After confirming Yueji's victory was certain,
Natsume prepared to withdraw and head toward the Second Battlefield.
Of course, before leaving,
he gently urged Konan to watch over Yueji here and prevent anything unexpected from happening.
Furthermore, Natsume solemnly promised—
if he spotted Black Zetsu on the other side, he would strike without hesitation and send him straight to hell!
This finally calmed Konan somewhat.
Then, with a flash, Natsume vanished from the spot,
racing toward the Second Battlefield beyond the [Ancient Capital of Loulan].
The distance between the two locations was only about ten kilometers.
Natsume poured all his speed into his movement—like a streak of rainbow light shooting across the void—and within just over twenty seconds, he reached the battlefield's edge.
Soon, the situation on the Second Battlefield became clear at a glance.
More than a hundred troops from the Konoha-Suna alliance
were surrounding Obito, who had been sealed within the [Torii Seal], forming a solid defensive line
to halt the waves upon waves of White Zetsu assaults.
In less than ten minutes,
nearly five thousand White Zetsus had already been slaughtered in their relentless onslaught.
Yet this reckless, unyielding offensive did have some effect—
it significantly slowed down the Analysis Team's progress with their [Mind-Reading Secret Art] invading Obito's memories.
Otherwise, maybe Tobirama's plan might've already succeeded.
Seeing this scene, Natsume couldn't help but chuckle slightly.
It really used to get on his nerves how smugly that Obito always acted—so effortlessly cool, like some kind of untouchable breeze.
Now though, he finally got what was coming to him, didn't he?
You can't sit by the river long without getting your feet wet.
In fact, Natsume even hoped that Konoha could extract Obito's memories as soon as possible and learn about the [Eye of the Moon Plan],
and thus proceed firmly to stop it.
After all, intelligence extracted directly from the enemy's mind
would be far more convincing than what he himself told Konoha.
It even tempted Natsume to jump in and help Konoha wipe out the rest of the White Zetsu Army.
However, just as he hesitated over whether or not to intervene—
a sudden unexpected change occurred.
…
"How much longer?!"
Tobirama asked loudly, turning his head.
"Hard to say! This guy's will is extremely strong—it's very difficult to penetrate!"
"Even though his chakra has been sealed, the Sharingan itself resists genjutsu quite powerfully—we can only do our best…"
Yamanaka Inoichi replied bitterly with frustration.
Truthfully, this was his first time performing a 'Mind-Reading Technique' on an Uchiha ninja.
Let alone one whose Mangekyō Sharingan leaned toward genjutsu-based abilities.
And the opponent was still fiercely resisting and struggling.
Even an interrogation expert like Inoichi found it extremely exhausting!
Moreover, he couldn't even guarantee
whether they'd ultimately obtain truly useful memories…
"Do your best."
"We'll buy you as much time as we can."
That was all Tobirama could urge.
Though a genius himself,
in this particular field, he had no choice but to rely on professionals.
Just as Tobirama finished speaking,
above everyone—
Another proud, disdainful voice suddenly rang out.
"Time? Where do you think you're getting time from?"
Everyone looked up.
Their expressions instantly changed dramatically.
There stood the nightmarish figure clad in Kurenai Armor atop the [Torii Seal], looking down at the crowd with clear contempt.
At the same time, upon seeing Lord Madara, Hashirama Senju nearby instinctively became excited.
He shouted loudly:
"Lord Madara!"
"Hasegawa!"
The two cried out, startling everyone around them.
Anyone unfamiliar with the situation might think they were old friends reuniting!
"So you've finally come!"
"You don't think I'd show up?"
Hashirama Senju: "Are you here to save him?"
Lord Madara crossed his arms and coldly snorted:
"Not exactly. Just convenient timing."
"This guy might be an arrogant fool—but he's still mine. Konoha has no right to discipline him!"
Lord Madara glanced directly at Obito below.
Putting strength into his right leg, he stomped slightly.
A tremendous force poured downward, instantly sending deep cracks spreading across three layers of the [Torii Seal], making them sway precariously.
Seeing this, Obito trapped beneath immediately exerted his power.
Straining upward, he shattered the three collapsing [Torii Seal] above, quickly breaking free.
In the next moment,
his ocular power surged as his Mangekyō Sharingan activated.
Obito, now intangible, was no longer restrained.
