"Roar!"
The massive wall of fire suddenly expanded with tremendous force, its brilliant flames illuminating the gradually darkening sky like a miniature sunrise that had erupted from the earth itself. The inferno created such intense light that it momentarily turned the twilight battlefield into something resembling high noon.
The fire spread toward Kakashi's position with frightening speed, reaching him in the blink of an eye. His normally composed features displayed genuine horror as he processed the overwhelming scale of the technique bearing down on him.
Using fire techniques to borrow and amplify the destructive power of wind-style ninjutsu was a tactical approach that most senior ninja who possessed proficiency in both elemental types could theoretically perform with proper training and coordination.
However, among all the ninja that Kakashi had encountered throughout his extensive career, there were no more than three individuals who possessed the skill, chakra reserves, and tactical sophistication necessary to accomplish such a devastating combination technique on this overwhelming scale.
The first was Kakuzu of the Akatsuki organization, whose multiple hearts and elemental masks allowed him to coordinate different natures with supernatural precision. The second was the Third Hokage, who had been taken hostage by Madara and whose current status remained unknown.
And now, according to recent intelligence reports transmitted back from coalition headquarters, members of the former Akatsuki organization had indeed joined the battlefield as unexpected reinforcements for the Allied Forces.
Given this crucial information, the identity of the enemy now confronting him had become quite clear through process of elimination.
Immediately, Kakashi's pupils contracted with shock and growing dread as the implications became apparent, his expression growing extremely heavy with the weight of recognition.
"Swish!"
With lightning-fast reflexes born from years of life-or-death combat, Kakashi flipped his hand and threw the distinctive dagger outward like an arrow seeking its target. The blade rushed beyond the expanding range of the flames and embedded itself in a massive tree trunk that stood outside the immediate danger zone.
Within the heart of the raging inferno, Kakashi's figure disappeared in an instant using the Body Flicker technique enhanced by his natural lightning affinity.
When he reappeared, he was already standing securely on the thick trunk of an ancient tree, having used his thrown weapon as an anchor point for his escape technique.
He bent down with fluid grace and pulled the embedded dagger from the bark, then straightened to his full height and studied both the continuing blaze and the imposing figure who was slowly walking out from within the flames themselves.
The man approaching was powerfully built and appeared to be in his forties, with thick, well-maintained hair and an impressive beard that spoke to both his age and his dignity. His eyes were slightly narrow, giving him an expression of perpetual calculation and tactical awareness.
Most significantly, his facial features bore a distinct resemblance to those of the Third Hokage of Konohagakure, suggesting a close family relationship that confirmed Kakashi's growing suspicions.
"The Edo Tensei technique requires specific genetic material for proper resurrection, and even this legendary man has been successfully summoned?" Kakashi murmured with obvious disbelief and growing concern.
He had already deduced the identity of his opponent through careful analysis of the technique usage and physical appearance, but the implications were almost too staggering to accept.
In any case, this particular individual had died before even the first generation of Kage had established their villages, making him a figure from the chaotic Warring States Period when clan conflicts had dominated the ninja world.
"Sarutobi Sasuke!" Kakashi declared with certainty, his voice carrying both recognition and respect for the legendary figure.
The only person who could deploy such overwhelmingly powerful combination ninjutsu with such casual ease was the patriarch of the Sarutobi clan during the Warring States Period and the biological father of the Third Hokage.
According to historical records and clan legends, Sarutobi Sasuke had been capable of perfectly utilizing all five basic chakra natures with equal mastery. The Third Hokage's eventual reputation as the "Professor of Ninjutsu" had been largely inherited from his father's genetic gifts and early training.
As the legendary figure walked slowly forward with the confident stride of someone who had never known defeat, Sarutobi Sasuke had already begun forming hand seals with practiced precision.
From the specific sequence and timing of the seals being formed, Kakashi was able to identify the elemental nature of the incoming technique and prepare his defensive response accordingly.
"Boom!"
A tremendous tremor suddenly shook the entire forest, affecting not only the massive tree where Kakashi stood but causing dozens of other ancient trunks to collapse under the supernatural vibrations.
