In Orochimaru's dimly lit base, Naruto's group materialized in a flash of yellow light. The Snake Sannin was seated at his research desk, surrounded by scrolls and various experimental apparatus.
Initially, Orochimaru maintained his usual composed demeanor, merely raising an eyebrow at their sudden appearance. However, when his eyes met Naruto's, his trademark smirk faltered. The sight of the Rinnegan in Naruto's eyes caused him to stand abruptly, knocking over several scrolls.
"Impossible..." Orochimaru whispered, his serpentine eyes widening. "The Rinnegan... in an Uzumaki?"
"Surprised, Orochimaru?" Tsunade asked a hint of satisfaction in her voice at seeing her former teammate so unsettled.
Orochimaru quickly regained his composure, though his eyes remained fixed on Naruto. "Kukuku... how fascinating. First the Flying Thunder God, and now the Rinnegan. You continue to surpass expectations, Naruto-kun."
Tsunade stepped forward, her expression stern. "We'll discuss this, but first..." She turned to Shikamaru and Kisame. "Both of you, head back to the village. Shikamaru, inform Jiraiya that I need him here."
Shikamaru nodded, already turning to leave. "What a drag... but I understand. Having all three Sannin in one place might be necessary for this."
Kisame grinned, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. "Aw, I was hoping to watch the show. All three legendary Sannin gathering... that's not something you see every day."
"This isn't a spectacle, Kisame," Tsunade warned, though her lips twitched slightly. "We need to discuss sensitive information."
"Fine, fine," Kisame chuckled, shouldering Samehada. "Come on, shadow boy. Let's leave the legends to their reunion." He paused at the entrance, looking back at Naruto. "Kid, next time we meet, I want a proper spar with those eyes of yours."
Naruto grinned, his Rinnegan gleaming. "You got it, dattebayo!"
As Shikamaru and Kisame departed, Orochimaru's eyes narrowed with interest. "My, my... how things have changed. The Monster of the Hidden Mist, taking orders from Konoha?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, fixing Orochimaru with a stern gaze. "A lot has changed indeed. Now, about those bodies I requested - were you able to create them? The ones with Hashirama's cells but minimal life signs, and one for yourself?"
Orochimaru's serpentine eyes gleamed with scientific interest. "Kukuku... Yes, the bodies are ready. Though I must admit, I'm far more intrigued by this development." He gestured toward Naruto's Rinnegan. "To think the jinchūriki would awaken those eyes... Perhaps the injection of Hashirama's cells won't be necessary after all?"
"That's what we need to determine," Tsunade replied. "The Rinnegan's awakening was successful, but we still need to know if my grandfather's cells could enhance its power. Are you prepared to proceed with the injection?"
Orochimaru tilted his head, studying Naruto with scientific curiosity. "The combination of Hashirama's cells with an active Rinnegan... fascinating. Though I wonder if we should allow more time for his body to adjust to these eyes before introducing another powerful variable."
Naruto stepped forward, his Rinnegan glowing softly. "We don't have time to wait, ya know! Kaguya's coming, and we need every advantage we can get!"
"Patience, Naruto-kun," Orochimaru smiled his unsettling smile. "Rush this process, and we risk destroying what we've already achieved. Even I know better than to be hasty with such delicate procedures."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed with intrigue. "Kaguya? Even with all your newfound power, who could inspire such urgency?"
Tsunade sighed heavily, running a hand down her face at Naruto's loose tongue. After a moment's consideration, she spoke, "I suppose you need to know the full story now. What we're about to tell you goes beyond anything you've researched about chakra's origins."
She began explaining about the Ōtsutsuki clan, their celestial origins, and their practice of harvesting chakra from worlds. "Kaguya was the first to arrive on our world. She ate the chakra fruit from the God Tree, becoming what people later called the Rabbit Goddess."
Orochimaru's usually composed face showed genuine surprise as Tsunade continued, describing how Kaguya had two sons - Hagoromo and Hamura - and how she eventually turned against humanity, leading to her sons sealing her away.
"The Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo, then divided his power between his sons, Indra and Ashura," Tsunade explained, gesturing to Naruto. "Their chakra has been reincarnating through the generations, most recently in Naruto and Sasuke."
"But the most disturbing part," she continued, her expression grim, "is that Black Zetsu, who we thought was Madara's will, is Kaguya's creation - a being she made to ensure her eventual return."
