Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear masks once again materialized menacingly behind him.
Kisame, his body covered in cracks, hoisted the fake Samehada over his shoulder, revealing his signature sharp-toothed grin.
Even Deidara, who had just self-destructed leaving not a trace of his bones, now floated intact in mid-air, pinching new clay between his fingertips as he shouted fanatically, "Art is an explosion! Hah!"
The immortal bodies of the Edo Tensei, combined with the absolute numerical superiority of one hundred thousand White Zetsu.
The threat of the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki controlled by Nagato had not yet been resolved, and now the Edo army along with Obito's one hundred thousand White Zetsu were already at the gates!
Minato's golden pupils abruptly contracted, his teeth clenched, instantly realizing the situation had deteriorated to an unprecedented level.
"All units, prepare! Engage the enemy!"
His command was rapidly transmitted through the mental network, but the heaviness in his voice was difficult to conceal.
The remaining top-tier combatants of the Allied Shinobi Forces were forced to face deadly threats from three directions simultaneously.
The Six Paths Nagato and Truth-Seeking Orbs hovering overhead, Madara and Obito watching covetously from the rear, and the surging tide of Edo Tensei revenants and White Zetsu before them.
The desert battlefield was instantly submerged by a sea of one hundred thousand, the White Zetsu army surging towards the Allied Forces like a white tide.
However, contrary to Minato's expectations, bolstered by the Nine-Tails chakra cloak shared by Naruto, the defense, speed, and strength of the Allied Shinobi had all been significantly enhanced.
The attacks of the White Zetsu, landing on the Allied Forces enveloped in crimson chakra, had greatly diminished effect, often causing only minor scratches before being counter-killed.
Relying on tactical coordination and the enhancement of the Tailed Beast Cloak, the Allied Forces actually managed to stem the White Zetsu's charge for a time, the battle line not collapsing as anticipated.
But the true crisis always lay in the skies and the core battlefield.
Raikage Ay, his entire body charred black, multiple penetrating wounds emitting black smoke, was urgently dragged away by the medical corps, while Killer Bee also lay unconscious on the ground, having had too much of the Eight-Tails' Chakra forcibly extracted.
Losing these two strongest assault combatants, the pressure on the Allied Forces against Six Paths Nagato and the Edo Tensei powerhouses increased sharply.
Even more despairing was the addition of the Edo Tensei army!
The figures of Kakuzu, Deidara, Sasori, and Kisame reappeared on the battlefield, their bodies displaying the characteristic cracks of Edo Tensei.
Not only had they regained their peak power, they now possessed the terrifying traits of immortal bodies and infinite chakra.
The Earth Grudge Fear mask monsters of Edo Kakuzu ran rampant on the battlefield, ceaselessly plundering the hearts of wounded Allied soldiers to replenish themselves;
Edo Deidara ascended into the air with mad laughter, his hands frantically creating clay bombs, C2 dragons and swarms of small birds conducting indiscriminate bombardment on Allied positions;
Edo Sasori's puppet army was far larger than before;
More frighteningly, apart from the four Akatsuki members, the Edo Tensei clearly was not satisfied.
Accompanied by the sounds of several new coffins breaking through the earth, several figures long consigned to legend slowly emerged from the dust of Edo Tensei.
Among them prominently included the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, master of the Hydrification Technique and Steaming Danger Tyranny.
The Third Raikage, peerless in Nintaijutsu.
The Edo Tensei bodies of these veteran powerhouses completely reversed the brief balance where the Edo Akatsuki members had already been suppressed by the Allied Forces, becoming an overwhelming terrifying force.
Their addition plunged the Allied Forces into absolute disadvantage at the high-tier combatant level, each requiring at least several powerhouses to join forces just to barely contain.
The situation deteriorated instantly to the brink of collapse.
Minato's figure transformed into a golden flash streaking across the battlefield, utilizing the coordinates of his Flying Thunder God kunai for instantaneous transfer.
He knew deeply that the Allied Forces must take advantage of the precious interval while Nagato was being restrained by Obito and Madara to resolve the ground crisis.
The one hundred thousand White Zetsu and the Edo Tensei army were already surging forth like a tide.
Everyone found their respective opponents, all desperately trying to stop the rampage of these Edo Tensei bodies.
They only needed to hold them off, until Minato and Naruto could seal them one by one.
Although these Edo Tensei summons were all famous existences, most were simply no match for Naruto who had achieved Kurama Mode.
However, unfortunately, Naruto could not fight on all fronts at once, nor could he reach every battlefield immediately.
Although he had Shadow Clones, his previous act of sharing chakra with all the Allied Forces had consumed too much of the Nine-Tails' Chakra.
At this moment, using Shadow Clones to split his already limited Nine-Tails chakra was indeed not a wise move.
