Battle, Chapter Five

Am I... dead?

"You're dead, but you're more convenient to do things now than when you were alive."

The Heavenly Dao spoke, its voice calm.

Uchiha Genso reached out and touched his cheek; it was cold and rough, devoid of any sign of life.

A wave of confusion washed over him. After a long pause, he finally noticed the Amber Purifying Pot that Asura Path was holding down. His crimson, diamond-like eyes narrowed. "...Brother Zen, what's inside that?"

"Uzumaki Katsuki."

The Asura Path's smile was twisted and incongruous.

"After you were killed, I tried using the Amber Purifying Pot during a moment of relaxation when Uzumaki Katsuki was off guard. I didn't expect it to lock that guy inside so easily, it scared me to death," Tendou continued, shaking his head with an incredulous look on his face.

They have always Katsuki -gazing as the biggest obstacle to implementing the Moon Eye Plan.

The result was that it was suppressed so easily... Well, it can't be said to be easy, after all, Uchiha Genso even lost his life.

"... Have you already begun extracting the Nine-Tails?" Uchiha Genso gazed at the Heavenly Path.

"That's right, my true form is currently extracting the Nine-Tails." The Heavenly Dao nodded, then pointed south. "Genso, the Impure World Reincarnation Army and Kakuzu are already attacking Konoha. You can go and have some fun, or stay here and use the Great Calamity Day. It's up to you."

"Attack Konoha?"

Uchiha Genso's expression shifted, becoming unpredictable, until finally revealing his purest killing intent.

He gazed at the black snow-covered forest. In the depths of winter, the green leaves had withered, leaving only bare branches that looked quite ugly against the backdrop of white snow.

He saw incredibly powerful Chakra disappearing into the distance, only managing to catch a glimpse of their tails before the Impure World Reincarnation army vanished from his sight. Only the enormous figure of the wooden golem remained faintly visible.

"Then let's have some fun."

His cold voice was filled with murderous intent.

Even death could not stop Uchiha Genso's desire to destroy Konoha. He watched his childhood sweetheart die in his arms, unable to receive help from the village's medical-nin. After that, he began to hate his clan and the village. His only wish was to destroy this cold and heartless place.

He chose a large Taiseki and sat cross-legged on it. His scarlet eyes darted around, and the Mangekyō Sharingan appeared, unleashing an intangible and elusive power.

Great Calamity Day.

A fierce wind howled in the sky, and the slowly drifting dark clouds, like wild horses whipped twice, began to surge wildly southward.

Meanwhile, when the army of Impure World Reincarnation marched south into the snow forest...

Ninjas from Konoha are also heading north.

Minato and Nawaki led the team, which included Kakashi Hatake, Yuki Kuyue, Yuki Haku Kimimaro Kaguya, Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Shisui, Might Guy, Uchiha Itachi, Hizashi Hyuga (Might Guy the Konoha's White Fang Kakashi Sakumo (Hyuga Hiashi one of the Sannin), and a group of Jonin. The team Jiraiya included the Sealing Team from the Uzumaki Clan.

This is a top-tier team.

Most of Konoha's top fighters were dispatched.

Orochimaru, Tsunade, the Third Hokage, and other powerful members of various clans remained in the village to protect it from attack.

"Minato, leave Grandfather to me!"

The enormous wooden figure came into view from afar.

Nawaki's perception was exceptional, and the First Hokage's vast and intense aura was so conspicuous that he sensed the presence of the First Hokage and Second Hokage long ago, his feelings were indescribably complex.

"Grandpa is here too, Minato. Only you can stop him, Grandpa. Flying Thunder God Technique... We absolutely cannot let Grandpa be free to deal with anyone else..."

"I understand, Second Hokage..."

Having also mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato was well aware of its terrifying nature—the ultimate method of Instant Kill. Numbers were meaningless in the face of the Flying Thunder God Technique. Despite having so many Jonin accompanying them, if the Second Hokage were to make a move, he could kill most of them in an instant.

"I'll deal with the Second Hokage. Nawaki, and any other enemies we need to be wary of, please explain clearly. It would be best to target them specifically to minimize losses," Minato said.

Nawaki frowned, extending his senses to examine the enemies approaching from the snowy forest. "Hmm... I'm not sure either. I don't recognize many of the powerful Chakra."

Upon hearing this, Minato was speechless for a moment, then gave a helpless, bitter smile.

He was also anxious. What he said was true. These Impure World Reincarnation had very different backgrounds, and many of them were older people who were completely unaware of what kind of methods the other party had.

"In that case... I'll go first."

A fierce glint flashed in Minato's eyes. He took the lead and tried to deal with the situation. His figure transformed into a golden light and disappeared.

Seeing this, Nawaki took a deep breath, turned to look at his subordinates, and shouted sternly, "This time, the opponents are all extraordinary. Impure World Reincarnation users cannot be killed by ordinary means. Remember, after defeating the enemy, hand them over to the Sealing Team for disposal. Do not be careless."

"Yes, Nawaki."

"Clear."

"Knew."

The Jonin responded in unison. None of them were greenhorns; those who became Jonin all had some eccentricities, but none of them were fools.

"Wood Release: Wood Release - Wood Human Technique"

Nawaki said no more, formed a hand Hand Seals, and summoned a wooden figure in the shape of an angry Vajra, with a Wood Dragon with prominent horns and bared fangs coiled around its body.

Over the years, no one has stood still. Nawaki's Wood Style Jutsu has reached an incredible level, perhaps even comparable to that of the First Hokage.

The wooden figure strode forward, trampling and crushing vast swathes of trees like mountains shifting, its momentum deafening.

"Itachi, how about we have another contest? Let's see who takes down more enemies. The loser has to treat us to something..." Uchiha Shisui's eyes lit up, "... Let's go to Koharu Biyori. Their sake is absolutely divine..."

"Koharu Biyori?... Shisui, the outcome isn't decided yet! Don't try to renege on your promise if you lose!" Uchiha Itachi shook his head and laughed.

Koharu Biyori is an extremely high-end restaurant in the village, with shockingly high prices. Usually, only nobles and wealthy merchants go there. For example, Itachi and Shisui can only afford to go once or twice as a reward for completing an S-rank mission.

"I won't lose, just wait and see, Itachi!"

Shisui laughed loudly, formed a hand seal, and vanished in a flash, appearing a dozen meters ahead in the blink of an eye. Then he disappeared again, and with each teleportation, he quickly surpassed the others and disappeared into the depths of the snow forest.

The Body Flicker Shisui —truly lives up to its name!

"This guy... he runs really fast!"

Itachi shook his head helplessly, a fighting spirit rising within him. He had sparred with Shisui countless times, initially losing more than he won, but as he grew older, the odds shifted to even. He was unwilling to admit defeat; just thinking about seeing Shisui's heartbroken expression fueled his competitive spirit. (To be continued)