Orochimaru's eyes widened with understanding. "So that's why you're all preparing so frantically. The mother of all chakra is returning... kukuku... how fascinating."
"This isn't one of your experiments, Orochimaru," Tsunade warned sharply. "If Kaguya returns, she'll turn every living being on this planet into White Zetsu soldiers for her army."
"All the more reason to proceed carefully," Orochimaru replied, his eyes gleaming with scientific interest. "We wouldn't want to waste such valuable research subjects, would we?"
At that moment, Jiraiya strode into the room, his white hair swaying with his movement. "I heard you needed me, Tsunade- oh!" His eyes landed on Naruto, widening slightly at the sight of the Rinnegan, though his surprise quickly melted into a proud smile.
"Well, well," Jiraiya said, walking over to place a strong hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Look at you, kid. Those eyes... you have grown into an adult now, haven't you?" His voice carried the warmth of a proud teacher. "Though I can't say I'm too surprised - after all, you were my student."
"Pervy Sage!" Naruto grinned broadly.
Jiraiya chuckled, then turned more serious as he faced his former teammates. "So, we're all here now - the three Sannin together again. Must be pretty important, Tsunade."
Orochimaru's lips curved into his characteristic smirk. "Indeed. We were just discussing the impending arrival of a goddess and the potential enhancement of your student's new eyes with Hashirama's cells."
"Ah," Jiraiya nodded, his expression growing more serious. "The question is whether we should risk it, given how little time we have to prepare for Kaguya."
Naruto's face scrunched up in determination. "But I need to get stronger-"
"No, kid," Kurama's voice resonated within Naruto's mind, echoing outward so the others could hear. "As much as I hate agreeing with Orochimaru, he's right this time. Your body needs time to adjust to both the Rinnegan and sage chakra. More importantly..." The fox's voice grew more serious, "we should focus on retrieving my other half first. That would be a safer and more effective power boost."
Naruto crossed his arms, looking thoughtful. "But Kurama, you really think-"
"Think about it," Kurama interrupted. "My other half is sealed within the Reaper Death Seal. Getting that power back would be more stable than rushing to add Hashirama's cells to your already changing body."
Jiraiya nodded in agreement. "The fox has a point, Naruto. Combining your current powers with Kurama's full chakra would be less risky than experimenting with Hashirama's cells right now."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with interest. "The Reaper Death Seal, hmm? That does present an interesting alternative. And I happen to know quite a bit about that particular jutsu..."
Tsunade shot Orochimaru a warning look before turning to Naruto. "For once, I agree with both Kurama and Orochimaru. Let's focus on getting Kurama's other half first. Then we can discuss other options if needed."
Jiraiya grinned mischievously, wrapping an arm around Orochimaru's shoulder. "Are you that excited to get your arms back, old friend?"
Orochimaru shrugged off Jiraiya's arm with an irritated look. "Don't be so familiar."
"Why do you think we had you create these bodies?" Tsunade interjected. "A jutsu this dangerous needs someone of your caliber to perform it. And the other bodies are for the Hokages..."
"Speaking of which," Tsunade continued, "do you know where the old Uzumaki temple with the masks is? We've located a few, but we're not sure which one we need."
Orochimaru let out an amused laugh. "Oh? So Naruto is willing to let me use forbidden jutsu to bring back his father?" His eyes narrowed with curiosity. "But tell me, where did you get all this information?"
"You still don't know?" Naruto smirked.
"I didn't tell him-" Jiraiya began, but Tsunade tried to cut him off. However, he continued anyway, "Naruto saw the future."
The room fell silent as Orochimaru's eyes widened with interest, a calculating look crossing his face as he processed this new information.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with newfound interest, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "The future? How fascinating... That explains your sudden knowledge and changes in behavior." He turned to face Naruto directly. "Tell me, what exactly did you see?"
Tsunade slammed her hand on the desk. "That's enough, Orochimaru! We're here to discuss the Reaper Death Seal, not satisfy your curiosity."
"Come now, Tsunade," Orochimaru's voice was silky smooth. "Knowledge of the future could be invaluable. Especially if we're planning to alter events..."
Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. "Not now, Orochimaru. I'll have someone share some information with you later, but first - if you know where the Uzumaki temple is, transform and let's go. And don't forget those bodies."
