(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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As Deidara faced off against the Lightning Style ninja once more, Gaara's forces encountered their own formidable enemies.
"You've got to be kidding me!" exclaimed one of the ninja alliance members, veins bulging on his forehead as he watched several figures slowly emerge from the depths of the battlefield.
"What are we doing here? There are only a few of them, do we really need to double-team them?"
He was frustrated, thinking he could face a stronger opponent, only to be assigned to this seemingly insignificant skirmish.
"Don't underestimate them! According to intelligence, the chakra of these few is as powerful as the entire front line of reanimated soldiers," another ninja scolded, clearly displeased.
"How is that possible? It's just a few people," the first ninja retorted, still in disbelief.
At that moment, Temari, who had been silent, felt a sudden wave of unease.
As the violent sandstorm dissipated, the figures revealed their true identities, causing a collective gasp of horror among the ninja ranks.
"These are... the Kages of past generations!" Gaara announced, his voice steady but filled with the weight of realization.
Standing at the front of the line, Gaara observed the approaching enemies.
Behind him, Sasori also showed a rare expression of surprise.
"I didn't expect to see him again... is this fate in play?" Sasori muttered, eyes locked on one of the figures.
"Third Kazekage, Fourth Kazekage, Second Tsuchikage, Second Mizukage, Third Raikage, and... Third Hokage!" Gaara listed the identities of the figures one by one, then turned to a Cloud Shinobi ninja behind him.
"Tetsu! Report this information to headquarters immediately! We can't defeat these Kages with numbers alone!" Gaara ordered.
"Yes!" Tetsu responded, his expression serious as he quickly began relaying the information.
Not far from the allied forces, the reanimated Kage also began to converse among themselves.
"I can't find peace even in death; now we're forced to fight the younger generation," grumbled the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki, his mustache twitching as he spoke.
"Second Mizukage, you were a war fanatic during your reign. Isn't this exactly what you wanted?" retorted the bandaged figure of Second Tsuchikage, Mu, who was Onoki's mentor and the inventor of Dust Release.
The Kages exchanged words, their banter laced with the tension of past rivalries.
Despite their differences, they were now 'comrades-in-arms' after death.
Only the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, remained silent, his mind occupied with communicating with Orochimaru, who controlled him.
"Orochimaru, why are you still obsessed like this? Why desecrate my dead body?" Hiruzen's thoughts echoed with frustration.
A low, hoarse voice answered in his mind.
"Sarutobi-sensei, I've freed you from the Shinigami's belly; don't lecture me now."
In the cave where Orochimaru sat, connected to the Gedo Statue, he smiled grimly as he concentrated on his goal.
"I'm only one step away from my dream. Just delay them a bit longer," Orochimaru whispered before cutting off the connection.
Meanwhile, at the Cloud Village Coalition Command, Yamanaka Inoichi, responsible for gathering the battlefield intelligence, looked grim.
After receiving Tetsu's report, he quickly relayed the information to the remaining three Kages at the headquarters.
When they learned that the Kages of past generations had appeared on the battlefield, Tsunade and the others were visibly shaken.
The Fourth Raikage, in particular, was furious.
"How dare they desecrate my father's soul! Orochimaru, that bastard, I will tear him apart!" he roared, standing up in anger.
Tsuchikage Onoki was equally resolute.
"I'll head to the front lines. I'm the only one who can counter the Dust Release."
Tsunade nodded in agreement, knowing Onoki's ability to fly would make him the fastest to reach the battlefield.
"Then we'll rely on you, Tsuchikage. I'll have Jiraiya rush to the battlefield with Naruto's clone," she said.
Turning to Inoichi, she asked.
"How's the battle in the third division?"
Inoichi shook his head, concerned.
"They've encountered formidable opponents like Konoha's White Fang and Hanzō the Salamander. They're struggling to hold their ground."
The Fourth Raikage stood up once more, determined.
"I'm going too. The Cloud Village has a technique for sending objects through long distances, and my body is strong enough to endure the transfer."
"Mabui, prepare the technique immediately!" he ordered.
"Yes, Raikage-sama," Mabui responded, moving to follow his command.
However, Tsunade stopped him.
"It's not time for that yet. Things haven't reached that level of urgency."
The Fourth Raikage looked at her, puzzled.
"You don't understand the terror of my father. He fought the rampaging Eight Tails for three days, and the fight ended in a draw. Only my speed and strength can match him."
Tsunade was visibly shocked, realizing she didn't know this secret.
The thought of someone fighting a tailed beast to a standstill was terrifying.
Seeing her reaction, the Fourth Raikage sighed.
"In the entire ninja coalition, I'm the only one who can barely keep up with him. I have to go."
Tsunade shook her head. "Even if you go, it might not be enough."
Then, with a slight smile, she added, "We still have a trump card hidden in the medical team."
The Raikage's eyes widened as he suddenly understood.
"You mean Kamiyo Colt?"
Tsunade nodded. "Yes. Let's contact him immediately."
Back at the medical camp, Colt was relaxing, humming to himself when Tsunade's message reached him.
The news of the reanimated Kage's appearance instantly grabbed his attention.
"So, it's come to this," Colt murmured.
With anticipation in his eyes, Colt prepared himself. The upcoming battle against the Kages of the past promised to be an interesting one.