After Tsunade's shout, the Five Kage instantly became streaks of light, circling toward the edge of the battlefield to flank the enemy.
They knew perfectly well that the world-shattering clash at the center was beyond anything their battered bodies could interfere with. Kabuto Yakushi, the man controlling the Impure World Reincarnation, was their only opening.
"A wise choice."
Chiya glanced at the departing Five Kage and made no move to stop them.
Having someone deal with that treacherous cobra was just as well. It would spare him the irritation of watching the man lurk in the rear, constantly pulling petty tricks.
Besides, this stage had no need for extra spectators now.
"Madara, are you done warming up?"
Chiya turned back, casually twirling Ryūjin Jakka in his hand. Its pitch-black blade sliced through the air, leaving a trail of heat that lingered long afterward.
"Hmph. Young people these days are even more impatient than I am."
Madara Uchiha rolled his neck, his red, layered armor scraping with a teeth-grating sound. Fighting spirit surged wildly in his gray-brown Rinnegan.
"Then come."
"Let me see whether that blade of yours can cut through a god's armor!"
Boom!
Two overwhelmingly powerful surges of chakra collided once again at the center of the wasteland. This was a realm where gods did battle.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the battlefield.
Though the atmosphere there was less apocalyptic than at the center, its suffocating pressure was every bit as intense.
The Rain Ninja Death Squad was cleaning up the stragglers. Under the onslaught of explosive tags and chakra blades, the mindless White Zetsu were dwindling at an astonishing rate.
There was just one area the Rain Ninja tacitly agreed to avoid.
It was a clearing scorched black by lightning.
Two figures stood silently facing each other, dozens