In a swift motion, she turned and landed solid punches on both Jiraiya and Naruto's faces, sending them stumbling backward. "Both of you, keep your mouths shut! We can't have every secret spilling out at once!"
She turned to Jiraiya with an exasperated look. "And you! How did you even become a spymaster with such a loose mouth? You're worse than Naruto!"
Jiraiya rubbed his cheek, looking sheepish. "Hey, come on, Tsunade... It just slipped out..."
Orochimaru watched the scene with obvious amusement, a slight chuckle escaping his lips. "Some things never change, it seems. Very well, let me gather what we need." He moved toward the back of his lab, where several storage scrolls lay prepared. "The temple isn't far,"
As they arrived at the dilapidated Uzumaki temple, its ancient walls crumbling and covered in overgrowth, they carefully made their way inside. Rows of ceremonial masks lined the walls, each with distinct markings and designs.
"There!" Naruto pointed confidently. "First row, seventh column." He strode forward and picked up the mask bearing the Shinigami's terrifying visage, handing it to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru examined the mask with a knowing smirk. "So it seems I did regain my arms in your future..." He unrolled a scroll, releasing five bodies in perfect preservation - four for the Hokages and one for himself.
Taking position, Orochimaru donned the mask and began performing the complex hand seals for the Reaper Death Seal ritual. With a precise cut across his stomach, the Shinigami appeared, mirroring his action. The spiritual blade released not only Orochimaru's sealed arms but also the souls of the four Hokages.
After waiting for his arms to fully regenerate, Orochimaru transferred himself to the new body he had prepared. Standing up with renewed vigor, he performed the Edo Tensei, bringing forth the four Hokages in their reanimated forms.
The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Hokage materialized before them, their eyes showing the distinctive black sclera of the Edo Tensei. Minato's eyes immediately found Naruto, widening at the sight of his son's Rinnegan.
"Naruto..." Minato breathed, taking in his son's appearance. "Those eyes..."
Hashirama looked around curiously. "Well, this is certainly interesting. Being summoned again but under different circumstances..."
"Indeed, brother," Tobirama agreed, his red eyes scanning the room analytically. "Though I sense this time might be for a greater purpose."
Hiruzen's gaze moved between Orochimaru and his former students. "I see much has changed since my passing."
Hashirama suddenly pointed at Minato, his expression curious and energetic. "Oh! Who are you? I don't recognize you!"
"I'm Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage," Minato replied with a polite smile.
Hashirama's face lit up with excitement, and he practically bounced on his feet. "The Fourth? That's amazing! The village survived long enough to have four Hokages!" He turned to Tobirama with a broad grin. "See, brother? Our dream really did last!"
Tobirama merely crossed his arms and sighed at his brother's enthusiasm.
"So tell me, Fourth Hokage," Hashirama continued eagerly, "how is the village doing? Has it grown? Are the people happy?"
Minato's expression turned apologetic. "Ah, I'm sorry, Lord First. I... actually died before Lord Third. I wouldn't know the village's current state."
"Oh?" Hashirama blinked, then quickly turned to the others. "Then who's the Fifth Hokage?"
"That would be Tsunade-baa-chan!" Naruto chimed in with a grin.
Hashirama's excited expression suddenly froze, and he turned slowly to face Tsunade with a look of growing dread. "Tsunade... you didn't... please tell me you didn't gamble away the village..."
"GRANDFATHER!" Tsunade shouted, a vein popping on her forehead.
"It's a valid concern!" Hashirama defended, waving his hands frantically. "I remember when you were little, you lost your entire allowance in one day playing cards with Sarutobi's team!"
Naruto burst out laughing. "Don't worry, Lord First! Baa-chan might be terrible at gambling, but she's actually a pretty good Hokage, dattebayo!"
"NARUTO!" Tsunade cracked her knuckles menacingly.
Hashirama visibly relaxed, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. "Oh, thank goodness! Though..." He leaned closer to Naruto, speaking in a stage whisper that everyone could clearly hear, "Does she still lose all her money?"
"Every time!" Naruto grinned mischievously. "Shizune-neechan has to hide her wallet!"
"BOTH OF YOU, SHUT UP!" Tsunade roared, her fists clenched.
Hiruzen couldn't help but chuckle, remembering those days. "Ah yes, I remember having to explain to you, Lord First, why little Tsunade came home crying about her lost allowance..."
