Chapter 76
The area that remained of the battlefield wherein the Five Kage rallied against Madara Uchiha was nothing short of apocalyptic. The sheer scale of chakra radiating from each combatant warped the air and trembled the earth. Madara stood as if bored by their combined efforts, his crimson sharingan spinning lazily, but his movements were a blur of precision and ferocity.
Tsunade roared as she launched herself at him again, her strength amplified by her perfect chakra control. She aimed a downward heel kick at his head, but Madara dipped backward with an effortless grace, her attack missing him by mere inches. The ground below shattered as her heel landed, sending shockwaves rippling outward.
"You are the Hokage?" Madara mused, his voice dripping with condescension. With a flick of his wrist, he redirected her follow-up haymaker, sending her tumbling into the fractured terrain.
Ay, the Raikage, followed immediately after, his Lightning Release Armor a blur as he charged Madara at blinding speed. "Madara!" Ay's voice was a booming declaration. His punches and kicks came in relentless succession, faster than the untrained eye could perceive. Yet, Madara countered and dodged each strike, his sharingan reading Ay's movements as if they were from an open scroll. Not a single attack landed. With a flourish, Madara detached his war fan, swinging it with devastating force. Ay blocked it with both arms, but the force sent him skidding backward.
From behind, Gaara's sand surged like a tidal wave, coiling toward Madara's ankles and waist. Madara's sharingan spun once, and with a single-handed seal, he unleashed a Wind Release: Great Breakthrough. The powerful gust blasted the sand away in an explosion of dust and particles. Gaara's eyes narrowed, already reforming his sand into a protective shield.
"Persistent," Madara remarked.
Mei Terumi's voice cut through the chaos as she unleashed a flurry of lava projectiles. "Let's see you handle this!" she shouted, her Lava Release bubbling dangerously. Madara responded with fluid hand movements, condensing moisture in the air into a Water Release shield. Her lava hissed and sizzled as it struck his barrier, but some broke through, burning away the skin on his arms. Yet, before the Kage could capitalize, the injuries regenerated.
Madara smirked. "This body is beyond the reach of mortals."
Ōnoki darted above, his small frame moving with surprising agility. "Don't get cocky, Madara!" The aged Tsuchikage formed his hands into the seal for his most devastating technique. "Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World!" A brilliant cube of pure destructive energy formed in his hands, expanding outward toward Madara.
Before the attack could connect, Madara's Susanoo erupted around him—a sinister, azure, skeletal avatar. The Dust Release attack struck the ethereal armor, disintegrating part of it but leaving Madara unharmed. Ōnoki cursed under his breath, retreating as Madara's Susanoo swiped at him with an enormous spectral sword.
The Five Kage regrouped, each panting and bruised. Tsunade's amber eyes were fierce as she glanced at her companions. "We can't let up. If we give him an opening, it's over."
Madara, standing amidst the wreckage, watched them with a faint smile. "You're all so eager to die. I suppose I should oblige you."
As they prepared for another assault, the scene shifted.
Meanwhile, in the dense foliage of the Land of Lightning, Sasuke and Itachi moved like shadows, leaping from branch to branch with inhuman speed. The air grew colder as they approached the southern coast, the oppressive presence of danger thick in the atmosphere. Sasuke's Eternal Mangekyōu sharingan glowed faintly in the dimming light, scanning the surroundings for traps.
In his mind, Sasuke heard Ino's voice through the telepathic link. "Sasuke, Kabuto's last known whereabouts were off the southern coast of Lightning Country. Be careful. This feels like a trap."
"It is," Sasuke replied curtly, his voice sharp even in thought. "But it's a trap we have no choice but to walk into. He's the only way to end the Reanimation. One more thing—I have a message for Kakashi. I've made an important connection about the masked man's technique."
"What is it?" Ino urged.
"Tobi's space-time ninjutsu," Sasuke began, his thoughts methodical, "it's almost certainly Kamui. It's derived from the same Mangekyōu sharingan technique Kakashi uses. He needs to know this."
Ino's presence vanished from his mind as the connection ended. Sasuke glanced at Itachi, who was silent but watchful. The brothers exchanged a glance, their shared resolve unspoken but understood. Together, they leapt forward into the gathering dusk, knowing full well that Kabuto—and whatever traps he had set—awaited them.
