In the great oval hall, everyone could see a clear map of Yumegakure, clearly demarcated on the map were the major cities, the hidden villages, and the precise locations of each Silver Node. Within it were numerous tokens marking real-time attacks placed by different members of Yumegakure's central operations team.
Kaito began to notice the patterns—coordinated attacks involving powerful members of the Pure Lands, spread across all of Yumegakure, even targeting population centers to draw attention and wear down our forces. And it was working. Countless ninjas and samurai had gone to sleep early that day. Preparations were underway.
And the pattern became clear—the tactics used were unmistakably those of his opponent. Kaito knew his name: Akihide, The Dark Hour of the Forest. A tactical legend from the time of Ryusei Uchiha. A military genius without precedent. Even so, times change.
In front of me stood the four Kage of our alliance: Gaara, A, Tsunade, and Ōnoki. Lord Takama and my father Mifune were also present, offering their support. Everyone knew what was at stake. When the report of multiple enemy forces mobilizing across Yumegakure arrived, our troops began to move. Shinobi and samurai prepared to intercept, contain, or eliminate the threats. The enemy was executing their move. It was imminent.
Clear notifications came in: enemy armies were attacking two of the three targets we had previously identified as likely points of strategic value. Each of those enemy forces was led by S-rank opponents, and we had already arranged for similarly ranked defenders to meet them. That left the third point practically undefended.
The final notification arrived: Ryusei Uchiha had found a way to attack the Crystal Tower. It was clear they had taken steps to ensure Michel could not intervene.
"It's obvious that our enemy understands the capabilities of everyone in this room… I have no doubt they will send their best to take the seemingly unguarded Silver Node. Our victory depends on all of you."
Kaito's words were met with the solemn silence of those who understood the magnitude of the moment.
Gaara, with his calm voice, added, "We'll be ready. I won't let what happened in Sunagakure happen again."
A slammed the table with his fist. "What do you expect us to say? We're ready. Just make sure that tower holds."
Tsunade crossed her arms and sighed. "Time to see how these old fossils fight."
Ōnoki, floating slightly with his Jutsu, looked at the map gravely, then glanced at Tsunade after her 'fossils' comment. "…" He simply moved forward without saying a word.
Takama, ever resolute, said, "Our samurai are ready. This war has gone on for too long."
Mifune nodded. "The clans have responded. It's time to put our alliances to the test."
And without another word, those present began to mobilize. The battle for Yumegakure no Kai was coming. And they all knew that the fate of the dream—a world born between life and death—hung by a thread.
<<<< o >>>>
Tsunade couldn't believe her eyes when she saw five individuals standing over the waters near the beach—each radiating the aura of countless battlefields, their presence screaming of warriors who had perished long ago at the decline of their prime. A rare sight, even in the days of the Warring States. None of them had appeared in the war for Yumegakure until now. Kaito was right—this was no ordinary tactic.
Each of the mysterious warriors exchanged gazes with members of the assembled leaders. One of them locked eyes with Tsunade. She was struck by the resemblance—he looked too much like her grandfather, Hashirama Senju. Clearly, he wasn't him, but the Senju blood was unmistakable. He turned without a word and walked inland. She followed.
Once they were alone, he spoke first. "My name is Kyo Senju. And you, I see, are part of the legacy I tried to protect with this war. I see the image of my second daughter in you."
"My name is Tsunade Senju. Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure. I see the image of my grandfather in you, though you are not him. Tell me, why do you want to destroy Yumegakure? None of you have ever clearly stated your purpose."
"This world is parasitic. It devours its host. It drains the natural energy of the real world to sustain itself. It steals souls from the cycle of reincarnation of the Pure Lands. It breaks the balance of life. For others, these are hollow claims. But not for me. I understand natural energy—I feel the life force of the real world here. I can feel it being consumed and transformed into something else… something native to this plane," Kyo said, his voice tense, trying to persuade his descendant.
