Occasionally, a few ninja used defensive jutsu, but these jutsu were destroyed by the shockwaves.
The explosion's shockwaves continued to spread, passing through the battlefield, causing countless lower-level ninja to die instantly.
They also passed through the high-level shinobi who were in combat.
Even they didn't underestimate the shockwaves and stopped their fights to use defensive jutsu, almost instinctively.
After the explosion subsided, a strong wind blew away the thick smoke.
The battlefield was now in shambles, with mountains, lakes, and forests all gone. What remained were deep craters and parched earth where water had been sucked dry.
The seemingly invincible God of the Ninja World now stood in one of these craters. His body bore the scars of burns, and he was on the verge of collapse from the bombardment.
He struggled to lift his head and, through the blinding sunlight, saw Naruto, who had a cold expression. Hashirama's face revealed a bitter expression.
For the first time in his life, he felt so powerless.
Throughout his life, whether it was talent, strength, or reputation, he stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world. Now, he faced his greatest failure ever with just a single move.
"Even the Six Paths Sage probably has only this much power." Hashirama attempted to move his body, but he realized that he was almost completely burned and couldn't move at all.
"The God of the Ninja World, just like that." Naruto stood above, his eyes filled with arrogance, his cold voice echoing on the battlefield.
He stood unscathed while the God of the Ninja World below was battered and bruised.
It was a clear distinction.
The Allied Shinobi Forces had put their hopes on the God of the Ninja World, but he was not as invincible as the legends claimed.
"How is this possible? The God of the Ninja World has been defeated?" Despair pervaded the atmosphere among the ninja coalition.
Even the Kage, like Tsunade, had ashen faces.
"Does this mean there's really no hope for the ninja world anymore?"
"Nawaki, you could have foreseen this day, couldn't you?" Kakashi and White Fang's figures leaped around the battlefield. Under their combined assault, Danzo was already heavily wounded.
Even though he was under the Reanimation Jutsu, he could still feel the excruciating pain.
He understood that this was the Shinigami's soul-slaying.
"Both you and your son are traitors to Konoha. I should have wiped out the Senju clan along with the Uchiha back then." Under the siege, Danzo's expression turned fierce as he shouted.
"Traitors?" Kakashi sneered and kicked Danzo directly.
"All of this is caused by you. You are the darkest shadow of Konoha."
Floating in mid-air, experiencing intense pain, Danzo continuously spat out an unknown liquid from his mouth.
Just as he stabilized himself in mid-air, Danzo suddenly felt his vision darken. He looked up to see White Fang high above, swinging down a sword.
With a soft sound, one of Danzo's arms was severed, accompanied by a piercing scream.
Danzo's entire body felt numb, and his heart was filled with curses for Tsunade.
In his previous life, Naruto had cut off his arm, and he died a miserable death.
The terrifying Genjutsu he experienced before his death still lingered in his memory, and it filled him with fear every time he thought about it.
Now, he was resurrected, only to lose another hand.
What's even worse was that the pain remained.
It was like dying and living again, enjoying the pain twice.
In less than ten minutes of battle, Danzo had been reduced to a crippled state. He lay on the ground, unable to even speak curses anymore.
With a lifeless face, he awaited death.
Watching Danzo in this state, White Fang and Kakashi felt bored.
The former leader of Root was now as weak as a kitten.
This made them realize the true potential and power of the Shinigami.
They looked towards Naruto at the center of the battlefield. After the fiery phoenix descended, Hashirama had already been defeated.
White Fang and Kakashi's eyes were filled with respect.
They understood.
The era of the ninja was coming to an end.
"Hollow Shinigami, you're truly disgusting." Uchiha Itachi's eyes were cold, and his Mangekyou Sharingan spun slowly.
"Tsukuyomi."
"Amaterasu."
One used Tsukuyomi, and the other used Amaterasu on an Arrancar each.
"You've disrupted the balance between the ninja worlds, so die." Uchiha Itachi instantly crossed the distance between him and Zabuza and directly swung his sword at Zabuza.
"Shing." Blood splattered, but Uchiha Itachi's expression froze for a moment.
His sword was actually stuck in the Arrancar's body and couldn't go in any further.
He locked eyes with Zabuza and saw that Zabuza had a bloodthirsty and excited expression.
"Come on, come fight, come please me." Zabuza swung his large sword, and Itachi hurriedly retreated, narrowly avoiding the slash.
A bloodstain appeared on his face due to the wind pressure from the sword. Itachi gazed at Zabuza warily.
The Arrancar in front of him, who wasn't afraid of pain, was truly surprising.
Due to his hasty evasion earlier, his sword had remained inside the Arrancar's body.
"Human." Zabuza pulled the sword out of his body and threw it back to Uchiha Itachi, wearing a bloodthirsty smile. "I don't care about any grudges between the ninja world and Hueco Mundo, or any conflicts between you and us. Right now, all I want is to kill you in a satisfying manner."
