"Crash!"
The massive water tornado erupted from the forest floor with devastating force, its spiraling form resembling a primordial creature awakening from the depths of the earth itself. Ancient trees that had stood for centuries were uprooted like weeds, their massive trunks splintering and cracking as they were swept up in the aquatic maelstrom. The tornado roared toward the coalition's surprise attack force in the sky with the inexorable power of a natural disaster.
The thunderous roaring of the churning water caused the very air currents to accelerate and distort, creating a massive atmospheric whirlpool that generated tremendous suction force. The phenomenon made it nearly impossible for anyone caught in the affected airspace to maneuver effectively, as if invisible hands were dragging them downward into the swirling vortex of destruction.
Birds that had been startled from their roosts by the initial explosion found themselves helplessly pulled into the water spout, their frantic wing beats useless against the overwhelming gravitational pull. The very air seemed to thicken and become heavy, making breathing difficult for the ninja aboard the great bird that served as their aerial mount.
"Swish!"
Itachi's pupils suddenly blazed scarlet as his dormant bloodline awakened to face the crisis. The tomoe within his eyes spun with increasing velocity, but they no longer held the triangular curved pattern of his standard Mangekyō Sharingan. Instead, the design had evolved into something more complex and powerful – the distinctive six-pointed star pattern that mirrored his younger brother Sasuke's unique ocular configuration.
His eyes had not evolved into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, but the power coursing through them was undeniably greater than what he had possessed before. The transformation seemed to be a response to the desperate circumstances, his Uchiha blood rising to meet the challenge presented by one of the most legendary ninja in history.
"This is..."
Under Itachi's enhanced observation through his evolved Sharingan, the chaotic flow of the water tornado revealed secrets hidden from normal perception. The swirling currents were not merely the result of powerful water-style ninjutsu – there were other, more subtle elements at work within the aquatic chaos.
Several tiny but distinctly abnormal chakra signatures were riding along with the massive technique, using the water as both concealment and transportation as they gradually approached the precise location where Itachi and his teammates maintained their aerial position. The signatures were so expertly masked that only the penetrating insight of the Sharingan could detect their presence within the overwhelming torrent.
"It's actually him!"
Recognition dawned in Itachi's crimson eyes as the pieces of the tactical puzzle fell into place. His experienced mind immediately understood the sophistication of the attack strategy, the way multiple elements had been coordinated to create what appeared to be a simple but overwhelming assault. The lines in his right eye trembled slightly as he prepared to unleash one of his most devastating techniques.
"Amaterasu!"
The word emerged from his lips like a death sentence pronounced upon the world itself. Wherever his gaze fell, raging black flames materialized in the air as if summoned from the very depths of hell. The cursed fire appeared directly above and around the massive water tornado below, its midnight darkness standing in stark contrast to the clear blue of the rushing water.
Among the five basic elemental attributes of chakra, water traditionally restrained fire through the natural laws that governed ninja techniques. But Amaterasu was far from ordinary flame – it was the embodiment of divine punishment, fire that burned until nothing remained of its target, flames that could not be extinguished by conventional means.
"Hiss!"
The sound of steam rising filled the air as the water tornado was continuously evaporated by the black flames. Massive clouds of vapor billowed upward, creating an impromptu fog bank that obscured vision for hundreds of meters in every direction. As the water was consumed by the eternal flames, the gravitational pull that had threatened to drag the surprise attack force to their doom became progressively weaker.
Sai, Shin, and the other members of the aerial reconnaissance team quickly seized the opportunity presented by the weakening suction. With practiced coordination, they controlled the giant bird created by Sai's Super Beast Scroll technique to rise higher into the sky, climbing toward the relative safety of the upper atmosphere and away from the immediate range of enemy attacks.
"Reporting to headquarters," came the urgent communication through their chakra-enhanced communication system, "the enemy's advance force has been identified as..."
"The Second Hokage!"
As Itachi finished delivering his crucial intelligence report, a loud and hauntingly familiar voice echoed from the dense forest below. The sound carried the authority and power that had once commanded the respect and fear of the entire ninja world during the early days of the hidden villages.
From the swirling mists created by the evaporated water tornado, a new threat emerged. A water dragon of enormous proportions materialized, its serpentine form crafted from the remaining moisture in the air. The creature's eyes blazed with an unnatural scarlet light as it launched itself toward the sky, its massive jaws opening wide to engulf anything in its path.
