"We understand, Lord Hokage!"

The Jonin could see the resolve in Hiruzen's eyes. As shinobi, nothing more needed to be said.

Whoosh whoosh!

The Jonin scattered, leaving only Hiruzen Sarutobi, the First, and the Second Hokage on the rooftop. The atmosphere became eerily quiet. They were once master and student, but now, there was only murderous intent in their eyes.

After a brief, cold silence, Hiruzen put down the Adamantine Staff, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It seems this time, it is my turn to use that terrifying technique…" Hiruzen clasped his hands together.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Two shadow clones appeared beside him.

"Sarutobi, what are you doing?!" Enma exclaimed in shock. "Shadow clones will only drain your already limited chakra!"

Before he could finish, Hiruzen had already begun to form a series of hand seals. Looking at the seals, Enma instantly understood his intention. "Wait, you're not going to use that technique! That would mean your own life is forfeit…!"

"Say no more. Of course I understand," Hiruzen said with a smile. "I have already lived a long life. It is time for me to step down from the stage. Enma, please, let me be willful just this once. This is also to atone for my past mistakes…"

"Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram…"

The final seal was completed. A bone-chilling cold spread through the air, and an extremely terrifying, spectral figure appeared behind him.

So this is the God of Death that Minato saw. It is truly breathtaking.

While Hiruzen's attention was still on the Reaper, Enma suddenly shouted, "Sarutobi! The enemy is coming!"

The next moment, Hashirama and Tobirama Senju appeared in front of Hiruzen at the same time.

BAM!

The two men swung their fists, both landing squarely on Hiruzen's face.

"Ngh!" Hiruzen gasped in pain, staggering back several steps.

Enma said anxiously, "What are you doing, Sarutobi? Are you trying to let them win? Pay attention!"

"Hehe…" Hiruzen raised a hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth and laughed. "I simply exposed a flaw on purpose. Otherwise, they would never have come so close."

As he spoke, his two shadow clones took advantage of the opening, grabbing Hashirama and Tobirama and holding them tight.

"Got you!" the two shadow clones gritted out, holding on with all their might.

The time was right. The Reaper stretched out its large, talisman-covered hand and plunged it into Hiruzen's body.

"Ngh!"

A mouthful of blood spurted from Hiruzen's mouth. The pain was soul-piercing, a torment that no ordinary person could bear. The Reaper's arm then passed through the bodies of the two shadow clones, piercing into the chests of Hashirama and Tobirama. At the moment their souls were about to be extracted, Hashirama and Tobirama finally regained their sanity.

"I am sorry, Monkey, for causing you so much trouble," Hashirama said with a wry smile.

"If only my brother had never invented this technique," Tobirama added.

Hiruzen closed his eyes tightly, his voice full of reluctance. "Please forgive me, Lord First, Lord Second."

"I will be joining you soon."

"Seal!"

The souls merged, and the God of Death opened its bloody maw, greedily swallowing them into its stomach. The reanimated bodies of Hashirama and Tobirama gradually crumbled into dust, revealing the corpses of the two Sound-nin who had been used as sacrifices.

"This…" Seeing this, Hiruzen's heart ached. "Damn you, Orochimaru! You didn't even spare your own subordinates!"