Chapter 109: Five Nations Daimyo
"The Second Tsuchikage, the Third Raikage, the Second Mizukage, the Fourth Kazekage…"
"The past Kage have all assembled. Now, let the slaughter begin."
Kabuto's low, hoarse voice echoed like a ghost in the pitch-black cave.
...
On the battlefield of the Fourth Division, fierce winds howled, kicking up a sky full of yellow sand, the wind raging like a ferocious beast.
Amidst the dim yellow dust, a tall, mysterious figure wrapped in thick bandages slowly squatted down, placing a pale, slender palm on the sand.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Poof! Poof! Poof!
Three muffled thuds rang out. Three plumes of white smoke rose into the air.
When the smoke cleared, three massive coffins stood before them. The coffins opened, and the Third Raikage, Second Mizukage, and Fourth Kazekage opened their eyes.
The Third Raikage's sharp gaze swept across the unfamiliar surroundings. "Where is this? Didn't I already die?" he muttered in confusion.
The Second Mizukage looked at his equally bewildered companions, then turned his gaze to the bandaged man he found disgusting—the Second Tsuchikage, Mu.
"Which arrogant punk dared to summon us?" the Mizukage cursed. "Even in death, they won't let us have a moment of peace! Especially you, Mu! I didn't want to see your face ever again!"
"This is definitely Tobirama's despicable scheme!" Mu said with a grim expression, his voice filled with anger. "To recall the deceased and bind their souls as tools for battle—such an evil method, who else could devise it besides that Second Hokage from Konoha?!"
He was so certain because, in his opinion, only Tobirama possessed the ability to invent such a jutsu.
"Who revived us? Where is the Second Hokage now?" the Second Mizukage demanded.
Mu narrowed his eyes, gazing forward. "He's in this vicinity. My sensory ability tells me that several kilometers from here, there's a chakra fluctuation very similar to that new face..." He gestured to the man beside the Mizukage. "Moreover, that chakra seems to be moving with a large-scale team."
The "new face" was the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, who stood quietly.
"If I remember correctly, you should be..." The Third Raikage's gaze fixed on Rasa.
"I am the Fourth Kazekage—Rasa," his deep voice replied. He turned his gaze to Mu and the Mizukage, who were already bickering like sworn enemies.
Rasa ignored their antics, calmly analyzing the situation. He frowned. "In my era, the Second Hokage had already passed away... but there were still ninja who could use the Edo Tensei."
...
A hundred miles away, Shikamaru stared intently at Gaara. Suddenly, he noticed a subtle change in the Kazekage's expression. His eyes trembled slightly.
Shikamaru's heart tightened. 'An enemy?'
...
Ninja Allied Forces Command Center.
An intelligence ninja rushed in. "Report! We just received news from the Fourth Division. They have discovered four enemies: the Second Mizukage, the Second Tsuchikage, the Third Raikage, and the Fourth Kazekage!"
Before he finished, there was a loud "bang." The Raikage's massive fist slammed down on the table.
His hair bristled. "Damn Akatsuki! How dare they reanimate my father!"
On the first battlefield, the calm sea suddenly rippled. Countless white figures emerged densely, a pale ocean surging overwhelmingly towards the shore.
It was the White Zetsu army, and among them were more Edo Tensei ninja.
The Gold and Silver Brothers from the Hidden Cloud, holding the legendary Sage's treasures. Kato Dan and Hyuga Hizashi from Konoha, and other famous names.
The intelligence ninja quickly reported the situation to the command center.
Upon hearing this, the Raikage could no longer sit still.
'The Fourth Division has my father, and the First has formidable opponents like the Gold and Silver Brothers... No! I must go to the front lines myself!'
He suddenly stood up, preparing to rush out.
"No, Lord Raikage!" Shikaku quickly spoke to stop him. "You are the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces. You bear the heavy responsibility of leading the entire army. You must remain in the safest place, overseeing the overall situation until the final stage. That is your responsibility to all your subordinates!"
Shikaku's words cooled the Raikage's impulsive heart. Helpless, he slowly sat back down.
"But the enemies the First Division is facing are too powerful..." the intelligence ninja looked worried.
Shikaku remained calm. "The battlefield is constantly changing. My job is to understand all those variables."
He stepped towards the large military map, methodically beginning his analysis.
"First, let's confirm the situations. The surprise attack unit led by Kankuro encountered Hasumi Maki and was wiped out. The Third Division led by Kakashi is at the very front, charging into battle. Both sides are still fighting, but we are gradually gaining the upper hand..."
Just then, Shikaku's words were interrupted by a startled cry. Everyone turned to the intelligence ninja.
"What's going on?!" the Raikage demanded.
The ninja replied urgently, "We just received the latest news! Hasumi Maki has also appeared at Kakashi's Third Division!"
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000]
[Chakra (290,105,000 / 400,000,000)]
The ninja paused, his expression solemn. "The battle situation is changing at an astonishing speed due to his appearance!"
Hearing this, Tsunade abruptly stood up. "Immediately organize everyone to retreat! At the same time, immediately summon Renji for reinforcement!"
"We can't," Shikaku shook his head, his tone heavy. "We just received news that Renji is currently on Gaara's Fourth battlefield, entangled by the enemy and unable to break free."
"What do we do now?" the Raikage frowned, his face full of anxiety.
Shikaku fell into deep thought. After a moment, he raised his head.
"According to the reports, Kitsuchi's Second Division is under large-scale attack from White Zetsu. The enemy attack unit from the sea is engaged with Darui's First Division. In my opinion, we dispatch Mifune's Fifth Division and half of the Fourth Division to support Darui. As for Kakashi, let him lead his subordinates to retreat first."
