Tsunade and Jiraiya appeared beside Orochimaru.
The second generation of Team Seven had reunited.
The trio turned their gaze toward Ōnoki, who floated in the air, and Hanzo of the Salamander standing below.
"Do you still intend to keep me here, Tsuchikage-sama?"
Though Orochimaru's tone carried mockery, there was still a hint of respect.
After all, this was a man who bore the title of "Kage."
That respect was reserved for the five highest-ranking figures in the shinobi world.
Ōnoki's expression remained unreadable, his thoughts completely inscrutable.
In the distance, Konoha shinobi were rapidly advancing toward them.
But a mere few hundred shinobi wouldn't be enough to keep him and Hanzo here.
Orochimaru understood this as well.
So, without hesitation, he launched a firework into the sky.
As the symbol of Konoha blossomed overhead,
the charging Konoha forces came to an abrupt halt.
"That's the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki."
Someone in the Konoha ranks recognized the distant figure.
"The Tsuchikage?"
At the front of the group, Might Dai let out a deep sigh.
"Dai-sama, we should retreat as per Orochimaru-sama's signal."
Lan spoke to Dai with utmost deference now, for his strength was undeniable.
Once Dai passed the jōnin exams, he would become an elite jōnin—his authority far surpassing that of regular jōnin like them.
"Lan, you can treat me as you always have."
Might Dai stared at the five figures locked in a standoff.
For now, the battle had not yet begun.
"Let's retreat."
"That's not a war we can participate in."
Tempered by the trials of war, Might Dai had gained a clear understanding of his own limits.
With just the Sixth Gate, he stood no chance against those who stood at the pinnacle of the shinobi world.
"I still have to work harder."
Only by opening the Seventh Gate
could Might Dai join a battle of this caliber.
Following Dai's decision,
the Konoha forces swiftly withdrew to the periphery.
If they stayed,
the aftershocks of the clash between those five could cause catastrophic losses.
None of the five in the standoff made the first move.
If not for Ōnoki's presence, a fight might have already broken out.
But his ability to fly made him an exceptionally difficult opponent.
For Konoha's shinobi at this time,
the only means of aerial combat was Moonwalk.
Yet the physical demands of Moonwalk were immense.
Even Orochimaru hadn't mastered it.
"I'll handle Ōnoki," Tsunade declared, stepping forward.
"I've mastered Moonwalk."
The trio communicated covertly, using subtle hand signals.
"His techniques are too effective against close combat," Jiraiya disagreed.
Tsunade's fighting style relied on taijutsu-enhanced strikes. Though she could use ninjutsu, her lethality hinged on close-quarters combat.
Her formidable healing abilities allowed her to handle most situations,
but Ōnoki's techniques were a hard counter to her strengths.
"I can use Moonwalk too. I'll take him on."
Jiraiya had already made up his mind.
Orochimaru eyed them suspiciously.
Why did it feel like the trio was excluding him now?
Just because he couldn't use Moonwalk?
As the three debated,
black sand began gathering in the sky, coalescing into a dark cloud.
"I was waiting for someone. What are you waiting for?"
Ōnoki's voice was icy as he ascended even higher.
This newcomer dared to rise above him?
The black sand cloud carried the Third Kazekage into view.
"Two Kage, huh?"
Jiraiya clicked his tongue at the sight of the two figures hovering in the air.
One Kage was troublesome enough—now two had arrived, signaling a clear intent to eliminate them.
"Please don't tell me two more are coming."
That would mean all four major villages were围攻 Konoha.
The trio's expressions darkened simultaneously.
They recalled the critical intelligence once obtained by the White Fang.
The four villages had been exploring the possibility of an alliance.
After over a year of silence,
they had assumed the plan had failed.
But now, it seemed their alliance had succeeded.
So where were the Raikage and Mizukage?
Among the rapidly retreating Konoha forces,
one shinobi shuddered.
"It's so cold."
"Idiot, what are you talking about? It's summer."
This wasn't the Land of Snow—how could it be cold?
Yet even the speaker began trembling.
The temperature around them was indeed plummeting.
Raindrops froze midair, transforming into hailstones.
"Halt!" Might Dai suddenly roared, leaping to the front of the group.
In the distance, a lone figure stood waiting.
The moment they spotted him,
he noticed them too and began walking toward them.
Despite their numerical advantage, it was the Konoha shinobi who instinctively stepped back.
The man wore a blue-and-white robe and a conical hat marked with the symbol for "water."
Only one shinobi in the world dressed this way.
"The Third Mizukage."
Of the five who stood at the pinnacle of the shinobi world, four had now appeared.
Lan, standing beside Might Dai, solemnly identified the newcomer.
Dai's knowledge of shinobi lore wasn't exhaustive, but he understood the implications of a Mizukage's presence.
"Is this all of you?"
The Third Mizukage removed his hat.
His gaze instantly locked onto the green-clad figure among the crowd.
"Eliminating you would still weaken Konoha's forces."
Yet when Dai saw him, he smiled.
"All of you, leave."
"Dai-sama..." Lan hesitated.
"This is no longer a battle you can take part in."
Dai raised a hand, cutting off any further protest.
In that moment, Lan saw an inexplicable authority in him.
"Yes, sir!" Lan could only obey. With a swift hand signal, the shinobi scattered in all directions.
"Did I say you could leave?"
The Third Mizukage's eyes, previously closed, snapped open.
The chill in the air intensified, freezing raindrops in place.
Just as he prepared to act,
a green blur appeared beside him and delivered a kick to his abdomen, sending him flying.
"I said they could go."
Might Dai pointed a thumb at himself.
The Mizukage slowly rose, dusting off his robes.
"As expected. I shouldn't underestimate the Green Beast of Konoha."
Rewinding time slightly.
At the Kumogakure front,
two figures strode openly into the Hokage's defensive line.
As they advanced,
shadows wavered with uncertainty.
The leading man had dark skin—
none other than the Raikage, A, of Kumogakure.
Behind him followed a figure with half-green, half-white long hair.
Likely the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, B, according to intel.
"Alert the White Fang and Black Demon, now!" someone gulped.
These were not opponents they could handle.
The Konoha forces at the Cloud front were the fewest in number.
"No need."
A light chuckle sounded beside the speaker.
Uchiha Kin crouched next to him.
"We're already here."
Higher up,
the White Fang stood watching.
Both their gazes were locked onto the two figures below.
...
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(End of Chapter)