Seeing the approaching aquatic behemoth, Itachi made a split-second tactical decision. Without hesitation, he leaped from his aerial mount and dove directly toward the oncoming water dragon, his black cloak billowing behind him like the wings of a diving hawk. The other members of his team watched in a mixture of awe and concern as their leader chose to meet the legendary technique head-on.
"Susanoo!"
The activation word resonated with the power of ancient bloodline magic as deep red chakra erupted from Itachi's form. The energy swept across his body like liquid fire, gradually taking shape as it responded to his will and desperate need for protection. The chakra first formed the basic framework of a massive humanoid skeleton that wrapped around his body like supernatural armor.
Facing an enemy of this caliber and legendary status, even someone of Itachi's exceptional abilities understood that half-measures would lead to certain death. He had to commit fully from the very beginning, holding nothing back and deploying his most powerful defensive techniques without reservation.
The skeletal framework that initially surrounded him began to evolve and develop, spiritual energy condensing into muscle and sinew. Gradually, the basic structure transformed into the form of a towering fighter, its appearance both magnificent and terrifying. The ethereal giant possessed a presence that seemed to dwarf the very landscape around it.
The spectral fighter opened its massive hand with deliberate purpose, and chakra coalesced into the form of a shield that materialized in front of its body. The defensive implement was crafted from pure spiritual energy, yet it possessed the solidity and protective capability of the finest armor ever forged by mortal hands.
The collision between the Susanoo's shield and the charging water dragon was inevitable, and when it came, the impact was tremendous.
"Bang!"
The sound of the collision echoed across the landscape like thunder, sending shockwaves through the forest that knocked smaller trees from their roots and scattered wildlife for kilometers in every direction. The force of the impact created a crater in the earth below and sent ripples through the very fabric of space itself.
At the Allied Forces Headquarters, the massive sensory water sphere that monitored battlefield conditions across the entire theater of operations suddenly flared with activity. Two distinct points of light appeared on its surface, their brightness indicating the tremendous chakra expenditure taking place in the northern sector. The lights flashed and collided with each other in real-time, providing the command staff with a visual representation of the epic battle taking place.
After receiving the urgent transmission from the surprise attack force, Suzuka Hatake turned his head sharply toward the assembled leadership. His weathered face was etched with concern as he delivered the intelligence that would reshape their entire understanding of the enemy's capabilities and intentions.
"Gokage-sama, the surprise attack force has been engaged by enemy advance units," he reported with military precision. "The hostile force that initiated the attack has been confirmed as the Second Hokage, reanimated through the Edo Tensei technique."
"What?!"
The Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki's ancient face underwent a dramatic transformation, his usual composed demeanor cracking to reveal the shock and alarm beneath. His weathered features paled as the full implications of the intelligence report became clear to his strategic mind.
His eyes grew dark and gloomy as he processed the tactical nightmare they now faced. When he spoke, his voice carried the weight of someone who had lived through multiple great wars and understood exactly what this development meant for their chances of victory.
"I didn't expect the enemy to deploy such a devastatingly powerful advance force," he said in a voice heavy with foreboding. "This changes everything about our strategic calculations."
"Hokage-sama, we must send immediate reinforcements to assist that Uchiha prodigy," Ōnoki continued, his tactical mind already working through the various scenarios and potential outcomes. "The situation has escalated beyond what any single ninja should be expected to handle alone."
The Third Tsuchikage was well aware that Itachi possessed the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan and had demonstrated abilities that placed him among the elite ninja of his generation. However, he was even more acutely aware of the overwhelming power that the Second Hokage had wielded during his lifetime, and how that power would be enhanced by the immortal resurrection provided by the Edo Tensei.
What made the situation even more dire was the fact that the Second Hokage had been historically renowned for his expertise in developing techniques specifically designed to counter opponents who possessed the Sharingan. His deep understanding of the Uchiha bloodline and its weaknesses made him perhaps the worst possible opponent for any member of that clan to face in single combat.
Throughout this exchange, Minato's expression remained remarkably calm and composed, as if the shocking intelligence about his predecessor's involvement in the enemy forces was something he had anticipated. His blue eyes held a depth of understanding that suggested he had been preparing for exactly this sort of development.
He smiled slightly and shook his head with confidence that seemed almost supernatural given the circumstances.
"Tsuchikage-sama, sending reinforcements will not be necessary at this time," Minato replied with the quiet authority that had made him legendary. "While the Second Hokage is indeed incredibly formidable, the current Itachi possesses more than sufficient capability to handle this confrontation successfully."
