Konoha Village.
This name is well-known throughout the ninja world.
However, for the man standing on Hokage Rock, it was merely a name he came up with on a whim when he saw a hollow leaf.
A group of Konoha ninjas watched the proud man on Hokage Rock vigilantly. Konoha had long since passed sixty years; it was unlikely anyone would still remember the man's name.
Only those truly wise and insightful ninjas could deduce the man's true identity based on various facts.
"That man..."
Jiraiya saw the cracks on the man's face typical of an Edo Tensei, and his appearance remarkably similar to the statue in the Valley of the End.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a grin, his face breaking into a cold sweat as he uttered a name that sent chills down the spine: "It seems to be... Uchiha Madara."
"Edo Tensei..."
Tsunade had to consider the reason for Uchiha Madara's appearance, her brows furrowed: "Did Kagura send Uchiha Madara to aid the escape of the four previous Hokages? Or did he have Madara cooperate with the four previous Hokages to attack Konoha..."
The other Konoha ninjas were still unclear about the situation, and some informed high-ranking officials suspected if it was a rogue Edo Tensei ninja from the Root.
However, this was the greatest danger Konoha had faced since its establishment, even more terrifying than the Nine-Tails' rampage, a danger that could lead to destruction if not handled carefully.
Despite the unease in her heart...
As Hokage, Tsunade, along with Orochimaru and Jiraiya, rushed forward first. She could not retreat in the face of the enemy at this moment.
"I need to ask..."
Tsunade clenched her fist and said in a deep voice, "If it is the enemy, we must protect Konoha at all costs..."
"I'll go with you."
Jiraiya tore off his hospital gown and turned to Orochimaru: "Hey, Orochimaru, can you still fight?"
"…"
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya but followed Tsunade nonetheless.
Although Orochimaru did not want to take any risks, he knew very well how troublesome these legendary figures could be, but he could not suppress his curiosity.
"Thank you, both of you."
Tsunade felt a sense of comfort and confidence welling up inside her.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru, her companions for decades, were once again by her side in the most dangerous moment, and they had always been reliable on the battlefield.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The former "Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha" reappeared!
The three of them landed instantly in front of Uchiha Madara!
Tsunade clenched her fists and immediately questioned the man in front of her: "Uchiha Madara, were you sent by Akihara Kagura?"
"That brat?"
Uchiha Madara smirked, seemingly mocking why they would think he was under that kid's command.
Orochimaru's voice lowered, and he whispered: "It seems Kagura is quite confident, as he didn't erase Madara's will..."
Of course.
They did not believe that Uchiha Madara had broken free from control.
Since even the First Hokage Senju Hashirama could not break free from Edo Tensei's control, it was unlikely for Madara, who was acknowledged to be slightly weaker than Hashirama, to do so.
"Enough."
Uchiha Madara glanced at the three Legendary Sannin with a look of disdain and impatience: "I'm not interested in children, nor do I want to talk much with you..."
Uchiha Madara's chakra exploded instantly. With his arms still crossed over his chest, he suddenly smiled: "My original goal was to challenge Hashirama again, but I didn't expect to find a pleasant surprise here..."
What an unexpected joy!
Uchiha Madara had already sensed Senju Hashirama's chakra but hadn't expected to also sense Nagato's chakra here!
Coming to one place...
He could achieve two goals!
Uchiha Madara's gaze slowly turned towards Konoha Hospital, his smile becoming increasingly cruel: "Young ones, hand over Nagato!"
"Absolutely not!"
Tsunade coldly rejected Madara's demand!
The Fifth Hokage of Konoha clenched her fists tightly, her voice resolute: "Konoha will never let the Rinnegan fall into your hands!"
"Huh?"
Uchiha Madara tilted his head, seemingly unable to understand Tsunade. With a cold sneer, he said, "Did you just say... you cannot let the Rinnegan fall into my hands?"
"You think you've found something precious and want to keep it for yourself, not returning it to its rightful owner?"
"The Rinnegan..."
"But those are my eyes!"
Suddenly, Uchiha Madara's chakra burst out! He swiftly moved toward Konoha Hospital, intending to reclaim his eyes before Nagato could destroy them!
Bang!
Tsunade blocked Madara's path, sending the legendary figure flying with a punch, her face resolute and determined.
"Seal him!"
Tsunade glanced at her two companions and gave a stern tactical order: "First, break the body of the Edo Tensei, then use the sealing technique to bind him. We'll go together and eliminate one of Akihara Kagura's pawns!"
Orochimaru slowly nodded.
"The Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha..."
Jiraiya's face showed a hint of a smile, seemingly unconcerned about their opponent, focusing instead on their reunion. "Finally gathered together again?"
With those words, the three figures charged at Uchiha Madara!
The once-famous Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha reunited at this moment to face a formidable enemy, just as they had done many years before...
Orochimaru stood to the side, releasing a long snake towards Madara, intending to bind him. Tsunade leaped and smashed her fist towards Madara!
Madara smashed the snake's head into a blood mist with a punch and ducked to avoid Tsunade's fist, which shattered the ground!
The next moment, Madara supported himself on the ground with his palm and kicked Tsunade away!
The most battle-hungry ninja of the Warring States era faced off against the best-coordinated trio in Konoha's history!
Even though the Three Legendary Sannin had been apart for nearly twenty years, their combat synergy seemed ingrained, immediately knowing what to do!
