While everyone else was immersed in laughter and joy, Rin Nohara stood alone, gazing worriedly toward Obito above. Ever since he became the [Ten-Tails] Jinchuriki, his overwhelming aura had clearly weakened. He could no longer stay airborne and was now plummeting from the sky.
"Obito!" Rin cried anxiously, rushing forward.
As they ran toward each other, their eyes met briefly. Obito's lips moved silently, forming a final message. Then the space around him twisted, and he vanished into the Kamui dimension.
Rin froze in place, staring at the spot where Obito disappeared. A single tear slid down her cheek. From reading his lips, she understood his final words were: "Farewell, Rin."
Inside the Kamui dimension, three figures now stood—Obito, Kakashi, and the unnoticed Anya.
Kakashi was greatly surprised to see their sudden appearance. Before he could speak, Obito said urgently, "Kakashi, I don't have much time left. Now, I will entrust you with my last remaining strength. And Rin as well."
Kakashi shuddered. His voice shook as he stammered, "Obito, you…"
Obito reached up and pulled out his right eye, solemnly placing it in Kakashi's hand. "I know Rin has always loved you. Now that she has been reborn, she's the only light left in my life. This eye is my early wedding gift for both of you."
Kakashi choked back tears, stunned into silence, his hands unmoving.
Anya sighed beside him. "Kakashi, accept it. He's dying. With this power, you'll be able to protect Rin."
Kakashi finally reached out and accepted the eye, speaking with the firmest tone of his life. "The past will never repeat itself. From now on, I will protect Rin with my life."
Obito smiled with quiet satisfaction. He removed the other eye and handed it to Anya. "Black Zetsu told me this eye contains power once belonging to the Sage of Six Paths. I could only use its most basic form, so I don't know if that's true. But you, I'm sure you'll find a way. Consider this my final contribution toward defeating Madara."
"Alright, I accept this gift. Soon, Madara will join you in the Pure Land." Anya took the [Rinnegan], making the promise.
At that moment, Obito's life reached its end. With a pained cry, he lost control over the Ten-Tails he had absorbed.
However, the moment the Ten-Tails exited his body, it transformed into a wisp of cyan smoke and vanished. Obito, now eyeless, collapsed onto the ground. This time, he was truly gone.
Kakashi held Obito's hand tightly. In his final moments, his old friend had finally found himself again, only to lose his life. Looking back on Obito's life, it really was tragic. If Madara hadn't chosen him back then, perhaps he would've lived a completely different life—one where he might have even become the Hokage (the village leader).
"Don't dwell on it. Madara has returned, and I don't have much time left in the Kamui dimension. I'll implant this eye in you now and help you fully absorb the remaining power within it. In the future, your Sharingan might be able to open and close freely like a true Uchiha's."
Kakashi calmed himself, slightly skeptical. "Really?"
For years, although the Sharingan had greatly enhanced his abilities, it had drained his chakra just as heavily. He often ran low on chakra when facing powerful foes, and could only perform a pitifully limited number of Lightning Cutters while using the Sharingan.
Anya affirmed confidently, "Obito gave you more than just the Sharingan—he left the remnants of Six Paths' power inside it. Regardless, Obito was a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, a ninja existing on the Six Paths level, fundamentally different from ordinary ninja. He wasn't easy to kill, and left all his remaining strength inside this very eye."
Kakashi looked at the Sharingan in his hand, feeling as though it weighed a thousand pounds. He hesitated, almost unwilling to meet its gaze.
Recalling Obito's dying wish, he silently resolved himself and took a deep breath before saying, "I understand. Let's begin."
"Good."
This was already the countless time Anya had performed an eye transplant surgery. She smoothly slipped into her work mode as if it were second nature.
Outside, Madara—reborn and now possessing a Rinnegan—stood proudly atop a cliff, gazing down at the Allied Ninja Forces.
Tobirama and Minato were the first to sense his presence, both turning toward him simultaneously.
"Don't rejoice too soon—there's still another troubling matter to resolve," Tobirama warned, immediately silencing the surrounding area.
"Hashirama, I never expected you'd be revived too. It seems this time we can finally have a real fight."
Madara's gaze was fixed solely on Hashirama, completely disregarding the tens of thousands of ninja gathered beneath him.
