Chapter 36

Will of Fire Burns Bright! Tsunade's Assault

Land of Lightning, Location Unknown

The wind picked up around the battlefield, Tobi jumped right up onto his dragon summon and it gave a loud, angry snarl at the shinobi that were gathered to face him. Naruto, Hinata, Kushina, Sasuke, Sakura, and Killer Bee…though the pink-haired medic had fallen back for some reason with the soon-to-be deceased Jinchūriki he had used as his Pein Rikudō. His Rinnegan and Sharingan eyes narrowed angrily at the young Hokage in front of him.

"Again…and again…and again you keep making me have setbacks…keep pushing my godhood further away," Tobi snarled angrily as he did a seal. "I didn't kill my own clan twice to let this escape my grasp!'

"Killed your own clan twice?! What the hell are you talking about?!" Sasuke demanded and the masked Uchiha gave a bitter laugh.

"You think the only Uchiha were in Konoha, don't you Sasuke?" Tobi asked tauntingly. "That all of them joined with the Senju nearly seventy years ago to form the village?"

"Wait…you're saying…" Hinata realized and Tobi smirked.

"There was a sect of Uchiha, a 'branch' clan that disagreed with Madara's decision to ally ourselves with the Senju, and we broke away from the Clan upon the village's founding," Tobi explained as he lifted his hands dramatically. "Three dozen families left the Uchiha Clan to form our own, eventually we found our way to the Land of Hotsprings and drove out the Chinoike Clan. With their Ketsuryūgan, a dōjutsu on equal grounds to the Sharingan itself, they would have been our primary competition for clients in the area. My father was the leader of this new Uchiha Clan, and soon we were thriving."

Sasuke snarled. "If that's the case, why did you wipe out your own people?"

"Simple…Madara returned. I was 10 years old at the time, and had three siblings," Tobi explained with a smirk behind his mask. "He had just returned from his final battle with Hashirama and had tracked us down. Ingratiating himself, he took the mantle of our leader from my father who happily gave it back. And…he began having us help work towards his Mugen Tsukuyomi, or Eye of the Moon plan. Everyone was fascinated and driven to finally create a new world…" he lifted his mask just a bit to expose his teeth and then bitterly spat. "Though even at that age, I realized it was a pipe dream. Even if it worked, humanity would just break out of the mind control eventually. But what intrigued me was learning of the Ten-Tails itself…a creature which at its height destroyed the very moon to announce it had arrived, wiped entire countries asunder, and then was sealed right inside the Sage of the Six Paths.'

Kushina's eyes narrowed. "And I assume you were just wanting to repeat those things?"

"Correct," Tobi said with a dark smirk behind his mask. "To that end…to gain the Ten-Tails power for myself…I became Madara's apprentice. I did everything he asked, arranged the breeding experiment that gave birth to Nagato and his own Rinnegan, and grew my own power. I even awoke my Mangekyō Sharingan after purposely leading my best friend within the clan to an untimely end…" The vile chakra exuding from the masked Uchiha's body began to make both Naruto and Kurama physically ill. "But I realized…with my Clan around, I was replaceable…Madara could easily chose another, younger apprentice from the latest generation…"

Naruto's eyes widened. "Wait…you…even…"

"Yes, in a single night, I was my Clan's own grim reaper!" Tobi announced with a triumphant laugh. "My mother, my father, my lover, my younger siblings…I killed everyone. I even made several of them kill themselves with my Mangekyō Sharingan. Ohhh I still remember the screams, its like a symphony…my father begging me to spare the life of my little sister…"

"You…you monster…" Naruto said as Tobi laughed darkly.

"With my Clan's demise…I was Madara's sole apprentice until his death. Though it looked like he was going to groom a new young Uchiha who he saved during the Third Shinobi World War, he had a marvelous Mangekyō Sharingan that I needed," Tobi said with a smirk. "He kept prattling on about reuniting with his sensei, his crush, and his best friend…only for me to cut it short. And now…his eye is mine…"

"What…what was the name of that Uchiha?" Kushina demanded quietly as she squeezed her hand to a tight fist.

"Oh…I believe it was Obito," Tobi replied as the red-haired former Jinchūriki's head shot up.

"You bastard, its not enough that you killed my husband…killed me…and tried to destroy our village, you even took away young Obito from us?!" Kushina yelled as her Version 1 cloak swished from behind her. "I'm going to kill you myself!"

"Get in line," Sasuke snarled as dark blue chakra bursts around him. "Its because of his manipulations my brother had to…put my clan down. This is the day he dies."

Tobi gave a smirk and then took his mask off. "Don't need this anymore, the cat is out of the bag…" his elderly, withered face was shown to the assembled shinobi. He had a large over his eyes and nose, as well as a 'explosive' one around his right eye, and a long jagged one down the same side. "I've lived for decades, it'll take a lot more than you to kill me. Only one who came close was your Yondaime Hokage, but he couldn't finish the job."

"My father gave me the power I needed to defeat you," Naruto said as he glared at Tobi who gave a viscous smirk.

"Really now…but I doubt he could have accounted for this," Tobi did several seals and he smirked. "Orochimaru wasn't the only one studying Kinjutsu, you know, I've been doing so since I became Madara's apprentice. Since I'm going to become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki anyway…I'll need to be at the peak of my power. Kinjutsu: Seinen Shinsei (Forbidden Technique: Youthful Rebirth)!"

A visible aura of dark chakra bursts around Tobi's body as he stood on top of his dragon. Steadily…his wrinkles and aged features began to fade away and his body began to be restored back to its prime. He exhaled slowly, and he smirked darkly down right at them. His body now restored to its prime sent a spike of chakra which was felt all the way to Headquarters.

"That's better…" Tobi said with a smirk. "My lifespan might have been cut…but when I'm the Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails that won't matter…and I can crush you rabble!"

"Bring it, you evil freak!" Naruto yelled as Kurama's chakra bursts around him. "You won't be able to hurt anyone else!"

Hinata's Keihatsu activated and her Hoderi flared to life. "That's right, we're going to end you personally!"

Kushina glanced at Hinata and then smirked. "My sons got some good taste in women, but we'll have to discuss that later. Time to crush you, monster!"

"Old, young, it doesn't matter," Sasuke said as his Susano'o bursts around his body. "You're still going to die!"

"WHEE! This ragin' bull is going to smash you, rip you, and tear you down, ya fool! The mighty Killer Bee is gonna chuck a tree right into your ass!" Killer Bee rapped in his fully transformed Gyūki form.

Sakura pursed her lips, she was trying to keep the Jinchūriki alive, so they could back them up. Her body was practically glowing green as she transferred her own chakra to the Katsuyu clones that were on the six-unconscious shinobi. A small bead of sweat appeared as she breathed out.

Just keep the fighting away from here till I'm done, don't want to make your efforts all for nothing!

Land of Lightning, Lightning Desert

Madara had now taken the offensive against the four Kage that were facing him. He flew through the seals and his cheeks swelled and he shot out a massive, blue wall of flame right at them. Mei flew through her own seals and countered the blue flames with a blast of water but the sheer heat from the reincarnated Uchiha's attack had nearly vaporized the blast of water. Using the steam as a smokescreen A blitzed through and was about to land a chop on Madara's neck but the Uchiha's Rinnegan flashed.

"Shinra Tensei," Madara uttered and countered the Raikage's speed with a omnidirectional blast of gravitational force.

The Shinra Tensei sent A crashing through several stone pillars as Tsunade countered by channeling the chakra to her feet like she planned to before when she first encountered Nagato's Deva Path. Gaara braced himself with his sand as his Shukaku construct was pushed back. Before he could recover Madara immediately was in front of him and he slammed his gunbai into the young Kazekage's shoulder. His Version 1 cloak flickered around him to block the attack automatically and Gaara countered with several tendrils of sand.

