Chapter 127:
"Although the effect of the Cutting Technique has worn off, thanks to Prankster Naruto's ability, Uchiha Madara still can't launch an attack this turn," the Jar Merchant explained from the commentator's booth.
"However, Naruto only has one ninja on the field, while Sasuke has a high-attack ninja. If Naruto doesn't find a way to summon a ninja on par with Uchiha Madara, the outcome of this match is obvious," Shunhi added from the side.
"Draw..." Sasuke looked at the cards in his hand. "I set one card face-down. Turn end."
"My turn—draw!" Naruto smiled as he looked at the card he drew. "I activate Economic Aid from the Daimyō of the Land of Fire! Draw two more cards from the deck!"
"I tribute Prankster Naruto on the field to summon the Fourth Hokage—Minato Namikaze!"
Five-star card. ATK 2100, DEF 1900.
"Naruto, you've really grown up."
Minato patted Naruto's head gently.
"Yeah, Dad. I'm counting on you."
"Leave it to me."
"Minato Namikaze, effect activate! He can directly deal damage to the opponent!"
Naruto pointed at Sasuke.
Minato hurled a Flying Thunder God kunai into the air above Sasuke. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from his spot and reappeared at the kunai's location, holding a Rasengan in his palm as he shouted its name.
"What?!" Sasuke was stunned for a second—only to be immediately hit by the Rasengan.
"We can see Uchiha Sasuke's life points dropped by 2100 in an instant!" the Jar Merchant shouted excitedly into the mic.
"I set one card face-down. Turn end."
"My turn. Draw. Uchiha Madara, activate effect!" Sasuke declared.
"Hmph. Finally, it's my turn," said Uchiha Madara, arms folded. "Do you wish to dance as well?"
Madara's effect: destroy all opposing ninja cards of seven stars or lower. Can only be used once.
"So this is Uchiha Madara's power..." Minato, overwhelmed by the aura emanating from Madara, gave a wry smile. He turned toward Naruto. "Naruto, believe in yourself."
"Dad..."
"Now, Uchiha Madara, attack directly."
"Hmph." Madara snorted disdainfully, seemingly displeased at taking orders from Sasuke, but followed the command nonetheless.
Naruto's 4000 life points instantly dropped to just 1000.
"Set card—Will of Fire, activate effect!" Naruto said between gasps. A young Kakashi card appeared on his field.
"Wherever the leaves dance, flames will burn! The fire will continue to illuminate the village and cause new leaves to sprout!" The Jar Merchant had a sharp eye for drama.
Naruto on the battlefield declared, "Will of Fire's effect—when a ninja on my field is destroyed, I can special summon a ninja card of four stars or lower from my deck! And next turn, I get to draw one extra card!"
"That's right! The sacrifice of the older generation wasn't meaningless! It inspires the young to grow stronger and become the village's future pillars!" the Jar Merchant added.
"I summon Young Uchiha Obito in defense position. Turn end."
Uchiha Obito, three-star. ATK 600, DEF 1100.
"It's now the Hokage's turn again, but the only card he has on the field is the four-star Young Kakashi. Meanwhile, Sasuke still has the 3000-attack Uchiha Madara on his side. If the Hokage can't come up with something fast, he's still at a disadvantage," the Jar Merchant analyzed.
"So this is match point," Shunhi added.
On the battlefield—
"Kakashi!" As soon as Young Obito appeared, he glared at Young Kakashi with wide eyes.
"Idiot," Kakashi replied bluntly.
"My turn—draw!" Thanks to Will of Fire's effect, Naruto drew one additional card. "I activate Divine Draw!"
Naruto gave a slight smile. His duel disk on his left arm lit up like a radiant sun.
"It's here! A Divine Draw that could turn the tide of battle!"
Naruto's draw was: First Hokage—Hashirama Senju.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu! Effect activate! I copy one ninja card on the field, and then tribute the two Young Kakashis to summon—First Hokage! Hashirama Senju!"
A wooden dragon descended from the sky. Standing atop the dragon's head, a man leapt down into battle.
On the field, Uchiha Madara looked at that man with a tsundere expression and said, "Hashirama..."
"Huh? This is... the Hidden Leaf Village? And Madara—it's been a while," Hashirama greeted him.
"Hmph. Enough with the chit-chat."
"Eh?" Hashirama scratched his head in confusion, then looked behind at Naruto in the Hokage robes. "You're the new Hokage of the village?"
"Yeah." Naruto nodded. "I'm the Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki."
"Uzumaki..." Hashirama recalled the Uzumaki clan—and his wife—and nodded. He looked around. "It seems the village has flourished under your leadership. That puts me at ease."
Naruto smiled sheepishly. "But for this match, I'm counting on your help."
"No problem! With me here, victory is yours!" Hashirama laughed boisterously, hands on his hips with zero composure.
"So that's the First Hokage..." Boruto glanced between Hashirama, Naruto, and then Sarada—who aspired to be Hokage. A chill ran down his spine.
"Grandfather!"
"Huh? Tsunade?" Hashirama scratched his head again. "Didn't expect you to be all grown up—hahaha!"
"Hey! Hashirama!" Madara called out impatiently.
"Ah—sorry, sorry! Tsunade, let's catch up after the match." Remembering he was still mid-duel, Hashirama quickly apologized. "Naruto, let's keep going."
"Right." Naruto nodded. "First Hokage—Hashirama Senju, activate effect! When this card is successfully summoned, I can add one Wood Release Bloodline Limit card from my deck to my hand."
On the other side, the stunned Young Obito finally regained his senses. Tugging at Madara's sleeve, he asked, "I'm not seeing things, right? That's really the First Hokage?"
Madara glanced down at the boy beside him. "So what if it is?"
"It's really the First Hokage!" Obito exclaimed excitedly. "My dream is to become Hokage!"
Madara's brow twitched. In the end, he smacked Young Obito on the head with a fist.