Facing Uchiha Madara

Wilderness · Edge of the Giant Crater

Five figures descended from the dust one after another.

The Raikage arrived first. His blue-white Lightning Release Chakra Mode carved a blinding streak through the ghastly daylight. His feet slammed into the ground, kicking up a ring of air as the rock beneath him cracked into a spiderweb pattern. His muscles bulged under the stimulation of lightning chakra, arcs snapping over his shoulder guards and fists. He looked like a savage beast poised to strike.

The Hokage followed close behind. Tsunade landed at his side, green chakra faintly flowing over her fists. The markings of the Yin Seal on her forehead had already begun to spread—purple chakra patterns extended from between her brows across her entire face like some ancient totem. Her gaze remained locked on the red figure ahead, her breathing steady and deep.

The Tsuchikage slowly drifted down from the air. Ōnoki hovered three feet above the ground, his aged body leaning slightly forward, his hands hanging at his sides. His cloudy old eyes pierced through the dust and settled on that face etched with arrogance. His expression was complicated—not fear, not anger, but a weighty confirmation that only someone who had lived through that era could possess.

The Kazekage glided down soundlessly atop a cloud of sand. Gaara landed at the very rear, golden sand swirling around his waist. Part of it seeped into the earth, while the rest gathered before him into a flowing barrier. His expression was as calm as ever, but the focus in his eyes was sharper than any weapon.

The Mizukage arrived last. Mei Terumi landed on the flank, her blue robes snapping in the wind. Her hands had already emerged from her sleeves, ten fingers slightly curled. There was no tension in her eyes—only