"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The wind-style ninjutsu that erupted across the battlefield possessed the raw power and majesty of a natural celestial phenomenon. Where the technique's devastating force roared to life, the incredibly powerful winds seemed capable of shaking both heaven and earth themselves, reshaping the very landscape through the application of elemental mastery on an unprecedented scale.
Standing before the assembled allied ninja forces, Loess felt his expression transform into one of genuine shock and alarm as he witnessed the true scope of what they were facing. His experienced eyes had immediately recognized that those massive tornadoes did not merely possess extraordinarily strong winds capable of leveling buildings and uprooting trees.
As each tornado spun with increasing velocity, it generated a cacophonous noise that seemed to assault the very air itself. The sound was more than mere wind – it carried within it the promise of destruction and the threat of annihilation for anyone caught within its path.
When the leading tornado passed over the desert ground, it did far more than simply blow up clouds of yellow sand and debris. What made the technique truly terrifying was the way it carved a series of chaotic and hideous cracks directly into the earth itself, fracturing the landscape like an earthquake concentrated into spinning motion.
Upon closer examination, it became apparent that contained within those spiraling winds were countless razor-sharp wind blades, each one capable of cutting through steel and bone with equal ease. The technique was not merely destructive – it was designed to systematically shred anything that came into contact with its rotating embrace.
"The First Kazekage..." Loess breathed with the recognition that came from years of studying historical accounts and combat intelligence.
There was absolutely no doubt in his mind that the only individual capable of utilizing wind-style ninjutsu of such overwhelming power and sophisticated design was the legendary founder of Sunagakure – the First Kazekage who had established the current Sand Village in the heart of the most desolate desert regions.
This single wind-style technique, demonstrated with such casual mastery, possessed sufficient destructive capability to defeat an entire army through its application alone. The tactical implications were staggering for any conventional military force attempting to oppose such power.
"Everyone, disperse immediately and seek defensive positions!" Loess shouted with the authority of someone who understood that hesitation would mean death for hundreds of coalition fighters.
At the same time, his hands moved through the familiar sequence of hand seals with practiced precision before pressing his palms firmly against the desert sand beneath his feet.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Rampart!"
"Boom!"
In response to his chakra manipulation, tall and incredibly thick earth walls suddenly erupted from the ground directly in front of the ninja alliance forces. The defensive barriers rose with impressive speed and solidity, their surfaces hardened by earth chakra into something approaching the density of solid rock.
"All Iwagakure ninja, coordinate defensive measures!" he commanded with the practiced authority of someone who had led countless military operations.
Throughout the coalition ranks, many ninja from the Hidden Rock Village responded to his order with immediate obedience. These experienced earth-style specialists rushed forward and began forming unified hand seals with synchronous precision that spoke to years of coordinated training.
"Multiple Earth Flow Ramparts!"
Additional earth walls continued rising from the ground in carefully planned formations, creating multiple layers of defensive barriers that would hopefully be sufficient to absorb and dissipate the incoming attack. Each barrier was positioned to provide overlapping coverage and redundant protection.
"Boom! Boom!"
The first massive tornado, carrying with it countless tons of yellow sand and debris, came roaring toward their position with the inevitability of a force of nature. When it slammed into Loess's primary earth wall with tremendous impact, the collision sent shockwaves through the ground that could be felt for kilometers.
Countless wind blades embedded within the tornado's structure began continuously slashing against the earth barrier, creating a constant crackling sound like rapid gunfire as compressed air met hardened stone. The defensive wall held initially, but stress fractures began appearing almost immediately.
The overwhelming force of the concentrated wind gradually tore through the first layer of defense, reducing carefully constructed earthworks to rubble and sand. However, the technique had been significantly weakened by this initial resistance, and it fell upon the second defensive layer with diminished power.
Each earth wall was systematically torn apart by the relentless assault, but the speed of destruction decreased noticeably with each barrier that the tornado encountered. The layered defense strategy was proving effective, even as it consumed the coalition's carefully prepared fortifications.
By the time all of Loess's personally constructed earth walls had been completely destroyed, the tornado had been substantially weakened and depleted. When it finally impacted the additional earth flow walls created by the Iwagakure ninja, it possessed only a fraction of its original devastating power.
These supplementary defensive techniques, while much more fragile than Loess's primary barriers, nonetheless provided crucial additional resistance. They shattered one after another in sequence, each destruction further reducing the attack's remaining energy.
