"Madara, how about we deal with this kid first?"
Madara gave a cold snort. "Hashirama... I can't use Senjutsu, but my Taijutsu is decent enough."
"Furthermore, there must be a unified command on the battlefield. I believe the Fourth Hokage has the qualifications for it," Tobirama spoke up again. It was clear he had a deep and very positive impression of Minato.
"This blond brat?" Madara glanced at Minato, snorted again, but didn't say anything more.
After all, the fact that the opponent could snatch away another Rinnegan from right under his nose was proof of his strength.
Although he was quite annoyed, he somewhat acknowledged the man.
Minato did not decline the position of commander; he knew that now was not the time for modesty.
At this moment, he looked at the three people before him, focusing mainly on Hashirama and Madara.
Even now, he was slightly surprised. The God of Shinobi and the Asura of the Shinobi World, who previously existed only in legends, were actually standing alive before him and were about to join forces once again.
It could be said that Hashirama and Madara would inevitably be the primary attackers in the upcoming battle plan.
Even though Madara only had a two-tomoe Sharingan now, no one dared to underestimate his strength.
Aside from them, the only ones from the Allied Shinobi Forces capable of participating in this battle were Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, Fourth Raikage Ay, Shisui, Itachi, and his student, Kakashi.
Others were simply too weak to face Six Paths Obito and would basically be useless.
Minato sighed inwardly. A young rising star like Gaara, who had already made a name for himself in the Shinobi World, couldn't even participate now.
Truly, times have changed.
His son, Naruto, also needed time to recover his chakra because he had consumed too much of the Nine-Tails chakra earlier.
The same applied to Sasuke. Although he had fused with Madara's Rinnegan, he still needed time to fully master it.
Fortunately, Six Paths Obito didn't seem interested in the other Rinnegan; he had no intention of giving up his other Mangekyo Sharingan.
After quickly assessing the current situation, Minato's golden figure stood at the front of the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Facing the terrifying pressure radiating from Six Paths Obito, his voice clearly spread through the mental network to the high-ranking members of the Allied Forces.
"Time is of the essence. Act according to the plan!"
His speech was fast and precise as his gaze swept over the gathered core combat power:
"Those of you who are under Edo Tensei, please act as the first wave of the offensive! Your immortal nature is the most critical shield right now. Draw Obito's attention with everything you have to create opportunities for the subsequent attacks!"
"Raikage, Tsuchikage, Kakashi, Itachi, Shisui—everyone follow closely behind the Edo Tensei army! There is only one goal: clear a path for Lord Hashirama!"
"Your task is to clear obstacles on the path and block Obito's long-range attacks. You must compress the distance between him and Lord Hashirama!"
"Lord Tobirama!" Minato looked at the Second Hokage.
"The two of us will be responsible for global coordination. Use the Flying Thunder God Technique to support any comrades in crisis at any time, redirect critical attacks, and ensure the main force's advancement route isn't cut off."
"At the same time, keep a close eye on Lord Hashirama and Madara's movements. They are the key to breaking through Obito's defense!"
After saying all this, Minato looked solemnly at the First Hokage.
"Lord Hashirama, you are the core of the entire strategy! Your Senjutsu is the only power that can effectively counter the Truth-Seeking Orbs."
"When the Edo Tensei army and the main force of the Allied Forces tear open the defensive line for you, Lord Tobirama and I will ensure you can safely and directly approach Obito."
"Please deliver a decisive Senjutsu attack at the most appropriate moment!"
Minato finally turned to Madara.
"Madara-senpai, your power is equally vital."
"Your task is to coordinate with Lord Hashirama. When he launches his Senjutsu attack, fend off Obito's counterattack for him to ensure the attack can be completed."
"Your cooperation is the key to success."
Madara snorted, his crimson Sharingan glancing at Minato, which served as a tacit acceptance of the arrangement.
Though he was reluctant to be commanded, he understood that only Hashirama's Senjutsu could truly threaten Six Paths Obito right now, and ensuring Hashirama's successful attack aligned with his current goal of breaking the stalemate.
"The tactics are set!" Minato's voice suddenly rose, filled with unquestionable determination.
"Edo Tensei army, attack! Main force of the Allied Forces, advance! Lord Tobirama, let's move! Lord Hashirama, Madara, please get ready!"
With Minato's command, the Edo Tensei powerhouses were the first to turn into streaks of light, charging 'fearlessly' toward the Six Paths Obito floating in the air.
In reality, this group of Edo Tensei powerhouses didn't have much intention of following orders.
