The barrage of water droplets from the Water Gun Technique rained down. Sasori simply waved his hand, and the Impure World Reincarnation Third and Fourth Kazekage appeared in front of him. Iron Sand and Gold Dust coalesced into a thick, gold-black wall, forming a barrier.
However, the water droplets were incredibly powerful, shattering the Iron Sand and Gold Dust in an instant. The reanimated Third and Fourth Kazekage behind the barrier were riddled with holes.
"To allow the Edo Tensei to unleash such terrifying power... could the mastermind behind this be Orochimaru, who isn't actually dead?" Sasori had previously suspected that Orochimaru wasn't truly dead, but had instead successfully escaped. After all, that vile snake's greatest strength lay in preserving his own life. Now, seeing an Impure World Reincarnation capable of allowing the dead to unleash their peak power, Sasori became even more certain.
Furthermore, only if Orochimaru was still alive could he explain why most of the powerful ninja graves he had visited over the past year were empty. Plus, Orochimaru's various bases were completely empty, leaving no records whatsoever.
Thinking of this, Sasori pulled a group of Impure World Reincarnation puppets to his side and spoke to the Second Mizukage.
"Orochimaru, I knew you, you stinking snake, weren't dead."
"Orochimaru? You should worry about yourself first, you puppet brat." The Second Mizukage, not understanding what Sasori was talking about, slammed his right hand on the ground.
He summoned a giant clam capable of using mirages to conceal its form. As soon as the giant clam appeared, it sprayed mist outwards rapidly. Immediately afterward, mirage illusions of the Second Mizukage and the giant clam appeared in all directions.
Sasori ignored the Second Mizukage, instead gathering the Impure World Reincarnation puppets to surround himself, and spoke again.
"Stop pretending, Orochimaru. No one but you, you stinking snake, could perform this level of Impure World Reincarnation. And your snake-like stench—I could smell it from a mile away. It's still as nauseating as ever!"
After Sasori finished speaking, Orochimaru finally reacted. The Second Mizukage and the surrounding mirages all lost focus, and then that familiar laugh rang out.
"Hehehe..."
"Sasori, my former partner, even with a new master, you still haven't changed your stinky temper?"
"It really is you!" Hearing that familiar tone, Sasori grabbed the resurrected Third and Fourth Kazekage. "This time, I will personally skin you alive, you stinking snake!"
"Hehehe... Before you spout such boasts, you should deal with the trouble in front of you first~"
As Orochimaru's words fell, a child-like figure resembling the Second Mizukage appeared. This was a steam explosion clone composed of water and oil. It was also the Second Mizukage's most powerful ninjutsu: Steam Explosion!
"Hmph, just a dead man, Orochimaru. You'd better clean your snake skin and wait to become my eternal treasure!"
Sasori pulled with both hands, and the reanimated Third and Fourth Kazekage rushed forward. A massive flood of Iron and Gold Dust covered the surrounding steam explosion clones and the area in front of them. Then came a series of explosions, with Iron and Gold Dust scattering everywhere.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
While the fierce battle raged here, similar events occurred elsewhere.
Konan, unafraid of physical attacks, was using the Dance of Paper to harass the Third Raikage, whose taijutsu was terrifying. Furthermore, with the boost from the Nine-Tails' chakra, she was close to defeating the Third Raikage.
Zabuza, relying on the Nine-Tails' chakra and his Sharingan, was single-handedly overpowering the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who were being resurrected through Impure World Reincarnation.
Kakuzu, along with four others clad in Tailed Beast Cloaks, was also present. While relying on the wisdom of the elderly to evade the Six Paths Sage Artifacts of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, they simultaneously suppressed Kinkaku and Ginkaku with firepower, waiting for Konan to finish her tasks and then come to seal them.
The most exhilarating moment, however, was high in the sky, with Deidara riding a C2 clay dragon. Because he had brought enough clay, and Nine-Tails chakra as a backup, Deidara transformed into an aerial assault army. A rain of clay debris fell, blasting the other, less powerful Impure World Reincarnation ninja into a shattered state.
As for Naruto and Sasuke, they stood guard at the Gates of Konoha, warning Tsunade and the others watching from inside not to try to escape. Sasuke, in particular, activated his Susanoo and aimed his bow and arrow at those inside.
"Take a single step outside the gate, and you're dead!"
Naruto also tried to reason with Tsunade and the others inside.
"Grandma Tsunade, those fighting outside are just Akatsuki members who were subdued by my brother Menma. Father, Mother, Kurama, and everyone else whose chakra Menma shared with are still surrounding the village. Please don't even think about sneaking away from the village. Otherwise, I won't be able to beg my brother Menma to spare you!"
Hearing Naruto's shout, the ninja clans behind Tsunade whispered amongst themselves, their minds in turmoil. They hadn't expected the Fourth Hokage and his wife to be alive, and still in Four-Star Village! Moreover, the ninjas fighting outside against Kumogakure and so many powerful Impure World Reincarnation ninja weren't even the entirety of Four-Star Village's forces!
Considering this, many ninja clans considered killing villagers to take to Four-Star Village. After all, the Fourth Hokage there was also a legitimate member of Konoha, and they were familiar with him! And the nature of this war had changed from an external conflict to a civil war. Then why didn't they choose the side with the higher probability of victory?
Sensing the unrest behind her, Tsunade withdrew her gaze from the outside. Thinking of the increasing number of villagers with bandages wrapped around their heads and missing ears, she sighed and said to Naruto.
"Naruto, we can come out and fight for Four-Star Village, as long as Menma spares Konoha. And we'll hand over the entire Sarutobi Clan to you. But those villagers are innocent. They were only deceived and fooled by Hiruzen Sarutobi, which is why they did what they did to you."
As she spoke, Tsunade's expression softened, looking at Naruto almost pleadingly.
"Although your gender has changed, I know you're still the same gentle Naruto who wanted to become Hokage and protect everyone. So Naruto, this is the first time I'm begging you. For Jiraiya's last wish, please let Menma spare Konoha."
After hearing Tsunade's words, Naruto lowered her head in silence. But soon she raised her head, her large, bright eyes filled with determination.
"I'm sorry, Grandma. Making a mistake means accepting the punishment. That's a principle my brother Menma taught me, and it's also the rule of Four-Star Village. I can help you plead with my brother, but I don't want to help those villagers who have cursed me for over ten years. Therefore, I refuse."
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