Just as Minato successfully sealed another powerful Edo Tensei enemy and instantly moved to the next frontline urgently needing support using the Flying Thunder God Technique, an unprecedented sense of crisis suddenly descended!
This killing intent locked onto the landing point of his Flying Thunder God transfer trajectory with pinpoint accuracy.
"What?!"
Alarm bells rang loudly in Minato's mind, his figure having just solidified from the golden flash.
An impact force containing immense chakra and exquisite Water Release nature transformation was already right before him!
Boom!
Minato had no time to fully defend, relying only on his superhuman combat instincts and neural reflexes to barely twist his body and deflect most of the force.
Even so, he was still sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily onto the cracked desert ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Intense pain instantly spread throughout his body. Had he not reacted with god-like speed, instinctively protecting his vitals, the terrifying penetrating power contained in that earlier strike would have been enough to pierce his heart directly!
"Cough...!"
Minato coughed up a mouthful of bloody froth, quickly flipped up and leapt to his feet. Beneath his golden hair, his azure eyes were sharp as an eagle's, locked firmly on the direction of the ambusher.
His yellow flame-patterned haori fluttered loudly in the strong wind.
The dust slowly cleared, revealing the figure of the ambusher.
Distinctive white hair, a stern and resolute face, clad in dark blue Sengoku-era armor, arms crossed, emanating powerful chakra and intense killing intent.
Those crimson eyes held not a trace of emotion, only icy resolve and scrutiny of the enemy.
It was the Second Hokage, Tobirama!
"Lord Second...!" Minato's pupils shook violently, his voice filled with disbelief and shock.
He recognized that face, the face that had appeared countless times on the Hokage Rock and in Konoha's historical records.
The Second Hokage before him had clearly also become one of Orochimaru's Edo Tensei army.
This explained how the other could so accurately predict and ambush his Flying Thunder God landing point.
As the creator of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Tobirama's understanding and ability to counter space-time Ninjutsu was arguably the strongest opponent Minato had ever encountered!
Tobirama did not respond to Minato's shock. He was different from the other Edo Tensei bodies.
His... original consciousness had already been erased by Orochimaru.
Moreover, Orochimaru hadn't even summoned the Edo Tensei body of Hashirama, because Orochimaru could sense that Hashirama would inevitably be like Madara—even using Edo Tensei would be unable to restrict him.
Therefore, rather than summoning him to add combat power to the Allied Forces, it was better to leave him untouched.
Minato's heart sank. The situation before him was a hundred times worse than he had anticipated.
He had to face a former Hokage of unfathomable strength who understood his tactics inside out.
Minato forcibly suppressed his churning energy and internal gravity.
As his thoughts raced, he tightened his grip on the special Kunai in his hand, surging Senjutsu chakra beginning to quietly gather within his body.
Facing the progenitor of the Flying Thunder God Technique, any reliance on luck would be fatal.
This 'master-disciple' duel across time, under the drumbeat of despair, was about to erupt!
"Minato-sensei!" Kakashi exclaimed, wanting to provide support, but was tightly entangled by the Edo Tensei Kakuzu.
The surrounding Allied Shinobi were further thrown into disarray by the sudden onslaught of the Edo Tensei army and the one hundred thousand White Zetsu, utterly powerless to rescue.
Tobirama's face was expressionless. Those eyes that should have been sharp as an eagle's were now hollow and vacant, containing only battle instincts etched into his bones and killing intent driven by the caster's will.
He did not pause for a moment, his hands rapidly forming seals, his figure instantly disappearing!
"Flying Thunder God Slash!"
Minato's pupils contracted sharply. Enduring the intense pain, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique almost purely on instinct.
He appeared beside his special Kunai left in the distance, while in his original spot, Tobirama's figure flashed past accompanied by a sharp blade of light, cutting through the air.
"Cough..." Minato coughed up another mouthful of blood, his face growing paler.
He stared at the vanished Second Hokage, a flash of understanding crossing his mind.
"The Edo Tensei body is immortal and has infinite chakra, but the summoned one... is no longer a living being! Tobirama-sama has no consciousness of his own!"
This was precisely the greatest weakness!
An opponent without self-awareness, acting only on pre-death combat experience and the caster's commands.
No matter how powerful, its action patterns were ultimately predictable.
Especially when facing Minato, who was also proficient in the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Tobirama teleported in again, his speed undiminished, his attacks still lethal.
Minato dodged and parried with difficulty. Each use of the Flying Thunder God transfer consumed enormous chakra and mental energy, and the wound in his abdomen constantly tugged at his nerves.
He knew there was absolutely no chance of victory in a direct confrontation; the advantages of the Edo Tensei body were too great.
Minato's eyes narrowed, a plan forming in his mind.
Minato deliberately left a seemingly 'tempting' opening in an open area, his movements showing a momentary delay.
