The Strength of One Village Amounts to No More Than This

"Yes, to face the Empire's people."

Jiraiya nodded, paused, then continued:

"Recently, the Empire allied with Konoha, holding a Five Kage Summit. They threatened and pressured Kirigakure, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure with force. We know full well that with our current living strength, we can't oppose them, so we had to trouble you all."

"Is that so? I initially thought the Empire's people weren't bad… didn't expect such intentions…" Hashirama sighed.

"That's human nature, Brother. Did you think everyone's as sincere as you? Having great power but not conquering others, instead sharing Bijuu with them. Only a naive person like you would do that." Tobirama said disdainfully.

"S-Sorry…"

Hashirama instantly grew dejected.

"Conquering the world doesn't surprise me, but destroying it is unexpected. An intact world should be more useful than a ruined one… prophecies… can such things really be trusted?" Tobirama frowned.

"I don't care if that dream prophecy is trustworthy. Asking me to fight Naruto? No way!" Kushina said, irritated.

"No way? What if I said Naruto's in the Empire's hands?"

Nagato, silent until now, spoke suddenly.

His condition, thanks to White Zetsu, was much better than before.

"What? Naruto's with the Empire?"

Kushina was shocked, and even Minato showed a startled expression.

"Correct. The Empire captured Bijuu earlier; Naruto's been taken."

Nagato's expression remained unchanged.

"Then I won't forgive them!" Kushina roared.

Hashirama frowned. "As I recall… wasn't it Akatsuki capturing Bijuu?"

He remembered his conversation with the Empire's people at Konoha's gates.

"Not Akatsuki, but the Empire. It's their conspiracy. If you don't believe me, ask Jiraiya-sensei." Nagato said.

"I can't confirm who took Naruto, but in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, the Empire is the mastermind behind the world's destruction." Jiraiya said seriously.

This made others more convinced the Empire captured Naruto.

"Is that so…"

"Damned Empire!"

"Konoha's people are controlled by the Empire! We must save them!"

Many united against a common enemy.

One by one, they declared willingness to join the fight against the Empire.

"Great, thank you all for your help! With your strength, I'm sure we can defeat the Empire, awaken Konoha's people, and protect our world well." Jiraiya smiled faintly.

"Even so, I feel the Empire's people shouldn't be underestimated… after all, Senju Ryuji unified a world, possibly stronger than me. Facing such an opponent, we need greater power… Where's Madara?"

Hashirama, at the end, expressed longing for his old friend.

"Brother! Are you stupid? Forgot how Uchiha Madara left Konoha? And the Uchiha clan died because of Sarutobi and Danzo, those two fools. How could they ally with a Konoha that now has Uchiha?" Tobirama scolded.

"Haaa… Madara won't fight with us? That's… a pity…" Hashirama grew dejected.

"First Hokage, no need for that. Nagato said their people are negotiating with Uchiha Madara. If successful, he'll join the battle… For now, let's rendezvous with the Four Great Ninja Villages, then counterattack the Empire's people in Konoha. Before they all arrive, we must defeat some first." Jiraiya said finally.

Everyone began to act.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Konoha's gates.

Tsunade, Kakashi, Shikaku, and other Konoha ninja looked at the Empire's people with complex expressions.

Tsunade frowned. "Are you sure this war doesn't need our help? Though the Empire is strong, it's just a few of you, and you said the Four Great Ninja Villages still have many Edo Tensei ninja."

"No problem. Consider this atonement for the Five Kage Summit's mistakes." Imperial Gaara said flatly.

"A bunch of idiots! Seems we were too soft on them before, giving them illusions!" Imperial Raikage A grumbled.

"Tch, we're in Konoha; how could we go all out? But this time, I'll unleash my full power, making them truly despair." Imperial Deidara grinned wickedly.

"The Four Great Ninja Villages united… isn't this exciting? Fierce battles with otherworlders—that's what I always wanted before coming here." Imperial Tenten rubbed her hands.

"Ooooh! Passion! Burning! Boss Guy! Lee!" Imperial Lee raised both hands high, shouting with all his might.

"Ultimately, narrow-minded people who haven't seen the Empire's true strength. Since they want despair, let them feel it properly." Imperial Setsuna said, glancing at Imperial Itachi. "Have you fully absorbed that eye's power?"

"Um… perfectly absorbed. My eyes have evolved into the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan." Imperial Itachi nodded.

"Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, eyes above the Mangekyou Sharingan. Eyes that can wield true Susano'o… Itachi… remember to use Izanagi on me later, let those Four Great Ninja Villages' idiots know how terrifying Uchiha are." Ninja World Sasuke looked at Imperial Itachi hopefully.

Imperial Itachi smiled affectionately. "Of course, to revive the Uchiha clan's glory… but little Sasuke, remember to produce heirs; that's important too…"

"Shut up!"

Ninja World Sasuke's eye twitched.

Ninja World Sakura and Ino looked at Sasuke hopefully.

Despite nearing a great war, the Empire's people remained relaxed.

After a few more words, they sped toward the battlefield.

Tsunade and the others followed behind, though per the plan, they didn't need to act.

But they still had to witness, observing to ensure no unexpected events.

*WHOOSH!* *WHOOSH!* *WHOOSH!*

The two groups rapidly approached each other.

Soon, they met.

The Four Great Ninja Villages' original ninja forces, plus Edo Tensei, numbered at least forty thousand, densely packed and stretching far back, chilling to behold.

