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--- Chapter 470 ---
The Land of Snow's border.
A beast-like cat made of blue flame with two tails traveled across the snowy land, carrying three people on her back.
"Achooo~!" Said a middle-aged man with shades.
"This place is cold, so cold my little brother hurts~!"
"Shut up, B! Take this journey more seriously!" A balding, burly middle-aged man slapped him on the head.
"Brother Ayoo, that's hurts, ayoo!"
Darui sighed at them, "A-sama, B-san, please calm down."
"I don't have enough energy for you guys to argue here."
"Not to mention, Nibi really wanted to throw you guys off her back. Stop annoying her."
"Hmph, that's right." The blue-flamed cat snorted. "If Sword God didn't invite us, I wouldn't carry you guys on my back."
A crossed his arms stubbornly, "It's B's fault. He should be more quiet."
B put on a smug look and pulled out a worn notebook, writing some words or rhymes.
As they traveled into the Land of Snow's territory, they met a familiar group of people.
"Onoki, you're an old man, yet you still dare to travel far?" A couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
Yes, not far away from Kumogakure's group.
Iwagakure's group was 'actually' led by Kurotsuchi, but they also brought the former Tsuchikage, Onoki, along. The frail-looking and small elder is shivering while wearing a dark green robe.
The passage of time really works terribly for old veterans like Onoki.
A stared at Onoki and thought, 'There was a rumor that Onoki was on his deathbed. It seems he was trying her best to escape from the claw of death.'
'Well, Sword God might have a method to help him. That man is beyond mortal's understanding.' He glanced at his amputated arm, which he personally cut when dealing with Uchiha Sasuke.
He was impulsive back then and wanted to see how Sword God would help him.
Onoki stared at A with squinted eyes and smiled, "W-Who are you?"
"..." A's mouth twitched.
It seems the feared 3rd Tsuchikage has gone senile. Dementia has got him good.
Kurotsuchi giggled and said appeasingly, "Raikage A, please don't take my grandfather's word to heart."
"At first, I wanted him to stay in Iwagakure because of his health, but hearing Sword God's name awakened something inside him for some reason."
"Sword God, Sword God, Sword God..." Onoki foolishly mumbled, giggling like a little girl.
Kurotsuchi facepalmed, "As you can see. I can't leave him in the village, or he would throw a tantrum."
"Okay..." A and others don't know what to say.
"Oh, this place sure is lively." An amused voice echoed in the area.
Everyone looked ahead and saw the former Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, appearing with Chojuro. They also brought some people behind them, carrying Kirigaakure's famous seven swords.
A stared at Mei and commented, "It seems you're looking fine now."
Mei's lips curled and formed a smile that was not a smile, "What are you talking about, Raikage A? I always look fine."
"Maybe there is something wrong with your eyes."
Everyone broke into a cold sweat. It was a public secret that Mei Terumi had failed her diet and aged considerably, gaining wrinkles here and there.
Even though she has accepted it, hearing comments from others still irks her to no end.
Mei has used some medicine and secret techniques to reverse her aging, but it is temporary. She hoped Sword God could help her.
Of course, she also wanted Kirigakure to survive this ordeal. Her problem is second after.
"Well... Mei-sama, Raikage A doesn't mean to!" Chojuro wanted to ease the tense mood, but one glare from Mei was enough to shut him off.
Mei rubbed her palms together, "I know. Anyway, where are Hokage and Kazekage? They should be here at any moment, right?"
"We are here!" Rasa and Gaara appeared, bringing some elites from their villages in golden brown sand clouds.
A's eyes lit up, "Hoho. Look what we have here. Rasa, you finally come out of your seclusion."
"You call it seclusion. I call it retirement." Rasa replied with a smile.
"If not for Sword God, my old friend, I wouldn't come out from retirement."
Rasa was training his adopted grandson when Naruto shared the Sword God's invitation to the Sunagakure. Knowing the world was in peril, he had no option but to journey to the Land of Snow, looking for a better fighting chance.
