Near an open area in Konoha.
"Such a completely different feeling compared to Edo Tensei."
Senju Hashirama walked out from the Rashomon Gate, wearing a somewhat curious expression. He had experienced Edo Tensei twice before, and that technique made him feel as though his soul was forcibly crammed into a rather cramped vessel of flesh, which felt very uncomfortable.
But now, it was the complete opposite.
The markings around his eyes, representing Sage Mode, became visible. He nodded and said:
"So this is how it works: creating a simulated body using chakra, granting life to formless chakra, and drawing the soul of the deceased back into the body."
"It really does function the same way the Tailed Beasts exist."
"Compared to Edo Tensei, this is truly an incredible jutsu." He offered his praise.
Senju Tobirama rolled his eyes and pretended not to hear. Just wait. My experiment is almost complete as well. Link's Edo Tensei formula is really impressive…
Giving life to formless chakra and drawing in the deceased's soul…
Link pondered. Somehow, it reminded him of the process of creating Earth Dragon.
"Don't just stand there in a daze. We're setting out now," Hashirama said. He still wasn't used to his "nanny" (Link) occasionally spacing out.
Link glanced at Utakata, who instantly channeled more Tailed Beast Chakra to him. Feeling the chakra replenished, Link formed a series of hand seals:
"Earth Release: Hiding like a Mole Technique!"
Crack, crack, crack… The ground kept trembling as countless motes of earthy yellow light emerged and soared into the air, swiftly combining together.
One second later, a massive earth dragon, at least a hundred meters in length, appeared. Unlike before, it did not roar the moment it emerged. Its huge form seemed to endow it with greater intelligence, and it made no attempt to disrupt its summoner with a roar. Even if it felt joy at finally being able to stretch its body, it remained subdued, hovering quietly in the air.
Is this Magnet Release? No, it's purely Earth Release? Like it inherently has something similar to the Light-Weight Rock technique? … What an impressive summoned beast, Senju Tobirama thought to himself as he recalled the summoning scene, suspecting that this creation—like a shadow—was purely the product of a jutsu.
"Oh!" Senju Hashirama exclaimed in amazement. Because he had accidentally gathered a surplus of Sage Chakra earlier, he had yet to cancel Sage Mode. Sensing how the earth dragon formed, he saw it even more clearly.
"Earth Release infused with natural energy and taken to the extreme of Yin Release," he immediately identified the essence of the Hiding like a Mole technique.
"It's a miracle of Sage Arts, a living creature truly identical to the Tailed Beasts."
So he's basically shearing off the Tailed Beasts' chakra like wool, huh? Link griped inwardly, knowing this was no time to say too much. He was the first to leap onto the earth dragon's wing, which was touching the ground. "Let's go, Lord First."
"Off we go!"
Tsunade, Uchiha Sasuke, Utakata, and the Senju brothers followed close behind.
With scarcely any movement, the earth dragon soared skyward at astonishing speed, shrinking Konoha to a mere speck in no time. Its wings flapped slightly, and the deafening blasts of air and successive sonic booms were soon left behind.
"At a time like this, I have to say—it's quite a joy to meet my old friend again after so many years!" Senju Hashirama laughed heartily, hair whipped by the fierce wind, his face brimming with delight.
[Madara… This time, I'm definitely going to settle things with you.]
Senju Tobirama, on the other hand, felt increasingly vexed.
"Sorry. Earlier, we agreed to resurrect Nawaki and Dan first," Link apologized.
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. With Grandpa's strength, he can finish the opponent first and then come back without any trouble."
[Uchiha Madara…]
Uchiha Sasuke contemplated silently. He was curious about what kind of person that legendary Uchiha ancestor really was—and how powerful. He personally felt terrifyingly strong now, yet Senju Tobirama had told him, "Whether it's his looks, bearing, or strength, you really do resemble Madara's younger brother, Uchiha Izuna."
But then, with my ocular powers, no Uchiha can possibly withstand me, right? He had great confidence in himself.
The earth dragon's speed was astonishing. Almost in the blink of an eye—after just a brief exchange of thoughts—it had left Konoha far behind. Before long, they reached the border of the Land of Fire.
"I can sense Madara's chakra!"
Senju Tobirama shouted above the roar, pointing toward a certain direction.
Back when he was in the Naka Shrine in Konoha, he was able to detect Uchiha Madara's chakra all the way on the battlefield. His sensory powers were that strong.
"Boom! Hummm—!"
With just a thought from Link, the earth dragon sped up to its maximum. Its massive body encountered greater air resistance, creating an even louder commotion. The ensuing roar became so intense that everything else was drowned out by the thunderous rumble.
Friction with the air generated flames around them, which the dragon's power immediately scattered. One burst after another, they blossomed like fiery flowers in the sky, making each breath scalding hot.
At such speed, not much time passed before they closed in on Amegakure.
Before they even arrived, a Full-Body Susanoo rose to meet them, slashing the earth dragon with a single blade.
"BOOM!!!"
