Izanagi.
A forbidden technique of the Uchiha clan that sacrifices a Sharingan.
It turns an unfavorable reality into an illusion, erasing it entirely—allowing the user to escape even death itself.
Uchiha Yūgen had relied on this very technique to survive Kaoru's fatal strike, deceiving her into believing he had died.
Now, with Wind Release and Fire Release combined once more, a raging inferno surged forward like a storm, crashing toward Hashirama's Deep Forest Emergence.
But Hashirama remained calm, hands clasped together.
"Sage Art—Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"
A dragon's roar echoed across the battlefield as a massive wooden dragon burst from the forest, soaring through the sky toward Hikari and Yūgen.
"…Damn it!"
Hikari gritted her teeth, maintaining her fire technique as the dragon bore down on her. Just as she was about to risk everything, Yūgen stepped forward, hands forming a seal.
"Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique!"
The ground trembled.
The wind howled.
A towering wooden giant erupted from the earth.
Yūgen had chosen the stronger technique.
Because he couldn't use Sage Art.
If he had used Wood Dragon instead—
He would have been completely suppressed.
"…This kid…"
Hashirama could sense it.
That power—
Was his.
Not self-developed.
But transplanted.
Still—
Even at half strength—
He was confident.
Two Uchiha—
Were not enough.
Madara glanced back briefly, reassured.
As long as he dealt with Sasuke quickly—
He could return.
And Hikari would be safe.
—
As Kyusei's chakra continued to drain, Nao's condition stabilized further.
But just as he was about to finish—
A figure descended from the sky.
An overwhelming presence.
Purple ripple-patterned eyes.
Nagato.
Tobirama crossed his arms, looking up.
"…So this is the Rinnegan."
Nagato observed the battlefield below, noticing Nao was not fully recovered.
He exhaled slightly.
If she had recovered—
Victory would not be guaranteed.
"…Damn it…"
Kyusei muttered.
He still had Menma to save—
But—
Before he could act—
A kunai and a paper shuriken shot toward Nagato.
He casually dodged both.
Then—
A flash of gold and blue.
Kaoru and Tobirama appeared before him.
Flying Thunder God.
"Kyusei, focus on healing Nao and Menma."
"We'll handle Nagato."
Hiruzen stood with his staff, back turned.
But before he finished—
A figure crashed from the sky—
Slamming into the ground.
Tobirama.
Paper fragments gathered—
Reforming his body.
"…I see."
"Repulsion in all directions…"
His expression sharpened.
"And according to the intel…"
"Five seconds."
He dashed upward again, testing it.
"Old man… he's fighting in the air."
"…You can't reach him."
Kyusei muttered.
Hiruzen: "…"
Meanwhile, Nagato's gaze darkened.
The sky was filled with paper cranes.
Konan's technique.
And Kaoru—
With Flying Thunder God—
Was even worse.
Then—
Unnoticed—
The Dragon Vein began to glow faintly.
A figure appeared.
Followed by two more.
The moment they arrived—
Kyusei's eyes narrowed.
He had known—
But seeing it—
Still felt unreal.
"…So it's really you…"
He sighed inwardly.
Neither Tobirama nor Orochimaru—
Could stop him.
The other two—
Weaker.
Manageable.
"Wait for me."
Kyusei gently touched Nao's cheek.
"…Okay…"
She nodded faintly.
He helped her rest against the wall—
Then stepped onto the central platform.
Orochimaru and Hiruzen stood beside him.
Looking down—
At the three figures.
"…Long time no see."
"Minato."
"…Huh?"
Deidara blinked.
"You know him?"
"Deidara, you talk too much."
Sasori cut him off.
Iron sand lifted them into the air—
Bringing them forward.
"…It's been a while, Kyusei."
Minato stood in armor.
His presence—
Unbroken.
But his eyes—
Aged.
His hair—
Streaked with gray.
He looked far older than his years.
"…Minato."
"What do you want?"
Kyusei asked softly.
"…Menma."
"Return my son."
His voice—
Firm.
"…I can't."
Kyusei lowered his gaze.
"…Why?"
Minato asked.
"…Because you're being controlled."
"These thoughts—aren't yours."
Kyusei exhaled.
Sage Mode activated silently.
"…You've grown."
Minato noticed instantly.
From "good person"—
To "good ninja."
A subtle difference—
A profound one.
"…I'm sorry."
"But I will take him."
He vanished.
Flying Thunder God.
Kyusei's eyes snapped toward Menma.
Of course—
A mark was left.
But—
The moment Minato appeared—
A green blast shot toward him.
He barely dodged.
The wall behind—
Shattered.
Nao.
She stood calmly.
…So it's come to this.
Minato sighed.
"…Kyusei."
"Stop him."
Hiruzen spoke.
"I'll handle the others."
"…Got it."
Kyusei stepped forward.
"…So we fight."
Minato said quietly.
"…Too cramped here."
"Let's move."
Kyusei tilted his head.
"…Agreed."
Minato threw a kunai into the distance.
Then extended his hand.
Kyusei paused—
Then took it.
"…You trust me?"
"…You won't lie."
"And you can't take Menma anyway."
"…Confident, aren't you?"
Kyusei said nothing.
As long as Nao was there—
Minato couldn't succeed.
A flash of light—
They vanished.
—
Under the moonlit desert—
They appeared.
Now—
Enemies.
"…If I win—"
"Will you stop?"
Kyusei asked.
"…Let's see if you can."
Minato replied.
Then—
Danger.
His instincts screamed.
A black-red beam tore past him—
Melting sand into magma.
"…That—!"
He turned—
And froze.
Golden light.
Blazing.
Kyusei stood—
Radiant.
His shirt fell aside—
Revealing a blazing sun-like pattern.
"…Kurama Mode."
"True synchronization."
Red eyes gleamed.
"…Sage Mode."
"Learned from Hashirama."
Golden chains clinked softly.
"…Minato."
Kyusei spoke calmly.
"Fight to kill."
"Because if you hold back—"
"This fight won't last even a minute."
Minato smiled faintly.
"…Looks like you've underestimated me."
Orange markings formed around his eyes.
He understood.
If he didn't go all out—
He would lose.
Instantly.
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