The Raikage grinned and said, "He may be strong, but when it comes to strategy and commanding troops, he's no match for us old-timers."
The Mizukage scoffed, clearly annoyed. "You're just using your age as an excuse."
Raikage replied with a chuckle, "Exactly, that's my advantage!"
The Mizukage fell silent, unable to argue.
Standing beside them, Hokage Tsunade spoke up, "Now that the coalition forces have gathered, it's time to deploy our surprise attack unit."
"If we can't locate Akatsuki's headquarters, then we need to eliminate their spies scattered across different nations."
"At the same time, we should dispatch sensory units to search for their base. So far, there's been no report from the teams I've already sent."
The Kazekage asked with concern, "Won't that alert the enemy?"
Raikage responded firmly, "War has already begun. There's no point in being overly cautious. If they dared to declare war, then we'll fight head-on!"
"I'm just curious—what makes Madara think he can take us all on? His Akatsuki forces are dwindling. How can scattered remnants compare to our organized coalition army?"
Tsuchikage cut in, "Young man, don't underestimate Uchiha Madara. He could probably take on all five of us on his own."
Kazekage raised an eyebrow. "You old men love exaggerating."
Tsuchikage scoffed, "I'm telling the truth. You youngsters didn't live through that era—you just don't get it."
Kazekage pondered aloud, "So, who would win if Uchiha Madara in his prime fought Morkel now?"
Tsuchikage inhaled sharply. "Hiss... now that's a tough question."
---
On Turtle Island
Morkel had just finished healing the giant turtle's wounds and even formed a protective crystalline shell using his Crystal Style. The turtle was overjoyed, feeling like its value had doubled.
Naruto walked up curiously and asked, "Morkel, I've always wondered—your Crystal Style can create priceless gems. Why not mass-produce them and sell for profit?"
Morkel shook his head. "I don't know… It just feels like money earned that way is meaningless."
Naruto tilted his head. "Then how are you planning to compensate Cloud Shinobi for the damages?"
Morkel didn't answer. He couldn't deny that without relying on Crystal Style, he had no other way to produce such value quickly. But something about the demand for compensation over ruins didn't sit right with him.
Luckily, after repairing the turtle's shell, Cloud Shinobi backed off on the debt—for now. It was wartime after all. And besides, Morkel wasn't the type to flee. "A monk can escape," he thought, "but not the temple."
---
Later That Day
Training with the Tailed Beast Bomb continued.
Morkel showed impressive progress—he could unleash the powerful technique with minimal guidance. The destructive force was remarkable. He had practically mastered it.
Now it was Naruto's turn.
Killer Bee frowned, troubled. "You can't fully transform into a tailed beast or use the Bomb in human form. Your body probably can't withstand it like Morkel's can…"
"We'll have to think of other methods. Try some different techniques."
Morkel spoke up, "Naruto, try using Tailed Beast Chakra to form a Rasengan."
Naruto obeyed, forming the Rasengan infused with chakra. Killer Bee's eyes widened in surprise.
"I never noticed before, but your Rasengan has the feel of a Tailed Beast Bomb!"
Morkel nodded. "That's no coincidence. The Fourth Hokage created the Rasengan after observing the Tailed Beast Bomb."
Naruto's eyes widened. "So Dad... it was all connected from the start!"
Just as he spoke, the chakra swirled out of control—BOOM! The Rasengan exploded in Naruto's hands.
If Morkel hadn't ducked quickly, he might've been thrown back.
Killer Bee struggled to stay on his feet. "The Yin-Yang ratio is off—two to eight! You need more control!"
Naruto resumed training to refine his Rasengan-Bomb hybrid.
Meanwhile, Morkel focused on something more ambitious—merging the Tailed Beast Chakra cloak with both Sage Modes!
---
On a Cliff
Morkel sat cross-legged on a high rock, activating Mount Myōboku Sage Mode. An orange mask appeared across his face, his pupils morphing into those of a toad.
Then came Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode—purple chakra flowed through his body. Horns emerged on his head, and the purple shadow appeared beneath the orange mask. His pupils gradually shifted toward a vertical form.
"No good," Morkel muttered. "Too much imbalance between the two Sage Modes affects performance…"
Minutes later, after carefully adjusting the ratio, Morkel achieved a new form: his pupils merged vertically and horizontally—forming a cross-like symbol.
Finally, he released his Tailed Beast Chakra.
A red cloak of chakra surrounded him, infused with the energy of three tailed beasts!
---
In the Skies
After Kabuto's clone was destroyed, Deidara rode a massive clay bird through the sky, heading in the direction where a powerful chakra signal had erupted.
Soon, he spotted the island.
"Art should be eternal. Even in this state, maybe someone will inherit my vision."
As he flew closer, Deidara noticed something unusual—crystals. Massive, beautiful crystals covered the island's edge.
"That chunk alone must be worth a billion! This place is paradise!"
