I've Already Confronted the Five Kage, and the System Just Arrived!

Even the experienced former Hokage were left shocked after listening to Tsunade and Jiraiya's explanation of the current situation in the shinobi world.

Having recently clashed with Hagoromo Gensou after being reanimated, Hashirama had already noticed Gensou's unusual state and realized that he was scheming something.

However, he hadn't expected Gensou's plans to escalate to this magnitude.

Hashirama's face turned solemn.

Nearby, Tobirama folded his arms, processing the information with a look of deep contemplation.

"The Ten-Tails... the progenitor of chakra... Who would've thought the shinobi world harbored such secrets. If only I could—"

Tobirama cut himself off.

Not far away, Orochimaru, ever observant, noticed something and glanced at the Second Hokage with a knowing smile.

He owed much of his success, including his mastery of numerous forbidden techniques, to Tobirama.

Orochimaru understood perfectly what Tobirama was thinking—because they were alike.

While Hashirama and Tobirama, unfamiliar with the modern era, focused on Hagoromo Gensou and the ominous vision of the Ten-Tails, Hiruzen and Minato were silent, grappling with another heavy matter.

"Naruto..."

A deep sorrow welled up in Minato's eyes.

As the Fourth Hokage and Naruto's father, Minato had dreamed of reuniting with his son after being reanimated in Konoha.

Instead, he was met with devastating news.

For a brief moment, Minato's hand trembled—a rare sign of emotion from the man who remained unshaken even in the face of Akatsuki's onslaught.

Hiruzen, too, was deeply grieved.

In his mind, Naruto had always embodied the Will of Fire, a boy who persevered through immense hardships and pain without breaking.

Yet, this young man, full of potential and hope, had fallen to Gensou's ambition far too early.

"Hagoromo Gensou!"

Hiruzen felt a pang of regret.

Perhaps he had been wrong to focus so heavily on Orochimaru.

If he had instead prioritized sealing Gensou at all costs, the present tragedy might have been avoided.

"I'm sorry, Minato. I failed to protect Naruto," Jiraiya said, his voice heavy with guilt.

Minato shook his head slowly, his voice calm but firm.

"Jiraiya-sensei, this isn't your fault."

"Perhaps... this was Naruto's fate. Or rather, the fate of all shinobi."

Minato understood the Great Toad Sage's choice.

Naruto's sacrifice had bought the shinobi world precious time and a fighting chance.

But as a father who had already failed Naruto in so many ways...

Enough.

The Great Toad Sage was gone, and lingering on the past was meaningless.

The only thing Minato could do now was ensure Naruto's sacrifice wasn't in vain.

With renewed determination, Minato's gaze sharpened as he said, "Jiraiya-sensei, you're right—time is short. Let's focus on how to deal with Hagoromo Gensou."

Minato and the other Hokage had experienced Gensou's strength firsthand.

During their last encounter, Gensou's new eyes and enhanced presence had left Minato feeling an even greater pressure than before.

Coupled with the powerful rogue shinobi under his command, their current forces were insufficient.

Jiraiya, seeing his disciple suppress his emotions to focus on the task at hand, sighed inwardly and patted Minato's shoulder firmly.

"The shinobi from all major villages will be mobilized this time. Additionally, we've prepared a group of reanimated allies, including you and the other Hokage. While it's not ideal to disturb the dead, the situation leaves us no choice."

"I have a question," Tobirama interjected.

"Second Hokage-sama, please speak," Jiraiya replied.

Tobirama's sharp gaze fixed on him. "According to your account, Gensou may have other means to complete the Ten-Tails plan. He has already captured all nine Tailed Beasts. If he chooses a remote enough location, he could birth the Ten-Tails before you even realize. Have you considered this possibility, Tsunade?"

Tsunade nodded gravely.

"The Great Toad Sage mentioned a specific location in his final words. It's a place Gensou must visit to complete everything."

"Where is it?"

"The remains of the God Tree."

Deep within a dark mountain cavern, the Tailed Beast host had changed from Gaara to Killer Bee.

The vast chakra of the Eight-Tails was continuously being absorbed into the Gedo Statue, whose six half-open eyes gleamed ominously.

Standing atop one of the ten fingers, Sasuke formed hand seals, glancing briefly at Gaara's lifeless body on the ground.

Although Sasuke had once crossed paths with Gaara—an unpredictable and bloodthirsty figure in the past—he felt no particular sorrow at the Fifth Kazekage's death.

Still, seeing Gaara reminded Sasuke of Naruto.

He recalled their battle during the Chūnin Exams, the moment he first realized Naruto, once considered a failure, had surpassed him.

"Perhaps... I'll never get the chance to prove who's stronger now," Sasuke murmured, lowering his gaze to mask a fleeting sadness.

By now, Sasuke understood reality.

Naruto's absence could mean only two things: he had fled or... he was dead.

Given what Sasuke knew of Gensou, who had acted personally, the latter seemed certain.

Sasuke couldn't quite articulate his feelings.

Sadness?

Yes, some.

Hatred?

As Sasuke looked at Gensou, he found none.

Not only did he owe Gensou too much, but this wasn't about hatred or personal gain.

Gensou's ambition was grand, and Naruto had simply been an indispensable part of it.

It wasn't a matter of right or wrong—it was a clash of ideals.

Such was the adult world, where everyone had their convictions and sacrifices were inevitable.

In that moment, Sasuke closed his eyes, his demeanor more composed than before.

The cavern fell silent until a loud "thud" broke the stillness.

The Eight-Tails' extraction was complete.

Keeping his promise to Samui, Gensou spared Killer Bee's life, leaving him barely alive, as he had done with the Six-Tails' host, Utakata.

Release wasn't an option, of course. Bee would remain imprisoned for now.

Afterward, Gensou signaled the Akatsuki members to rest, while he stayed behind at the Gedo Statue, instructing Sasuke to remain as well.

(End of Chapter)

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