"Deidara, you little brat, get out of the way!"
Ohnoki's face turned red with anger as he shouted at his former disciple, Deidara.
"Brother Deidara, do you even realize what you're doing?" Kurotsuchi looked at Deidara, standing alongside Konoha's shinobi, with a conflicted expression.
To this:
"Sorry, old man… and sorry, Kurotsuchi. But I've made my choice. I want to help the boss unify the ninja world!" Deidara smiled confidently, clutching his explosive clay as he stood his ground in front of the advancing ninja coalition.
Swish—Swish—Swish—Swish—
At that moment, thousands of Konoha's elite shinobi arrived one after another, standing beside Tsunade, Kakashi, and other key figures. They took up positions in front of the Sacred Tree of the Ten Tails, forming a defensive line.
Despite having lost many comrades to Leo, Uchiha Madara, and Uchiha Izuna's earlier attacks, the Allied Shinobi Forces still numbered nearly 100,000. Now, faced with this Konoha-led resistance of only about 3,000, the numerical advantage was overwhelmingly in favor of the alliance.
However—
Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble as countless White Zetsu surged from underground—almost 100,000 of them—bolstering the Konoha side and evening out the odds.
Now, the desert battlefield was filled with two massive armies. On one side, the Allied Shinobi Forces; on the other, the White Zetsu, Konoha ninjas, and members of the Akatsuki.
Amid this tension, the two "Uchiha Madaras" stood atop the head of the Ten Tails. Both were entirely focused on gathering and absorbing natural energy from the earth and air. That energy was continuously channeled through wooden tubes attached to their backs into the body of the Ten Tails.
Above them, a massive flower bud had bloomed atop the Sacred Tree. And within it—a blood-red shape gradually formed: the Eye of the Moon.
"Damn it! We can't wait any longer—attack!!"
Raikage Ai, injured but furious, rushed forward with a mighty roar.
"Lord Raikage, your wounds—!" Darui called out in concern, but Ai ignored him and charged.
Cloud shinobi soon followed, pouring onto the battlefield.
Ohnoki, Terumi Mei, Gaara, and other leaders quickly commanded their troops to charge as well.
"Go!! Don't let them complete the ritual!"
"Damn it, just die!!" ×N
Though outnumbered, the shinobi under Leo and Uchiha Madara stood strong. Hidan of Akatsuki laughed maniacally as he welcomed the fight.
"Hahaha… Let me offer all of you as a sacrifice to the Evil God!"
Hoshigaki Kisame removed the cloth from Samehada, revealing his shark-like grin. "Come on then!"
"For Yahiko!" Nagato made hand signs while Konan transformed into countless paper blades, her wings spreading behind her.
Tsunade cracked her knuckles, ready to release her monstrous strength.
Kakashi slowly lifted his right arm—Lightning Blade charged and pulsing.
Yuhi Kurenai began to weave illusions, Mitarashi Anko summoned a wave of ferocious snakes, and Shikaku Nara coordinated Konoha's strategies with his Shadow Possession techniques.
The Hyuga clan activated their Byakugan and prepared to use the Eight Trigrams and Revolving Heaven.
And so, the great war began.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—
The desert battlefield erupted into chaos as 100,000 faced off against 100,000. Ninjutsu of every elemental nature was unleashed. Kekkei Genkai collided. Explosions, fire, lightning, and whirlwinds raged across the sand.
The casualties piled up on both sides within minutes.
However, amidst this chaos, the White Zetsu army showed their true menace.
Disguising themselves as allies, they infiltrated the Allied Shinobi Forces. Able to copy Chakra, voice, scent, and even personality, White Zetsu began assassinating high-ranking officers from within.
Confusion erupted.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"I'm me—aren't you the fake?!"
"Don't move!!"
The coalition, already under pressure, began to crumble internally. Mistrust spread like wildfire.
Raikage Ai watched in frustration. "Damn it! These White Zetsu bastards…!"
In the original events, only Naruto's arrival could have dispelled such distrust. But here, with no such savior, the allied army was disorganized and vulnerable.
Back at the Sacred Tree, the two Uchiha Madaras remained unmoved. They continued to gather natural energy, allowing the flower atop the tree to bloom more and more.
"Don't even think about interfering with the two Nii-san!"
Uchiha Izuna, standing at the front line, unleashed his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Mangekyō Sharingan: Blood Qi Fei!!"
A crimson ripple burst out.
The forbidden technique caused the blood of enemy shinobi within range to freeze in an instant.
Ninjas fell one after another around Izuna, clutching their chests in shock and pain.
And then—
Zheng—
With a brilliant flash of light, the Sacred Tree fully bloomed.
The Eye of the Moon—now fully formed—cast its gaze down upon the battlefield.
The moon in the sky turned blood red.
Its reflection shimmered ominously on the sand.
From atop the Ten Tails, Uchiha Madara's Rinnegan shimmered.
"The time has come," he muttered, a mixture of joy and awe in his voice.
Beside him, Leo nodded. "It's ready."
"You… you're really going to let me take this step?" Uchiha Madara turned toward Leo, surprised.
Leo smiled calmly. "Yeah. No more talk."
He folded his arms.
"You…"
Madara looked at Leo one last time.
"Then I'll say nothing more!"
Swish—
Both Leo and Madara leaped from the top of the Sacred Tree and landed back on the battlefield.
"Nii-san!"
Uchiha Izuna rushed to Leo's side, breathless and worried.
"What about the other Nii-san?"
Leo patted his younger brother's shoulder. "He's about to obtain the ultimate power… and become the Jinchūriki of the Ten Tails."
"Ten Tails… Jinchūriki?" Izuna repeated in disbelief.
Meanwhile, both sides on the battlefield slowly stopped fighting.
Everyone looked toward the Sacred Tree, where the air had become dense, heavy—almost divine.
"Oh no…"
Ōnoki, Gaara, Terumi Mei, and the Raikage stared at the scene, their unease deepening.
They watched as Uchiha Madara stood alone in front of the fully bloomed Sacred Tree.
Then—
Zheng—
Ten Tails: Coffin Seal… Initiate!!
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