After the Raikage shouted his command, the other Kage followed suit, issuing immediate retreat orders.
There was no way around it now. The Five Kage had spoken. Whether the shinobi wanted to or not, they had to fall back.
Meanwhile, the Raikage couldn't hold himself back any longer.
"Damn it! You just had the Ten Tails smash me, didn't you?" he snarled. "Fine then. Now that the Ten Tails is pinned down, what are you going to use to hit me?!"
With that, he activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, surging chakra through his entire body and maximizing his physical performance down to the cellular level.
"I'll go first!"
With a thunderous whoosh, the Raikage launched himself straight at Madara. His speed was incredible—though it was fueled by ninjutsu, it was still a brutal physical assault.
Tsunade, Gaara, Mei, and Ōnoki quickly joined the fray.
Gaara used the sand he had spread earlier and condensed it into a giant sand hand, aiming to restrain and pierce Obito.
Terumi Mei unleashed a vast Lava Release attack to saturate the battlefield, intending to force Madara and Obito away from the Ten Tails.
Tsunade roared as she channeled her monstrous strength and struck at Madara directly. Since Madara was only using physical techniques, her superhuman strength was the perfect counter.
Ōnoki flew overhead, his Particle Style: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu ready. The moment Obito fully materialized, he would obliterate him on the spot.
At the same time, Hashirama Senju used Wood Release to further bind and restrict the Ten Tails, anchoring it in place.
Tobirama, Hiruzen, and Minato joined in, synchronizing their attacks in an effort to behead Madara and Obito simultaneously.
Watching from a distance, Jiraiya frowned as the legendary shinobi charged in.
He muttered, "Maybe I should jump in too—"
Orochimaru grabbed his arm. "Forget it. We should fall back. If even that lineup can't bring them down, then our going in would be pointless."
Naruto chuckled and looked over. "Uncle Snake, you really do see things clearly."
Orochimaru smirked. "Naruto-kun, I figured you must've suspected the enemy still has a backup plan. Otherwise, why would you have all the shinobi withdraw? It's to minimize casualties, isn't it?"
Jiraiya blinked in surprise. "Wait… is that true, Naruto? If they really have a backup plan, then Tsunade is in danger. No—I have to go!"
Naruto gave a sly smile. "Uncle Snake, you're definitely the most observant shinobi in this world."
Orochimaru snorted and began dragging Jiraiya away.
"I'm going to protect Tsunade!" Jiraiya shouted.
Orochimaru snapped back, "Why? I'm the Hokage now, shouldn't I be the one protecting her? And Tsunade can heal herself better than any of us. What exactly do you think you can do out there? Come on!"
"Uncle Snake, wait a second!" Naruto called out.
Orochimaru glanced back as Naruto tossed him a petri dish.
"Put that in Sasuke," Naruto said firmly.
Orochimaru caught it, gave a knowing smile, and nodded.
Kakashi and Might Guy also began their retreat.
Now, only Naruto remained on the battlefield.
In the distance, the Konoha 12 had regrouped.
Shikamaru stood with his hands on his hips. "What's that guy planning now?"
Chōji exclaimed, "I was about to go Giant Mode and charge in to crush the Ten Tails!"
Rock Lee gave a thumbs-up. "Chōji! That's the spirit!"
Neji Hyūga stood protectively in front of Hinata, his Byakugan active. "I have a bad feeling… this retreat isn't for nothing."
Hinata was visibly anxious. She had wanted to stay by Naruto's side, but Neji, Kiba, and Shino had all dragged her back to safety.
"Sasuke! What happened to you?!"
Sakura ran toward him, hands covering her mouth in shock. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Sasuke, let me heal you!"
Sasuke clutched his bleeding eye, his tone cold and distant. "It's none of your business."
Itachi and Shisui stood beside him. Itachi said, "Sasuke, stop trying to act tough. Let the medical ninja treat you."
Sasuke slapped away his brother's hand. "I don't need your concern!"
Everything he believed in—shattered. All this time, he'd been nothing more than a puppet. A joke.
He had thought the Rinnegan was his triumph. Now it had been ripped away—humiliated in front of Naruto.
All his efforts to be stronger than his brother had crumbled in the face of cruel reality.
Shisui narrowed his eyes. "If you won't listen to Itachi again, I'll use Kotoamatsukami on you."
Sasuke's glare intensified, but he hesitated. Just then, Kabuto flew toward them.
Even though Kabuto's consciousness had been altered, he was still dangerously capable. And now, without his Rinnegan, Sasuke couldn't resist him even if he wanted to.
Itachi gave Sakura a nod. "Treat him."
Sakura complied, activating her Mystical Palm Technique to halt the bleeding and began repairing the optical nerves and brain tissue to prevent lasting damage.
Just then, Ino arrived, breathless. "Sasuke! What happened? Your eye—does it hurt?!"
Sakura, focused on her technique, noticed Ino trying to get closer. She instinctively shifted, protectively leaning over Sasuke.
"I'm healing him, Ino. Don't get too close."
Ino pouted, but continued expressing concern. "Sasuke, hang in there! You'll be okay soon!"
"Annoying," Sasuke muttered, clearly irritated.
Shisui stood nearby, chuckling softly. "Itachi, your little brother's luck with women reminds me a lot of you back in school."
Itachi's expression turned stiff. "Don't start."
Shisui smirked. "Did I strike a nerve?"
The two Uchiha were legends in their youth—charismatic, mysterious, and irresistible to the girls at the Academy.
Suddenly, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Kakashi, and Guy arrived.
Lee ran to his mentor. "Sensei! Are you alright?!"
Guy gave a glowing thumbs-up. "Don't worry about me, Lee. I'm still burning with youth!"
Kakashi approached Sasuke. "Sasuke, return to Team 7. I'll explain everything to Lord Hokage."
Sasuke was about to snap back, but Itachi placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Kakashi."
Kakashi looked at Itachi—the boy genius who had joined the ANBU at seven, the man who sacrificed everything for the village. He sighed. "I never expected... you've carried so much."
Itachi said quietly, "It's all in the past now."
Sasuke clenched his fists. He still wanted to redeem his brother's honor, but Orochimaru stepped forward.
"Excuse me—can you move?"
Sakura flinched at Orochimaru's eerie gaze, swallowing hard.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"
Orochimaru crouched beside him. "Nothing much. Just following Naruto's instructions."
Sasuke frowned. "You could've saved me earlier, but you didn't. And now Naruto sends you to treat me?"
Orochimaru shrugged. "Orders are orders."
He turned his head. "Kabuto! Assist me."
Kabuto approached swiftly.
He had always been Orochimaru's most skilled surgical assistant.
Pulling out the petri dish and tools, Orochimaru asked, "Anyone here know Earth Release? I need a stone pillar as an operating table."
Without hesitation, Kakashi performed Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, raising a smooth stone slab.
Sasuke scoffed. "Kakashi… you really do everything, don't you?"
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