With these words, a terrifying spiritual pressure burst out from inside Zabuza.
This spiritual pressure exceeded that of a regular captain-level. The air in the entire area began to distort, and weaker ninja and Shinigami couldn't control their limbs, falling to the ground in fear as they looked at Zabuza with terror in their eyes.
After becoming a Hollow, Zabuza inherited the violent and insane aspect of its original personality, existing purely for the sake of combat. Through countless battles, its strength grew immensely. Compared to the complex emotions and goals of the Shinigami, Zabuza's purpose was much simpler – to cut down its enemies. In doing so, it fully utilized the Hollow's nature, continuously absorbing its companions and their spiritual pressure to become stronger.
While other Shinigami might focus on training and self-improvement, Zabuza chose the path of continuous combat, slashing from one end of the battlefield to the other. Its power grew beyond its own expectations. In this moment, the pressure brought by Uchiha Itachi excited it, causing it to release its full spiritual pressure.
"Let's fight!" Zabuza lifted its Zanpakuto and repeatedly swung it towards Itachi with even greater force than before, managing to suppress him.
"Hehehe, Tsunade, I didn't expect you to desecrate the body of the First Hokage," in another part of the battlefield, Orochimaru smirked as countless white snakes emerged from his back like a tide.
Facing Orochimaru's taunts, Tsunade's eyes turned cold. His words struck deep into her heart. She had hoped to find some excuses to justify her use of the Edo Tensei, but all her words turned into a sigh. The Three Legendary Ninjas of Konoha had each chosen different paths in the end.
Jiraiya had died, being brought back by Edo Tensei. Orochimaru had abandoned his humanity to become a Shinigami. Tsunade, the only one who remained human, had committed the sacrilege of reviving her loved ones.
Seeing Orochimaru's transformation, Tsunade felt disappointed. She longed to use some excuses to justify her actions, but she sighed once more. The past had led the Sannin down different paths.
Jiraiya died, brought back by Edo Tensei. Orochimaru had given up his human identity to become a Shinigami. Tsunade, the only one who remained human, had committed a terrible act. Orochimaru's words hit her hard.
"Too bad, I was thinking of reshaping Jiraiya's soul so you two could reunite on the battlefield. But it seems you beat me to it," Orochimaru shrugged.
"Orochimaru, I can't believe how far you've fallen. What does our past friendship mean to you?" Tsunade's eyes were filled with disappointment.
"Friendship?" Orochimaru burst into mocking laughter. "To me, emotions are a burden. You all grow old and die, while I've found immortality. My life won't be, and shouldn't be, hindered by any emotions." Orochimaru's expression remained eerily calm.
He had never been indifferent to emotions, but becoming a Shinigami had hardened his resolve to sever all bonds, whether with the Three Legendary Ninjas or with Konoha. None could make him waver.
Tsunade's heart ached. She had betrayed her ancestors and her friends. "Mizukage, assist me," she said as she began forming hand seals. She had considered using Spirit Communication Jutsu, but Naruto had already killed the Slug Queen.
She didn't know what the Seireitei intended to achieve, but all her comrades and family had died because of them. So, even though Orochimaru had been her most trusted comrade in the past, she would show no mercy.
"Wood Release: Bursting Tree," Tsunade's right arm transformed into a fierce tree, rapidly growing and shooting towards Orochimaru. The tree's surface seemed to have flesh and blood cells, creating a gruesome appearance.
"Such ruthlessness, Tsunade. You've really grown cruel," Orochimaru said, his expression unchanged. He effortlessly evaded Tsunade's attacks by leaping through the air, avoiding her deadly assault.
Tsunade's right arm bled profusely due to her technique. She was unleashing a new ability called "Wood Release: Eternal Growth," which allowed her to nurture small saplings in the environment and produce a regenerative Ninjutsu. It functioned as an environmental healing technique.
"Liquefaction Release: Dissolving Technique," Mei Terumi attacked Orochimaru. Her acidic attack corroded Orochimaru's entire body, and the white liquid dripped off him. Half of Orochimaru's face had been instantly corroded.
"What a terrifying Ninjutsu," Orochimaru commented, still wearing a smile. Despite the corrosive damage, he remained unfazed.
The white liquid squirmed and, within moments, Orochimaru reappeared before Mei Terumi and Tsunade, his body entirely restored. "Your ruthlessness is truly impressive, Tsunade. You're still as unyielding as ever," Orochimaru said, his tone growing colder. He then stepped aside, creating an opening.
"Crack!" A familiar figure suddenly appeared in Tsunade's line of sight. Tsunade's face was filled with shock as if she had witnessed the impossible.
Her pupils dilated, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Nawaki?!"