The battlefield shifted suddenly. Nagato's overwhelming presence seemed to meet its equals with the arrival of Hashirama and Tobirama Senju, the First and Second Hokage. Their stoic forms, clad in resplendent war armor, exuded an aura of both history and power. Orochimaru stood atop a nearby tree branch, his expression gleeful as he smiled at the reanimated Hokage like they were old friends.
"What is the meaning of this, Orochimaru?" Tobirama demanded, his voice carrying the weight of impatience. "First, you make us fight Hiruzen, and now you bring us before the Rinnegan itself?"
Hashirama's gaze remained focused on Nagato, who stood motionless, his expression unreadable. His body radiated invisible waves of gravitational potential. He was a force of nature itself, the aftermath of his recent Heavenly Push still reverberated through the ruined terrain. Hashirama narrowed his eyes, intrigued.
"This guy's strong," Hashirama muttered, his voice betraying neither fear nor hesitation. "Looks like I'll have to fight him."
Orochimaru chuckled. "My dear First Hokage, allow me to elaborate before you dive headfirst into battle. Kabuto, my prodigal apprentice, has taken my work and built upon it. He's reanimated an army of legendary shinobi, much like yourself, and allied with the Akatsuki. Together, they hold six of the nine Tailed Beasts and aim to dominate this world."
"I don't care about your schemes," Hashirama said with a sheepish grin, waving Orochimaru off. "Let's see what this guy can do." Without waiting for a response, Hashirama slammed his hands together in a Snake Seal. "Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
The ground trembled violently as a vast sea of trees erupted from the earth. The sheer scale of the technique was staggering, easily dwarfing the surrounding landscape. Endless swarms of tree limbs surged toward Nagato, twisting and converging to engulf him in their grasp. Hashirama's mastery of Wood Release was unmatched, a force of nature unparalleled by any shinobi living or dead.
Nagato, however, was no ordinary opponent, and he was neither living nor dead. His Rinnegan gleamed, and with an almost casual motion, he raised his hand. "Almighty Push."
The force was cataclysmic. Trees splintered and exploded into shards as the gravitational repulsion annihilated Hashirama's attack. The air itself seemed to scream in protest as the shockwave rippled outward, leveling the terrain once more. But the First Hokage was already smiling.
"Good," Hashirama said. "This'll be fun."
Before Nagato could react, Tobirama was upon him, a three-pronged kunai in hand. The Second Hokage's mastery of speed and precise Taijutsu technique made him a blur, even to the Rinnegan's perceptive powers. He engaged Nagato in fierce fisticuffs, teleporting to different angles and launching relentless attacks. Nagato parried with skill, his mechanical arm whirring with blade raised as he deflected Tobirama's strikes.
Yugito, normal size once again and shrouded in her red, flickering Jinchuriki cloak, leapt into the fray. "We have to help them!" she shouted, her chakra extending into a claw that lashed out at Nagato. He sidestepped her attack but left himself exposed for a moment. That was all Tobirama needed.
With a flick of his kunai, Tobirama marked Nagato with the Flying Thunder God seal that he carved in Nagato's skin. The battlefield became a blur of motion as Tobirama unleashed a relentless assault, teleporting to Nagato's side every time he tried to escape. Yugito added pressure, her chakra claws slashing through the air with feral speed.
Hashirama clapped his hands together once more. "Let's end this!" The ground roared as an enormous Wood Release prison rose from the earth, interlocking branches forming an inescapable cage around Nagato. The Rinnegan user attempted to counter with another Almighty Push, but the sheer scale of Hashirama's technique braced and absorbed the force. Nagato's hands moved to absorb the surrounding chakra, but Tobirama's attacks prevented him from focusing.
Yugito pounced, unleashing a torrent of blue flames that forced Nagato to defend. His absorption technique activated just as Hashirama's prison fully closed in on him.
Tobirama formed a series of rapid hand seals. "Fuinjutsu: Suppression Seal!" The branches glowed with intricate symbols as they constricted, sealing Nagato within the inescapable prison. His movements ceased as the seal took effect, rendering him powerless.
Orochimaru's grin widened as he clapped slowly. "Magnificent. Simply magnificent. I expected nothing less from the Senju brothers."
Hashirama glanced at Orochimaru, his expression darkening. "Don't get too comfortable, Orochimaru. We're not here to serve you."
