"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World!"
A blazing white light exploded in the desert sky, prompting Deidara to quickly dodge away.
The white light struck the ground, and in an instant, a deafening explosion erupted below. The earth couldn't withstand such power, and a bottomless crater appeared in the blink of an eye.
"Tch, as expected of Dust Release—its power is truly immense, hmm."
A bead of sweat appeared on Deidara's forehead as he looked at the massive crater below, muttering to himself. But soon, he turned his irritated gaze toward the Second Tsuchikage hovering in the sky.
"Hey, old man, at least give me a heads-up! If I die, there won't be a Fourth Tsuchikage, hmm!"
"You idiot..."
The Second Tsuchikage's forehead twitched with anger. He couldn't understand why Ōnoki had chosen such a fool to be the Tsuchikage. Did Iwagakure really have no one else?
Admittedly, he had to acknowledge that Deidara was quite talented—after all, he had even mastered Dust Release. Such talent was indeed rare!
But this guy's brain... was it broken?
"Damn it, I'm a product of Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation. My fighting relies entirely on instinct. How am I supposed to give you a proper warning?"
"Then that's your problem, hmm."
Deidara didn't know where he'd picked up his sharp tongue, but he was becoming increasingly cheeky.
"You can't even resist the effects of Impure World Reincarnation—what a 'qualified' Tsuchikage you are, hmm."
"..."
"And even if you can't fully resist, you could at least slow down a bit so I can hit you, hmm!"
"..."
"I said slow down, you damned bastard!"
Deidara was clearly annoyed. The Second Tsuchikage's movements were too agile, making it impossible for him to catch up. Even when he managed to get close, the opponent's ninjutsu would force him back—or worse, Dust Release might hit him directly, killing him on the spot.
Luckily, Deidara's control over his clay was exceptional, allowing him to dodge effortlessly in mid-air.
"Tsk tsk, zombies... it seems your future Tsuchikage isn't very competent."
Below, the Second Mizukage's mustache twitched as he spoke with a mischievous grin.
"Why don't you step it up and just kill him? That way, Ōnoki can pick someone better, and I'll gain another Tsuchikage kill for my record."
"Shut up!"
The Second Tsuchikage shouted angrily, but this only made Deidara's eyes light up.
"Now's the time, hmm!"
Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World!
Without hesitation, Deidara unleashed his Dust Release attack from atop his bird.
"You idiot! I already told you my attacks are instinctive, not under my control!"
The Second Tsuchikage was furious, and even though he didn't look at Deidara, his body instinctively formed seals.
In an instant, the light of Dust Release shone again, and two blazing beams collided in the sky!
The overwhelming shockwave spread in all directions, even affecting those fighting on the ground below.
"What a fool."
The Second Mizukage didn't care at all. Standing within the shockwave's range, he laughed heartily.
"Should I step in and help clean house? That way, I can add another Tsuchikage to my record, and you can use this as an excuse to make Ōnoki pick someone better."
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Before he could finish speaking, Mei Terumi's attack was launched. A massive water dragon roared toward the surrounding area, but this made the Second Mizukage's face darken.
"Hey, Fifth Mizukage, what are you doing? I told you where I am—why haven't you found me yet?"
"Sorry, I..."
Mei Terumi knew some details about the Second Mizukage. After all, he was a legendary figure in Kirigakure.
Although he had imitated the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, he had established Kirigakure's ninja academy, laid down numerous foundational systems, and even created the Anbu and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist during his era.
All of this had provided Kirigakure with a solid foundation. Even after Obito Uchiha wreaked havoc, Kirigakure was able to recover—thanks to the Second Mizukage's contributions.
Facing such an opponent, Mei Terumi felt both respect and helplessness. After all, his combat abilities were also incredibly strong.
"Tch, don't apologize to me. You're the Mizukage too, so hurry up already."
The Second Mizukage rubbed his temples, his expression darkening as he continued speaking irritably.
"In war, it's common sense to eliminate the strongest first. Don't let me die slower than that damned zombie—that would be your failure!"
"..."
Mei Terumi was speechless. She realized that this Second Mizukage was quite the "character."
But she quickly took a deep breath, determined not to let her predecessor feel ashamed. That wouldn't be good!
"Desert Funeral!"
On another side of the battlefield, Gaara rose into the air on a wave of sand. His right hand moved continuously, and the yellow sand swirled and ascended under his control.
In an instant, a massive vortex formed beneath Rasa's feet! The swirling sand engulfed him, forming a tornado that swallowed him whole.
"Hmph!"
But the next moment, the sand tornado shattered, and Rasa stood amidst the yellow sand, his hands rapidly forming seals.
"Gaara, where's the One-Tail inside you?"
Even as he formed seals, Rasa observed his son. He could sense Gaara's indifference, but he didn't care about that. He cared more about the One-Tail!
