"Yo, you really still remember me! You truly are my little Kakashi, it feels just the same!"
Auntie Orochimaru from Parallel World 3 said with a smile.
"Orochimaru? You guys? Three? How is that possible...?"
Kakashi's brain froze.
The appearance of three Madaras was already baffling enough, and now three Orochimarus suddenly showed up?
Were they all Shadow Clones?
But it didn't seem like that at all!
The suffocating feeling, like being constricted by a python, and the pressure emanating from the soul level convinced Kakashi that these three Orochimarus were absolutely not clones!
As for Minato, who suddenly appeared and restrained him...
Though Kakashi was confused, he assumed this was the Minato from Parallel World 6's Edo Tensei, who had appeared earlier, thinking he too was revived by some kind of ability, just like the First Hokage.
"Why, do you miss me that much, Orochimaru?"
"Minato-sensei, what's actually going on?" Kakashi asked Minato with difficulty.
"Enough!"
"Kakashi, calm down first. The situation is a bit complicated to explain. Look into my eyes..."
Minato from Parallel World 4 interrupted Orochimaru's teasing and signaled Kakashi to look at him.
Facing Minato, Kakashi wasn't too guarded and instinctively met his gaze.
The next second, Kakashi's consciousness fell into Minato's Rinnegan Genjutsu.
Sure enough, everyone hates Genjutsu, but everyone also loves using Genjutsu!
Compared to explaining things slowly, Genjutsu was more efficient and practical.
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"Kakashi-sensei!"
"Dad?!!"
"You've been revived too?!!"
"Dad, what did you do to Kakashi-sensei?"
"Wait a second—!"
"Dad, your eyes? You have the Rinnegan too?"
In the distance, Naruto, who had just punched Parallel World 1's Madara and sent him flying, also noticed the shocking changes happening to Kakashi.
Seeing his father appear with three Orochimarus and one Hashirama, and then knocking Kakashi out, Naruto was utterly stunned.
After spotting Minato's Rinnegan, Naruto was dumbfounded.
Wasn't the Rinnegan supposed to be extremely rare before?
Why were they suddenly popping up one after another?
What was actually going on with this world?
Of course, Naruto didn't overreact.
With his current combination of Sage Mode Perception, Six Paths Mode Perception, and Kyuubi Mode Perception—three overlapping sensory abilities—he could easily tell that his father and the three Orochimarus across from him harbored no malice, let alone killing intent toward him.
So, they shouldn't be enemies.
But he still didn't understand—how could his father suddenly come back to life?
And he even brought three Orochimarus?
Could he be dreaming?
"Naruto, why are you spacing out?!"
"Don't worry about where these people came from!"
"Hurry up and kill the real Madara!"
"Don't forget what the Sage of the Six Paths said—do you want to see the entire world destroyed?"
In the distance, Sasuke, who was pummeling Parallel World 2's Madara, shouted angrily.
Sasuke was always sharp and didn't care what was going on with Minato and the others who suddenly appeared.
He just wanted to kill Six Paths Madara first!
Only after eliminating this greatest threat could he truly feel at ease.
If he delayed and Six Paths Madara recovered his status and power, or even let that Goddess awaken...
It would be a disaster for their side!
He couldn't take that risk!
"Oh? Oh!"
Naruto snapped out of it. He might ignore others' words, but he couldn't ignore Sasuke's.
Besides, he also knew the terror of Six Paths Madara, and he was aware that Grandpa Sage was extremely wary of that Goddess named Kaguya.
Just as Naruto prepared to attack Six Paths Madara...
Not far away, another furious roar suddenly erupted.
"Brat, you're making me angry!"
Parallel World 1's Madara, nearly killed by a single punch, was also a bit annoyed. Facing the current Six Paths Naruto, he felt almost the same pressure as when he fought Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
But how could he admit defeat so easily?
He had only suffered a loss because he was careless and didn't dodge.
As long as he got serious, he wouldn't necessarily lose badly!
Madara was fundamentally a true warrior, inevitably getting excited again when facing a strong opponent like Six Paths Naruto.
*BZZZ!*
A more robust Perfect Susano'o instantly towered, pressing down on Naruto with a turbulent aura.
Naruto had no choice but to turn and face Parallel World 1's Madara.
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"Hurry!"
"Minato, Orochimaru, quickly figure out how to save this Madara!"
Hashirama urgently pleaded.
"Hashirama-sama, I suggest you go help that Madara-sama. If no one helps, in a few moves, he might be killed by that Naruto!" Parallel World 7's Orochimaru sincerely advised.
He knew full well how ferocious Parallel World 6's Six Paths Naruto was. Though not as absurdly strong as the Naruto by his side, he was still terrifying.
With only a Rinnegan, Parallel World 1's Madara might not be able to withstand Naruto at all.
"This..."