Sarutobi Sasuke's earth-style technique had directly generated what amounted to a localized earthquake, demonstrating a level of geological manipulation that rivaled the legendary techniques of the Tsuchikage lineage.
Under the influence of these controlled tremors, the very terrain was being systematically reshaped according to the legendary ninja's tactical requirements.
The ground both in front of and behind Kakashi's position was gradually rising to create elevated barriers, while the area where he currently stood began sinking like quicksand to form a depression that would limit his mobility options.
Just as Kakashi was preparing to evacuate this gradually sinking tactical trap, he suddenly observed Sarutobi Sasuke forming additional hand seals both in front of and behind the raised ground formations.
"Shadow Clone Technique!" Kakashi exclaimed with genuine amazement and growing alarm.
While the use of shadow clones was certainly not surprising for modern ninja who had access to the full range of techniques developed over the decades, Sarutobi Sasuke had died before the establishment of the Five Great Ninja Villages and their systematic jutsu development programs.
The Shadow Clone Technique had been originally created and perfected by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju as part of his research into advanced applications of chakra manipulation. Therefore, virtually no one should have possessed knowledge of this technique during the Warring States Period.
"Crash!"
"Crackle!"
Directly in front of Kakashi's position, a tremendous torrent of water came rushing downward with the force of a natural waterfall, while behind him, dense concentrations of lightning chakra began spreading rapidly along the ground like electric wildfire.
In water-rich environments, electrical current could spread with extreme speed and devastating effect. If these two ninjutsu techniques were allowed to combine successfully, Kakashi would find himself in an extremely passive and potentially fatal situation.
Even for someone of his considerable abilities and experience, escaping from such a perfectly coordinated elemental trap would prove extremely difficult if not impossible.
Of course, Kakashi possessed sufficient skill and determination to avoid easy defeat, but more importantly, he was not fighting this legendary opponent alone.
"Crack!"
Directly in front of Kakashi's position, on the side where the roaring water torrent was descending, brilliant blue ice crystals began rapidly spreading downward. The distinctive coloration of advanced Ice Release techniques quickly expanded to cover the entire area.
In the span of mere seconds, all of Sarutobi Sasuke's water-style ninjutsu had been completely frozen solid, transforming a deadly liquid assault into harmless crystalline sculptures.
Kakashi immediately turned and swung his lightning-enhanced blade with perfect timing and tremendous force.
Electrical energy shot out from the weapon and collided directly with the spreading ground-based lightning technique, creating a spectacular display as the two opposing electrical forces canceled each other out through mutual interference.
At that same critical moment, Zabuza's massive Executioner's Blade came chopping down with devastating force from behind Sarutobi Sasuke's position, the surprise attack timed to coincide with his distraction from the failed combination technique.
Swish!
However, even with Zabuza's sudden and expertly executed assassination attempt, the legendary fighter possessed sufficient combat instincts and reaction speed to respond effectively. He avoided the potentially fatal blow by leaning sideways with fluid grace and temporarily retreating to a safer tactical position.
Kakashi used the Body Flicker technique to instantly appear beside Haku's position. He glanced at his ally with appreciation, then looked toward Zabuza and spoke with genuine gratitude.
"Thank you both for the timely intervention."
"Instead of wasting time on meaningless pleasantries, why don't you tell me exactly who this opponent is?" Zabuza replied with characteristic bluntness, his scarred features showing obvious concern as he studied the powerfully built middle-aged man standing calmly in the distance.
Zabuza's greatest strength lay in stealth and assassination techniques, yet his carefully planned surprise attack had been evaded with almost casual ease. This suggested they were facing an opponent whose combat experience and reflexes exceeded normal parameters.
Kakashi nodded grimly, then spoke in a voice heavy with both respect and apprehension: "That is Sarutobi Sasuke, the legendary patriarch of the Sarutobi clan."
"What?!" Zabuza's expression transformed into one of shock and disbelief as he processed this revelation.
He had naturally heard the name before, as any serious student of ninja history would be familiar with the legendary figures of the Warring States Period. But actually facing such a historical icon in direct combat was something he had never imagined possible.
