Chapter 170: Minato Appears—“Naruto, You’ve Grown”

"In that case, I'll handle what comes next."

Unaware that Nagato held other intentions, Hundred Faces (Hyaku Mien) had just received orders from the true body, and thus he spoke up. His words instantly drew everyone's gaze.

"Are you confident?"

Uchiha Obito asked in a low voice.

"No idea, but at least I can stall for a while,"

Hundred Faces replied with a playful smirk.

"Cards are meant to be played, trump for trump. I want to see how the former Hokage measures up against Konoha's strongest of today—who's truly the mightiest?"

"I'll send a Simulacrum Clone to help. Try not to let them destroy your trump card."

Realizing what Hundred Faces was up to, Obito maneuvered his Simulacrum to use Kamui and head for Konoha's battlefield.

Yagyu's power had not only caught Nagato off guard but left Obito reeling as well.

Both had Wood Release, yet Obito's version proved far weaker than the genuine article.

Without Kamui, Obito's ninjutsu and taijutsu even lagged behind Kakashi's. The reason his genjutsu surpassed Kakashi's was half his body being Hashirama's cells, raising Obito's overall prowess to elite jōnin. Plus Mangekyō Sharingan's ocular might, Kamui, and Izanagi gave him dominance over most Jinchūriki and a boldness unafraid of the Five Kage.

But absent Kamui, even Itachi outclassed him.

Hence Obito deeply feared Itachi until his death allowed Obito to drop his disguise.

Similarly, minus Kamui, he was in no position to team with Nagato, let alone face him. Otherwise, Nagato would toy with him as easily as he did Orochimaru—one pull of Banshō Ten'in or a Shinra Tensei turned Obito into a monkey on a leash. And that was Nagato at half strength.

Now that Nagato had gained infinite chakra from the Gedo Statue, as well as a restored body, Obito was even more powerless. Neither the Five Kage nor Itachi with his hidden cards could hope to beat Nagato. If not for wanting smooth Tailed Beast sealing—and Obito's private wish to seize the Rinnegan for himself—he might never have told Nagato about Black Zetsu's "method."

But who could have guessed: the epically boosted Nagato was so swiftly defeated. That boom seemingly reverberating through the Land of Rain had traveled even to Obito's main body in the underground base.

Truly, Yagyu's might was beyond all reasoning. Sixteen years old, at a prime growth stage—yet he apparently had no further need to grow. Such a terrifying prospect weighed on Obito. If he'd known how strong Yagyu was, he would never have told Nagato about that method, but instead taken advantage of a weakened Nagato to seize his Rinnegan.

But now Obito found himself in an incredibly awkward spot: he couldn't beat a fully restored Nagato, nor stop Konoha's advance. If Yagyu led Konoha in an onslaught, they'd be forced to halt sealing and flee with the Gedo Statue and its captive Jinchūriki. That alone outraged Obito—yet this war was also an opportunity. He might try to accelerate the Eye of the Moon Plan, seize the Rinnegan, disable his cursed heart seal, become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, activate Infinite Tsukuyomi, and forge a world where Rin existed.

Hence, hearing Hundred Faces's words, Obito seized it like a lifeline, going "all in." He likewise rejoiced that, years ago, he'd eagerly handed Uchiha's Fan over to Hundred Faces—recruiting this man, a Sannin contemporary who had devised Ghoul Bud Summoning, merging multiple kekkei genkai to become a "perfect life form."

Otherwise, Obito would have missed a perfect moment.

Of course, Hundred Faces knew none of Obito's thoughts, nor did he reject Obito's offer of assistance. His plan was not only to slaughter every Great Nation except Konoha until they were reduced to shells, but also to further increase his own strength—he intended to transcend into Six Paths tier, unstoppable even to Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and other alien Ōtsutsuki. For that, the Gedo Statue had to be revived. Not only Obito and Black Zetsu wanted Nagato's success; Yagyu also desired it.

"Edo Tensei no Jutsu!"

Following the Simulacrum's seals and palm strike to the ground, three coffins rose. As their lids fell away, three figures, riddled with cracks, emerged.

If Konoha-nin witnessed this, they'd be astounded: The trio were none other than those carved onto the Hokage Monument—recognized by every child or illiterate elder alike—the First Hokage Senju Hashirama, the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, and the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, who died sealing the Nine-Tails.

As before, to prevent these three big shots from breaking Edo Tensei, Hundred Faces robbed them of free consciousness, letting a Wood Clone hidden underground via Mayfly handle them.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…

Once the Wood Clone took control, the three Hokage vanished in a flash. That clone lacked only lesser chakra compared to the real one—and no "game system." Otherwise, it possessed all the same abilities, be they the Flying Thunder God Technique, Phantom Body Flicker, or Lightning Chakra infusion. Thus, the three Hokage flickered with lightning speed.

Since their coffins appeared near Konoha's battlefield, it didn't take long.

The Konoha nin, having banded together to wipe out most White Zetsu clones and crush Edo Tensei armies—sealing them whenever they revived stiffly—suddenly felt chills down their spines.

"Wood Release: Jukai Kōtan!"

A voice unlike Yagyu's resonated in their ears.

