"I never thought we'd end up fighting like this."
Inside the crystal slot of the Susano'o Armored Wooden Giant, Madara Uchiha spoke with a hint of sentiment to Hashirama Senju beside him.
"Indeed."
Hashirama's feelings were equally complex. Back in the days when the two of them swept through the ninja world, they had almost never fought side by side. They were simply too powerful individually, making teamwork unnecessary.
Moreover, Hashirama couldn't help but notice Madara's eyes—his Rinnegan were now fully activated.
"So, these are your Rinnegan, the so-called 'Power of All Creation'?"
"That's right. In the end, I was still one step ahead."
Madara revealed a faint smile, his battle spirit growing even stronger.
"No wonder the Sage of Six Paths' brother said that Ashura was mediocre, while Indra was exceptional!"
"..."
Hashirama was speechless. Regardless of how those two were judged, they were now both under Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation.
But suddenly, a peculiar thought crossed his mind, and his expression turned strange.
"Could it be that the Pure Land was actually created by the Sage of Six Paths as a place for people to rest after death, but also as a reserve army to rise and fight in times of crisis?"
"It must be! That sneaky Tobirama just happened to stumble upon the truth ahead of time!"
Madara firmly believed this theory. After all, the Ōtsutsuki were right in front of them. Looking at the ever-calm Kitagawa Minamoto, Madara spoke in a low voice.
"Alright, let's go. Hopefully, that useless Tobirama can make himself useful."
"Hey, you—"
Hashirama felt helpless hearing Madara insult his younger brother. But there was no time to argue. Under Madara's control, the Susano'o Armored Wooden Giant roared and charged toward Kitagawa Minamoto!
The wooden giant, already massive, became even more terrifying with Susano'o's enhancement. Even the slightest movement caused the earth to quake and the mountains to tremble.
"Tch, so this combination works too?"
Tobirama muttered under his breath as he observed the fusion technique, causing Minato Namikaze beside him to feel slightly awkward.
"Second Hokage, isn't this a good thing? I think we should focus on figuring out how to coordinate with them."
"I know. Ōtsutsuki Minamoto is incredibly troublesome; his mastery of space is unparalleled."
Tobirama nodded, quickly analyzing Minamoto's abilities.
"Moreover, he can absorb our techniques, enhance them, and send them back. It seems ordinary techniques won't work against him."
"Exactly. Minamoto mentioned before that only Yin-Yang Release can harm him."
Minato's expression grew more serious as he nodded.
"Unfortunately, none of us possess Yin-Yang Release. If that's the case..."
"Hmph, I refuse to believe that only Yin-Yang Release can hurt him!"
"Second Hokage, are you suggesting..."
"I have an idea—a technique suited for Impure World Reincarnation. When they pause in their attacks, coordinate with me. I want to test it out."
"Understood."
Though Minato didn't know what Tobirama was planning, he nodded firmly. At this point, any technique was worth a try!
"Since you all enjoy playing games, I'll play along."
As the two conversed, Kitagawa Minamoto suddenly chuckled.
"And since Momoshiki-senpai is here, why not let him witness this technique of mine?"
In the distance, Momoshiki, still struggling for control over Nagato's body, froze upon hearing Minamoto's words. Forcing Nagato to lift his head, Momoshiki's face darkened.
From the scorched earth, a massive stone ape emerged, roaring fiercely. Its wild power was even more intimidating than the Susano'o Armored Wooden Giant!
"Damn bastard! I suspected it earlier, and now it's confirmed—this is my power!"
Momoshiki had truly tasted the "Divine Ascension Path" and had absorbed Kinshiki's power. However, before he could fully utilize it, Minamoto had defeated him, reducing him to a mere "Karma."
"Moreover, this guy's aura feels different—more terrifying than before. Could it be the 'Divine Ascension Path'..."
Suddenly, Momoshiki's gaze shifted, his expression subtly changing. Similarly, Isshiki and Urashiki's expressions turned eerie.
What Momoshiki could sense, they could also perceive. After all, Kimimaro and Obito's bodies had already undergone Ōtsutsuki transformation, making things more convenient for them.
"Could it really be..."
Their gazes flickered, and a peculiar emotion began to spread.
Boom—
Outside, the towering stone ape launched its attack. Its flaming fist roared toward the Susano'o Armored Wooden Giant, generating a massive whirlwind with its sheer force!
"Wood Release: Ranking Shield Technique!"
Hashirama didn't dare underestimate the threat, quickly forming hand seals. In an instant, a wooden shield resembling a demonic face appeared before them, blocking the stone ape's fist.
Boom—
The violent impact shook the earth, shattering the wooden shield into fragments. The stone ape's fist didn't stop, continuing its assault on the Susano'o Armored Wooden Giant!
