[Earlier, during his preparations, Gaara used his Sand Eye to monitor the battlefield. Under the cover of smoke and using a sand clone, he swapped out the real Onoki.]
[Gengetsu "Little Mustache" was thoroughly impressed by this move. And, perhaps because Gaara also had no eyebrows, Gengetsu genuinely began to enjoy the battle.]
[But the Allied Shinobi Forces didn't let up — Gaara unleashed his Desert Funeral, and everyone hurled sealing talismans in unison. Victory seemed within reach.]
[Just then, Gengetsu unleashed his secret technique — Steaming Danger Tyranny, completely crushing the Allied Forces' hope.]
[Due to the steam-cooling aftermath of the attack, hail began to fall.]
[At that moment, Gengetsu's water clone appeared. The exterior was oil, and the inside was water — highly flammable and explosive, moving at high speeds.]
[Once it exploded, the falling hail cooled it rapidly, allowing the clone to shrink and start the attack anew by self-destructing in tiny fragments.]
[Gaara tried the same old tactic again. After the hailstorm died down, before the clone overheated and exploded again, he broke Gengetsu's seal.]
[Finally, Gaara managed to seal Gengetsu completely.]
[End of footage.]
...
Gengetsu Hōzuki waited, smugly, for the praise to pour in.
After all —
His power had been absolutely overwhelming.
Not only that:
If he hadn't been actively helping Gaara and the Allied Forces…
There was no way they could've sealed him.
But instead...
To Gengetsu's frustration — even anger —
He received no praise at all.
Only laughter.
Of course...
The loudest and most merciless mockery came from none other than…
Bandaged Freak — Mu.
[Mu (Second Tsuchikage)]:
Little Mustache! That was your "epic battle scene"? Looked more like a comedy skit to me! Hahaha!
[Onoki (Third Tsuchikage)]:
Exactly! When the scroll described you as "over-the-top," "reckless," and "comic relief," I didn't get it at first.
Now that I've seen the footage — I agree 100%! That was pure comedy gold.
[Gengetsu (Second Mizukage)]:
Bandaged Freak! Just you wait. You probably won't even make it onto the rankings.
And even if you do, when your footage plays — now that will be a real clown show!
[Childish Brat, Not as Good as Lady Tsunade]:
Second Mizukage-sama, don't listen to them!
Sure, you're a little tsundere, and your methods are a bit eccentric, but it was obvious from the footage — you were deliberately helping the Allied Forces win.
Even at the cost of your own dignity! That's true greatness!
[Immature Old Woman]:
Hey brat! That's one hell of a bootlicking speech.
When are you going to say something that flattering about me?
[Childish Brat]:
Old woman, what are you talking about?!
I was just telling the truth. That's not bootlicking!
[Fourth Raikage A]:
Hahaha! This time, I've got to back Granny Tsunade.
That flattery was so blatant it's embarrassing.
Can't imagine how awkward the person being praised must feel!
[Childish Brat]:
I'm telling the truth! You're all just slandering me~!
[Gengetsu @ Childish Brat]:
Don't mind them. They're not really mocking you — they're mocking me.
Because they think your "truth" was just sugar-coated lies.
[Mu]:
Little Mustache! You're still as narcissistic as ever! Don't you ever get embarrassed?
[Gengetsu]:
Bandaged Freak, want me to come over and give you a taste of my ultimate technique? Let's see if you'll regret your words then!
Just then—
The scroll hovering in the sky shook violently, followed by a burst of golden light.
A beam shot down into the Pure Land, enveloping Gengetsu Hōzuki.
As the light faded, Gengetsu instantly understood:
His ultimate technique had now been powered up by a hundredfold.
That move could already kill Mu before.
Now that it was amplified 100x…
Even someone like Madara Uchiha or Hashirama Senju
— if caught off guard —
might not survive, even with full defense!
[Gengetsu @ Mu]:
WAHAHAHA! Bandaged Freak! You scared yet?
My ultimate move has been enhanced 100 times!
