"Is it still not ready, Hokage-sama?" Mei Terumi asked, her voice urgent.
"A's injuries are mostly superficial; his internal damage isn't severe. It will be finished shortly."
"Just wait a little longer!" Beads of cold sweat rolled down Tsunade's forehead.
"Granny Tsunade, are you going to be okay? If you use the jutsu from that seal on your forehead, won't you turn into an old woman and faint?!" Naruto asked worriedly.
He vividly remembered the time Kanon and Pain invaded Konoha, when Tsunade had withered into an aged state.
"This time is different from the last. I'm only healing myself plus these minor wounds; I still have plenty of chakra to spare."
Naruto nodded and pointed to himself. "Then, please heal me too. Even though I'm just a clone, I can't disappear yet! Facing Kanon, I have to—"
"There's no need for that, Naruto."
It was Onoki who answered him.
"Facing Kanon Uchiha, you have no chance of victory. The bond you share with her makes it impossible for you to truly strike her down. And besides... the purpose of this war is no longer just about protecting you."
As if on cue, a massive red Susanoo surged forth, the sheer pressure of its manifestation leveling the surrounding battlefield. A violent gust swept out, clearing the dust from the air.
Kanon finally stood up. Behind her, the Susanoo had evolved from a mere ribcage into its first form, draped in ghastly skeletal armor.
Standing to the side, Madara analyzed the previous exchange.
Lightning Release Body Flicker combined with Lava Release Kekkei Genkai, hm? Their attack power is high, but if they can't land a hit, it's meaningless. Kanon, let's see just how many more surprises you have in store for me.
Looking up at the towering Susanoo, Mei Terumi felt a drop of sweat trail down her brow. "I like men who don't melt easily, but you're just a girl, so I'll pass on you."
The healed Raikage turned to the group. "Her speed and battle instincts are faster than mine... And the Susanoo's defense is formidable. I need even more speed to generate the power required to shatter that defense!"
Hearing the Raikage's roar, a slight smirk played on Kanon's lips. She said indifferently, "Shatter my defense? Then what about yours?"
Her hands moved in a blur of weaving signs. In an instant, dozens of Shadow Clones appeared around her.
The legion of Kanons roared in unison: "Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"
Dozens of fireballs, each as massive as a falling meteor, lunged toward the group.
Gaara slammed his hands onto the earth. An immense Shield of Sand rose to intercept the onslaught, hoping to block Kanon's Fireballs.
"You think you can block this?" Kanon smirked. Pink eyeshadow had already formed around her eyes; the Fireball spat out by the original body was infused with Senjutsu.
"Sage Art: Massive Fireball Jutsu!"
BOOM!
To Gaara's shock, this singular fireball tore straight through the Shield of Sand, though the volleys from the Shadow Clones were successfully halted by the sand barrier.
Gazing at the fireball saturated with natural energy, Gaara's face paled. Behind the Shield of Sand, even a Stone Golem was pierced through by the heat.
"Water Release: Giant Vortex Jutsu!"
Mei Terumi gathered chakra in her throat and expelled a massive sphere of water to douse the flames. Finally, under the combined efforts of the Shield of Sand, the Stone Golem, and the Giant Vortex Jutsu, the Fireball was neutralized.
"Naruto, this has turned into a battle to protect one another," Onoki said. "I, too, will fight Madara and Kanon here."
Watching the scene, Kanon said calmly, "You have some skill. But it's only at this level, far from enough to deal with an Uchiha."
"So it took a triple defense of Sand, Stone, and Water to block that? It seems your defense is quite decent as well," Madara chuckled.
"It looks like your healing is complete," Kanon sneered.
"Indeed. From now on, we go on the offensive! Mizukage, Raikage! Lean in," Onoki commanded, taking charge of the Kage.
Gaara initiated the next move, sending waves of sand surging toward Kanon. However, in this battle, he was the one most severely countered. Sure enough, the sandstorm collapsed instantly, the work of the Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation, a signature Senjutsu of the Ryuchi Cave.