"Could it be that Konoha..."
"It wasn't Konoha. Konoha wouldn't bother with the One-Tail."
Gaara glanced at the sand mixed with gold dust rushing toward him from multiple directions. He simply shook his head.
In the blink of an eye, the sand was blocked by the yellow sand in his gourd.
"Then it was... Akatsuki?"
Rasa's expression darkened, but he continued controlling the sand. Under his manipulation, the gold dust in the air automatically gathered, forming a massive wave that surged toward Gaara!
"These matters no longer have any relevance."
Gaara's expression remained unchanged, his gaze growing colder. The sand beneath his feet carried him swiftly backward, and at the same time, he waved his hand lightly.
Buzz—
Yellow sand scattered everywhere, and in front of Rasa, a surge of sand rose up, instantly enveloping him completely!
"How is this possible?"
Rasa's face was filled with disbelief.
"Haven't I mixed all the sand here with gold dust? How could there be sand silently approaching me?"
"Because your capacity determines everything about you, including your failure."
Gaara's tone was as indifferent as ever. Around him, the gold dust had somehow been separated, leaving only his own yellow sand behind!
"I already know everything you did in the past—whether it was to my mother, or to Yashamaru."
"You..."
Rasa tried to speak, but the words stuck in his throat.
"I became the Kazekage to put an end to all of this."
Gaara continued, his tone unwavering. The sand behind him grew thicker, gradually forming a humanoid figure.
"My mother always loved me, but you deceived me. My most trusted uncle, Yashamaru, attacked me under your orders as a test. Even in death, he lied to me. All of this—all of it—was because of you. You pushed me into darkness; you drove me to the brink!"
As he spoke, the figure behind him fully formed—a humanoid made of sand, radiating a different kind of chakra.
"Is that... Karura?"
Rasa stared at the figure, momentarily speechless. He knew his wife had never hated Gaara for the difficult childbirth, but he couldn't accept it.
Yet he hadn't expected Karura to do this.
"Even in death, you still protect Gaara..."
"That's why I became Kazekage—not for anything else, but to uncover the truth."
Gaara continued, his gaze growing colder.
"I will protect the village, but I will never forgive you. Never, not in this lifetime!"
"..."
Rasa was stunned, feeling utterly lost. He could sense Gaara's deep-seated denial and indifference, a feeling that reverberated within him.
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"Tch, such a dull family drama. Such a dull Sunagakure."
The Second Mizukage scoffed at the scene, but before he could continue mocking, he suddenly froze.
In that instant, everyone—whether it was him, Deidara and the Second Tsuchikage in the sky, or Mei Terumi and the battling Gaara and Rasa—all paused, then turned their gazes toward the distance.
"What is... this?"
"Hashirama!"
"Madara!"
On a barren land elsewhere, two voices roared simultaneously.
Uchiha Madara soared through the sky, countless fireballs raining down like meteors. At the same time, his Susanoo wielded a pair of blue swords, furiously slashing at the ground below!
Senju Hashirama's wooden giant leapt into the air, throwing punches at Madara's Susanoo in the sky.
"Tch, what a hassle..."
On the ground, Naruto, enveloped in golden chakra, muttered in frustration. Though he was small compared to Susanoo, he controlled Kurama's arms, stretching them out to intercept the meteor-like fireballs.
Sasuke's massive Susanoo held a longbow, aiming at Madara's Susanoo and ready to attack at any moment.
Meanwhile, Tobirama Senju and Minato Namikaze were searching for opportunities. The two of them weren't well-suited for this kind of battle.
Minato no longer had a Tailed Beast, but at least he could activate Sage Mode. The Impure World Reincarnation provided him with an enormous amount of chakra, allowing him to maintain Sage Mode steadily—an unexpected benefit.
"What a headache!"
Tobirama, however, was at a loss. He didn't have many options left. Still, he could play a supporting role—especially against Uchiha Madara.
"Hmph, these Fire Release techniques aren't too hard for me to handle!"
Tobirama unleashed an astonishing amount of chakra, causing a torrent of water to erupt across the battlefield. The water formed into whirlpools, rushing toward Madara's flames with overwhelming force.
Boom—
In the next moment, a deafening roar echoed, and the battlefield was engulfed in mist that seemed to cover everything!
"Now's the chance."
Sasuke seized the opportunity, his Susanoo firing an arrow straight at Madara's Susanoo. With the mist spreading everywhere, and Hashirama's wooden giant blocking the way, the arrow struck Madara's Susanoo with incredible force!
Boom—
Another piercing explosion sounded. Under the immense penetrating power, Madara's Susanoo fell from the sky, causing the earth to tremble violently.
"Hmph, nothing special."
Madara's Susanoo was terrifyingly strong. Even after taking such a hit, it was only partially shattered. But this wasn't a problem for him—he could easily restore his Susanoo.