Rasa glanced at everyone before sensing a large mass of Chakra moving at them. His expression eased because this Chakra felt familiar.
"Show off." He laughed a little.
Everyone looked up and saw a falcon coated with golden armor diving down with such ferocity. A lanky middle-aged man with a straw hat stood on the falcon, resting a bamboo staff on his shoulder.
"It's been a while, Rasa and everyone."
Rasa smirked and commented, "Fugaku, it seems your old bones are itching for some excitement, too."
"Hmph, I'm only here to pay Sword God back," Fugaku replied with a hint of reverence. "Not to mention, both of my sons will enter this war no matter what."
"This war, everyone with strength must come and fight."
"Otsutsuki Clan is our enemy."
"Isn't that right, Itachi?" He glanced back, seeing a large crowd of crows approaching. A red-eyed man in anbu gear and a dark cloak appeared, shocking everyone because they couldn't sense his presence.
Itachi shook his head gently, "I can't disagree with you, Father."
"Itachi-san, where is Naruto?" Gaara asked because he couldn't see the seventh Hokage anywhere.
Itachi stared at Gaara and replied, "Naruto-sama is currently fetching some people on the border. We brought too many people this time."
"What about Sasuke?" Gaara asked again.
"Sasuke, he's also coming," Itachi answered calmly. "However, you might want to prepare yourself because he'll come with Orochimaru."
"Orochimaru..." Everyone's expression changes.
To them, the Snake Sage is a very elusive and dangerous character. Even though Orochimaru did redeem himself in the Fourth Shinobi World War, they couldn't forget the horror he did.
"Oh? Everyone is here." Naruto finally appeared with Kakashi, Tsunade, and many other people. It seems they are bringing Konohagakure's best lineup here.
The other villages felt intimidated, but they realized they shouldn't.
After all, they are coming here to submit to the Sword God and fight the common enemy, Otsutsuki Clan.
"Tsunade!" Mei's eyes lit up as she approached the Slug Sage, hugging her arm.
Tsunade helplessly pushed Mei away, "What do you want, Mei?"
"I want to talk about something. Let's do it while going to Kazahana Castle." Mei whispered to her ears.
Tsunade frowned but still nodded her head.
Kakashi looked around and commented, "This atmosphere felt familiar, no?"
"It feels like the 4th Shinobi World War, where we fought alongside each other."
"Well, given our situation, this war will be more dangerous."
Everyone nodded, agreeing with Kakashi's words. Unfortunately, they couldn't use the same method as in the 4th Shinobi World War.
Only the best of the best could fight this time.
CAW~!
A bird's cries echoed. Thundering steps appeared, and everyone sensed goosebumps on their body, excluding the Kages.
A blue thunderbolt appeared near them, revealing Sasuke with five people behind him.
"Am I late?" Sasuke asked while fixing his cloak.
"No, not at all. You're on time." Naruto grinned, seeing familiar figures.
"Tenzo!" Kakashi called out Yamato, who surprisingly came with Sasuke, making the latter cringe.
"Don't call me that!" Yamato shouted helplessly.
Orochimaru stared at everyone and said, "It's nice to meet you all. Please take care of me well."
"Don't worry, we are allies, and I have stopped doing shady things."
Everyone doubted Orochimaru, but there was nothing they could do about it.
"Let's move!"
They raced to the Kazahana Castle and sensed grand arrays welcoming them, allowing them to enter this bubble-like space.
When they opened their eyes, they saw a goddess standing on the podium and smiling at them.
"Welcome to Kazahana Castle." The goddess said with a gentle tone.
"Some of you must be confused..."
"My name is Dong Chan, and I'm here to represent my husband, Yunlong, or should I say, Sword God."
"With your arrival here, you're willing to submit to his will and receive God's blessing."
"This is the new beginning for all of you!"