…
Inside Amegakure, among the buildings…
"They've come."
Having just exchanged a few words with Black Zetsu, Orochimaru raised his head and looked outside. "Link, Tsunade, Sasuke… that familiar Earth Release summoning beast—and there's also a very powerful chakra out there."
He appeared slightly taken aback. "So, this is the true strength of the First Hokage?"
Two powerful chakras were in fierce combat. Tsunade and another unfamiliar chakra entered the village, searching for something.
—It must be for those three captives, I suppose.
With this, even Madara will likely be defeated, Orochimaru mused calmly. Familiar with history, he knew Senju Hashirama was the victor at the Valley of the End; otherwise, Konoha would have long since been destroyed. Now, Uchiha Madara was weakened by Edo Tensei, whereas the other side had a fully restored body via Link's technique. There was no question who would win.
More importantly, if Link's jutsu only serves as support, that's the truly troubling aspect. Sasuke could also join the battle. His chakra was already that strong—and growing alarmingly fast.
"Whoosh!" Countless white hairs whipped through the air, coiling around Orochimaru.
"Don't move, Orochimaru. Otherwise…" Jiraiya emerged from the shadows, his face pale.
He was still injured from his earlier defeat at Madara's hands. If not for Fukasaku's help, he would be lying there alongside Kakashi and Might Guy, waiting for rescue.
"Jiraiya-sensei…" Konan stood behind him, uncertain about what to do.
[Run away? Help Orochimaru? Or help Jiraiya?
And where exactly had Nagato gone?]
"Heh… Jiraiya, you're still as clueless as ever," Orochimaru said calmly. The white hairs binding him snapped one by one. "If you really wanted to kill me, you would do it without warning me first."
[Damn… It's really too forced, isn't it? I don't have enough chakra to enter Sage Mode. Going against Orochimaru like this—]
Jiraiya stole a glance at the fallen Kakashi and, some distance away, Might Guy riddled with black rods. Worried, he knew this might be a do-or-die moment.
A light footstep sounded behind them. Tsunade and Utakata arrived in the building.
"To think the Three Sannin would gather here." Orochimaru, whose arms hung by his sides, wore a faint smile. He had torn himself free from Jiraiya's Wild Lion's Mane Technique thanks to traces of natural energy.
"What a curious twist of fate. Whether it's me or you, Tsunade, we've both grown stronger because of Link. Only the foolishly idealistic Jiraiya is still mired in the past—"
"Enough nonsense."
Tsunade cut him off coldly. Deep violet eye markings of Sage Mode had appeared around her eyes. "What exactly are you planning?"
They both sensed that the other was constantly absorbing and using natural energy.
"Huff… huff…"
Jiraiya was breathing heavily, revealing his weakened state now that Tsunade had arrived.
Two bubbles expanded from Utakata's hands, rapidly enveloping the unconscious Might Guy and Kakashi. Setting his tools aside, Utakata fixed his gaze on Konan.
One Sannin against another—thus, he had to keep watch on Akatsuki's members.
Orochimaru did not activate his own Sage Mode; instead, he took half a step back and said, "If I'd really wanted to stop Link from summoning the First Hokage, I only needed to cast Edo Tensei first."
"The First Hokage? Link?" Konan was confused, feeling a sense of time and space distortion.
[What was even happening?]
She was still trying to figure out if the masked man who'd manipulated Nagato was truly Madara and wondering where Nagato had disappeared to. Now, Hashirama and Madara were supposedly in a life-and-death clash outside.
Tsunade frowned but didn't attack, remaining in Sage Mode. Her tone brooked no argument: "Orochimaru, you're coming back with me."
"That, I cannot do."
Before Orochimaru finished speaking, he vanished from where he stood.
"Boom!" Tsunade's fist pierced through his afterimage. Her terrifying strength demolished what was left of the building, blasting debris so far that it vanished into the distance.
Konan, who had just lifted herself into the air with her partially recovered chakra, froze in place as sunlight suddenly poured down from the sky.
In the distance, Susanoo stood tall on the battlefield, locked in a contest of raw power with a wooden giant. Destruction lay all around. The thick rain clouds overhead had been completely dispersed, and for the first time in ages, sunlight bathed Amegakure.
[Is this still the shinobi world?]
Deep inside, Konan felt an unshakable sense of disorientation.
[That woman is way too reckless], thought Utakata as he watched the distant clash of titans, while also keeping an eye on the two elite jōnin who were still unconscious. Link specifically told him to guard them—no mistakes allowed. Unlike Tsunade, who could freely unleash her strength and risk blowing the captives away with mere shockwaves, he had to take care not to jeopardize the hostages.
"Don't even think about running!"
Tsunade's roar resonated through the air. A chain of explosions and bursts of smoke erupted in what was already mostly a ruined Amegakure.
Time to find the mastermind…
Utakata glanced at Konan, who was frozen in midair, and asked, "Zetsu—do you know where Zetsu is?"
"Squelch!"
~~~
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