"However, your ocular power has been severely depleted in the battle just now," the Second Hokage observed, his analytical gaze studying Sasuke with the same clinical precision he had once applied to enemy formations during the First Great Ninja War.
The complete form of Susanoo was indeed a technique of unparalleled destructive capability—a power that could reshape landscapes and challenge even the mightiest of opponents. But such overwhelming force came at an equally overwhelming cost. The technique demanded not just massive amounts of chakra, but also placed tremendous strain on the user's eyes and nervous system.
Otherwise, Sasuke wouldn't have found himself so completely helpless against the First Hokage's relentless assault. The fact that he had been reduced to a purely defensive position, unable to even mount an effective retreat, spoke volumes about the toll his previous techniques had taken.
Even with the theoretical unlimited potential of the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, there were still practical limits to how much power could be channeled safely in rapid succession. The eyes might not deteriorate from overuse, but the wielder's body and chakra reserves were still very much mortal.
Sasuke gave a terse nod of acknowledgment, his jaw clenched with frustration at his own limitations. The admission rankled, but denying the obvious would serve no tactical purpose.
"With your current ocular power reserves, if you were to face my elder brother as a primary opponent, there would be essentially no chance of success," Tobirama continued, his attention shifting to assess the other potential candidates. His perceptive gaze settled on Shisui and Uchiha Yoruki, and his expression grew more contemplative.
There was something about both men that triggered his analytical instincts—a familiar resonance in their chakra signatures that spoke of enhancement beyond natural Uchiha abilities. The subtle but unmistakable presence of his brother's cellular influence was detectable to someone of his experience and knowledge.
"Genjutsu has never been my area of expertise," Uchiha Yoruki admitted without hesitation. His straightforward nature wouldn't allow him to claim abilities he didn't possess, especially not in circumstances this critical. "My techniques are focused entirely on direct combat applications."
Itachi's gaze moved between Shisui and the Second Hokage before he spoke with characteristic humility. "When it comes to illusion techniques, Shisui-senpai's abilities far exceed my own."
The admission carried weight coming from someone of Itachi's caliber. While his own Tsukuyomi was indeed a devastatingly powerful genjutsu capable of trapping opponents in nightmare scenarios that felt like days while lasting only seconds in reality, it paled in comparison to the absolute control offered by Kotoamatsukami.
Shisui's ultimate technique didn't merely trap or torment—it rewrote the very foundation of a person's thoughts and motivations, making them believe their altered decisions were completely their own. It was perhaps the most terrifying ability in the entire arsenal of Uchiha techniques.
Hearing such praise from Itachi—whose own genjutsu mastery was legendary—caused the Second Hokage to regard Shisui with renewed interest. After all, he had personally experienced Itachi's illusion techniques during their previous encounter. Even during the period when Madara wielded standard Mangekyou Sharingan, his ocular power hadn't been significantly superior to what Itachi had displayed.
"There's something strangely familiar about you," Tobirama said suddenly, his eyes narrowing with the effort of placing half-remembered details. "What is your relationship to Uchiha Kagami?"
"Uchiha Kagami was my grandfather," Shisui replied, a note of pride entering his voice despite the somber circumstances.
He was well aware of his grandfather's legacy—how Kagami had served alongside the Third Hokage during their younger years, how he had been one of the Second Hokage's most trusted and capable subordinates. In an era when suspicion between the Senju and Uchiha ran deep, Kagami had been one of the few bridges between the clans.
"And what became of him?" the Second Hokage asked, though his tone suggested he suspected the answer wouldn't be pleasant.
"My grandfather died while carrying out a classified mission when my father was still very young," Shisui explained, his voice carrying the weight of old grief. "The details remain classified even now. Ninja secrets take precedence over family closure."
It was a harsh reality of their profession—that some answers would never come, that some sacrifices would never be fully understood by those left behind. The nature of covert operations meant that heroism often went unrecognized, and families were left with only questions and the knowledge that their loved one had died serving their village.
