346-350

Chapter 346: The Arrival of Hashirama Senju  

"A shame I can’t unleash their full power—they’d break free from my control."  

"But even at 70%, they’re still forces you could never hope to match."  

"Konoha… now you will know despair."  

"Today, you’ll have the honor of watching your Hokage die before your eyes!"  

With a vicious glare, Hyūga Kyūichi snarled:  

"KILL THEM!"  

Minato, Kushina, and Tobirama erupted with killing intent, their attacks aimed straight for the throats of Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the Third Hokage.  

"NO—!"  

Konoha shinobi screamed in horror.  

A few lunged forward to intervene—only to be blasted back by Minato’s sheer aura alone.  

"Cough… So this is how it ends? What a lame way to go."  

Jiraiya smirked bitterly as Minato’s palm rocketed toward his chest.  

"It’s over… We’ve lost."  

Without their three strongest, the remaining forces stood no chance.  

"Is this… the end of Konoha?"  

Even Utatane Koharu felt despair clawing at her heart.  

If Hiruzen, Tsunade, and Jiraiya fell, only Kakashi, Might Guy, and the elders would remain.  

But Kakashi was barely holding his own against Sakumo.  

And Koharu and Homura were struggling against Danzō.  

Could Guy take on Minato, Tobirama, and Kushina at once?  

Impossible.  

The situation was dire.  

Just as Minato’s strike was about to pierce Jiraiya’s heart—  

BOOM.  

A crushing pressure descended upon the battlefield.  

A deep voice rumbled:  

"Wood Style: Guardian Deity Gates!"  

From the earth beneath Jiraiya’s feet, two massive wooden shields—carved with demonic visages—erupted, encasing the trio in an impenetrable barrier.  

Minato’s attack shattered against it.  

Not a scratch.  

"WHO DARES?!"  

Kyūichi’s face twisted in rage.  

But Koharu and Homura—  

Their eyes widened in disbelief.  

"That technique… It can’t be—!"  

Trembling, they turned toward the source of the voice.  

Beneath the blazing sun, a man stood with long black hair whipping in the wind.  

Clad in crimson armor, his presence alone bent the air around him.  

Koharu’s voice cracked with emotion:  

"L-Lord… First Hokage…?!"  

"WHAT?!"  

Konoha’s forces reeled.  

"No—he’s in Edo Tensei form too! He’s an enemy!"  

"The First Hokage… is here to kill us?!"  

"How… How do we fight him?!"  

Despair surged.  

During the Konoha Crush, a fraction of Hashirama’s power had nearly killed Hiruzen.  

Now—this version radiated ten times that aura.  

The God of Shinobi… at full strength.  

Against that, what hope did they have?  

Kyūichi, however, laughed.  

"Hah! Hashirama Senju—perfect timing! Crush these fools for me!"  

With the First Hokage here, annihilating Konoha would take seconds.  

He assumed Shō had already conquered Kirigakure and sent Hashirama as reinforcement.  

Time to end this.  

But then—  

WHOOSH.  

Hashirama vanished—reappearing fist-first in front of Kyūichi.  

"Wha—?!"  

Kyūichi barely dodged, but Hashirama pursued, his next strike shattering the ground.  

"Tch—!"  

Kyūichi’s mind raced—  

"Tobirama, NOW!"  

Tobirama blitzed in, yanking Kyūichi to safety.  

Konoha’s forces froze.  

"Wait… Is the First Hokage… helping us?"  

Why would he attack the caster?  

Hashirama landed before Koharu and Homura, his expression softening.  

"To see you both so aged… How long has it been?"  

"Rest easy. I’m here to aid you."  

He studied their wary yet hopeful faces.  

"Tell me—what’s happening?"  

"Lord First… You’re truly free from control?" Koharu whispered.  

"Yes. Madara’s loose in the Land of Water, waiting for me. And Tobirama…"  

Hashirama sighed.  

