As the last remnants of lightning faded from the sky, Kawakaze landed gracefully atop the Great Buddha's head.
The massive Truth-Seeking Orb sword had returned to its normal size. With a casual flick of his wrist, he spun the blade in an elegant flourish, his demeanor calm and effortless.
Not a single speck of dust from the obliterated meteors landed on him.
"What do you think?"
"Did you see that clearly?"
A teasing smile played on Kawakaze's lips. The sheer power of the Truth-Seeking Orb was intoxicating, even to him.
"This… this is impossible."
"Impossible..."
Madara's eyes were unfocused, his mind struggling to accept what he had just witnessed.
Had the power he fought so hard to obtain been so fragile all along?
"Nothing is impossible."
"Accept reality."
Without giving Madara a chance to recover, Kawakaze struck again.
The black Truth-Seeking Orb rapidly extended, transforming into a thick, towering staff.
With a mighty swing, he brought it crashing down upon the colossal Susanoo.
Having already suffered a devastating blow, Madara knew he couldn't meet it head-on. He controlled Susanoo to dodge desperately, weaving left and right—
Gone was the composure of an invincible warrior.
Meanwhile, the others snapped back to their senses and launched a relentless assault on Madara's reanimated army.
With superior numbers and overwhelming strength, the tide of battle quickly turned. One by one, Madara's Edo Tensei warriors were sealed away.
As Hashirama and the others slowly closed in on him, Madara wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his grin twisting into something deranged.
"You think you can kill me?"
"It's not that easy."
His voice was laced with madness, his eyes gleaming with defiance as he stared down his encroaching enemies.
"If you've got any more tricks, use them now."
"I'll make sure you die with no regrets."
Kawakaze's strike had landed cleanly—
The mighty Susanoo had been shattered, and even the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path bore deep cracks from the impact.
"Fire Release: Hiding in Ash and Dust Technique!"
Perched atop the crumbling Demonic Statue, Madara swiftly formed a hand seal before exhaling a dense cloud of scorching-hot ash.
The dust spread rapidly, engulfing the battlefield and obscuring everyone's vision in an instant.
"He's trying to escape!"
Hashirama instantly saw through Madara's plan. Without hesitation, he bellowed a command and sent the Great Buddha barreling forward, charging blindly into the dust cloud.
"Wind Release: Passing Typhoon!"
Nagato unleashed a powerful gust, dispersing the dust and clearing their sight once more—
But Madara was nowhere to be seen.
"...He escaped?"
Tobirama stared blankly ahead, his voice heavy with frustration.
Victory had been within their grasp, yet somehow, Madara had slipped away.
"What's the harm in letting him live a few more days?"
"Don't worry, I've already placed the Flying Thunder God mark on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."
"I can track him anytime."
"There are too many people here. If Madara decides to fight to the death, how many lives will be lost?"
Kawakaze had his own considerations. Even though he was already stronger than Madara, that didn't mean he could protect everyone.
"The sooner we take care of this, the sooner we can have peace of mind."
"Sacrificing a few people is acceptable."
Tobirama was someone who prioritized practicality over sentiment, so Kawakaze wasn't surprised by his stance.
"Acceptable?"
"I don't accept that."
Hashirama completely disagreed with his brother. He believed Kawakaze was right—if they could achieve their goal with minimal casualties, what difference did a few extra days make?
"Madara has no one left to rely on."
"When the time comes, I'll capture him myself."
"You won't need to do anything."
Kawakaze gave Tsunade a reassuring smile. He was now fully confident that he could bring everyone back to life.
Based on today's battle, the Truth-Seeking Orbs were even more powerful than he had imagined.
Defeating Madara—perhaps even capturing him alive—was now completely within his grasp.
...
"So, can we finally go home?"
Though the resurrection hadn't happened today, Tsunade wasn't disappointed.
But after being away for so long, she was beginning to miss her children.
"Of course."
"Pack up—we're heading back to Konoha."
Kawakaze nodded firmly, and Minato and the others cheered in excitement.
They missed their children too, and spending two months in the desert had been exhausting.
"Lord Kawakaze, we'll be taking our leave now."
Rasa approached, his mood somewhat subdued.
Sealing his own master had left an uneasy feeling in his heart.
"You've worked hard on this mission."
"When you have the time, bring your children to Konoha. It's good for them to make more friends."
Kawakaze patted Rasa's shoulder. In the current ninja world, they were no longer enemies.
"I will."
Rasa nodded. Thinking of Karura and his three children, a faint smile finally appeared on his face.
"Lord Kawakaze, um... should my grandmother go to Konoha with you?"
Sasori took a step forward from behind Rasa. He was willing to stay in Konoha if it meant reviving Chiyo.
Chiyo stood behind him, silent. Whether she was unwilling or simply too embarrassed to speak, she didn't even look at Kawakaze.
"You should stay in the Land of Wind for now."
"When I capture Uchiha Madara, I'll let you know."
"You can bring your grandmother to Konoha then."
Kawakaze wasn't bothered by Chiyo's silence and spoke gently to Sasori.
"Thank you."
"Then we'll take our leave."
With that, Sasori followed Rasa and left. Neither of them mentioned Shukaku.
...
"We're heading out too."
Watching their figures fade into the distance, Kawakaze gave the order, and the Konoha forces quickly set off toward home.
"Brother-in-law, you were incredible today!"
"Heh heh heh~"
"I regret not learning swordsmanship properly from you!"
Nawaki rushed to Kawakaze's side, wildly swinging his arms as if wielding an invisible sword. His eyes sparkled with admiration.
He was truly his hero!
"You?"
"Yeah, right."
Tsunade didn't even spare him a glance, her voice full of disdain.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Are you saying I have no talent?"
Nawaki was indignant. Hadn't he wielded Samehada at 200% of its potential?
Didn't that prove his talent in kenjutsu?
"Nawaki, haven't you been learning for quite some time now?"
A well-placed jab from a brother stings the most. Minato's words instantly made Nawaki's expression stiffen.
He was the one who had been training with Kawakaze the longest.
"Get lost, why are you even here?"
Nawaki shot Minato a resentful look, his enthusiasm immediately dampened.
"Hahaha~"
Watching their banter, Hashirama and the others couldn't help but laugh.
Even the frustration of letting Madara escape seemed to lighten.
"I won't comment on your swordsmanship," Tobirama said.
"But your Water Release isn't bad."
"I'll teach you a few things when we have time."
He had noticed that Nawaki's Water Release techniques during the battle were almost entirely derived from his own.
As Hashirama's grandson, Tobirama had no reason to hold back in teaching him.
"Really, Granduncle?!"
Nawaki's eyes lit up as he immediately moved closer to Tobirama, calling him in the most affectionate tone possible.
"This kid sure knows how to pick his moments."
"I wonder who he learned that from?"
Kawakaze feigned ignorance, shaking his head in mock disbelief.
"You don't see the resemblance?"
Tsunade smirked at him.
"Isn't this exactly how you were?"
"Haha~ is that so?"
"I really don't see it."
Kawakaze chuckled awkwardly, rubbing his nose in mild embarrassment.
His gaze swept over the younger generation, taking in the faces of those closest to him.
And in each of them—
He saw traces of himself.
Without even realizing it, he had changed so many lives.