That night.
No one knew what Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru discussed, but that night, Orochimaru dug up many strong practitioners' graves, and Hiruzen Sarutobi also selected many 'voluntarily sacrificed' Jonin from the Four Clans.
There was no other way!
Since there were no other Ninja Clanss or Civilians, they naturally had to sacrifice their own Ninja.
Within the Four Great Shinobi Clans, a sense of dread instantly spread.
Even they were subtly displeased with Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other high-ranking officials, but unfortunately, they had no ability to resist and ultimately all became 'necessary' materials for Edo Tensei.
"Clan leader, I don't want to die!"
"I'm only seventeen, I'm a genius in the clan, why choose me?"
"Please, let me go!"
"..."
All the chosen children had their Chakra sealed, but their mouths continued to beg for mercy.
There was no other way!
They weren't fools.
Even if they didn't yet know what they were chosen for, Orochimaru, that terrifying Rogue Ninja, being there was enough to prove that nothing good awaited them.
Orochimaru stood silently, his face full of mockery and disdain.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado stood behind Orochimaru, looking at these clan geniuses with worry and sorrow.
These were the most talented members of their clans!
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado didn't speak. Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a long time before finally asking, "Orochimaru, must we use them?"
"There's no other way, sensei, you should know," Orochimaru licked his tongue, then said in a very relaxed tone, "The quality of the sacrifices determines how much of their strength the Edo Tensei strong practitioners can exert."
"If we use ordinary sacrifices, let alone dealing with those Uchiha strong practitioners, even ordinary Ninja could easily defeat and seal them."
"Of course, if you regret it, Hiruzen-sensei, then ending our deal is fine too."
Yes!
Although Orochimaru was willing to help his sensei, he wouldn't do a losing business.
He was indeed willing to help Hiruzen Sarutobi block the strong practitioners of New Konoha this time, but in return, Hiruzen Sarutobi paid a huge price.
That was—these sacrifices!
One must know that for Edo Tensei strong practitioners to exert their strength from when they were alive, the quality of the sacrifices was extremely important. And now, it wasn't like later when Yakushi Kabuto could directly have Black Zetsu produce a large number of White Zetsu... Now, for Orochimaru, a Rogue Ninja, finding suitable sacrifices wasn't such a simple matter!
But now?
Hiruzen and the Four Clans handed over all the geniuses and strong practitioners from their clans. This saved Orochimaru a lot of troublesome procedures. As long as he helped Old Konoha withstand New Konoha's attack this time... then this batch of Edo Tensei strong practitioners would become his personal property.
This was their deal!
While helping his sensei, he also added a trump card for himself.
Similarly.
He was also very curious about Uchiha Jin, a previously unremarkable Ninja who not only rapidly rose and developed but also managed to unify the Uchiha in such a short time, even recruiting so many Ninja Clanss, and finally directly established New Konoha... So.
Since the Akatsuki Organization's Pain had issued this mission, he would take the opportunity to learn more about the Uchiha's situation.
"I—understand!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't know Orochimaru's thoughts. After confirming that this matter couldn't be changed, he could only sigh and look at the clan geniuses who were now sacrifices.
After a long silence, he slowly said, "I'm sorry, children!"
"Although I know you are innocent, and we old people don't want to sacrifice you, we have reached a point of life and death."
"But what I want to say is, your sacrifice is valuable!"
"I can guarantee that your families will be better taken care of."
Finally.
After speaking, he sighed again, then looked at Orochimaru: "Alright, begin!"
"Okay."
Orochimaru nodded.
After preparing the Edo Tensei ritual, he immediately formed hand signs and began.
'Tiger - Snake - Dog - Dragon!'
'Edo Tensei!'
As Orochimaru's last hand sign fell, large clouds of dust began to cover the sacrifices, then slowly transformed into the former strong practitioners of Konoha.
Now, their eyes were tightly closed, and their faces had large cracks.
Seeing this, Orochimaru was a bit puzzled.
Because the Edo Tensei of Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze had failed!
However.
Considering that all the other Edo Tensei had succeeded, his mood was quite good at this time. He then turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "Sensei, would you like to speak with the two Hokage?"
"No need!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head.
Are you kidding!
He had reduced the Village to its current state; what face did he have to meet those two Hokage?
If they truly learned of his actions over the years, they would most likely eliminate him, the Third Hokage, first.
Therefore.
It would be better to restore their consciousness only after the war truly began.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Orochimaru: "Can you erase the consciousness of the two Kage and control them yourself in battle?"
Clearly.
Even when the war truly began, he didn't want the two former Hokage to regain their consciousness.
And, in response to this.
Orochimaru shook his head and then said directly.
"I'm sorry, sensei!"
"Although I can erase their consciousness and control the two Kage to kill enemies, the strength they can exert that way is limited."
"There's almost no possibility of confronting New Konoha."
"I suggest you think carefully tonight, sensei, about how you'll explain the situation when the two former Hokage see the major Ninja Clanss, and even Tsunade, defecting to the Uchiha."
After speaking.
He immediately formed a hand sign, and then a large number of coffins rose. After these Edo Tensei strong practitioners entered them and the coffin lids closed, a large number of coffins instantly sank into another dimension.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was grim.
He kept puffing on his cigarette, constantly trying to find an excuse.
But, damn it!
All the major Ninja Clanss had abandoned Konoha, and even Tsunade of the Senju Clan was willing to join the Uchiha's faction. There was simply no way to explain such a thing!
Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi was practically tearing at his scalp.
However.
Compared to the troubled Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were slightly better off.
There was no other way!
With Hiruzen Sarutobi taking the lead, the two of them didn't have to worry about such matters at all.
"Alright, sensei!"
"The preparatory work is done. Now we just wait for the war to begin."
"I'm really looking forward to it!"
Orochimaru's face was filled with a sinister smile.
Then.
He didn't bother with Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others and left the basement on his own.
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