SHINOBI EXAM

This photo, which lasted less than half a second in others' eyes, seemed to freeze in front of Kakashi's.

That face—a face he had recalled countless times—overlapped with the man in the photo.

O…bi…to…

"Kakashi!!" Sasuke's urgent cry pulled him back to reality.

"!!"

Kakashi's momentary hesitation was costly. He had calculated everything to perfection, yet the photo of Minato, the Fourth Hokage, had flashed by just as his hand pressed the lever.

Missed…

Mission failed…

The scene of Minato, Kushina, Obito, and Rin turning away flooded his mind. They were leaving him behind, as always. He reached out, desperate to stop them, but they only moved further away.

The mental shock of failure, coupled with chakra exhaustion and the strain of prolonged Sharingan use, overwhelmed him. Kakashi felt as though he was drowning in a whirlpool of nausea and despair.

"Kakashi-sensei!!" Naruto shouted, worry evident in his voice.

"Kakashi!" Sasuke cried out.

"Senior!" Tenzo, hiding in the shadows, rushed out. Catching the collapsing Jōnin, he sought the Third Hokage's permission to take Kakashi to Konoha Hospital.

The Third Hokage nodded grimly. "Take him."

With a soft poof, the slot machine vanished. In its place, a wooden coffin slowly rose from the ground, its ominous creaks drawing everyone's attention.

"Who is it this time?!"

All eyes fixed on the coffin. The spectators from Konoha and the other villages watched anxiously. The sight of the Fourth Hokage's fleeting image on the slot machine had already sown seeds of tension. Could it really be that Konoha had resurrected the Golden Flash, a legend from the Third Ninja War?

"No, it's not the Fourth Hokage," Sasuke muttered, covering his strained Sharingan. Despite his pain, his sharp eyes caught something others missed.

That lever pull… Naruto's luck is unreal!

But why hadn't the Fourth Hokage appeared? And who was the mysterious white-haired man with the strange Sharingan? His photo had radiated a crimson glow brighter than the gold-bordered photos of Kage-level ninja.

The wooden coffin trembled as fingers, caked in dirt, pushed its lid open.

A low, commanding voice reverberated, "Who dares summon me again?"

The Third Hokage stiffened. "That voice…!"

Koharu and Homura gasped. "It can't be—"

"Tobirama-sensei?!" they exclaimed in unison.

Danzo's expression darkened as he retreated into the shadows, instinctively covering his right arm. His unease was palpable. Even with his body sealed numerous times, he doubted he could hide his stolen Sharingan and Hashirama cells from that man.

Orochimaru, disguised as a Grass ninja, smirked. His tongue flicked out like a serpent's. "Oh my, if it isn't the Second Hokage himself. This could get interesting."

Despite the rising tension, Naruto's reaction shattered the atmosphere.

"Ahhh! It's a zombie! A zombie!! Grandpa Hokage, save me!"

Naruto's exaggerated screams and frantic gestures left everyone dumbfounded.

The coffin lid was fully pushed aside, revealing a tall, stern figure clad in armor. His face carried an air of authority that could silence even the boldest of men.

Senju Tobirama's sharp eyes scanned his surroundings. His gaze lingered on the Hokage Rock, where only four faces were carved. He turned back to the group and finally spoke.

"Monkey… What year is it?"

The Third Hokage swallowed, his throat dry. "It is the 60th year of Konoha, during this year's Chūnin Exams."

"Hmm…" Tobirama's piercing gaze swept over the gathered ninja. His eyes paused on Naruto, whose golden hair and whisker marks stood out.

"Monkey, explain," he demanded, his tone brooking no argument.

Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated, his hands trembling slightly. How could he explain decades of history in a few words? He managed to say, "Lord Tobirama, much has changed—"

"Enough," Tobirama interrupted, his voice curt. "I'll figure it out myself."

Tobirama's attention shifted to Naruto, who was still clinging to Sasuke. The Second Hokage frowned. "Uzumaki, I presume?"

Naruto blinked, unsure how to respond. "Uh… yeah? Who's asking?"

Tobirama's lips twitched into what could almost be mistaken for a smile. "You remind me of your ancestor, Mito. Stubborn, loud, and… surprisingly powerful."

Sasuke, still nursing his overused Sharingan, coughed to regain attention. "Second Hokage-sama, what about me?"

Tobirama's gaze darkened. "An Uchiha. Tell me, does your clan still seek revenge for petty grievances?"

Sasuke scowled. "I—"

"Enough," Tobirama cut him off. "You'll have your chance to prove yourself worthy."

The tension thickened. Even among the other Kage-level ninja present, Tobirama's commanding aura was oppressive. His sharp wit and history of contentious policies loomed large in everyone's mind.

As the situation settled, Tobirama shifted his attention to Sarutobi once more. "Monkey, where is my elder brother?"

The Third Hokage hesitated. "Lord First… remains at rest."

"Unfortunate," Tobirama muttered. He straightened, looking toward the distant mountains. "So, what crisis demands my resurrection this time?"

Before anyone could respond, a soft chuckle echoed. Orochimaru stepped forward, his serpentine grin wide. "Lord Tobirama, it's not the first time I've had the pleasure of witnessing your return. Though, I must admit, the circumstances are far more entertaining this time."

Tobirama's sharp eyes locked onto the Grass ninja disguise. "And you are?"

Orochimaru inclined his head mockingly. "Just an admirer of your work, my lord."

Tobirama's expression hardened. "I sense no loyalty in your chakra. Do not test my patience, child."

The sinister glint in Orochimaru's eyes faltered for a moment under Tobirama's piercing gaze. Even the snake Sannin recognized when he had overstepped.

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Naruto, meanwhile, broke the silence with his usual exuberance. "Hey, Grandpa Second Hokage! Can you teach me some cool water jutsu?"

Tobirama blinked at Naruto, clearly taken aback. "Water jutsu?" He studied the boy for a moment before smirking. "Very well. But you'll need more than enthusiasm to master my techniques."

The group collectively sighed in relief as Tobirama's mood lightened slightly. But his reappearance left more questions than answers. What had caused his resurrection? And who was behind the slot machine's strange power?

As dusk fell, Senju Tobirama stood tall, his commanding presence unshaken. The mysteries of the past and future seemed to converge, promising challenges none could yet foresee.

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