In the ninja world, anyone seeing this would lose any will to fight.

Konoha's ninja, watching from afar, involuntarily changed expressions.

Shikaku smiled bitterly. "Though expected, seeing such military might is terrifying."

"Indeed, if Konoha faced this alone, we'd probably surrender immediately."

"Those Edo Tensei… each has astonishing chakra, clearly not ordinary." Neji observed the Edo Tensei Kage.

"I see the Second Raikage, Third Raikage, Second Mizukage… but thankfully, my great-grandfather and second great-grandfather aren't there." Tsunade said, somewhat relieved.

"Are the Empire's people really okay?"

Some worried.

"Though a bit arrogant, they're not limitlessly so. Just watch." Tsunade said finally.

Konoha's people advanced no further.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

At the same time, the Empire's people slowed their pace.

Imperial Raikage A, Deidara, Kisame, and others, a step faster, reached the front of the four villages' combined forces first.

A hundred meters apart.

Imperial Raikage A roared: "My counterpart! You really plan to oppose our proposal? Think you can defeat us with these Edo Tensei?"

"Silence! Kumogakure has stood in the ninja world for decades, the Raikage title passed to me. How could I surrender to you easily!"

"I admit your strength is great, but with past Kage and strong ninja from all generations, we won't lose this time!" Ninja World Raikage A roared.

He stopped, others followed, both sides glaring fiercely.

"Right! Iwagakure's Stone Will, inherited to now, how could we surrender easily! Stinking otherworld brat! Today, I'll show you true Stone Will!" Ōnoki roared.

"Sorry, though you're my type, and I'm interested in joining the Empire for deeper interaction, my people disagree, so… we can only fight." Ninja World Mei said.

"Sunagakure has its own principles… we won't surrender." Ninja World Gaara said.

"Damned Empire! Don't underestimate us! With so many great experts and past Kage, we'll teach you a lesson this time!" A group of ninja shouted.

"Truly similar… Though I don't know if your identities are real, even if you're another world's Raikage A, daring to say foolish things like making Kumogakure surrender, I won't show mercy." the Third Raikage glared at Imperial Raikage A, roaring, activating Lightning Chakra Mode, lightning coiling around him.

"My dead old man from this world? Seems decently strong, but fighting me, who's mastered martial arts power? Far from enough!"

Imperial Raikage A's voice fell, his body erupting with lightning.

The Third Raikage said seriously: "As intel suggested, this man's very strong! But defeating us is far from enough!"

The Third Raikage roared one last time, his body turning into lightning, charging at Imperial Raikage A!

"Hahaha… impatient? Worthy of my old man from this world! But it's futile! The gap between the Empire and the ninja world, I'll make you feel it now!"

*BOOM!*

His final words fell, the ground beneath him exploding.

Imperial Raikage A turned into even faster lightning!

The two lightning bolts collided.

The Third Raikage's body was blasted hundreds of meters by the impact, crashing into the crowd, injuring many!

Imperial Raikage A, unchecked, charged into Kumogakure's ninja.

"The Third Raikage's no match?"

"He's coming! Prepare to fight!"

"One man dares face so many of us!"

"Kill him! Kill that bastard quick!"

Many Kumogakure ninja roared angrily, flooding toward Imperial Raikage A, engulfing him.

But upon contact, they realized in terror they were like trash. Their opponent casually waved hands, kicked, even the wind from his movements sent them flying.

Like garbage, they were flung and fell continuously.

"Lightning Release – Black Spot!"

Seeing Imperial Raikage A's arrogance, Darui's heart burned with anger, using his special black lightning, turning into a lightning beast charging at Imperial Raikage A.

The ground beneath the beast cracked, charring, but nearing Imperial Raikage A, he merely turned, roaring loudly.

The mighty lightning beast and other Lightning Releases scattered from the roar. Many clutched their eardrums, howling in pain.

Samui, Omoi, and other elite Kumogakure ninja, with terrifying sonic attacks, first gripped swords, slashing at Imperial Raikage A.

Imperial Raikage A's lightning turned into a long whip, with one swing sending them flying back.

Other Lightning Releases hit his body, causing no effect.

Imperial Raikage A rampaged through Kumogakure's forces.

Only when the First, Second, Third, Fourth Raikage, and some elite ninja blocked him together did his ferocious assault slow slightly.

Even so, Imperial Raikage A dominated, making other ninja's hearts pound.

A thought arose unconsciously: "Just one is this strong; if the others join… could we really lose?"

"No! Impossible! The others can't be as strong as the Fourth Raikage!"

They hurriedly shook their heads, banishing the terrifying thought.

"A group ganging up on Brother alone? Not good! Let me! Killer B play with you!"

"Life Return! Eight-Arm Mode!"

Imperial Killer B roared, as his arms spread, six more grew.

As eight arms moved, eight long swords appeared in eight hands.

The ninja were shocked again.

"How?! Why does another world's B-sama have so many arms!"

"This isn't scientific! Not ninja!"

"Stop him!"

Kumogakure ninja roared, blocking Imperial Killer B's charge.

Imperial Killer B danced with eight arms, his body shrouded in sword shadows. Anyone nearing had clothes torn, bodies slashed, blood spurting as they fell.

If not for Imperial Killer B holding back, many believed they'd be minced instantly.

Too fast!

The other world's Killer B's swords were too fast!

Even ninjutsu was slashed by his blades!

This was a monster like Imperial Raikage A!