----
Yagura nodded. "If the previous Kage are involved, it makes sense that we should handle them ourselves. I will go as well having studied the First Mizukage's techniques, I am the best suited to counter him."
"Then I'll deal with Lord Mū's Dust Release," Ōnoki said as he floated into the air. "There's no better way to counter Dust Release than with Dust Release."
Gaara stood up as well. "I cannot ignore the presence of the Third Kazekage."
Shikaku frowned. "Having the four of you face the previous Kage may seem like the best course of action, but I have concerns. This could be a trap to lure all of you away. Their goal isn't to defeat us in battle it's to capture the Nine-Tails. If all of you leave..."
"There's nothing to worry about," the Raikage interrupted impatiently. "Even if we don't go after them, they'll come to us. Instead of waiting, it's better to take the initiative! Besides, if the Nine-Tails isn't safe under the Hokage's protection, there's no safe place left in the world."
Shikaku was momentarily stunned.
'Did the Raikage… just hype up the Hokage more than a Konoha shinobi?'
"Then it's decided," Minato said, making the final call. "If any new threats arise, I'll handle them."
Shikaku may have been the most intelligent strategist in the room, but decision-making in the heat of battle required more than intelligence. Sometimes, hesitation was more dangerous than a reckless charge.
Minato understood that even the most brilliant minds couldn't predict everything, and as Hokage, he trusted his ability to adapt to unforeseen situations.
"At the very least, you should bring additional reinforcements," Shikaku suggested. "The only ones stationed near them are a scouting unit far from enough firepower."
"Yo~"
A familiar voice interrupted as Killer Bee barged in, paying no mind to the serious atmosphere.
He immediately broke into a rap:
"Relax and take notes while I take tokes of the marijuana smoke; throw you in a choke — gunsmoke, gunsmoke!.."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Bee was the only one unfazed.
The next instant, the Raikage was beside him, landing a heavy punch that sent him face-first into the ground.
"If you want to fight, then stop wasting time!"
From the floor, Bee weakly raised a trembling hand, forming a strange gesture he had been this close to finishing his pose.
Before the Raikage could get angrier, Minato stepped in. "Then Killer Bee will join as well. Tenten will transport all of you to the battlefield, and Gai's team will stay behind as reinforcements."
Tenten had trained in sealing techniques before mastering the Flying Thunder God, making her a reliable support member. Neji's Byakugan would be valuable against the elusive Second Tsuchikage, and Gai provided raw combat power. That combination reassured Minato.
"Everyone, please place your hands on me," Tenten said, stretching out her arms. Teleporting so many high-profile shinobi at once was nerve-wracking, but also exhilarating.
Once the Four Kage, Bee, Gai, Neji, and Lee had all touched her, she activated the technique, transporting them about a kilometre from the target.
Naruto had wisely suggested pre-marking locations near enemy movements. After all, any good strategist knows your ward before your team fights. And the enemy doesn't even know how to de-ward.
Neji immediately activated his Byakugan. "Nine hundred meters ahead, four targets, moving southeast at a slow pace. Matches the intel."
Ōnoki floated in the air. "Then we, Five Kage, will engage first. Your squad can act as support when needed."
"Leave it to me! The Noble Blue Beast of Konoha will arrive at the perfect moment!" Gai proudly declared, flashing his shining teeth.
No one except Lee paid him any attention.
Neji simply nodded and pointed to his eyes. "I'll monitor the battle closely."
Ōnoki noted Neji's calm demeanor and professionalism. Unlike his two loud teammates, this boy carried himself with quiet confidence.
He assumed Neji was the team leader.
"So, this is Neji of the Hyuga. I'll remember that."
With that, Ōnoki flew off toward the battlefield.
Gaara created sand platforms to carry himself, the Raikage, the Mizukage, and the Bee as they followed.
---
The four resurrected Kage had been walking together for some time, engaged in conversation.
The most recent among them to die was the Third Kazekage, who had been dead for over twenty years. He was entirely unfamiliar with the current era.
It was the Second Tsuchikage, Mū, who had provided the most insight.
"This is Edo Tensei," he explained. "A technique invented by Tobirama Senju. We've been revived, likely for use in some Konoha scheme."
The First Mizukage, Byakuren, looked old, his long white hair and beard framing a heavily scarred face. One of his eyes was blinded by a deep gash, and his teeth were sharp in the Kirigakure fashion.
"So this was Tobirama's forbidden jutsu… I met him once during a Five Kage Summit, back when he was still Hashirama's escort. Quite an impressive young man."
Mū, his entire body wrapped in bandages like a walking mummy, responded in a graver tone. "This isn't the time for admiration. We don't even know why we were revived. Although we can partially control our bodies, we are still being forced to move in this direction."
The Third Raikage, his muscular physique radiating power, scoffed. "I hope they haven't revived us for some anti-Kumogakure scheme. Otherwise, I won't let them get away with it!"
The Third Kazekage, surprisingly mild-mannered compared to the others, said thoughtfully, "That may be true, but we are already dead. And judging by the circumstances, we don't seem able to disobey orders."
Before they could continue, a floating eye of sand caught the Third Kazekage's attention.
"That technique… Is it Rasa?" he murmured.
Back when he was alive, Gaara hadn't even been born yet. The only Kazekage he knew was Rasa.
At that moment, Mū's sensory abilities picked up something.
"Incoming enemies. Five in the front, four hanging back. Whether they're allies or foes, they should at least provide some answers."
Before the Edo Kage could react, an enormous wave of sand surged toward them.
The Third Kazekage immediately recognized the technique.
He smiled slightly.
"This level of sand manipulation… Is it Shukaku? Has someone finally mastered the One-Tail?"
He raised his hands.
Before meeting this potential successor, he had no intention of being buried just yet.
----
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