Naruto looked out across Konoha, now wreathed in smoke and fire. The Branch Family of the Hyūga Clan had already withdrawn, and even Neji had retreated from the battlefield. His gaze shifted toward the forces of Sunagakure and Otogakure, now in shambles.
The time had come.
In the distance, Might Guy had already opened the Fifth Gate. To everyone's shock, he was managing to suppress Gaara—even in his Tailed Beast state.
And yet, it was clear: Guy had no intention of fighting to the death.
Because of Naruto's influence, the butterfly effect had spread. Guy's strength had grown considerably, sharpened by Kakashi's encouragement and endless sparring sessions. Some of the improvements in his taijutsu even originated from Naruto's own training methods.
Gaara had never expected the thick-browed man before him to possess such terrifying strength. With nothing but taijutsu, Guy shattered Shukaku's sand defense again and again.
In Shukaku's eyes, this human was a mere insect. But every strike carried bone-crushing power, scattering the sand like dust on the wind.
Sand rained down with every exchange. Guy's speed left only afterimages, weaving in and out of Shukaku's reach, his relentless blows forcing Gaara onto the defensive.
This kind of opponent—untouchable and brutally strong—gave both Shukaku and Gaara a pounding headache.
Even Gaara's "absolute defense" crumbled under Guy's speed.
Fortunately, Shukaku's will was now nearly united with Gaara's own. Together, they just barely managed to keep Guy at bay.
Naruto tilted his head toward the rooftop, his eyes landing on Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, this isn't the time to waste. Let's end this quickly."
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed. He knew as well as Naruto: Otogakure and Sunagakure alone could never topple the vast power of Konoha.
Even without the Hokage, the allied clans—the Ino–Shika–Chō, the Hyūga, the Aburame, and countless others—could hold their own. And that wasn't counting the strength of the Third Hokage himself or the countless jonin among Konoha's ranks.
Already, Sunagakure shinobi had begun laying down their arms. Maki, mentor to the Kazekage's successor, was trying to rally them, but his efforts were half-hearted. Though strong—quasi-Kage level, above most elite jonin—Maki was no fool. The tide had turned.
High above, Orochimaru turned his attention back to the battle. With a dark smile, he directed the First Hokage's Edo Tensei body forward to attack Hiruzen. At the same time, he circled, waiting for his own chance to strike.
And then, it began.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
The rooftop shattered as colossal trees burst upward, sending smoke and stone flying. Branches lashed down like titans' arms, tearing through the battlefield.
The Third Hokage's face hardened. With Enma at his side, he blocked strike after strike, weaving ninjutsu to counter what slipped past.
In moments, the rooftop had become a forest of towering trunks. The sheer presence of the First Hokage's Wood Release was breathtaking—so much more than Yamato's diluted imitation.
Yamato's Wood Release was a tool for construction. Hashirama's was the power to conquer nations.
Even the surrounding shinobi faltered at the sight, dread in their eyes. To them, this was the might of a god.
Even among the Five Kage, the First Hokage had stood above all others. And though the Edo Tensei body lacked Hashirama's true will and genius in combat, his raw power was overwhelming.
Barely holding his ground, the Third Hokage's face grew grim. With a cry, Enma's staff lengthened, slamming into Hashirama's body.
The First Hokage was smashed apart in an instant—but within seconds, his body reformed, whole once again. Immortality… a cheat no normal shinobi could endure.
Orochimaru lunged, his Kusanagi blade gleaming. Enma, transformed into the Adamantine Staff, extended a hand-like appendage, catching the sword in mid-strike.
With his adamantine body, shapeshifting ability, and resilience, Enma was indispensable in holding Orochimaru at bay.
"Third Hokage… you're old. It's time you died a hero's death."
Orochimaru's smile twisted into something cruel. Sparks flew as the Kusanagi clashed against the Adamantine Staff.
Pain flared through Hiruzen's hands, his grip trembling. He was aging. Slower. Weaker.
"Orochimaru… I regret not killing you when I had the chance!"
Regret burned in his eyes. In his heart, he even feared that Naruto's rebellion had been spurred by Orochimaru's influence.
Suddenly—
Shhh!
Exploding Tags appeared across Orochimaru's abdomen.
His eyes narrowed. In an instant, he flipped backward, ripping them free and hurling them away.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The rooftop lit up with fire, explosions consuming the area. But as the smoke cleared, Orochimaru emerged—unscathed.
The First Hokage rushed forward again, his hands forming seals.
"Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!"
The ground erupted. Monstrous trees coiled upward like serpents, filling the battlefield. Blossoms bloomed in an instant, their beauty masking a deadly poison that began to spread through the air.
"Not good! These flowers contain neurotoxins!"
The Third Hokage was well-versed in the First Hokage's Ninjutsu. He instantly recognized Advent of a World of Flowering Trees, a technique that released a paralyzing pollen into the air.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen swiftly formed hand seals, first blasting away the drifting pollen with wind, then incinerating what lingered with blazing fire.
But Orochimaru was relentless. He created four Shadow Clones that encircled the Hokage, each unleashing streams of flame. The inferno swallowed Hiruzen, flames roaring and dust rising like a storm.
As the smoke began to thin, the figure of the Hokage emerged—protected by a wall of earth he had raised in the nick of time. But Orochimaru was already upon him, thrusting the Kusanagi blade forward.
The sword pierced Hiruzen's body cleanly.
Orochimaru froze, shock flickering across his face, for the old man showed no fear. Hiruzen's expression was calm, his eyes sharp with unyielding resolve. A chill ran down Orochimaru's spine.
"Orochimaru… this time, I will not let you escape!"
Forming seals with both hands, the Third Hokage's voice rang out with grim finality.
"Reaper Death Seal!!!"
The words fell like thunder. Orochimaru's pupils contracted sharply as an unnatural presence surged into existence.
A figure only they could perceive manifested—its form monstrous, spectral, and terrifying.
The Shinigami.
Orochimaru's breath hitched, genuine fear seizing him. He could feel it—Hiruzen was trying to rip his very soul from his body!
The brink of death is a terror that shakes even the strongest will. Orochimaru's desperation to survive exploded outward in a violent surge of strength. With a snarl, he wrenched the Kusanagi free from Hiruzen's body.
The Hokage staggered, blood running from the corner of his lips. Yet he smiled, a fierce light flashing in his eyes.
"Orochimaru… if I cannot take your life, then I'll strip you of what you hold most dear!"
With one final burst of power, Hiruzen roared—
—and tore Orochimaru's hands from his soul.
Elsewhere, Naruto, still immersed in Sage Mode, turned his head toward the battle. A suffocating darkness pressed against his senses, sending a shiver down his spine.
It felt unreal, like a genjutsu. Naruto closed his eyes and drew deeper on the natural energy around him, letting it flow into his body. When he opened them again, his golden Sage eyes burned like sunlight.
And then—he saw it.
The Shinigami.
Its looming figure radiated a malevolent energy, an embodiment of death itself. Yet as Naruto's gaze fixed upon it, the Shinigami's head shifted—its hollow eyes meeting his own, if only for an instant.
Did… did he see me?
Naruto's chest tightened. His thoughts raced.
Where did the Shinigami come from?
From the Pure Land?
No… it shouldn't be. The Pure Land was created by the Sage of Six Paths. Then… could the Shinigami be something else entirely?
A being more akin to… an evil god?
...
TN:
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