Go in Peace, Everyone!

Golden light shone down on the earth, bathing the entire world in its golden glow, while a dangerous aura also spread at the same time.

"Earth Release ·Yellow Spring Marsh!"

Suddenly, a loud shout came from behind.

Tōka suddenly felt the ground beneath his feet become soft and wet, his body tilted sharply, and the golden wheel in his hand veered to the side.

The Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion, originally aimed at Sora in her Tailed Beast Transformation, was instead flung to the side and rear.

A golden light flashed, followed by a piercing scream.

"Orochimaru, I demand double the amount of my Sacrifice!" Manda roared furiously, then released the Summoning Technique jutsu and vanished in a cloud of white mist with a bang.

The ravaged Forest was in complete disarray, with only a bottomless chasm and a huge Purple Stripes snake tail remaining.

Tōka's attack struck Manda precisely, severing one-fifth of its clones. Manda was severely injured and fled back to Ryūchi Cave.

Even the Third Hokage, who launched the sneak attack, hadn't anticipated this; he only intended for Tōka's attack to miss.

"Useless thing, can't even handle an old man." Tōka glanced at Orochimaru who was rushing over at lightning speed, and mocked him without giving him any face.

Orochimaru's face darkened, his Golden Slit Pupils blazing with murderous intent, and his chilling gaze fixed on Tōka seemed to want to devour him whole!

Tōka calmly withdrew his gaze and looked at the Third Hokage who was closely following behind.

A crimson Chakra Cloak enveloped the sky, and his skin was charred, making it difficult to tell from his appearance whether it was Naruto or not.

The Third Hokage intervened because he believed that the Tailed Beast Transformation of Sora was Naruto.

"If you can't handle him, I can lend a hand," Tōka said casually, making Orochimaru's gloomy face even more unsightly.

"No need!" Orochimaru said, wiping the blood from his face with his palm, and charged straight at the Third Hokage.

Orochimaru's face was slashed by the Third Hokage's Wind Blade. The long, narrow wound was only the length of an index finger, but the glaring blood kept oozing out.

Coupled with that pale, gloomy face, it looked exceptionally terrifying.

Although Orochimaru was injured, the Third Hokage did not gain any advantage either. His black ninja combat suit was tattered, and he looked as black as if he had just crawled out of a coal mine.

"I wasn't originally planning to use this tactic."

Orochimaru drew a bloody line with his thumb, his gaze falling on Tōka for only a second before turning back to the Third Hokage.

Yin-si-xu-chen!

Orochimaru formed the four seals slowly and solemnly.

Snap!

Finally, he slammed his hands together, palms facing each other, his chakra churning like boiling water.

Don't be too surprised!

Rumble...

The ground beneath Orochimaru's feet surged and churned, as if something was about to burst forth. The Third sharpened slightly, and an extremely ominous premonition rose in his heart.

Whatever Orochimaru wants to do, just don't let him succeed! That was the only thought in the Third Hokage's mind at that moment.

Buzz!

Chakra gathers, Jutsu Formula complete!

"Earth Release: Earth Release: Earth Flow River!" The Third Hokage roared, and a torrent of mud and rocks surged towards Orochimaru with his movement.

A glint of cunning flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. How could he let him succeed!

Earth Release is a type of escape technique), is that right?

I have one too!

Orochimaru brought his five fingers together, slammed his palm down on the ground, and a surge of chakra gathered in his palm rapidly flowed into the earth.

"Earth Release · Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!"

Boom!

With a loud bang, a thick, black crack appeared in the ground five steps in front of Orochimaru, accompanied by a continuous buzzing sound. In the blink of an eye, the crack cut the ground in two!

In an instant, the mountains shook and the earth trembled, and a bottomless chasm cleaved the land apart.

Glug glug...

The sweeping Earth Release: Earth Flow River were all swallowed up by the bottomless abyss; all the mudslides flowed into the pitch-black abyss.

"Not good!" The Third Hokage's expression changed slightly. Seeing that Orochimaru had broken his Earth Release: Earth Flow River, he was about to make another move.

Unfortunately, it's too late...

Two coffins, each bearing the number "one" and "two" written in ink, had already emerged from the ground, Orochimaru grinned eerily.

"Teacher Sarutobi, I wonder if you still remember them?"

Bang! Bang!

The upright coffin lid fell off and crashed heavily to the ground, revealing two figures lying inside—familiar yet unfamiliar figures.

The Third Hokage's pupils suddenly contracted, and he rubbed his eyes as if in disbelief.

How could that be!

This...

"The First Hokage and Second Hokage? They've finally decided to invest." Tōka casually toyed with the completely irrational Kong, while keeping an eye on the Battlefield between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru.

Impure World Reincarnation, Forbidden Jutsu developed by the Second Hokage. This technique can summon the souls of those who have long since passed away back to the human world and revive them in physical form.

Orochimaru was an absolute genius; he improved upon the Second Hokage Impure World Reincarnation.