Hashirama stared at Madara Uchiha, sensing the once-abundant vitality that still remained within him, and accepted firmly, "Fine, Madara, I—"
"Wait." Tobirama interrupted his older brother. "Brother, now is not the time for you two to fight alone. This is a battle that determines the fate of the entire ninja world. We should attack together."
Tsunade also nodded in agreement, "Grandfather, this Madara is completely different from before. For some reason, he somehow has your power inside him—using Wood Release techniques and possessing the Rinnegan, capable of absorbing ninjutsu."
While they were still discussing, Sasuke had already summoned his hawk and flown halfway into the sky, charging straight at Madara Uchiha. "This relic from a bygone era should have stayed buried. Don't shame yourself. Once you're gone, this war will be over for good."
Seeing this scene, Tobirama momentarily blanked, a strange expression flickering across his face. "Who is this young Uchiha? How can someone be this bold all the time?"
Sasuke had arrived late and hadn't witnessed Madara's earlier battle against the Five Kages. Naruto's shadow clones had spread across the battlefields, witnessing everything firsthand. Now seeing Sasuke recklessly rushing in like this, he hurriedly called to Minato: "Dad, quick—we need to help him!"
"Good."
Father and son both glowed with golden light and shot forward like twin bolts of lightning.
Midway through the air, Sasuke launched his attack first: [Amaterasu]
Madara didn't even try to dodge. His body was directly engulfed by Amaterasu, yet his single eye remained undisturbed, even calmly uttering mockery: "This pitiful fire? Not even half my strength."
As the red armor Madara wore fell to the ground, the scorching Amaterasu flames also left his body, causing no damage whatsoever.
"How is this possible?"
The last time someone had resisted Amaterasu was when facing Anya. Now Madara had done the same.
At this moment, everyone noticed a face-shaped tattoo on Madara's exposed chest area. The face clearly resembled Hashirama's.
"Damn it!" A bitter Sasuke rushed forward, drawing his sword and preparing for close combat.
Just as he approached, his entire body froze mid-air, completely immobilized.
Madara effortlessly snatched the sword from his hand and without hesitation, stabbed directly toward his heart.
"Sasuke!"
Arriving just in time, Naruto ignored the blade and lunged, pulling Sasuke into his arms mid-air. They rolled several times across the ground, leaving a long gash across Naruto's back.
Witnessing this, Minato immediately said, "Sasuke, you take Naruto away to treat his wounds. Use your Sharingan to observe his weaknesses. Leave the main offense to me."
At that moment, Tobirama, second only to Minato in speed, arrived at the scene together with Hashirama.
Tobirama solemnly stated, "Fourth, you alone won't be enough. Let us three Hokage face this enemy together."
"Then alright," Minato said, excited. "I've already devised a tactic. Let me create attack opportunities. I've even named it — Spiral Flash: Triple Rotation Formation."
Tobirama emotionlessly retorted, "You're somewhat airheaded. Normally I would be amused by your naming, but facing this enemy, I can't bring myself to laugh at all."
"Let's go."
Hashirama clasped both hands together, directly activating Sage Mode. Countless Wood Release techniques shot toward Madara, attempting to bind him.
Madara didn't attempt to dodge. He spat out a stream of flames from his mouth, [Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation].
Minato and Tobirama simultaneously vanished from their spots. When they reappeared, they had positioned themselves on either side of Madara — one holding a kunai aimed at his throat, the other with a Rasengan targeting Madara's head.
"We got him."
Just as Tobirama felt elated for a brief moment, several mysterious Black Receivers shot from unknown locations, directly impaling both extremely fast ninjas to the ground.
"Bad." Hashirama's eyes changed expression. He immediately shouted, [Wood Release: Wooden Seal Protection Technique].
From the ground, two wooden shields shaped like fanged demonic masks suddenly emerged, blocking in front of Tobirama and Minato. However, he himself was pierced by the Black Receivers. His massive chakra was disrupted, temporarily preventing him from launching powerful Wood Release attacks. Abandoning further attacks, Hashirama instead separated his previously clasped hands and placed them firmly on the ground.
Several branches extended from beneath the earth, pulling both Minato and Tobirama back toward himself.
After that first clash, the three Hokage were clearly at a disadvantage.
The Allied Ninja Forces noticed the battle and began shouting, rushing in to help.