"I see..." Tobirama's expression softened almost imperceptibly, a flash of genuine regret crossing his features.
Kagami had been more than just a subordinate—he had been proof that the cycle of hatred between their clans could be broken, that mutual understanding and respect were possible. His loss had been a significant blow to Tobirama's hopes for lasting peace between the Senju and Uchiha.
But the Second Hokage was a veteran of countless battles, a man who had learned to compartmentalize personal emotions when strategic thinking was required. The moment of sorrow passed quickly, replaced by tactical focus.
"Then we'll proceed with your plan," he declared, turning his full attention back to Shisui.
During their brief but crucial conversation, the massive forms of the wooden giant and the golem had been repositioning themselves for another devastating assault. The ground trembled under their combined weight as they advanced with synchronized purpose.
Swish!
Both Kakashi and the Second Hokage moved with the instantaneous precision that had made them legends. Each grabbed several team members, their mastery of space-time ninjutsu allowing them to evacuate the entire group just moments before the attacks connected.
BOOM!
The earth where they had been standing exploded into fragments, creating yet another crater in the increasingly devastated landscape. Shockwaves rippled outward, toppling the few remaining trees and sending clouds of dust and debris into the rain-soaked air.
When the motion ceased, Naruto and the others found themselves relocated to a safer position several hundred yards away from the impact zone.
"Impressive coordination," the Second Hokage commented, noting how Kakashi had managed the evacuation.
The Copy Ninja had placed his hands on Naruto and Shisui's shoulders directly, while deliberately avoiding physical contact with Kushina. However, his enhanced sensory abilities could detect that she was a jinchuuriki, and more importantly, that the seal within her body contained Minato's Flying Thunder God coordinates.
By utilizing this connection, Kakashi had successfully transported three people simultaneously using a single technique activation—a feat that pushed the limits of what the jutsu was typically capable of achieving.
The irony wasn't lost on Tobirama that his own student had surpassed certain aspects of his capabilities. Although he was the original developer of the Flying Thunder God technique, the Second Hokage could only safely transport two people at once without risking the stability of the spatial displacement.
If he had possessed Kakashi's current level of mastery during the Gold and Silver Brothers incident, he might have been able to evacuate Hiruzen and the others instead of requiring a fatal diversion.
"If we want to successfully approach our target, creating an effective diversion is absolutely essential," the Second Hokage stated, his strategic mind already working through the complexities of their assault plan. "We must complete our objective before my elder brother fully enters Sage Mode."
While Hashirama hadn't yet mastered senjutsu to the degree of the Sage of Six Paths, he was already demonstrating partial enhancement from natural energy absorption. The fact that he had been able to destroy Sasuke's complete Susanoo so decisively was proof that he was drawing significant power from environmental sources.
Once he achieved full Sage Mode, their window of opportunity would close completely.
"Leave the diversion to me," Itachi declared, his Sharingan spinning as he mentally prepared for what was likely to be the most dangerous assignment of the operation.
Given their current power levels, none of them possessed the raw strength necessary to match the First Hokage in direct combat. However, with the legendary artifacts at his disposal—the Totsuka Sword for offense and the Yata Mirror for defense—he might be able to provide enough of a distraction to create the opening Shisui needed.
"Don't be so eager to throw your life away, Uchiha," the Second Hokage said, his tone carrying both warning and unexpected concern. "You've already expended too much energy in previous battles."
"He won't be operating alone," Uchiha Yoruki interjected, stepping forward with quiet determination.
While his techniques might not include sophisticated genjutsu, both of his Mangekyou abilities were devastatingly effective in direct combat scenarios. Combined with Itachi's more versatile skill set, they might be able to create enough chaos to mask Shisui's true approach.
The Second Hokage nodded in acknowledgment, then stepped toward both Uchiha warriors. Placing his hands briefly on their shoulders, he left behind the distinctive markings of his clan's symbol—the technique formula that would allow him to instantly teleport to their location if needed.
"When you find yourselves in mortal danger, I'll use Flying Thunder God to extract you," he explained.