In an instant, he burst through Konoha's encirclement and landed beside Lord Madara.
Snorting slightly, Lord Madara said:
"What a mess you've made of things!"
Obito, clearly disheveled but stubborn, retorted with feigned indifference:
"That's none of your business!"
"How cold-hearted—you couldn't even say thank you?"
Obito: "Why are you really here? It's not just for me, right?"
Madara: "You're actually right about that. I'm here to claim final victory..."
"Victory? What kind of victory?"
"Just watch closely. You'll see soon enough."
[Perfect Susanoo]—Activate!
In the very next moment,
a colossal blue Susano'o shot up from the ground.
Four giant hands each drew forth a Susano'o Sword dozens of meters long, swinging their blades downward.
They unleashed boundless blade auras, shaking heaven and earth while stunning all directions.
...
The moment Lord Madara arrived, Shimoku immediately concealed his presence.
Frankly speaking, he had considered revealing himself directly—
first teaming up with Lord Madara to defeat and seal Hashirama Senju.
After all, although there were significant ideological differences between himself and this ancestral figure, they both equally hated Konoha.
Cooperation wasn't impossible.
However, it also couldn't be ruled out that the prideful and defiant Madara would still insist on dueling Hashirama Senju alone, thus rejecting Shimoku's proposal.
Therefore, after careful consideration,
watching from the sidelines while the titans clash remained the most prudent approach.
Once both sides had fought themselves to mutual ruin—or one emerged victorious—
then he could step forward to reap the 'fruits of victory'.
Wasn't he practically one of the great villains? How else could he play the part without a little scheming?
However,
soon.
Natsuki Shimoku realized he had still underestimated that bastard Tobirama.
When it came to underhanded tricks...
Now *that* guy's the real veteran!
...
At this moment, right after seeing Lord Madara unleash his [Susanoo].
Senju Tobirama immediately activated the [Flying Thunder God Technique], transporting dozens of nearby Konoha ninja away.
And those Konoha ninja slightly farther out also hurriedly fled outward,
without a moment's hesitation.
Unfortunately, dodging Madara's monstrous blade aura—stretching hundreds of meters—was no easy feat.
Still more than ten Konoha ninja
unluckily got grazed by the four sword beams, either dying or getting injured.
After that one strike,
Lord Madara didn't continue attacking.
His target had always been Hashirama alone.
Once Hashirama fell, all other Konoha ninja wouldn't be worth fearing anymore.
Moreover, with his personality and status, it would be beneath him to disgracefully chase after ordinary ninja, killing them wantonly...
"Hashirama! Aren't you going to fight back?"
"Madara, is defeating me really what you desire that much?"
Hashirama sighed softly, asking quietly.
"Between us, there can only be one! Haven't you figured that out yet?"
Lord Madara roared with laughter, once again frustrated by Hashirama's naivety.
"Tch! Seems like I have no other choice."
"This is where I'll end you—for the village, for the Ninja World!"
Hashirama clenched his fist. "It's come to this…" he muttered, voice laced with regret.
Hearing this made Lord Madara even angrier.
"Hashirama, do you really believe every time you can beat me?"
Hashirama didn't respond to Madara. Rather than answering, he turned to whisper to Tobirama beside him:
"Tobirama, now!"
"Sure thing! Brother, waiting for you to say that!"
Tobirama called out with a grin. With both hands forming seals rapidly, he immediately began performing jutsu.
"Kinjutsu - Reverse Life Pure Realm!"
Hearing that, Lord Madara felt something was wrong immediately.
What kind of [Reverse Life Pure Realm] was this?
Why hadn't he ever heard about it before?
Could it be that within such a short time, that damned Tobirama had invented some new kinjutsu again?
In an instant,
before Lord Madara could even react,
"Hong! Hong! Hong——"
A series of explosive sounds erupted, shaking the earth.
Around everyone, eight oddly-shaped wooden pillars suddenly rose up from the ground, forming an equilateral octagonal formation.
Inside each pillar, a powerful aura of life radiated outward.
Then, an invisible barrier instantly formed.
In the next moment, all chakra inside the barrier rapidly flowed toward these eight wooden pillars, being absorbed by them greedily.
With chakra depleting quickly,
Lord Madara's Susano'o gradually dissipated, returning into nothingness.
Everyone else's ninjutsu also started failing, becoming impossible to use.
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