The reincarnated Uchiha blocked and dodged them as Tsunade leaped onto Gaara's Shukaku construct to back him up but Madara anticipated this. He then lifted his hand and just as the Hokage was about to land a punch…Gaara was pulled towards her with an invisible force and both crashed and crumped together. A had recovered and took Tsunade's place as he appeared and created several Zanzō Bunshins to try to throw him off.

"I'll give you some credit, you are fast," Madara said as he dodged A's fastest punch after not being fooled by the after images. "But…the young Hokage and Nidaime Hokage are far faster."

He spun and slammed his Gunbai into A's chest with enough force to break a few of his ribs despite his Raiton no Yoroi being activated. The big Raikage spat out blood as he crashed back only for Gaara to catch him with his sand. Mei then shot several globs of lava right at Madara who then activated his Preta Path and effortlessly absorbed the attacks.

"What happened to the fire you all had before?" Madara asked as A winced. "You were doing so well…and lady Hokage, I was expecting a bit more after you destroyed my Susano'o. Is this all you have?"

Tsunade growled and glanced back at A, and she used a shunshin and appeared by the large man. Immediately her hands glowed, and she healed the injury he had sustained before she turned to Madara. The reincarnated Uchiha noted the technique she used, and his eyebrow raised.

"A…jutsu that heals others. You've demonstrated it a few times…" Madara noted as his eyes narrowed. "A technique like that would have made the Uchiha Clan dominant in the Warring States era."

"Medical Ninjutsu wasn't developed until long after your defeat at the hands of my grandfather," Tsunade said as she cracked her knuckles. "Seeing the devastation of the First War, with no trained doctors or medics on the battlefield, I took it upon myself to invent it. Basing it on my grandfather's regenerative abilities, I expanded on it and was able to teach others…"

"Its solely because of Tsunade's expertise and her training of others Konoha was able to defeat its enemies in the Second Shinobi World War," Mei added as she glanced at her fellow female Kage. "And the reason why all the villages now have medical ninja corps…"

"Quite impressive, but that won't help you in this battle," Madara said as he did several seals. "I'll burn all of you to ash so there's nothing left to heal!" The Uchiha's cheeks swelled and he then blew out a blue wall of flames at the assembled Kage. "Katon: Gōka Messhitsu (Fire Release: Great Fire Destruction)!"

Mei flew through her own seals. "Suiton: Suijinchū (Water Release: Water Pillar)!"

She blew out a massive blast of water which formed into a circular barricade around her fellow Kage. The blue flames clashed with her water and despite their insane heat, they were instantly extinguished. Gaara then followed up as the steam obscured them all and he did his own seals.

"Fūton: Mugen Sajin — Daitoppa (Wind Release: Infinite Sand Great Breakthrough)!" Gaara uttered as his Shukaku construct opened its giant mouth…and then inhaled to the point its gut was swelled up.

Suddenly it blasts out a hurricane-force blast of wind, mixed with sand and red Biju chakra for added power! Not just the sand, but the superheated steam was blown DIRECTLY at Madara who instantly formed his Susano'o to block. But the sheer heat from the steam made his arms sizzle and the wind propelled sand bore through the reincarnated Uchiha's 'Ultimate Defense'. Madara gritted his teeth as tiny particles of sand bursts through his Susano'o and pelted him with tremendous force.

"ENOUGH," Madara yelled as his Susano'o suddenly threw out its hands. "Susano'o: Shinra Tensei!"

His Rinnegan glowed bright violet as the Susano'o seemed to roar…and a massive repelling force sent all the Kage flying backwards. Gaara's Shukaku construct was even partially obliterated by the force of the blast, and his Version 1 cloak flickered from the force. Tsunade caught herself in mid air and stuck to the nearest rock pillar with her chakra control and she threw her arm out and caught Mei by the waist to help brace her, so she wouldn't crash into another pillar. A's Raiton no Yoroi shielded him from the worst of the force but he still crashed through several pillars.

"Yasaka Magatama!" Madara uttered as he then created a chain of comma-shaped beads, 12 in total and he then launched them at the struck Raikage.

Before they could hit Gaara then used a wall of sand to block the Yasaka Magatama. To increase its defensive power he incorporated his father's Gold Dust into the defense and the beads exploded within the sand, gold dust shield. A managed to sit up, groaning a bit from the force of the blow, though he was still covered by boulders.

"Thanks for the save, Hokage," Mei said as she squeezed Tsunade's hand reflexively.

"Not a problem," Tsunade said as she and Mei jumped onto the ground.

Gaara reformed his Shukaku construct while A pushed several boulders off his body. The Raikage grunted and wiped the blood off his lips from the attack. Madara lowered his hands as he flexed his fingers as if he was testing things.

"Thanks Kazekage, I'd have been in trouble there," A said as he cracked his neck. "This bastard's really tough…"

"He is one of the most powerful ninja to ever live, Raikage. And you're welcome," Gaara replied as his Version 1 cloak bubbled around him.

"The Rinnegan has given me tremendous power, but I still have just scratched the surface…" Madara uttered to himself and A snarled.

"Doesn't matter, we're going to kick your undead ass!" A roared as his Raiton no Yoroi bursts around him. "NO MORE HOLDING BACK!"

With that, the second fastest shinobi alive moved at full speed. Time slowed down for the Raikage as his body seemed to look exactly like a lightning bolt. A concentrated his Raiton energy around his heavy fist and Madara then looked up.

"Naruto's speed was far harder to deal with, you bore me," Madara uttered as his Susano'o…intercepted A's speed and slashed downwards!

Due to the speed A was going and the trajectory of his attack, he didn't have any chance to dodge and his dominant arm was severed by the giant Susano'o blade and Madara's Susano'o flicked its wrist to slam the flat-side of the swore right into A's body and he was smashed into the ground hard enough to crater it. Blood flew from the severed limb and the Raikage screamed loudly in pain. Madara had his Susano'o form its feet and followed up with a stomp which cratered the ground more.

"Time to finish you off, Raikage," Madara started before Tsunade used a shunshin to close the distance and she then caught Madara's Susano'o's foot and she lifted him up before slamming him down to the ground.

"No one is dying on my watch!" Tsunade uttered as she then grabbed the foot again and spun Madara around over her head before tossing the Susano'o across the battlefield. Her hands then glowed green and she went to tend to A's injuries.

The Raikage was barely conscious, a pool of blood began to form underneath A as it leaked from his lip…and spurted from his arm. A's formally white Raikage cape was stained red as his life began to leave him. His body had started to go into shock from the injuries and Tsunade frowned as she applied her healing jutsus. First, she stopped his arm from bleeding and gave A an blood creation pill, before she treated his internal injuries.

Damn it, this isn't good. He's going into shock, even if I stop the bleeding… Tsunade closed her eyes and then did another seal. "Byakugō no Jutsu (Strength of the Hundred Technique)!"

Her seal disappeared from her forehead as black marks went down her body, going down her arms and her legs. She then put her hands onto A's unconscious form and the marks appeared on him as well…and his bleeding stopped. The internal injuries he suffered, from the broken ribs and punctured lungs and other damaged organs were instantly regenerated. His eyes opened slowly, and he then sat up as Tsunade stepped back.

"Thanks Hokage, you're a lifesaver," A said as he pushed himself back to his feet. He glanced down at the stub and he frowned. "He cut my attack power in half…"

"You'll play as support then," Tsunade said as she glanced at Madara. "Even after the initial beating I gave him, he keeps coming…"

Mei jumped over. "And he's gone on the offensive a few times…each time we've barely been able to counter."

"Even my strongest Fūton wasn't able to pressure him enough for a more powerful blow," Gaara said as he landed by them, his body covered in a Version 1 cloak. "We need a new tactic or power…"

"…then buy me a little time," Tsunade said after she closed her eyes. "I mastered a new technique while at Headquarters, after I took a trip back to Konoha to get the necessary scrolls."

