Accompanied by deafening explosions and scattering Chakra fragments, the black sphere, imbued with an aura of ultimate destruction, instantly made everyone who witnessed it recognize the technique.
The already crumbling Four Purple Flames Formation completely disintegrated before this overwhelming power, transforming into countless scattered purple light particles that vanished into thin air.
Orochimaru's sinister smile froze completely, and a bead of cold sweat uncontrollably slid down his forehead. Although he seemed to have uncovered a shocking secret, he felt no joy at all at this moment.
Because this meant that his core objective of painstakingly planning to seize the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had utterly failed.
Could it be... that he really had to temporarily abandon Uzumaki Naruto and activate that final backup plan? A thought filled with unwillingness rapidly swirled in his mind.
Under the horrified gazes of the crowd, Menma's figure slowly descended from mid-air, landing on the shattered rooftop. The fox mask on his face isolated all emotions, but the eyes peering through the holes, and the tangible, chillingly cold killing intent emanating from his body, precisely locked onto Orochimaru.
The killing intent was so potent that everyone clearly felt his undisguised, towering rage towards Orochimaru.
"..."
On the other side, the Third Hokage, though temporarily relieved that he didn't need to use the Reaper Death Seal, felt an increasing sense of heaviness in his heart.
Impossible... This is absolutely impossible... He repeatedly told himself in his heart, Minato is dead, he sacrificed himself to protect Konoha... I even personally handled their funeral, watched them being buried with my own eyes... However, once a doubt arose deep within his heart about a certain "established fact," various previously ignored details uncontrollably surged forth, magnified, and, like a snowball, impacted the dam of his reason.
The Third Hokage's gaze was fixed on Menma's back. Although the hair color was different... this physique... and the killing intent emanating now... it really... it really was too similar to the "yellow flash" who struck fear into the hearts of enemies on the battlefield... Spiral Wheel Ring... that technique, from its energy form, was clearly an advanced version of Rasengan, the similarity was too high.
And the Flying Thunder God Technique... that level of space-time forbidden jutsu is not a secret art that can be easily obtained from the black market with money or resources; that is Minato's unique mark!
What's more... a powerful individual like "Menma," possessing strength beyond the Hokage level, appeared as if out of nowhere, with no prior warning.
With the power he displayed, if he had existed before, it would have been absolutely impossible for him to remain unknown throughout the entire Ninja World... A conjecture he both yearned to confirm and was terrified to confirm, tightly wrapped around the Third Hokage's heart like a vine.
Menma was completely unaware of the complex and turbulent emotions of the Third Hokage behind him. For him, Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha this time was a blatant act against the stated purpose of his identity.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
The controlled Edo Tensei First Hokage acted first, forming hand signs, and injecting immense Chakra into the ground beneath his feet. In an instant, countless thick tree trunks burst through the rooftop tiles and stones, wildly coiling towards Menma!
"Water Release: Water Trumpet!"
Almost simultaneously, the Edo Tensei Second Hokage also completed his hand signs. Violent water currents appeared out of nowhere, forming a gigantic wave that, along with the surging Wood Release, formed a pincer attack from left and right, sweeping towards Menma!
"Boom—!!!"
However, with Menma at the center, including the Third Hokage not far behind him, was enveloped by an invisible barrier. Whether it was the violent water currents or the resilient Wood Release, the moment they impacted this barrier, they seemed to hit an invisible meat grinder; the water was forcibly pushed aside, and the branches of the Wood Release were instantly shredded inch by inch by an incredibly sharp force, turning into dust!
This power, which seemed to manipulate space, was in fact just Menma constructing a flawless defensive barrier using rapidly rotating Wind Release Chakra.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Just then, Orochimaru's sinister voice came from the side. He merged into the aftershock of the Second Hokage's Water Release, launching a sudden attack under the cover of the water, his arm transforming into several hideous venomous snakes that lunged at Menma's neck!
"Pfft—!"
However, the snake heads exploded on the spot the moment they touched that invisible wind barrier, turning into a mist of blood! This Wind Release barrier was by no means only for defense; the wind blades circulating on its surface were themselves deadly weapons!
Menma didn't even turn his head, merely casually raising a hand, and a wind blade shot out, instantly slicing Orochimaru's figure in two!
But the severed body transformed into scattered water—it was just a water clone used for probing and distraction.
Menma paid no attention to this. Because, under the cover of the surging Water Release waves, two subtle purple marks had already quietly lit up beneath the feet of the First Hokage and Second Hokage.
Beside Menma, the ethereal figures of Hokuto Sennin and Nanto Sennin had silently appeared at some unknown point. The two Nine-Faced Beasts, skilled in sealing, had completed the setup of the technique amidst the chaos.
The purple sealing array suddenly glowed brightly! A powerful binding force instantly wrapped around the Edo Tensei bodies of the First Hokage and Second Hokage, firmly pinning them in place, unable to move an inch.
Without the continuous output of Chakra, the surging Wood Release and the turbulent water waves rapidly receded and disintegrated.
Menma stepped forward, forming hand signs as he had done with other Edo Tensei bodies, preparing to temporarily seal these two former Hokage.
Dark sealing runes once again spread, covering the two Edo Tensei bodies. Finally, the curse tags deeply embedded in their napes, used to control their consciousness, were completely stripped away under the impact of the sealing power.
Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama's eyes instantly regained clarity and vitality.
Hashirama stared blankly at the mysterious person in front of him, wearing a fox mask and exuding a profound aura, which was completely different from his expectation that the Third Hokage would stop him.
"...Although I don't know who you are," Hashirama showed a slightly apologetic yet hearty smile, "but you've gone to a lot of trouble, thank you."
This thank you contained both gratitude for the person in front of him for protecting Konoha and appreciation for helping him break free from the humiliation of being controlled and allowing him to rest in peace.
"Such powerful sealing jutsu mastery," Senju Tobirama analyzed keenly. "Could it be that you are a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan?"
"So it's Mito's clan member," Hashirama's smile grew even warmer upon hearing this. "Heh heh... it seems the future of Konoha is also entrusted to you."
"Brother!" Tobirama couldn't help but frown and exclaim, "We haven't fully confirmed this person's exact identity and intentions! Don't jump to conclusions so easily!"
"Hahahaha! Don't be so agitated, Tobirama!" Hashirama said with a hearty laugh. "Someone who would step in to protect Konoha at this time would never be an enemy of peace! I trust my instincts!"
"...Sigh." Tobirama sighed helplessly, no longer arguing with his elder brother, and turned his gaze to the Third Hokage, who had a complex expression, and said in a serious tone. "Monkey! Next time we meet, I hope the interval isn't too short! And don't die meaninglessly!"
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