Buzz!
Within the gradually receding brilliance of the lightning explosion, five distinct figures could be seen forming hand seals with mechanical precision. Each movement was perfectly synchronized, their gestures flowing through complex sequences that spoke to decades of refined technique and supernatural coordination.
Kakashi's visible eye widened in shock as his analytical mind processed what he was witnessing. His experience as the Copy Ninja had exposed him to countless jutsu variations, but this particular combination defied conventional understanding.
"You're performing five different elemental ninjutsu simultaneously?!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking with disbelief.
Through careful observation of the hand seals being executed by Sarutobi Sasuke and his shadow clones, Kakashi had identified the true scope of the technique being prepared. This wasn't merely a powerful individual jutsu—it was a combination that threatened to rewrite the fundamental rules of chakra manipulation.
The five basic chakra natures possessed intricate relationships of mutual reinforcement and restraint, their interactions governed by principles that had been studied and refined over centuries of ninja history. Most shinobi could only effectively combine two elemental natures at once, using the advantages and disadvantages of their chosen attributes to create techniques with dramatically enhanced power levels.
But attempting to weave all five elements together simultaneously—allowing them to intertwine, reinforce each other, and amplify their collective effects—represented something approaching the theoretical limits of what ninjutsu could achieve.
In the entire recorded history of the ninja world, only two individuals had ever demonstrated such mastery: Sarutobi Sasuke himself, and his descendant, the Third Hokage, who had inherited both his genes and his revolutionary understanding of elemental manipulation.
The scale of such a combination technique would inevitably create devastation on a level that could reshape entire landscapes. Every member of the Allied Forces currently fighting within this dense forest would face potential annihilation from the resulting explosion.
"We can't allow any more delays," Kakashi said grimly, his tactical mind calculating the rapidly diminishing window of opportunity.
Swish!
His body transformed into a streak of white light, crackling arcs of Lightning Release chakra trailing behind him as he pushed his speed to its absolute limits. The Chidori technique that had made him legendary began building in his palm, its distinctive sound cutting through the forest like the cry of a thousand birds.
"BANG!"
While charging toward Sarutobi Sasuke's position, Kakashi formed a shadow clone with practiced efficiency. The division of labor was immediate and instinctive—his true body would target the figure preparing Fire Release techniques in the center of the formation, while his duplicate would eliminate the Wind Release user positioned on the formation's left flank.
His strategy was sound based on elemental theory. Though all five chakra natures would theoretically enhance each other according to their natural relationships, the Wind and Fire elements possessed the greatest potential for widespread destruction. Wind techniques excelled at diffusion and area coverage, while Fire techniques provided the most devastating immediate damage.
If he could eliminate those two specific components, even a successfully launched combination jutsu would retain less than thirty percent of its intended power—a significant reduction that could mean the difference between survival and annihilation for the Allied Forces.
"Chidori!"
Lightning chakra concentrated in both his palms as Kakashi and his clone prepared to strike their designated targets. The electrical energy was so intense that it created visible distortions in the air, while the sound reached painful levels that made nearby animals flee in terror.
Yet Sarutobi Sasuke made no attempt to evade or defend against the incoming attacks. His focus remained entirely on the seal formations, as if the approaching threats were merely minor inconveniences rather than potentially lethal assaults.
Swish!
Without warning, a figure moving even faster than Kakashi's lightning-enhanced charge burst from the surrounding foliage. The newcomer's speed was so extraordinary that he seemed to materialize from thin air, his approach having been completely undetectable until the moment of action.
Simultaneously with his dramatic entrance, several kunai flew from his position with velocities that exceeded even his own movement speed. The projectiles were aimed with surgical precision at the hands of the leftmost shadow clone, specifically targeting the fingers responsible for seal formation.
Under the coordinated assault from multiple angles, the targeted clone found itself with no viable escape routes. The kunai struck their marks with devastating accuracy, and with a sharp "BANG!", the construct dissolved into dispersing smoke.
At that crucial moment, the hand seals being formed by the remaining four figures underwent a sudden, dramatic transformation.
"No!" Kakashi's expression shifted to one of horrified realization as understanding dawned.
The change in seal patterns meant that the nature of the jutsu being prepared had also fundamentally shifted. The initial hand seals had been nothing more than elaborate misdirection, designed to fool observers into making incorrect tactical assumptions.
But his momentum was too great to alter course now. His attack trajectory was locked, committed to targeting techniques that were no longer being prepared.
At that moment, beside the kunai that had eliminated Sarutobi Sasuke's shadow clone, the mysterious figure who had thrown them suddenly materialized directly next to the disrupted formation.
"Flying Thunder God Technique?!" Kakashi's pupil contracted with shock as he recognized one of the most legendary space-time ninjutsu in existence.
"BANG!"
Without hesitation, the newcomer shifted his hand seals and destroyed the clone that had been preparing Wind Release techniques, eliminating the second major component of the combination attack.
"Swish!"
Kakashi adapted immediately to the changing battlefield conditions, hurling his tanto toward the figure on the far right who was still forming Fire Release seals. The lightning-enhanced blade flew with enough speed and power to cut through solid steel.
Sarutobi Sasuke, recognizing the immediate threat to his technique, abandoned his seal formation and retreated with fluid grace. His tactical instincts were too refined to allow pride to override survival.
"BANG! BANG! BANG!"
