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⤫ Chapter 323 ⥤ Side Story 9: End ⤬
🕑 Added 2025-05-22 12:50:26 +0000 UTCLooking at the deity-like figure, the Hokages' eyes widened.
Though their vast difference in power kept them from joining the battle, even from hundreds of kilometers away, they could feel the terrifying pressure emanating from Hashirama and Madara.
Yet even these mighty beings couldn't harm their opponent.
In that moment, everyone shared the same thought.
Monster!
Madara observed Akira with caution, searching for any weakness. Even with his Rinnegan pushed to its limits, he couldn't detect a single flaw in his enemy.
The figure stood casually in the sky, seemingly full of openings — yet instinct warned that any move would bring instant death.
"Don't waste what little wisdom you have." Akira said with a grin, "As a certain battle-hungry brute once said: Battle should cast aside all irrelevant thoughts and focus purely on defeating the enemy with all your might. Only then can you enjoy the pleasure of combat. So, let us dance!"
At these words, Madara's pupils contracted, the patterns within them spinning wildly as if witnessing the impossible.
Visible Reiatsu erupted violently, transforming into endless tidal waves that expanded in all directions. Before these savage waves, Hashirama's True Several Thousand Hands shattered like paper.
The deep night gained an even darker curtain as countless streams of light wove through it, swallowing even the moon.
The world plunged into absolute darkness!
The smile vanished from Hashirama's face, replaced by unprecedented gravity. He had thought that after receiving the Six Paths power from Hagoromo, this battle would be firmly in hand.
But seeing the BOSS's second phase, he realized he had greatly underestimated his opponent. From start to finish, all their battles and clashes had been mere child's play in their opponent's eyes.
Have you ever seen an adult get angry at children?
As he pondered this, Madara's tense shout came from afar, "Hashirama, watch out!"
Hashirama looked up in surprise. His pupils reflected a fierce black shadow that grew until it filled his entire field of vision.
Scorching black flames and golden lightning arcs danced wildly, interweaving with each other as an intense burning smell filled the air.
In the next instant, a plain, unadorned fist appeared in Hashirama's vision.
⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Mugen Kūhaku Hakai ⥤ Origin Style: Infinite Void Annihilation! ⤬
Like a nuclear explosion, a massive mushroom cloud rose as the fist swung out, its white-hot light and flames dispelling the darkness.
A new sun was rising!
Hashirama barely had time to cross his arms before him, simultaneously releasing several wood clones to help absorb the incoming impact.
But the wood clones were instantly annihilated, offering no resistance. The sound of shattering bones rang out as his features twisted in pain.
Unlike his previous Edo Tensei body, he was now truly alive. Despite being enhanced by the Six Paths power with significantly improved physical abilities and chakra reserves, he was powerless before Akira's second-phase attack.
In the scorching explosion, Hashirama plummeted to earth along with the smoke. The ground transformed into a surging ocean, raising waves upon waves as rock layers trembled and magma churned beneath.
As the explosive shockwave spread outward, Hiruzen's aged face turned pale at the sight. Now in a flesh and blood body that couldn't withstand such powerful aftershocks, he knew that if caught in them, he would have to report to the Pure Land once more.
At the crucial moment, Minato placed his hand on his shoulder.
⤫ Hiraishin no Jutsu ⥤ Flying Thunder God Technique! ⤬
In twin flashes of light, the three Hokages vanished.
When they landed safely and the smoke cleared, they looked back at their original position and drew sharp breaths.
Where Hashirama had landed, a ring of stone mountains had erupted from nothing. Smoke rose continuously as magma churned within, permanently transforming the landscape.
The explosive impact had torn the earth apart, creating countless intersecting fissures and massive craters. As far as the eye could see, devastation reigned — like doomsday made manifest.
A deathly silence fell. Everyone stood stunned by this display of destructive power beyond words.
Suddenly, wild laughter shattered the quiet.
"Kehehaha, you managed to take my 'Titan Dragon Bare-Handed Planet Smasher'. Not bad!"
Madara materialized among the stone mountains and appeared before Hashirama. At the sight before him, he fell silent.
The direct impact had completely destroyed both of Hashirama's arms and most of his abdomen. His shattered bones and scorched flesh gave off a sickening burnt smell.
