Sarutobi Hiruzen was sealed.
The Third Hokage became the first Edo Tensei to be sealed.
The three legendary Sannin of Konoha engaged in a decisive final bell test with their teacher, defeated him, and sealed him directly.
Compared to their battle...
The other battlefield was much more intense.
The battle between Hashirama and Madara was unprecedentedly fierce. The tall wooden golem and Susanoo clashed, causing the ground to shake with each step!
However...
Hashirama was clearly more concerned about Konoha and didn't want the village to become a casualty of his fight with Madara. He constantly tried to move the battlefield of the two giants outside the village, even attempting to persuade Madara.
"Madara, this is the village we created together…"
"Does it matter? Hashirama."
A disdainful smile tugged at the corner of Madara's mouth as he controlled Susanoo to strike at the wooden golem again. He said coldly, "Konoha is just the illusory ideal of peace from our naive youth…"
"Since it's an illusion…"
"It will inevitably face destruction one day."
"Madara…"
Hashirama's expression turned grim, and he seemed a bit disheartened: "I never thought that our reunion would be like this…"
"This was always going to happen."
Madara gazed at Hashirama, recalling the last time they met in life. His face gradually became emotionless: "The moment darkness was born in Konoha, it was destined to reach this day. It was bound to fall…"
"Hashirama."
Madara suddenly sneered as he looked at Hashirama: "This time, my resurrection is probably thanks to the current Hokage of Konoha…"
"Akihara Kagura would indeed do something like that."
Hashirama nodded solemnly and continued: "I've long suspected that little guy would revive you. He surely wouldn't miss the chance to use you as a tool…"
"Hm?"
Madara's brow furrowed.
Madara stared at Hashirama and suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahaha… Hashirama, did you just say that brat is using me as a tool?"
"Hashirama, you guessed wrong!"
Madara's face immediately turned arrogant, and he sneered loudly: "I'm the one using that brat as a tool! My resurrection is just to ensure the success of my plan. This moment of resurrection was within my expectations!"
In fact, it was completely unexpected.
However, Madara knew that his resurrection through Edo Tensei was Black Zetsu's suggestion. Black Zetsu was his will, considering everything for him.
"…"
Hashirama hesitated as he looked at Madara, a bit confused: "Wasn't that little guy using you as a tool like us? Madara, can you actually break free from Akihara Kagura's control?"
"What can't be broken free from?"
Madara found it amusing and shook his head with a laugh: "Even Edo Tensei has its limits. Do you think people of our level would become tools?"
"You can't possibly have not broken free…"
Madara's expression changed, feeling something was off: "Wait, Hashirama, do you mean…"
"Impressive…"
Hashirama seemed to see a glimmer of hope, looking at Madara in amazement: "That little guy's power is even stronger than mine was in life! As expected of you, Madara, to break free from his control!"
"No wonder…"
Hashirama sighed softly as he looked at Madara: "No wonder that little guy ordered me to stop you, hoping you would obey his commands…"
"Wait a moment…"
Madara raised his hand, signaling Hashirama to pause as he needed clarification: "Did you just say that brat is stronger than you were in life?"
"Yes…"
Hashirama nodded gravely and said solemnly: "Even in this Edo Tensei body, which can almost display my full strength, I still can't defeat him, nor can I break free from his control…"
"But…"
Madara placed his hand on his forehead, pondering his encounter with Akihara Kagura: "That brat told me you had long broken free from control…"
"…"
Hashirama's expression immediately became innocent.
Clearly.
This innocent expression was more convincing than any words.
Madara frowned, slowly clasping his hands together, attempting to use the hand signs he had devised to break the control of the Edo Tensei.
He had researched this long ago.
After Tobirama developed the Edo Tensei, Madara worried that he would be resurrected by Tobirama after his death. Thus, he preemptively studied these hand signs.
"Are you trying to break free from the control of the Edo Tensei?"
Hashirama noticed Madara's movements and proactively reminded him, "Madara, don't bother trying. Tobirama has already tried many times..."
"..."
Madara's expression suddenly turned grim!
As the tall man struggled to clasp his hands to form the next hand sign, he found he could not proceed no matter what!
No, this is not right!
Something has gone wrong with the plan!
That brat named Akihara Kagura was supposed to be a tool for the Eye of the Moon Plan, yet he has used me as a tool for resurrection. What is that brat thinking?
"This is impossible!"
Chakra erupted from within Madara, and his eyes instantly turned into Rinnegan. He desperately tried to separate his hands to form the next hand sign!
However...
He could not proceed no matter what!
"Lord Madara, are you going to betray the Eye of the Moon Plan?"
Akihara Kagura's will suddenly descended into Madara's body, leisurely questioning him, "Everything is under our plan now. The Eye of the Moon Plan is about to succeed. Do you want to escape my control and betray our plan?"
"Brat, you are controlling me..."
Madara's face was full of gloom and resentment, "You want to take my Rinnegan, you want to take over my Eye of the Moon Plan..."
As a proud man, Madara never thought of surrendering. The only person in this world who could make him bow his head was Hashirama!
"That was never your plan."
Akihara Kagura's voice was very calm, even somewhat leisurely, "Moreover, that plan is rather poor. You want to collect the Tailed Beasts to revive the Ten-Tails and become the second Sage of Six Paths, just for the sake of Infinite Tsukuyomi..."
"Infinite Tsukuyomi is the true path to save the Ninja World!"
Madara could not tolerate anyone slandering his plan, furiously rebutting Kagura in his mind, but his spiritual form was even smaller than Kagura's!
"The Sage of Six Paths created Ninjutsu..."
Akihara Kagura's spiritual will continued, "In ancient times, everyone could understand and communicate with each other through chakra..."