He turned around with fluid grace, his gaze finding Shisui among the assembled leadership. The look that passed between them carried layers of meaning and understanding that spoke to years of shared experience and mutual trust.
"Since the surprise attack team has already made contact with enemies resurrected through Edo Tensei, the time has come for you to begin your own mission," Minato said, his words carrying the weight of destiny itself.
"Yes, sir!"
Shisui nodded respectfully to the Five Kage and the other assembled leaders, his movements carrying the precise discipline that had made him legendary even among the elite Uchiha clan. Then, in a display of the technique that had earned him his fearsome reputation, his figure flashed out of the Allied Forces Headquarters like a black arrow released from a divine bow, moving so quickly that he seemed to simply vanish from existence.
"Have Aburame Shibi and his reconnaissance teams discovered any additional intelligence about enemy positions?" Minato asked, turning his attention to Hatake Suzuka with the focused intensity of a master strategist.
Suzuka Hatake consulted his various communication devices and sensory apparatus before shaking his head with obvious frustration. "No significant movement detected at this time, Hokage-sama. All advance reconnaissance teams are reporting negative contact with primary enemy forces."
Minato's face darkened slightly as he processed this troubling information, his strategic mind working through the implications and possibilities. The absence of intelligence was almost as concerning as bad intelligence, suggesting that their enemies possessed capabilities and strategic depth that exceeded their initial estimates.
Among the coalition forces, the only individuals who possessed the specific skills necessary to permanently stop enemies resurrected through Edo Tensei were Itachi and Shisui, with their mastery of advanced genjutsu techniques. However, the advance reconnaissance teams that the coalition forces had deployed days earlier had failed to locate any trace of the primary enemy forces or the individual responsible for controlling the resurrection technique.
The appearance of the Second Hokage, however, provided at least one crucial piece of information – it demonstrated that the enemy's operations had already begun in earnest. The next critical mission for the coalition forces would be to locate and neutralize the person who controlled the Edo Tensei technique, as that individual represented the key to ending the threat posed by the army of legendary dead.
Deep in the dense forest where the battle raged, the aftermath of the initial collision was settling into a new phase of combat.
Crash!
With the violent impact of the collision, the massive water dragon exploded in a spectacular display of aquatic destruction, its form dissolving into countless droplets that fell like rain across the forest canopy. The dense raindrops created a natural curtain that obscured vision and turned the battlefield into a maze of shadows and reflections.
Itachi, still protected within his Susanoo's ethereal form, descended into the forest with controlled grace. The moment his feet touched the ground, he activated his enhanced pupil power to its maximum extent, every sense alert for the slightest indication of his legendary opponent's location.
His Sharingan spun constantly as he scanned the surrounding area, but despite his enhanced perception, he could not immediately track down the Second Hokage's position. This was particularly troubling given his opponent's fearsome reputation and the techniques at his disposal.
After all, this legendary figure had once been known as the fastest ninja in the world, a title that carried weight even in an era that had produced monsters like the Fourth Raikage and Minato himself. The epithet "Yellow Flash" that Minato had earned was built upon the foundation of the Flying Thunder God Technique, a space-time ninjutsu originally developed by the Second Hokage himself.
And Itachi's enhanced perception had detected something crucial during the earlier water dragon technique – hidden within the swirling currents had been the distinctive chakra markings of the Flying Thunder God. This meant that his opponent was not only capable of instantaneous teleportation but had likely been preparing the battlefield with strategic markers even before the initial engagement.
Swish!
Despite the visual obstruction created by the falling water droplets, Itachi could clearly sense through his chakra perception that somewhere in the dense forest around him, a figure was constantly changing positions. The movements were too fast and too erratic to be normal physical locomotion, confirming his suspicions about the teleportation technique.
"This is troublesome."
Even someone of the Second Hokage's legendary capabilities could not have remained so completely undetectable simply by relying on superior physical speed and basic space-time ninjutsu applications. The level of concealment being demonstrated suggested a much more sophisticated tactical approach.
Unless he had methodically placed numerous Flying Thunder God markers throughout this entire area beforehand, and was now coordinating their use with multiple shadow clones to create an unpredictable pattern of position changes that would confuse even the most advanced tracking techniques.
"Water Style: Water Encampment Wall!"
The technique announcement came from directly behind Itachi's position, and immediately a massive volume of water materialized out of seemingly empty air. The liquid surge moved with tremendous force, flattening the forest vegetation in its path and creating a cleared area that stretched for hundreds of meters in every direction.