"Of course, of course," Orochimaru replied with mock deference. "But for now, we've rid ourselves of one of the Akatsuki's greatest threats."
Yugito stepped back, her chakra cloak dissipating. She glanced at the sealed prison, her breathing heavy but steady. "Let's hope the others are faring as well as we are."
The trio of Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi sat together, their breaths heavy and hearts weighed down by the battles they had just endured. Kakashi's sharingan still burned faintly from his fight with his father, a battle that had cut deeper emotionally than physically. Sakura wiped her tear-streaked face with the back of her hand, her thoughts still swirling with the image of Jiraiya's reanimated form and the regret of having to seal him away. Naruto stared into the distance, his golden sage eyes reflecting both determination and sorrow after facing Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage who had been like a grandfather to him.
"Kakashi!" Ino's voice pierced the silence, her telepathic link hissing into his mind.
Kakashi blinked, shaking off the fog of his emotions. "Here with Sakura and Naruto," he answered aloud for his team's benefit, his tone steady despite the chaos of his thoughts.
Ino's voice filled their minds once more, this time connecting all three of them. "Guys, I have critical information to relay. Sasuke and Itachi are pursuing Kabuto as we speak. They ran into our masked friend—Tobi. Sasuke says he figured out something about his space-time technique."
Naruto perked up, the heaviness in his chest momentarily replaced by the warmth of hearing from his beloved. "Hey, Ino! I miss you."
Ino's laugh rang softly through the link. "Aww, I miss you too, Naruto. But now's not the time for that. As I was saying—Sasuke wanted me to tell you this, Kakashi. He said it's important. He thinks Tobi's technique, the one he uses to make himself intangible and teleport… it's the Kamui."
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed, his expression turning contemplative. The gears in his mind began turning, piecing together the implications of Sasuke's theory. Naruto, however, shook his head in confusion.
"How would that even work?" Naruto asked, his brow furrowed.
Kakashi remained silent for a moment, then stood abruptly. He looked at his students with a resolve that was sharper than any blade. "I have an idea, but we'll need to confirm it. I'm going to need your help."
Before either Naruto or Sakura could respond, Ino's voice interjected with urgency. "Also… Sakura, I have a strange request for you."
"Me?" Sakura asked aloud, surprised.
Ino sent a mental impression of a seal directly into Sakura's mind. Her pink brow furrowed and she said, "That's the Flying Thunder God seal. Tobirama's, specifically."
"You know it?" Ino pressed.
Sakura nodded, her mind racing as the image burned itself into her memory. "I've studied it before. What's this about?"
"I need you to teleport to it, there should only be one active," Ino explained.
Sakura hesitated but took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Okay. I'll trust you."
She formed the hand seals necessary to activate the Flying Thunder God and disappeared in a flash. The teleportation was disorienting at first, but she landed gracefully, her senses quickly sharpening. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene before her.
Orochimaru stood atop a thick tree branch, his snake-like grin as unnerving as ever. Beside him were two figures clad in almost perfectly kept war armor: the reanimated forms of Tobirama and Hashirama Senju, the Second and First Hokage. The air around them was thick with an almost oppressive chakra, the sheer presence of these legendary shinobi enough to make her knees weak.
"What's the meaning of this, Orochimaru?" Tobirama's voice cut through the tension, sharp and irritated. "You drag us into this madness, and make us battle your Rinnegan user. Explain yourself."
Sakura's breath hitched. She reached for her mental link with Ino, finding it freshly familiar. "Ino. I'm looking at Orochimaru, and he's got both the First and Second Hokage with him. And Nagato's here too… They beat him. Again."
Ino's voice came through, steady and resolved. "Hold your position, Sakura. Kakashi-sensei and Naruto are on their way."
Orochimaru's grin widened as his golden eyes flicked to Sakura. "Ah, another guest. Welcome, Sakura Haruno. I imagine you'll be leaving soon for the real show."
Sakura stood before Orochimaru, her brow ftaut in both distrust and contemplation. The presence of the First and Second Hokage at his side made the situation even more surreal. Tobirama's piercing gaze was locked on her, while Hashirama's expression shifted from lighthearted curiosity to solemn determination at the mention of Madara Uchiha.
"You expect me to trust you?" Sakura asked, her voice sharp and unwavering. "You're the reason for so much of the chaos we're dealing with now."
