Naruto had been in control of the Nine-Tails' chakra for three days now. Gazing pensively at the rising sun, he sighed in quiet loneliness.
Naruto: "Kyūbi, do you think what Sasuke said was true? I trust him... and Toh‑nii's teachings. I've always believed in them—like I've always believed I could become Hokage!"
The Nine‑Tails snorted softly, then spoke with ominous calm:
Kyūbi: "That day… that Sasuke didn't intend to kill you. Your sage transformation would've overwhelmed him otherwise. Even I sensed the destructive power of his Mangekyō Sharingan!"
It paused, then added:
Kyūbi: "I didn't feel malicious intent in him that day. But with Orochimaru… every time he appeared, I felt a powerful evil presence."
Naruto nodded gently, then laughed:
Naruto: "My greatest dream was to protect Toh‑nii. Toh‑nii once asked me: 'Don't you want recognition?' Many in Leaf despised me, but I realize now: being Hokage won't win their love… but if you become the Hokage, you earn it."
Mate‑Kyūbi chuckled lazily:
Kyūbi: "Lucky you're human. If you were a tailed beast, Six Paths might have... favored you differently."
Naruto's curiosity sparked.
Naruto: "Does the Six‑Paths Sage exist?"
Mate‑Kyūbi nodded gravely:
Kyūbi: "Ever since the Six‑Paths separated us, nobody has truly accepted tailed beasts. Even jinchūriki control us—but suppose the world itself were a Genjutsu cast by the Sage? How would we know? Toh taught me that if we see the world clearly, we live in our world. If we don't... then no matter the Eye of the Moon plan, it's just an illusion."
Naruto thought, then smiled:
Naruto: "Naruto is Uzumaki Naruto, and you're Kyūbi. We have names—not 'the jinchūriki'."
Kyūbi snorted in amusement, closing his eyes. In that instant… a Tailed-Beast Ball of chakra thundered toward Turtle Island.
CRACK—the island's seals halted the blast… but a towering figure stepped forth, slamming a hand upon it. The seals snapped.
Naruto gawked. Killer Bee, Aoba, Tenzō—everyone appeared instantaneously.
Naruto: "Wh–who's that?!"
Killer Bee (shaken): "It's… Fuika?! A former Eight‑Tails jinchūriki… and he has Eight‑Tails chakra in him!"
Han confirmed in low tones: "This one… holds my chakra inside."
Fuika's body flared with black flame chakra. Naruto's eyes shot to Sasuke, who stood within the shattered sealing circle, perched atop a tall tree, covering one eye, coldly facing Fuuka.
Sasuke: "Seal!"
Instantly, countless wooden pillars erupted, binding Fuika. On them glowed sealing talismans—likely for binding his soul.
Naruto (awed): "Toh‑nii?"
As Toh completed Fuika's seal, the Third Raikage plunged a blade through two additional seal layers.
Raikage then attacked with power that tore through the seals. And just at that moment, Itachi, the First and Second Hokage, arrived.
Itachi called out:
The First unleashed "Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
The Second attacked with "Wood Release: Forest Emergence!"
Toh dodged the water blast and swept his hands, sending all encroaching trees flying—but the Fourth Raikage and Second Mizukage shattered the final layers of seal.
As the combatants arrived, Orochimaru's low, eerie voice floated across the field:
Orochimaru: "So… even while fighting the Allied Forces, you came here? Hmph... There to capture Eight- and Nine‑Tails, were you?"
Toh sneered at the Hokage above:
Toh: "I didn't expect you to manage more than 70% of your power. You—to control those two old men... well, bring out the Third and Fourth too."
Orochimaru, cloaked, glanced at Toh and then at Nagato.
Nagato—now able to wield the six Paths—no longer needed the decree devices; his body could manifest all Six Paths abilities, though at a high chakra cost, but with greater mobility.
Sasuke and Itachi could hardly fight all the Hokage's combined strength. Toh faced them with Nagato, unlikely to hold the full onslaught.
Naruto stood, frozen, at the sudden appearance of the First and Second Hokage. His fist clenched tight enough to bleed.
Sasuke patted Naruto's shoulder:
Sasuke: "Kid, are you hesitating because you're facing your father? That's not your style."
Naruto, steely-eyed, glared at the serpent beneath the cloak:
Naruto: "I'm nothing like you… even if it is him—I'll fight with everything I have!"
Toh cringed as he looked higher at the Hokage:
Toh: "Even the founders of the Will of Fire… are controlled. Orochimaru, I have respect for you."
Third Hokage (voice cracking): "Toh… if only we'd sealed him when we had the chance... then..."
The First and Second Hokage's expressions were pained; they struggled beneath Orochimaru's control. Reanimation, now enhanced with chakra seals… even Madara would not break it.
Toh had prepared these day—seals laid ahead of time. Should any slip or suffer even slightly, they could be sealed instantly.
But a big battle was inevitable. Toh and Nagato must hold them. Itachi and Sasuke would take Orochimaru himself, two Sharingan so powerful that they were their best hope.
As for Obito… well, that brought unpredictable challenges. Naruto and his friends might not suffice.