"His jutsu has caused you grief, hasn’t it? Even he’s a puppet now."  

"I never should’ve let him invent it."  

Relief flooded Koharu’s face as she hastily explained the war.  

Hashirama listened—then nodded.  

"Understood. Tend to the wounded—Hiruzen and the others are in bad shape."  

"Leave the enemy… to me."  

"Wood Style: Wood Clones!"  

THUD—THUD—THUD!  

A dozen perfect replicas of Hashirama emerged from his body.  

"Let’s begin."  

"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"  

Hashirama slammed his palms together—  

And the earth trembled.  

Chapter 347: The God of Shinobi  

From beneath the earth, furious dragon-like roots erupted, lashing out at the surrounding enemies with terrifying force and overwhelming pressure—like the whip of a god!  

Wherever they struck, enemies were sent flying, cries of shock filling the air. None could resist.  

"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"  

Seeing a root hurtling toward him, Shimura Danzō formed hand seals and unleashed a razor-sharp gust of wind, slicing through the root.  

"Sshhk!"  

To his credit, Danzō’s Wind Release was powerful enough to sever it. But before he could even smirk, the root regenerated and shot toward him again—faster this time. Even worse, more roots surged from the ground, multiplying their attacks.  

"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!"  

He frantically launched more wind blades, but another root erupted beneath his feet, forcing him to leap back in panic.  

Meanwhile, Hatake Sakumo stood encircled by roots, yet he moved like a lightning spirit, his blade flashing coldly. Not a single root could touch him—each was severed meters before reaching him.  

The legend of "Konoha’s White Fang" was on full display.  

Yet, the Konoha shinobi weren’t marveling at Sakumo’s skill—they were in awe of Hashirama Senju’s overwhelming power.  

No matter how fiercely Sakumo slashed through the roots, they regenerated instantly, trapping him in place. After minutes of relentless cutting, he hadn’t moved an inch—his efforts were utterly futile.  

This was true strength.  

Hashirama stood like an unbreakable fortress, his calm demeanor unchanging. To the Konoha shinobi, he resembled Yoru on that fateful day—an unstoppable force, effortlessly dominating the battlefield.  

Even the reanimated shinobi army was crumbling. Elite fighters like Danzō, Sakumo, and even Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki (despite their Nine-Tails Chakra Mode) struggled desperately.  

"Rustle… rustle…"  

The roots morphed into towering trees, blooming with vibrant flowers that released a haze of yellow pollen.  

"Don’t breathe it in! That pollen can paralyze even tailed beasts!" Koharu Utatane shouted.  

Too late—some reanimated shinobi froze mid-movement, helpless as roots coiled around them. Then, something horrifying happened: their bodies withered into mummies, drained of all chakra.  

The Konoha forces gasped.  

Hashirama’s roots could absorb chakra?!  

Thankfully, he was on their side. If he were an enemy, how could they possibly win?  

Even Danzō and Minato were forced into retreat. Flying Thunder God? Useless here.  

"Wood Release: All-Encompassing Hand Technique!"  

Hashirama formed another seal.  

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"  

Giant wooden hands burst from the earth, weaving an inescapable net. Minato, despite his speed, could only dodge—there was no counterattack.  

"Charge! Follow the First Hokage’s lead!" a squad captain roared.  

"YEAH!!!"  

The Konoha shinobi rallied, morale soaring. Victory was within reach.  

Meanwhile…  

Naruto clutched his stomach, feeling a burning heat.  

"Is the Nine-Tails acting up? Now of all times?!"  

He plunged into his mindscape, bracing for the fox’s usual taunts.  

But today—Kurama was silent.  

No mockery. No growls. Just… fear.  

Naruto blinked. Fear?  

Even against Yoru, Kurama had only been wary. But now? The beast lay curled up, eyes shut, pretending to sleep.  

Since when did the Nine-Tails cower?  

