The father and son knew the way well, so returning to Konoha naturally took little time.
Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi landed on Konoha's once-towering, now-shattered village wall. Loose stones slid beneath their feet with a rumbling scrape.
"When has Konoha ever been in such a sorry state, apart from the Nine-Tails' Rampage?"
Hatake Sakumo raised his brows and swept his gaze over the battlefield. Fallen Konoha ninja lay everywhere, some familiar faces, others strangers.
Apart from those brought back through Impure World Reincarnation, the strongest, Jiraiya, leaned against a half-collapsed corridor pillar. His left arm hung at an unnatural angle, and most of the clothing over his chest had been torn away.
He coughed incessantly.
Tsunade knelt beside him, both hands pressed against his left arm. Green chakra spread from her palms, healing his injuries.
Besides that, many slugs clung to the Konoha ninja, providing treatment.
Her breathing was heavy.
Sweat covered her forehead.
Orochimaru knelt on one knee farther away, his Kusanagi Sword planted in the ground. At a glance, his complexion seemed all right, only paler than the four faces from earlier.
Even the illustrious Konoha Sannin were in such a sorry state, let alone everyone else.
Among the elite jonin, only Guy was still holding out.
The main offensive force was still Hashirama Senju, who had shouldered the burden ever since being brought back through Impure World Reincarnation.
Hashirama Senju stood in the center of the battlefield, Sage Art markings covering his face, with two dark streaks extending from the corners of his eyes.
He brought his index fingers together. Wood Release ran rampant, forming countless towering roots that slammed toward Madara Uchiha.
But Madara Uchiha swung his staff and instantly shattered all the Wood Release, sending splinters flying.
Kakashi raised his head.
He looked at the