Orochimaru smirked, his serpentine tongue flicking out briefly. "Oh, Sakura, I don't expect trust. I know you're not trusting. But you are rational, my dear. I expect necessity to outweigh your hesitation. Surely even you can recognize the gravity of the situation. Madara Uchiha has been resurrected, and you've seen firsthand how powerful he is. If you truly care about your comrades—Naruto, Sasuke, your sensei, Kakashi—you'll agree to this."
Hashirama's eyes darkened at the mention of Madara. The easygoing demeanor he'd displayed earlier vanished entirely. "If Madara is truly back, there's no time to waste. Sakura, was it? I understand your hesitation, but if we can stop him before he gains more momentum, we must act."
Tobirama folded his arms, his tone impatient. "He's right. I don't like this situation any more than you do, but we're wasting time. If you have a teleportation seal, show me. Quickly."
Sakura hesitated for only a moment longer before nodding. She grabbed a three pronged kunai and tossed it to him. "Fine. But only because I agree that stopping Madara is the priority. This doesn't mean I trust you, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru's grin widened. "Cooperation is enough for me."
She handed the kunai to Tobirama, who examined the seal with a critical eye. "Impressive work," he admitted. "Your mastery of this technique is commendable."
"Thanks," Sakura muttered, stepping back as Tobirama integrated the seal into his own Flying Thunder God technique. With a nod of acknowledgment, Tobirama grabbed Hashirama's shoulder, and Orochimaru placed a hand on Tobirama's other shoulder.
"Let's go," Tobirama said, and with a flash of light, the three of them disappeared, leaving Sakura alone in the forest clearing.
Sakura exhaled heavily before activating her own seal to teleport back to Naruto and Kakashi, who were waiting impatiently in the dense foliage of the Lightning Country. She appeared in a burst of chakra, startling Naruto.
"Whoa, Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed. "What happened?"
"I sent them to the interior of the Lightning Country," Sakura said. "They're going to help the Five Kage against Madara. I don't know if it'll make a difference, but they were determined to go."
Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. "It's a calculated risk. Hashirama and Tobirama are powerful, and if anyone can stand a chance against Madara, it's them. Good work, Sakura."
"Let's keep moving. If Sasuke's information about Tobi's technique is correct, we might have a way to counter him."
The trio pushed forward, their resolve strengthened as they navigated the dense forest, each step bringing them closer to their confrontation with the elusive masked man.
Meanwhile, on the edge of the Land of Lightning's border, Hinata patrolled the perimeter of a nondescript cabin. Her Byakugan scanned the area carefully, ensuring that no threats approached the gathering of the world's daimyō . Beside her were her sister Hanabi, Kiba, and Shino, along with a mix of elite shinobi from other villages.
As Hinata rounded a corner, she nodded at a young man named Sora, a monk from the Fire Temple. He bowed to her politely, his kind smile not quite masking the turmoil in his eyes.
"Hinata-san," he said softly before continuing his patrol.
Hinata watched him for a moment, her Byakugan instinctively scanning the area around him. Sora's presence was a reassuring one; his unique pseudo-Jinchuriki abilities made him a valuable asset to their team. Though not as powerful as a true Jinchuriki, Sora had proven himself a formidable fighter.
As Sora turned a corner, his thoughts weighed heavily on the world's precarious state. He felt the familiar pull of responsibility and doubt, wondering if he was truly strong enough to make a difference.
Before he could take another step, a sudden vortex of distorted space appeared behind him. Sora spun around, his eyes widening in recognition and fear.
"No…" he whispered, struggling against the gravitational pull. But it was futile. The vortex consumed him, and in an instant, he was gone.
When Hinata arrived moments later, the only trace of him was the faint ripple in the air where the vortex had been. Her Byakugan flared as she scanned the area frantically, but Sora was nowhere to be found.
"Sora!" she called out, her voice tinged with panic. Hanabi and Kiba rushed to her side.
"What happened?" Hanabi asked, her eyes narrowing as she activated her own Byakugan.
"He's gone," Hinata said, her voice trembling. "I think… I think Tobi took him."
The battlefield trembled under the weight of Madara's sheer presence as he stood atop the glass dome formed by Gaara's superheated sand. The Five Kage faced him, battered but unbroken, their gazes fixed on the seemingly insurmountable foe.