"Kukuku..." Orochimaru's amused laugh echoed through the chamber. "I recall she once bet her entire mission payment on a single hand of cards. Jiraiya and I had to buy her food for a week."
"Hey, hey!" Jiraiya joined in, grinning broadly. "Remember that time in Tanzaku Town when she-"
"ONE MORE WORD," Tsunade cracked her knuckles louder, glaring at her former teammate, "and I'll send you flying through the roof!"
Tobirama just shook his head, muttering under his breath about how some things never change, while Minato tried to hide his amused smile behind his hand, though his shoulders were shaking with suppressed laughter.
"But don't worry, Konoha's stronger than ever, dattebayo!" Naruto added enthusiastically, matching Hashirama's energy. "Though we did have some rough patches..."
Hashirama immediately went into a depressive state, crouching in a corner with a dark cloud over his head. "Rough patches? Did something happen to the village I worked so hard to build?"
"Brother, compose yourself," Tobirama scolded, though his eye was twitching in annoyance.
Naruto laughed, walking over to pat Hashirama's shoulder. "Don't worry, First Hokage! The village always bounces back! That's the Will of Fire you started, ya know!"
Hashirama instantly perked up, jumping to his feet with renewed vigor. "The Will of Fire! You know about that?" His eyes were practically sparkling. "Tsunade, you taught him well!"
"Actually," Tsunade smirked, "this knucklehead learned it from the Third."
"Old man Third was awesome!" Naruto grinned, giving a thumbs up.
Hashirama beamed with pride, throwing an arm around Naruto's shoulder. "I like this kid! He reminds me of myself!"
Tobirama and Tsunade shared a knowing look, both thinking the same thing: 'That's exactly what we're worried about.'
"Speaking of which," Hashirama said, suddenly becoming more serious as he noticed Naruto's eyes. "Those are the Rinnegan... How did an Uzumaki obtain such eyes?"
Before Naruto could answer, Tobirama stepped forward, his analytical mind already at work. "An Uzumaki with the Rinnegan... and that chakra..." His red eyes narrowed. "You're also a jinchūriki, aren't you?"
"Yeah!" Naruto grinned proudly. "I've got Kurama - I mean, the Nine-Tails - and we're partners now!"
Hashirama's eyes widened in surprise. "Partners? With the Nine-Tails?" He turned to Tobirama with a bright smile. "See, brother? I told you the bijuu could be friends with humans!"
"That's not the point right now," Tobirama said sternly, though there was a hint of curiosity in his voice. "What interests me more is how he awakened the Rinnegan. Those eyes haven't been seen since the Sage of Six Paths himself."
"Actually," Minato interjected, pride evident in his voice, "Naruto is my son."
Hashirama's jaw dropped again. "The Fourth's son? An Uzumaki AND the Fourth's son?" He grabbed Naruto's shoulders excitedly. "You must be incredibly strong! We should spar sometime!"
"Brother!" Tobirama snapped. "We were clearly summoned for something important. This isn't the time for-"
"Actually," Tsunade interrupted, "we might need that spar later. But first, we need to discuss why we brought you all back." Her expression grew serious. "We're facing a threat greater than anything in shinobi history - Kaguya Ōtsutsuki is returning."
The atmosphere in the room instantly changed. Even Hashirama's usual cheerful demeanor sobered at the mention of that name.
Tobirama crossed his arms, his red eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Kaguya Ōtsutsuki? I've studied nearly every clan in existence, but I've never heard of an Ōtsutsuki clan."
"That's because they're not from our world," Naruto explained, his expression unusually serious. "They're aliens who came from the stars, looking for chakra fruit!"
"ALIENS?!" Hashirama's jaw dropped comically, his eyes wide as saucers. "Brother, did you hear that? ALIENS!" He started pacing around excitedly. "All this time we were fighting over land and power, and there were beings from the stars!"
Tobirama pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Brother, please maintain your composure." He turned back to Naruto. "What do you mean by 'chakra fruit'?"
"Kaguya was the first person to eat the chakra fruit from the Divine Tree," Naruto continued. "She's basically the origin of all chakra in our world. The Sage of Six Paths? That was her son!"
"Impossible!" Tobirama's eyes widened. "The origin of chakra itself..."
Hashirama, who had been bouncing around excitedly, suddenly stopped. "Wait... if she's that powerful, and she's coming back..." His face fell into his signature depression. "Are we all doomed?"