For anyone else, such grievous injuries would have meant instant death. But Hashirama possessed the "Infinite Healing" ability — this was far from fatal for him.
His extraordinary healing powers, now enhanced by the Six Paths force, had reached the level of super-regeneration. Even more remarkable was that his healing only consumed chakra.
And if there was one thing this man had in abundance, it was chakra.
Under Madara's watchful gaze, Hashirama's body regenerated rapidly, and within moments, his vitality was fully restored.
The gravity in his expression gave way to resignation. That direct clash had made the gap between them painfully clear — a chasm so vast it bred only despair.
"Madara." Hashirama looked up, "Conventional attacks won't work against him. We need to try something different."
He extended his right fist. Madara hesitated, brows furrowed, but raised his own fist to meet it.
Fist bump!
Massive natural energy instantly flooded Madara's body. Sage Mode markings, fainter than Hashirama's but similar in pattern, appeared around his eyes—barely visible unless one looked closely.
Once Madara was ready, Hashirama clasped his hands together and opened his eyes:
⤫ Kokuangyo no Jutsu ⥤ Bringer-of-Darkness Technique! ⤬
Black shadows spread from beneath his feet, engulfing the battlefield in absolute darkness — so complete that one couldn't see their own hand before their face.
This was a Genjutsu created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, which Hashirama had modified beyond its original limitations.
Akira observed as Hashirama's eyes rippled like water, circular patterns spreading from his pupils like spiral incense.
The Rinnegan!
This surprised him somewhat. The Rinnegan typically awakened only when Indra's chakra reincarnation obtained Asura's chakra reincarnation's body. Clearly, this was another gift from the old man of the Six Paths.
As he pondered this, the air exploded with sound as searing heat descended.
⤫ Senpō: Yōton Ganseki Hōsha ⥤ Sage Art: Lava Release Rock Blast! ⤬
Madara's voice echoed from everywhere and nowhere at once.
Intense heat enveloped the battlefield, followed by explosions that sent shivers through every observer's heart. The scorching light engulfed the shadowy figure in the sky.
But pale hands tore through the flames, and a demonic grin emerged amidst the heat and light.
⤫ Shunpo ⥤ Flash Steps! ⤬
Akira brushed aside the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, materializing directly before the Uchiha.
Madara had grown accustomed to his techniques failing.
Ever since Akira had shattered the Chibaku Tensei, none of Madara's attacks had left a mark. From beginning to end, he'd been thoroughly outmatched.
Yet he refused to yield.
Having ascended to rival the Sage of Six Paths himself, how could he bow before anyone?!
His eyes blazed as blue and black chakra light erupted from his body, the Six Paths-enhanced Susanoo's hand lashing out.
Akira countered with a single devastating punch. The Susanoo shattered, and the massive impact hurled Madara backward.
His broken body regenerated instantly as layers of chakra materialized around him. Within moments, an even mightier Complete Body Susanoo towered over the battlefield.
This manifestation of Madara's power now rivaled Hagoromo's own.
Sage chakra churned within the Tengu armor, casting a subdued radiance that spoke of both restraint and overwhelming might.
Its wings stirred hurricanes with each beat, and like a mountain given form, it loomed over Akira.
The size difference between them was staggering, yet their expressions told a different story.
Even with Hashirama's sage chakra flowing through him and his mightiest Complete Body Susanoo manifested, Madara could find no path to victory.
Still, he would not surrender. For his ancient ideals and the world that now hung in the balance, he would fight until the end!
The colossal sword descended. Its shockwave carved across tens of kilometers, forcing earth and stone skyward in massive layers, splitting the ground into bottomless canyons.
Faced with such an attack, Akira didn't retreat — he charged forward with wild laughter. His burning fist bones, barely visible to the eye, collided with the chakra sword. A shattering sound rang out as dense spiderweb cracks appeared.
The long sword burst apart, dissolving into countless particles of blue dust that drifted like rain.
But the offensive continued as another giant sword plunged toward his position.
Boom!
The blade struck true, dead center. Madara's eyes lit up at what seemed like a chance for victory.
But in the next second, his certainty crumbled.
Clang!!
The sound of metal striking metal echoed through heaven and earth. The air itself fractured as a terrifying reactive force surged along the giant sword, the impact radiating through the entire Susanoo.
Violent tremors shook the air! The giant sword shattered into light rain, scattering across the battlefield.