However, rather than attacking Itachi directly as might have been expected, these torrential water flows followed a more sophisticated tactical pattern. They moved to quickly surround his position from multiple angles, flowing around both him and his Susanoo like a rising tide that could not be escaped.
Finally, the water completely enveloped both ninja and spectral fighter, forming a perfect spherical barrier with no blind spots or weaknesses. The technique created a 360-degree water wall that imprisoned them within a aquatic cage of tremendous thickness and density.
Itachi understood that remaining passive in this situation would lead to certain defeat, so he immediately escalated his own techniques to match the threat level. His Susanoo underwent another evolution, the spiritual fighter's form becoming more detailed and powerful as it was covered in scarlet armor that seemed to burn with inner fire.
The ethereal giant opened its massive hand with deliberate purpose, and light began to emanate from the gourd that hung at its right side. The illumination extended and condensed into the form of a legendary blade – the Ten-fist Sword, a weapon of sealing that possessed the power to permanently banish anything it pierced into an eternal genjutsu realm.
The spectral fighter raised the legendary weapon and prepared to swing it toward the water wall in front of it, the blade's power building as it prepared to cut through whatever obstacles stood in its path.
"Roar!"
Just as Susanoo was about to execute its devastating sword strike, the massive water wall suddenly shook with tremendous violence. The entire aquatic barrier trembled as if responding to some unseen command, and then the water began to move and reshape itself with purposeful intent.
A huge water dragon condensed from the wall itself, emerging like a living creature born from the elemental technique. The serpentine beast opened its massive jaws wide and launched itself directly toward the Ten-fist Sword, meeting the legendary weapon with its own supernatural power.
"Clang!"
The sound that resulted from the collision was completely unexpected – it was clearly a ninjutsu technique formed from flowing water, yet when it made contact with the ethereal Totsuka sword, it produced a crisp metallic sound like the collision of masterwork steel blades. The impact suggested that the water dragon possessed a solidity and resilience that defied normal understanding of elemental techniques.
"What terrifyingly advanced water ninjutsu!"
Itachi's surprise was genuine – he had faced many powerful opponents throughout his career, but the level of technique mastery being demonstrated was extraordinary even by the standards of legendary ninja. However, even a water dragon of this caliber would not be sufficient to stop the sealing power of his Ten-fist Sword.
"Crash!"
Just when he was preparing to gather all his strength and slice through the water dragon with overwhelming force, several massive water whips suddenly erupted from the sides of the spherical water wall. The additional attacks moved like striking serpents, their approach impossible to predict or defend against through conventional means.
The water whips moved with purpose and intelligence, directly wrapping around the left arm of his Susanoo – specifically targeting the limb that held the Yata Mirror, the legendary shield that provided protection against all forms of attack.
"So the purpose from the very beginning wasn't to stop me, but to break down the Yata Mirror's defensive capabilities?"
Itachi's eyes widened as the true sophistication of the tactical assault became clear to him. This was not a simple overwhelming attack, but a carefully orchestrated strategy designed to systematically disable his defensive options before moving in for the decisive strike.
He looked around with violent intensity, his enhanced perception searching for the source of the coordinated assault.
Swish!
In that massive wall of water that surrounded him, several figures suddenly appeared out of thin air, materializing as if they had been swimming through the liquid barrier like fish through an ocean. Each figure was identical in appearance, confirming the use of advanced shadow clone techniques.
The white-haired man in distinctive blue armor was unmistakably the Second Hokage, his legendary appearance exactly matching the historical records and artistic depictions that every ninja had studied during their education. His presence radiated the kind of power and authority that had once shaped the very foundations of the hidden village system.
When the clones appeared within the water wall, the entire aquatic prison suddenly began to expand inward, pressing toward the Susanoo trapped in the center with crushing force. The walls moved with inexorable purpose, designed to compress and destroy anything caught within their embrace.
At the same time, the Second Hokage and his shadow clones began swimming through the water with incredible speed, leaving behind trails of fiery red light as they moved through the liquid medium. The illumination created an almost hypnotic pattern as it tracked their movements through the three-dimensional space.
Itachi focused his enhanced vision on the source of the red light and felt his blood run cold as he recognized what he was seeing. They were activated explosive tags, primed and ready to detonate, being strategically placed throughout the water barrier by the swimming clones.
Buzz!
The fiery red light from the explosive tags began to flash with increasing frequency, building toward the moment of detonation. But within that ominous illumination, there seemed to be additional light sources emerging, creating an even more complex and dangerous pattern.
"Multiplying Detonating Tags!"
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