"This is the best the current generation has to offer?" Madara's condescending tone echoed through the wasteland. His scarlet Eternal Mangekyōu sharingan glimmered as he looked down on them both figuratively and literally. "And to think, it's five against one." A smirk tugged at his lips as he clasped his hands into a familiar seal. "Shall we reverse the odds? Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu."
A series of pops filled the air, and in their wake stood twenty-five Madara clones, each radiating the same lethal aura. The Kage stiffened, their resolve tested to its limits. Then, the real Madara tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Now the real question: should I have them all use Susanoo?"
With a blinding surge of chakra, all twenty-five clones erupted into brilliant azure light. Massive perfect Susanoo constructs materialized around each clone, towering over the already fractured battlefield. Each armored specter radiated an oppressive energy that sent chills through even the most seasoned warriors.
Mei fell to a knee, her chakra nearly spent from the relentless battles. The overwhelming killing intent of Madara's clones pressed down on her, making her feel as though the very air had become hostile. "How… how do we fight this?" she whispered, trembling.
Ay clenched his fists, his Lightning Release Armor sparking violently as his rage bubbled over. "We fight to the end," he declared, his voice a growl. "If this is the day we die, then we'll take as many of these bastards with us as we can."
Tsunade stood tall, her amber eyes blazing with defiance. "Don't falter," she commanded, her voice cutting through the oppressive air. "This isn't over." She activated her Strength of a Hundred Seal, the intricate markings glowing as they spread across her body. Chakra surged through her veins, reinvigorating her battered form. "Not yet."
The fight resumed with a ferocity that shook the heavens. One of Madara's Susanoo-empowered clones lunged at Tsunade, driving its spectral blade through her torso. Blood sprayed, but her body healed instantly, her seal working overtime. Tsunade retaliated, her glowing fist slamming into the Susanoo's blade, shattering it into pieces. She followed up with a devastating punch to the clone's chest, her immense strength causing cracks to spiderweb across the Susanoo's armor. The clone staggered but remained intact.
"That barely did anything," Tsunade muttered through gritted teeth.
Ay and Gaara worked in tandem, the former's speed and strength combining with the latter's precision and adaptability. Gaara's sand, lightened by Ōnoki's Dust Release, swirled around the battlefield like a storm, striking at Madara's clones with surprising speed. Ay blurred through the gaps in their defenses, landing blow after blow, but the Susanoo constructs were relentless, their armor repairing almost as quickly as it was damaged.
The Kage fought valiantly, but it was clear they were only delaying the inevitable. Each passing moment drained their chakra reserves, while Madara and his clones remained an unstoppable tide.
Then, in a flash of red and blue light, two figures materialized on the battlefield beside Tsunade. She glanced down and saw the three-pronged kunai that had been tucked into her pouch glowing faintly. Her eyes widened as she recognized the technique; they widened further as she recognized the figures.
"Grandpa Hashirama? Uncle Tobirama?" she gasped.
Hashirama Senju stood tall, his jovial grin at odds with the chaos around him. "Can't talk, princess," he said casually, though his eyes were sharp and focused on the real Madara. "I've got to take care of this old friend of mine."
Tobirama, ever the stern counterpart to his elder brother, nodded curtly to Tsunade. "We'll handle this. Stay alive."
Hashirama's expression shifted, the joviality fading as red markings began to glow across his face. Entering his Sage Mode, his chakra flared with a brilliance that rivaled the sun. "Madara," he called out, his voice booming with authority, "it's been a while. Let's see if you can still keep up."
Without waiting for a response, Hashirama pressed his hands together. "Sage Art: Wood Release—True Several Thousand Hands."
The earth groaned and cracked as a wooden statue of unimaginable size erupted from it. The colossus dwarfed even Madara's perfect Susanoo, its thousands of hands unfurling like an endless wave. The air itself seemed to hum with the sheer weight of Hashirama's chakra.
Madara's eyes narrowed, his smirk returning despite the overwhelming odds. "Hashirama… It's just like old times." He flared his Mangekyōu sharingan to its fullest extent and expanded his Susanoo.
The statue's hands descended in a relentless barrage, striking at the clones with indiscriminate justice. The Susanoo constructs shattered one by one under the onslaught, each explosion of chakra lighting up the battlefield. Within moments, all twenty-five clones were dispelled, their remnants scattering into the wind.
