While Edo Tensei Madara and Edo Tensei Muu were still recovering their reanimated bodies, the slightly weakened Tsunade quickly used the Summoning Technique, splitting Katsuyu into countless smaller slugs to heal the nearby surviving shinobi.
"Seriously, that was way too close."
Enjoying Katsuyu's healing and feeling his strength slowly returning, Ōnoki couldn't help but feel a wave of fear.
This current Edo Madara... was far more terrifying than the Uchiha Madara he saw when he visited Konoha with Muu-sama as a child.
At least, that Madara didn't unleash insane techniques like summoning a meteor.
If he had used something like that back then, he and Muu-sama wouldn't have made it back to Iwagakure alive.
"Tch, only this many died?"
With his Edo body restored, Madara looked at the Allied Shinobi Forces and was slightly dissatisfied with the casualties.
He thought that Tengai Shinsei would devastate the alliance, and while it had done serious damage, it still didn't meet his expectations.
"Should I do it again?"
After thinking it over, Edo Madara decided against it.
His goal was just to cripple the Allied Forces and put pressure on the Eight and Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, forcing them to come to the front lines.
Looking at the state of these shinobi... if he used Tengai Shinsei again, he might just wipe them all out.
"Forget it. If I can't use Tengai Shinsei again, then I'll use this instead."
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence."
Countless trees burst from the ground in waves, making the Allied Shinobi tremble with fear.
"Hateful, didn't expect he could even use Wood Release."
"Hokage, isn't Wood Release a Kekkei Genkai of your First Hokage's? Why can Madara use it too?"
Tsunade didn't have time to pay attention to the Raikage, she quickly shouted to the Allied Shinobi who had recovered some strength:
"Those who can use offensive ninjutsu, all attack forward."
The scale of the Wood Release was huge. If only the Five Kage defended, it would definitely waste a lot of chakra.
And right now, chakra was incredibly precious.
If they wanted to fight Edo Madara, chakra absolutely couldn't be wasted here.
In the original story, this Deep Forest Bloom was dealt with by Naruto using many Shadow Clones and a massive Rasengan.
But because of yesterday's events, Kabuto accelerated the attack pace.
At this moment, the ones on site were Naruto's shadow clones, not his real body.
His real body had just parted ways with Itachi not long ago, heading towards the front battlefield.
Fortunately, the Five Kage's earlier handling of the meteor had saved many people.
Now facing danger again, they definitely didn't want to just wait to die.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bomb."
"Wind Release: Cutting Wind."
"Water Release: Water Surge Wave."
One after another, ninjutsu was used, attacking the rushing trees.
For a moment, smoke filled the air, dust flew everywhere, and it was impossible to see clearly what was happening.
But even so, the Allied Shinobi didn't relax at all, using all their strength to squeeze chakra for continuous attacks.
Two minutes later, when the Allied Shinobi had drained the last drop of chakra, they barely stopped the Deep Forest Bloom's advance.
"You all fall back first, leave this to us."
After a short rest, except for Tsunade, the Five Kage had basically recovered to full strength.
Next, the Five Kage launched their counterattack against Edo Tensei Madara.
In battles at this level, if the allied ninja still had enough chakra, they could use group ninjutsu to support the Five Kage.
But their chakra was already exhausted, so staying here would only be a burden. It was better to have them retreat.
"Alright then, I'll have some fun with you all."
Edo Tensei Madara ignored the retreating allied ninja and looked playfully at the Five Kage standing before him.
He pointed at Tsunade and arrogantly asked, "What's your relation to Hashirama?"
"He's my grandfather."
"Oh? You're his granddaughter? Then I'll pay special attention to you later."
Hearing Tsunade was Hashirama's granddaughter, Madara became very interested in her.
"Tch~ Come on then. You think I'm afraid of you?"
With the intel from the light screen, Tsunade knew the Five Kage had zero chance against the person in front of them.
So, she decided to change her fighting style from what was shown on the video — switching from offense to defense.
She just had to hold on until the Second Hokage and the others arrived to support them.
Though she didn't know exactly who the Second Hokage would bring, she trusted him to bring the strongest forces from the village.
Just having Senju Tobirama come alone would greatly increase their chances of winning.
Even Orochimaru had created a batch of Rinnegan Edo Tensei ninjas. She didn't believe her Second Grandpa— the forbidden jutsu fanatic — wouldn't have some new tricks up his sleeve.
"Everyone, you go ahead. This time, I'll just play the role of support staff."
Raikage A, Onoki, and Mei Terumi nodded.
They all understood how tough this battle would be—one wrong move could mean being wiped out by the enemy team.
Knowing that reinforcements were coming, they chose to fight more cautiously.
With Tsunade, the ultimate healer, on their side, delaying for a few hours shouldn't be a problem.
In the original story, Mei Terumi was the first to attack Edo Tensei Madara during the Five Kage battle.
But now, things were different.
Since the plan was to buy time, the Five Kage didn't make the first move. Instead, they just stood there striking poses, staring hard at Edo Tensei Madara.
Madara: ???
"What's wrong? Afraid? Why don't you attack me?"
Seeing the Five Kage showed no intention to attack, Madara was speechless.
"Or do you want me to strike first?"
"You mean, let you have the first move?"
"Of course. If I attack first, there's no suspense in this fight. Well, there wasn't much suspense anyway, but I do want to enjoy the thrill of battle a little."
Tsunade didn't look humiliated hearing that. Instead, her eyes brightened: "Alright then, it's settled—let us make the first move."
They couldn't really attack first; it was just for show and to buy time.
Of course, they knew this delay wouldn't last long, but even a second gained meant more safety.
Uchiha Madara was very proud and arrogant, spitting out words like nails—once said, he would never take them back.
But as time passed, seeing the Five Kage still posing there, he became impatient and said, "What's wrong with you guys? Why aren't you attacking yet?"
"Don't rush," Tsunade replied, "You're a legendary ninja on par with my grandfather. It's normal for us to take a little longer to prepare, right?"
Tsunade's words put Madara and Hashirama on the same level, subtly flattering him.
Everyone likes to hear praise.
With Tsunade, Hashirama's granddaughter, speaking so nicely, Madara decided to wait a little longer.
After more than ten minutes, seeing the Five Kage still unwilling to move, Madara didn't want to wait any longer.
He was proud, yes, but not stupid.
It was obvious they were just playing with him.
What preparation time?
They had been "preparing" for almost half an hour. Did they really think Madara Uchiha was an idiot?
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Tsunade: "Madara Uchiha, you're not trustworthy. After I die, I will complain to my grandfather."
Madara: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
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