Chapter 5: Reaper Death Seal!
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[Minato Namikaze]: The Reaper Death Seal, huh?
[Hiruzen Sarutobi]: That's right. I should have used it twelve years ago!
[Danzo Shimura]: But you didn't! Instead, you let the young Fourth Hokage sacrifice himself. Hiruzen, you were too selfish!
[Danzo Shimura]: Your selfish cowardice led to all the tragedies in the years that followed!
[Minato Namikaze]: No!
[Minato Namikaze]: Back then, the Third Hokage made the right call not to use the Reaper Death Seal!
[Minato Namikaze]: His body was already old and injured. And the Nine Tails' chakra wasn't something that could be sealed so easily!
[Minato Namikaze]: Besides, the situation was critical. I had to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to move the Nine Tails, and there wasn't enough time!
[Onoki]: So in the end, it all comes down to Hiruzen Sarutobi's weakness!
[Onoki]: Just say it straight! Why sugarcoat it?
[Hiruzen Sarutobi]: ...
[Hashirama Senju]: Huh? The Nine Tails? Definitely too dangerous. Yeah, it had to be sealed away!
[Kurama (Yang)]: Hashirama Senju, I'm gonna curse you!
[Kurama (Yin)]: Hashirama Senju, I'm gonna curse you too!
[Tobirama Senju]: Oh! Finally, a junior has mastered my Flying Thunder God Technique. Fourth Hokage, huh? I'll give you some pointers if I get the chance!
[Minato Namikaze]: Really? Thank you in advance, Second Hokage!
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Hiruzen Sarutobi clasps his hands together, brows furrowed.
Hiruzen: First and Second Hokage… Please forgive me. I must use that technique now!
Orochimaru (laughing): Hahaha… How pitiful. Even the former "Professor of the Ninja World" can't resist old age!
Orochimaru tears off his face mask, revealing a woman's face.
[Deidara]: What the hell!?
[Jiraiya]: What the hell!?
[Onoki]: What the hell!?
[Jiraiya]: Hello there!
Hiruzen looks at Orochimaru in shock.
Hiruzen: Who… are you really!?
Orochimaru (smirking): Too sudden to comprehend, isn't it?
Hiruzen (pained): You really did it, huh?
Hiruzen: The reason I didn't choose you as the Fourth Hokage… was exactly because of your twisted beliefs!
Orochimaru (proudly): This immortality jutsu allows one's soul to live on forever!
Orochimaru: I just need a new body… to occupy and reincarnate into!
Orochimaru: I kept my former appearance to make my teacher nostalgic!
Orochimaru: Aging really is emptiness.
Orochimaru: Looking at you helped me understand that deeply!
Orochimaru (darkly): I will take a younger, more perfect body from the Leaf!
Orochimaru: And you, teacher… you will die here!
Hiruzen (frowning): Is it Uchiha Sasuke?
Orochimaru (grinning): That's right. Sasuke!
[Naruto Uzumaki]: Sasuke! Get back here! He's just lusting after your body!
[Sakura Haruno]: Sasuke-kun, come back! It's too dangerous!
[Sasuke Uchiha]: Stay out of this. To gain power… to kill that man… I have no other choice!
[Itachi Uchiha]: If you're learning from Orochimaru, you can forget about avenging me. Try again in your next life.
[Orochimaru]: Itachi, huh? Sasuke's potential surpasses yours. Let's see what happens!
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Scene continues:
Hiruzen finally makes up his mind.
Hiruzen: Shadow Clone Jutsu!
All three clones form the seal: Reaper Death Seal!
Behind the Third Hokage, a massive soul-like figure appears.
In its left hand, it holds prayer beads, and in its mouth a short dagger—performing a ritual.
Hiruzen (coldly): Only those who've made the contract can see this Shinigami!
"Genjutsu: Darkness Technique!"
Instantly, endless darkness engulfs Hiruzen.
In the darkness, Hiruzen fends off attacks from the First and Second Hokage.
Hiruzen: Orochimaru! Let me show you a jutsu you've never seen before!
"Sealing Technique – Reaper Death Seal!"
Hiruzen's shadow clone closes in on the two Hokage in the darkness.
After much effort, he grabs hold of them!
The Reaper's hand passes through Hiruzen's soul, gripping the souls of the First and Second Hokage and dragging them out!
[Tobirama]: Sorry, monkey, we caused you trouble!
[Hiruzen]: Please forgive me!
After sealing the First and Second Hokage, the shadow clones vanish.
Hiruzen's real body grabs the adamantine staff and charges at Orochimaru!
While King Enma holds Orochimaru back, Hiruzen finds an opening and grabs Orochimaru's clothes!
The Reaper's hand again passes through Hiruzen and grabs Orochimaru's soul!
Orochimaru panics, trying to stab Hiruzen in the back with the Kusanagi Sword.
Though Enma tries to hold it back, the blade pierces Hiruzen's chest!
But Hiruzen doesn't dodge. He grips Orochimaru tighter!
Orochimaru (shocked): Why didn't you dodge!?
Hiruzen: The Reaper Death Seal demands the user's life in exchange.
Hiruzen: I don't need to dodge. I won't survive this anyway.
Hiruzen: Come die with me inside the belly of the Shinigami!
Orochimaru (terrified): That jutsu was used to seal the Nine Tails!?
Orochimaru: Are you insane, you old fossil!? I won't let you get your way!
He continues trying to stab Hiruzen with the Kusanagi Sword.
The two struggle, pulling back and forth.
Hiruzen feels his life force fading.
Hiruzen (screaming): I'll take away all the ninjutsu you're so proud of!
The Reaper slices off Orochimaru's soul's arms and pulls them into its stomach!
Hiruzen finally collapses.
Orochimaru's arms are now completely burned and useless.
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[Onoki]: As expected of the strongest Hokage, the Third! He even sealed a pair of hands, hahaha!
[Fourth Raikage]: That's it? And he dares call himself the strongest Hokage?
[Tobirama]: Monkey! You did well!
[Hashirama]: Monkey! You've worked hard!
[Tsunade]: Old man! I'll take care of the Leaf now!
[Jiraiya]: Old man! I'll protect the Leaf!
[Naruto Uzumaki]: Grandpa Third! I'll definitely become Hokage!
[Konohamaru]: Grandpa! I'll avenge you!
[Young Sasuke]: Itachi… I'll definitely kill you!
[Mikoto Uchiha]: Sasuke! Don't chase power blindly. This world is deeper than you can handle!
[Young Sasuke]: Mom! Don't worry. I'll avenge all of you!
[Itachi Uchiha]: Don't worry, mom. Everything is under my control.
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Back at Naruto's house:
Boruto: Um… Sasuke is your comrade, right?
Naruto (quietly): That's right.
Naruto: He defected.
Naruto: But I'll bring him back someday.
Naruto: Even if I have to break his legs and arms…
Naruto: I will bring him back!
Boruto (softly): You really did break them, huh...