Hashirama hesitated. On one hand, he was worried about Six Paths Madara; on the other, he saw Parallel World 1's Madara, his close friend.
"Leave this one to us. You don't want to save one Madara-sama while killing another, do you?"
"Alright! Then I'll trouble you!"
Hashirama made a quick decision. Compared to the Six Paths Madara he didn't know well, his close friend Madara was clearly more important.
So, Hashirama rushed out, attacking Parallel World 1's Madara, preparing to team up with him to hold off Parallel World 6's Six Paths Naruto.
"Minato-san, you go help that Madara-sama too!" Parallel World 7's Orochimaru pointed to Parallel World 2's Madara across from them. He was also in great danger fighting Six Paths Sasuke alone.
Though Six Paths Sasuke's stats weren't as terrifying as Six Paths Naruto's, his space-switching ability was still very troublesome.
"Alright!"
Minato didn't hesitate. He teleported instantly and rushed to assist Parallel World 2's Madara.
Not because he wanted to bully his son's close friend, but because it was the best option right now.
After all, the situation was extremely complicated. Just explaining their origins would take a lot of effort.
In this emergency, both sides couldn't just sit down and talk calmly.
Sasuke, with his Rinnegan, couldn't be controlled by Genjutsu or told the truth through it.
And Naruto, with Six Paths power and partial Bijuu consciousness, was nearly immune to Genjutsu, so there was no way to negotiate or explain quickly.
The best approach was to restrain them first.
While waiting for Kakashi to wake up and persuade, it also gave the three Orochimarus time to save Six Paths Madara.
They couldn't just watch Parallel World 2's Madara get killed by Six Paths Sasuke, could they?
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
This time, the battlefield split into three main parts.
Parallel World 5's Edo Tensei Madara was fiercely fighting Black Zetsu.
Parallel World 2's Madara teamed up with Parallel World 4's Minato against Parallel World 6's Six Paths Sasuke.
Parallel World 1's Madara and Hashirama teamed up against Parallel World 6's Six Paths Naruto.
The scene became chaotic.
Only Sakura, utterly confused and still in shock, stood frozen, completely unsure of what to do.
She certainly couldn't intervene in Naruto and Sasuke's battles.
She turned her gaze to Six Paths Madara, the three Orochimarus, and the unconscious Kakashi, intending to help.
But Auntie Orochimaru from Parallel World 3 merely glanced at her, loudly licking her lips.
That instantly scared away the courage Sakura had just mustered.
Compared to the powerful Six Paths Madara, deep down, she was undoubtedly more terrified of Orochimaru! After all, during the Chūnin Exams, the pressure Orochimaru put on Team Seven was even more terrifying than Kaguya at the end!
Auntie Orochimaru from Parallel World 3 withdrew her gaze, smiled faintly, and paid no more attention to Sakura.
The three Orochimarus quickly surrounded Six Paths Madara and began their research. While analyzing the current situation, they searched for a solution.
"The Juubi is rampaging inside his body. He doesn't have enough strength to suppress it..."
"Suppressing it isn't very useful."
"The Juubi in his body is being controlled by another will."
"Maybe it's Kaguya's will, manifested through Black Zetsu?"
"The rampaging Juubi, the Onmyōton slime eroding his body and will, and the chakra constantly flowing into his body are also strengthening the Juubi..."
"He won't last long like this!"
"Should we try extracting the Juubi from his body?"
"A Juubi Jinchūriki is still a Jinchūriki. If a Jinchūriki loses their Bijuu, their life will surely end!"
"And without the Six Paths power from the Juubi, he'll be even less able to withstand the erosion of the Onmyōton slime in his chest!"
"It's indeed a bit tricky!"
"Do you have any ideas?"
"I have one."
"What a coincidence, I have one too!"
"Could we be thinking of the same solution?"
The three Orochimarus discussed, much like a group of surgeons gathered around a patient's bed, repeatedly debating how to remove a patient's hemorrhoids.
This made Six Paths Madara, already tortured and in pain, feel even more embarrassed and agonized.
However, not long after...
The Orochimarus had figured out Six Paths Madara's dire condition and initially discussed a treatment plan.
Even three fools could come up with many ideas, let alone three Orochimarus combining the top intelligence and scientific research talent in the ninja world.
Even the toughest problems weren't too difficult for the three of them.
Soon, the three Orochimarus began acting separately.
Parallel World 7's Orochimaru started setting up a barrier alone to slow the rate of chakra being injected into Six Paths Madara's body from the surroundings.
Parallel World 4's Orochimaru used a Cursed Seal Technique to sprout a pair of fleshy wings, flying into the air. He seemed to be heading back to get reinforcements.
Auntie Orochimaru from Parallel World 3 turned her gaze to Kakashi and began a "gentle" method of waking him.
"Hoo—!"
Kakashi, nearly suffocating in a sea of snakes, suddenly woke up.
