Since Tsunade had decided the Five Kage would confront Madara together, Ayanami Kaito merely observed. If they fall short, then I'll step in. For now, let's see how far they can go.
"Water Style: Water Barrier!"
"Water Style: Water Dragon!"
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique!"
A dozen Water Release users formed seals simultaneously. Torrents of water surged forward, clashing with Madara's blazing inferno.
Zzzzt! Zzzzt!
Steam hissed violently as fire and water collided. A blinding white mist spread in all directions, concealing the battlefield.
When the haze began to clear, Madara's massive fire jutsu had finally dispersed. The Water Release shinobi gasped in relief, sweat beading their foreheads.
They had only just managed to withstand his flames, and it had taken all of them together.
As the mist rolled across the battlefield, the Mizukage, Terumi Mei, stepped forward. She had held back earlier, saving her chakra for when it truly mattered. With the enemy commander still missing from the battlefield, she knew her Byakugō Seal would be crucial later.
Now, it was her turn to act.
"Boil Style: Skilled Mist Technique!"
Her crimson lips parted as she inhaled deeply. A moment later, scalding white vapor poured from her mouth, merging with the lingering steam of fire and water. The corrosive mist surged toward Madara, hot enough to melt flesh and armor alike.
Madara had just entered the fray, preparing to cut down shinobi with his own hands, when the cloud of steam rushed at him. He paused, eyes narrowing.
Boil Release…? So that girl must be this era's Mizukage.
With a dismissive scoff, Madara muttered, "Hmph. A weak imitation compared to the First Mizukage."
In an instant, a massive skeletal frame of dark-blue chakra erupted around him. Flames licked its surface, and a colossal hand formed, swatting the boiling mist aside.
It was his Susanoo.
"Now's my chance!"
From high above, Ohnoki had taken position without anyone noticing. His hands pressed together, chakra condensing into a sphere of annihilation.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
A blinding white cube of energy expanded, descending like judgment itself. Everything within its range would be erased from existence.
The beam consumed Madara's first-stage Susanoo instantly, vaporizing the skeletal construct. Terumi Mei and the allied shinobi gasped in delight, convinced victory was theirs.
"Did we… destroy him!?"
But their smiles froze.
Standing untouched within the fading light, Madara raised one hand casually. The overwhelming Dust Release poured into his palm, not erasing him, but being absorbed.
In the blink of an eye, the attack that could annihilate mountains vanished, sucked into his body like a river into the ocean.
"No way!"
"Lord Tsuchikage's Dust Release… was absorbed!?"
Ohnoki's eyes widened in horror. His most devastating technique had done nothing.
Calmly lowering his hand, Madara glanced upward. "You've grown since last we met, Ohnoki. But this is the extent of your power."
Blue chakra surged, reforming Susanoo instantly—this time in its second stage. The armored titan raised a sword wreathed in blue flames and swung down.
Boom!
Ohnoki was swatted from the sky like an insect, crashing into the ground with earth-shattering force. A crater split open where he landed.
"Tsuchikage-sama!"
Terumi Mei blurred forward, catching him as he struggled upright. Blood trickled from his lips, but he waved her off.
"I'm fine," Ohnoki lied, his body trembling. Fear crept into his heart. Even Susanoo could not withstand Dust Release, yet Madara had absorbed it bare-handed. Such an ability was beyond anything he had ever heard of.
This oppressive presence… only Hashirama or Madara himself have ever made me feel this way.
"Mizukage!" Ohnoki barked hoarsely. "Send word to headquarters! We can't defeat him alone!"
An intelligence officer nearby answered, "Lord Tsuchikage! Headquarters is already aware. Hokage-sama has dispatched the First, Second, and Fourth Divisions to reinforce us!"
"Good. Then we just need to hold until they arrive!"
"Hmph."
Madara sneered, raising Susanoo's blade once more. The massive flaming sword cleaved downward, splitting the battlefield apart.
"Scatter!" Terumi Mei shouted, pulling Ohnoki aside. Allied shinobi scattered in panic as explosions tore through the ground, leaving craters and deep scars across the earth.
Chi! Chi! Chi!
Madara swung again and again, each strike sending waves of destructive chakra slashing through the battlefield. Shinobi screamed as the shockwaves obliterated everything in their path.
"Damn it!" Ohnoki gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face. "How is this man so powerful!? At this rate, we won't last until reinforcements arrive!"
"Why aren't they here yet!?"
As his desperate words left his lips, a booming voice cut through the chaos.
"They are here!"
A blur of lightning appeared, landing in front of Ohnoki and Terumi Mei with thunderous force. Dust and sparks scattered as the newcomer stood tall.
It was none other than the Fourth Raikage, muscles taut, lightning armor crackling around his body. His sharp gaze locked on Madara.
"The battle on my front is finished," he growled. "I came the moment I heard you were struggling." He clenched his fists, his voice brimming with irritation. "So… is that the one who did this to you?"
He pointed straight at Uchiha Madara.
The ground trembled under the weight of legends preparing to clash once more.
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Milestone
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