"No way!" Naruto grinned confidently. "That's why we brought you guys back! With all of us working together, there's no way we'll lose!"
"That's the spirit!" Hashirama instantly recovered, matching Naruto's enthusiasm. "Let's show these aliens the power of shinobi unity!"
Tobirama just sighed heavily, wondering how he ended up with such an excitable brother and an equally excitable Rinnegan holder.
Minato stepped forward, his analytical mind already working. "If we're facing someone of Kaguya's caliber, we'll need to coordinate our abilities effectively. Naruto, those eyes... have you had time to master their abilities?"
"Well..." Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. "I can use most of the paths, but I'm still getting used to them, ya know?"
Tobirama's eyes narrowed with interest. "The Rinnegan's powers are legendary. Perhaps we should test their capabilities before facing this threat."
"Ooh, ooh!" Hashirama raised his hand excitedly like a schoolchild. "I volunteer to spar with him! I want to see what my great-grandson-in-law's son can do!"
"Great-grandson-in... what?" Naruto blinked in confusion.
"Well, Tsunade is my granddaughter, and you call her 'baa-chan,' so..." Hashirama started counting on his fingers, trying to work out the relation.
"That's not how it works, brother," Tobirama interrupted with an exasperated sigh. "He just calls her that out of... actually, I'm not sure why he calls her that."
"Because she's old!" Naruto grinned, immediately ducking to avoid Tsunade's incoming punch.
"NARUTO!" Tsunade roared, her fist creating a small crater in the wall behind where Naruto's head had been.
Orochimaru watched the scene with amusement. "My, my... to think the legendary First Hokage is just as excitable as Naruto-kun. Perhaps this is why Konoha has survived so long - sheer unpredictability."
Jiraiya nodded, "You might be right about that," he chuckled, then turned serious. "But let me explain why we brought each of you back specifically."
He turned to Minato first. "Minato, we need you to transfer the other half of the Nine-Tails to Naruto, and help coordinate with the other villages. We've actually achieved what you always dreamed of - all five great nations are now allied together."
Minato's eyes widened with pride and joy. "An alliance between all villages? That's... incredible."
"Lord Third," Jiraiya continued, "we need your expertise in developing a new training program for the future generations. In the coming era, we want all Jonin-level shinobi to master all five chakra natures."
Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That's quite ambitious, but with proper training methods..."
"Lord Second," Tsunade took over, "we need your scientific expertise. We're researching ways to integrate grandfather's cells throughout the world, essentially strengthening everything living thing to better resist what's coming."
"Interesting..." Tobirama mused, his mind already working on the possibilities. "Though it will require extensive testing..."
"And Lord First," Naruto jumped in excitedly, "you're gonna help me master these eyes! And after we kick Kaguya's butt, maybe you can help rebuild everything - you know, with trees and stuff, but cooler!"
Hashirama beamed. "Of course! Though..." he tilted his head curiously, "what do you mean by 'cooler'?"
Orochimaru's eyes widened slightly, surprised at being included in their plans. "Oh? And what role do you envision for me in this grand scheme?"
"You'll be helping with the research," Tsunade stated firmly. "Your knowledge of cellular manipulation and jutsu creation will be invaluable. Just..." she fixed him with a stern look, "no unauthorized experiments."
"Kukuku..." Orochimaru chuckled. "To think I'd be working alongside my former teammates and the previous Hokages to save the world. How... unexpected."
"Life's full of surprises, eh?" Jiraiya grinned, slapping Orochimaru on the back, much to the latter's annoyance.
"Before we proceed with any of these plans," Tobirama interjected, his analytical mind already at work, "we should first transfer the Nine-Tails' other half. Having Naruto at full power will be crucial for what's to come."
Minato nodded in agreement, turning to his son with a warm smile. "Are you ready, Naruto?"
"You bet, Dad!" Naruto grinned enthusiastically. "Though... will it hurt?"
"It shouldn't," Kurama's voice echoed from within Naruto. "My chakra is already compatible with your body. Merging with my other half should be seamless."
Hashirama watched with fascination. "Amazing! The Nine-Tails actually speaking civilly! Brother, are you seeing this?"
"Yes, brother, I can see and hear just fine," Tobirama replied dryly.
Minato stepped forward, placing his hand on Naruto's seal. "This won't take long. Everyone, please step back."