"The Edo Tensei technique is truly such a troublesome and dangerous ninjutsu," Zabuza muttered with growing frustration.
He had never thought that he would live to see the day when he would actually be forced to fight against such a legendary figure from the distant past. The psychological pressure alone was significant.
"This man is proficient in all five basic chakra natures, Haku. Exercise extreme caution in your technique selection," Zabuza warned his loyal friend with uncharacteristic seriousness.
Haku nodded with understanding and immediately began forming hand seals with one hand, his Ice Release bloodline preparing to deploy its most sophisticated defensive and offensive capabilities.
Meanwhile, in a location far removed from the active battlefield, Black Zetsu observed the developing confrontation with growing satisfaction and strategic calculation.
"I didn't expect that I would need to deploy him as well," he said in a voice that carried slight weight and concern.
Originally, Black Zetsu had believed that controlling the first four Kage would provide sufficient power to overwhelm any resistance that the Shinobi Alliance could muster against their forces.
However, after several members of the Uchiha clan had somehow obtained power derived from the First Hokage's genetic material, their ocular abilities had increased dramatically beyond expected parameters.
"However, all of this is ultimately thanks to the research efforts of the Second Hokage," Black Zetsu continued with dark amusement.
The genetic samples necessary for resurrecting figures like Sarutobi Sasuke and the first four Kage had certainly not been collected by Madara's organization, since these legendary individuals had been dead for decades before the current conflict began.
These genetic materials from long-deceased fighters that could be utilized for Edo Tensei had been preserved and catalogued by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju during his original development of the resurrection technique.
Black Zetsu suspected that even Tobirama had never dreamed that the ninjutsu he had created for defensive purposes would eventually bring such tremendous disaster and suffering to future generations of ninja.
Even the Second Hokage himself had ultimately become nothing more than a puppet manipulated by others for their own destructive purposes.
"However, the remaining forces stationed at the Shinobi Alliance Headquarters are no longer sufficient to prevent or delay Madara's final advance," Black Zetsu observed with cold satisfaction.
His laugh was extremely disturbing, carrying undertones that suggested both madness and ancient malevolence.
"Even Sarutobi Sasuke-sama has been deployed against us..."
At the Allied Forces Headquarters, when Minato received the intelligence report confirming that Sarutobi Sasuke had actually appeared on the battlefield to confront Kakashi and his team, he experienced genuine shock at the escalation.
The resurrection of such a legendary figure from the Warring States Period represented a significant escalation in their enemies' willingness to deploy their most powerful assets.
"BOOM!"
At that critical moment, the ground directly outside the Allied Forces Headquarters suddenly began cracking and splitting with tremendous force. A massive form began emerging from the earth as if rising from the very depths of hell itself.
The colossal body of the Gedo Statue gradually crawled out from its underground concealment, its emergence causing seismic disturbances that could be felt for kilometers in every direction.
As the violent shaking occurred throughout the command center, Minato immediately detected the source of the disturbance through his enhanced sensory abilities.
He instantly appeared outside the headquarters building using his signature teleportation technique, his blue eyes focusing with laser intensity on the enormous statue that was revealing itself. Most importantly, his attention was drawn to the figures positioned on top of the Gedo Statue's massive head.
Within moments, Naruto, Kushina, Sasuke, and the entire headquarters staff had emerged from the command center to witness the confrontation that was about to determine the fate of the ninja world.
In front of the assembled coalition leadership, Minato's normally calm expression suddenly became tense and filled with barely controlled anger. Murderous intent flashed in his eyes as he processed what he was seeing.
When Naruto, Kushina, and the other Konoha ninja observed the scene unfolding on top of the Gedo Statue's head, their faces gradually transformed to display expressions of darkness and rage that matched their leader's emotional state.
Standing on the peak of the massive statue, Uchiha Madara maintained an expression of complete indifference, as if the suffering he had caused meant nothing to him. At the edge of his feet, the Third Hokage lay covered in severe wounds, his chakra fluctuations so weak that they could barely be detected even by enhanced sensory techniques.