"How much time do you need?" Mei asked her as she raised an eyebrow.

"A minute," Tsunade said as she bit her thumb and then in a small puff of smoke, she summoned a piece of Katsuyu which was just as big as her palm and put her on her back. "Get ready Katsuyu, I'll need your help for this technique."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama. I'll help as much as I can," Katsuyu said as she was put on Tsunade's shoulder…and her stock eyes then extended a bit. "All ready…begin channeling the chakra, Tsunade-sama."

A powered back up as the Raiton no Yoroi bursts around him. "We'll keep him busy, just don't take too long Hokage!"

Madara had already recovered and he frowned. Tsunade's the biggest trouble of this lot. She can heal their injuries and is more than powerful enough to destroy my Susano'o, at this rate I'll have to attack with my full power and cut my fun short…

He then saw Gaara floating on a cloud of sand and A and Mei covering him on his left and right respectfully. The Mizukage was the first to open and she did several seals and formed a dragon made of lava again. She shot it out of her mouth as it gave a loud roar as it surged at Madara. The Uchiha then lifted his hand up and…absorbed the dragon blast of lava like it was nothing.

"Are you showing that you have no plan to really fight me?" Madara commented as Gaara then unleashed several tendrils of sand at the Uchiha.

Madara simply jumped over them and landed back on the battlefield's ground. The Kazekage then attempted to grab the Uchiha's leg with hands of sand but the Uchiha simply danced over them. But it was enough for A to zip towards him and try a lariat with his weaker arm. Instantly a ribcage of Susano'o formed around Madara to protect him from the blow.

"Still trying to attack me Raikage?" Madara mocked as his Susano'o formed a arm to backhand A away.

Gaara then shot his arm out and grabbed Madara's Susano'o with a chakra arm, which he then strengthened with a layer of sand. "You're contending with my strength now, Madara!"

Madara grunted as he increased the level of his Susano'o to its skeletal form but Gaara managed to keep him pinned with his chakra arm. "I admit…this is quite strong, the power of one of the Biju does have its uses doesn't it?"

Mei then flew in and shot several blasts of acid from her mouth. "We'll melt this Susano'o down over and over again until you can't get up!" She then did a seal and took a deep breath. "Suiton and Futton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu (Water and Boil Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique)!"

With that a massive dragon made from acidic water shot out of Mei's mouth and gave a roar as it slammed into Madara's Susano'o. Steam rose as it began to eat away at the chakra construct at surprising speed. The Uchiha frowned and then jumped out before the acid could touch him and he then tossed several chakra rods at Mei who did another seal and a wall of water rose to block the attack.

"Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Release: Water Wall)!" Mei called out as she then added several more seals. "Suiton: Suidan no Jutsu (Water Release: Water Bullet Technique)!"

Several strong blasts of water, powerful enough to destroy the rock pillars around them shot right at Madara. He then countered with his own seals…and a pillar of rock shot up right from his feet which blocked the blast of water with the elemental advantage. He looked mildly impressed.

"Such command over Suiton I haven't seen since Tobirama," Madara said as he let the wall of rock fall after the barrage of water. "Combined with your Futton and Yōton, your offense offers quite a lot of options…however…" The reincarnated Uchiha vanished in front of Mei's eyes before everyone could react. "Your defense…still needs WORK!"

He appeared right in front of Mei and partially formed his Susano'o. Acting quickly Mei did the seals just as she was practically cut in half by the reincarnated Uchiha's Susano'o sword…and then in a puff of smoke there was the remains of a rock pillar. Mei charged lava into several shuriken after she appeared and tossed them right at Madara from behind.

The burning hot, lava projectiles bore into Madara's Susano'o like it was butter, but he deflected them with his Gunbai. Before he could counter Gaara was then on him, having created a Suna Gatana-this time one as large as Samehada and he slashed horizontally with it. Madara blocked but the sheer weight of the sand blade sent him flying backwards. He righted himself in the air only for A to appear behind him and grabbed Madara by the waist with his remaining arm.

"You can't escape me this time!" A roared as he leaped up. "Raigā Bomu (Liger Bomb)!"

He slammed the reincarnated Uchiha down with such tremendous force arcs of lightning shot out as the ground was cratered. Madara had landed head first and a burst of ash and paper wafted in the air. A breathed in and out a bit.

"That's for my arm, you…"

"Raikage, watch out!" Gaara yelled as Madara 'puffed' away into another rock and the real Madara appeared behind A.

SHIT!

"You fall for this too easily, Raikage," Madara uttered as he was about to stab the Raikage with a his Susano'o's sword….

Only for what seemed to be a tremendously powerful Fūton smashed into Madara hard enough that his Susano'o completely shattered and he slammed into the nearest wall of rock. He looked up in a bit of surprise and then he saw Tsunade standing above the battlefield now…her fist outstretched as her eyes narrowed.

"Senpō Fūton: Fuzei Taihō Genkotsu no Jutsu (Sage Art Wind Release: Air Cannon Fist Technique)," Tsunade uttered with her fist outstretched.

There was a red circle with a dot on it on her forehead now, where her Yin Seal was. There was also a red marking around her eyes…and right under them which connected to the black marking of her Byakugō no Jutsu. And her hazel eyes…were now bright yellow. Madara…instantly recognized the form and his eyes widened in surprise…and he smirked.

"…well…it seems Hashirama managed to pass that on to you," Madara said as he stood up…feeling invigorated. "That's his Sage Mode, isn't it?"

"Done my own way, by looking over the knowledge he left behind in the ninjutsu and senjutsu scrolls he left the village you abandoned," Tsunade replied as she cracked her knuckles, and on her back the small Katsuyu was supplying her natural energy so she could maintain her Sage Mode indefinitely, much like the Great Toad Sage's Senpō: Ryōsei no Jutsu (Sage Technique: Amphibian Technique). "Honestly Naruto provided me a way to make up for the form's weakness grandfather never overcame…"

Madara smirked. "Then come…show me if you're worthy of using that jutsu…and show me if you're worthy of facing my full might!"

With that, Tsunade vanished in a manner much like A would and she appeared behind Madara. She squeezed her hand into a tight fist as Raiton crackled around it and arcs of electricity shot out of her fist with even greater intensity.

"Raiton: Ikazuchi Ryū (Lightning Release: Thunder Fist)!" she called out as Madara instantly formed his Susano'o for protection and increased it up to the level of its 'complete' form.

And Tsunade's fist, charged with lightning and empowered by Senjutsu slammed right into Madara's back after nearly effortlessly bashing through his Susano'o! The sheer speed and power of the blow sent Madara flying forward through the entire battlefield at his meteors once again and when he crashed into it…the lightning that had temporarily paralyzed him exploded with such force that it destroyed the meteors!

A's eyes widened. "…that's…quite impressive Hokage…and thanks for the save again."

"That won't keep him down for long. We'll be ending this here and now!" Tsunade yelled as she charged forward, Mei, Gaara, and the Raikage alongside her!

Mountain's Grave, location unknown

Itachi's battle against Hanzō could have been going better than the reincarnated Uchiha would hope. With his Edo Tensei advantages gone, he was being worn down by the legendary Amegakure leader. Every jutsu he tried was effortlessly countered. Hanzō's Katons were more powerful than his own unless he was using his Amaterasu-which he now had to use sparingly since he couldn't exploit the unlimited chakra like he could previously, and his genjutsu was near useless. Hanzō was more than intelligent enough to recognize when he was in one and break it…and Itachi himself had found that the Amegakure Leader was extremely skilled in genjutsu as well.