As he prepared to descend, he spotted a red figure on the cliff. Zooming in, he gasped—it was someone with horns, eye shadow, and a terrifying aura.
Despite the transformation, Deidara instantly recognized him.
"Morkel?! What the hell happened to you? You look like some demon!"
But his sarcastic words masked growing fear. Quietly, Deidara reached for his chest bomb.
Morkel frowned. "Wasn't Deidara sealed? Why is he here?"
He closed his eyes and sensed the chakra. Yes—it was Deidara. But far stronger than before.
"Impure World Reincarnation… Kabuto's doing?"
Deidara was stunned. "He figured it out in an instant?!"
Trying to act cocky, Deidara smirked. "Thanks to Konoha's Second Hokage for this jutsu—I'm loving this immortal body."
Before he could finish, Morkel had formed a Chakra Blade and slashed him in half.
The halves wriggled and regenerated quickly.
"Hmph! Being cut apart is nothing! This body heals faster than you can attack!"
Morkel nodded. This was his first time witnessing Impure World Reincarnation's recovery.
He dashed forward using super-light rock technique and Wind Style, appearing next to Deidara in an instant.
Deidara panicked. "C4—"
But vines shot out, binding his arms.
"Damn it! You think you can stop me just by binding my hands?! I'll blow you to pieces!"
He began focusing chakra to his chest-mouth, planning to detonate his heart.
"I don't care how strong you are—at this range, you're done!"
But suddenly, his chakra froze.
"What?! My chakra... it won't move!"
Morkel answered calmly, "That's my modified Wood Style. It blocks chakra flow."
"You... you cheat! You ruined my masterpiece! You and I can't coexist!"
Ignoring him, Morkel tossed Deidara's body off the cliff.
SPLAT!
His body shattered but immediately began reforming.
Morkel landed softly beside him, observing.
"Just as the Book of Seals described… amazing regeneration. Almost immortal."
"If Kabuto revived Deidara, then he could revive others too. If the alliance faces an army of undead, we're in trouble…"
Determined, Morkel began a series of brutal experiments.
Again and again, he broke and studied Deidara's body. The fallen artist muttered:
"If I'm guilty, punish me with law… not experiments!"
Though he felt no pain, the humiliation was unbearable.
Morkel soon confirmed that only powerful jutsu like Sage Arts or illusions could harm the reincarnated. But very few had such skills.
Sealing would be essential.
---
A New Seal
Determined, Morkel created a new jutsu.
After inscribing more than 660 complex hand signs, a terrifying figure appeared—Shinigami, the Death God, clad in white and holding a massive sword.
"Never Reincarnate Seal!"
The Shinigami slashed its own stomach and pulled Deidara's soul inside.
Deidara screamed as he was dragged away.
The Shinigami glared at Morkel, then randomly snatched a rabbit's soul as payment before vanishing.
This jutsu required a sacrifice each time—any nearby soul would do. Morkel had modified it after studying Kushina's memories of the Fourth Hokage's sealing.
Souls consumed this way would never reincarnate again.
Thinking of Minato, Morkel murmured, "So… your soul is still inside the Shinigami…"
He began wondering—could the Shinigami be forced to release the souls?
Far away in the spirit world, the Shinigami shuddered.
Morkel realized the technique had potential—but it was too costly for mass use.
---
Elsewhere
At Akatsuki's hideout, Kabuto trembled.
"That guy actually used Shiki Fujin… terrifying! I hope he's not planning to buy Yao Ming or something…"
He quickly turned his attention back to the map.
"We've located their forces!"
---
Command Center
Back in the Cloud Village, Raikage barked orders.
"Surprise Unit, and Units One, Two, and Five—move out and destroy the remaining Akatsuki operatives!"
"Unit Three, assist sensory units in locating their base!"
"Unit Four, remain on standby at HQ!"
"Protect your intel ninjas. Through them, I'll guide all of you in real-time."
A resounding chorus rang out: "Yes, sir!"
The ninja army mobilized.
---
In the Jungle
Hyuga Tokuma and Aburame Muta raced through the forest, barely staying ahead of their pursuers.
"Don't they ever get tired?" Tokuma gasped.
"My bugs sensed something strange. Their chakra is… off," Muta replied. "And they have cracks on their faces."
"I've been too busy running to look!" Tokuma panted. "No time—just run!"
Behind them, the undead pursuers advanced.
Among them was Haku.
"I died on the bridge. Why am I alive—and why can't I control my body?"
"I'm wondering the same thing," said a ninja with a massive afro.
"We're Impure World Reincarnation," said an older ninja grimly. "Second Hokage's jutsu…"
Even though they chatted, their bodies kept running.
Suddenly, one shouted, "Konoha shinobi ahead! Run! We can't stop!"
But to their shock, the Konoha pair had stopped.
"They've been intercepted!" someone said.
The undead ninjas reached them—only to come face to face with a single figure.
And the battle was about to begin.
---