Tsunade leapt to the forefront of the Allied Forces, shouting, "Don't go over! Please believe in the strength of these three Hokage. They won't lose."
Back then during the Battle at the Valley of the End, Tsunade now understood why Hashirama had gone alone. Numbers meant nothing in such a battle; three fighters would only get in each other's way while trying to protect one another, preventing them from fighting at full strength.
After removing the black rods from their bodies, the three stood alertly facing Madara Uchiha.
Tobirama asked, "Fourth, did you sense it?"
Minato shook his head. "Not at all. It's some unknown attack, kind of like—"
"A Shadow Clone? Right, but far more powerful. Undetectable not only by sight, but also by sensing," Tobirama quickly analyzed.
Hashirama looked puzzled. "He never used this sort of strange fighting method before."
"Then that leaves only one possibility," Tobirama stated firmly. "It's a special dojutsu ability he gained after awakening the Rinnegan, something similar to the Mangekyo Sharingan."
Minato continued, "Second Hokage, although it seemed like both you and I were attacked at the same time, there was actually a slight delay. After First Hokage's Wood Release protected us, that attack changed direction—it didn't pursue both of us simultaneously."
"In other words, there's only one clone. If that's the case, we can deal with it."
Based on Tobirama and Minato's analysis, Madara's Rinpa technique had been almost entirely deciphered.
This level of tactical intelligence truly made them worthy of being Kage at the pinnacle of tens of thousands of ninja.
Even Madara showed appreciation. "Hashirama, it seems your descendants have produced some impressive ninja as well. However, there are still too many weaklings. Allow me to take care of them first, then we can have our proper battle."
So saying, Madara formed hand seals and slammed them onto the ground. [Summoning Jutsu!]
The Ten-Tails, originally the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, was summoned forth. Standing atop its head, Madara immediately charged toward the Allied Ninja Forces.
Watching secretly from the shadows, Black Zetsu rejoiced internally: "That useless one is finally gone. Looks like it's time for the second eye. With Madara's power, collecting all the Tailed Beasts will be quick. Mother, I'll finally get to see you."
"Not good! Hurry, use the Four Red Yang Formation again!" Hashirama's expression changed instantly as he turned urgently toward Minato.
Minato understood immediately. His special kunai were already in position, allowing him to instantly transport himself and Hashirama to Tsunade's location.
Four blazing red barriers flared up again, trapping the Ten-Tails within.
A cold smirk appeared on Madara's lips. Flipping backward several times midair, he formed another seal. [Katon: Dust Cloud Hiding Technique!]
Intense flames burst forth alongside scalding hot dust, spreading rapidly upon landing. The extreme heat forced everyone to activate defensive jutsu while massive clouds of dust obscured the entire Allied Forces' vision, letting Madara vanish within.
"Damn it! What the hell does he think he's doing, Brother?!"
Hashirama answered, "No matter what it is, we must stop him."
With that, Hashirama created six Wood Release Clones and charged directly into the dust cloud.
Tobirama made two Shadow Clones, grumbling, "Damn, only two? Never thought I'd end up this desperate."
Minato created one clone, joining Hashirama as they both rushed inside together.
However, there was nothing inside at all.
The real Madara had completely vanished, until a shocked cry echoed from within the Allied Ninja Forces.
Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, had been struck by an unknown attack and was now severely injured and unconscious, with the Eight-Tails forcibly pulled out of his body.
"Naruto is his target," realized Tobirama and Minato simultaneously. "He's going after the Tailed Beasts."
Immediately, both men activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and rushed toward Naruto.
Yet it was already too late. Madara's real form indeed appeared beside Naruto.
Naruto and Sasuke launched an attack without hesitation.
Madara stretched out his arm to block Sasuke's blade, controlling Sasuke's follow-up strikes. He took Naruto's Rasengan head-on with his bare body and didn't budge an inch.
"What?" Both were stunned.
"Hahaha," Madara laughed. "You two were born in a peaceful era and have never experienced the Great Ninja World War before. Your combat experience is nothing compared to mine. Now, I'm merely claiming what was always mine."
Madara reached out his free hand and plunged it straight into Naruto's stomach.
The Nine-Tails was ripped from Naruto's body, completely under Madara's control.
Deprived of the Nine-Tails, Naruto instantly lost all vitality and collapsed silently to the ground.
The battlefield was silent except for Kushina's scream: "No..."
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