Kagura picked up again the teachings of Jiraiya, "So why don't we destroy this Ninja World, kill its ninjas, learn from the Sage of Six Paths to recreate ninjas, and create a world where everyone understands each other?"
"The Sage of Six Paths was wrong!"
Madara coldly rebutted, "As long as everyone in the Ninja World lives in Infinite Tsukuyomi, getting what they desire, there will be no more wars... Your idea of killing everyone is too extreme!"
"A false world is ultimately just fake..."
Kagura nonchalantly rebutted, indifferent to Madara's thoughts, "A false world will only lead to real-world stagnation..."
"Besides, if people in the Ninja World stop striving for their dreams in reality, and only pursue false satisfaction in a virtual world, eventually, they will pay a terrible price in reality."
"Even with Infinite Tsukuyomi, one must not be too indulged..."
Kagura shook his head, his will slowly retreating from Madara's mind, "Everything is under my control now. All you need to do is act as a tool for my destruction and creation of the world..."
"If you refuse..."
"I believe your old friend will show you the consequences of disobedience."
"Brat!"
Madara roared in fury, venting his anger in his mind, "Do you think Hashirama now can still be my opponent!"
Outside the Konoha Village.
Susanoo behind Madara grew wings. The complete Susanoo leaped into the sky, slashing towards Hashirama's Wood Golem!
"Madara!"
"Calm down!"
Hashirama clasped his hands together, three Wood Dragons sprouting from the Wood Golem, binding Susanoo's body and reducing its downward force. The Wood Golem raised its hand to firmly block Susanoo's sword!
Boom!
The entire ground trembled under the aftermath of the slash!
The earth cracked inch by inch under the slash!
"Hashirama!"
Madara clenched his fist, controlling Susanoo to repeatedly strike the tall wooden figure. He watched as the wooden figure, under the control of Akihara Kagura, fought against Hashirama!
This proud man looked at his old friend, his anger intensifying on his face: "Since your resurrection, have you been content to serve as that kid's tool?"
"…"
Hashirama's expression immediately turned despondent.
Did he have a choice in the matter?
If possible, Hashirama also wanted to eliminate the threat posed by Akihara Kagura to Konoha, but he lacked the strength to do so. He couldn't even break free from the control...
"Hashirama!"
Madara controlled Susanoo to wield its sword, finding an opening and severing the wooden figure's arm with one strike: "Look up at me!"
However...
It was futile.
The wooden figure's arm quickly regenerated.
Madara's eyes narrowed as he watched his retreating old friend and contemplated how to break free from the Edo Tensei control.
Besides using the release technique...
There was actually another way to escape control.
That was to use the Rinnegan's Rinne Rebirth technique to fully resurrect...
However...
This required cooperation from Black Zetsu.
Madara himself couldn't achieve all this; he could only stall for time and inform Black Zetsu of everything happening to him.
Underground.
Black Zetsu continued to observe the battle.
This mastermind, hidden for a millennium, felt a bit anxious.
Because upon seeing Hashirama, Madara seemed to have forgotten all about the Eye of the Moon Plan and insisted on dueling Hashirama...
What was the point of this duel?
As long as Nagato was used for resurrection, and the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki was revived, Madara could manipulate Hashirama as he wished.
However...
Madara quickly sent a message.
"Right now, I cannot break free from Akihara Kagura's Edo Tensei control. He wants to seize my Rinnegan and take over the Eye of the Moon Plan, intending to kill all ninjas in the world with it."
"Akihara Kagura's idea is too extreme..."
Even Black Zetsu found Akihara Kagura's plan overly extreme.
However...
Madara soon sent another message.
"Go control Nagato for me, bring him here, and find a way to make him use the Rinne Rebirth technique to fully resurrect me. Only then can I break free from Akihara Kagura's control..."
"That's a good idea..."
Black Zetsu flew into hiding beneath Konoha.
Coincidentally.
Nagato was in Konoha Village.
Black Zetsu was confident it could control Nagato's body because Nagato was too weak to break free from its control.
On the other side.
In Konoha Village.
The Three Legendary Sannin had sealed the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The Fourth Hokage, Minato, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama, had little interest in fighting them; they simply used the Flying Thunder God technique to keep a close watch on Nagato, seemingly waiting for an opportunity to seize his Rinnegan.
With no other choice.
Tsunade had to personally arrange for the ANBU to tightly guard Nagato.
Black Zetsu, still hiding underground, felt it couldn't find an opportunity. Its strength was inadequate to confront a group of Konoha ninjas.
"Now..."
"What should we do?"
"This situation cannot continue..."
Jiraiya, watching Minato and Tobirama lurking near the Konoha Hospital, took the initiative: "If they find even the slightest opening, they might seize the opportunity..."
"I'm more worried about something else..."
Tsunade's brows remained furrowed, more concerned about Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and Uchiha Sasuke.
"What about Yakushi Kabuto?"
Orochimaru, after some thought, spoke up: "Yakushi Kabuto should know a lot about Akihara Kagura's intelligence. It might be a good idea to deal with him first..."
"Yakushi Kabuto..."
As Tsunade was contemplating when to address the Yakushi Kabuto issue, she noticed a medical ninja in a Konoha Jōnin uniform, wearing glasses, holding something strange, talking with the ANBU at the entrance of the Konoha Hospital.
"Wait a minute..."
Tsunade was momentarily surprised, unable to believe it, and looked in disbelief at the ANBU beside her: "Is that... Yakushi Kabuto?"
Why was Yakushi Kabuto delivering himself at this moment?
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Ending + Extra Chapters!
Read upto Chapter 348: End! + Extra Chapters of Sasuke's Rebirth where the world Akihara Kagura is not around. Thank you!