"It's no use. The human body simply cannot keep up with high-speed teleportation."
"A person would be torn to pieces and die."
"The only one who ever successfully used the Heavenly Transfer Technique to move himself..."
"Was the Third Raikage, and that was only because his body was sufficiently robust."
"The Fourth Raikage might be fine since he inherited that lineage, but the Hokage definitely cannot. Please, reconsider!"
Shikaku, however, spoke calmly: "I have an idea."
"We use the Flying Raijin Formation Technique. Call the Genma Squad; have them mark a Katsuyu first and teleport it to the scene..."
Katsuyu nodded slightly. "I am not afraid of being torn apart."
"There's no need. I'll use this," Tsunade said, pointing to her forehead.
"I see. But this is a dangerous gamble, and your luck, Tsunade-sama, has never been good."
"That is only true when I'm gambling for money. When I'm gambling with my life, it's a different story! That is why I have survived this long," Tsunade barked.
Seeing that Shikaku could not stop Tsunade, Mabui prepared to appeal to the Raikage.
"Raikage-sama, please stop the Hokage."
But at that moment, the Raikage closed his eyes. He turned to Mabui behind him and spoke.
"Mabui, prepare the Heavenly Transfer Technique. Two people."
"Raikage-sama! Even you!"
"How could even the Raikage... Shikaku?" Mabui looked toward Shikaku.
"The war has entered its final stage. The enemy commanders have taken the stage; it is time for our Supreme Commander to make his appearance!" Shikaku announced.
"But Madara and Kanon are of the Uchiha clan. If we don't find a way to counter their Fire Release, we won't stand a chance," Tsunade instructed the others. "Let the Mizukage make use of the Flying Raijin Formation Technique."
Meanwhile, on Mei Terumi's side:
"Prepare to counterattack immediately!" Chojuro shouted, his Hiramekarei transforming into a massive blade.
"Hiramekarei: Unleash!"
A blade of blue chakra instantly sliced through Zetsu's body. Black Zetsu dissolved into a black liquid and sank into the ground, while White Zetsu's body was cleaved in two.
"I didn't know you were that good!" Naruto yelled.
Mei Terumi flashed a gratified smile; it was the look of a senior acknowledging a junior's growth.
Nearby, Shikaku's voice echoed in Genma Shiranui's mind.
"Genma, sorry, but can you do exactly as I say?"
"Shikaku?" Genma asked, puzzled.
"This is an emergency. Don't talk back, no matter what I say."
"First, the real Madara has been resurrected via the Reanimation Jutsu." Shikaku dropped the news directly.
"Sorry, I feel the need to talk back..."
"I said no talking back!"
At the headquarters, the Raikage and Tsunade stood within the portal of the Heavenly Transfer Technique.
"Begin," Tsunade said flatly.
"Understood. Heavenly Transfer Technique!" Mabui began weaving hand signs.
A white light flared, and the Raikage and Tsunade vanished instantly.
At the same time, Genma Shiranui called the other two and began the Flying Raijin formula.
"This is incredible. Isn't space-time movement the Fourth Hokage's technique?"
"We were originally members of the Fourth Hokage's Guard Platoon."
"Now we belong to the Fifth. The Flying Raijin Formation Technique was taught to us by the Fourth."
Raido Namiashi laughed helplessly. "It's just that we're no match for the Fourth; it takes three of us to complete it."
"Sorry to make you witness such a pathetic display."
Clang! Chojuro slammed the Hiramekarei into the ground and looked at Mei Terumi.
"Mizukage-sama, please defeat Madara and Kanon!"
"As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, I will fight to the death to hold this line."
Mei Terumi smiled warmly. Since leaving the village, Chojuro had truly changed.
"We begin now. Tsunade-sama is already marked."
"Once she reaches the battlefield, we teleport immediately."
"Understood. A wedding date can be delayed, but a war cannot," Mei joked.
…
On the battlefield of the Fourth Division, Madara and Kabuto were prepared to charge, but Kanon did not move.
As a sensory ninja, she had detected two unusual chakras approaching at high speed. She identified them instantly: the Hokage and the Raikage!
Sure enough, Madara was sent flying by a kick from Tsunade, and the Mu being controlled by Kabuto was blasted away by a punch from the Raikage. Both were launched like cannonballs, carving deep gouges into the earth upon impact.
Onoki was overjoyed, a smile breaking across his face as he looked at the two newcomers.
"The brat and the Slug Princess, eh?"
However, blood was already seeping from the corner of Tsunade's mouth. Clearly, the Heavenly Transfer had placed an immense burden on her body.
"Strength of a Hundred Seal: Release! Ninja Art: Mitotic Regeneration!"
The markings appeared on Tsunade's face as the wounds on her body rapidly healed.
"Are you alright?" the Raikage asked with concern.
"Yes," Tsunade nodded.
Naruto watched Tsunade, his expression growing solemn. Beside him, the Mizukage, Mei Terumi, appeared.