Not only that, the damage he sustained at the beginning of the battle had left his right shoulder, and by extension his arm nearly unusable. Itachi hid behind a pillar after he dropped several smoke bombs to hide his escape from the Amegakure leader and his Sharingan glowed brightly as he prepared his next move.

Hanzō…and by extension Kabuto holds all the cards here… Itachi thought as he breathed in through his nose silently. Kabuto prepared for my arrival quite well, even if I wasn't hit by that strange dust, Hanzō would be a difficult opponent. One of the only people who could fight all three Sannin when they were in their prime and stalemate them, and his power was at a point where the world practically had to unite against him to destroy his ambition…

He reached into his pack and took out a mirror and tried to get a look…only for him to yank it back before the kusarigama weighted chain could knock It out of his hands and destroy a crucial tool he'd need for the battle. Weakly he lifted his right hand up and crossed his fingers and created a single Kage Bunshin, and the two nodded and broke from behind the stalagmite.

Hanzō lifted his kusarigama scythe up as one of the Itachis tossed a smoke bomb into the area to blind him. The Amegakure leader scowled as he then swung the chain to block several kunai and shuriken that the other Itachi had tossed at him to try to hit his blind spot. Then one Itachi used his speed and crossed the distance before the Amegakure leader could react. Itachi then went to slash at Hanzō with his kunai who blocked, and their blades created a shower of sparks.

"Ohhh, engaging hand to hand with the legendary Hanzō…not to smart Itachi," Kabuto commented from his position as his own preparations began to get underway.

Hanzō then broke away as the other Itachi got behind him and did a seal. Immediately…his body glowed brightly and the reincarnated Uchiha's eyes narrowed.

"Bunshin Daibakuha (Great Clone Explosion)!" Itachi uttered as his Kage Bunshin immediately self-destructed point-blank right at Hanzō, making the entire cave shake with the explosion. That should have at least caused some…

The smoke then began to clear…and Hanzō was unharmed. And…surrounded by what looked to be a ribcage. Fire crackled around him as he summoned his own 'guardian spirit' to battle the reincarnated Uchiha and Itachi's eyes widened and actually…stepped back.

"He…he has the Susano'o?"

"Oho…that threw you off. But nope, that isn't the Susano'o, but Hanzō's strongest original technique," Kabuto explained with a smirk. "Itachi…meet Hachiman, the God of War!"

Like a Susano'o, the skeletal structure of the Hachiman formed around Hanzō, and then flaming skin appeared…followed by armor. On the helmet of the Hachiman was the symbol of the sun which was blazing and Itachi's eyes narrowed. Hanzō then unleashed several fireballs, shaped like Yasaka Magatama from the palms of Hachiman's hands and Itachi was forced to dodge while reading the attacks with his Sharingan, each blast created explosions! The reincarnated Uchiha managed to find some cover behind a large stalagmite pillar and he analyzed the situation.

Without even a dōjutsu he could create a technique like that…how did the Sannin manage to survive fighting this man? Itachi thought as his Sharingan analyzed the defense. Its not made purely out of chakra…he's used flames as a medium and…actually…shaped and solidified them…a strong Suiton should be able to bore a hole in it…but I need a water source to use a Suiton. Or…I'd have to use Amaterasu to consume that technique's solid flames… Itachi frowned. But with my chakra reserves the same they'd be in life, that'd be a last resort…I need to fall back and form a new plan, I was too overconfident…just like how I was in life. I need backup to defeat Hanzō and Kabuto.

Just as Hanzō was about to attack, Itachi did a seal and as his body was struck, he exploded into a murder of crows! The reincarnated Amegakure leader's eyes darted back and forth as he tried to predict where the reincarnated Uchiha would reappear, but Kabuto already knew. He did a seal and just as Itachi was about to cross through the hole in the barrier it then reformed and was a lot stronger than before.

"Now, now Itachi, I don't believe you are free to leave just yet," Kabuto said with a smirk. "Realized you couldn't win, now you tried to escape? Sorry, Itachi, the moment you crossed the barrier was when you entered my trap."

Itachi frowned. "No choice then," he said as he turned to Hanzō who was charging him with his Hachiman. Itachi's Sharingan then swirled and became the Mangekyō Sharingan and red veins popped around his iris, and blood dripped from his right eye. "Amaterasu!"

Suddenly a ember of black flame hit the Hachiman dead on and spread like wildfire. Despite the defense it gave Hanzō, due to the fact his chakra construct was made of flames…Amaterasu just burned right through it to consume it. Itachi then acted quickly as Hanzō lifted his kusarigama up only for several shuriken, expertly tossed were thrown right at him.

The reincarnated Amegakure leader deflected all the shuriken only for the final blade got past the defense of the kusarigama chain. Itachi had attached a explosive tag…and he smirked as it suddenly exploded and blew Hanzō into a debris of ash and paper. As Hanzō began to reform Itachi then let his Susano'o burst around him. Just as the Amegakure leader reformed…his body was pieced by the Sword of Totsuka and he was sealed!

Kabuto did a slow clap as Itachi then dropped to his knees and panted in exhaustion, his Susano'o bursting away. "Congrats, Itachi, you managed to defeat Hanzō after being thrown into a corner…" he saw as the reincarnated Uchiha sweated and breathed in and out. "But he served his purpose…you're in barely any condition to fight anymore…"

With his Sharingan, Itachi could see the…change in Kabuto's chakra and appearance despite the darkness. Four horns, two on each side of the necromancer's head were now prominently…and his eyes were now glowing before being…dulled by what looked to be a membrane covering them. And not only that…his snake tail wasn't a…tail at all, it was connected to his stomach in a bizarre arrangement.

"Well Itachi…you are now privileged to face me…" Kabuto said as a aura, invisible to Itachi's Sharingan formed around him. "Sage Mode Kabuto is now…READY."

Itachi tossed several explosive tags and smoke bombs in front of the necromancer to create smoke screen. Using Amaterasu and Susano'o in such quick succession, I only have two more attempts with the Mangekyō to defeat him…and right now he holds all the cards…

When the smoke cleared, Kabuto licked his lips. "Time for a game of hide and seek, Itachi? Well it'll give me time to test out my limits in this form…"

Kabuto then dashed into the darkness of the cave with a confident smirk while Itachi tried to prepare to face him. Unknown to both though, three teams of ANBU were now converging around the cave and had been led to it thanks to Headquarters tracking of Itachi's chakra signature. They saw he barrier and then began to work on methods to break through it and back their allied reincarnated Uchiha up!

Land of Lightning, Lightning Desert

As the dust and ash rained down from Tsunade's attack on Madara, the Kages regrouped. The enemy reincarnated Uchiha pushed the boulders that had collapsed onto him and he gave a satisfied smirk. He stood up and put his hands to his back while he regenerated fully from the Godaime Hokage's blow. If he was alive…his blood would be boiling in excitement.

"Well Hashirama…she's became nearly as strong as you!" Madara said with a grin. "Finally, an entertaining battle! This era has become full of strong shinobi…and I need to respond in KIND!"

Blue chakra bursts around Madara's body and his Susano'o bursts to life. However, it then began to grow to tremendous size after achieving its completed state…before a massive cloak of armor formed around it. The Kage who had managed to regroup saw the now massive armored Susano'o, now standing 700 meters high, towering over the battlefield. It was larger than Sasuke's gigantic armored Susano'o because Madara was using his Rinnegan to empower it.

"Is it just me…or is that bigger than it was before?" Mei asked as she breathed in.

"Doesn't matter," Gaara said as he lifted his hands up. "We'll hit it with full force!"

The sand responded to the Kazekage's command and swirled around him to create another Shukaku avatar. This time, it was nearly three times the size of the original one and the Kages rode on its head, and Gaara then did a seal. Black and white chakra began to swirl at the front of the Shukaku avatar's mouth as he breathed in.