As soon as the original Sasuke cleared the area, Kakashi moved in to finish the job. The mysterious ally had already destroyed the remaining three shadow clones with efficiency that spoke to extraordinary combat experience and technical mastery.
Only then did Kakashi have the opportunity to clearly observe his unexpected savior's features.
"Second Hokage?" he breathed, his voice carrying genuine amazement.
According to the intelligence reports he had received, the reanimated Second Hokage should have been engaged in combat with the Special Attack Force, specifically facing Itachi in what was supposed to be a prolonged battle.
How had he appeared here instead? And more importantly, why was he providing assistance rather than attacking the Allied Forces?
"The enemy's Edo Tensei control was compromised, and I have already broken free from their manipulation," Tobirama explained, noting the wariness that had appeared in Kakashi's visible eye.
The explanation was concise but sufficient to address the most critical concerns about his presence and intentions.
Kakashi paused for a moment to process this information, then nodded slowly as the defensive tension gradually left his posture. Given the Second Hokage's actions during the recent battle, his words carried the ring of truth.
The logic was sound—if Tobirama had still been under enemy control, he would have allowed Sarutobi Sasuke to complete his devastating combination technique rather than intervening to prevent a catastrophe for the Allied Forces.
Observing Kakashi's quick analytical reasoning and tactical adaptation, Tobirama's eyes flashed with approval. The young ninja's mental agility reminded him of the qualities that had made Minato such an exceptional student and leader.
"Are you a disciple of the Fourth Hokage?" the Second Hokage asked suddenly, his tone carrying genuine curiosity rather than mere casual inquiry.
"Yes!" Kakashi responded immediately, his voice carrying pride in that connection.
He was aware that Minato-sensei had encountered the Second Hokage and more importantly, that the Flying Thunder God technique had originally been developed by Tobirama before being modified and perfected by his teacher.
"Your response time and tactical analysis are excellent," Tobirama said with characteristic directness, "though your battlefield experience still needs refinement."
He paused, then added in a more understanding tone: "But that's not a fault on your part. The current generation simply hasn't faced the same level of constant warfare that shaped previous eras."
His gaze shifted to focus on Sarutobi Sasuke, who was maintaining a defensive position while analyzing the new tactical situation.
"This particular opponent possesses the ability to freely manipulate all five elemental chakra natures," Tobirama explained, his voice carrying the weight of personal experience. "His hand seal mastery has reached a level where he can directly transform the chakra nature within his body, eliminating many of the intermediate steps that typically slow down technique execution."
Since Sarutobi Sasuke had died during the chaotic Warring States Period, it was understandable that modern ninja would lack detailed knowledge of his capabilities and fighting style.
"So the seals I observed initially were just pretense, designed to manipulate my tactical judgment," Kakashi muttered, his analytical mind working through the implications.
The concept wasn't entirely foreign to him. Just as he could now perform Chidori by executing only the final seal in the sequence, advanced practitioners could streamline many techniques once their mastery reached sufficient levels.
Hand seals served as focusing tools that helped ninja transform and direct the chakra within their bodies, but once manipulation of a specific technique reached a certain threshold, many of these steps could be simplified or eliminated entirely.
Even the Flying Thunder God technique, despite its incredible complexity, required hand seals during basic training phases. Only after achieving complete mastery could practitioners execute it through pure will and chakra control.
At that moment, Zabuza and Haku arrived on the scene, having fought their way through the aftermath of the lightning explosion. Their appearances showed the toll of recent combat, but their alertness remained sharp.
Tobirama noticed their approach and glanced at them briefly, his experienced eyes immediately identifying their nature.
"Edo Tensei," he observed neutrally, recognizing the telltale signs of reanimation technique in their chakra signatures.
Initially, neither Zabuza nor Haku recognized the legendary Second Hokage, but they could clearly perceive the same reanimation energy that flowed through their own forms. This shared condition immediately triggered defensive wariness.
Tobirama chose to ignore their suspicious reactions, while Kakashi turned to address their concerns directly.
"The Second Hokage is not an enemy at this point," he explained, his tone carrying the authority of someone who had assessed the situation thoroughly.
Both reanimated ninja remained visibly confused by this development, but Kakashi's signal convinced them to adopt a wait-and-see approach rather than immediately engaging in combat.
"Let's cooperate to eliminate this threat as quickly as possible," Tobirama said, addressing Kakashi with the matter-of-fact tone of someone accustomed to battlefield command.
While he was confident in his ability to eventually defeat Sarutobi Sasuke in single combat, such a victory would require significant time and effort—resources that were currently in desperately short supply.
Through his enhanced sensory abilities, Tobirama could clearly perceive the violent collision of extraordinary chakra levels occurring at the Allied Forces headquarters. The energy signatures belonged to Minato, Madara, and several others whose power levels approached the legendary.
What surprised him most was that Minato's chakra had become nearly identical to the signatures of what should have been Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. During their previous encounter, the Fourth Hokage had deliberately restrained his chakra fluctuations, masking the true extent of his capabilities.
The implications of such power levels clashing simultaneously suggested that the war's decisive battle was already underway.
"Understood!" Kakashi responded immediately, then moved to stand beside the Second Hokage. His grip tightened on his tanto as he prepared for coordinated combat.
Swish!
In perfect synchronization, both figures transformed into streaks of white light, their forms moving with such speed that they seemed to blur into pure energy. They approached Sarutobi Sasuke from opposite flanks, their timing coordinated with the precision that came only from fighting alongside truly elite companions.