzo's?"