Their attacks were well-coordinated!
Jiraiya quickly formed hand signs and, in the moment Madara kicked Tsunade, filled the gap in their offense, spitting out a ball of flames!
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
A ball of flames instantly surged towards Madara!
It seemed Madara couldn't form hand signs in time to stop it and was hit directly by the flames, his body sent flying!
"Now!"
Jiraiya sharply looked at Orochimaru!
Orochimaru's fingers swiftly formed a seal, producing a sealing scroll as he charged towards Madara!
In the next moment, Madara kicked Orochimaru away!
Madara nonchalantly extinguished the flames on his body, showing a contemptuous smile, yet he praised, "I recall this is a Sarutobi clan fire technique... not bad!"
"But..."
Madara's fingers moved lightly as he watched the Sannin attacking again, bringing his fingers to his lips, "Compared to the Uchiha, it's far inferior!"
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
A massive wave of flames swept towards them, causing Tsunade, who was in the lead, to retreat hastily with a look of surprise!
The flames of the Great Fire Annihilation were as fierce as a fire phoenix rising on the Hokage Rock!
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Jiraiya and Orochimaru swiftly clapped their hands together, simultaneously pressing their palms on the ground, raising a huge wall to block the waves of flames!
"This guy..."
Jiraiya, still somewhat shaken, said in a deep voice, "This level of fire technique is almost comparable to Kagura..."
"Who are you praising?"
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya!
Just as they took a brief moment to catch their breath, Uchiha Madara's Susanoo suddenly emerged, its third form raising a glowing blue sword and shattering the earth wall in front of them!
"Susanoo..."
The eyes of the Three Legendary Sannin were filled with astonishment.
Tsunade gritted her teeth, swinging her fist towards Susanoo!
Bang!
The entire Susanoo trembled!
"Same monstrous strength as Hashirama?"
Uchiha Madara raised his hand to reinforce his Susanoo. A hint of curiosity and surprise appeared in his eyes, yet he still unhesitatingly controlled Susanoo to punch Tsunade away!
Inside the Konoha Village.
A giant toad leaped up and caught Tsunade!
Gamabunta had accompanied his father, Fukasaku, to deliver a message to the Konoha Village. Upon seeing the battle between Uchiha Madara and the three Sannin, he immediately came to support them!
"Gamabunta!"
A look of joy flashed across Jiraiya's face. He realized that the battle situation was turning in their favor, saving him from having to use a summoning technique!
Gamabunta and Fukasaku, who had been staying in the Konoha Village, could fight without time limitations from summoning techniques and stay to assist them in battle!
After setting down Tsunade, Gamabunta wielded his giant short sword and heavily slashed at the blue Susanoo on the ground!
"Mount Myoboku?"
Uchiha Madara had heard of the name Mount Myoboku. Unconcerned, he controlled Susanoo to raise its blue ninja blade, forcibly blocking Gamabunta's attack!
"Push him to the rear mountain!"
Jiraiya instructed his summoned beast while giving orders to his teammates: "This is the core of the Konoha Village. Continuing the battle here will endanger innocent people!"
"Summoning Technique!"
Tsunade bit her finger!
A huge slug appeared in front of them!
Gamabunta and the slug joined forces to ram into the third form of Susanoo. Taking advantage of the moment, Tsunade punched Uchiha Madara, sending him flying backward!
Behind the Hokage Rock in the Konoha Village...
lies a vast forest.
The next moment, Orochimaru landed in the forest, forming a summoning hand seal. The second-generation Manda spiraled out of the forest, opening its mouth to bite Uchiha Madara!
"You really know how to seize opportunities..."
Uchiha Madara smiled lightly, praising.
However...
After this compliment!
The towering Susanoo reformed around him!
This time, Susanoo appeared with legs, making it extremely agile. It kicked Manda's head in midair, causing Manda to tumble into the forest!
Boom!
The three giant summoned beasts also fell into the forest!
The silhouettes of the three Sannin stood on their summoned beasts' heads, watching Susanoo confronting them. Despite facing the massive Susanoo, they showed no fear.
Now...
This was the form of the three Sannin!
"It really brings back memories..."
A naive and gentle voice came from the slug's mouth, sounding like a child's: "It's been a long time since we fought together like this, hasn't it? But why is Lord Orochimaru Lady Tsunade's ally now?"
"..."
Tsunade found it difficult to answer.
"Because Orochimaru is helping me protect the ninja world!"
Jiraiya shamelessly credited himself, grinning widely: "He used to help me a lot..."
"Idiot..."
Orochimaru's eye twitched, but he didn't rebut.
"Times have changed..."
Gamabunta glanced at Manda II, holding his pipe in his mouth, exhaling a cloud of smoke: "I hope this new partner gets along well..."
"Please take care of me."
The Manda II, the largest of the three summoned beasts, lay on the ground like a mountain, yet it had a very docile temperament.
"Let's end the reminiscing for now!"
Tsunade looked at the Susanoo before them and spoke solemnly: "First, let's take care of this guy in front of us. There are still many troubles awaiting us..."
There were still many Edo Tensei resurrected individuals within the Konoha Village...
The sudden appearance of Uchiha Madara was just the first Edo Tensei target that the three Sannin needed to seal together…
~~~
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— Ending + Extra Chapters!
Read upto Chapter 348: End! + Extra Chapters of Sasuke's Rebirth where the world Akihara Kagura is not around. Thank you!