"Ha!"
Madara swiftly controlled the Susano'o Armored Wooden Giant to draw its sword, slashing at the stone ape. But to his dismay, the ape caught the blade effortlessly and delivered a devastating punch to the giant!
Boom—
Another deafening explosion echoed as the stone ape's fist struck the Susano'o Armored Wooden Giant. The immense power shattered Susano'o, sending Madara and Hashirama flying backward!
"This guy..."
The two landed steadily, though their expressions were grim. With just one attack, their defense had been completely obliterated? Even knowing how formidable Minamoto was, the disparity felt overwhelming.
"This is bad. Your Rinnegan doesn't seem to be helping much."
Hashirama sighed, feeling frustrated. Despite two rounds of attacks, their efforts had yielded little progress, leaving him deeply troubled.
"The true power of the Rinnegan can only be unleashed once I'm fully resurrected. Right now, it's merely a shadow of its potential."
Madara snorted, turning his gaze to Hashirama.
"What about you? Do you have any other abilities? If this is all we've got, we're doomed."
Before Madara could finish speaking, Hashirama took a deep breath.
"I need some time. I can't fully determine what I can achieve in my current state."
As he spoke, a terrifying natural aura erupted from Hashirama, and his face instantly displayed the markings of Sage Mode.
"Sage Mode? Are you..."
Madara seemed to understand, his lips curling into a faint smile.
"If you're going crazy, then I'll join you. But it seems someone else is handling the distraction."
"Hmm? Tobirama and Minato?"
Hashirama paused, noticing his brother and the Fourth Hokage moving into action. They were charging toward Kitagawa Minamoto in a surprise attack, causing him to frown.
"Focus. Now's not the time for distractions."
Madara shouted, raising his hand simultaneously.
"If techniques are ineffective, and the wooden giant and Susano'o fall short against his power, then..."
Super Almighty Pull!
Buzz—
Madara unleashed all his Chakra, channeling the full power of his Rinnegan. An unimaginable gravitational force erupted from his hand, pulling everything below with unparalleled intensity.
"Hmm?"
Minamoto raised an eyebrow. The gravitational force affected even him, and the stone ape driven by his "Takami Musubi" was momentarily immobilized.
"To display such mastery of the Rinnegan in this state... Orochimaru configured his body well."
At their level, achieving full power required one method—resurrection. Otherwise, only through meticulous configurations of compatible bodies could their soul and power reach optimal synergy.
Madara's performance was commendable, and Minamoto noticed Tobirama charging toward him!
"Still haven't learned your lesson? Such attacks are useless."
Minamoto tilted his head, chuckling softly. Yet, Tobirama suddenly swapped places!
"Sage Art: Rasengan!"
"Oh?"
Minamoto raised an eyebrow, lifting his hand to activate "Takami Musubi." But his eyes caught sight of Tobirama and Minato's Chakra linking the spatial channels again!
"Let's see if your technique..."
Tobirama appeared once more, his roaring Chakra surging as countless explosive tags floated around him.
"Can absorb explosions! Ninja Art: Mutual Multiplying Explosive Tags!"
Meanwhile, on the other side, Hashirama couldn't help but grin.
"Impressive. With such explosions, then..."
Hashirama's expression turned serious as he clasped his hands together, his Chakra surging wildly.
"I can't fall behind. Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!"
Amid the roaring flames and explosions, a colossal Buddha over a thousand meters tall emerged from the earth! Its towering figure rivaled the Ten-Tails in size. Behind it, countless hands extended, radiating endless Chakra.
The sight left every ninja present breathless. They weren't unfamiliar with this technique, having seen Minamoto use it before.
"At this level, it should be enough, right?"
Many ninjas couldn't help but think. But in the next moment, they noticed the Buddha being enveloped in blue Chakra.
"This is..."
All the ninjas showed expressions of shock, even Hashirama turned to Madara in disbelief.
"Are you sure this is okay?"
"I'm already dead. Why worry about Chakra?"
Madara snorted, his Chakra still intensifying.
"This time, we go all out!"
Boom—
Under Madara's Chakra, the thousand-meter Buddha was instantly clad in heavy armor. The azure armor spread across its entire body, covering even each individual hand.
The previously benevolent Buddha now appeared ferocious, like a demon from hell gazing down at the mortal realm!
"Tch, you really managed to pull off such a scene?"
Floating in mid-air, Minamoto stared at the Buddha, while his Divine Tree clone tilted its head in curiosity.
"Honestly, taking things this far... Well then..."
He turned his gaze toward Obito, Kimimaro, and the struggling Nagato in the distance.
"I can't fall behind either. Let's send you off first."
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