Outside…  

"Damn you, Hashirama Senju!" Shū snarled, watching his army collapse. "Minato! Kushina! Use the Tailed Beast Bomb! Crush him!"  

If Hashirama turned the tide, Shū’s mission would fail—and failure meant disgrace.  

"Lord Jirō doesn’t tolerate useless pawns."  

Instantly, Minato and Kushina halted their retreat. Their chakra flared violently, a sinister aura swelling around them.  

The battlefield trembled.  

Chapter 348: Crisis Resolved  

And then—  

The two of them simultaneously opened their mouths, unleashing two devastating crimson beams—*Bijūdama (Tailed Beast Bombs)*—straight toward Senju Hashirama, aiming to obliterate him completely.  

"Hahaha! Senju Hashirama, perish!"  

"No matter how strong you are, against the Bijūdama, you’re nothing but a helpless insect!"  

Shūichi laughed maniacally, his voice dripping with arrogance.  

"First Hokage, dodge—now!"  

The Konoha shinobi paled at the sight. In their eyes, this was an attack far beyond human capability.  

But Hashirama remained unfazed. Calmly forming hand seals, he muttered:  

"Mokuton: Mokujin no Jutsu (Wood Release: Wood Human Technique)!"  

BOOM—!  

A towering wooden giant, over ten meters tall, erupted from the earth with overwhelming presence. With a single swing of its arm, the air itself shattered.  

"Hah!"  

And then—the impossible happened.  

The Bijūdama, the attack that had struck fear into every Konoha shinobi, was slapped back by the wooden giant’s palm.  

"Tch—!!"  

Shūichi gasped. Even the Konoha forces couldn’t believe their eyes.  

That was a Bijūdama—an attack capable of leveling mountains—yet it had been deflected so easily?! It felt unreal.  

Inside Naruto, the Nine-Tails scoffed.  

"As if a mere Bijūdama could hurt Hashirama. Back then, even when Madara forced me to fire one, he blocked it with one hand."  

"Got you."  

While Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina were charging their attacks, Hashirama’s wood clone had already ensnared them with massive wooden hands.  

Like furious serpents, thick roots coiled around them, draining their chakra at a terrifying rate. Soon, their Nine-Tails Chakra Mode faded.  

And then—the paralyzing pollen in the air froze them completely.  

"Seal!"  

Hashirama, a master of sealing techniques, swiftly sealed them away.  

"Release."  

With a wave of his hand, he dispersed the Hōka no Jukai (Flowering Tree World).  

"Everyone—with me!"  

When the First Hokage called for battle, no Konoha shinobi could resist.  

"OOOOOH—!!!"  

His charisma was unmatched. A single command sent the entire force surging forward in exhilaration.  

Fighting alongside a legendary shinobi like Hashirama? Nothing could be more thrilling.  

"Now then… it’s your turn."  

Hashirama’s gaze locked onto Senju Tobirama.  

"Leave Sarutobi and Danzō to the others."  

Hashirama recognized them—Shimura Danzō and Hatake Sakumo had already been prominent figures in his time.  

"Leave it to us, Lord Hashirama!"  

"Charge, men! Let the First Hokage see our strength!"  

"Fight with everything you’ve got—we’re standing beside the God of Shinobi himself!"  

The Konoha forces burned with fighting spirit.  

"Damn it!"  

Panicking, Shūichi tried to escape by manipulating Tobirama.  

But—  

"Mokuton: Jukai Kōtan (Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees)!"  

Hashirama clasped his hands together. The earth trembled as an entire forest erupted, swallowing Shūichi and Tobirama within seconds.  

"NO—!!"  

No matter how Tobirama struggled, he couldn’t break free. Shūichi was trapped.  

"Gah—!"  

Vines coiled around Tobirama, dragging him toward Hashirama.  

"You bastard!!"  

Despair set in. Without Tobirama’s protection, Shūichi was finished.  

"I refuse to accept this!"  

With a final roar, he was seized by Hashirama’s wooden hand.  