"I've been trying to perfect this, seeing Naruto demonstrating it against Madara gave me the idea on how to complete my own Bijudama," Gaara said as he glanced at them. "It'll take a bit for me to get enough chakra to penetrate that Susano'o's armor…"

A powered up to his maximum again. "We'll buy you time, Kazekage!'

"Raikage, you need to act supplementary to us," Mei said simply. "Madara's already seen through your best attacks and speed, and you don't have the firepower to blast through the enemy's Susano'o in a lesser stage, much less now."

"Right, I'll try to divert his attacks," A said as he breathed in. "Tsunade, you're our heavy hitter here besides the Kazekage!"

"I know that, I'll try to hold him off with my grandmother's techniques," Tsunade said as she cracked her neck.

"Wait…grandmothers?" Mei asked as she looked over.

"Uzumaki Mito, my grandmother…" Tsunade said as she hopped down from the Shukaku's sand avatar. "I spent my time studying the Scroll of Seals to learn how to recreate it and tap into my Uzumaki chakra…my grandmother recorded many of her jutsu into the scroll alongside granduncle Tobirama's various techniques. Grandfather then sealed the techniques for future Hokages…"

Mei nodded. "Makes sense…"

"And I owe Naruto big time for managing to keep it out of that traitor's hands. I can only use this technique in Sage Mode since I lack the Kyūbi's chakra reserves to form it like my grandmother did," Tsunade said as she did the tiger seal. "Uzumaki Hiden: Kongō Kusari Kyokan (Uzumaki Secret Technique: Adamantine Chain Giant)!"

From Tsunade's back a golden glow appeared and dozens, then hundreds of chakra chains sprouted from her back. As she tapped into her long dormant Uzumaki chakra, the Godaime Hokage's special transformation technique faded…as her youth was restored to that of a 30-year-old. At her feet the mass of chains began to be shaped into a gigantic humanoid form. The humanoid grew to 500…then 700 meters, nearly as tall as Gyūki was when his chakra was merged with Killer Bee! On its fists, large spikes appeared giving the golem even greater striking power, much like brass knuckles. The gigantic golem of chains then smashed its fists together and Tsunade smirked.

"Meet my grandmother's answer to grandfather's Mokujin no Jutsu!" Tsunade said as she stomped her feet. "Now even stronger that I am using Sage Mode and Byakugō no Jutsu!"

In response to the latter, black markings appeared on the chains like that of Tsunade's Byakugō no Jutsu to complete the technique. Madara smirked as he floated in the 'jewel' on the Susano'o's forehead. For a split second, he saw…Hashirama and Mito behind Tsunade.

"It has been decades since I saw Mito's techniques," Madara said as he cracked his knuckles. "You truly are the granddaughter of Hashirama and Mito, and I respect your power! NOW come, lets really enjoy this!"

With that, he and Tsunade charged each other. The Godaime Hokage's chain golem then launched a punch which the reincarnated evil Uchiha managed to catch with one of its four arms and a gigantic shockwave bursts all over the battlefield. Gaara lifted a giant shield of sand to block the blast of air from clash. Madara then slashed with one of the gigantic Kris blades slashed forward and created a tremendous fissure in the desert but Tsunade's chain giant was mostly unharmed! It was standing up with its arms crossed and steam wafted up from the mark left from the slash.

"Heh, that thing is durable…" Madara remarked as he smirked. "Let's see how your offensive power is!"

"Fine then!" Tsunade called out as the chain giant threw its arms back and created two whips made from spike chain that were a kilometer long each. "Nigenteki Kongō Kusari Hoippu no Jutsu (Dual Adamantine Chain Whips Technique)!"

With that Tsunade unleashed the chains. She lifted the chain giant's arms up and then slammed them down and created a shock wave from the tips which Madara skidded back from in his giant armored Susano'o. The shockwave was sharp and felt like a pressure slash as Susano'o chakra matter was stripped away and behind Madara one of the giant mountains was cut in half diagonally.

Before Madara could recover the second chain then swept and wrapped around his Susano'o and Tsunade yanked him towards her. He managed to catch the follow up punch with one of his Susano'o's extra arms but the spiked knuckles of the spiked Kyokan bore through his armored Susano'o's arm and destroyed it. He retaliated by 'headbutting' Tsunade away and then he threw his hand out and unleashed a tremendously powerful Shinra Tensei through his now freed Susano'o arm. The force of it was equal to that of Pain's which had absolutely destroyed Konoha and carved a crater out as the Hokage was pushed back and nearly knocked off her chakra chain construct.

He then followed up by doing a seal and his cheeks swelled, and he created a literal sea of flames from his Susano'o's 'mouth' which engulfed Tsunade and the Kyokan, but when they cleared the Hokage stood, practically undamaged aside from her clothing being…well…badly burned off.

"The power of your Katons is just like I read about," Tsunade said as she cracked her knuckles…her breasts now exposed to the air due to the heat of the flames. But…she was uninjured by the flame. "If I wasn't in Sage Mode, I'd have needed emergency surgery!"

"Man…aside from my speed…I feel like I'm really out of my element here," A muttered to himself and he looked at the fresh stump that was his dominant arm. Madara was able to counter me so easily…but the Hokage…Mizukage…and Kazekage have all be holding their own against him. What sort of Raikage am I if I keep being overshadowed by Kage of other villages?!

Mei's kimono flapped in the wind from the shockwave and she found herself licking her lips slightly at the…sight of Tsunade's body which was now exposed to the evening air. Tsunade…the first woman Kage…she's even more than I expected. We only met a few times before this War but… her cheeks flushed a little bit. Oh MY…has my heart been pierced?

Naruto and Tsunade…they're both tremendously powerful shinobi who have earned the title of Hokage… Gaara thought as he kept channeling black and white chakra to his Bijudama. Keep his attention on you, Tsunade. Then I'll blast him into pieces with this!

Madara stumbled back and he smirked like a madman. "YES…battles of this scale…I haven't had this much fun since the battle with Hashirama!"

His Susano'o began to 'bubble' and the huge mass of chakra started to grow and stabilize. Unlike Sasuke's, the 'wings' were undeveloped and acted more like a second pair of strong arms which carried two gigantic chakra katanas. A tengu mask was on its face and is armor now looked more like a traditional samurai than the previous version. And finally it towered at a kilometer and seven hundred feet high and towered over Tsunade's jutsu, much like it did against Hashirama and his Mokujin. Madara's Perfect Susano'o was now unleashed!

"This…this is the power I used to fight Hashirama! My Perfect Susano'o is comparable in power to a Biju!" Madara announced and his Perfect Susano'o then grabbed one of its giant swords. "It will crush everything within its path!"

The Perfect Susano'o stomped forward and then slashed right at Tsunade horizontally with a fast-drawn battojutsu quick-strike. The Hokage grunted and blocked the slash by having both of her giant chain golem's arms act like a giant shield after crossing them, but the sheer force knocked her off her feet. Mei and A were nearly set flying like ragdolls from the sheer force of the swing but Gaara had managed to anchor both as he used his sand. Two of the mountains behind them were completely bisected by the force of the slash as their tops were sent flying nearly 300 meters into the air and then they collapsed and were reduced to nothing but smoking rubble.

Tsunade picked herself up, her chain golem had, despite being thrown back by the attack had withstood the sheer force and power by the slash, but it was otherwise unharmed. "As powerful as one of the Biju…yeah it lives up to that…but this giant is also comparable to the Biju too!"

"Yes, it does have impressive durability, but how long can you maintain this Sage Mode and Byakugō no Jutsu of yours? I'll never tire, unlike you," Madara pointed out as he grabbed the sword. "As a still living shinobi, you're bound by those limits."

Tsunade glared at him but chuckled. "I don't have any problem maintaining this, its thanks to my late teammate Jiraiya and Naruto that I found a work around," she punched forward as her giant breasts responded to the movement by jiggling. On her back, Katsuyu had used a camouflage technique to disguise herself so Madara couldn't see her transferring natural energy to the Godaime Hokage. "And you'll see why!"