However, as Edo Tensei bodies, they did not have the strength of Hashirama or Madara to resist the summoner's commands.
So once Madara decided to cooperate, their own wishes became meaningless.
After the Edo Tensei army sprinted toward Six Paths Obito, the main force of the Allied Forces followed closely behind. The glow of chakra intertwined into a surging torrent, aimed directly at the figure radiating terrifying energy.
The figures of Minato and Tobirama vanished instantly. Golden and silver flashes began to flicker across the battlefield, like the most precise gears, starting to safeguard this final assault that would decide the fate of the Shinobi World.
Hashirama took a deep breath and pressed his hands together. Boundless Natural Energy began to converge frantically, and the Sage markings instantly appeared on his face.
Madara stood by his side, his Sharingan locked onto Six Paths Obito, ready to fulfill his duty as the "escort" at any moment.
The atmosphere of the battlefield instantly tightened to the limit.
Facing the wave-like, fearless charge of the Edo Tensei army, with the main force of the Allied Forces tearing open a path behind them, and Hashirama's Sage Art: Wood Release, which condensed boundless Natural Energy, ready to be unleashed, Six Paths Obito floated in the sky, his white hair flying in the torrent of chakra. Nine pitch-black Truth-Seeking Orbs circled his body like satellites, radiating a suffocating pressure.
His cold Rinnegan swept over the gathered lineup below—arguably the strongest Allied Forces in the history of the Shinobi World—but the corners of his mouth curled into an arc filled with contempt and absolute self-confidence.
"Hmph."
A cold snort, like cracking ice, clearly penetrated the clamor of the battlefield, carrying disdain for the alliance of "ants" before him.
Facing this terrifying offensive capable of destroying any nation, Six Paths Obito did not panic in the slightest.
He didn't even move his feet; he merely shifted his thoughts.
The nine Truth-Seeking Orbs surrounding him instantly responded to his will!
They were no longer just static spheres but had transformed into the deadliest weapons and the sturdiest Barriers.
Several of them suddenly deformed and extended, forming massive pitch-black shields or sharp spears, precisely meeting the densest points of the Edo Tensei army's impact.
Although the Edo Tensei bodies were immortal, the moment they touched the Truth-Seeking Orbs, the chakra within them was instantly annihilated and decomposed. Their bodies crumbled like sandcastles.
Even if they could regenerate slowly, the time required was more than a hundred times longer than before. Their charging momentum was abruptly halted.
At the same time, the other Truth-Seeking Orbs acted like sentient black lightning, taking the initiative to attack!
Ignoring the obstacles of physical distance, they instantly appeared before the main force of the Allied Forces.
Raikage Ay roared and threw a heavy punch wrapped in Lightning Release, but he was sent flying by a Truth-Seeking Orb that had transformed into a giant hammer. His Lightning Release Armor flickered violently, nearly collapsing.
Ōnoki's Dust Release barrier had just formed when it was precisely pierced by a beam from a Truth-Seeking Orb. The energy imbalance triggered an explosion, forcing him to retreat in a pathetic state.
The Senjutsu chakra condensed by Hashirama transformed into a massive wooden dragon, roaring as it charged toward Obito with earth-shattering power.
However, a single Truth-Seeking Orb in front of Obito instantly expanded, turning into a pitch-black screen that blotted out the sky.
The wooden dragon slammed into the screen, producing a deafening boom. Yet the Senjutsu Wood Release, which was powerful enough to alter the terrain, was held back by that seemingly thin black substance, unable to advance an inch!
Wood chips flew everywhere. The screen formed by the Truth-Seeking Orb did indeed show signs of being crushed under this Sage Art.
But... Six Paths Obito's eyes flickered. If it was only to this extent, it wasn't enough!
The figures of Minato and Tobirama flashed across the battlefield. The golden and silver flashes tried to perform exquisite coordinated surprise attacks using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But Obito's Rinnegan saw through all space-time fluctuations.
Whenever Minato or Tobirama appeared in a "dangerous position" within his perception, a Truth-Seeking Orb would always appear there in advance.
Whether striking out like a spike or blocking like a wall, it forced the two Flying Thunder God masters to teleport away instantly. The situation was perilous, and their tactical coordination was completely disrupted.
Madara tried to provide support from the side, but the Truth-Seeking Orbs Obito deployed also precisely intercepted his Fire Release and Susanoo attacks, making it look effortless.
The entire battlefield seemed to have become a stage for Six Paths Obito's solo performance.