Boom, boom, boom…

Before they could turn that way, the ground shook violently, fissures spreading. Then massive or unbelievably massive branches burst forth, akin to rampaging serpents or octopus tentacles, coiling around unsuspecting Konoha-nin, draining their chakra, rapidly expanding and sprouting leaves until they became towering trees. Those trees multiplied at shocking speed—within seconds, an ocean of green roared at tens of thousands of Konoha troops.

"It's the First Hokage! He's been Edo Tensei'd by the enemy!"

"Retreat—don't let those branches grab you or you'll get your chakra drained, if not crushed by the advancing forest!"

" … … …"

This abrupt transformation from a safe, comforting "guardian forest" into a lethal "forest of death" caught Konoha off guard. The sharper ninja, Byakugan among them, shouted warnings to snap their comrades out of it.

Hence, a huge mass of troops fled like crowds outrunning a flood, racing against the green wave behind them.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

"Amaterasu!"

With Yagyu still atop the "mushroom canopy," unable to assist in time, Naruto and Sasuke—earlier left idle—could finally shine. Naruto weaved seals, spawning a thousand clones in golden chakra form, rushing en masse toward the green wave. Each clone's golden aura formed an arm overhead, forging a massive sphere to hurl:

"Sage Art: Chō-Odama Rasengan!"

Boom, boom, boom…

A deafening barrage erupted. Meanwhile, a black fire ocean surfaced from nowhere, surging like a black tide, slamming into the green wave, devouring countless trees and Naruto's clones alike. Yet the two-man synergy demolished that endless "green wave," preventing it from expanding or forming a giant forest. Swiftly, it was wiped out.

"So… so strong!"

"Aside from Lord Yagyu and that rumored "Team 8," the Konoha class of Year 60 has ninja this capable?!"

"They seem to be Kakashi's disciples, and the third is said to be the Hokage's personal pupil."

"So Konoha's "Team 7" is also this strong, not just "Team 8?""

"The first is the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, the other is an Uchiha orphan—turns out they were the ones…!"

"Wood Release, the Sharingan, Nine-Tails, plus the Uzumaki lineage—my god, it's so reminiscent: the new generation's God of Shinobi, new 'Demon of Shinobi World,' plus… a male version of Lady Mito!"

" … … …"

Those Konoha nin who'd fled only a short distance had halted, gazing at the green forest's ruin turning to ash in mere seconds. Naruto and Sasuke's teamwork—another dimension of power—soared their renown, placing them second only to Yagyu. Kakashi himself watched with immense satisfaction:

"My students… aren't any less than Kurenai's."

Before they could celebrate, everyone's faces grew solemn again.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…

Three figures popped into an open clearing. Konoha nin nearest them froze, eyes wide and cold sweat dripping:

"Y-you're kidding…!"

"Th-The First Hokage, the Second, and… the Fourth Hokage?!"

"Is our next foe the former Hokage…?!"

"I thought the Akatsuki's leader was gone—why push it so far? Could traitors also show such loyalty?!"

" … … …"

Though only three, this trio dwarfed the Pain Six Paths, White Zetsu, and earlier Edo Tensei in terms of intimidation. Many at only a few years old started ninja school reading about these three legends—two also legends among legends. Of the tens of thousands of Konoha nin, 99% admired them as fans, some even their former guards.

Hence none knew better how fearsome the previous Hokage truly were. Knowing that power exposed their utter helplessness, and no swarm tactic could matter. A suffocating wave of despair set in.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…

While some nin's legs shook uncontrollably, the three figures abruptly flickered right in front of them. Seeing those three youthful silhouettes, the panicked Konoha nin glimpsed a ray of hope.

"All forces spread out, continue pushing toward Amegakure. They are ours to handle."

Standing in the center between Naruto and Sasuke, Yagyu declared calmly.

"Ninpo: Shisekiyōjin!" (Four Red Yang Formation)

At once, four voices rang out from the distance. Four translucent scarlet walls soared up from each cardinal direction, enveloping Naruto, Sasuke, Yagyu, plus the three "former Hokage," along with a portion of Konoha shinobi—though leaving one small exit behind them.

"Yes!"

Gazing at that legendary barrier—said only possible with four Hokage cooperating—the Konoha soldiers felt their confidence spike. They swiftly concurred, leaping outside the barrier's gap, skirting it to continue advancing on Amegakure.

"Finally seeing you in real life, Dad."

Naruto addressed the cracked body of Namikaze Minato with complex eyes, then a confident grin:

"Don't worry, I'll free you soon."

He rapped his right fist on his left palm, brimming with battle spirit. Witnessing that, the Wood Clone controlling Minato initially didn't want to upset Naruto's emotions, but softened and quietly lifted Minato's mental lock.

Thus, the Fourth—whose face had been blank—gradually regained clarity. He gazed at the shining golden figure in front, the son he'd encountered inside the Jinchūriki "mindscape" with Kushina. Realizing his undead condition, Minato still offered a gentle smile:

"Naruto… you've grown."

Whoosh—

Once Minato spoke, a burst of bright gold emanated from his body, leaving Naruto in disbelief, Sasuke's eyes tightening, and even drawing looks from formidable ninja passing outside the barrier, all astonished.

An effusion of golden chakra coated Minato from head to toe. Its shape mirrored Naruto's precisely—the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.

...

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