Root Base.
This base had long been abandoned.
Four Hokages reanimated by the Edo Tensei resided here.
The First Hokage, Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama, immediately recognized who was arriving when Uchiha Madara appeared.
"This is Madara's chakra..."
Hashirama's expression was grave.
"It's that guy's chakra..."
Tobirama, more sensitive to Uchiha Madara's chakra, placed his fingers on the ground and muttered, "That guy is fighting Tsunade and the others. It seems he was also revived by Akihara Kagura. What is his purpose in sending Uchiha Madara?"
"Uchiha Madara is not very obedient."
A voice echoed in their minds.
Akihara Kagura's voice sounded somewhat leisurely, his will controlling the reanimated Hokages.
"Konoha already knows you are under my control."
"However, Uchiha Madara still has great confidence in the First Hokage. He seems to believe that the First Hokage is not under the control of the Edo Tensei and is still protecting Konoha..."
"Then let Uchiha Madara know. Help me teach him a lesson and show him that the era of the ninja world has changed..."
"Madara will not submit!"
Hashirama immediately spoke on behalf of his former friend.
"Does Konoha know the truth?"
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, frowned.
Compared to the issue of Uchiha Madara, he was more concerned about the relationship between Konoha and Akihara Kagura. He was well aware of how terrifying Akihara Kagura's power was.
Has Konoha already fallen out with Akihara Kagura?
"Dealing with Madara, huh..."
The Second Hokage, Tobirama, was concerned about both matters and then asked another question: "So you intend to betray Konoha after all..."
"You still have a bit of time to settle things with Konoha. The next time you meet, it might be on the battlefield..."
Akihara Kagura's voice faded from their minds.
Now, he just needed a bit of time, waiting for Hanzō of the Salamander and Tsunade to contact other major ninja villages to jointly crusade against him, the one who sought to destroy the ninja world...
At that time...
It would be the opportunity to revive the Ten-Tails.
And the chance to revive the Ten-Tails' shell within him.
Behind Konoha.
The battle continued.
This time, the main characters of the battle had changed.
Gamabunta wielded his short sword, contending with the blue Susanoo, while Katsuyu continuously spat corrosive acid on the side, and Manda II occasionally charged in to assist!
Uchiha Madara, controlling Susanoo, forced Gamabunta back with a single strike!
Katsuyu's acid splashed onto Susanoo, instantly causing corrosion, which even surprised Uchiha Madara!
Crunch!
Tsunade took the opportunity to smash the corroded Susanoo with a punch!
The entire Susanoo seemed about to collapse in an instant, but Uchiha Madara's expression remained unchanged. Another pair of arms grew from Susanoo's arms, and a fist punched Tsunade, sending her flying!
"Hiss..."
Manda II coiled around Susanoo, trying to crush the blue giant by squeezing it tightly!
The blue Susanoo swung its glowing giant sword, attempting to slice through Manda II's body. Gamabunta pushed off the ground with his hind legs and leapt, using his short sword to deflect Susanoo's blade!
With the joint attack of the three great summoning beasts, Susanoo seemed finally unable to hold out, quickly starting to crack!
"It's about time..."
Uchiha Madara looked up, his expression unchanged, with even a hint of a smile as he observed the cracking Susanoo: "Hmph, Hashirama will finally be here soon. Playtime is over..."
"What did he say?"
Gamabunta was displeased, gripping his short sword tightly and embedding it into the cracks of the blue Susanoo's body!
The next second!
Susanoo suddenly expanded!
Manda II, in pain, had its body cracked open by the expanding Susanoo, then disappeared in a puff of smoke!
The blue Susanoo's body grew larger, its armor thickening, and a terrifying red light appeared on its face!
Gamabunta was flung away by the armor!
Susanoo raised its fingers, and its arms suddenly clasped together in a hand seal, astonishing everyone present!
The next moment!
Susanoo's body expanded again!
The body of the blue Susanoo grew step by step, directly entering its complete form, and the armor on it appeared even more robust!
A tall blue warrior god stood at the back of Konoha Village. Its light steps caused the entire village to shake, and everyone could see its figure!
"Is this... Uchiha Madara?"
Orochimaru looked at the towering form of the complete Susanoo, his body slightly stiffening. He forced a smile at the corners of his mouth, as if not wanting to lose face: "The legendary power of the Uchiha clan is indeed formidable..."
"Be careful!"
Tsunade's arm trembled incessantly as she looked at Susanoo with some fear: "Its power... might be enough to destroy Konoha..."
"Children's games end here..."
Uchiha Madara stood within the crystal of Susanoo, his eyes glancing at the three Sannin on the ground before looking back at a few figures rushing from the distance.
"From now on, it's a game for adults..."
Uchiha Madara manipulated Susanoo to draw its ninja blade, suddenly raising it high and striking straight towards Konoha!
Before the slash even landed, the three Sannin of Konoha realized its terrifying power, but were too intimidated by the complete Susanoo's aura to move!
"Madara, it's not good to bully children!"
A tall wooden figure hurriedly emerged from the ground, clapping its hands together to forcibly catch Susanoo's blade, preventing the destruction of Konoha!
Senju Hashirama arrived just in time, controlling the wooden figure to hold Susanoo's blade while turning to look at the younger ones in the village.
"Tsunade, are you all right?"
"I'm okay..."
Tsunade's face still showed some lingering fear.
"You all should retreat now."
Tobirama landed beside them, speaking in a deep voice: "The upcoming battle is not one you can participate in, nor even we can..."