Controlling the nine Truth-Seeking Orbs with just his thoughts, he easily neutralized and crushed all attacks coming from all directions!
The Kage-level combat power the Allied Forces were so proud of, the immortal Edo Tensei army, and even the First Hokage's Senjutsu all appeared pale and powerless before his absolute strength.
Every precise interception and devastating counterattack by the Truth-Seeking Orbs was like a heavy hammer smashing into the hearts of every Allied Shinobi.
The fire of hope that had just risen due to the assembly for the general offensive was being crushed bit by bit.
"Do you see it now?"
Obito's cold voice rang out again, clearly entering everyone's ears, carrying a sort of condescending pity and an unquestionable declaration.
"This is the chasm between mortals and God! Your struggles, your sacrifices, are meaningless before absolute power!"
"Give up your futile resistance and accept the Eye of the Moon! Only in that perfect dream world, where there is no pain and no loss, can you obtain true peace and salvation!"
He manipulated the Truth-Seeking Orbs not to slaughter them immediately, but in the most direct and domineering way possible.
He wanted to crush everyone's will from the front, making them recognize reality in their despair and accept that his plan was the only "way to live."
On the battlefield, the bodies of the Edo Tensei powerhouses were mangled and incomplete.
The summoned members of the Akatsuki and some powerhouses from previous generations were like broken pottery figurines scattered everywhere. Their recovery speed had visibly become extremely slow.
They were no longer able to mount an effective offensive.
On the Allied Forces' side, Raikage Ay was charred all over. His tough Lightning Release Armor had long since shattered, and he only managed to stay upright by barely leaning on something. Every breath brought sharp pain.
Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki floated in the air, his face ashen. More than half of their top combat power had been lost.
Despair, like a cold night wind in the desert, seeped into the marrow of every Allied Shinobi.
Obito's words were no longer threats but a cruel portrayal of reality.
They had assembled the strongest forces of the current era and even used Senjutsu, which could counter the Truth-Seeking Orbs, yet they couldn't even shake the opponent's defense.
The light of hope for victory was rapidly extinguishing under the shadow of the nine pitch-black Truth-Seeking Orbs.
The atmosphere was so heavy it was suffocating, as if even the sand had stopped flowing. Within the Allied Forces camp, fear and powerlessness spread like a plague.
The dam of their will was groaning under the unbearable weight of the absolute power gap.
They were sliding irredeemably toward the abyss of "despair" described by Obito.
Takuno leaned against his floating stone throne, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the cold surface of the chair as he took in the desperate battle between the Allied Forces and Six Paths Obito below.
In his deep Six-Tomoe Rinnegan, the nine pitch-black Truth-Seeking Orbs floating around Obito were reflected, along with the futile attacks of the Allied Forces, who were exerting all their strength like ants trying to shake a giant tree.
He wasn't surprised by this scene at all.
Admittedly, the Allied Forces' lineup at this moment could be described as unprecedented.
The Edo Tensei First Hokage Hashirama's Senjutsu power was vast, the Flying Thunder God Technique of the Second Hokage Tobirama and his student Minato was elusive, and they even had Madara's escort.
This force was indeed much stronger than certain "original" trajectories Takuno knew of.
However, the core of the problem was that the Six Paths Obito they were facing was no longer the "weakest Six Paths" who needed to use the Gedo Statue to forcibly fuse power, resulting in instability and weaknesses.
At this moment, he had already crossed the threshold of the weakest Six Paths level. His strength had steadily surpassed the initial Six Paths level.
Those nine stably floating Truth-Seeking Orbs, radiating an aura that annihilated all chakra, were the most direct proof.
They were no longer just defensive Barriers but the authority of destruction that could crush all living beings at will.
"Senjutsu, huh..." Takuno's gaze swept over Hashirama on the battlefield, who was controlling a massive wooden dragon to strike the barrier.
The Allied Forces' hope that Senjutsu could counter the properties of the Truth-Seeking Orbs wasn't wrong in itself.
But countering also depends on the magnitude!
Hashirama's mastery of Senjutsu was undoubtedly at the peak, and the scale of his Wood Release was also terrifying.
But he was ultimately an Edo Tensei body now. The upper limit of his power was restricted by the technique itself, making him far weaker than he was at his prime when he was alive.
More importantly, Obito's Six Paths Power at this moment had reached a height in both "quantity" and "quality" that ordinary Shinobi could never hope to reach.
Hashirama's wooden dragon Senjutsu, which was enough to move mountains and fill seas, still couldn't cause any substantial damage when it slammed into Obito's Truth-Seeking Orb barrier.