"Yo!"
"You're awake?"
"Congratulations!"
"You've successfully joined another crazy world."
Auntie Orochimaru retracted her tongue, leaving only a trail of saliva on Kakashi's face, and congratulated him with a smile.
Kakashi was a bit dazed but soon understood some of the information that appeared in his mind.
It was all information Minato had transmitted to him through Genjutsu.
It made him realize that the three Madaras, three Orochimarus, and the others before him were all Homologous Heterotemporal entities from different space-times.
"What? Judging by your expression, you should know the truth now, right?"
"No! Impossible. How could something like this be done?"
Though he knew the truth, Kakashi still didn't dare believe it.
After all, it was too unbelievable.
So many ninjas from other space-times, not only gathering but also interfering with their space-time...
It sounded crazier than a dream!
He'd rather believe this was a false memory implanted by an enemy through Genjutsu!
But the Orochimaru before him and the Minato from earlier didn't seem fake at all...
The conflict between rationality and emotion left Kakashi unable to determine which side was the truth.
"No matter. You'll soon understand this isn't Genjutsu."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll know soon enough. By the way, please call me Orochi-sama, thank you!"
Auntie Orochimaru released Kakashi, no longer restraining him.
She was confident Kakashi would understand soon.
Just as Kakashi was still confused...
*WHOOSH!* *WHOOSH!* *WHOOSH!*
Several air-breaking sounds rang out.
Suddenly, a few more figures descended from the air, returning to Auntie Orochimaru and the others.
They were the reinforcements brought by Parallel World 4's Orochimaru.
When Kakashi saw the new arrivals, his pupils shrank, and a massive storm raged in his heart.
Parallel World 5's Six Paths Nagato!
Parallel World 1's Tobirama Mura!
Parallel World 2's Old Tobirama!
And Parallel World 4's Young Obito with Dual Kamui (Mangekyō Sharingan)!
Aside from the four from Parallel World 7 who stayed behind, everyone had arrived!
Parallel World 7's Sasuke, of course, didn't come, as he still had to protect Boruto, Kawaki, and the sleeping Parallel World 7's Naruto.
Seeing the young Obito, Parallel World 6's Kakashi couldn't hold back. His face was full of shock and disbelief, with deep incredulity.
"You... Obito? You're Genjutsu too?!!"
"Your mom's head! You damn Kakashi, eat my fist!"
Young Obito, holding back unvented anger, punched Kakashi in the stomach, sending him flying.
Let this jerk see if he's Genjutsu or not!
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On the other side...
The three battlefields were also reaching a boiling point.
Hashirama and Parallel World 1's Madara's teamwork, though theoretically very close to Six Paths level, was ultimately just shy of it; they were completely suppressed by Parallel World 6's Six Paths Naruto. Fortunately, Naruto didn't sense killing intent from them, so he didn't go for the kill. Plus, Hashirama was persuading while fighting, which reduced Naruto's hostility a bit.
Even so, the two were beaten black and blue. It should be noted that Six Paths Naruto's current power was immense—he could shatter a Perfect Susano'o with one punch and withstand Kaguya's Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack head-on!
Parallel World 2's Madara and Parallel World 4's Minato against Parallel World 6's Six Paths Sasuke were slightly more relaxed. Sasuke was, of course, more ruthless. Every move was a lethal strike. His power had also surpassed quasi-Six Paths level. But he relied more on forced mechanics and his Rinnegan. He didn't have the terrifying absolute stats like Naruto.
Unfortunately, when it came to mechanics, Rinnegan + Black Eyes + Flying Thunder God Technique made Minato the best in the world. As Naruto's father, he could once fight peak Six Paths Naruto for a while, though he ultimately lost. But against the current Six Paths Sasuke, he was naturally more composed. At least he wouldn't lose easily.
Lastly, Parallel World 5's Edo Tensei Madara against Black Zetsu was more pressured.
Black Zetsu was certainly no match for Madara, but he controlled Obito! And it was an Obito who had regained his Dual Kamui Mangekyō Sharingan. Thus, he didn't fight Madara Edo Tensei head-on at all. He kept activating Kamui's intangibility, constantly dragging and delaying Madara Edo Tensei. Because he knew Madara Edo Tensei was hard to kill. And he only needed to stall a bit longer, waiting for Six Paths Madara to be fully consumed and Kaguya to awaken, then he could win without fighting!
For that, he certainly wouldn't fight to the death with Madara Edo Tensei, fearing he'd be killed. He didn't want to die at the last step before dawn.
But the stalemate on the three battlefields was ultimately disrupted by Nagato and the others from different space-times, arriving at the battlefield in the third wave.
Especially when Six Paths Nagato appeared.
Everyone was stunned.
Naruto: Did I see that wrong?
Sasuke: Am I under Genjutsu?
Black Zetsu: Oh God~~~!