Understanding Hashirama's Limitations in Edo Tensei

Hashirama Senju, one of the Sannin's most capable allies, was one of those who were revived using Edo Tensei during the Chunin Exams. However, observations from the story suggest that he was significantly weaker in this form. This article explores the reasons behind this phenomenon and delves into the limitations of Edo Tensei during that time.

The Nature of Edo Tensei

Edo Tensei, or Reincarnation Iron Prison, is a powerful jutsu that allows the user to bring back a deceased ninja. However, this jutsu is far from perfect. Orochimaru, the creator of the jutsu, had not fully mastered it, which resulted in several limitations and constraints.

The Power of Revived Ninjas

During the Chunin Exams, a scenario arose where Hashirama was brought back using this technique. However, his capabilities were far from those of his original self. This was not due to any flaw in Hashirama's character but rather due to the imperfections in the Edo Tensei jutsu itself. Orochimaru's Edo Tensei was not perfect, and it could revive the dead but not to their full might.

The revived Hashirama was much weaker than he would have been in his original form. His physical strength, chakra control, and overall combat ability were significantly reduced, making him far less of a threat to those he was supposed to oppose. This was not out of malice but a direct result of the limitations of the technique.

The Role of Seals and Control

Furthermore, Orochimaru placed paper seals on Hashirama to suppress his personality. These seals served to ensure that Hashirama did not regain full control of his actions. As a result, he was not only weaker but was also lacking in his awareness and consciousness.

Without his full control, Hashirama did not know what he was doing or even why he was fighting. This further hindered his ability to act on his own will and made him less effective as a combatant. His lack of self-awareness and control contributed to his reduced effectiveness and made him more of a puppet under Orochimaru's direction.

Assumptions and Observations

It is important to note that much of this discussion is based on assumptions and observations from the series. Statements like the Third Kazekage resisting against Orochimaru's Edo Tensei during a fight with Deidara suggest that other revived ninja might have also had similar reductions in power. This implies that Orochimaru's Edo Tensei, at the time, was not capable of fully restoring the revived ninja to their original state.

The Evolution of Edo Tensei

The limitations of Edo Tensei during the Chunin Exams are indicative of its early stages of development. As Orochimaru refined his technique, the capabilities of the revived ninja improved. Over time, Orochimaru's Edo Tensei became more advanced, allowing for a more complete and powerful revival of the deceased.

In conclusion, the weakened state of Hashirama during the Chunin Exams was a direct result of the imperfect state of Edo Tensei at the time. Both the limitations of the technique and the sealing of Hashirama's personality further contributed to his reduced effectiveness. Understanding these factors provides a deeper insight into the intricacies of this powerful jutsu and its applications in the world of Naruto.