The reincarnated Uchiha then smirked in sheer…joy at this knowledge. "Then let's dance, and truly enjoy this battle! Who would have thought that shinobi of this era would have quality of ours, Hashirama!"

"Tsunade-sama, we just sensed the surge of chakra," Shikaku reported to her directly through the vast communication network through Inoichi. "Madara can use that technique too…Naruto managed to beat Sasuke's…has he used any jutsu through his 'Perfect Susano'o' yet?"

In lesser forms yes, that huge armored form could attack with the power comparable to that of Pain's and he used a Katon earlier, Tsunade replied mentally as she watched Madara lifted the sword up vertically. I think he relies on the power solely of that blade when using this form, otherwise he'd have added an elemental jutsu to increase its lethality.

"Use that to your advantage, Gaara-sama informed me of his plan. The moment you either overpower or immobilize the Perfect Susano'o, he'll blast it away with his Bijudama. Hopefully you'll be able to seal him afterwards."

Tsunade nodded as Madara then charged forward and then unleashed several slashes, each carving out fissures and furrows through the desert battlefield. She either blocked or dodged each strike with her chain giant as Gaara rose another huge sand barrier to shield himself and the other Kage and he gritted his teeth to maintain both his defense and his creation of his Bijudama. Tsunade then blocked the next slash with her chain giant's elbow and then slashed out with one of her giant chain whips.

Madara acted quickly and jumped over the whip in his Perfect Susano'o and then dodged the follow up as Tsunade charged forward and punched forward with her giant's fists. He blocked with one arm but was sent skidding backwards only for the Hokage to wrap one of her chains around his Perfect Susano'o's waist and she then spun him around and launched him into the air. Madara stabbed down with one of his giant katana and anchored himself only for Tsunade to tackle him, smashing her smaller chakra construct's shoulder into the face of Madara's Perfect Susano'o.

Susano'o matter flew off as the tengu mask was cracked by the blow and the reincarnated Uchiha grunted. He then stabbed forward with his blade and pierced through Tsunade's chain giant, but his blade got wedged between the gaps. Grunting, he then lifted her up entirely and slammed her to the ground with enough force to gouge a large crater out into the ground. He withdrew his second blade and went to finish her off, but she then tackled him again and smashed her giant's spiked chain fists against the Perfect Susano'o's face and chest to inflict damage. Madara floated within the jewel and he smirked.

"Its like fighting…Hashirama again…I feel alive!" Madara yelled as his Rinnegan gave a faint purple glow and all around his Perfect Susano'o, a repulsive blast made Tsunade skid back. "We're trading blows and knocking the hell out of each other, just like back then!"

"For someone who wants peace, you sure enjoy battle," Tsunade pointed out as she rubbed her lip. In the struggle she had suffered a few injuries-but they had rapidly healed due to her enhanced Byakugō no Jutsu. Still blood dripped from her lip and she glanced back. "You okay there, Katsuyu?"

"Had…a little trouble sticking on but I'm fine Tsunade-sama," Katsuyu answered as she added another layer of 'glue' to Tsunade's back. "How are you holding up?"

"Still good to go. I'm not even remotely tired," Tsunade replied as she pulled her arm back and clenched it into a fist. "Still, we need to finish this soon."

Gaara finished balancing the 8:2 ratio of black and white chakra for his Bijudama and a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead. With that giant Susano'o, Madara would be protected from this blast. The Hokage needs to force him out of it before I fire…

A was silently pondering what he should do…and he looked at Madara. If I deflect his blade…even divert it just a little bit, Tsunade will be able to counter…but doing so would make me lose my life. My Raiton no Yoroi can't survive the power of that sword…I don't have my father's durability which would allow him to…yo, Shikaku, you listening?!

"Yes, Raikage-sama, what are you…"

Inform Killer Bee that I've made my decision…and inform Darui that I've chosen him to be the next Raikage, A informed them. I'm going to give the Hokage and Kazekage the opening they need to take Madara down!

Don't throw away your life so carelessly Raikage! Mei thought over the channel. If we both distract…

I've made my decision Mizukage! Just provide long-ranged support!

With his new resolve, A's Raiton no Yoroi bursts to life around him. Quickly he powered to his maximum powered state…and he gritted his teeth as he forced himself to go beyond it! Tapping into his very life force, the Raikage broke through his limits as his body was wracked with tremendous pain. His lightning aura suddenly became thicker and more pronounced, bolts of electricity arced around his body as his hair fully stood up. Veins had pulsed on his muscular body to show increased blood flow to his extremities. It was like he had awakened the Eight Gates and his pupils even disappeared!

"Kumogakure Hiden: Raiton no Yoroi Va-Jon San (Village Hidden in the Clouds Secret Technique: Lightning Armor Version Three)!" A uttered as he stomped forward, the ground melted at his feet from the heat and power of the lightning around him. "Tsunade! I'm coming to back you up!"

Gaara gritted his teeth. "Give him long-ranged support, Mizukage! We're only going to get one chance at this!"

"Very well," Mei said after she was back on the ground. She then did a few seals…and slammed her hands to the ground. "Yōton: Kazan Bakuha (Lava Release: Volcano Blast)!'

The ground started to glow with a bright yellow…reddish glow as she tapped into the magma chamber that had been left over from the Nidaime Raikage's attack. She infused it with her own chakra and shaped the lava, so it would be able to be shot from long range while retaining its lethality. The Nidaime Raikage had created a different type of magma than what she was used to-it was highly explosive while she was more used to the viscous, free-flowing lava of lava dome volcanos. Like Gaara, she was timing when she should strike.

Tsunade had now blocked a powerful kick by Madara's Perfect Susano'o that sent her chain giant skidding backwards as the reincarnated Uchiha then did a few seals and then slammed his hands together. Suddenly a gigantic rock pillar hit the Hokage's chain giant in its stomach and sent her flying back in shock. Madara smirked as he then followed up…by shooting a blast of lightning from his mouth which the Hokage barely blocked with her own Raiton fist, before she was forced to dodge as the reincarnated Uchiha from his Perfect Susano'o then shot a blast of razor wind from his mouth which Tsunade rolled out of the way of. And then finally Madara unleashed first a blast of water from his mouth…which he then superheated with one of his Katons!

"As this battle goes on…I get more and more used to my Rinnegan!" Madara yelled as Tsunade barely countered the boiling blast of water with her own Doton which took the brunt of the attack. "Katon…Fūton…Doton…Suiton…and Raiton! All of you Kage have used them against me and my Rinnegan has copied how each jutsu felt…and now I can replicate them! All five main elemental techniques are now in my disposal!"

He keeps ramping up the threat… Tsunade gritted her teeth as she breathed in through her nose. She then flicked her giant's whips before she began to spin them like giant fans.

Madara smirked as he waited for Tsunade's counter and when she unleashed an overhand whip-slash with her giant's right arm he was ready. He then blocked it with his Perfect Susano'o's katana before he had his chakra construct jump up and did a slight spin in the air. He had his Perfect Susano'o grab the hilt of his katana with both hands to add to the force and he then…slashed right through one of Tsunade's whips and made her and her chain giant crash and crumble backwards. The very same maneuver that allowed Madara to get the upper hand on Hashirama in one of their battles he had replicated to battle Hashirama's granddaughter!

He then brought the blade above his head for a final slash downwards to finish Tsunade off. She managed to pick herself up a bit and realized what she had to do. The Godaime Hokage charged all her senjutsu chakra to her own arms and lifted her hands up. Madara was so focused on Tsunade he didn't notice the Raikage and Mizukage were about to strike.