"Are there any Nara or Yamanaka here?!" Hashirama bellowed.  

"Here!" Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi stepped forward.  

"Extract the intel from him—find out how to undo this!"  

Hashirama tossed Shūichi toward them.  

Tobirama, still fighting, erupted with chakra, breaking free momentarily—only to be slammed into the ground by Hashirama’s wooden fist.  

"You won’t interfere, Tobirama." Hashirama’s eyes were sharp.  

Meanwhile—  

"Danzō, it’s over!"  

With Hashirama’s wood clone aiding them, Koharu and Homura quickly subdued and sealed Shimura Danzō.  

"Heh… not bad for a posthumous trip."  

Danzō, surprisingly, seemed satisfied.  

"Father… I can’t let you harm Konoha."  

With the wood clone’s help, Hatake Kakashi drove his Lightning Blade through Hatake Sakumo’s chest.  

But unlike the others—  

"Kakashi… you’ve grown."  

Sakumo, moments before being sealed, regained his consciousness, smiling proudly at his son.  

"Seeing you like this… I can rest easy."  

And then—he was sealed.  

"Brother, you really didn’t hold back against me, huh?"  

With Shūichi captured, all the reanimated shinobi regained free will.  

Tobirama reappeared nearby, glaring at Hashirama.  

"You’re fine—you’re already dead anyway!" Hashirama laughed heartily before gesturing to the Konoha army.  

"That Shinobi Academy system you created? It worked. Look at all these fine shinobi!"  

Tobirama smirked. "Obviously."  

"Still, you’ve made my afterlife miserable!"  

Tobirama grumbled. "If not for your cells binding me, I wouldn’t have been controlled by some lowlife!"  

Hashirama crossed his arms. "Well, if you hadn’t invented the Edo Tensei in the first place, none of this would’ve happened."  

Tobirama: "…"  

"Enough. Since you’re free now, undo the Edo Tensei. No need to trouble the Nara and Yamanaka further."  

"Edo Tensei—Kai!"  

Tobirama slammed his palm onto the ground.  

Instantly, every reanimated shinobi glowed white as their souls ascended to the afterlife.  

Tobirama, however, anchored his soul back into his body with sheer willpower.  

"Men—advance! The White Zetsu army remains!"  

With the Edo Tensei undone, the battle wasn’t over. The White Zetsu clones still swarmed the battlefield.  

Chapter 349: You Stole My Rinnegan Too  

"YEAH!!!"  

Victory was within reach. The Konoha shinobi had never been so fired up.  

…  

In the end, the battle concluded—but not without cost. Forty percent casualties.  

"Looks like it’s time for me to go," Hashirama said, watching the surviving Konoha forces regroup.  

"Lord Hashirama, wait!" Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado rushed forward in alarm. "You can’t leave yet! We haven’t even thanked you properly!"  

They had hoped to bring him back to the village, to let the people see their legendary First Hokage once more.  

"Hahaha, no need!" Hashirama waved them off. "You two handle the cleanup. I’ve got other matters to settle."  

With a glance at his brother, he vanished in a blur.  

Tobirama sighed. "Do your best." Then he, too, was gone.  

Koharu and Homura could only watch, crestfallen.  

Kirigakure, Meanwhile…  

"You’re late. The war’s already started."  

Yoru lounged lazily, smirking as Nagato and Konan arrived in a rush.  

"Where are his Rinnegan?"  

Madara’s eyes narrowed. He’d personally given Nagato those eyes. How were they gone?  

A terrible suspicion struck him. "Don’t tell me… you took them too?"  

Nagato with the Rinnegan was a force to reckon with. The only one who could’ve stolen them was—  

"Bingo." Yoru grinned. "But don’t worry, I’m putting them to better use than you would. Once I’ve dealt with all the threats to the shinobi world, I’ll return them to the Uchiha. Promise."  