Both Itachi and Yoruki stared at the markings in surprise. The gesture was completely at odds with the rumors that had persisted for decades about the Second Hokage's supposed hatred for the Uchiha clan.
The truth was more complex than village gossip suggested. Tobirama's policies regarding the Uchiha had been born of political necessity and security concerns, not personal animosity. As Hokage, he had been forced to make difficult decisions to maintain village stability, but that didn't mean he harbored actual hatred for individual clan members.
"I'll engage the Outer Path Statue directly," the Second Hokage continued, his attention shifting to the tactical requirements of their plan. "When Itachi and Yoruki launch their frontal diversion, the success of our true objective will depend entirely on you two."
His gaze moved between Kakashi and Shisui, both of whom nodded with grim understanding of the enormous responsibility being placed on their shoulders.
"We want to participate in the battle too!"
The unexpected voices caused everyone to turn. Naruto and Sasuke stood with expressions of fierce determination, their eyes burning with the need to contribute to the fight rather than remain passive observers.
Shisui shook his head firmly. "Absolutely not. Both of you are severely depleted from your previous battles. Your priority needs to be recovery and preparation."
"I haven't reached my absolute limit yet," Sasuke insisted, his pride making it difficult to accept being sidelined when the stakes were so high.
"You're both missing the crucial point of what Shisui is trying to tell you," Itachi said, positioning himself directly in front of his younger brother.
His expression was unusually serious as he continued, "This operational plan carries an extremely high risk of failure. The probability of success is marginal at best."
He paused, letting the weight of that reality sink in before delivering the most important part of his message.
"And if we fail, if our coordinated assault doesn't achieve its objective, you two will be the only ones with sufficient power to serve as the final line of defense against the First Hokage."
The implication hung heavy in the air. Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other, both recognizing the profound shift that had occurred in their roles and responsibilities.
Without fully realizing when it had happened, their individual strength had grown to surpass even legendary figures like Itachi and Shisui. Whether through Naruto's mastery of the Nine-Tails' power or Sasuke's command of the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, they had become their team's most valuable strategic assets.
"Naruto," Shisui said, his voice taking on the warm, instructional tone he had used during their early training sessions, "do you remember the most important lesson I taught you about being a ninja?"
Naruto nodded emphatically, the fundamental principle coming to his lips without hesitation. "Teamwork."
"Exactly," Shisui smiled, genuine warmth breaking through his tactical focus. "And right now, the most important way you can contribute to our team's success is by ensuring you're both at maximum strength when we need you most."
He turned to address Kushina directly, his tone respectful but urgent. "Kushina-sama, I'm entrusting these two to your protection. Keep them safe and help them prepare for what may be our final gambit."
Swish!
With the division of responsibilities clearly established, Shisui shared a meaningful look with the Second Hokage, Itachi, and the others. There was an unspoken understanding between them—this might very well be the last time they would all be together.
Without further delay, the assault team dispersed to their assigned positions, leaving Kushina to escort Naruto and Sasuke to a safer distance from the immediate combat zone.
Facing the towering forms of the Outer Path Statue and the wooden giant, the Second Hokage suddenly began forming hand seals with practiced precision. As his fingers moved through the complex sequence, the environment around him began to respond in ways that demonstrated his mastery over water-based techniques.
Unlike typical water-style ninjutsu that required the user to convert their chakra into water and expel it from their mouth, Tobirama was drawing upon the abundant moisture already present in their environment. The heavy rain that had been falling continuously, the saturated earth beneath their feet, even the humidity in the air itself—all of it became potential ammunition for his techniques.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bite Explosion!"
The massive volume of available water responded to his chakra manipulation, condensing and shaping itself into the form of a colossal dragon that stretched nearly a hundred meters in length. Unlike the relatively modest water dragons typically seen in shinobi combat, this construct possessed the size and presence to challenge even the massive forms they were facing.
ROAR!
The water dragon's bellow echoed across the battlefield like thunder, its serpentine form coiling through the air with fluid grace before launching itself directly toward the golem with devastating intent.