Finally, when the coalition ninja were ultimately exposed to the tornado's residual wind force, most of its destructive capability had been consumed by the layered defensive strategy. The technique that might have killed hundreds now possessed only enough power to knock fighters to the ground.
Even so, many ninja were blown backward by the still-powerful winds and found themselves sprawled across the desert sand, their equipment scattered and their formations disrupted.
Loess's earth-style ninjutsu had successfully absorbed and neutralized almost all of the deadly wind blades contained within the tornado. Without this crucial defensive intervention, the bodies of countless coalition fighters would have been torn apart like paper in a hurricane.
"We're saved," one of the coalition ninja called out with obvious relief and gratitude as he struggled back to his feet.
"Rumble! Rumble!"
However, before the first wave of attacks had completely subsided, an entirely new threat began manifesting across the battlefield. The yellow sand directly in front of the coalition forces suddenly began trembling and shifting in unnatural patterns.
Then, as if responding to some invisible command, the desert sand began moving like ocean waves, piling up layer upon layer in towering formations that advanced toward the allied forces with unstoppable momentum. The sight was both beautiful and terrifying – a golden tsunami of sand that promised to bury everything in its path.
"Have our reinforcements not arrived yet?" Loess asked with forced calm, though his tactical mind was already calculating their increasingly limited options.
He had noticed some time ago that in addition to the overwhelmingly powerful presence of the First Kazekage, there were several other extremely dangerous chakra signatures hidden within the enemy's White Zetsu army. The coalition forces were facing multiple legendary opponents simultaneously.
Just as he was preparing to cast another earth-style technique to resist this new sand-based assault, three additional figures suddenly materialized within the coalition ranks with the characteristic displacement of high-speed movement techniques.
Swish!
One of the younger figures disappeared from his original position instantly, moving like drifting yellow sand itself, and reappeared directly beside Loess with his palm pressed firmly against the desert ground.
"Quicksand Waterfall Flow!"
Under Gaara's expert chakra manipulation, the sand beneath his touch also erupted into violent motion, creating yellow sand waves of almost identical scale to those being generated by their legendary opponent. The Fifth Kazekage's mastery over sand manipulation was being demonstrated at its absolute peak.
"Boom!"
The two massive sand waves collided with each other in the middle of the battlefield, their impact causing the very ground to shake and tremble while yellow sand scattered in all directions like a localized sandstorm.
After successfully countering the enemy's attack, Gaara pressed his left eye with his finger, and his distinctive Third Eye began rising slowly into the air to provide enhanced battlefield reconnaissance. However, when he gained a clear view of his opponents, he saw a red-haired man who was performing exactly the same technique he had just utilized.
His normally composed features transformed into an expression of shock and painful recognition as he whispered in astonishment, "Father...?"
After the initial moment of disbelief, Gaara's enhanced vision allowed him to clearly identify the other three figures standing beside the Fourth Kazekage. He was far from unfamiliar with these legendary individuals, as their portraits hung in the Kazekage's office and their histories were taught to every Sand Village ninja.
Because within Sunagakure, these three represented the most revered and respected leaders in the village's history – the former Kazekage who had guided their people through multiple crises and conflicts.
Swish!
The Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi and the legendary puppet master Chiyo also landed gracefully beside Gaara's position, their arrival timed perfectly to provide crucial support at the moment when it was most desperately needed.
"Thank you for arriving just in time," Loess said with a faint smile of relief, though his expression remained focused on the tactical situation developing before them.
He turned his attention back to the battlefield, where the massive waves of yellow sand were simultaneously falling back to earth and settling into more natural formations across the desert floor.
"It's really them...?"
When Chiyo managed to clearly see the four figures standing prominently in front of the White Zetsu Army, her ancient and wrinkled face began trembling with a mixture of recognition, sorrow, and determination.
"The Kazekage of every generation!" she declared with the authority of someone who had lived through the reigns of multiple village leaders and had served them all with unwavering loyalty.
Upon hearing this confirmation, both Mei Terumi and Loess felt their expressions grow notably darker as they processed the full implications of what they were facing. The psychological challenge of fighting against the most revered leaders in Sand Village history would be almost as difficult as the physical confrontation.
"Among the four Kazekage arrayed against us, the Second, Third, and Fourth generations all possessed the ability to manipulate various materials through magnetic release techniques," Chiyo began, sharing crucial intelligence that could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
"The Third Kazekage specialized in iron sand manipulation, while the Fourth Kazekage focused his abilities on gold sand control. Both represent extremely dangerous opponents with unique tactical advantages."
