Naruto: Naruto's Uchiha girlfriend is too arrogant

Chapter 281 The End

With a deafening explosion and scattering chakra fragments, the pitch-black sphere, imbued with an aura of extreme destruction, instantly made the technique known to all who witnessed it.

The already crumbling [Four Purple Flame Array] completely collapsed in the face of this overwhelming power, turning into countless purple light specks that dissipated into nothingness.

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.

This means that his meticulously planned core objective of seizing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has completely failed.

Could it be... that we really have to temporarily abandon Naruto and activate that last backup plan? A resentful thought swirled rapidly in his mind.

Amidst the horrified gazes of the crowd, Menma's figure slowly descended from mid-air, landing on the shattered rooftop. The mask on his face concealed all emotions, but his eyes, peering through the holes, and the chilling, tangible killing intent emanating from him, were precisely locked onto Orochimaru.

The killing intent was so intense that everyone could clearly feel his undisguised, overwhelming rage towards Orochimaru.

"..."

On the other side, although the Third Hokage was temporarily relieved that he did not need to use the Reaper Death Seal, the heaviness in his heart only increased.

Impossible... This is absolutely impossible... He repeatedly told himself, Minato is dead, he sacrificed himself to protect Konoha... I even personally arranged their funeral, and watched them being buried...

However, once doubts arise deep within one's heart about a certain "established fact," all sorts of previously overlooked details will emerge uncontrollably, magnified, and crash against the dam of reason like a snowball.

The Third Hokage's gaze was fixed on Menma's back. Although his hair color was different… his build… and the killing intent emanating from him… it really… really resembled the "Yellow Flash" who struck fear into the hearts of his enemies on the battlefield…

Spiral Wheel... that technique, judging from its energy form, is clearly an advanced version of the Rasengan; the similarity is too high.

There's also the Flying Thunder God Technique... that level of forbidden space-time technique is not a secret technique that can be easily obtained from the black market with money or resources. It's Minato's unique trademark!

Moreover... a powerful figure like "Menma," who possesses strength surpassing Kage level, seems to have appeared out of thin air, without any prior warning.

Given the power he displayed, if it had existed all along, there's no way it could have remained unknown throughout the entire ninja world...

A conjecture that he both longed to confirm and was terrified to confirm clung tightly to the Third Hokage's heart like a vine.

Menma was completely unaware of the complex and turbulent emotions surging within the Third Hokage behind him. To him, Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha was a blatant act of defiance against his own stated purpose.

"Wood Release: Advent of the World of Trees!"

The manipulated, reanimated First Hokage acted first, forming hand seals and channeling immense chakra into his feet. Instantly, countless thick tree trunks shattered the roof tiles, frantically coiling towards Menma!

"Water Release·Water Crush Wave!"

Almost simultaneously, the Second Hokage, now reanimated, completed his hand seals. A raging torrent of water appeared out of nowhere, transforming into a massive wave that, together with the surging Wood Release, formed a pincer movement, sweeping towards Menma!

"boom--!!!"

However, centered on Menma, including the Third Hokage not far behind him, was enveloped by an invisible barrier. Whether it was the raging water or the resilient Wood Release, the moment they struck this barrier, it was as if they had encountered an invisible meat grinder. The water was forcibly pushed aside, and the branches of the Wood Release were pulverized inch by inch by an incomparably sharp force, turning into dust!

This power, which seemed to manipulate space, was actually just a defensive barrier constructed from rapidly spinning wind chakra.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hand!"

Just then, Orochimaru's chilling voice came from the side. He merged into the aftershocks of the Second Hokage's Water Release technique, using the water's momentum as cover to launch a sudden attack. His arm transformed into several ferocious venomous snakes, lunging towards Menma's neck!

"Pfft—!"

However, the moment the snake's head touched that invisible wind barrier, it exploded on the spot, turning into a cloud of blood mist! This wind barrier was not just for defense; the wind blades flowing on its surface were themselves deadly weapons!

Menma didn't even turn his head; he simply raised his hand casually, and a wind blade shot out, instantly slicing Orochimaru's figure in two!

But the severed body turned into scattered streams of water—just a water clone used for probing and disruption.

Menma paid no attention to this. Because, under the cover of the surging water-style waves, two barely noticeable purple marks had already quietly lit up beneath the feet of the First and Second Hokage.

Beside Menma, the phantom images of the Southern Dipper Sage and the Northern Dipper Sage had quietly appeared. The two nine-faced beasts, masters of sealing, took advantage of the chaos to complete the arrangement of the spell.

The purple sealing formation suddenly shone brightly! A powerful binding force instantly wrapped around the reanimated bodies of the First and Second Hokage, fixing them firmly in place, unable to move an inch.

Without the continuous output of chakra, the surging wood release and the turbulent water waves quickly subsided and disintegrated.

Menma stepped forward and, just as he had done with other reanimated bodies, formed hand seals, preparing to temporarily seal the two former Hokage.

The dark sealing runes spread out again, covering the two impure bodies. Finally, the runes deeply embedded in the back of their necks, used to control their consciousness, were completely stripped away under the impact of the sealing power.

The eyes of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju instantly regained their clarity and spirit.

Hashirama stared blankly at the mysterious man in front of him, who wore a fox mask and exuded a deep aura. This was completely different from what he had expected, that the Third Hokage would be the one to stop him.

"...Although I don't know who you are," Hashirama gave a slightly apologetic yet cheerful smile, "I'm sorry to have troubled you, thank you."

This expression of gratitude contains both thanks for protecting Konoha and thanks for helping him escape the humiliation of being manipulated, allowing him to rest in peace.

"Such powerful sealing techniques," Tobirama Senju astutely analyzed. "Could you be a descendant of the Uzumaki clan?"

"So you're from the Mito clan," Hashirama's smile softened upon hearing this. "Heh... It seems the future of Konoha is in your hands as well."

"Brother!" Tobirama frowned and shouted, "We haven't fully confirmed this person's identity and intentions yet! Don't jump to conclusions!"

"Hahaha! Don't get so excited, Tobirama!" Hashirama laughed. "Anyone who would step in to protect Konoha at this time is definitely not an enemy of peace! I trust my intuition!"

"...Sigh." Tobirama sighed helplessly, ceasing his argument with his elder brother, and turned his gaze to the Third Hokage, whose expression was complex. He spoke seriously, "Monkey! Next time we meet, I hope it won't be too soon! And don't die in a meaningless way!"