Kaito quickly advanced, appearing in front of the ninja who was leaping from one tree to another. Taking advantage of the lack of escape routes, Kaito kicked him forcefully. The enemy, upon seeing the attack, formed an 'x' with his hands on his chest and braced for the impact.
Kaito's leg was covered with his ice chakra, adding an extra degree of power to the blow.
The enemy ninja cried out in pain as he was thrown backward, his two arms frozen, coming to a stop after colliding with a tree.
"Typical indecision of a villain. You were attacking me and couldn't defeat me, and now you wanted to attack Naruto, who's riding on a tailed beast. Man, I think you have some issues in your head," Kaito spoke, looking in the direction of the fallen ninja. He simply couldn't understand why the guy wanted to attack Naruto, even if that wasn't Kurama present there. It was still a giant summon, and worse, the ninja probably didn't know it wasn't Kurama.
The ninja groaned a bit as his arms began to warm up, slowly melting the ice.
"Kid, you'll regret being so arrogant and overconfident. You may have defeated my subordinates and even managed to beat me, but there will always be someone stronger than you. I am the first of many who will come after you." Saying this, he again began to perform hand seals and struck the ground, causing a large amount of smoke to spread.
Kaito thought he would use the cover of the smoke to attack and used a wind jutsu to blow away the smoke while staying alert for any imminent attack.
The wind jutsu dispersed the smoke, revealing no one was there anymore. He had indeed used the smoke jutsu to escape.
"He escaped again, so weak, and yet he tried to attack Naruto," Kaito said, looking back at the fight and realizing that Naruto had finally managed to defeat Gaara with the impact of his staff.
Seeing this, Kaito sighed as he watched the two falling after Shukaku and Gamabunta disappeared.
Upon witnessing this, Kaito summoned two water jutsus, preventing them from falling directly to the ground. Naruto and Gaara landed in the water, cushioning their fall, but now both were soaked.
Naruto looked at Kaito from a distance and smiled. He had noticed Kaito fighting a few moments earlier.
"Thanks, Kaito, but I didn't need help, you know," Naruto thanked and complained in the same sentence, as he could easily lessen his fall with a wind jutsu.
"Haha, stop complaining, Naruto. I was just helping," Kaito smiled at Naruto, knowing well that Naruto didn't need it but still wanted to do it, clearly with the intention of getting Naruto wet.
Naruto smiled at Kaito, who didn't understand the reason for the smile until a gust of wind threw him forward.
Kaito looked back, thinking it was an enemy attack, but soon realized it was a Naruto clone not far away. Looking at Naruto, he finally understood the reason for the smile.
"Hehehe, I finally got you, Kaito. Haha, nice hairstyle, by the way," Naruto laughed, pointing at Kaito's now completely tousled hair.
Kaito created an ice mirror, and upon seeing the state of his hair, he began to smile too.
Gaara, who had fallen into the water before, had now risen and was observing Kaito and Naruto.
He prepared to fight but after thinking for a moment, gave up and sat where he was.
...
A few minutes earlier in Konoha,
Hiruzen was engaged in a dangerous battle with Orochimaru. The fight was perilous for Hiruzen, but his vast battle experience gave him an edge. What he didn't expect was that Orochimaru had used the Edo Tensei to resurrect Hashirama and Tobirama.
Upon witnessing the two emerge from a coffin, Hiruzen was shocked and quickly prepared for an intense battle.
The fight started swiftly, with Hashirama and Tobirama relentlessly attacking Hiruzen. In an attempt to neutralize the opponents, Hiruzen used a fire jutsu. However, Tobirama easily defended with a water barrier jutsu and followed up with an attack, forcing Hiruzen to dodge. At that moment, Hashirama joined in, launching a taijutsu assault.
Hiruzen defended against the initial strikes but soon found himself unable to fend off Hashirama, taking a direct punch to the face.
The battle continued, with Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hiruzen exchanging jutsu and taijutsu. Despite being more on the defensive, Hiruzen managed to hold his ground.
(Hiruzen might not have been as strong as the other two, but he was undeniably formidable, showcased by his ability to fight in the anime and even reseal Hashirama and Tobirama, despite them not being at their full strength. The old man was tough.)
Hashirama then used his Mokuton to restrain Hiruzen. In response, Hiruzen summoned Emma, who attacked Hashirama, providing a moment for Hiruzen to catch his breath.
