The Dawn of the Fifth Hokage!

With a single command from Kazuki Raiga, the entire Ito clan moved as one, standing firmly behind Souta Kazuki. Though the numbers were not as vast as other clans, the unwavering spirit in their eyes made up for their lack of manpower. Among them, Kazuki Haruto and Kazuki Raiga stood as the only jonin, while the rest were comprised of a handful of chunin and several genin. Many of the chunin were aged, veterans who had long passed their prime, yet they showed no hesitation in facing the battlefield before them. This was the Kazuki family—small in number but unshakable in will.

Uchiha Madara, watching from the side, felt a mix of emotions. A family like this could indeed raise a kid like Souta Kazuki. For a moment, he thought back to his own clan, the Uchiha. If only they had shown such unity in the past… If only they had followed him instead of clinging to the village that would eventually betray them. A deep sigh escaped his lips, but he quickly masked his thoughts, turning his gaze back to the battlefield.

As murmurs spread through the air, Shimura Danzo stood tall, fury twisting his expression. His frustration was evident—just when he was about to claim the Hokage seat, the past itself had come to challenge him. Why couldn't these old relics just stay dead?! But despite his anger, a deep, almost delusional confidence burned within him.

Yes, the past had returned, but what of it? He had prepared for this moment for years.

Senju Hashirama? The so-called "God of Shinobi"? He, Danzo, had obtained Wood Release as well!

Senju Tobirama? A master of ninjutsu and the creator of many powerful jutsu? Danzo had learned plenty from his old teacher, especially his wind techniques.

Uchiha Madara? He had the Sharingan, just like him! With the right strategy, he could best him.

Uzumaki Mito? Her sealing techniques were formidable, but he had studied the Uzumaki clan's secrets as well.

Uchiha Shisui? Danzo had his eye—his very strength coursed through him!

Namikaze Minato? His Flying Thunder God Technique was troublesome, but Danzo had Izanagi.He could simply rewrite reality if things went south.

Hatake Sakumo? His swordsmanship was legendary, but Danzo had spent years mastering ninja tools.

And the others? An old Uchiha and Senju from the Warring States era? A Hyuga relic named Hyuga Tennin? Mere obstacles in his path.

Even Orochimaru and Might Duy—what could they do against him?

A grin spread across Danzo's face as his delusion solidified. Victory was in his grasp.

"Heh… Souta Kazuki, you brat," Danzo sneered. "Did you think having the Ito family behind you would change anything? They're nothing! Even if I wipe out every last one of them, what will you do?!"

Souta shook his head, almost pitying the old man. Did he truly not see the situation he was in? Did he actually believe he could stand against the legends before him?

"Danzo," Souta said, his tone laced with mock sympathy. "I admire your persistence. I truly do. But let's be clear about one thing—you are nothing more than a relic who refuses to fade away." A smirk tugged at his lips. "And I don't like relics ruining my plans."

"Enough talk!" Danzo roared. "Root! Kill the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara!"

At his command, the Root ninjas sprang into action, their movements swift and precise, each one prepared to die for their master's cause. They surged forward, blades gleaming under the dim light, their eyes devoid of emotion.

"Flying Thunder God Technique!!!!"

In an instant, a golden blur appeared in the midst of the Root forces—Namikaze Minato. With a flick of his kunai, one of Danzo's elite jonin was sent flying, blood spraying from his abdomen. Minato landed effortlessly, spinning another kunai in his fingers.

"This is a historic day!" Minato announced cheerfully. "The Fifth Hokage's inauguration should be a celebration, not a massacre. Konoha shinobi! Suppress Danzo's rebellion!"

The battlefield erupted into chaos.

Two colossal figures emerged as Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto activated their Susanoo, their skeletal warriors rising with an otherworldly glow. The Root shinobi barely had time to react before massive ethereal blades cleaved through their ranks.

"This is youth!!!" Might Duy's voice roared through the battlefield. "Kai! Let your father see how far you've come!"

"Father! I have never stopped practicing!" Might Guy's voice echoed back. "This is the peak of my youth!!!"

Both father and son leaped forward, their bodies igniting in a burning green aura.

Eight Inner Gates! Open—Sixth Gate: The Gate of Joy!"

A shockwave burst from them as their speed and power multiplied exponentially. Root ninjas tried to react, but before they could even lift a weapon, Guy and Duy were already upon them. A single kick from Guy shattered a Root ninja's ribs, sending him flying across the battlefield. Duy, his eyes burning with determination, struck down another, his fists breaking through steel and bone alike.

On the other side, Hatake Sakumo gripped his White Fang blade tightly, standing next to his son.

"Kakashi," Sakumo said, his voice steady. "Today, you and I will fight side by side."

Kakashi's hands tightened around his kunai. "Father… I've dreamed of this moment for so long."

Sakumo smiled. "Then let's make this battle one to remember."

In an instant, Sakumo vanished, his blade glinting as it cut through the air. Three Root ninjas fell before they even realized they had been struck. Kakashi followed close behind, his Sharingan spinning as he weaved through enemy attacks, countering with deadly precision.

But as he moved, his father's voice suddenly turned stern.

"Kakashi," Sakumo said. "You disappoint me."

Kakashi blinked in confusion. "What?"

"You don't use a sword?"

Kakashi hesitated. "Well… no, I prefer—"

"Rebellious child!!!" Sakumo shouted. "You're carrying manure tomorrow!!!"

With that, he vanished, reappearing behind three ROOT operatives. A flash of white light, and their heads fell from their shoulders.

Uchiha Shisui, meanwhile, moved through the battlefield like a ghost. Most of the ROOT ninjas didn't even have a chance to react before they collapsed, their minds trapped in an illusion so powerful that they simply stopped living.

The ROOT forces, fierce under Danzo's command, were being utterly annihilated.

Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Madara, and Uchiha Izuna stood still, watching the battlefield unfold.

Tobirama's face was filled with sorrow. These Root shinobi—they weren't warriors. They were puppets, hollow shells created by Danzo's twisted ideology. If only things had been different. If only he had done more to prevent this corruption from taking root in Konoha.

"Perhaps," Tobirama muttered, "cleaning up Konoha… is long overdue."