"It's useless, Gaara."
As Kanon spoke, the Susanoo behind her brought its hands together, manifesting several magatama beads.
"Yasaka Magatama!"
The projectiles streaked toward the Kage. Onoki let out a roar as he reinforced a dual defense of stone and Gaara's sand, barely managing to intercept Kanon's attack.
Onoki placed his hands on the Raikage's shoulders, hitching a ride on his back.
"Mizukage!" Onoki yelled.
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu!" A thick, heavy mist erupted from Mei's mouth, instantly obscuring the battlefield.
"You think this is enough to blur the vision of the Sharingan?" Madara said dismissively.
But the Raikage had already flickered in front of Kanon.
"Earth Release: Super Added-Weight Rock Jutsu!"
In the next heartbeat, the Raikage unleashed a punch. The fist, laden with massive chakra, punched clean through Kanon's Susanoo, shattering the skeletal ribs!
Kanon was momentarily surprised, realizing his strategy in an instant.
Using the Added-Weight Rock Jutsu to reinforce the fist, combined with the speed of the Lightning Style Chakra Mode to strike as a combo?!
Kanon was sent flying along with her red Susanoo, but her expression was one of genuine anticipation.
"Yes... this is how it should be if it's going to be fun."
The Susanoo smashed through several small hills before coming to a halt. Kanon crouched low, her long legs braced, her exquisite face radiating a cold, lethal beauty. More incredibly, she was completely unharmed, a testament to the sheer defensive power of the Susanoo.
"No injuries? But we bought some time," Onoki shouted.
Seeing Onoki and the Raikage return, Naruto yelled to Tsunade, "Granny, quick, use this chance to give me—"
"Listen to me, Naruto," Onoki interrupted. "In the beginning, I only agreed to join the Allied Shinobi Forces out of necessity, to topple the Akatsuki and stop Kanon Uchiha."
"But while fighting alongside all of you, a different feeling has taken root."
"Now, I want to stand here as the Tsuchikage of the Allied Shinobi Forces."
"Similarly, the villages that were once divided have become a single entity. Things are changing for the better. Perhaps the rules of the shinobi world, which have bred so much hatred, can be changed through this opportunity."
"Naruto, leave the Madara and Kanon on this side to us."
"We must settle things with the Uchiha once and for all!"
"This is the first step toward ending the cycle of hatred that has persisted until today! Like Madara, we have brought countless amounts of hatred into this world; we even pushed a child who longed for peace, like Kanon, into a corner of despair. This is our undeniable responsibility!"
"So, rest easy and leave this place to us. Whether it is your bond with Kanon or Kanon's hatred, these are things that we, who carry the title of Kage, must resolve!"
Onoki flew over and patted Naruto's shoulder.
"However... we're entrusting the other Madara to you. That is the first step toward the hope of the future!"
At Onoki's earnest words, Naruto gave a resolute nod. Standing beside Onoki, Tsunade spoke as well:
"Whether it is Kanon, Madara, or the Masked Man, defeating any one of them signals the end of this war! We will protect you on this battlefield! So please, go to that other battlefield and protect us!"
"Naruto, the Five Kage entrust these words to you."
The five looked at Naruto and shouted in unison:
"You must win!"
Naruto nodded, and the Shadow Clone dissipated. Back at the main body in the forest, rushing toward the Masked Man, Naruto received the memories of the clone.
"I will definitely win!"
The Five Kage looked into the distance. A massive earthen wall rose up, adorned with intricate flower carvings. Kanon stood atop it.
"Without total unification and absolute equality, division is inevitable. Have you all grown even more muddled?"
Kanon's voice drifted down. "The nuisances have finally vanished. Are you finally willing to get serious with me?"
"Come! Five Kage, attack together! Make this entertaining for me!"
"I have given you more than enough time. Let me show you, this world lost all hope long ago. All that remains is despair!"
Kanon wove a sign and pressed her palms together. Instantly, pink markings appeared around her eyes, the sign of entering Sage Mode.
————
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my p-atre-on: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]