470. The Predecessors

Hearing Obito's question, Mei Terumī was momentarily at a loss for words.

Indeed, if the entire Kirigakure couldn't withstand Konoha's assault, what could she, alone, possibly achieve by going back?

It would be nothing more than a futile death.

With this thought, Mei's face turned ashen.

Seeing this, the Fourth Raikage, now the commander of the Allied Forces, finally stepped forward.

"Mizukage, Konoha's forces are overwhelming right now. It's best for you to endure for the time being."

"Only by uniting the five nations can we defeat Konoha and restore peace to the ninja world!"

Ōnoki also quickly chimed in to console her:

"That's right, Mizukage. Only by preserving our strength do we stand a chance to defeat Konoha and Danzō."

The Kazekage nodded as well, adding:

"At this point, our only option is to unite."

Under their persuasion, Mei Terumī finally gave up on the idea of going back to her death.

She bit her lip and nodded reluctantly.

"My, my, how rare."

"I never thought I'd see the day when the four Kage would stand united. Truly touching, truly touching!"

Obito let out a strange laugh, once again drawing everyone's attention.

This immediately irritated the already frustrated Raikage, who snapped:

"If you claim to want to cooperate with the Allied Forces, you'll need to show more sincerity."

"Otherwise, with our current strength, defeating Konoha won't be easy."

Hearing this, the other three Kage and General Mifune also wore serious expressions.

After all, Konoha's swift destruction of Kirigakure in half a day had dealt a massive blow to their morale.

If they couldn't come up with a better plan to deal with Konoha, many would likely grow pessimistic about the upcoming war.

In response, Obito smiled confidently.

"Of course. We've come here to form an alliance and bring you all a surprise."

"A surprise you never expected, and a huge one at that!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure slowly walked in from outside.

The newcomer had long black hair, pale skin, and dark purple markings around his eyes. His every movement exuded a chilling aura.

"It's Orochimaru, one of the Sannin of Konoha!" Almost everyone present recognized him immediately.

This was Orochimaru, another S-rank missing-nin from Konoha, just like the masked man.

"It's an honor that you all still remember me."

After many years, Orochimaru, who had finally reappeared in the ninja world, licked his lips and smiled coldly.

"Hmph, Konoha sure is a great place, producing so many powerful missing-nin," the Fourth Raikage sneered sarcastically.

Fortunately, Ōnoki quickly intervened, as the Allied Forces still needed to cooperate with these Konoha missing-nin.

"Even with Orochimaru's help, we're still at a disadvantage against Konoha's Danzō and the others, aren't we?"

Ōnoki looked at Obito, seemingly urging him to reveal his trump card.

Understanding his meaning, Obito narrowed his eyes and let out a meaningful chuckle.

"Since the Tsuchikage is so eager to see our value, let's give him a little demonstration, Orochimaru."

Upon receiving the order, Orochimaru didn't hesitate.

He slowly raised his hand and, under everyone's watchful gaze, formed a hand seal.

"Summoning Jutsu?" The attendees, all elites of the ninja world, easily recognized the seal.

But the question was, why was he using the Summoning Jutsu at this moment?

Was he here to assassinate them on Konoha's orders?

Instantly, everyone, including the Raikage, grew wary.

However, the scenario they imagined—Orochimaru summoning a giant snake to attack them—didn't happen.

After a puff of smoke, what appeared before them were six coffins.

"What is the meaning of this?"

The Fourth Raikage narrowed his eyes, his icy tone filled with displeasure.

Summoning coffins in front of them hardly seemed respectful.

Only Ōnoki looked serious.

As the oldest and most experienced person present, he seemed to recall something as he gazed at the coffins.

Orochimaru ignored the Raikage's question and slowly opened the coffins.

As each coffin lid fell to the ground, six figures appeared before everyone.

"This is..."

Everyone present widened their eyes in disbelief.

Some even trembled, unable to help but take a step back.

Because standing before them were the Kage of the various villages!

To be precise, the former Kage.

Among them were the Second Tsuchikage, Mu; the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki; the Third Raikage, A; and the Third Kazekage, hailed as the strongest Kazekage!

Not only that, but the deranged Obito and Orochimaru had even included Konoha's own First and Second Hokage.

"The Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu—a technique that allows the reincarnated to be completely controlled, with infinite chakra and immortality..."

Ōnoki, with his vast knowledge, immediately recognized the technique.

But then, he shot a sharp glare at Obito and Orochimaru.

"As far as I know, this technique requires the remains of the reincarnated to work, doesn't it?"

As soon as he said this, the expressions of the other Kage darkened.

Especially Ōnoki and the Fourth Raikage.

Their relationships with their "predecessors" were the closest.

The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, was Ōnoki's teacher, so their bond was undeniable.

And the Third Raikage was the Fourth Raikage's biological father, making their relationship even more intimate.

They absolutely could not tolerate anyone desecrating the remains of their "predecessors"! Not to mention that the reincarnated would be under the caster's control—this was a blatant insult and trampling of their dignity!

Of course, while Mei Terumī and Rasa didn't have particularly strong emotional ties to the Second Mizukage and Third Kazekage, the latter two still represented the honor of their villages.

Thus, they also showed seriousness and anger.

As a result, all four Kage present stared at Obito and Orochimaru with dagger-like gazes.

It seemed that if they couldn't provide a suitable explanation, a fight would break out immediately.

However...

The first to speak wasn't any of them, but the predecessors in the coffins.

"Where is this?"

The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, was the first to step out of the upright coffin.

His body was wrapped in bandages, making him look like a dried-up mummy.

He first looked around in confusion, but soon his gaze settled on Ōnoki.

"You... are you Ōnoki?"

Looking at the old man before him, the Second Tsuchikage asked in disbelief.

Although the man's appearance had changed drastically, he could still vaguely recognize him.

But before Ōnoki could have a heartfelt reunion with his teacher, a cold voice suddenly rang out:

"Damn Tsuchikage, what are you doing here?!"