The wooden titan receded, sinking back into the earth as Hashirama stepped forward. "Pick on someone your own size, Madara," he said, his tone light but his intent deadly serious.
Madara's smirk grew wider as he stepped off the glass dome, his chakra flaring once more. "Finally," he said, his voice tinged with anticipation. "A real challenge."
The five living Kage stood together, their breaths coming in short gasps as they watched the titanic clash between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha unfold before them. The sheer scale of their battle was unfathomable, each strike of Hashirama's Wood Golem shaking the earth, while Madara's perfect Susanoo carved through the sky with deadly precision. The air crackled with tension, and for a brief moment, the Kage were given a respite from battle they desperately needed.
Tsunade turned to her reanimated uncle, her expression a mixture of unease and confusion. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, Uncle," she began, offering a faint, uneasy smile, "but why are you on our side? I hear Itachi has special circumstances that allow him to resist Kabuto's control."
Tobirama stood tall, his war armor gleaming, though his expression was grim. His eyes remained fixed on the battle between his elder brother and Madara, as though he were measuring the magnitude of the stakes. "Kabuto didn't summon us, Tsunade-chan," he said at last, his voice low and matter-of-fact.
Tsunade blinked. "What? Then who—"
"I did," Orochimaru interjected smoothly, his voice dripping with sinister amusement. He stepped forward, his presence a stark contrast to the chaos around them. "You see, I kept the Hokage in my personal collection. Kabuto was never able to find them. When Tobi destroyed the Sword of Totsuka, I was freed from my eternal prison. I immediately deduced the state of affairs and made preparations to summon your grandfather and granduncle."
"I don't understand you, Orochimaru," Tsunade said sharply, her amber eyes narrowing as she stared at her former teammate. He had been her sworn enemy for so long that seeing him here, seemingly as an ally, made her skin crawl. "What's your angle? Why are you helping us now?"
Orochimaru gave a faint, humorless laugh, his serpentine eyes gleaming. "Don't mistake my actions for altruism, Tsunade. I simply dislike Kabuto's lack of… elegance. His crudeness in using my techniques… It's an insult to my legacy. Besides," he added with a smirk, "if Madara succeeds, none of us—myself included—will survive to see the outcome. What good is being immortal if everyone else is dead?"
The conversation was interrupted by Gaara, who had been watching the battle with wide eyes. "Should we help them?" he asked, his voice laced with awe as he took in the sheer scale of Hashirama and Madara's clash. The very ground beneath their feet trembled with each strike.
Tobirama didn't hesitate. "From experience, no," he said bluntly, shaking his head. "It's best not to get in their way."
Madara's voice rang out across the battlefield, drawing their attention. He raised a hand, his sharingan spinning dangerously. "Let's see," he muttered, "if the Nine-Tails is still in play." He attempted to summon the beast but frowned as he felt no response. "It's sealed, then? Hmmm… This doesn't make sense. Nagato's Rinne Rebirth should have restored me to my prime… why can't I feel him?"
"Rinne Rebirth? Nagato?" Hashirama tilted his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face even in the heat of battle. "What are you talking about? Tobirama-nii and I took care of the Rinnegan user… Nagaru or whatever his name is. And you are here from Kabuto's Edo Tensei, not Rinne Rebirth."
"Edo Tensei?" Madara's frown deepened, his mind whirring. "Odd," he muttered. For the first time, uncertainty flickered in his crimson eyes.
Back with the Kage, Orochimaru continued, his tone casual despite the dire circumstances. "Our only hope lies with Sasuke-kun and Itachi," he said, glancing at Tsunade and the others. "They are headed for Kabuto as we speak. If they can succeed in releasing the Edo Tensei, this entire battle will shift in our favor."
"Our favor?" Tsunade crossed her arms, her gaze hardening. She moved on, "And if they fail?"
Orochimaru's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something darker. "Then we die, Tsunade. All of us. But at least we'll die knowing we tried to stop the greatest calamity the world has ever seen."
The Kage exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Orochimaru's words sinking in. Above them, Hashirama's Wood Golem swung its massive arm, colliding with Madara's Susanoo in a thunderous explosion of chakra. The duel of destiny continued, but the Five Kage knew the true battle lay in the hands of Sasuke and Itachi.