"Goodbye, intruders. Once we create the Ten Tails and destroy this old ninja world, we'll meet again."
Buzz.
As Aizen finished speaking, a huge black portal opened in front of him. On the other side was the Valley of Flame in the Land of Wind. "Until then, I'll leave everything here to you, Kushina."
"Alright, I understand," Kushina replied softly, her head lowered as she stood in her palace.
Step.
Aizen, wearing a white long coat, stepped through the black portal. On either side of him, Itachi and Konan followed closely.
Whoosh.
Suddenly, a glowing blue blade came slashing down from the sky.
Uchiha Itachi stepped forward, frowning slightly. The Susano'o armor wrapped around him formed instantly, and he swung his glowing sword to meet the attack.
Boom.
A loud crash rang out, sending shockwaves blasting in all directions.
The hair in front of Aizen's forehead swayed as his coat flapped loudly in the wind. He turned to the side, a faint smile on his lips.
"It's been a long time, Madara-sama."
Inside a deep blue Susano'o, Uchiha Madara looked cold and serious, his red eyes locked on Aizen.
"Kid, bet you didn't expect someone to be waiting for you here, did you?"
Swish, swish, swish—
As he spoke, figures began flashing in one after another.
Senju Hashirama, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Kakashi... one familiar face after another appeared before Aizen.
And beyond them, the cliffs were packed with ninjas from all the villages. Roughly estimating, there were at least twenty thousand ambushers hidden in the Flaming Valley.
Doujin Artist: Oh my god, they clearly came fully prepared!
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Wait, does that mean there's a spy on Aizen's side too? How else would this many people be waiting here?
Amegakure Village's Angel: Of course there's a spy. And Anzen-san and I have known for a while.
Doujin Artist: Who's that bold?
Machete Girl: Could it be Yakushi Kabuto? Playing double agent again?
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: I think it's more likely Itachi. He probably only joined Anzen's group to ease the tension between Konoha and his clan. Now that his goal's done, maybe he doesn't want to keep following Anzen to the end.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Both sound possible.
Curly-haired Guy: You guys are forgetting someone else. And this guy's super suspicious!
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Who?
Doujin Artist: Gin, don't tell me you're thinking of…
Curly-haired Guy: @Shark-Faced Guy. It's him!
Shark-Faced Guy: ?
Doujin Artist: Knew it! Always picking on poor honest Kisame.
Amegakure Village's Angel: Stop guessing. I'm not spoiling anything. Just keep watching.
"Surrender, Aizen." Tsunade looked straight at the boy across from her and took a deep breath. "You don't have any chance of winning now."
"Surrender?" Aizen sneered, a mocking smile on his lips. "And what makes you say that, Tsunade-sensei? Just because you brought thousands of second-rate reapers? You really think you can threaten me?"
Crack.
A rift opened in the sky once again, a dark hole appearing in plain view.
Kinkaku, Ginkaku, and Pakura slowly stepped out from the black void, leading a large group of Arrancars. A terrifying wave of spiritual pressure surged up with them.
"Hahaha, this smell..." Kinkaku took a deep breath and grinned wide. "This is the good old ninja world air I remember!"
"Plenty of familiar faces too," Pakura's eyes locked coldly on Rasa on the cliff. "Some debts… it's about time they were paid."
"That's Kinkaku and Ginkaku?!" The Fourth Raikage frowned deeply at the figures stepping out of the void.
"Pakura…" Chiyo's expression grew serious, brows tightly furrowed.
Hands in his coat pockets, Aizen lowered his gaze.
"I knew you'd be waiting near the Jinchuriki's hiding spot. But so what? I just have to beat all of you first, then go collect the Tailed Beasts."
"You arrogant brat!" Uchiha Madara couldn't stand someone showing off in front of him. He raised his glowing blade, ready to strike.
"Wait, Madara."
But he was stopped by Senju Hashirama.
"Don't be rash. Did you forget his ability? If we fall for his taunts and attack first, things could go really bad."
"Hmph!" With a snort, Madara reluctantly pulled back his blade.
"He's right. We should take out the people around him first," Sarutobi Hiruzen added not far away. "Then we can all focus on Aizen together."
"Can we really do that?" Oonoki floated mid-air, frowning.
"If we go after his people, won't Aizen just jump in and stop us?"
"No worries. I'll hold him off!"
A deep, aged voice rang out. Otsutsuki Hagoromo suddenly appeared and stood in front of Aizen.
"With me here, you all can go all-out!"
Buzz buzz buzz.
Dark red beams of light rose up, forming a huge hexagonal barrier that trapped Aizen inside.
Uchiha Itachi's gaze turned cold at the sight, his right hand reaching for the sword at his waist.
"No need for that, Itachi."
Aizen's calm voice reached his ears.
"Even without me, this fight will end soon."
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
Led by Pakura, Kinkaku, and Ginkaku, the Arrancar army moved as one, charging straight toward the ninja alliance.
Even before the fighting began, spiritual pressure from both sides had already clashed in the air.
The air trembled with booming shockwaves. Pebbles, grass, and trees shook even though there was no wind. Waves of spiritual pressure turned into violent gusts that swept across the battlefield.