As the others moved away, Minato began the transfer process. Golden chakra started flowing from him into Naruto, the energy visible even to the naked eye. Naruto's body began to glow with an intense light as the two halves of Kurama's chakra merged within him.
When the light faded, Naruto stood there, his chakra noticeably more potent than before. Even Hashirama raised his eyebrows, impressed by the sheer volume of chakra.
"How do you feel?" Tsunade asked, stepping forward to check on him.
"Amazing!" Naruto exclaimed, flexing his hands. "It's like... like..."
"Like having twice the ramen?" Jiraiya suggested with a grin.
"Yeah! Wait, no... it's more like- WHOA!" Naruto suddenly stumbled as a rush of power surged through him. His Rinnegan began to glow more intensely.
"Interesting," Orochimaru observed. "It seems the increased chakra is enhancing your Rinnegan's power as well."
"The combination of the Nine-Tails' full power and the Rinnegan..." Tobirama mused. "This might actually give us a chance against Kaguya."
Hashirama clapped his hands together excitedly. "Now can we spar? I want to see what he can do with all this power!"
"Not inside!" Tsunade snapped. "If you two are going to fight, take it outside. I don't want to explain to anyone why an ancient Uzumaki temple suddenly disappeared."
"Actually," Hiruzen spoke up, "perhaps we should all observe this spar. It would help us better understand how to coordinate our abilities."
"Agreed," Minato nodded. "Naruto needs to test his enhanced powers in a controlled environment first."
"Then it's settled!" Hashirama declared cheerfully. "Let's find a nice, open area where we can really cut loose!"
"Just... try not to reshape the entire landscape," Tsunade sighed, already imagining the destruction these two could cause together.
"No promises!" Naruto and Hashirama replied in unison, sharing identical grins.
Tobirama and Tsunade exchanged long-suffering looks, both thinking the same thing: 'What have we gotten ourselves into?'
The air crackled with intense chakra as both legendary shinobi took their positions at opposite ends of the vast clearing. Trees swayed from the sheer pressure of their power.
Naruto's body began to glow with brilliant golden light as he accessed Kurama's full power. The chakra manifested into a massive, nine-tailed fox form, now even larger and more impressive than before due to having both halves of Kurama united. The Rinnegan in his eye pulsed with power, adding a purple glow to his golden form.
"Ready when you are, First Hokage!" Naruto called out, his voice carrying both excitement and respect.
Hashirama's cheerful expression turned serious as he formed his hand signs. The ground trembled as an enormous wooden statue emerged behind him - the Thousand-Armed Kanon. Each massive wooden arm gleamed in the sunlight, radiating with the First Hokage's legendary power.
"This brings back memories," Tobirama commented from the sidelines. "Though I never thought I'd see the Thousand-Armed Kanon face off against the Nine-Tails in a friendly spar."
"Friendly might be a stretch," Tsunade muttered, already preparing herself to heal any injuries.
"This should be interesting," Orochimaru observed with keen interest. "The legendary Wood Style against the combined power of the Nine-Tails and Rinnegan..."
Minato watched proudly as his son faced off against the God of Shinobi. "Show him what you've got, Naruto!"
The air grew thick with anticipation as both warriors prepared to clash. Hashirama's statue raised its thousand arms while Naruto's Kurama form crouched, ready to pounce.
"Begin!" Jiraiya shouted, jumping clear of the battlefield.
The forest was about to witness a battle between two of the most powerful shinobi to ever live.
The battle erupted with tremendous force as Naruto made the first move, his Rinnegan glowing intensely as he activated Almighty Push. The gravitational force rushed toward Hashirama and his Thousand-Armed Kanon.
However, Hashirama, living up to his legendary status, quickly anchored himself and his wooden construct to the ground with multiple wood-style roots. While the push did force him back several meters, tearing up the earth beneath him, he remained standing.
"Impressive!" Hashirama grinned, "But you'll need more than that!"
"I'm just getting started!" Naruto replied. Golden chakra chains erupted from his Kurama form, dozens of them shooting out like brilliant serpents. The chains, enhanced by both Kurama's full power and his Uzumaki heritage, weaved through the air toward the wooden statue.
Hashirama's eyes widened slightly. "Ah, just like Mito used to do! But..." Several of the thousand arms moved in perfect coordination, attempting to intercept and deflect the chains.
The chains wrapped around multiple arms, creating a complex web of golden energy against dark wood. Some chains managed to break through, heading straight for Hashirama himself.
