(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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In the Desert, the Fourth Battalion led by Gaara had already clashed with their enemies.
The battle proved why these Kage-level ninjas were considered the strongest in their villages.
While the Fourth Kazekage's performance was somewhat lacking, the other Kages brought immense trouble to the Allied Forces.
"We can't go on like this…"
The ninjas were panicking, after all, they were against Kage-level enemies, and ones that couldn't die.
The Second Mizukage, despite offering warnings to those attacking him, still managed to take lives with each of his attacks. They just couldn't figure out where he was despite him telling them.
The Second Tsuchikage's invisibility and [Dust Release] made every ninja's scalp tingle in fear.
His mastery of Bloodline Expansion was leagues above Bloodline Limits, breaking down any brave enough to challenge him into mere atoms.
And there were not many who decided to challenge him, the dust release was just that fearsome.
While the Third Raikage rampaged through the battlefield, his overwhelming strength and speed was wreaking havoc.
Attacks didn't work on him, and defensive techniques didn't work against him either. He was simply monstrous.
Even though the enemy didn't acknowledge him as a serious threat, the Fourth Kazekage continued his assault, knowing full well that if he was hit, he would simply recover sooner.
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage showed why he earned the title of "Professor of Ninjutsu."
His mastery of the five elemental releases, combined with taijutsu and genjutsu prowess, made him a fearsome opponent.
With the [Impure World Reincarnation] eliminating the limitations of his aged body, he fought with renewed strength and vigor.
Surprisingly, despite looking very old, his taijutsu was impressive and his movements were nimble.
Gaara, alongside his sand manipulation, rescued many ninjas from certain death, while Sasori was engaged in a fierce battle against the Third Kazekage.
The two were locked in a bitter fight, with the Third Kazekage driven mad by his desire for revenge, attacking Sasori with unrelenting force.
Sasori, equipped with his puppets of 'Father' and 'Mother' along with Chiyo's Ten Puppets of Kinsatsu, fought desperately to maintain the balance.
"Tsk, this annoying bastard…" Sasori cursed under his breath.
He hadn't expected to have such a fight as soon as he joined the battle.
"Damn it! Haven't the reinforcements arrived yet?!" Temari, assisting Gaara by fending off their father, felt frustration boiling over.
Though she fought fiercely, the emotional toll of fighting her own father weighed heavily on her.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed from above, cutting through the chaos:
"Mount Myōboku, Great Toad Sage Jiraiya has arrived!"
A gigantic toad appeared from the sky, landing with a thunderous crash, sending a cloud of dust over the battlefield.
Jiraiya, Konan, and Naruto's Shadow Clone had finally arrived to reinforce the Fourth Battalion.
The Third Hokage, now fully controlled by Orochimaru, momentarily hesitated as he saw the familiar toad fall from the sky.
Boom!
The dust settled, and Jiraiya's stern face emerged.
"Orochimaru, how dare you manipulate even our teacher's body!" he roared.
Jiraiya leaped from the toad as it vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Naruto, Konan, help the others. I'll take on the Third."
Konan headed toward the Second Mizukage, while Naruto engaged the Third Raikage.
"Hehehe...," Orochimaru's twisted laugh echoed from Sarutobi's lips.
"Jiraiya, you never understood me. I've given our teacher a chance to witness the state of the world once more. Allow me to show you how far I've come since we last met."
With that, Sarutobi's hands flew into a series of seals, summoning four Shadow Clones, each preparing a different elemental release.
"Five Release Great Combo Technique"
Five elemental attacks, enhanced by their combination, surged toward Jiraiya with destructive force.
Jiraiya reacted swiftly, shielding himself with [Needle Jizo] and countering with the [Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet].
However, the sheer power of Sarutobi's attack overwhelmed him, forcing him to retreat.
The battlefield was now engulfed in a thick fog of steam as the fire evaporated water from the surrounding terrain.
The mist clung to the air until Sarutobi dispersed it with a gust of [Wind Release].
Jiraiya, hiding behind a summoned toad, frowned.
"I forgot to gather natural energy on my way here," he muttered to himself.
He knew well the terrifying strength of his teacher's ninjutsu arsenal.
With no time to waste, Jiraiya bit his finger and performed a summoning technique.
Slamming his hand into the ground, a massive toad appeared before him.
"Bunta, I need your help! This battle can't be lost," Jiraiya urged.
Seeing his normally carefree friend so serious, Bunta swallowed his impatience.
"So, it's Sarutobi Hiruzen, huh?" Bunta muttered, gripping his Short Sword.
"Let's go!"
Meanwhile, Naruto faced off against the Third Raikage, utilizing the [Nine-Tails Chakra Mode] to enhance his speed and reflexes.
A [Chakra Arm] shot out from Naruto's waist as he unleashed a [Wind Release: Massive Rasenshuriken] directly into the Third Raikage.
The explosion sent a massive shockwave across the battlefield.
Naruto cheered in victory—until the dust settled.
The Third Raikage stood unfazed, his body unscathed by the attack.
Tetsu's grave voice rang out:
"Don't underestimate him. Third-sama is known as both the strongest spear and the strongest shield."
Naruto's heart sank as Third Raikage calmly flexed his fingers, narrowing them down to two.
Tetsu gasped in realization, "That's... his strongest technique!"
In the blink of an eye, he disappeared, reappearing in front of Tetsu, poised to strike with his two-fingered spearhand technique.
Before the blow could land, an arm reached out, stopping Third Raikage's attack in its tracks.
"You're fast, but I've seen faster," said the figure, gripping the Raikage's arm with ironclad strength.
Kamiyo Colt had arrived.