Akatsuki Base.
The masked man sat before a square table, a map of strategic deployments spread across it, his expression full of irritation.
"They sure love changing locations," he muttered. "I've searched that entire sea area for hundreds of miles. No island, no people. How the hell do they move so fast…?"
Zetsu replied, "Shinju can use the Flying Thunder God Technique. It's no surprise he moves fast."
The masked man frowned. "But there's a whole damn island! We finally found it, and then it just disappeared again. (ー_ー)!!"
Kisame, standing nearby with Samehada slung over his shoulder, added,
"Shinju's strength is unmatched across the entire ninja world. Hard to believe the Allied Shinobi Forces would hide such power instead of using it. 눈_눈"
Turning his head, the masked man looked toward Kabuto, who sat quietly with his eyes closed.
"Any new intel from your side?"
Kabuto shook his head.
"Nothing for now. The Edo Tensei shinobi are several times stronger than normal ninja—especially the ones I've revived, all of them elites. However, the Allied Shinobi Forces have already started researching sealing techniques to counter Edo Tensei."
Zetsu chuckled. "Only starting now? Isn't that a bit late? The war's already begun, and these guys are still slow on the uptake. (o´Д`o)ノ"
Kabuto's face darkened.
"Actually, they've already succeeded. I don't know what kind of sealing scroll it is, but the moment it touches an Edo Tensei shinobi, their soul is sent straight back to the Pure Land… (｡í _ ì｡)"
The masked man tilted his head.
"Oh? That fast? Or maybe they'd already perfected it long ago and were just hiding it until now? (‧_‧?)"
Silent until now, Konan finally spoke.
"The Shinju who killed Pain isn't just powerful—his learning ability and comprehension are exceptional. Chakra conversion techniques, cellular activation research, new jutsu, sealing arts… How many things has he already created?"
As she said this, Konan seemed to recall something painful.
"Half of Amegakure was destroyed back then by him…"
Kisame looked to the masked man. "So, what's the plan now?"
"Heh…"
The masked man gave a low chuckle, his gaze turning sharp.
"If they want to protect the Tailed Beasts, then let them. We'll just keep fighting!"
"When the White Zetsu army levels the entire shinobi world, I refuse to believe Shinju will stay hidden forever! (*Ӧ)σ"
"Kisame, Konan—you two, it's time to move out!"
...
Kumogakure.
Allied Shinobi Forces Headquarters.
Raikage's fingers tapped rhythmically on the table—"tap, tap, tap…"—a sound that was grating on everyone's nerves.
Tsunade finally lost patience.
"Can you stop tapping already?! The frontlines are in chaos, and you've got time to make noise here? ╰_╯"
Raikage spread his hands helplessly. "I'm anxious too, you know! (TㅅT)"
"First, our fathers and the other former Kage were resurrected. Then, those long-dead brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku show up again!!"
"The Third Division's been struggling for ages, the Fifth Division got stalled by a small group of Edo Tensei shinobi, and the sealing teams haven't reported back at all!"
Tsunade snapped, "You think you're the only one worried? Among the resurrected Edo Tensei shinobi, one of them was my former lover! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻"
Raikage grimaced. Arguing with the Hokage, a woman, didn't exactly feel dignified, so he changed the topic.
"That Shinju seems to be enjoying his free time. Gave his lecture and went right back to sleep."
"If he's got that much talent, he could at least draw us a few more sealing scrolls! Then we wouldn't be stuck constantly held back by Edo Tensei shinobi… (｡ﾟ⊿ 」∠)"
Tsunade immediately retorted, "You think Shinju hasn't done enough already?"
"If not for him, we'd still be using outdated sealing methods—control first, then seal. Never mind how difficult that is to perform, the results aren't even as effective!"
Raikage's secretary, seeing the two leaders arguing again, stepped in nervously.
"Please, you two, calm down! The situation on the frontlines is critical…"
Tsunade nodded and changed the topic.
"What about the daimyō from each country?"
Yamanaka Haiichi, in charge of communications, replied, "They're fine. They're being well protected."
...
Land of Lightning — Coastal Battlefield.
The White Zetsu army and the Edo Tensei forces of Akatsuki were clashing fiercely with the First Division of the Allied Shinobi Forces.
On the battlefield, Dan Katō—Tsunade's lover from long ago—encountered Akimichi Chōza from Konoha.
Dan looked conflicted. "Chōza… you've grown so much. Guess I've been dead for a long time."
"Didn't think being revived would mean fighting against the Allied Shinobi Forces…"
Chōza reassured him. "It's not your fault. The only one to blame is Kabuto, who's controlling Edo Tensei!"
Elsewhere, the brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku confronted several shinobi from Kumogakure!
They were instantly recognizable—hair of gold and silver that shone like sunlight, and whisker marks on their faces just like Naruto's, a sign of the Nine Tails' chakra.
Darui gritted his teeth, gripping his large sword horizontally.
"Didn't think I'd meet the legendary Kinkaku and Ginkaku in person. Can't tell if that's good luck or bad luck."
Kinkaku smirked. "Kid, if you're smart, surrender now. Save us the trouble."
"Am I right, Ginkaku? ❛‿˂̵✧"
Ginkaku nodded. "You're absolutely right, brother!"
"But Kinkaku, look—this kid's got the '雷' tattoo on his shoulder. That mark means strength. Can't underestimate him."
Kinkaku chuckled. "No problem! If he insists on fighting, we'll just have a little fun."
With that, Kinkaku opened his mouth wide and spat out a rope and a sword.
Darui tensed, stepping back half a step.
"Those are the Sage of Six Paths' sacred treasures—the Gold Rope and the Seven Stars Blade! (≖╻≖;)"
Ginkaku laughed. "Smart one, aren't you?"
Then he too spat out two weapons—one was a gourd, the other a fan!
A nearby Kumogakure shinobi exclaimed, "That's the Crimson Gourd and the Banana Palm Fan!"
Sweat began to bead on Darui's forehead. As Raikage's right-hand man, his strength was undeniable—but his opponents were the legendary brothers who once led a coup in Kumogakure and killed both the Second Raikage and the Second Hokage. How could he not be nervous?
"Ginkaku, let's do this!"
Kinkaku wrapped the Gold Rope around his arm, raised the Seven Stars Blade, and charged forward!
Ginkaku followed closely, swinging the Banana Palm Fan.
"Whoosh!!"
Without even forming hand seals or chanting, a massive wave of fire burst from the Banana Palm Fan!
Other shinobi nearby were stunned and quickly backed away.
An older, knowledgeable ninja exclaimed, "They say the Banana Palm Fan ignores the user's chakra nature—just one swing can unleash attacks of all five chakra elements: wind, lightning, fire, water, and earth!"
"No wonder it's called a Sage treasure… truly incredible! (Ő∀Ő)"
Another younger ninja shouted in panic,
"Is now really the time to admire it?! The Banana Palm Fan's in the enemy's hands!! (*꒦ິ⌓꒦ີ)"