At this moment, the Explosive Tag was detonated.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion rang out, Kakkō shot into the sky, and thick smoke billowed.
A massive fireball formed at the center of the explosion, and the intense flames instantly engulfed everything around it.
The powerful impact swept across the entire battlefield like a storm.
At the critical moment of the explosion, Might Guy used his body to shield Kakashi.
He absorbed most of the blast impact; his clothes on his back were charred, and his skin was severely burned.
Kakashi, protected by Might Guy, escaped unharmed.
"Gai, why did you do something so foolish?" Looking at the injured Might Guy, Kakashi's eyes were filled with emotion and guilt.
Might Guy grinned, his eyes still resolute despite the blood still trickling from his mouth.
"Because we are comrades, protecting Konoha is our mission."
The battlefield had now become a living hell.
A raging fire burned fiercely in the ruins, and thick smoke, like a giant demon's hand, mercilessly obscured the sky.
The once-solid defensive fortifications are now reduced to ruins, with broken stones and wood chips scattered all over the ground.
The corpses lay scattered about.
Some were torn apart by the claws of the summoned beasts, some were pierced by the blades of the puppets, and some were thrown far away by the force of the explosion.
Blood pooled into streams, flowing over the scorched earth, staining the land a dazzling crimson.
The Konoha Ninja fled desperately under the frenzied attacks of the Akatsuki Organization's puppets and summoning beasts, their faces filled with fear and despair, their former confidence and bravery replaced by exhaustion and pain.
Some of the ninjas dragged their wounded bodies and crawled with difficulty.
Senju Tobirama gazed upon this tragic scene, his heart was filled with anger and sorrow.
Meanwhile, not far away, the battle Senju Hashirama and Nagato continued.
But the two sides seemed to have reached a brief stalemate.
The roar of battle was deafening, and the whole world seemed to tremble.
Each attack and defense was accompanied by powerful energy fluctuations, seemingly distorting space itself.
However, Senju Tobirama could see that Senju Hashirama was generally at a disadvantage, only managing to hold on thanks to the immortality of his Reanimated Body.
I really don't know where their immense strength comes from.
Nagato wasn't this powerful before!
After much difficult deliberation, Senju Tobirama finally made a painful decision...
Abandon the northwestern corner of the Land of Fire.
Ultimately, the enemy's forces were few, and it was already a struggle for them to take most of the land of the Land of Earth and Wind.
If we concede the northwest corner, the enemy will certainly stop their attack.
"Pass down the order: all ninjas retreat to the southeast, abandoning the northwest corner!"
Senju Tobirama shouted, his voice filled with pain and resentment.
The Konoha Ninja around him, upon hearing this order, were filled with reluctance and anger.
But they also understood that this was a last resort.
Frustration was inevitable; after several Ninja World Wars, when had Konoha fallen to such a state?
As the Konoha Ninja withdrew, the battlefield gradually quieted down.
As expected, Nagato did not pursue them upon seeing this scene.
From the moment he went into seclusion until he emerged, he had already figured it out.
The Tailed Beast collection plan may have a conspiracy, but creating Tailed Beast weapons is definitely the right thing to do.
After he unifies the Ninja World, he will wield the Ten-Tails weapon, capable of destroying an entire country with a single blow.
Whether there is still war in the Ninja World is not up to him alone.
After obtaining that Crystal Ball symbolizing life, his vitality seemed limitless.
As long as he doesn't want to die, he can live on indefinitely.
Then I might as well become the tyrant after the unification of the Ninja World and bear all the darkness with my own strength.
Future generations will thank him!
At this moment, the fire was still burning and the smoke was still billowing, but the battle on this land had temporarily come to an end.
The Konoha Ninja, supporting each other, limped forward towards the southeast.
Their steps were heavy and slow, each one seemingly carrying endless weariness and pain.
Some ninjas lost an arm and could only rest their remaining hand on their comrade's shoulder.
Some ninjas had leg injuries and could only hop forward with difficulty.
Other ninjas carried their injured and unconscious comrades on their backs, their clothes soaked with sweat.
Senju Tobirama walked at the front of the group, his back view appearing somewhat lonely.
He would occasionally look back at that abandoned corner of the northwest, his heart filled with guilt.
Throughout the generations of Hokage, when has Konoha ever experienced such a fate?
Thinking of this, Senju Tobirama couldn't help but look up at the blazing sun on the horizon.
"Yan, it's been five years, haven't you come back yet? If you don't come back soon, Konoha will really be finished!"
Half a day passed.
During their retreat, they passed through some once-prosperous villages.
Today, these villages are in ruins, houses have collapsed, and the bodies of villagers lie scattered on the ground.
The children's toys were scattered among the ruins.
Upon witnessing this scene, a ninja couldn't help but crouch down, tears welling up in his eyes.
After a long trek, the Konoha Ninja finally reached a relatively safe area.
They began setting up a temporary camp and treating the wounded.
The Medical Ninja bustled about the camp, their faces showing fatigue, but their eyes were full of focus.
Kakashi and Might Guy were sitting under a big tree.
Kakashi looked at the injured Might Guy, his heart filled with worry.
"Kai, how are you feeling?"
Might Guy grinned, and despite the excruciating pain from his wound, he spoke with unwavering strength.
"Don't worry, Kakashi, I'm the Blue Beast of Konoha, this injury is nothing."
At this time, Senju Tobirama summoned the high-ranking officials of Konoha to discuss the next steps in the plan.
"We must restore our strength as soon as possible and strengthen our defenses. At the same time, we need to find a way to counter the Akatsuki Organization's attack methods."
"That's right, especially Nagato's Rinnegan, that power is too strong." Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a frown.
"It's not just the Rinnegan!" Senju Hashirama said solemnly, "His vitality is very strong, even stronger than my previous Sage Body and this Edo Reanimated Body."
"I suspect that even if you puncture his heart and smash his body to pieces, he would still recover."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed drastically.
Nagato is already strong enough, and with that level of immortality, who could possibly defeat him?
"Then what should we do? Isn't there any way to deal with him?"
Senju Tobirama pondered for a moment, then said, "We need more information."
Just then, a ninja entered the tent and bowed his head to report.
" Lord Hokage, Uchiha Itachi has arrived, and he's brought with him... Shisui Uchiha is severely injured and nearly blind."
The group exchanged glances, their faces showing surprise.
The Uchiha Clan's current number of strong individuals and their power are in no way inferior to theirs.
How could you possibly lose to a Kirigakure that's second to last in rankings like this?
Senju Tobirama frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Let them in quickly."