"Wood Release? How has Wood Release emerged again?" The Konoha ninjas were struck with questions. "Wasn't Tengen's power the Uchiha's supreme ability, the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"No need for confusion." Orochimaru said slowly. "Tengen used the First Hokage's Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees. As the Hokage has explained, Tengen possesses not only the Uchiha's ultimate power but also the First Hokage's formidable Wood Release."
"It's true?" The Konoha ninjas were stunned.
The news left them speechless with astonishment.
Tengen could no longer be described merely as a monster.
"Thankfully, Tengen is a Konoha ninja." They thought in unison.
With arrangements finalized, Orochimaru and Minato's teams prepared to depart.
One would head to the Iwagakure battlefield to secure Tengen's gains, while the other would rush to the Kumogakure front to salvage Konoha's retreating forces.
Outside the encampment, Uchiha Obito spoke up. "Teacher Minato, are we heading to the Land of Earth battlefield now?"
"Yes, that's right." Minato replied with a smile. "But don't worry, Tengen has paved the way for us."
"Tengen? What's he done now?" Kakashi asked, curiosity piqued.
"You know Tengen has the Mangekyō Sharingan, right?" Minato said, grinning.
"I know that." Obito grumbled. "But it's frustrating. I'm an Uchiha, and I don't have those eyes, yet Tengen does. It's maddening."
"Haha, don't overthink it, Obito. Even I wouldn't dare compare myself to Tengen now." Minato chuckled. "This time, Tengen used Wood Release to crush the Iwa ninjas and captured two tailed beast jinchūriki."
"Wood Release, the First Hokage's kekkei genkai?" Nohara Rin gasped.
"Yes, the First Hokage's kekkei genkai. You might even see Tengen's handiwork when we get there." Minato said with a smile.
"Wood Release… that's incredible." Kakashi marveled. After all, Tengen was younger than him.
"Alright, let's move out." Minato said, turning to the Konoha ninjas behind him. "Everyone, prepare to depart for the Land of Earth border to support Konoha!"
"Yes, sir!" The ninjas responded eagerly.
Soon, Minato and his team left the encampment.
"Jiraiya, I'm heading out too." Orochimaru said to Jiraiya.
"Alright. Give my regards to Tengen." Jiraiya replied with a grin.
"Of course. He's my student too, isn't he?" Orochimaru said with a faint, chilling smile.
"Orochimaru, your smile's getting creepier by the day." Jiraiya said, shuddering involuntarily.
"I'm off." Orochimaru said, ignoring the comment. He turned to his Konoha ninjas. "Follow me."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama!" The ninjas replied in unison.
Jiraiya watched Orochimaru depart, whispering, "Minato, Orochimaru, be careful out there."
Anything could happen on the battlefield.
Minato was his student, Orochimaru his comrade. Jiraiya hoped no harm would come to them.
On the Land of Earth battlefield, at the Konoha encampment, the jōnin gathered together.
"We've received a letter from Konoha." Yūhi Shinku announced. "The situation is dire. Kumogakure has begun attacking the Land of Fire. Though Konoha sent ninjas to intercept, our forces are at a disadvantage, steadily being overwhelmed. The Hokage has made the following arrangements."
"First, Tengen will lead his unit to reinforce the Kumogakure battlefield. Second, Minato will lead a team to Kikyo Mountain to fill the gap left by Tengen." Yūhi Shinku continued.
The news shocked the gathered Konoha ninjas.
Kumogakure attacking the Land of Fire meant three major ninja villages were now against them, a grim situation.
The thought of Tengen leaving this battlefield filled them with reluctance.
Though Minato was formidable, he paled in comparison to Tengen.
After that battle, Tengen had become a stabilizing force, a pillar of reassurance for Konoha's ninjas here.
Yet they understood that the Kumogakure front was far more urgent and dangerous than their current battlefield, which had stabilized for now, given Iwagakure's devastating losses.
Moreover, with two tailed beast jinchūriki in their custody, they held leverage over Iwa.
"I've enjoyed my time with you all." Tengen said, smiling at the gathered ninjas. "I hope the next time we meet, you'll greet me with joy, saying, 'Konoha has won.'"
"I will, Tengen-sama!" The Konoha ninjas replied eagerly.
"Good. Shinku-sama, Hizashi-sama…" Tengen addressed the ninjas. "I'm leaving now. This battlefield is in your hands."
"Leave it to us." Yūhi Shinku and the others nodded.
Moments later, Tengen's team assembled.
"Kushina, looks like you're stuck with a busy life following me. We're off to another battlefield." Tengen said to Uzumaki Kushina.
"No matter. It's the same wherever we go." Kushina said, shaking her head. "Besides, I want to see you take down the Third Raikage and teach them that Konoha isn't to be trifled with."
"Don't worry. I'll show them Konoha's strength." Tengen said with a smile. "Everyone ready?"
"Ready, Tengen-sama!" The ninjas behind him stood and responded.
Tengen nodded to Hyūga Hizashi and the others in the distance, then pointed in a direction. "Move out!"
A large group of Konoha ninjas departed.
"Tengen… I feel like in this war, he'll become a legend." Yūhi Shinku said, watching Tengen's retreating figure.
"Indeed. And most importantly, he's with our Konoha." Hyūga Hizashi said with a smile.
***
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