Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 324: The End and the Embers

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The earth quaked as the immense powers of Wood Release and Sharingan merged, forming the fearsome "Might-Clad Wooden Giant," which charged aggressively toward Hagoromo Gengetsu.

"This brings back memories," Hagoromo Gengetsu remarked with a gentle smile as he observed the scene before him.

He glanced at Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, who stood side by side atop the giant. Facing these two old friends who had pursued him from the Warring States period to the present day, Hagoromo Gengetsu clapped his hands, determined to show them the respect they deserved.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The ground shattered as a colossal stone giant, no smaller than the Might-Clad Wooden Giant, erupted from beneath Hagoromo Gengetsu's feet. This giant grew even taller as it absorbed the powers of Lava Release, Boil Release, and Vapor Release.

Finally, Hagoromo Gengetsu beckoned with his hand, and three Truth-Seeking Balls whizzed over to the stone giant. The balls flattened and elongated, forming a layer of armor, much like the "Might-Clad Susanoo," encasing the stone giant.

This was the Flame God in Truth-Seeking Ball Mode.

"Let's end this," Hagoromo Gengetsu declared calmly as he stood atop the Flame God, looking across at Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.

As his words fell, the colossal Flame God emitted a resounding steam blast and stepped forward, its three pairs of pitch-black hands, wrapped in Truth-Seeking Ball armor, reaching out to grab the Might-Clad Giant.

In response, the Might-Clad Giant sprouted two massive Susanoo arms wielding samurai swords, and, along with the Wooden Giant's arms, launched a fearless attack on the Flame God.

The scene unfolded like a myth retold. The titanic beings that had once fought briefly at the Valley of the End and Valley of the Gods now clashed again with earth-shattering intensity, witnessed by the present-day shinobi.

"Is this the strength of the Three Legends of the Warring States? This is insane!" The shinobi in the Allied Forces, forced to retreat by the shockwaves of the battle, were filled with shock and awe.

Watching the unimaginable combat unfold, they gained a profound new understanding of the Warring States era, which had been recorded only in texts and had long lost its aura of dread.

It was hard to fathom how other shinobi could have survived in an era dominated by these three.

"They're practically gods!"

"This isn't a fight we should be involved in!"

"Haha! Even if we all gave it our best, we wouldn't make a dent in them!"

Amidst such dire thoughts, the shinobi forces teetered on the brink of collapse. If Hagoromo Gengetsu managed to destroy the Might-Clad Giant, the remaining shinobi, their spirits already crushed, would likely scatter without him lifting another finger.

But could that really happen?

"Can the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara win?" Mei Terumi asked, her face no longer as pale as before as her chakra had partially recovered. Her eyes were glued to the front lines.

Onoki remained silent. Having once experienced Uchiha Madara's overwhelming power firsthand, he now saw that the man he once feared lacked the same commanding presence—because this time, his opponent was even more formidable.

Senju Tobirama, expressionless, coldly punctured the grim reality:

"From what I can see, the chances are slim."

Despite the strength of the combined Wood Release and Sharingan, they still fell short against Hagoromo Gengetsu, whose mastery of the ninja arts had reached near perfection and who wielded the virtually invincible Truth-Seeking Balls.

Tobirama observed that the Might-Clad Giant was beginning to falter, signaling that the end was near.

He glanced at the Flying Thunder God kunai in his hand, then up at Hagoromo Gengetsu, who towered above. There was no chance.

With machine-like calm, Tobirama made his judgment.

Since that was the case, he turned to Tsunade and the other Kage, speaking with stern resolve:

"Though it pains me to say it, we must accept reality. The Allied Shinobi Forces are on the brink of defeat."

"The shinobi forces need to preserve a spark of hope. As long as people survive, there's a chance for the future."

"Tsunade, Tsuchikage, Mizukage, Raikage, and those from Sunagakure, take a group of your most trusted subordinates and retreat. Go into hiding. The legacy of the shinobi villages must not end here. We, who have been reincarnated, will buy you some time."

Tsunade clenched her fist, protesting bitterly, "Are you asking us to run away like cowards?"

"This is a necessary strategy," Tobirama replied calmly. "Without the village's leaders, any survivors would be scattered like leaves in the wind. The names of Konoha, Suna, Kumo, Kiri, and Iwa would become mere footnotes in history, never to rise again. This is the responsibility you now bear."

"But… what about the Great Toad Sage's prophecy…?" Tsunade started to mention the apocalyptic vision foretold by the Great Toad Sage, suggesting that even if they fled, they might not be safe.

Boom!

Before she could finish, the colossal Might-Clad Giant collapsed with a thunderous crash, drowning out her words.

There was no time left!

In an instant, Tobirama exchanged a glance with Minato. The two of them immediately transported to the other Kage's sides.

Tobirama placed his hand on Tsunade's shoulder and whispered in her ear, "When the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up." He then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take her to a remote location, far from the battlefield.

Tobirama believed in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy to some extent, but not entirely.

For example, he didn't believe that Hagoromo Gengetsu, even after achieving final victory, would want to destroy the shinobi world.

No one in their right mind would do such a thing.

Based on his assessment of Hagoromo Gengetsu, Tobirama considered him to be quite rational. There might be future troubles in the shinobi world, but they likely wouldn't be caused by Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Regardless of who it might be, as the victor, Hagoromo Gengetsu would have to deal with it. That's why Tobirama was determined to ensure that Konoha and the other shinobi villages had a future.

With Tobirama and Minato's unexpected use of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Tsunade, Onoki, A, and Mei Terumi were all swiftly transported to safety, away from the conflict.

Fate was sealed. The Kage had no choice but to accept reality.

Due to the limited time, Tobirama and Minato could only evacuate a select group of loyal, strong, and promising shinobi from each of the Five Great Villages.

This group included the members of Konoha's Twelve Ninja Guardians, along with some leaderless shinobi from Sunagakure.

When the two shinobi prepared to teleport another group, they suddenly halted upon returning to the battlefield.

In that moment, bathed in the crimson moonlight, Hagoromo Gengetsu, clad in silver armor that now radiated an eerie aura, stood before them. He turned his back to them, quietly watching the defeated Might-Clad Giant, now fallen and still, with Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara lying motionless, their bodies pierced by countless black rods.