Inside the Susanoo, Madara's expression froze.
Could someone explain how this guy's body was harder than the Susanoo?!
Though his full-power strike had failed, it bought precious time for Hashirama's attack.
A grayish-white figure materialized behind Akira. With a breath so deep it seemed to empty the surrounding air, Hashirama focused his gaze as massive chakra gathered in his fists, brilliant white light radiating forth.
⤫ Jōdo ⥤ Pure Land! ⤬
As the fist descended, red and blue patterns intertwined across Akira's body. Blut Vene manifested instinctively, forming an impenetrable defense that completely nullified the vast power.
He turned to Hashirama with delight.
Truly worthy of being the God of Shinobi who defeated Madara!
When both men activated Six Paths Mode, the power gap between them grew even wider.
Like Sasuke and Naruto's battle in the Valley of the End — where one fought with killing intent while the other held back — the outcome was already clear.
Though his sneak attack was blocked, Hashirama pressed on. He unleashed a surge of chakra, his body radiating brilliant white light like a rising sun.
In his pupils, ripples began to turn.
⤫ Yasogami Kūgeki ⥤ Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack! ⤬
Countless shadow fists burst forth, their dazzling light filling the sky and dimming everything else.
Watching the incoming attack, Akira showed a genuine smile, "To launch such an attack — I acknowledge you. You truly are the strongest in the ninja world!"
As these words fell, he spread his arms wide. His heart pumped like a machine, blood churning like molten lava through his vessels.
The Blut Vene patterns deepened across his body as intense heat radiated from his indestructible form. Black flames ignited on his fist bones as he charged straight at Hashirama.
Their exchange erupted in countless crossing fist shadows. Fierce winds howled across the battlefield, their aftershocks destroying everything in sight.
Madara joined the fray, both warriors unleashing their full power against Akira — like heroes in an anime facing down the final villain with love, justice, and courage.
While the battle drew everyone's attention, thick vines spread silently across the broken battlefield.
As they neared the three combatants, the vines suddenly erupted — countless wooden hands stretching out, reaching precisely for Akira.
Hashirama and Madara, moving in perfect synchronization, both landed their punches, momentarily disrupting his movement. In that brief instant, the wooden hands burst forth with overwhelming force, completely encircling him.
Hashirama, knowing they couldn't waste a single moment, understood that such simple tactics wouldn't hold someone as demon-like as him for long.
The two warriors exchanged a quick glance, then reached as one toward a massive sphere hovering in the sky.
⤫ Rikudō: Chibaku Tensei ⥤ Six Paths: Planetary Devastation! ⤬
Their Six Paths power erupted simultaneously, pouring into the wooden sphere.
A colossal gravitational force instantly engulfed the battlefield, shaking the world to its core. Every object between heaven and earth was yanked skyward by this overwhelming power.
All things descended into chaos!
The vast earth split apart, magma bursting through the cracks like the apocalypse itself. As flying debris shattered the wooden sphere, it revealed the figure within. Hashirama caught sight of his calm gaze, touched with the faintest smile.
Their eyes met, and an icy terror shot from Hashirama's feet to his skull.
Drawing a deep breath, Hashirama fought to suppress the dread rising from his core.
This was the very sealing technique the Sage of Six Paths had used to imprison Kaguya Ōtsutsuki — failure was impossible. The battle had to be over.
Once they dealt with Sōsuke Aizen, the ninja world's crisis would finally end.
The gigantic sphere of rock soared heavenward, as if ascending into the infinite depths of space.
"Aren't you going to rescue him?" Orochimaru asked Aizen curiously.
"Rescue?" Aizen smiled sideways, "When did you fall under the delusion that Akira would lose?"
The moment his words fell, an earth-shattering roar rang out in the sky above. Volcanoes erupted wildly as torrents of scorching flames formed pillars of fire, bursting forth from the surface of the rocky sphere.
Like a sun splitting apart!
Under countless stunned gazes, Akira shattered the Chibaku Tensei with one hand, its fragments drifting down like cosmic dust. Like a deity, he stood at heaven's apex, looking down upon all creation.
The vast battlefield fell into dead silence. In the canyon depths, only the sizzling of flowing lava remained...
In the spiritual realm, Hagoromo rubbed his furrowed brow, his face filled with helplessness.
