Joining Forces: Hashirama and Madara's Resolve!

"Take him away. And yes, you too."

Ye Zhuo's five-thousandth Shadow Clone glanced at Jiraiya.

Snake Aunt and Tsunade moved in and took him away.

The Shadowkhan also carried off the unconscious Naruto and Sasuke.

With that, Impel Down had gathered all nine tailed beasts.

Meanwhile, beneath the Demon Tree...

Akatsuki had come full circle and ended up back here.

"I should've stayed asleep. This is ridiculous."

Deidara looked as though he'd swallowed something foul.

"Damn it, can we go back into Infinite Tsukuyomi?"

Kisame Hoshigaki regretted waking up. If he found out who had awakened him, he would end his own life on the spot.

"Mother, I can't save you!"

Zetsu sobbed uncontrollably. There was nothing else he could do.

"The Shinobi World is finished. We won't get to see what comes next."

Sasori sat beneath the tree and looked to the other side.

Itachi Uchiha, Nagato, and Obito, the three blind men, were chatting together.

They had barely taken part in the war and could only imagine most of what had happened, so they didn't find it all that terrifying.

"Come on. Pick a cocoon."

Ye Zhuo's seventh Shadow Clone spoke.

"Got it."

The members of Akatsuki obediently lay down inside them and soon sank into Infinite Tsukuyomi.

They were among the lucky ones.

Not far away...

On the battlefield, the last teacher and student watched in despair.

Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata Hyuga decided to fight Ye Zhuo to the death.

"Genjutsu: Threefold Sakura!"

Cherry blossoms scattered as Kurenai tried to strike under their cover.

But Ye Zhuo appeared before her in a flash.

One chop knocked her unconscious. Then he killed her.

Whoosh!

Kurenai jolted awake. She was still standing in front of Hinata. Only then did she realize it had been a genjutsu.

What?!

*She had