Then, to summon the Second Hokage, who created this Jutsu Formula and had been dead for decades, into the present world—isn't that ironic?

Suddenly, a wave of malevolent chakra rushed towards him, and Tōka quickly averted his gaze and dodged to the side.

With a deafening roar, a massive Fox paw print slammed into the ground, sending up a cloud of dust and debris as powerful as a Jonin thrown by Shuriken.

It shot off in all directions with incredible force, striking Big Tree that several people could encircle, instantly creating a visible hole in the trunk.

"You're really arrogant. If it weren't for the Third Hokage saving you just now..." Tōka narrowed his eyes dangerously, with Ice Blue flames flickering in his eyes.

This time, let's see who helps you!

Tōka slowly raised his arm, his five fingers loosely clenched, and several emerald green orbs of light floated around his palm, eventually spinning faster and faster before converging in his palm.

A beam of silver light suddenly appeared, its dazzling halo dispelling the darkness within the gray shadows.

Tōka had clearly lost patience; his finger was aimed not at any other spot, but at the center of the brow of the shadow that was lunging through the air!

Call out!

A silver whirlwind shot through the air, heading straight for the blood-red shadow that was baring its fangs and claws as it charged towards Tōka...

Buzz!!

A huge Mushroom Cloud suddenly appeared in the mountains and forests, and the smoke and dust that blotted out the sun blurred the view.

In the distance, on the Battlefield, Kakashi, who was about to engage in close combat Kazuma Kakashi, suddenly felt a pang of indescribable heartache.

"That direction... is empty?!" Kazuma shocked and furious, his staff, which was used to block the Kunai, was a beat too slow.

With his Sharingan, how could Kakashi not notice Kazuma's momentary lapse in concentration?

In a clash of titans, victory or defeat often hinges on a single, fleeting moment.

Kakashi seized the opportunity, pressing his left hand against his right and forcefully stabbing the Kunai into Kazuma's chest. With a soft "plop," the sharp Kunai pierced through mercilessly.

Blood erupted like a burst dam, splattering all over Kakashi.

"Cough..." Kazuma was quite tough. He coughed lightly, forced himself to wipe his mouth while enduring the sharp pain in his chest, and then suddenly swung the tin staff in his hand.

Seeing that things were going badly, Kakashi immediately let go and retreated.

The fierce battle finally came to a respite, and the two sides distanced themselves, their cold gazes clashing in the air.

The Kunai was stuck in Kazuma's chest, close to his heart, and he could almost feel his heart rubbing against the cold side of the Kunai as it beat.

"Looks like yours is almost over too." Tōka suddenly appeared, standing beside Kakashi.

Kakashi remained in battle stance. Upon seeing Tōka appear, he instinctively turned to look at the Mushroom Cloud that had not yet dissipated.

Did Tōka take care of that "Jinchūriki"?

"That's pretty much what you think." Noticing Kakashi's questioning gaze, Tōka nodded noncommittally.

Kong was said to be in a half-dead state at this time, sealed in Scroll by Tōka.

The reason it was described as being in a half-dead state was that Kong hadn't completely breathed his last. Tōka forcibly injected a massive amount of Yang Release Chakra, keeping him alive until his last breath was gone.

This was the best experimental subject, Tōka decided to hand him over to Scorpion for research.

"You... killed Kong?" Kazuma pointed at Tōka, his arm trembling uncontrollably, his face filled with disbelief.

"Kakashi, need any help?" Tōka ignored Kazuma, whom he had thought was a somewhat useful pawn, but he hadn't expected that even Kakashi couldn't control him.

He's utterly useless; only Nagato would even consider such trash!

A team that was just recruited into Akatsuki Organization was wiped out in just a few days. I really want to see Nagato's expression when he finds out.

"He's already seriously injured..." Kakashi said in a deep voice, implying that Kazuma would die even Budong.

However, Kakashi's goal wasn't just to defeat or kill Kazuma.

He hoped to obtain information from Kazuma, partly because the Red Clouds on a Black Background Coat Kazuma wore had already confirmed his identity regarding Akatsuki.

On the other hand, Kakashi wanted to know why Orochimaru was there.

What exactly is the relationship between Kazuma and Orochimaru? Based on the information gathered about Akatsuki, Orochimaru has already left the organization.

Many questions can be answered by Kazuma, at least that's what Kakashi thinks.

However...

Tōka didn't know everything Kakashi was thinking, but he could guess a bit of it.

So he decided...

Make the first move!

"Tōka, if possible..." it would be best to capture him alive...

Before Kakashi could finish speaking, a gray Bone Spur reeking of decay burst from the ground Kazuma skewered Kazuma like a candied hawthorn.

Tōka released his hand Hand Seals, glanced at Kazuma who had turned into Waste Paper and vanished with the wind, then turned to look at Kakashi and spoke slowly.

"Huh? Kakashi, what did you say? The wind was too strong, I didn't hear you."