Shikaku added, "There's also one thing: do not directly confront Hasumi Maki. All units, once they encounter him, must choose to retreat without hesitation, unless Renji himself intervenes."
As he finished, Ōnoki's figure floated into the air. "I'll handle the Fourth Kazekage and the others."
"The Second Tsuchikage possesses special abilities and is the master who taught me Dust Release. His power is far beyond what ordinary ninja can contend with," Ōnoki said to Shikaku. "Not only that, but our people are still too young. They often lack sufficient calmness at critical moments."
"On the other hand, those four Kage are ninja who fought their way up from cruel, war-torn years. It's not easy to deal with them."
Ōnoki turned his gaze to the distance. "Therefore, it is most suitable for me to join the Kazekage. This will allow the young man, Renji, to withdraw from that battlefield and stop his evil brother."
As he finished, Ōnoki's figure shot out of the window.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000]
[Chakra (290,115,000 / 400,000,000)]
Shikaku looked in the direction he had left, nodding slowly. He had to admit, Ōnoki's analysis was insightful.
...
On the other side, at the Daimyo's hidden retreat.
Warm sunlight streamed through the gaps in the treetops of a five-story tower. The clear sound of a stringed instrument wafted through the air.
However, on the rooftop, the ninja guards dared not relax, watching every movement.
"I can't stand these ninja," the Land of Wind Daimyo frowned, pacing in the corridor. "Look at this cramped place! They actually want us to stay cooped up here! How much longer do we have to wait?"
The Land of Lightning Daimyo also spoke, his rough voice angry. "Hmph! Trapping us in such a small place, aren't they afraid of provoking us?"
The Land of Fire Daimyo appeared much calmer, leisurely fanning himself.
"Oh well, everyone, calm down. It's wartime, and the ninja are also helpless. Once this is over, we can reward them handsomely."
He seemed to think of something interesting. "Hmm… as for what kind of medal would be suitable? What should it be called? I really need to think about this..."
No matter how the ninja fought, for the pampered Daimyo, the Fourth Great Ninja War was just another war.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice sounded in the Land of Fire Daimyo's ear.
"How about calling it the 'Modified Human Medal'?"
This voice was like a clap of thunder. The Land of Fire Daimyo's pupils constricted.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000]
[Chakra (290,125,000 / 400,000,000)]
He slowly turned around, horrified to find that the other Daimyo beside him had all transformed into ugly, terrifying beasts.
These once high-ranking men had lost their dignity, replaced by horrifying appearances. Even their faithful ninja guards were not spared.
Hasumi Maki's lips curved. He reached out and gently patted the Land of Fire Daimyo's cheek, his tone full of mockery. "Yo, Lord Daimyo, why aren't you speaking? I'm asking you a question."
The Land of Fire Daimyo's body trembled violently and, in the blink of an eye, he also joined the ranks of the modified humans.
At the same time, dense footsteps approached. Hasumi Maki looked, and a group of ninja rushed over, led by Mizukage Mei Terumi.
Her face was furious. "Hasumi Maki!"
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +50,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +50,000]
[Chakra (290,165,000 / 400,000,000)]
Dozens of modified monsters slowly emerged from beneath the eaves, some coiled like snakes, others lying like fierce crocodiles. Upon closer inspection, they all bore the distinct features of the Daimyo.
Seeing this, Mei Terumī clenched her teeth. Her worst fear had come true. She could almost imagine the chaos that would engulf the world.
She had to capture Hasumi Maki.
Thinking of this, Mei Terumī no longer hesitated.
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Jutsu!"
A viscous, corrosive acid gushed out.
Hasumi Maki's figure flickered, easily dodging. The ground where the acid landed immediately corroded, forming an enormous pit.
"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Jutsu!"
Mei let out a low cry, giving him no chance to breathe. Clusters of scorching hot mist spewed from her mouth, evaporating the vegetation on the ground.
Hasumi Maki's gaze quickly swept over Mei, Chōjūrō beside her, and the group of ninja behind him. He knew exactly how to provoke her.
In the nick of time, his figure vanished. When he reappeared, he was silently materialized behind Chōjūrō.
The advantage of Space-Time Ninjutsu was fully displayed.
Mei's sharp eyes noticed a mysterious Flying Thunder God Mark on the ground beneath Chōjūrō.
'Even knowing I can't die, I'm still vigilant. I always leave marks.'
In Mei Terumī's widened pupils, Hasumi Maki's hand slowly and gently rested on Chōjūrō's shoulder.
Chōjūrō instantly froze. 'I'm going to die. I can no longer protect Lord Mizukage.'
"Please… please kill me without hesitation, Lord Mizukage!" Chōjūrō's voice was filled with regret.
Mei Terumī's eyes widened, witnessing Chōjūrō's body begin to twist and deform, as if an invisible force was breaking his bones and tearing his muscles.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000]
[Chakra (295,165,000 / 400,000,000)]
This was just the beginning. All the ninja present underwent the same strange changes; one by one, modified humans replaced the familiar faces in Mei's memory.
Hasumi Maki, the instigator, casually smiled at Mei Terumī and gently waved his arm to bid her farewell.
'I have Flying Thunder God. Who can stop me from leaving?'
Hasumi Maki vanished, leaving no trace.
'How could he run? How dare he run!'
Mei Terumī roared furiously, her beautiful face becoming somewhat hideous from anger.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +5,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +5,000,000]
[Chakra (300,165,000 / 400,000,000)]
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