Sensing a strange power dissipating and expanding across the battlefield, a look of anticipation appeared on Aizen's face.
"Another unknown entity has joined Akira's battle. Orochimaru-san, your ninja world truly harbors many secrets."
Hearing this, Orochimaru furrowed his brow, confusion flashing in his eyes.
Before he could ask, Aizen continued, "The stone tablet in the Naka Shrine, passed down by the Uchiha clan, was once altered by a strange power. The text bears similarities to the unknown force now fluctuating on the battlefield. If Madara Uchiha developed his ideals to change the ninja world after reading that tablet... then he is truly pitiful. His life's work was nothing but the product of a deception."
Snake eyes constricting, Orochimaru looked at him in shock and asked, his hoarse voice rising, "How did you discover this?"
Aizen responded with a smile, "The 'Shinigami' in your understanding share certain similarities with us in the realm of souls. For instance, due to your pursuit of immortality and continuous self-fragmentation, your soul has become completely shattered."
Orochimaru took a deep breath, mentally raising his assessment of this man once again.
The ninja world had its share of soul researchers — he wasn't alone in this field. The first to manipulate souls was the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
But even their combined knowledge couldn't match the understanding of souls possessed by the person before him.
As he pondered this, Aizen's voice rang out again, his tone now carrying more gravity.
"Tell me, Orochimaru-san..."
"Hmm?"
"Would you be interested in becoming the ninja world's first Shinigami?"
Orochimaru suddenly turned his head, his snake eyes contracting to pinpoints as he stared intently at the smirking man before him.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
In the dim mental space.
Hashirama warily observed the old man before him who claimed to be the Sage of Six Paths, his eyes filled with distrust. Since unknown outsiders had invaded the ninja world, he had grown vigilant toward all unfamiliar entities.
Could this be another trick from those cunning outsiders?
Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki said helplessly, "Everything I say is true. I am Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, the one who established peace and order — not some outsider as you imagine. Do you see these eyes of mine?"
Hashirama's eyes brightened with sudden understanding, "Madara has eyes like these too!"
Hagoromo was exhausted.
Every reincarnation of Asura seemed lacking in wit. Even that Naruto Uzumaki in the physical world gave off an unreliable impression.
He had planned to wait longer, but now there was no time. If this continued, that monster would shatter the ninja world.
"Listen, Hashirama!" Hagoromo's expression turned grave, "The prophecy became void when the outsiders appeared. Now only you and Madara Uchiha can stop Akira Kisaragi. Madara has already become the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki and needs no help from me. Only by accepting my gift will you be able to face him in direct combat!"
He extended his right hand, the symbol of Yin-Yang Release appearing in his palm.
"Will you let Madara face that monster alone?"
Hashirama took a deep breath and reached out with a grave expression, grasping firmly.
After receiving the power from the Sage of Six Paths, his figure disappeared from the mental space.
But Hagoromo's expression remained grave, his profound gaze piercing through the barrier between mental and physical worlds toward the battlefield's edge.
More than the one dominating the battlefield, he was wary of the person who had just peered into the mental world.
From his recent conversation with Hashirama, he had learned that person's name—
Sōsuke Aizen!
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
A scorching storm swept across like a plow. Endless ashes churned wildly, erupting from the boiling magma and transforming into brilliant, dancing flames.
Explosive sounds thundered from within the hurricane, echoing across the battlefield.
As the Ten-Tails' massive body shattered and vanished once more, a surge of violent chakra shot skyward, dispersing the rolling dust clouds. Ashes swirled and surged through the air.
Madara's black hair had turned white, and he wore a fluttering white coat. Nine Truth-Seeking Balls floated in a circle behind him, while his arms and legs had turned black. In his left hand, he held the Six Paths Shakujō, and both intact Rinnegan rotated slowly in their sockets with a gurgling sound.
He looked at Akira with arrogance, the corner of his mouth curling upward as he felt the powerful force surging through his body. His confident voice rang out across the battlefield.
"Let's continue our previous battle! I lack nothing now!"
Though the process had differed, the result remained the same.
He had been revived through Rinne Tensei and gained power equal to the Sage of Six Paths.
Without hesitation, as the Six Paths power concentrated within him, Madara's eyes opened, instantly activating his Rinnegan technique.
⤫ Rinbo: Hengoku ⥤ Limbo: Border Jail! ⤬
In his vision, shadow-constructed figures traversed the battlefield, instantly appearing before Akira. Enhanced by Six Paths power, these shadows' strength had reached the world's peak.
Under Madara's excited gaze, the shadows completely surrounded the unsuspecting enemy and launched their attack simultaneously.
This strike would surely defeat him completely!
Bang Bang Bang!!
Dull impacts echoed in the sky above as an unexpected scene unfolded.
Tobirama's eyes widened in shock as he watched Akira assume a strange posture in the sky.
His limbs twisted into irregular positions, and with an eruption of power, something burst outward, instantly creating a massive crater in the ground.
"An attack that couldn't be detected." Minato said gravely, studying Madara, "Is it the Rinnegan's ability, or the Sage of Six Paths' power?"
The Fourth Hokage, with his rich combat experience and knowledge, immediately grasped the truth from Madara's expression.
Akira stood in the sky, looking down at his shocked adversary with a grin, "This power is nothing special. Show me your full strength, Madara! Or can't you fight properly even with Six Paths power?"
The blatant mockery instantly darkened Madara's expression.
His opponent's strength had exceeded his estimates. It was like an iceberg — with each improvement Madara made, more of the massive power hidden beneath the surface revealed itself.
There was no way to measure his true strength!