"Your chains are stronger than I expected," Hashirama commented, quickly forming new hand signs. "But wood style has its own way of binding!"
Wooden dragons began emerging from the statue's palms, meeting Naruto's chains in mid-air, creating a spectacular display of gold and brown energies clashing.
From the sidelines, Tobirama observed analytically. "The boy combines Uzumaki and Nine-Tails chakra well. Brother might actually have to take this seriously."
"He hasn't even started using his other Rinnegan abilities yet," Minato added proudly.
The forest continued to shake as these two powerhouses tested each other's strength, their battle just beginning to heat up.
The battle intensified as Naruto pulled back his chains, only to form a massive Tailed Beast Bomb infused with Six Paths chakra. The sphere of dark energy grew rapidly between Kurama's jaws.
Hashirama's eyes narrowed, recognizing the threat. "That's not your ordinary Tailed Beast Bomb..."
"Take this!" Naruto roared, launching the enhanced bomb directly at the Thousand-Armed Kanon.
Multiple arms of the wooden statue moved in perfect synchronization, forming a massive wooden shield while other arms began weaving signs for a counter.
"Wood Style: Hobi Technique!" Hashirama called out, as several layers of wooden barriers formed to intercept the attack.
The resulting explosion was tremendous, sending shockwaves through the forest and creating a massive mushroom cloud. As the dust began to clear, Naruto didn't wait - he used his Flying Raijin to instantly switch places with a chunk of debris behind Hashirama.
"Got you now!" Naruto appeared behind the First Hokage, Kurama's claws ready to strike.
But Hashirama wasn't called the God of Shinobi for nothing. Without even turning around, wood pillars erupted from the ground, forcing Naruto to dodge.
"Your combination of powers is remarkable, Naruto," Hashirama praised while directing more wooden constructs. "But let me show you why they called me the God of Shinobi!"
The remaining arms of the Thousand-Armed Kanon began glowing with natural energy, preparing for one of Hashirama's most powerful techniques.
The spectators braced themselves, knowing the real battle was about to begin.
"Both of them are still holding back," Jiraiya observed from the sidelines. "This is about to get interesting."
The battlefield trembled as Hashirama's Thousand-Armed Kanon began channeling massive amounts of nature energy. The wooden statue's hands started forming different seals simultaneously.
"True Several Thousand Hands!" Hashirama declared, as his construct grew even larger, the number of arms multiplying exponentially.
Naruto, still in his Kurama form enhanced by Six Paths Sage Mode, quickly assessed the situation. "If that's how you want to play..." He formed a cross seal, "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Dozens of giant Kurama avatars appeared across the battlefield, each glowing with the same golden chakra as the original. Each clone was also equipped with the Rinnegan's powers.
"Impressive numbers," Hashirama smiled, "but can they handle this? Wood Style: Chojo Kebutsu!"
All the thousands of hands began firing devastating attacks, each containing enough power to level mountains. The barrage of wooden projectiles filled the sky, heading toward Naruto and his clones.
The Naruto clones coordinated their response. Some used Almighty Push to deflect the attacks, others formed massive Rasenshurikens, while the original Naruto prepared something special.
"Time to show you something new!" Naruto called out, as he combined his Truth-Seeking Orbs with Kurama's chakra and the Rinnegan's powers. The resulting spheres of power began to orbit around him, each containing enough force to rival a Tailed Beast Bomb.
The collision of powers was spectacular. Naruto's Truth-Seeking Orbs, enhanced with Kurama's chakra, met Hashirama's wooden projectiles in mid-air, creating explosions that lit up the sky like artificial suns.
"You've truly mastered those powers, Naruto," Hashirama commented while maintaining his assault. "But experience is also a powerful teacher!" His wooden constructs began adapting, sprouting branches that attempted to circumvent Naruto's defenses.
Naruto grinned inside his Kurama avatar. "Experience, huh? Well, I've got some tricks you haven't seen yet!"
The battle reached its crescendo as both warriors prepared their final moves. The very air seemed to vibrate with their combined chakra.
"Let's finish this before we destroy everything around us!" Naruto called out, the Yin Seal on his forehead beginning to glow brilliantly. Stored chakra surged through his body, making his golden Kurama avatar shine even brighter.
"Agreed!" Hashirama's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Show me your full power, young one!"
