Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 309: The Shinobi Alliance's Response

"Already?!" At the Shinobi Alliance's headquarters, everyone's faces changed dramatically.

How long has it been? And Hagoromo Gengetsu has already crushed a ten-thousand-strong shinobi battalion?

Even though they knew he was powerful, this was just too exaggerated.

The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, recalling her previous statements, murmured to herself, "No wonder... Hagoromo Gengetsu dared to show up alone."

After hearing the latest battle update, the Fourth Raikage, A, clenched his fists, more determined than ever as he declared, "If this continues, we'll just be picked off one by one! Give the order, Tsunade! Everyone, move out! I refuse to believe we can't wear down Hagoromo Gengetsu!"

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, immediately added, "We should indeed mobilize, but not everyone. Against a powerhouse like Hagoromo Gengetsu, ordinary shinobi won't make much of a difference!"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, also agreed, "Tsunade, deploy a portion of our forces."

Tsunade ultimately agreed to Ōnoki's plan and was about to allocate troops when Yamanaka Inoichi quickly interjected, "Hagoromo Gengetsu has already reached the second interception line!"

Tsunade's expression turned serious as she immediately commanded, "Shikaku, you will command the second interception line. Hold them off until reinforcements from the headquarters arrive!"

"Yes!"

Shikaku Nara immediately moved in front of Yamanaka Inoichi, allowing him to place his hand on his forehead. With the support of the Yamanaka clan's secret technique, Shikaku began to command the battle remotely.

Tsunade continued issuing orders, "The First Kage, the Second Kage, the current Kage, Minato, and half of the Reanimation forces, follow me to deal with Hagoromo Gengetsu."

"The headquarters will be under your care, Sarutobi-sensei."

With the supreme commander's orders given, everyone immediately responded, "Yes!"

In an instant, a series of sounds echoed through the air as the team, led by Tsunade, which included several Kage and the Reanimation forces, swiftly moved out towards Hagoromo Gengetsu.

---

Among the throng of enemies, the sound of clashing metal was incessant.

Hagoromo Gengetsu, wielding a stolen shinobi blade, swung it with such speed that no one could react as shinobi and samurai alike fell at his feet.

"Where is he?"

"Over here... No, where is he?"

"I can't see him at all!"

"Is this really human speed?"

A group of shinobi and samurai clutched their kunai, short swords, and shinobi blades, looking around in confusion. They wanted to fight back but had no idea where to begin, forced to watch helplessly as one comrade after another fell.

Clang!

Just as Hagoromo Gengetsu was about to swing his blade, another shinobi sword suddenly appeared, blocking the attack in front of a bewildered shinobi.

Hagoromo Gengetsu let out a small "Hmm?"—this was the first time someone had managed to block one of his strikes after fighting for so long.

"Quick reflexes. And decent strength too."

Hagoromo Gengetsu tightened his grip on the sword's hilt, but the opposing shinobi sword remained unmoved.

Turning his head, he saw a man with long mustaches and a bandaged head, dressed in green layered armor, whose sharp eyes stared intently at him.

The newcomer was none other than Mifune, the General of the Land of Iron.

"The samurai of the Land of Iron don't stay in their homes, clinging to that ridiculous Bushido, and instead come here to die?" Hagoromo Gengetsu remarked coolly.

Mifune, gripping his shinobi sword with both hands, firmly replied, "For the sake of the shinobi world! Of course, the samurai who believe in Bushido must fight!"

With that, Mifune suddenly swung his shinobi sword horizontally. As Hagoromo Gengetsu's blade grazed past him, Mifune swiftly crouched down, took a step forward, and slashed out forcefully with his sword.

Kenjutsu: Iai Slash!

The sharp edge of the sword flashed like lightning.

Hagoromo Gengetsu's pupils contracted slightly as he uncharacteristically retreated a few steps.

Mifune's eyes narrowed as he continued to swing his sword at Hagoromo Gengetsu, even at the cost of exhausting his chakra, giving the second interception unit time to reorganize. Under Shikaku Nara's remote command, the previously chaotic second interception unit quickly stabilized and restructured their forces.

"Lord Mifune, you can retreat now."

Shikaku Nara's voice echoed in Mifune's mind.

Mifune remained unmoved, concentrating chakra on his blade. With a mighty swing, he sent a solid arc of sword energy slicing through the air toward Hagoromo Gengetsu, creating an opening to swiftly withdraw.

"Trying to escape?"

With his Rinnegan, Hagoromo Gengetsu easily dodged the slash and extended his left hand toward Mifune.

Universal Pull!

Instantly, a powerful gravitational force pulled Mifune uncontrollably towards Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Seeing this, Shikaku Nara immediately issued another command.

"Earth Style: Iron Boulder Spewing Jutsu!"

Under a flurry of hand signs, a group of Iwa-nin spat out small stones from their mouths, which collided in mid-air and transformed into solid cannonballs, hurtling toward Hagoromo Gengetsu.

"The Rinnegan can absorb all ninjutsu, but can it absorb ninjutsu while simultaneously using another Rinnegan technique?"

Thanks to Yamanaka Inoichi's technique, Shikaku Nara was experiencing the battle as if he were there, directing and testing his theory at the same time.

Due to Uchiha Madara's previous rampage in Konoha, the Shinobi Alliance had gained some understanding of the Rinnegan's abilities, rather than being completely clueless as before.

Just like Uchiha Madara couldn't use sealing techniques while activating Susanoo, Hagoromo Gengetsu couldn't use chakra absorption while maintaining Universal Pull.

But Hagoromo Gengetsu didn't seem to care.

Allowing his body to be covered in Steel Release, Hagoromo Gengetsu fixed his gaze on the approaching Mifune as a black rod extended from his palm.

As the stone cannonballs pounded against Hagoromo Gengetsu, they did nothing to slow him down, and Mifune continued to be pulled closer.

Shikaku Nara quickly issued a new command.

"Earth Style: Earth Moving Core!"

Rows of shinobi slammed their hands into the ground.

In an instant, the ground beneath Hagoromo Gengetsu rose rapidly, while the earth under Mifune sank, putting distance between them again.

But it wasn't over yet.

A squad of Kumo-nin possessing Storm Release bloodline quickly formed hand signs, shouting, "Storm Release: Laser Circus!"

Dozens of powerful laser beams, a combination of lightning and water, tore through the sky, aiming relentlessly at Hagoromo Gengetsu from all directions.

"Steel Release focuses on physical defense, making it less effective against Storm Release, another bloodline ability. Limbo's absorption range isn't as wide as the Rinnegan's, so it can't block all the laser beams. There's only one option left."

Through the eyes of the shinobi on the battlefield, Shikaku Nara observed Hagoromo Gengetsu, who had been pushed into the air with nowhere to escape, and quickly analyzed the situation.

Indeed, things unfolded as he predicted.

The gravitational pull on Mifune disappeared.

And the dozens of laser beams surrounding Hagoromo Gengetsu vanished as well.

Shikaku Nara took note of this, relaying the newly obtained information to Tsunade, who was on her way.

However, just as he finished reporting, Mifune, who had barely stabilized himself, was suddenly struck in the back by several black rods.

With a thud, the samurai collapsed heavily to the ground.