Mei's attack hit him first just as he was about to swing downwards. The blast of lava slammed into the Perfect Susano'o's stomach to skid it back a bit, but it was otherwise unharmed. Undeterred Madara swung his blade downward while grinning madly….

"RAITONINGU SUTORĒTO (Lightning Straight)!" A roared as he launched himself from ground level. Focusing all his chakra into his remaining arm to increase its cutting power and forced he grinned loudly. "THIS IS FOR UNDERESTIMATING ME!"

He met the swing with his punch…but it didn't seem to do anything. Madara's gigantic katana seemed to literally ignore the blow…as the Raikage was hit full force by the reincarnated Uchiha's attack. He grinned madly despite that…as half his body was practically vaporized by the friction of meeting the blade.

Hokage…you better…use that opening…I gave ya! A thought as his lifeless remains were caught by a bit of Gaara's sand control his descent.

Madara paid what A did no mind at all…as he slammed his blade down right onto Tsunade's head. The Godaime Hokage reacted quickly and then…caught the blade with both of her arms. Despite its sheer weight, size and force, Tsunade had caught it! The Uchiha had a look of surprise…but he continued to try to force the blade down….

"You…shouldn't have ignored…what the Raikage DID!" Tsunade yelled as the place where A had struck…suddenly cracked and weakened. "Even a small blow…can do damage!"

"Impossible!" Madara gasped in shock as Tsunade then…pushed the blade up…and due to the stresses of it being forced down and forced up…right at the spot of where A had hit it completely shattered and broke in half.

Since Madara's Perfect Susano'o had put all its weight in a down swing as well as having been hit by Mei's attack which forced it to overextend…it began to fall forward. Tsunade then had her chain giant unleash a massive uppercut right at the Perfect Susano'o's chin and shattered an opening right through it before her other giant fist right through its chest. Now damaged beyond repair the chakra construct shuttered as Madara tried to regain control. He looked down as Tsunade vanished from the top of her chain giant…and appeared right through the gap as blue chakra surged around her fist.

"Saidai Kenpei Sentō (Maximum Power Punch)!" Tsunade called out as the chakra grew to be as big as her entire body and more…and she pushed forward.

Madara lifted his arms up to block as well as activating Preta Path to absorb the chakra blow…but Tsunade's fist smashed through his defense. Despite absorbing the chakra…the sheer force broke through both of his arms and sent ash and paper flying off his body. And then half of his body had been completely blown apart from the blow.

"KAZEKAGE NOW!" Tsunade yelled as she diverted herself to the ground.

Gaara then opened fire. "BIJUDAMA!"

The dense black ball of chakra fired from Gaara's Shukaku golem and shot right at Madara as his body began to rapidly regenerate. Just as his arms were back in place…the Kazekage's Bijudama hit him square on and made him crash right out of the battlefield in sheer seconds and smashed into one of the remaining mountains. It then completely exploded, a large, 10-kilometer-wide dome explosion covered the area and vaporized the mountain entirely.

Tsunade landed, breathing in and out heavily. "Tsunade-sama, are you alright?!"

"Where's the Raikage? I need to treat…" she started as she could sense. "I can't…I can't sense him anymore…"

"He…he passed away seconds after landing that blow on Madara's blade, Tsunade-sama," Katsuyu said as the Hokage observed the explosion.

"We need to finish the job…Madara won't be kept down for long from that blast," Tsunade said as Gaara and Mei landed by her.

In the crater where he had landed…Madara finished regenerating. He was laying back in the center…a smirk on his face. He looked…supremely satisfied at the outcome despite the loss. The four Kage working together had pushed him this far…

Though…now time to end the fun. Looks like Tobi is having difficulty getting the final two Jinchūriki, Madara thought as he sat up and then cracked his neck. He then…used his Deva Path abilities to float. He won't mind if I back him up…

With that, before Tsunade, Mei, and Gaara could even reach him, he flew off in the direction of the Rokudaime Hokage's group which was still engaged in battle with Tobi. Madara gave a smirk, the battle with the remaining Gokage had advanced his abilities quickly…soon the rest of the Paths of the Rinnegan would be open to him. And then…he would be truly unstoppable.

Land of Lightning, Location Unknown

Like Madara, Tobi was now showing a smirk on his face as he engaged Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke, Killer Bee, and Kushina. With his summoned dragon, he was able to counter Sasuke's attempts to land an Amaterasu as well as having the power to deflect the Rokudaime Hokage's, Hyūga Leader's, and Gyūki Jinchūriki's attempts to land a attack despite his Kamui. Tobi glanced back at his Gedō Mazō as it struggled to break out of the chakra chains that bound it.

He used his gunbai to then block a dozen kunai and shuriken that Sasuke had launched against him and then activated Kamui as Naruto, Hinata, and Kushina went in for a close-ranged attack. The three passed through him without causing damage and he spun around and created a chakra blade from his palm and then stabbed forward at the young Hokage only for Killer Bee to jump in front and block the attack and caused a shower of sparks to fly off.

"Not gonna catch them flat-footed yo, gonna take the fight to you lame-o!" Killer Bee uttered as he then got into his Acrobat stance and Tobi gave a smirk.

"You think you can get past my Kamui with a technique like that?' Tobi asked as he twirled his chakra disruption blade and his Sharingan read the Gyūki Jinchūriki's stance.

"Nah, but he could!" Killer Bee said with a smirk and Tobi blinked as Sasuke charged forward with a Chidori Gatana drawn.

"Useless!" Tobi uttered as the Uchiha stabbed forward…only for him to burst into a puff of smoke. "What?!"

His Kamui failed to activate as Kushina appeared from the smoke with Naruto and Hinata, the three holding a combined Ōdama Rasengan. "Yah can thank ME for that, dattebane!" Kushina uttered and Akatsuki's shadow leader was forced to block the combined attack with his Gunbai.

"This…is n…"

A giant purple fist then hit him from the side since he was solid, and he spat out blood as he rolled in the direction of his Gedō Mazō. His Dragon then flew down and shot a blast of white fire as a shield which forced his enemies to stop their attack. Tobi gritted his teeth angrily and wiped the blood away from his lip with his free hand.

"…clever…" he said with a growl. His chakra sense then flared and he dodged or phased through several more attacks. "…more annoying gnats…"

Naruto's eyes widened. "GUYS!"

"Sorry we're late Naruto!" the voice of Shikamaru said as the members of the Konoha 12 all arrived to back them up. "We double teamed to arrive on time!"

"Still showing off for Hinata, eh Naruto?!" Kiba asked as Akamaru barked underneath him.

"They are dating, Kiba, so its only logical he would show off for his girlfriend," Shino said as he landed next to his teammate.

"YOSH! Our youth will explode to help you finish this fight!" Rock Lee said as he landed.

"Hinata-sama, are you alright?" Neji asked as he landed by Lee and Tenten.

"Duh, of course she's alright, she's been fighting alongside Naruto the entire time Neji," Tenten pointed out…while holding a staff with blades on either side.

Ino looked around and she used her chakra sense. "Sakura's over there? What is…who's the red-haired lady?!"

"Heh, she's my mom," Naruto said, and he punched his fist to his palm. "With all of you here…we can definitely finish this bastard…"

Chōji nodded. "Then after this War is over, we'll all head to the Beef Pot for a celebratory feast!"

Shikamaru looked at Sasuke and his eyes narrowed a bit. "…still hard to believe you're on our side again."

"…focus on the enemy in front of us," Sasuke pointed out and he looked at Tobi. "I'll do my share of atoning for what I've done after this battle is over."

Tobi looked at the array of ninja in front of him. The Konoha 12 was now fully assembled…the strongest group of ninja in the entire history of the ninja world. He gritted his teeth, he was hoping to have finished this battle before reinforcements arrived. Slowly…he stood up, now out of options. In a puff of smoke… the Benihisago and Kohaku no Jōhei appeared.

