Clang.
A kunai slipped from a ninja's hand, falling to the ground unnoticed as he raised his head, staring blankly in Gensou's direction. His body trembled uncontrollably.
"W-what's happening? Why can't I breathe?"
"I-I feel the same," his companion stammered, shivering.
They weren't alone. In that instant, many others experienced a similar sensation.
"Why is my body trembling uncontrollably? Stop it already!" someone gritted their teeth.
"What on earth is happening?" another cried in panic.
"It's him! Gensou! He's serious now!" someone deduced with fear.
Others shook their heads in denial. "But so many renowned Kage just attacked him! Are you saying he wasn't serious before? I can't believe it!"
Regardless of belief, the battlefield, which had been roaring with chaos, fell into a chilling silence the moment Gensou's blood-stained fingers showed his full intent.
It felt as though a pair of cold, merciless eyes high above had locked onto every individual.
All living shinobi on the field, their senses intact, were overcome with a bone-deep chill, their bodies trembling and drenched in cold sweat.
Though those revived by Edo Tensei were less affected due to their dulled sensations, the stronger among them, including the Kage, felt an incredible surge of oppressive power rising from the mist.
And it was only growing stronger.
Within the mist, Gensou clapped his hands together.
"Sage Mode: Activate!"
Boom!
Blue Sage markings appeared around his eyes as his chakra flared violently, shredding the surrounding mist into chaos.
Without pausing—
"Yin Seal: Release!"
Three crescent-shaped marks spread across his forehead, unleashing an overwhelming surge of chakra into his body. His aura skyrocketed as the gale around him churned furiously.
At the eye of the storm, the wound on Gensou's neck had already healed. Extending his hand, he declared:
"Truth-Seeking Orbs, manifest!"
One, two, three, four—
Four orbs formed instantly, orbiting around Gensou like satellites before settling neatly behind his head.
In this state, Gensou reached his peak.
The oppressive presence he now emanated descended upon the battlefield like never before.
Shinobi trembled. The Kage exchanged uneasy glances. Even the dense mist quaked under the weight of his aura.
"I can't maintain Hidden Mist Jutsu much longer!" Mei shouted urgently, her pale face betraying her effort.
Before anyone could respond—
Boom!!!
The vast mist was ripped apart completely.
A tidal wave of visible shockwaves swept across the battlefield like a tsunami.
Mei and the others barely had time to react.
In the blink of an eye, everyone felt as though they had slammed into an impenetrable wall.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Ninjas were sent flying uncontrollably, crashing into the ground. The earth trembled violently.
From above, the scene revealed a massive crater expanding outward from Gensou at its center.
Though not as devastating as the Super Shinra Tensei that destroyed Mount Myōboku, this attack, amplified by Sage Chakra, left an indelible impression on every ninja present.
Those positioned further away, spared from the brunt of the Shinra Tensei, turned pale as they beheld the devastation.
Instinctively, they looked down at the kunai, shuriken, and swords in their hands.
Someone let out a bitter laugh, voicing the sentiment of all:
"How can people like us even take part in a battle like this?"
The sound of paper fragments filled the battlefield.
Of those closest to the impact, few emerged unscathed.
Aside from a handful of individuals who managed to endure unharmed, most sustained injuries, though Edo Tensei ensured their swift recovery.
Mei, a living shinobi, had suffered significant injuries but quickly regained her combat strength under Tsunade's healing.
At this moment, clear footsteps echoed from ahead.
Hashirama, Tobirama, and the others turned their gazes forward.
Amidst the yellow sandstorm, a dark figure grew closer.
Soon, a silver glow emerged from the dust.
Draped in silver armor of the Hagoromo Clan, his forehead marked by three crescent moons, blue Sage markings extending from his eyes, and four Truth-Seeking Orbs hovering behind him, Gensou strode forward.
Sweeping his Rinnegan across the crowd, his gaze lingered briefly on Sakumo before he spoke indifferently:
"Your strategy just now was quite clever."
"In return, I will give you the treatment you deserve."
Silence engulfed the battlefield.
Even the Kage felt an unbearable weight pressing down on them.
First Kazekage Reto studied the crescent marks, blue Sage eyes, and Truth-Seeking Orbs with a grave expression.
With his extensive knowledge, he understood these were no mere ornaments.
On the contrary, they posed a significant threat.
"To think that Gensou could achieve such progress in just two years since his resurrection," Reto muttered, clenching his fists. Though aware of Gensou's extraordinary talent, he couldn't suppress his astonishment.
Minato, equally stunned, recalled their battle against Gensou a year ago under the Death God's release. Back then, Gensou had only displayed the Yin Seal.
In just over a year, his growth was staggering.
Minato, once hailed as a genius, now truly understood what it meant to stand among gods.
No wonder both the Great Toad Sage and Naruto fell to this man.
Taking a deep breath, Minato steeled himself.
No matter what, for Naruto, for Mount Myōboku, for the shinobi world, they had to stop Gensou here, even if it meant sacrificing everything.
Others shared Minato's determination.
Though shaken by Gensou's overwhelming power, they had no choice but to fight.
Whoosh!
A flurry of movements saw the Kage and Edo Tensei warriors surround Gensou once more.
Tobirama issued a warning:
"Be cautious of the black spheres behind Gensou! They must be the product of Yin-Yang Release—do not touch them!"
Astute as ever, Tobirama had already discerned the nature of the Truth-Seeking Orbs.
"Its name is Truth-Seeking Orb," Gensou clarified.
After all, "black spheres" sounded far too crude.
Raising his right hand, he called one orb to his palm.
Scanning the prepared opposition, Gensou waved his hand dismissively:
"The warm-up is over."
"Now, the real battle begins."
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]