"I know who you are, Kyo Senju—The Reflection of Death. I know you died at the hands of Ryusei Uchiha—The Eye Stealer. He now leads the Pure Lands' armies. You'd never have followed him if you weren't absolutely convinced. But I know the one who governs this world. Maybe even its creator. I believe I know her heart. If she suspected this place was truly harming the balance, she'd destroy it herself. Help me find a peaceful solution," Tsunade replied.
Kyo studied her, and a smile of faint recognition crossed his face. "Very well. As your ancestor, I cannot ignore the weight of your words. Then we will settle this as the Senju once did. A duel. If you defeat me, I'll accept you as the leader of the clan and follow your judgment. But if I defeat you, you will follow mine."
"So we settle it in combat? Fine by me. My reflexes are rusting, I have to move every now and then. You'll see how far we've come since your traditions," Tsunade said, raising her fists.
"The strategist didn't predict you would be here. Let's see if this deviation derails his plan. Here and now, we define the future of the Senju," Kyo said as he drew his sword. Around him, the natural energy of the real world condensed, and marks appeared on his forehead.
Kyo Senju, the Reflection of Death Vs Tsunade Senju, the fifth Hokage
The silence between them was absolute. There were no more words that could change fate. The sea roared behind them, the sky was blanketed by thick clouds, and the breeze carried the weight of generations.
Kyo moved first. With a speed that seemed impossible for someone of his stature, he vanished from sight and reappeared right behind Tsunade, his sword wrapped in senchakra so dense it vibrated, as if the earth itself sang with every movement.
Tsunade barely dodged, cracking the ground with a punch that deflected the attack. Kyo leapt back, assessing her.
"Your reflexes... are not rusty."
"And your chakra is purer than I expected from someone dead."
Kyo answered by executing an ancient pattern: a martial dance of the lost Senju. Each slash seemed to dampen the environment, each thrust left trails of glowing and lifelike water over the earth, as if invoking the life water brings to the world.
Tsunade unleashed her Sōzō Saisei: the regeneration seal on her forehead glowed brightly. But she didn't stop there.
"I'll show you that today's Senju don't just carry the past… they transform it."
With a titanic leap, Tsunade shattered the air with a descending blow that Kyo barely blocked. The shockwave leveled a nearby hill.
Kyo stepped back, his expression more serious. "You've mastered chakra usage to a terrifying degree... but you can't remain in this parasitic plane without paying a price."
"Maybe. But I choose to pay that price to protect the living. Not to preserve a dead doctrine."
Kyo roared and released his final form: Senpō 'Death Reflection'… a ninjutsu that enveloped him in living water armor reinforced with natural energy from the real world. His eyes turned white for an instant. Everything around him slowed, as if his will imposed another reality.
The combat tightened. Tsunade was bleeding, but she endured. The damage of each of her attacks were reflected back at her, but she withstood them—her Creation Rebirth jutsu restored all the damage. Kyo began to fade in parts of his body: his unstable existence in this world was taking its toll.
In the final moment, Tsunade dropped her defenses and drew his attention with a direct strike. Kyo blocked it... and didn't see the seal she had marked on the ground seconds before.
A thunderous crack. A chain of water and earth erupted from the earth, binding his movements for just a second. And then, Tsunade's fist struck him squarely in the chest.
Kyo's armor shattered, and he was hurled into the forest. The impact left a crater several meters wide. Tsunade in response was thrown back by the power of her own attack reflected back at her... but she stood firm... her creation rebirth, in full axion repairing the extensive damage.
Silence. Then, coughing. Kyo tried to stand... and laughed.
"...That was... a technique worthy of the leader of the clan."
Tsunade, panting, approached and offered her hand. "And you... were stronger than any book says."
Kyo took her hand. "You've won. The fate of the Senju clan... is yours. I won't keep destroying what I don't understand. But make sure this world is worth the cost."
Tsunade nodded. "I will. For you. For all those who couldn't see this dream fulfilled."
The old spirit smiled... as his consciousness stopped responding... his body fell to the floor, too exhausted to remain conscious.
Kyo Senju, the Reflection of Death Vs Tsunade Senju, the fifth Hokage → winner Tsunade Senju, the fifth Hokage