Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Four Violet Flames Formation trembled violently under the overwhelming force pressing against it. Cracks spread across the barrier like spiderwebs until, with a thunderous explosion, it shattered completely.
Fragments of purple chakra scattered into the air.
Orochimaru snorted coldly.
"Useless trash."
"O–Orochimaru-sama, I'm sorry! His power was too overwhelming—"
"Orochimaru-sama, please forgive us!"
The members of the Four Sound Ninja knelt in fear.
Jiraiya stepped forward, standing beside Hiruzen Sarutobi. He brushed dust off his sleeve and grinned.
"Orochimaru, the real war has only just begun."
Orochimaru's lips curved into a mocking smile.
"What difference does it make if you add one more?"
"You've been a loser since childhood," he continued coldly. "When have you ever beaten me?"
Jiraiya shrugged.
"Isn't it more interesting when a loser ruins a genius's grand plan?"
"You truly don't understand storytelling, Orochimaru…"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
"Unfortunately, reality isn't the sort of dull fantasy you like to write."
His expression hardened.
"Since you're eager to die, then you and Hiruzen-sensei…"
"Stay buried here!"
He slammed his palms together. Instantly, the resurrected figures of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama moved in perfect coordination, launching a devastating assault toward Hiruzen and Jiraiya.
As Jiraiya had said, this large-scale Kage-level battle had only just begun.
Elsewhere, ANBU squads rushed to pursue the Four Sound Ninja who had fled the battlefield.
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses calmly as he observed the shifting situation.
"Kakashi Hatake… it seems our battle today is far from over."
He smiled faintly.
"But we will have many opportunities in the future."
Kakashi studied Kabuto carefully. Behind that polite expression lay deep cunning and ambition—something frighteningly similar to Orochimaru's.
If left unchecked, Kabuto could easily become the next Orochimaru.
"Yakushi Kabuto," Kakashi said coolly, "your defeat is already predetermined."
"You'd be wiser to surrender now."
Kabuto chuckled softly.
"Because Jiraiya has joined the fight?"
"Don't forget… Orochimaru-sama still controls the two most powerful chess pieces on the board."
Kakashi responded thoughtfully, "I may not fully understand the secrets of the Edo Tensei, but it's clear those two Hokage cannot use their full strength. If they could, the Third Hokage would have fallen long ago."
"If that's the case, the advantage still lies with Konoha."
Kabuto's expression didn't change.
"So what?"
"Neither Orochimaru-sama nor I care about victory or defeat here."
"It doesn't matter how many people die."
"In fact… this chaos is exactly what Orochimaru-sama wanted."
"As he once said, we use the wind to turn the windmill."
Kakashi's gaze sharpened.
"Boring."
Without warning, he thrust forward with Raikiri.
Lightning crackled violently—
But Kabuto had already retreated.
"Until next time, Kakashi."
He disappeared into the smoke.
Kakashi clicked his tongue but didn't pursue. Ending the war quickly was far more important than chasing Kabuto.
"Naruto! Sasuke! Hinata!"
The three genin hurried to Kakashi's side. Sasuke casually dropped Gaara—still unconscious—onto the ground.
Across from them, Baki, Temari, and Kankuro gathered defensively.
Kakashi raised a kunai and pressed it against Gaara's throat.
"The defeat of Otogakure is inevitable," he declared. "The same applies to Sunagakure."
"If you immediately cease hostilities, we will consider returning the One-Tailed Jinchūriki."
"Otherwise…"
The blade pierced slightly into Gaara's skin. A thin stream of blood trickled down.
Temari's face turned pale.
"Stop!"
Kankuro clenched his fists.
No matter how harsh Gaara had been, he was still their younger brother—and more importantly, Sunagakure's ultimate weapon.
Baki's expression darkened.
"Kakashi… even if I wished to end the war, I cannot."
"This invasion was personally planned by Kazekage Rasa and Orochimaru. Sunagakure's forces answer only to the Kazekage."
Kakashi's voice turned cold.
"Then do what you can."
"At least show me your sincerity."
"Otherwise…"
The kunai pressed deeper. Blood flowed more freely.
Baki gritted his teeth.
"…Fine."
"I give you my word."
"Sunagakure ninja… cease fighting!"
Though he lacked ultimate authority, Baki's command still carried weight. Gradually, within the exam arena, Sunagakure forces began pulling back.
Without their support, Otogakure's remaining troops quickly lost ground.
Otogakure had grown strong under Orochimaru's short-term rule, but its foundation could never compare to Konoha's.
The tide shifted visibly.
Throughout the arena, the sounds of battle gradually faded—replaced by scattered clashes and flickering flames.
Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma, Kurenai, and others exhaled heavily. They had fought to their limits.
"Now you can return Gaara," Baki demanded hoarsely.
Kakashi smiled faintly.
"I'm not that naïve."
"Do your best to stop the war completely."
"This is also for Sunagakure's sake."
"Konoha's counterattack has begun. If the fighting continues, your losses will only increase."
As if on cue, the trumpet signaling Konoha's full counteroffensive echoed across the battlefield.
The Leaf Village, having recovered from the initial shock, finally revealed its true foundation.
Jonin and Chunin surged forward like a rising tide.
ANBU squads swiftly eliminated scattered enemy units.
The great clans mobilized as well.
The Hyuga clan advanced in disciplined formation, Byakugan activated.
The Nara clan coordinated precise shadow techniques.
The Akimichi clan expanded into towering giants.
The Yamanaka clan controlled minds.
The Inuzuka and Aburame clans unleashed their beasts and insects.
Under their clan leaders' command, they fought independently and effectively.
Cries of alarm rose from the invading forces.
Baki's heart sank.
Without Kazekage Rasa, Sunagakure lacked true leadership.
Orochimaru was locked in battle against both Hiruzen and Jiraiya.
Gaara was captured.
If this continued, Sunagakure would suffer catastrophic losses.
After a moment of struggle, Baki made his decision.
"Kakashi… I will do everything I can to stop Sunagakure's forces."
"But I cannot control Otogakure."
"That's enough," Kakashi replied.
Baki cast one final glance at Gaara.
"Take care of him."
"Temari. Kankuro. Let's move."
The three leapt away, moving through the battlefield to relay orders.
With Sunagakure withdrawing, Otogakure quickly collapsed.
By half a day later, the war was nearing its end.
Naruto exhaled deeply.
"I didn't expect something like this to happen…"
Kakashi smiled beneath his mask.
"Well done, Naruto."
"You defeated Gaara. You disrupted their plans. You summoned Jiraiya-sama, which changed the balance against Orochimaru. And by capturing Gaara, you became the key to ending the war."
"After this battle, you'll receive significant recognition."
Naruto blinked—then scratched his head and laughed proudly.
"Hehe… really?"
"Hmph," Sasuke muttered quietly, though he said nothing more.
Hinata smiled gently.
Kakashi added, "Sasuke. Hinata. You both did well too."
Sasuke remained silent, his gaze lifting toward the highest rooftop.
The decisive battle was still unfolding above.
Massive chakra fluctuations shook the air.
Suddenly—
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, unleashed his legendary technique.
From the rooftop burst an enormous forest of towering trees, roots twisting violently as they spread outward like a living ocean.
The true climax of the battle had begun.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)