The First Hokage's wooden construct began absorbing massive amounts of natural energy, causing the very forest to resonate with power. Each of its thousands of arms started glowing with an ethereal green light.
From the sidelines, Tobirama shook his head. "Brother's having too much fun..."
"They're both enjoying this far too much," Tsunade agreed, though she couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm.
Naruto's Truth-Seeking Orbs merged into a single massive sphere above his Kurama avatar, while his clones positioned themselves strategically around the battlefield. The Rinnegan in his eyes pulsed with power as he prepared to coordinate his final attack.
"Wood Style: Divine Advent: World of Trees!" Hashirama called out, his voice carrying across the battlefield.
"Six Paths: Tailed Beast Planetary Rasenshuriken!" Naruto countered, his voice mixing with Kurama's.
As their ultimate techniques collided, something unexpected happened. Naruto's Six Paths: Tailed Beast Planetary Rasenshuriken, enhanced by Kurama's full power and the Rinnegan, simply overwhelmed Hashirama's Divine Advent. The massive sphere of chakra cut through the wooden constructs like they were paper.
Hashirama's eyes widened in genuine shock. "This power... it's beyond anything I've ever faced!"
The First Hokage tried to reinforce his technique with more nature energy, but it was futile. Naruto's attack shattered the Thousand-Armed Kanon in seconds, forcing Hashirama to leap away as his construct crumbled around him.
Before he could even think of a counter-strategy, Naruto appeared behind him in a yellow flash, a Truth-Seeking Orb already pressed against his back.
"Got you, First Hokage!" Naruto grinned.
Hashirama laughed heartily, raising his hands in surrender. "Indeed you do! I never stood a chance, did I?"
"The gap between them is clear," Tobirama observed from the sidelines. "My brother at full power, and this boy still made it look easy."
"That's what happens when you combine the Rinnegan, Six Paths Sage Mode, and the full Nine-Tails," Minato said proudly. "Not to mention the Flying Thunder God technique."
"Well done, Naruto," Hashirama beamed, turning to face him. "With power like that, Kaguya doesn't stand a chance!"
This version better demonstrates Naruto's superior power level, showing him winning decisively against even the God of Shinobi.
Tsunade looked at her grandfather with a gentle smile. "Actually, if you're still eager to test yourself, there is another powerful shinobi you could spar with - another wielder of the Rinnegan."
This caught everyone's attention, particularly Tobirama and Hashirama who exchanged surprised looks.
"Another Rinnegan user?" Minato asked, intrigued.
"Yes," Tsunade confirmed. "Though his power level isn't as overwhelming as Naruto's, he's still stronger than most shinobi, including you, grandfather - though not by the same margin as Naruto."
Jiraiya nodded knowingly. "Ah, you mean Sasuke. I had a feeling he might awaken those eyes..."
The Third Hokage stepped forward, his expression serious. "Sasuke Uchiha? What became of him? And what of the situation with Itachi?"
Tsunade's expression softened. "We managed to uncover the truth about the Uchiha massacre. Both brothers were victims of circumstances and manipulation. With the truth revealed, we helped them reconcile."
Orochimaru's usually composed face showed genuine surprise. "So, the brothers reconciled..." he muttered, clearly taken aback by this development.
"Yeah!" Naruto chimed in enthusiastically. "Sasuke's really back now - for real this time! He's dedicated to protecting the village, just like his brother always was. The truth changed everything."
"The truth?" Hiruzen's face showed a mix of relief and regret. "Then the dark chapter of the Uchiha clan has finally found closure..."
"A second Rinnegan user, loyal to the village..." Hashirama mused thoughtfully. "The Will of Fire burns strong in the next generation indeed!"
The group stood in comfortable silence for a moment, contemplating the future and the past. The clearing, still bearing the marks of the intense battle between Naruto and Hashirama, seemed to symbolize the bridging of generations - the old and the new, working together for a better future.
"Well then," Tsunade announced, clapping her hands together. "We should head back and prepare for what's coming. We'll need everyone's strength for the battles ahead."
As they began walking back toward the village, Hashirama fell into step beside his granddaughter, while Naruto chatted animatedly with his father. Jiraiya and Orochimaru followed behind, their old team dynamic somehow still intact despite everything. Tobirama and Hiruzen brought up the rear, discussing strategies and possibilities.
The sun was setting over Konoha, casting long shadows through the trees, but the future had never seemed brighter. With the combined strength of the past and present, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.