While there was still considerable distance between the opposing forces, Chiyo had already begun providing detailed information about the successive Kazekage to Loess and the other coalition leaders. Her vast experience and intimate knowledge of Sand Village history made her insights invaluable.
"As for the Second Kazekage, his capabilities are far more versatile and unpredictable. He developed the ability to manipulate many different types of materials through magnetic force, so exercise extreme caution when engaging him!"
The elderly puppet master explained that the fundamental technique of sand manipulation through magnetic control had actually been pioneered and perfected by the Second Kazekage during his innovative research into new combat applications.
Therefore, compared to the more specialized and focused abilities demonstrated by the Third and Fourth generations, the Second Kazekage represented a significantly more troublesome and unpredictable opponent whose full range of capabilities remained largely unknown.
"However, the most difficult opponent for us to handle will undoubtedly be the First Kazekage. The coalition ninja forces have already witnessed a demonstration of his wind-style ninjutsu mastery, and that was merely a casual display of his power."
Loess nodded grimly as he processed this tactical assessment. "Although his techniques are indeed incredibly powerful, they still fall within the range of what we can potentially counter through coordinated effort and proper strategy."
"Then I'll leave the tactical coordination to your experienced judgment," Chiyo responded with confidence in his military leadership abilities.
The three coalition leaders nodded their understanding and acceptance of their respective roles in the coming engagement. Chiyo unfolded a carefully prepared scroll from her equipment, and immediately ten magnificently crafted puppets dressed in pristine white robes surrounded her position in a defensive formation.
Since her opponents included multiple former Kazekage, she understood that only her most powerful technique would be sufficient for this confrontation. From the very beginning, she would need to deploy the legendary Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets – her ultimate puppet technique.
"Grandmother, please don't push yourself beyond your physical limits," Gaara said with genuine concern and affection in his voice.
While Chiyo's skill and experience were unquestionable, even legendary, she was nonetheless advanced in years and her physical stamina was no longer what it had been during her prime. The prolonged battle ahead would test her endurance severely.
However, their opponents possessed the infinite stamina and regenerative capabilities provided by Edo Tensei resurrection, giving them a significant advantage in any extended engagement.
"Young man, I have no intention of dying until I see with my own eyes the day when you successfully transform the Sand Village into something greater than it has ever been," Chiyo replied with a warm smile that carried both affection and absolute determination.
"Then I'll take responsibility for engaging the Second Kazekage," Mei Terumi declared confidently, placing her hands on her slender waist in a characteristic gesture of determination.
With her unique kekkei genkai abilities and mastery of corrosive techniques, she should theoretically be able to dissolve and counter the Second Kazekage's magnetic release techniques more effectively than most other ninja.
"The Third Kazekage's iron sand contains highly concentrated toxic substances that can be lethal even with minimal physical contact," Chiyo warned with the seriousness of someone who had witnessed the technique's devastating effects firsthand. "However, if you're using puppet techniques for engagement, the poison becomes much less of a concern."
Gaara nodded his understanding of the tactical assignments, then turned his gaze toward the red-haired figure standing on the far right of the Four Kage formation. His expression carried a complexity of emotions that spoke to the personal nature of the confrontation ahead.
Because the only remaining opponent for him to face was his own biological father – the Fourth Kazekage whose death had ultimately led to Gaara's assumption of the village leadership role.
However, as the current Kazekage and leader of Sunagakure, Gaara had already achieved the psychological preparation and emotional resolve necessary for this painful but unavoidable confrontation.
Swish!
After determining their individual target assignments, the four coalition leaders did not waste any additional time on hesitation or emotional processing. They immediately led their respective forces in a coordinated advance toward the White Zetsu Army commanded by the Four Former Kage.
"Earth Style: Aggravated Rock Technique!" Loess called out as his chakra enhanced the density and weight of surrounding materials.
"Boil Style: Skilled Mist Technique!" Mei Terumi declared as corrosive vapor began emerging from her position.
"White Secret Technique: Chikamatsu Collection!" Chiyo commanded as her ten legendary puppets moved into attack formation.
"Shukaku Spear!" Gaara announced as concentrated sand formed into a devastating projectile weapon.
The four coalition fighters directly condensed and unleashed their most powerful ninjutsu and puppetry techniques in a coordinated assault against the four legendary Kazekage.
The reanimated Kage responded immediately to this challenge, their own legendary abilities activating in response. Suddenly, powerful winds swept across the entire battlefield, while yellow sand, iron sand, and gold sand surged together in a spectacular display of elemental mastery that would reshape the very landscape of their confrontation!
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