⤫ Senpō: Inton Raiha ⥤ Sage Art: Yin Release Lightning Dispatch! ⤬
Refusing to accept defeat, Madara formed hand seals as his chakra surged. Purple lightning arcs leaped from his fingers, crisscrossing and tearing ghastly gaps across the ash-filled battlefield.
The earth rumbled. Like divine punishment, violent lightning galloped through the ashes, ravaging everything in its path.
Yet this was merely the residual force of the Six Paths Sage Technique. The attack's true killing power had already ambushed Akira, shattering his outer Reiatsu defense and striking his body directly.
Below, hope flashed in the Hokages' eyes — after countless attempts, they had finally landed a hit on their enemy.
It hadn't been easy, but perhaps there was hope after all.
"Is he going to lose?"
Orochimaru, having recovered from his earlier shock, gazed composedly at the lightning-shrouded figure as if he'd already foreseen the outcome.
"The power of the Six Paths Sage — truly worthy of being the strongest force in the ninja world. To touch the principles of all things and control all phenomena... I suppose this is what it means?"
However, his words only drew a chuckle and head shake from Aizen.
"Lose? Though that guy has suffered many defeats and been chased by countless swords, an attack of this level is still far from his limit. The defense layer that was broken was made of Reiatsu — think of it as externalized chakra."
Hearing these words, Orochimaru was left speechless.
Just from the description alone, these so-called "Shinigami" were beyond comparison to ninja.
They could freely manipulate and even create souls. Though true immortality eluded them, their lifespans of several thousand years were enough to drive anyone mad with envy.
And these two might be the strongest among all Shinigami.
Such unknowns drew one deep into contemplation. The question arose: could even the Six Paths Sage accomplish all this?
"Kehehehe! Madara, you haven't disappointed me! This is power befitting the Six Paths — don't embarrass yourself with that pathetically weak taijutsu!"
Akira seized the dancing purple lightning with his bare hand and, before everyone's disbelieving eyes, tore it apart until it vanished into nothingness.
Hiruzen's expression sank, his fighting spirit crushed, unable to muster any will to resist.
"Is there really no way to defeat him?"
Suddenly, a thunderous laugh echoed across the boundless battlefield as another immeasurably powerful chakra descended upon the scene.
"Fear not, everyone!"
With these spirited words, Hashirama — who had vanished and reappeared without warning — arrived beside everyone, radiating an infectious energy.
"Because I have arrived!"
Just as he was about to join the battle, Madara, floating in the sky, roared down at him:
"You fool, get lost! This isn't a battle you can participate in!"
At the scolding, Hashirama was stunned for a moment before flashing his trademark smile and giving Madara a thumbs up.
"Madara, don't underestimate me. I won't fall too far behind you."
Under everyone's surprised gaze, he clasped his hands together as surging chakra swirled around his body.
His external armor transformed under the burst of power, turning grayish-white as if being repainted. The Truth-Seeking Orbs — symbol of Yin-Yang Release — condensed and floated behind him, while magatama patterns appeared on the back of his white robe.
Hashirama opened his fingers, letting a green leaf drift in the wind as his gaze grew determined, looking skyward with unwavering conviction.
Six Paths Hashirama has arrived!
Looking at the transformed First Hokage, Akira was stunned for a moment before quickly understanding.
So he's activated it!
No wonder he's so confident. Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, who had been hiding in the mental space, finally couldn't remain idle.
But it doesn't matter. Never mind Six Paths Hashirama — even if Kaguya herself broke free from her seal, he'd blast her away with one punch!
The battered battlefield trembled with earth-shaking rumbles, stirring up waves amid violent tremors.
⤫ Senpō Mokuton: Shin Sūsenju ⥤ Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands! ⤬
A mountain-like shadow enveloped the trembling battlefield as countless vines exploded forth, devastating the air with thunderous roars.
The True Several Thousand Hands, now possessing even more terrifying destructive power, broke free from the earth's restraints and transformed the world into fresh greenery.
Vines climbed and reached out, attempting to devour Akira with speed rivaling Madara's earlier Yin Lightning.
In an instant, they wrapped the massive figure into a sphere, as a powerful absorbing force erupted from the vines to drain his power and life force.
After receiving Hagoromo's gift, Hashirama had become an undisputed Six Paths Sage. Combined with his already outstanding power, he was now even stronger than Madara.
As a Six Paths Sage, enhancing his original ninjutsu with countless special properties wasn't excessive at all.
"Madara!" Hashirama shouted at the stunned man while maintaining the True Several Thousand Hands.
Madara snapped back to his senses, gave his former friend a complex look, then launched another attack without hesitation.
⤫ Senpō: Ranton Kōga ⥤ Sage Art: Storm Release Light Fang! ⤬
A blue-purple beam erupted from his mouth, slicing through the air and severing all thick vines in its path.
The wooden sphere in the sky crumbled before this overwhelming force — wood fibers exploding apart at the moment of impact.
Just as Madara thought his strike would succeed, the unstoppable Yin jutsu suddenly froze in place, unable to advance a single inch further.
As the shattered vines fell away, an impossible sight appeared before their eyes.
The Storm Release Light Fang — a technique powerful enough to cut through Truth-Seeking Orbs — was caught firmly in Akira's bare hand!
This guy?!
Facing his two renewed opponents, Akira's lips curved into a grin. His five fingers clenched together, and with devastating power, he completely shattered the blue beam.
As the two warriors watched warily, he pulled off his haori, adjusted his Shihakushō at his waist, and flashed a fierce smile:
"We can begin round two!"
Hashirama and Madara: "?"