(Truthfully, the System couldn’t elevate him to Six Paths-level yet—no relevant data existed in this era. But with the Rinnegan fused, it could finally analyze that power. After that? He wouldn’t need the eyes anymore. His body would evolve its own new kekkei genkai, inheritable by bloodline. Blood Release? Lava Release? Maybe even a Kekkei Mōra? Worst case, a standard Kekkei Genkai was still a win.)  

"You expect me to believe that?" Madara’s voice dripped with venom.  

Was Yoru sent by the heavens to torment him? First, he stole Obito’s Sharingan. Now, his Rinnegan?  

Was this bastard his natural enemy?  

"Believe what you want." Yoru shrugged. "I’m stating facts."  

"Seems I worried for nothing." Nagato scanned the battlefield. Kirigakure’s forces were dominating.  

"By the way, how’d your hunt for Orochimaru go?" Yoru asked casually.  

Nagato sighed. "Typical Orochimaru. The moment we moved in, he blew up his own base and escaped."  

Yoru chuckled. "That snake… Now he’s slithering around who-knows-where. Annoying, but not unexpected."  

(His tone was relaxed. He wasn’t worried.)  

"Your battle here is almost over," Konan observed.  

Below, the tide had turned:  

• The Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki, was being overwhelmed by Kisame, Zabuza, and Yūhi.  

• Yagura clashed fiercely with the former Three-Tails Jinchūriki, their duel a whirlwind of violence.  

• Utakata had his former mentor on the ropes.  

• Yugito swapped between targets, trading blows with the ex-Jinchūriki.  

• Reiko carved through the White Zetsu army like a storm. 

Total domination.  

"Tch. Ending too soon. I was just getting warmed up," Yoru mused.  

Nagato and Konan shot him identical deadpan looks.  

"Not enough destruction for you?"  

"Well, dragging it out would cause unnecessary fallout," Yoru conceded, standing. His gaze drifted toward Konoha’s direction. "Hashirama’s probably wrapping up over there too."  

He side-eyed Madara. "When you two fight, take it somewhere remote. An uninhabited island, maybe."  

Letting these walking natural disasters brawl near Kirigakure? Bad idea. Their attacks could sink the entire Land of Water.  

"Hmph. Don’t worry. Hashirama will insist on it," Madara grumbled.  

(He didn’t care about collateral damage. But Hashirama did. And Yoru definitely wouldn’t allow it.)  

On the Battlefield Below…  

"Not bad, brats! You Kirigakure youngsters are impressive!"  

Gengetsu laughed as Zabuza, Kisame, and the others pressed their assault. Despite being outnumbered, they’d turned this into a sparring session—testing techniques, adapting strategies.  

Even his "Steaming Danger Tyranny" was absorbed by Samehada. His mirage-summoning clam, "Bakekujira," got smashed within minutes.  

Annoying? Yes.  

But also… thrilling.  

These kids had strength. Kirigakure’s future was bright.  

Chapter 350: So Cooperative  

"Alright, that’s enough sparring for today. Let’s call it here!"  

"You’ve all done well. I’ll remember your names—the future of Kirigakure is in good hands!"  

Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, ceased his attacks.  

He had tested them thoroughly—Momochi Zabuza and the others had met his expectations. Now, he could leave in peace.  

"Thank you, Lord Mizukage!"  

Zabuza and his comrades bowed in gratitude.  

"Kirigakure’s future is yours to shape. Good."  

With a satisfied smile, Gengetsu released himself from the Edo Tensei’s hold, his soul ascending into the sky.  

Having returned to the world of the living, he’d seen enough—Kirigakure was thriving. He had no regrets.  

Elsewhere…  

"To think you became the Fourth Mizukage, only to be overthrown… and now, you stand with Kirigakure again. Quite the journey, eh, Yagura?"  

The former Three-Tails Jinchūriki regarded Yagura with a wry smile.  

"Such is the fate of a shinobi, no?" Yagura chuckled ruefully.  

A shinobi’s life was never simple.  