"Still, dealing with so many people is troublesome. They're all quite pesky."
Madara's face showed disdain, but his heart was heavy. He knew his current limitations well. If he were fully resurrected, things would be much easier. But for now, he had to be more cautious.
"Time to use the Rinnegan. Otherwise, things might get more complicated."
Madara muttered under his breath, his tone filled with disdain.
"I must admit, you lot are quite interesting. But you're also interfering with my battle against Hashirama."
"Your battle against Hashirama?"
Tobirama was visibly irritated by these words.
"Do you think you're someone special? You're just a traitor who defied the Sage of Six Paths' will and sought to destroy the ninja world!"
"..."
Madara frowned. Something about those words felt off. He sought peace—how could that be wrong?
But for now, he didn't know how to refute it. After all, based on previous deductions, he had indeed gone against the Sage's will.
"How dull."
Still, he didn't bother explaining much. He spoke indifferently.
"What I do is beyond your comprehension. But now, I'm going to get serious. Show me what you're really made of—"
Before he could finish, he suddenly froze. Not just him—Hashirama, Naruto, Sasuke, and everyone else also froze, their gazes turning toward the distance.
In that instant, they all felt an indescribable surge of chakra erupt! This chakra traversed the entire ninja world, reaching every single one of them!
"Hmm..."
Naruto clutched his stomach in discomfort. He noticed that Kurama within him seemed unusually agitated—more so than ever before!
"What's... happening?"
Naruto's face was filled with confusion, but Black Zetsu was utterly shocked.
"This feeling... how is it possible? What is this?!"
Not just him—everyone else felt the same. Even the entire ninja world was affected, with all combatants sensing this overwhelming power.
Almost everyone felt an inexplicable sense of panic and unease.
"What's going on?"
On another battlefield, Might Guy looked toward the distance with discomfort.
"Over there... it seems to be in the direction of the Land of Whirlpools?"
Zabuza and Haku leaned against each other, panting heavily, while Kakashi shook his head.
"No, it's heading toward the Land of Whirlpools. Something must be happening there."
"Sigh, why are these guys starting to retreat?"
Suddenly, Guy noticed that the Zetsu clones and the unsealed Impure World Reincarnations were sinking into the ground one by one.
This left him baffled, but Kakashi seemed to understand—something big was definitely happening!
"Tch, this kind of aura... should we go check it out too?"
Elsewhere, the Akatsuki core members received orders one after another, and they all frowned.
Still, they couldn't oppose the orders, especially since the Impure World Reincarnations were heading in that direction uncontrollably.
"How interesting... such power..."
In a mysterious cave, Orochimaru licked his lips, his face full of gloom.
"Fine, let's gather sooner rather than later. I'm curious to see what Kabuto has obtained."
With this surge of chakra reverberating, it seemed the entire ninja world was mobilized.
On the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water, the ninja there were also feeling extremely uneasy, glancing at each other in confusion.
"Let's go."
Fortunately, Tsunade spoke up softly.
"Everyone here has retreated. Let's head over as well—perhaps we'll uncover something new."
"Hmm..."
Jiraiya nodded, but his heart remained uneasy. This feeling was truly unsettling!
Most importantly, this chakra seemed to be heading deeper—perhaps toward Mount Myōboku...
"The Great Toad Sage seems to be summoning me. It's likely due to this chakra's influence."
This reverse chakra resonance made him realize what was happening.
Fortunately, he was prepared to summon Fukasaku and Shima—after all, the upcoming battles would only grow more terrifying!
"Could it really be happening?"
Meanwhile, the instigator of all this, Kitagawa Minamoto, was smirking within Isshiki's space.
Through his Divine Tree clone, he had already learned everything happening outside, and he couldn't help but scratch his head.
"The mutual devouring of the Ten-Tails caused such a massive energy disturbance, and it even spread through my clone?"
For a moment, Kitagawa Minamoto felt his clone wasn't just an ordinary clone anymore—but something akin to a "Divine Tree Being," with power pushed to the extreme!
Still, this wasn't a bad thing. With such capabilities, his clone could achieve more, and he could confidently confirm that his clone had no issues.
"The Divine Tree Source is still entirely under my control—perhaps that's why the System gave it to me."
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded lightly, quickly dismissing other thoughts. As his chakra surged, he finally located the node he had been seeking.
Beyond this node, in a hidden space, a man clad in a black robe, with long white hair and crown-like horns, appeared.
His eyes were closed, and a faint crack on his forehead hinted at a third eye.
Even through the layers of space, Kitagawa Minamoto could feel the terrifying aura emanating from him—enough to instill fear in any Ōtsutsuki.
The man sat there silently, as if in a deep slumber.
Just seeing him through the space made Kitagawa Minamoto tense up, but he still smiled.
"Finally found you, Ōtsutsuki Shibai."
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