Konohagakure.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, hailed across the shinobi world as "The Professor," was proficient in all five elemental chakra natures. While the First and Second Hokage were powerful in life, the strength they now displayed was but a shadow of their former selves. Bit by bit, he began to push them back.
From a distance, Orochimaru watched coldly as Hiruzen struggled just to fend off the reanimated First and Second Hokage.
"You four go protect the village!" Hiruzen barked at the ANBU watching from beyond the barrier.
"But, Lord Hokage, you-"
"Don't worry about me!" Hiruzen roared.
The ANBU clenched their fists, then scattered in all directions to defend Konoha.
"Orochimaru, to desecrate the dead like this you will face retribution!" Hiruzen shouted furiously.
"Retribution?" Orochimaru sneered. "Shouldn't you be asking where I got their bodies in the first place?"
Hiruzen's hand faltered mid-seal. His gaze flicked uneasily toward the two former Hokage locked in combat with him. Seeing no signs of self-awareness in them, he exhaled in relief.
"What's the matter, sensei? Feeling guilty? Afraid to face them?"
Orochimaru's mocking tone cut deep.
"Two of the most revered Hokage, reduced to mere tools in an experiment. What would people think if they knew?"
"And what about Tsunade? If she found out the truth behind her clan's disappearance... what do you think she'd do?"
"Enough!" Hiruzen bellowed, swinging his adamantine staff at Orochimaru, only to have it intercepted by Tobirama.
"You know," Orochimaru continued, his voice smooth and venomous, "acquiring their remains wasn't easy. But such is the price one pays when dealing with the darkness that festers within Konoha."
"The two strongest of the Senju clan don't pretend you didn't know their worth."
"It took considerable effort and sacrifice to bring them into my hands."
"What's the matter, sensei? Speechless now? The one they believed in most look at you, clinging to a rotting ideal. You're exactly the kind of man who would break their hearts."
Each word chipped away at Hiruzen's resolve.
"Stop talking..." he murmured.
"Heh. You've changed, sensei. The fearless man who once stood tall, quick to act without hesitation... he's gone."
"Now all I see is a tired old man, weak and retreating."
"Konoha has long since decayed. The moment you turned a blind eye to Danzo and let him run unchecked... that was the moment it began to rot."
"This village, as it is, deserves to be wiped clean."
A cruel smile curved Orochimaru's lips. He was a master at dismantling someone's will, one piece at a time.
"So, sensei, it's time for you to atone for your sins with your life."
With a sudden lunge, Orochimaru drove the Kusanagi Blade through Hiruzen's chest.
But in the next instant, the "Hiruzen" before him melted into a puddle of mud just a substitution jutsu.
The real Hiruzen reappeared behind him.
"Orochimaru, you were right. I made many mistakes. But Konoha still has hope. Those young ones... they are the new green leaves of the village."
"And if there's one thing I can still do like the Hokage before me it's to lay down my life to stop you."
"Heh. Still so stubborn, sensei?" Orochimaru smirked as he flickered away with a replacement technique of his own. Not even the resurrected Hokage could shake Hiruzen's resolve.
But that only made things more interesting.
On the outskirts of Konoha.
Gamabunta was battered and bruised, clearly outmatched by Shukaku.
"Ha! This is no ordinary wind ball it's infused with my own chakra. Your pitiful jutsu can't compare!" Shukaku roared.
"Kid, I'm not gonna make it. I can't beat him," Gamabunta muttered to Naruto.
"Huh? What do you mean, Boss? What're we supposed to do then?" Naruto scratched his head in panic.
"Sorry, kid. You're on your own. I'm outta here."
"Wait! Don't go! Isn't there another way?"
Gamabunta paused, then pointed at Gaara, slumped atop Shukaku's head.
"See that brat up there? Wake him up. That'll do the trick."
"Got it. But how do I get up there...?"
Naruto fell deep into thought.
"Alright, listen. You use your Transformation Jutsu to turn me into something sharp and bitey. I'll grab that raccoon's attention. You rush in and punch that kid awake."
Gamabunta looked uncharacteristically excited. He couldn't wait to see what kind of fierce, terrifying form Naruto would give him. Sharp teeth and claws it was going to be epic.
"Leave it to me, Boss!" Naruto formed the hand seals. "Transformation Jutsu!"
Poof!
A puff of smoke later...
"Haha! I, the mighty Gamabunta, finally have sharp fangs and huh? What the hell is this?"
His triumphant laughter came to an abrupt halt. He glanced at his transformed body smooth, pale, and... delicate.
"Tch. What the hell is that dead-last doing?" Sasuke muttered. When he looked up and caught sight of Gamabunta's new form, his face flushed, and he turned away.
"Ugh... you damn toad. Who knew you were into this kind of thing..." Shukaku stared at him wide-eyed, clearly disturbed.
Gamabunta had been transformed... into a human. That's right just a regular person. Nothing fierce. Nothing sharp.
"Hey. Kid."
Gamabunta's face darkened as he finally processed what had happened.
No. Calm down. He's my little bro.
Keep it together... keep it-
Like hell!
With a growl, he grabbed Naruto by the collar and yanked him off his head.
"This is all just a misunderstanding!" Naruto waved his hands frantically, cold sweat dripping down his face.
"Oh, a misunderstanding, huh? Is that so?"
"Yeah, yeah! Total accident!" Naruto nodded furiously, though his cheeks still flushed red whenever he looked at him.
"Little bro, relax. I'm your boss I'd never hurt you," Gamabunta said calmly, even kindly.
But for some reason, Naruto felt a chill run down his spine.
"Don't worry. I'll still get you to that medium's now die!"
With a mighty toss, Gamabunta hurled Naruto like a kunai through the air before vanishing in a puff of smoke back to Mount Myoboku.
As he disappeared, a trace of melancholy lingered in his eye.
My pride... my dignity... my legacy...
"Help meeeeee!"
Naruto flew at full speed toward Gaara, flailing as he went. But then a thought struck him maybe this was his shot. Maybe he really could snap Gaara out of it.
Fired up, he struck what he thought was a super cool pose, soaring like a superhero.
"Gaara! I, the great-"
WHAM!
A massive hand swatted him clean out of the sky, sending him flying off who knows where. Whether he survived or not was anyone's guess.
"What the hell was that?" Shukaku grumbled, brushing his hands.
But then he brightened.
"Hahahaha! I win! I win!"
He danced with glee, shaking the earth beneath his feet as he made his way toward his goal Konohagakure.
As for Sasuke still perched in the trees, he didn't even spare him a glance.