Gaara's Fourth Long-Range Fire Division was nearly face-to-face with the Edo Tensei-revived Kage, but the resurrected legends—still free from Kabuto's control—were busy swapping war stories instead of fighting.
Thanks to Rasa's candid retelling, the Third Kazekage finally grasped just how much chaos his own son had unleashed on the village he held dear. The list was endless: colluding with the Land of Wind's daimyo to slash Sand Village's budget, impersonating officials, building up private armies, cozying up to the upper echelons, and helping sideline the Fourth Kazekage—making the village look even weaker on paper. Worst of all, the kid had sold the Rain Country's cheapest commodity—water—to his own village at a premium.
By the end, the Third Kazekage could only stare at Rasa, eyes brimming with guilt. This… this was his personal nemesis!
Gengetsu Hozuki, always the instigator, chimed in with a bombshell: Rinjin had secretly infiltrated the Mist Village, clashed with mysterious forces, and left half the place in ruins. Not only that, but the guy had swiped Samehada—the village's prized sword—from right under their noses.
Gengetsu rattled off Rinjin's crimes, while the Third Mizukage nodded so hard he looked ready to tattoo "Victim" on his forehead.
And Gengetsu, having fought alongside Rinjin, knew every dirty trick. He spilled everything: how Rinjin, as "Shimura Dantan," tormented Third Hokage Sarutobi in Konoha; how he harassed tailed beasts and the Third Raikage in the Cloud; how he offed his own teacher Hanzo, then reanimated him and forced him into women's clothes. If it involved people, Gengetsu's version of Rinjin had never done a single good deed.
Looking at the other Kage, the Third Kazekage was speechless. He felt like the world itself was out to get him.
Wait… Shimura Dantan? Why did that name ring a bell?! Damn it! Wasn't that the bastard who once threatened me in my own office?
The realization hit hard: his troublemaking son had torched the entire ninja world, and now the old man was left holding the bag. What he didn't know was that these Kage were just the minor victims—there were still a few major ones stuck in the Shinigami's belly waiting their turn. Even the Shinigami itself could claim to be a victim…
What a mess.
Meanwhile, Kabuto had been gorging himself on this drama, and the quality was top-tier. The legendary figure from the Rain Village had piqued his interest—he made a mental note to dig up that guy's grave once he died.
Decision made, Kabuto formed hand seals and sent orders to the front: resist the Allied Shinobi Forces.
At the border, the five Kage suddenly felt a powerful force binding their bodies, yanking them toward Gaara's Fourth Division. Their minds remained intact, but their actions were locked down.
The battle erupted.
The five Kage split into three groups and charged at Gaara's division. As soon as they met, fists flew—no words needed.
Back at Allied HQ, Onoki stood and addressed Tsunade and the Fifth Raikage A:
"Tsunade, I'm heading out to support the Fourth Division! Gaara can't handle all these Kage alone."
Tsunade considered, then nodded. Gaara was strong, but facing the legendary Third Kazekage and his father Rasa? Odds weren't great.
Onoki wasted no time, launching himself toward the battlefield.
Elsewhere, Gengetsu Hozuki found himself facing a sea of Allied ninjas. Unfazed, he shouted at the crowd, "Hey! Any Rain Village shinobi here?!"
"No!" one ninja with an Allied headband answered, feeling that this Kage was way more offbeat than the rest. "Rain Village isn't fighting."
"Got it." Gengetsu stroked his chin, feeling the binding force inside him and flashing a cryptic smile. "Alright, let's do this!"
His hands began forming seals for a summoning jutsu—completely out of his control.
"Watch closely! I'm about to summon the Giant Clam…"
In the middle of the hand seals, Gengetsu's eyes suddenly lit up. He sensed a momentary slack in Kabuto's control—thanks to Mu already engaging the Allied Forces elsewhere.
Seizing the chance, Gengetsu subtly switched his hand seals, speeding up.
The next moment, he slammed his hand to the ground:
"Let's go—Edo Tensei Release!"
A hundred miles away, Kabuto watched as one of his chess pieces vanished from the board. His brows shot up, regret flooding in—he'd been played by that little mustache!
Earlier, Gengetsu had gone on a rant against the Third Kazekage, spilling all of Rinjin's secrets and making Kabuto think he was just a loudmouth with no hidden agenda. The distraction worked—Kabuto had relaxed his guard, never suspecting Gengetsu would break free.
Damn it! Gengetsu Hozuki was too crafty. Never underestimate a Kage!
Back on the battlefield, Gengetsu flexed his now-free hands and let out a dark laugh. He'd known from the start—when he punched Mu—that the Edo Tensei caster wasn't Rinjin. That guy might be devious and stingy, but he always kept his word.
Since the man behind the curtain wasn't that bastard, Gengetsu had no qualms about pulling a fast one.
Just a little trick to fool the puppet master.
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