The massive detonation allowed the Steam Clone to gain energy and expand even further.
Facing the pursuit squad, the Steam Clone launched Gengetsu Hōzuki with all its strength, flinging the real body toward a nearby stone pillar, then turned around to engage the pursuers. Gaara, leading the charge, crossed his arms and swept a surge of sand forward to intercept.
"Be careful, it's going to explode again!" Gaara warned.
The other shinobi following close behind quickly prepared their defenses. However, contrary to expectation, the Steam Clone did not explode. Instead, it rapidly shrank and vanished into thin air.
Senju Tobirama frowned. "The jutsu's been released? What is Gengetsu up to?"
Onoki hovered above the battlefield and immediately formed a seal. "Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
With a resounding boom, the stone pillar where Gengetsu had landed was obliterated.
Kabuto, controlling Gengetsu through Impure World Reincarnation, barely avoided the attack using a water clone to absorb the impact and leapt to another stone outcrop.
"Too close... but it doesn't matter. The chakra has been gathered."
Kabuto then forced Gengetsu to perform Summoning Jutsu.
With a bang and a puff of white smoke, a coffin emerged from the ground.
Senju Tobirama's expression tightened. "That chakra signature..."
Elsewhere, inside a sealed barrier, Hashirama, who had been napping in a seated position, suddenly opened his eyes.
The coffin creaked as it burst open. A pale arm reached out and pushed aside the lid. Emerging from the smoke was none other than Uchiha Madara, Mangekyō Sharingan gleaming ominously.
"That boy Nagato... he's grown strong," Madara said, voice echoing with nostalgia. "But this... this isn't the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique."
Kabuto, using Gengetsu as a puppet, stepped forward. "This is the Impure World Reincarnation. I'm Kabuto, Obito's collaborator. I'm the one who revived you."
Madara's gaze narrowed. "Impure World Reincarnation? Tobirama's dirty little trick? Hmph... So Obito's altered my plan."
"The entire shinobi world has formed an alliance to wage war against us," Kabuto explained. "That's why I brought you back—to help us win."
Madara nodded slowly. "I can feel it—shinobi from all five great nations gathered together. Hmph. Obito must be struggling if he needed me to clean up the mess."
He stepped off the cliff, his presence warping the very air around him, and appeared before the shinobi alliance.
Onoki's eyes widened in disbelief. "It's him... Uchiha Madara!"
Tobirama scowled and hissed through gritted teeth. "That cursed Uchiha..."
The Third Hokage stared in shock. After all, Madara was one of Konoha's founders—a legend equal to Hashirama.
Gaara whispered in awe, "So this is the legendary Uchiha Madara..."
Shadow Clone Naruto's smile faded. "Guess it's time," he muttered, forming the necessary seals to summon the First Hokage.
Madara folded his arms and looked down arrogantly. "Tobirama... it's been a long time. You bastard."
He hadn't forgotten. He could never forget the man who killed his beloved younger brother, Izuna.
Tobirama turned. "Naruto! Now!"
Naruto nodded.
Behind them, Temari and reinforcements arrived, flanking Gaara.
Sensor-type shinobi from the Allied Forces gasped. "A new chakra signature... it's massive!"
"That power... it's him!"
Konoha's shinobi collectively went pale. "That face... it's from the Valley of the End! It's Uchiha Madara—as legendary as Hashirama-sama!"
The entire battlefield buzzed in disbelief.
...
Kabuto, still using Gengetsu's body as his mouthpiece, observed the awe from below with smug satisfaction.
"Hahaha, this is exactly the effect I wanted. So satisfying. All my preparations have paid off."
Madara surveyed the forces. "Ninjas from all five nations fighting side by side... Hah. What a joke. Obito must've really screwed up if he had to rely on me."
"This Impure World Reincarnation was tailored specifically for you," Kabuto added. "You're immortal and at your peak."
Madara arched an eyebrow. "You've seen me at my peak?"
"No," Kabuto said with a sly smile. "But I've heard of it. Now show me your legendary power."
Madara scoffed. "None of these people below are worthy of my full strength. Except for Hashirama, the rest are insects. But fine... let's have a little fun."
Suddenly, Gaara's sand surged forward. Madara dropped from the cliff, Mangekyō flaring.
"He's fast," Gaara said, surprised. "My sand couldn't catch him."
Tobirama shouted again, "Naruto, hurry!"
With a grin, Shadow Clone Naruto summoned Senju Hashirama.
In a flash of light, Hashirama appeared.
"Huh? Naruto? That Flying Thunder God Jutsu of yours—you surprised me. I was wondering why these barriers popped up."
Naruto nodded and pointed toward Madara. "We had to bring you in. Your old rival is back."
Hashirama turned and looked across the battlefield.
Madara's expression softened the moment he saw him. The grimness melted away, replaced by joy.
"Haaashiraaaamaaa!!!" Madara shouted with wild laughter.
Hashirama smiled warmly. "Oh! Madara! Long time no see!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Madara laughed maniacally.
At last, things were interesting again. Tobirama alone would have been a warm-up. But with Hashirama, now this was a true battle!
The entire shinobi alliance—especially the Konoha ninjas—lost their minds.
"It's the First Hokage! Lord Hashirama himself!"
"We're not dreaming, are we? It's really Shodai-sama!"
"Holy crap! Even if we die today, it was worth it!"
"Yeah! Shodai, Nidaime, Sandaime—to fight alongside the previous Hokage, there's no greater honor!"
Konoha's ninja surged forward, drawing their weapons with renewed spirit.
Even the shinobi from other villages looked on with envy.
To stand beside their ancestors in battle—what warrior wouldn't be proud?
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