The controlled Tobirama indeed acted like the most precise killing machine, launching a fatal strike without hesitation.
The Flying Thunder God Technique instantly closed the distance, a Kunai glinting with cold light stabbing straight for Minato's heart!
At this critical moment, a golden light flashed in Minato's eyes.
"Now!"
He had already left a tiny Flying Thunder God Jutsu Formula mark in a concealed location at his feet.
He did not retreat backwards. Instead, unexpectedly, he took half a step forward, while his hands formed seals!
"Flying Thunder God: Guided Thunder!"
The moment Tobirama's Kunai touched the fabric of Minato's chest, the positions of the two underwent a bizarre swap!
Minato appeared to the side and behind Tobirama's original thrusting path, while Tobirama was forcibly transferred to the center of Minato's preset trap.
That place was not empty ground, but densely covered with multiple combined Sealing Jutsu formulas that Minato had quietly inscribed during his previous maneuvering, using the instant he landed with each Flying Thunder God transfer.
The moment Tobirama fell into it, the formulas activated, completely severing his connection to the Flying Thunder God Jutsu Formulas.
Others could not achieve this step, but Minato, equally familiar with the Flying Thunder God, could accomplish it.
This was a formula Minato had developed by combining his own understanding of the Flying Thunder God Technique with the principles of Uzumaki Clan sealing arts.
Instantly, chains of light erupted from the ground-based array, wrapping layer upon layer around Tobirama!
Edo Tobirama struggled instinctively, his Edo Tensei body erupting with powerful chakra to impact the chains.
But Minato's trap was highly targeted. The chains not only bound the body, but also acted directly on the soul-level contract connection point.
"It's over, Lord Second!" Minato shouted lowly, his hands slamming together.
"Seal!"
Blinding golden light erupted. Tremendous sealing force forcibly severed the Edo Tensei contract's control over Tobirama, firmly binding him at the center of the sealing array on the ground, unable to move.
Then, Tobirama's body was wrapped by strips of sealing cloth, moving no more.
Minato staggered a step, falling to one knee, clutching his wound as he gasped for breath, sweat mixed with blood dripping down.
He looked at the sealed Second Hokage. There was no joy of victory in his eyes, only heavy sorrow and respect.
"I'm sorry, Tobirama-sama... for disturbing your rest..." he murmured.
Minato straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the chaotic desert battlefield.
Within his line of sight, a bright golden glow was particularly conspicuous among the Allied Forces' ranks. That was his son, Naruto.
At this moment, Naruto was channeling vast Nine-Tails chakra. That warm, life-filled golden chakra was like countless bonds, precisely connecting the Allied Shinobi.
Bolstered by the Nine-Tails chakra, the 'red Tailed Beast Cloaks' on the Allied warriors shimmered with flowing light, their defense greatly increased, fatigue dispelled.
Even more heartening was that, guided and assisted by Naruto's chakra, the Allied Forces were turning the tide against the Edo Tensei powerhouses.
Minato clearly saw several former powerful enemies resurrected by Orochimaru being enveloped by layers of sealing formulas with Naruto's help, their movements gradually freezing.
A faint, irrepressible smile of relief blossomed on Minato's weary face.
However, the brutality of the battlefield allowed not a moment's respite.
The one hundred thousand White Zetsu and the remaining Edo Tensei powerhouses were still frantically assaulting the Allied lines.
Minato took a deep breath. After relief came endless urgency.
He had no time to recuperate. He quickly tore a strip from his clothing, bandaging the wound on his arm simply and efficiently, his movements fluid without the slightest delay.
Pain was suppressed by powerful willpower. His eyes became sharp as an eagle's once more.
As the supreme commander of the Five Kage Alliance, he knew deeply the heavy responsibility he bore.
The next moment, his figure vanished from the spot with a whoosh, leaving only a few special Flying Thunder God kunai embedded in the ground, shimmering faintly.
Almost simultaneously, a dazzling golden flash abruptly lit up at the other end of the battlefield.
This light was like a sword tearing through the gloom, instantly piercing through the intense battlefield.
Beside a squad in a bitter struggle, about to be overwhelmed by White Zetsu, golden light flashed.
Accompanied by the clear clashing sounds of Kunai and continuous thud-thud impacts, the swarming White Zetsu fell like harvested wheat.
"It's the Yellow Flash!"
"Minato-sama is here!"
"We're saved!"
Exclamations and Exhilarating shouts rang out from different corners..
The Allied Shinobi witnessed that familiar, impossibly fast golden light streaking at extreme speed across the smoke-filled battlefield.
Each flash appeared precisely at the most critical position—either repelling a powerful enemy, rescuing a comrade, or delivering crucial instructions.
Minato's figure, like a golden meteor, once again made everyone recognize the renown of the 'Yellow Flash'!