Hiruzen and Emma fought together in an attempt to defeat their formidable opponents. However, Hashirama and Tobirama proved to be too strong.
As the battle continued, Hiruzen found himself in a corner, about to lose at any moment. He prepared to use his forbidden technique, but just as he was about to, Haruki appeared by his side.
"Hahaha, you're a bit rusty, Hiruzen," Haruki remarked upon his arrival, katanas in hand, ready for combat.
"Haruki, how did you get in?" Hiruzen was surprised by Haruki's sudden appearance.
"A barrier can't stop me, Hokage-san. These enemies seem strong, perfect for me," Haruki said, advancing toward Hashirama, who attacked him with Mokuton. Haruki swiftly cut through with his katanas, advancing without losing speed.
He soon reached Hashirama, who attempted a kick. Haruki ducked to evade it but jumped backward to avoid another kick. At that moment, a massive water barrage headed his way.
Haruki smiled, swung his sword, and sent a wind cut, splitting the oncoming wave in two.
Tobirama advanced, kicking, and Haruki dodged to the side, finding himself between Hashirama and Tobirama, both using their jutsu to attack.
Soon, a whirlpool of water and a large number of trees collided with him at the center.
However, contrary to expectations, a large tornado emerged from the collision, cutting through both attacks.
"Hehehe, the old Hokages are indeed strong," Haruki spoke as the tornado he created with his swords dissipated.
Orochimaru, witnessing this, was shocked. He hadn't expected anyone to enter, let alone someone as strong as Haruki.
Hashirama and Tobirama advanced again to attack Haruki, but Hiruzen intervened, suppressing Hashirama and Tobirama. Seeing this, Orochimaru resumed his attack on Hiruzen, hoping to kill him.
"I have a plan to defeat them. Lately, I learned a different seal," Haruki spoke to the Hokage, who was surprised.
Orochimaru, listening, became alert and tried to prevent Haruki by directing Hashirama and Tobirama to intensify their attacks.
Haruki didn't feel too pressured as he cut through and dodged their attacks. Hiruzen quickly joined to assist Haruki's concentration.
Haruki placed one of his swords in his mouth and began making various hand signs with one hand. Hashirama and Tobirama intensified their attacks, but Hiruzen blocked them with stone barriers.
Haruki continued his seals, cutting some attacks and dodging others. The ones he couldn't defend against, Hiruzen helped him.
It didn't take long for Haruki to finish. He bit the tip of his finger, placing his hand on the ground, and a sealing mark appeared.
"Soul Banishment Seal!" Haruki shouted as he concentrated all his chakra into the seal. Clearly, his reserves were not enough, so he undid a tattoo on his arms, releasing a significant amount of chakra into the seal.
The symbol on the ground turned completely red and covered the area where Hashirama and Tobirama were standing.
As this happened, the two couldn't move, and their souls began to exit their bodies, entering the circle, undoing the Edo Tensei.
However, in that moment of distraction for Hiruzen, Orochimaru appeared behind him, hitting him with a venom-covered sword.
Upon being hit, Hiruzen held Orochimaru tightly, and Emma struck Orochimaru, making him release the sword. However, Orochimaru retreated forcefully, not giving anyone a chance to stop him.
Haruki quickly arrived by Hiruzen's side.
"Hokage, how do you feel?" Haruki asked, looking at the wound, which didn't seem fatal, but something seemed off by the expression on the Hokage's face.
"I'm fine, just need some rest," Hiruzen replied, but at that moment, he coughed, and a mixture of blood and purple liquid came out of his mouth.
Haruki was alarmed, wanting to take the Hokage to the infirmary, but he felt extreme exhaustion taking over his body.
"No need to worry, I'm fine," Hiruzen affirmed as he slowly got up.
"By the way, what happened to the First and Second Hokage?" Hiruzen asked, showing firmness in his movements.
"Their souls were banished in that circle. The seal absorbs the ambient chakra to sustain itself, but I have no idea how to undo it or not. I only recently learned this seal, something left in the remnants of the Uzumaki clan," Haruki replied.
"Alright, then study more about this seal. I have the feeling that this won't be the first or last time this will happen." After saying this, Hiruzen walked slowly. The barrier around had dissipated, so they could leave that place, not that it was a problem for Haruki.
Haruki picked up his katanas. Despite his exhaustion, he still had some strength to fight if necessary. However, Kakashi and Might Guy appeared to help.