"Fair enough."  

The former Jinchūriki nodded. "Then I’ll take my leave. Never thought you’d inherit the Three-Tails—and surpass me, no less!"  

"Seems this ‘Yoru’ fellow runs a tighter ship than our old Kirigakure elders."  

With a final laugh, his soul too returned to the afterlife.  

"My boy… don’t blame yourself. Your master holds no grudge."  

"Live the rest of your life for yourself, understand?"  

Utakata’s master gently ruffled his hair before fading away.  

And Utakata—  

His face twisted with guilt.  

Years ago, his master had tried to seal the Six-Tails while he slept.  

But Utakata misunderstood.  

He thought his master was betraying him.  

And so—he killed the man who raised him.  

A tragedy born from distrust.  

Had it not been for the Edo Tensei, he might never have learned the truth.  

This was why he’d kept his own students at arm’s length—  

He no longer believed in the bond between master and disciple.  

But now?  

His heart was free.  

For the first time in years, the world felt bright again.  

As their battles concluded, so too did the war.  

"So fast."  

"This war lasted less than a day."  

Yoru rose to his feet, dark-blue lightning crackling around him.  

The energy coalesced into a thunder dragon, carrying him high above the battlefield. His voice boomed like a storm:  

"Finish this within thirty minutes! Then—we return home in glory!"  

"ROOOAR—!!"  

The Kirigakure forces roared in response, their morale sky-high.  

Witnessing this, Nagato sighed.  

"Had I possessed even half his charisma back then… perhaps things would’ve been different."  

He shook his head bitterly.  

Being born in the same era as Yoru… was simply misfortune.  

Had Yoru not existed—  

His dream of peace might’ve already been realized.  

Thirty minutes later…  

The war ended.  

Kirigakure’s shinobi began mopping up the battlefield.  

And Uchiha Madara—  

Finally met his match.  

With Tobirama’s help, Hashirama had crossed from the Land of Fire to the Land of Water in under an hour.  

Now, he stood before Madara, expression grave.  

"Let’s settle this, Madara."  

Meanwhile, Tobirama glared at Yoru, his face dark with displeasure.  

(Probably recalling that time Yoru slammed him into a hot spring.)  

"Mark my words—if you ever threaten Konoha, our shinobi will hunt you to the ends of the earth."  

"Hah! As if we’d waste time on your pathetic village!"  

Before Yoru could respond, Rin scoffed, oozing disdain.  

"You—!"  

Tobirama’s killing intent flared, but Hashirama stopped him.  

"Enough, Tobirama."  

Then, to Madara:  

"Where do you want to fight?"  

But Madara—  

Laughed.  

"Never mind. I’ve lost interest."  

His crimson eyes locked onto Yoru.  

"Let’s see if you can maintain this ‘peace’ of yours."  

"Next time I’m revived… I’ll turn this world upside down."  

"Don’t disappoint me, Yoru."  

With that—  

White light enveloped him.  

Madara had released himself from the Edo Tensei.  

"Well, that’s unexpected."  

Yoru raised an eyebrow.  

Even Hashirama looked stunned.  

"That guy…" He sighed, shaking his head.  

"Then the world is yours to protect, Yoru."  

With a final nod, Hashirama too shed his earthly bonds, his soul ascending.  

"Remember my warning, Yoru. Cross the line… and you’ll regret it."  

Tobirama vanished in a swirl of light.  

"Tch. They’re being way too cooperative. It’s almost suspicious."  

Yoru scratched his head, annoyed.  

He’d been looking forward to that fight.  

"Whatever. Pack up—we’re going home."  

Kirigakure’s forces had marched to war with 20,000 shinobi.  

They returned with the same number—  

Only 500 wounded.  

Not a single death.  

A feat so absurd it defied belief.  

The streets of the Land of Water were lined with cheering crowds.  

And at Kirigakure’s gates—  

Mizukage Mei Terumī awaited them, pride shining in her eyes.