[Mu]:
Little Mustache, what are you bragging for?! You're celebrating too early!
I haven't gotten my reward yet! Once I do, you'll see — your buff will be child's play in comparison!
There's no doubt I'll rank higher than you, and my reward will be better too! I win!
[Gengetsu]:
Bandaged Freak, are you not worried I'll come for you right now?
[Mu]:
Hah! You're the one who's afraid — too scared to wait until after I get my prize!
You've already lost just by showing your hand. I don't respect you at all. Weak mentality = weak shinobi.
[Gengetsu]:
Fine then! I'll wait — but only until the rankings finish.
If you never show up on the list, does that mean I'll never get my revenge?
[Mu]:
Relax, I will make the list. Guaranteed.
[Tobirama Senju @ Madara]:
See this exchange between them? That's what a true rival looks like.
So this whole "CP" and "buddies" theory? It just means enemies. Obvious.
[Madara @ Shikamaru]:
Your thoughts, Shikamaru?
[Shikamaru]:
We already saw it in the footage.
When Gengetsu wanted to kill Orochimaru, Mu instantly agreed.
If they were really "sworn enemies," Mu would've opposed him.
Also — remember how Gengetsu got jealous because Gaara sealed Mu first instead of him?
That's not how rivals act. That's how jealous lovers behave.
And think about it — they didn't get to be born on the same day...
But they died on the same day.
Even most lovers or married couples can't say that.
There's only one conclusion:
CP and buddies are both ways of saying "a pair."
[Madara]:
HAHAHA! This is why I respect you, Shikamaru.
Smart — almost as much as me.
I could elaborate even more, but I won't steal the spotlight from the younger generation.
[Madara @ Tobirama]:
So? Got it now? Or is that little brain of yours still lagging?
[Tobirama]:
What nonsense is this?! You think I'm dumb or something?
[Tobirama @ Hashirama]:
Big Bro! Back me up here. You know I'm right, don't you?
[Madara @ Hashirama]:
Hashirama! You're the judge — give a fair, unbiased verdict: Who's right?
Pure Land.
Hashirama's expression turned… awkward.
He'd hoped both of them would forget.
But now they'd both remembered — and demanded he make the call?
This was basically a soul-wrenching question:
"Who do you trust more?"
Hashirama had a headache.
On one hand, there was his precious younger brother.
On the other, his beloved Madara...
He really didn't know whom to support.
And, frankly...
He didn't even know the right answer himself.
They both made valid points. He was stuck.
Group Chat:
[Tobirama @ Hashirama]:
Big Bro! Just tell Madara I'm the one who's right!
[Izuna Uchiha]:
LMAO — Hashirama's silence already says everything.
He's trying to save your pride, and you're out here begging for an answer.
Embarrassing! @Tobirama
[Tobirama]:
What do you mean by that?!
[Izuna]:
Oh come on, it's obvious!
My big bro Madara is clearly the one who's right!
[Tobirama @ Hashirama]:
Big Bro… really? Even you think I'm wrong?
[Hashirama]:
Ahem… Who's right isn't what matters. What matters is—
[Madara]:
Hashirama! Spit it out! What does matter?
Just then —
The sky scroll trembled again, bursting into radiant golden light.
A new name appeared on the Five Kage Composite Rankings.
[Hashirama]:
Ahem! What's important is —
Look! A new ranking just dropped! Let's check it out!
Everyone — from the ninja world to the Pure Land — turned their attention toward the list, eyes full of anticipation.
Especially those confident they'd rank…
Yet hadn't appeared at all.
Despite their self-assurance...
The previous rankings had thrown everyone for a loop.
It was very possible some wouldn't make the list at all.
And the most anxious of all...
Was Mu, the Second Tsuchikage.
Because he knew the truth better than anyone:
Whether it was power, contribution, or legacy—
He and Gengetsu were about even.
If he ranked...
It would likely be a tie with Gengetsu for sixth place.
PS : Read the complete fic (soon all chapters will be added ), you can check out
my P@treon. -> patreon.com/Sagamaster789
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789