"Wait…what are those?" Naruto asked.

"Crap, I recognize those weapons. We sealed Kinkaku and Ginkaku inside them!" Ino said and Tobi laughed.

"I was hoping to use them after I got the Hachibi and Kyūbi…but I've been pushed into a corner," Tobi said as the Gedō Mazō's jaw opened. "The Ten-Tails will be completed NOW!"

He then threw the Benihisago and Kohaku no Jōhei right into the Statue's open mouth which then slammed shut. All its eyes suddenly opened and got bloodshot and then it gave a loud roar of power as Kushina's chakra chains were completely shattered! It stood up…put its hands to its head and kept roaring.

"Welcome to the end of the World," Tobi uttered as he began to darkly laugh, and his dragon gave a loud roar in triumph while blowing out a white blast of flame from its mouth.

To be continued…

Author's Notes:

Whew, that was a fun chapter to write. I had a lot of fun writing about Tsunade's Sage Mode and its capabilities. Her tapping into her Uzumaki Chakra wasn't originally going to happen, but I decided 'Rule of Cool' fit it best, and it gave her a solid counter to fight Madara's Perfect Susano'o. The Chain Golem/Giant is similar in design and appearance to Hashirama's Mokujin but lacks the Mokuton Dragons and the like. In her Sage Mode? This also gives Naruto's kids a way to learn Uzumaki techniques, since they're in the Seal of Scrolls which Naruto ironically saved in Chapter 1 of the manga. Tsunade is the third strongest protagonist in the setting, she's slightly stronger than Hashirama is in base, which is enough to defeat Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan Madara (which we saw through fights in the anime and manga, Madara required Kurama to force Hashirama to take him seriously and fight at full power). Though even in defeat…Madara got stronger and is now going to back up Tobi.

Originally, I planned on using the Mokuton Bunshins like they were in canon, but then I realized…perfect place for them would be fighting the Konoha 12 in the final battle while the Ten-Tails is being recreated. It would give the Konoha 12 the perfect way to show off the skills and powers they had gained in the war. Also give Kushina a chance to show off her stuff!

As for A's death, I saw it as a way for the Kages to win over Madara. The whole 'even the smallest blow can be lethal' thing in effect. Out of all the Kage, he had the worst performance against Madara in canon and didn't show any new stuff I could really work with (hence the Kumogakure Hiden I had him use). The main problem in canon was that no one was willing to really make the big plays in the attempt to defeat Madara during the Gokage battle, a heroic sacrifice could have really come close to sealing him canonically. It also gives gravitas: A and Ōnoki were both Kage who ruled in the old way, and we saw in the Hiden novels/blank period that they still didn't truly learn the lessons from the war (still being belligerent and everything), and it signifies that a new wind of change is happening in the Ninja World.

Now…I bet you all have a big question about Tobi. Yes, he is a descendant of this branch Uchiha clan which split from the main Uchiha clan at the founding of Konoha. In a lot of ways…he's the anti-Itachi. He wants power for power's sake and killing is something he genuinely enjoys. Unlike Madara, who has standards, follows his own set of rules (such as giving people reprieves, even if its for a better fight) and has lines he doesn't cost…Tobi doesn't care about any of that stuff. Madara also…is gonna have a few…words with Tobi when he learns that Tobi had wiped the Uchiha Clan out in Konoha. Madara not only had plans for the Uchiha Clan, he wanted them to benefit the most from Mugen Tsukuyomi if it got cast.

And I hope you enjoyed Itachi's portion too. Despite his now handicap, he was able to defeat Hanzō with some quick thinking and usage of Amaterasu and Susano'o, but now he's literally at half strength fighting a full powered Sage Mode Kabuto. And the mysterious cloaked figure is still watching…and no, its not Orochimaru. This guy is completely brand new (and before you ask, its no one from Kara either). A new threat for the 'blank period' which comes after the War. You'll learn who it is at the conclusion of the fight.

Now I know people had problem with Sakura's and Hinata's placement, so I amended it:

1. Naruto Uzumaki: Self-explanatory. Power wise, he's now on the same level, if not a teensy bit stronger than Hashirama Senju is in Sage Mode due to fully mastering Kurama who has been enhanced by Uzumaki Chakra, as well as mastering Fūton, Katon, and Suiton.

2. Sasuke Uchiha: Self-explanatory. He's a bit stronger than EMS Madara was, and his Perfect Susano'o has better options to use that power than just swinging the blade around. With Amaterasu, his Katons, and his Raiton mastery, he has a lot of options that Madara in his prime simply lacked.

3. Tsunade: With Sage Mode, she becomes slightly more powerful than Hashirama was in base. Her medical ninjutsu means she can heal any wound either with herself or her allies. And with her Uzumaki chakra unlocked, she has access to its vast life force which rejuvenated her youth and the past damage she had from using Sōzō Saisei as well as giving her an ability to form her own chakra golem through the Uzumaki chains. And with Sage Mode combined with Byakugō no Jutsu…is very hard to even hurt her, and any damage that she does take instantly regenerates.

4. Killer Bee/Hinata Hyūga: Both are tied for fourth place since they are masters in close combat and have firepower generally on the same level (Bijudama for Killer Bee, Perfect Hoderi for Hinata). They are just under the 'Top Tier' which t he first three Shinobi are on.

5. Gaara: Mastery of his Sand, Jiton, and Biju Chakra has put him at number five. He's the strongest Kazekage in history and despite not having Shukaku inside him anymore, he now can access Shukaku's powers through the chakra that had been left behind from the extraction. Even creating a Bijudama, which increases his destructive potential.

6. Sakura Haruno/Temari: Both are on the same level now, but Temari needs her Sage Mode to close the gap with Sakura. Power wise, they are on the same level that Naruto was when he first came back to fight Pain. Sakura is also stronger than Tsunade is without Sage Mode being used, having surpassed her master there, and has gotten some impressive wins in the War to boot. Plus her mastery of medical ninjutsu and her raw strength is a deadly combination. And Temari is the best Fūton user in the Alliance, despite lacking the raw power of Naruto's Fūton: Rasenshuriken, she has many more options.

7. Mei Terumi: As explained in this and shown in previous chapters, without Tsunade's Sage Mode, offensively Mei had the best options against Madara. Able to easily burn through Madara's Susano'o with either Futton or Yōton, and counter his Katons with extremely powerful Suitons, she has incredible versatility. Add her summoning which gives her the capability of flight, she has the complete package.

8. Neji Hyūga: Neji has mastered Jūken in its entirety and was stronger than everyone in the Hyūga Clan until Hinata mastered her Hoderi. Not only that, he has access to the Eight Gates and Gōken to make him an absolute monster in close combat. And for ninjutsu, he has mastered all five elements now to give him more versatility, not to mention he has became the third (well second with A's death) fastest shinobi in the setting due to using his father's technique.

9. Kakashi Hatake/A: Mastered Kamui now, has the stamina to use it far better, and has the Kubikiribōchō for an powerful offensive blade. This is not even accounting for his Sharingan mastery nor his immense ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu library he can fall back on. If Itachi were alive…current Kakashi would be a bit stronger than him and have a defense against Itachi's Tsukuyomi which he lacked in previous encounters. A is here since, despite lacking the versatility of other Kage level ninja, his speed and strength allowed him to survive up until this point. He was also the fastest shinobi on the entire planet for quite some time until Naruto surpassed his speed.

10. Might Guy/Rock Lee: Self-Explanatory, both have mastered Gōken to the point where it'd be hard for anyone to fight them. Not only that, they have mastered up to Seven of the Eight Gates, with Guy needing the Eighth to break the stalemate. Only thing they lack is versatility, otherwise they'd be a bit higher.

Hope this is a better explanation on why they are placed. Please, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Please leave a review!