This was impossible. He had given all his power to Hashirama, yet facing this demon god, they were completely powerless.
"Let it be." He sighed, "From how he's acting, this one won't destroy the ninja world... probably."
Looking at Akira burning like a supernova, the Sage of Six Paths — founder of the ninja creed — let out a resigned sigh.
Hashirama and Madara stared at the unscathed figure before them, their faces showing only despair and existential doubt.
Their mightiest sealing technique had failed completely. Not even a scratch.
It was like being a gifted fighter who trained hard to become a world champion boxer in a year. But at the final match, you find Mike Tyson standing opposite you.
And just as you're ready to fight with all your natural talent, Tyson reveals he's actually the referee — and your opponent is Goku.
"Got any more tricks up your sleeve? Want to continue?" Akira asked eagerly.
Madara's face darkened as he turned to leave. Let others fight if they wanted — he certainly didn't have a masochistic streak.
The power gap between them was beyond comprehension. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't see even a glimmer of hope for victory.
Just as when Ōnoki had faced him before, he couldn't muster even the slightest will to resist. Tired of it all, he let it end.
Hashirama watched his best friend's retreating figure and sighed helplessly.
"You win."
The Fourth Great Ninja War ended with everyone in a daze.
From Akira's overwhelming destruction of the Tengai Shinsei to his final breaking of the Chibaku Tensei — before the ninja could grasp what had happened, the war was already over.
When they received orders from the Five Kage to gather together, everyone looked at the figure on the high platform with conflicting expressions, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
Just recently, they had held their pre-war rally here.
Looking at the gathered crowd below, Akira showed no stage fright. He had experienced such scenes countless times — the speeches for the Wandenreich alone were innumerable.
The expressions of the higher-ups from various ninja villages were even more complex. They knew they couldn't win in a fight, but they just hoped the developments ahead wouldn't be too outrageous.
From what the Hokage had revealed, the world probably wouldn't be destroyed, but changes were certain. They just didn't know if these changes would be for better or worse.
As everyone pondered, a voice infused with Reiatsu spread across the entire venue. Akira smiled at the ninja and waved his hand.
"From today onward, the era of ninja is over!"
The ninja: "???"
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
Under Aizen's planning, the Five Great Villages and smaller ninja villages were disbanded, with countries consolidated into one.
The Soul Society East Branch was thus established.
{T/N: I thought of a name for them... get ready... they are the newest: Shininjas!}
Akira brought Kisuke and Mayuri, who had been dying of boredom, from Soul Society to help manage the division.
Though the ninja had expected harsh times ahead, they were surprised when technical experts introduced incredible advanced technologies that transformed their lives.
Things were developing well. The common people didn't mind who ruled them, as long as life was good.
Worth noting is that Orochimaru gained the power of a Shinigami, becoming the ninja world's first Substitute Shinigami.
He persuaded Kabuto to return as his assistant, launching research projects on the Pure Land and "Shinigamis". At last, the dream master could pursue his own dreams.
The division flourished, with both ninja and civilians content with their new lives.
Under absolute military control, peace emerged — no war, no suffering. A perfect world.
After growing more familiar, Hashirama privately discussed the ninja world's future with Aizen.
He felt this peace, built on military might alone, was fragile as a castle in the air. He believed true peace could only come from mutual understanding between people.
Aizen dismissed this with contempt.
Based on his research of human nature, Aizen believed that mutual understanding was impossible unless all human emotions were stripped away. Such idealistic thinking, he felt, was even more foolish than the simplistic wisdom of a certain brute.
Instead, Aizen immersed himself in studying and developing the ninja world's secrets. This new realm offered countless mysteries to explore — far more worthwhile than pursuing nebulous concepts of understanding.
Meanwhile, Akira embraced a life of leisure. He spent his days leading his wings to admire the ninja world's breathtaking vistas, organizing spectacular fireworks displays, and hosting lively beach parties.
Life flowed peacefully onward. For Akira, the battles in the ninja world had been merely a dash of excitement in his existence.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
Time passed.
At the Soul Society East Branch headquarters, two figures stood on a cliff, silently observing the bustling scene below.
The people's faces shone with genuine happiness — in this formerly war-torn world, such hard-won peace was their deepest desire.
Aizen turned to look at Akira beside him, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Akira, let's go. Off to the next new world..."