"Yes, Second Grandpa..."
Tsunade nodded, her face then turning grim: "Wait, I have a question. Have you always been controlled by Akihara Kagura..."
"You finally noticed..."
Tobirama watched Tsunade intently.
"Why..."
Tsunade frowned, questioning in a deep voice: "Why didn't you tell me? Akihara Kagura hasn't erased your will at all..."
"If we told you everything and let Akihara Kagura know that the Fifth Hokage of Konoha wants to kill him, could you deal with him?"
Tobirama looked at the frowning Tsunade and posed a crucial question, shaking his head with a sigh: "Now you have seen the consequences of confronting Akihara Kagura. We could only try to leave hints, hoping you would become aware and find a way to deal with him..."
But...
Tsunade had never taken any action.
Her expression turned somewhat unpleasant as she tried to recall the hints Tobirama had given her: "When... did you hint about Akihara Kagura?"
"Every time we had a meeting."
Tobirama crossed his arms, speaking coldly: "Every time during discussions in the Hokage building, I would specifically mention that Akihara Kagura was too extreme. Didn't you understand what 'extreme' meant?"
"..."
Tsunade's expression turned strange.
Everyone above the rank of Jōnin in Konoha knew that Akihara Kagura was extreme in nature, actions, and methods. Even if she heard it, what could she do about it?
Before she succeeded as Hokage, Jiraiya had also told her about Akihara Kagura's extreme nature, asking her to be more lenient; after succeeding, the two Hokage advisors had also said Akihara Kagura was extreme, asking her to tolerate him more...
Such words...
Tsunade had long been accustomed to hearing them!
Tobirama glanced at the fierce battle between the wooden figure and Susanoo, coldly reminding: "Uchiha Madara is somewhat unruly. That kid asked my brother to handle it. You should seize this opportunity to seal us..."
"However..."
After speaking, Tobirama added: "The Fourth Hokage and I are proficient in the Flying Thunder God technique. You won't be able to catch us, but you can try sealing the Monkey..."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated and stood still, glancing at Tobirama, the Second Hokage, unable to refute the Second Hokage's words.
After all…
Without the help of the Second and Fourth Hokages, he indeed could not escape, nor could he match the strength of the First Hokage. He was the most likely to be sealed…
As Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered this, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru exchanged glances and then collectively turned their gaze towards Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Clang.
Jiraiya suddenly threw a hidden weapon at Sarutobi Hiruzen!
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his hand and caught the hidden weapon. In his aged voice, he began, "Jiraiya, if you want to launch a sneak attack…"
The next moment.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice abruptly stopped.
Because, when he opened his palm, he found a bell in it. This type of bell carried many memories for Konoha ninjas from their time as Genin.
"You idiot…"
Tsunade glared at Jiraiya, feeling he was being entirely too troublesome: "At this moment, you're still messing around. Hurry up and seal the old man!"
"It's also a kind of memory…"
Jiraiya looked embarrassedly at Tsunade.
"This is not bad."
Orochimaru did not oppose Jiraiya's actions. His gaze was fixed on his teacher, his fingers itching to move.
"All right, all right…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the bell in his hand, then at his three disciples, and a smile appeared on his face: "Then, let's start the final exam now. If you seal me, consider it as passing your assessment…"
"..."
The Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha heard the elder's intentionally relaxed words, but their faces gradually turned solemn. They recalled their past, being personally nurtured by this elder.
The Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha were different from other ninjas.
Because they graduated from the ninja school at a very young age, they had been by Sarutobi Hiruzen's side almost since they were children until they became Jonin and participated in the war.
"The final test begins!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook the bell in his hand and charged at his disciples, a shuriken appearing in his hand, which he immediately threw at them!
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Orochimaru also quickly threw a shuriken, his fingers rapidly forming seals, and immediately countered his teacher!
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Jiraiya spat out a flame towards Sarutobi Hiruzen!
This was not the ordinary ninja test of the past; Sarutobi Hiruzen was in his Edo Tensei form, with no concern for death. Their task was to defeat this elder as quickly as possible!
"Ninja Art: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen swiftly formed seals, creating two shadow clones!
One of the shadow clones raised a hand and released a Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, blocking Jiraiya's attack!
Facing the long-term cooperation of the Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha, only by dividing and conquering could there be hope of victory, although Sarutobi Hiruzen did not wish to win in his heart…
Boom!
Tsunade punched the ground!
The ground suddenly cracked, turning into rubble. Under Tsunade's monstrous strength, Sarutobi Hiruzen's two shadow clones were dispersed into smoke with a single punch!
In the next instant!
The Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha charged at Sarutobi Hiruzen from three directions!
Orochimaru's arm grew a long snake that wrapped around Sarutobi Hiruzen's body, Tsunade raised her fist towards him, and Jiraiya pulled out a scroll, forming seals to prepare the sealing technique.
"Hiruzen-sensei, farewell."
The Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha looked at their teacher, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
They were ninjas raised by Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had once questioned, even opposed, their teacher, but ultimately came to understand him.
This teacher always liked to talk about the Will of Fire, about the hope for Konoha's future lying in the next generation, and he loved to nag at the ninja school.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's body shattered…
Jiraiya extended a scroll, enveloping Sarutobi Hiruzen's body, sealing his teacher within the scroll!
Until the final moment of being sealed, Sarutobi Hiruzen still had a smile on his lips as he spoke his last words to his disciples.
"Congratulations…you passed the test."
~~~
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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!