In the Land of Frost, Sasuke, having transplanted Itachi's eyes, required a period of recuperation. At this moment, Sasuke had already slowly pulled off his bandages, and a White Zetsu, tasked with looking after him, approached.
However, in the next second, Sasuke pinned the White Zetsu to the wall and incinerated it with a single Amaterasu.
"Is this the new power? I'm getting more and more excited. I can feel your presence, Brother!"
Sasuke walked out with an evil grin, sheathing his Kusanagi sword. The moment he emerged, Sasuke felt something was wrong. An oppressive feeling permeated the air. To understand what was happening, Sasuke headed in the direction where the oppressive feeling was strongest.
Meanwhile, Suigetsu, Jugo, and Sheng Hua, who were imprisoned in the Land of Iron, had already escaped. Due to a sudden reduction in guard strength, the three managed to break free.
Jugo wanted to find Sasuke, while Sheng Hua did not wish to get involved any further and parted ways with them. Suigetsu intended to retrieve his Kubikiribocho first, but still decided to follow Jugo to find Sasuke.
Just then, Orochimaru suddenly appeared before them, which startled Suigetsu.
"Orochimaru! You're still alive? Weren't you sealed by Itachi?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, "Calm down, Suigetsu. I'm not interested in researching you all anymore. I just want to find Lord Sasuke and see how far this last Uchiha can go."
"What do you mean by that?" Jugo clearly didn't believe Orochimaru.
"Jugo, it's normal for you not to believe me. I met someone before, his strength was peerless, and nothing could exist under his blade. When he struck at me, I finally understood that nothing in this world is immortal or eternal. Only will, a will passed down through generations."
Suigetsu approached Orochimaru and observed him, realizing it was indeed Orochimaru. His mind became confused, wondering if Orochimaru was under a genjutsu.
However, Jugo understood Orochimaru's meaning. Wasn't he simply curious to see how far Sasuke could grow? Whether he would inherit Itachi's will or the will to destroy Konoha, Orochimaru wanted to know Sasuke's choice.
Since that was the case, Jugo used a small bird to search for Sasuke's location. Orochimaru and Suigetsu followed.
...
On the desert battlefield, Deidara and Sasori were bombarding each other from high in the air. However, Sasori had a relative advantage. His Edo Tensei body and the myriad of puppet mechanisms offered not only bombs but also sharp weapons, poison, and ropes, along with formidable defensive capabilities.
Deidara's offensive methods, on the other hand, were rather singular, consisting of bombs and more bombs, differing only in type and power.
Li Xing watched for a while and then stopped paying attention, letting the two continue their conflict. He then landed amidst the Allied Shinobi Forces and said to Naruto, "Naruto, it's been a long time. You've indeed become much stronger and learned to be calm."
"Li Xing, do you intend to continue this? You know Tsunade-obaa-san's feelings, right? She often stares at a photograph, sometimes even shedding tears. You, who claims to love your family the most, have made your family cry for you. Can you still say such things?"
Naruto's words rendered Li Xing speechless. Li Xing was also contemplating whether constantly hurting Tsunade's heart could be considered being part of her family.
"Xing, don't overthink it. You've done nothing wrong to Tsunade. You've never harmed Konoha, the village Tsunade loves; in fact, you've even renovated it. Someone like you is most qualified to say you love your family the most," Li Yun said, sensing Li Xing's dilemma and comforting him mentally.
Li Yun's words enlightened Li Xing. Looking at Naruto, Li Xing burst into laughter, "Hahahahahaha! Naruto! Your talk no jutsu truly lives up to its reputation! You almost convinced me. But you won't understand me. I just want to see my past family in the Infinite Tsukuyomi world. You should be grateful I didn't capture you myself! Enough talk, all of you, come at me! I'll face you all alone!"
"Enough! Li Xing!"
Just as Li Xing was about to make a move, a flash of white light appeared behind him. Tsunade appeared behind Li Xing, bearing some wounds.
It turned out Tsunade had used Mabui's Ten-Sent-Technique. It was originally meant for teleporting objects, but Tsunade, using her Creation Rebirth, had forcefully endured the teleportation speed.
Li Xing slowly turned around and looked at Tsunade's battered body. He reached out a hand and caressed her face, healing her injuries simultaneously. "Why did you come? Did they send you to persuade me?"
Tsunade also reached out and touched Li Xing's face, finally placing her hand by his ear and holding the earring. "Li Xing, I promised you. Stop now. We'll leave together after the war."
Karin and Yugito were also watching from the side, but they had no other thoughts, simply observing quietly.
Li Xing clasped Tsunade's hand. "I don't need this. Your current state only makes me feel like I'm forcing you. I don't want to achieve my goals this way. I told you this before, you should know."
"No, I mean it from the bottom of my heart, Li Xing. If you don't mind an old woman like me, come back with me! I don't want to experience the pain of losing loved ones in war again."
Li Xing closed his eyes, then released Tsunade's hand. "Tsunade, let's wait until the war is over. It will end soon. You just watch from the side!"
"Summoning Jutsu! Edo Tensei!"
After speaking, Li Xing jumped onto a rock. He clapped his hands, and a coffin appeared on the ground. Before Li Xing could remove the coffin, the person inside was impatient and kicked the lid off.
"Finally, it has come to this! Nagato has grown!"
"No, Nagato's Rinne Tensei Jutsu has already been used by someone else. You are currently in an Edo Tensei state. If you want to know anything, come and see over here!" Li Xing knew Madara had misunderstood and quickly motioned for Madara to show himself to the Allied Shinobi Forces.
"Edo Tensei? It seems the plan has encountered some issues. Hmm? A forehead protector with a uniform 'nin' symbol, but the clothes are from various villages. Nagato is here too! Did Tobi do this?"
Madara arrived at the edge of the rock and looked down at the Allied Shinobi Forces from above. Ohnoki, seeing that face, was startled, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Jiraiya and Tsunade were equally shocked. That face, there was no mistake, it was Uchiha Madara.
"Hi! Everyone in the Allied Shinobi Forces, allow me to introduce you to the legendary ninja's opponent, the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju—Uchiha Madara!"
Li Xing amplified his voice to explain to everyone, simultaneously instilling an unprecedented fear. Naruto, however, seemed unfazed, only commenting that the face under the mask looked like this.
But Gaara immediately reminded Naruto that this Madara was an Edo Tensei, meaning the masked man from Akatsuki was an imposter of Madara.
Tsunade stepped forward, looking up at Li Xing in silence. Unable to bear Tsunade's gaze, Li Xing shifted his attention away from her.
"This girl... Hashirama's descendant, Hashirama's granddaughter, Tsunade. What? Are you close to her?" Madara turned to Li Xing.
"I want to marry her. Oh, right, let me introduce myself first. I am Tobi's subordinate, Li Xing. Those watching over there are my two wives, and another girl is the former Seven-Tails Jinchuriki."
Li Xing then began to introduce the main ninjas below: the Kazekage Gaara, the Tsuchikage Ohnoki, one of the Sannin Jiraiya, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Naruto Uzumaki.