"Long time no see, big sister," Nawaki, still appearing as a young girl, greeted Tsunade with a complex smile.
"Nawaki, is that really you?" Tsunade covered her mouth in disbelief. For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Recalling the moments and memories with her brother, Tsunade felt a deep sense of longing. She hadn't expected to see Nawaki again.
However, a hint of unease crept into her heart. Based on the current situation, it seemed that Nawaki was aligning herself with the Seireitei.
"Sister, consider joining the Seireitei," Nawaki looked at Tsunade and softly spoke.
"Why? How did you change like this?" Tsunade asked, her expression filled with confusion. In her memories, Nawaki had been a young girl who aspired to become Hokage and inherit the Will of Fire. She had been deeply devoted to Konoha, and Tsunade couldn't fathom how she had changed.
Could it be... a Hollow? Had Nawaki's memories been altered?
Tsunade's eyes were now filled with a murderous intent. Orochimaru understood Tsunade's suspicions and shook his head. "Tsunade, Nawaki's transformation into a Shinigami hasn't affected her memories. She genuinely wishes to join the Seireitei, and I haven't interfered with her thoughts."
"Yes, sister, Orochimaru-sama hasn't altered my memories. I truly want to join the Seireitei. The Seireitei will bring new hope and peace to the entire ninja world. Konoha won't be destroyed; Naruto-sama promised me that in the future, Konoha will become an affiliate of the Seireitei. Konoha will continue to exist, but without the influence of noble clans and Kage."
Nawaki echoed Orochimaru's words, her eyes filled with anticipation and admiration for the future.
This scene left Tsunade feeling utterly unfamiliar and torn between her loyalty to Konoha and the possibility of preserving the legacy of the Senju clan.
"Don't say anything more," Tsunade covered her face in anguish. The saplings around her began to grow wildly, transforming into towering trees.
Clearly, she had made her choice.
Mei Terumi watched the situation with a mixture of awe and fear, worried that Tsunade might suddenly join the Seireitei and turn it into a bizarre three-way battle.
"Is that so? It seems you're still stubborn, Tsunade. What a pity. You could have become an invaluable asset to the Seireitei," Orochimaru said, looking disappointed.
After awakening her Wood Release abilities, Tsunade's healing Ninjutsu had taken a significant leap. If she had joined the Seireitei, she could have been Orochimaru's most reliable assistant.
"In that case, you can play with him for a while," Orochimaru's tone gradually turned cold as he stepped aside.
With a sound of "pata," a familiar figure appeared in Tsunade's line of sight. Tsunade's expression was filled with shock, as if she had seen something impossible.
Her pupils dilated, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Nawaki?!"
"It's been a long time, big sister," Nawaki, still appearing as a young boy, greeted Tsunade with a complex smile.
"Nawaki, is it really you?" Tsunade covered her mouth in disbelief, unable to speak for a moment.
Recalling the moments and memories with her brother, Tsunade felt a deep sense of longing. She hadn't expected to see Nawaki again.
However, a hint of unease crept into her heart. Based on the current situation, it seemed that Nawaki was aligning himself with the Seireitei.
"Sister, consider joining the Seireitei," Nawaki looked at Tsunade and softly spoke.
"Why? How did you change like this?" Tsunade asked, her expression filled with confusion. In her memories, Nawaki had been a young boy who aspired to become Hokage and inherit the Will of Fire. He had been deeply devoted to Konoha, and Tsunade couldn't fathom how he had changed.
Could it be... a Hollow? Had Nawaki's memories been altered?
Tsunade's eyes were now filled with a murderous intent. Orochimaru understood Tsunade's suspicions and shook his head. "Tsunade, Nawaki's transformation into a Shinigami hasn't affected his memories. He genuinely wishes to join the Seireitei, and I haven't interfered with his thoughts."
"Yes, sister, Orochimaru-sama hasn't altered my memories. I truly want to join the Seireitei. The Seireitei will bring new hope and peace to the entire ninja world. Konoha won't be destroyed; Naruto-sama promised me that in the future, Konoha will become an affiliate of the Seireitei. Konoha will continue to exist, but without the influence of noble clans and Kage."
Nawaki echoed Orochimaru's words, his eyes filled with anticipation and admiration for the future.
This scene left Tsunade feeling utterly unfamiliar and torn between her loyalty to Konoha and the possibility of preserving the legacy of the Senju clan.
"Don't say anything more," Tsunade covered her face in anguish. The saplings around her began to grow wildly, transforming into towering trees.
Clearly, she had made her choice.
Mei Terumi watched the situation with a mixture of awe and fear, worried that Tsunade might suddenly join the Seireitei and turn it into a bizarre three-way battle.
"Is that so? It seems you're still stubborn, Tsunade. What a pity. You could have become an invaluable asset to the Seireitei," Orochimaru said, looking disappointed.