Kakashi's face darkened, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. He had never expected Tōka to make a sudden move, especially when he was caught off guard.

A strong wind howled, and it seemed that Tōka really hadn't heard clearly because of the strong wind.

A brief silence...

The leaves twirled and danced in the air, while the yellow sand rolled away into the distance with the wind.

Kakashi took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, then reached down and pulled down his Forehead Protector to cover his Sharingan, reverting to his usual lazy demeanor.

"It's nothing, the battle on the Lord Hokage's side isn't over yet, let's hurry over and provide support."

Before Tōka could speak, Kakashi vanished from his spot, reappearing ten steps away.

As Tōka's gaze fell upon Kakashi, the latter leaped into the depths of the forest, heading straight for the Battlefield between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru.

Looking up at the horizon, there's a newly formed Woods.

Nativity of a World of Trees is a technique developed by the First Hokage Hokage who founded Konohagakure.

An all-powerful technique that can generate Big Tree that use chakra as their life source and manipulate them at will for offense and defense, while also capturing the enemy.

When the Five Great Nations were first established, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, swept through the Four Great Nations with his Wood Release, laying the foundation for Konohagakure.

The Third Hokage was seriously injured and surrounded by Orochimaru, the First Hokage, Second Hokage; his fate was sealed.

Kakashi wouldn't be of much help anyway; the key is... Kakashi has to be able to get through this!

Tōka's figure dispersed like a wisp of smoke in the strong wind, leaving no trace on the desolate Battlefield except for a pile of scraps of Waste Paper that were gradually blown away.

In the mountains north of Sanghe Village, Six Paths figures moved through the forest, engaging in a fierce battle.

"They don't seem to intend to engage in direct combat; it looks like they want to keep us here," analyzed one of the Anbu wearing a rat-faced mask.

The other two also noticed this and nodded in unison.

The commotion outside the Forest subsided, as did the tremors in the ground. The shrill scream of the ten Manda echoed into the forest.

The three of them heard it too, and while they secretly breathed a sigh of relief, they couldn't help but worry about the Third Hokage.

Manda is incredibly powerful and extremely aggressive, making it the most ferocious of the three Summoning Beasts.

They didn't know what price the Third Hokage paid to repel Orochimaru's Summoning Technique, Manda.

"We can't continue this entanglement. We need to finish this quickly and go support the Lord Hokage." After a pause, the rat-faced Anbu spoke again.

"The enemy team consists of three people: one primarily responsible for defense, one agilely controlling the situation, and a Sensor Ninja..."

In a direct confrontation, the three individuals— Budong, Fufeng, and Fuen— were no match for the three members of the Shadow Guard.

However, if the three of them remained hidden in the shadows Budong, Fufeng, and Fuen occasional attacks, even the three most elite Anbu would not be able to capture them all.

"If we take out those Earth Release ninjas, they'll lose their strongest defensive weapon. Then dealing with the other two will be much easier."

The three Anbu devised a new tactic. Their original plan to wipe them all out in one fell swoop was no longer feasible; instead, they would defeat them one by one!

Just then, the three Anbu were about to disperse.

Under the shade of the trees in the forest, a black dot appeared out of nowhere, then spun and enlarged until it was as tall as a person, at which point a figure walked out gracefully.

"Konoha Chunin, Tōka?"

"Space-Time Ninjutsu?"

This item is not in the information!

The three Anbu agents simultaneously wondered: were the newcomers friend or foe?

Tōka stared at the three men expressionlessly, and Anbu next action told them that he was an enemy, not an ally!

All-Killing Ash Bones! Heavenly Rain!

An advanced version of the Bone Rain Scatter, Tōka hurled Ash Bones into the sky, infusing them with immense Yang Release power, causing the Ash Bones to grow infinitely.

During its growth, it burst open, forming a rain of bones that shot towards the earth.

The range, density of bone rain, and power of the Jutsu Formula are all related to the amount of Tōka Dongge injects when performing the Jutsu Formula.

One thing is certain: the fate of the three Anbu.

The rat-faced Anbu, recovering from his brief shock, immediately shouted, "Oh no! It's Bone Release!!"

The other two Anbu were jolted awake in an instant. All three were among Konoha's most elite ninjas; otherwise, they wouldn't have been members of the Shadow Guard.

The barrage of bone raining down from the sky did not alarm them.

Perhaps it was an instinctive physical action, but the three of them simultaneously prepared to use Secret Technique to escape, only to find that their bodies seemed to have a mind of their own and they couldn't move at all!

"Don't waste your energy, just go in peace."

A pair of Ice Blue eyes with nine Tomoe appeared in the minds of the three, followed by Tōka's clear, cold voice.

At that moment, how could the three of them not understand why their bodies were unable to move?

It's Genjutsu; they've fallen for Tōka's Genjutsu!

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!

Bone Bullets rained down, striking various points with a crackling sound. In an instant, the three bodies were riddled with bullets.