"Everyone is still alive. That means we aren't too late," Mei said, nodding.
"I've been waiting to cut loose. I can't wait any longer." A looked toward Madara and Kanon, who had leaped back to Kanon's side, his gaze sharp.
"Alright, preparations are complete!" The chakra surging from Tsunade reached its peak.
"Living long is truly a blessing," Onoki laughed excitedly.
"I never thought the day would come when the Five Kage would fight side-by-side!"
The Five Kage stood together, facing the opposing Kanon and Madara.
Hokage Tsunade, Raikage A, Kazekage Gaara, Tsuchikage Onoki, and Mizukage Mei Terumi. The mere sight of the Five Kage standing there was enough to send the morale of the Allied Shinobi Forces soaring. All five glared at Madara and Kanon, their eyes hardening with resolve.
"Perfect. Such a lineup is worthy of me testing my mettle," Madara said coldly.
"My apologies, Princess Tsunade," Onoki said. "I'll help heal those two."
At that moment, Kanon stepped forward, her expression no longer calm. Her face twisted into a morbid, battle-hungry smile.
"Don't get the wrong idea. The one who will defeat the Five Kage is me."
"You go deal with Naruto."
"Quite arrogant, aren't you?" Madara noted as Kanon walked past him, his lips curling slightly. "Very well! I'll handle the Nine-Tails."
"However, I'd like to sit nearby and watch for a while. Is that alright?"
"Suit yourself." Kanon began weaving signs. Madara leaped a great distance away to observe the fight.
The Raikage and Mizukage struck first.
"Let's go, Mizukage!"
"Right! Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
A massive torrent of acidic liquid erupted from the Mizukage's mouth, capable of dissolving even Wood Release.
But Kanon showed no fear. Because her name was Uchiha!
Kanon wove the exact same signs as the Mizukage.
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
Kanon spat out the same Lava Release, but hers was visibly stronger, directly overwhelming and washing back over Mei Terumi's attack.
"A Kekkei Genkai?" Madara nodded slightly. Having the Rinnegan meant he possessed all five nature transformations, but Kanon was using a Kekkei Genkai without the Rinnegan. "Truly a genius," Madara muttered.
As Kanon unleashed the Lava Release, the Raikage lunged at her flank with a fist. However, the blow didn't land. Her form shifted from solid to ethereal. As the Raikage passed through her, a Rasengan exploded behind him.
"What!" the Raikage cried out in shock. Kanon was too fast.
In a flash, the Rasengan hit his back, leaving a swirling mark of devastation. He was sent spinning through the air like a projectile before smashing into the ground.
"Can't you entertain me a little more?" Kanon crossed her arms and actually sat down on the ground.
"What are you doing?" Mei Terumi asked, confused.
"I'll wait for you to get fully prepared before we continue."
"I hope you can make this fun for me." Kanon let out a cold laugh. A terrifying aura radiated from her. Despite the malice, her face remained cold, elegant, and beautiful.
"This girl... she really is like me," Madara whispered, shaking his head. Looking at Kanon, he couldn't help but wonder if he really had failed to leave any descendants behind all those years ago.
Suddenly, the Raikage erupted from the ground, surging behind Kanon in a surprise assault.
"Lateral Bolt of Pain: Chop!"
Clang!
The Raikage's palm strike was blocked by a red ribcage.
Then, a chakra blade swung from behind the ribs, carving a deep gash across the Raikage's chest. The Susanoo's fist followed up, slamming him into the ground and pummeling him mercilessly.
Throughout the entire exchange, Kanon remained sitting on the ground with her legs crossed.
"Raikage-sama!" Mei Terumi screamed.
"I didn't take his life." The massive hand of the red Susanoo picked up the bloodied, broken Raikage and tossed him toward Mei.
"Take him for treatment. This battle is your final dance."
"I hope you can make it worth my while."
Kanon stretched lazily, treating the Five Kage as if they were beneath her notice. She rested her chin in her hand, staring at the Raikage being taken back to Tsunade for healing, and at the look of pure disbelief in Naruto's eyes.
The other shinobi watching the scene trembled. Seeing the edge of the Uchiha's power, they were paralyzed with fear. This was truly the power of a god. The moment Susanoo appeared, even the Raikage was defeated, and defeated so quickly.
Mei Terumi finally realized that during the Five Kage Summit, Kanon hadn't used her true strength at all. Now, with just a fraction of her power, the Raikage had been reduced to this.
Kanon's strength was terrifying. She was only fifteen years old... yet she had already surpassed the Kage, suppressing them in a matter of exchanges and defeating the Raikage with effortless ease.
Several ordinary soldiers of the Allied Forces lowered their heads.
"I don't think we should be here."
"Yeah... if Kanon can do that much, we can't afford to take her lightly."
"Let's go watch the other one instead." With that, the remaining ninja hurried off toward Mu.