(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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The wind blows.
As Colt's Dust Wall swept across the battlefield, several Kages and their attacks disintegrated into basic atomic particles, floating in the air.
However, due to the nature of the [Impure World Reincarnation], they slowly began to recover.
"The sealing team, hurry up and seal them!"
Jiraiya, the first to recover, roared urgently, and the sealing squad from the Ninja Alliance snapped out of their daze.
They quickly rushed toward the fallen Kages, carrying their sealing scrolls.
"It's unreal... how did he master the Dust Release?"
Sasori of the Red Sand, who had been locked in a long fight with the Third Kazekage, was both shocked by Colt's terrifying power and puzzled at the same time.
'Wasn't the Dust Release a [Bloodline Expansion] that only Onoki and the Second Tsuchikage could use? How did this Konoha ninja learn it?'
Onoki, the one most shocked, was in disbelief.
He even let go of his flight technique and fell to the ground.
'How is that possible?'
How could a Konoha ninja master the Dust Release when no one in Iwagakure had succeeded? The frustration made him feel like coughing a lung out.
The Kages were sealed one by one, though the Third Hokage managed to escape the sealing squad.
Only half his body had been destroyed, and he had already fully regenerated.
The faces of the Ninja Alliance soldiers showed relief.
There was only one Kage left, and with Colt on their side, they could win this.
However, a grim smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face.
"It seems I underestimated you. These Kages weren't even enough even as a warmup."
"But now, playtime is over."
The Third Hokage slammed his palm into the ground, and a coffin emerged from below.
"What's Orochimaru thinking? All those Kages were eliminated, and now he's summoning just one coffin?"
Jiraiya, infected by the optimism of the Ninja Alliance, couldn't help but mutter.
"Pervy Sage, I don't feel good about this," Naruto's Shadow Clone said with a serious expression.
"What could go wrong now with all of us here? It's all right Narut-..."
Boom!
Before Jiraiya could finish, the coffin exploded into fragments.
Dust filled the air, carried by a powerful wind that weighed heavily on everyone, making it hard to breathe.
Even the Third Kazekage's puppet was forced back a few meters by the sheer force of it.
"Finally, I'm resurrected? No, this feels like… [Impure World Reincarnation]."
The figure that stepped out of the coffin frowned as he examined his hands.
This wasn't how things were supposed to be.
He wore ancient samurai armor, colored red, and his long hair flowed freely.
His most distinguishing feature, however, was his presence—one that exuded absolute dominance.
Just by standing there, he made everyone else feel insignificant.
"What's going on here?"
Uchiha Madara asked in displeasure as he turned to the Third Hokage.
"Who are you?"
"As expected of a legend. Your aura is overwhelming."
The Third Hokage—or rather, Orochimaru—admired Madara without answering his question directly.
"Don't look at me like that, you filthy rat," Madara scowled in disgust at Orochimaru.
But Orochimaru remained unfazed, explaining the situation to Madara with a smile.
After explaining…
"Is that so? Then I suppose I'll entertain myself with these youngsters."
Madara's eyes gleamed with interest. Things had strayed far from his original plan.
In the original scheme, he was supposed to be resurrected by Nagato's [Rinne Tensei], giving him a perfect revival.
Instead, he found himself stuck in this incomplete form, neither alive nor dead.
Still, he figured, this would be a good chance to stretch his legs and enjoy himself in the current world.
Obito could struggle all he wanted—Madara had a way to handle him.
In the Ninja Alliance, Onoki stared at Madara's form in disbelief.
"Is this really... Uchiha Madara?"
Cold sweat dripped down Gaara's face.
As a Kage-level fighter and the leader of his village, he had fought powerful enemies before.
But merely looking at Madara's figure made his body tremble uncontrollably.
Jiraiya, realizing the seriousness of the situation, stopped joking around.
He summoned the two Toad Sages and prepared to enter the [Sage Mode].
"Gaara, command the troops to retreat and send support to Kakashi and Kitsuchi," Colt said, his gaze fixed on Uchiha Madara, who stood on top of a strange rock.
"If you all stay here, you'll only be caught up in the large-scale ninjutsus, and you won't be able to help."
Gaara quickly nodded and organized the retreat.
Teams began evacuating in groups, while Temari hesitated for a moment, casting a worried glance at Colt before following the retreat orders.
She knew staying behind wouldn't help him.
Uchiha Madara watched the coalition retreat but made no move to stop them.
How could an adult concern himself with children?
However, Colt's presence piqued Madara's interest. There was a mutual recognition between powerful individuals.
"Who's this kid? He seems... intriguing."
Third Hokage, or Orochimaru, nodded and replied,
"This is the most talented person in the history of Konoha Village, and the strongest in the ninja world today—Kamiyo Colt. Even Nagato, the wielder of the Rinnegan, fell to him."
Madara's expression shifted slightly, not out of fear, but surprise.
He hadn't expected to encounter the person responsible for killing Nagato so easily.
"Hmph," Madara scoffed.
"In this world, only Hashirama is worthy of the title of the strongest."
Orochimaru chuckled and shook his head.
"Kamiyo Colt has mastered both the [Wood Style] and the [Mangekyō Sharingan]. In terms of sheer genius, he rivals you and the First Hokage."
"Wood Style and Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Even Madara, with his immense pride, was momentarily taken aback. Then, a smile spread across his face.
"Interesting. This will make things very interesting."
For the first time in ages, Madara felt the thrill of a real challenge.
Orochimaru sensed Madara's growing excitement and smiled knowingly.
"Your [Impure World Reincarnation] body has been specially prepared by me to fully replicate the power of your prime."
Madara's smile vanished, and his Three Tomoe Sharingan spun dangerously.
"Have you... ever seen my prime?"
"No," Orochimaru responded, his tone filled with anticipation.
"Please, show me the power of the legendary Uchiha Madara—the one that rivaled the God of Shinobi."