"Finally, my turn!"
Kabuto grinned, clapping his hands together.
The next second, coffins began emerging from various spots across Konoha Village.
One by one, Edo Tensei ninjas summoned by Kabuto poured out.
Second Tsuchikage Edo, Second Mizukage Edo, Third Raikage Edo, Third Kazekage Edo, Fourth Kazekage Edo.
The Seven Swordsmen of the Mist Edo: Momochi Zabuza, Hozuki Mangetsu, Ringo Ameyuri, Suigetsu Hozuki, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Jinin Akebino, Jinpachi Munashi.
Sound Village Edo ninjas: Kimimaro, Sakon & Ukon, Tayuya, Jirobo, Kidomaru.
Plus a large number of elite Jonin from various nations and villages.
Over fifty in total.
Not many, but these alone, when combined, had a combat strength surpassing the entire Konoha faction.
Of course, considering his alliance with Konoha, Kabuto showed some restraint, refraining from reviving deceased Konoha ninjas.
Moreover, even without White Zetsu, thanks to his research and extraction of Hashirama's cells, Kabuto's Edo Tensei quality had drastically improved.
The revived Edo ninjas now closely matched their strength when alive.
Enough to deliver a far stronger impact.
Soon, all of Kabuto's Edo Tensei ninjas from Konoha's side charged at Akatsuki's attacking vanguard, engaging them in fierce combat.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
High in the sky, Nagato, controlling Pain's Tendo Path, witnessed it all.
"Edo Tensei?"
"Konoha's Edo Tensei ninjas?"
"Who's behind this? Someone in Konoha Village still knows this forbidden jutsu?"
"Could it be that bastard Kabuto allied with Konoha?"
Nagato nearly guessed the truth, but he wasn't worried. Even with Kabuto, what could Konoha do?
Could they stop his Akatsuki forces?
Especially since his real body and the Juubi would arrive soon—by then, such petty tricks wouldn't stop them.
It was a pity he hadn't captured Naruto and the Kyuubi alive yet; otherwise, he could unleash a Super Shinra Tensei and wipe out Konoha's entire faction instantly.
Though Nagato didn't care, the addition of Kabuto's numerous Edo Tensei ninjas to the battlefield did create obstacles for Akatsuki's attacking vanguard.
Akatsuki's five Edo Kage—Fourth Raikage Edo, Fifth Mizukage Edo, Hanzo the Salamander Edo, Kinkaku Edo, and Ginkaku Edo—were intercepted by Konoha's five Edo Kage, starting with the Second Tsuchikage Edo.
Deidara, unleashing clay bombs everywhere, was held back by the Seven Swordsmen.
Though all seven were elite Jonin, not Kage-level, their ninja swords and immortal Edo bodies made stalling Deidara manageable.
The remaining Konoha Edo Tensei ninjas faced Sasori Edo. Besides wielding trump cards like the Fourth Raikage and Danzo puppets, Sasori had added many puppets over time, making his combat strength formidable.
One man held off over thirty of Konoha's elite Jonin Edo Tensei.
Simultaneously, numerous summons from Pain's Chikushodo Path fell onto the battlefield, forcing many Konoha ninjas to engage these creatures.
In short, the scene was chaotic, with fierce jutsu clashes everywhere. Bluish-purple lightning arcs from Lightning Release and reddish-orange fireballs from Fire Release exploded continuously, tearing the air into jagged energy ripples. Overlapping explosions roared deafeningly. Nearby houses and ground surfaces were shredded and blasted apart, rolling waves of earth carrying charred wood and melted weapon fragments, resembling blooming fireworks.
The entire Konoha Village was submerged in a chaotic sea of battle.
Overall, the addition of Kabuto's numerous Edo Tensei ninjas helped Konoha barely hold off Akatsuki's assault.
Of course, in terms of casualties, Konoha suffered heavily. After all, Akatsuki's vanguard, aside from Sasuke and Kisame, consisted entirely of undead…
Meanwhile, Konoha's nearly thousand ninjas lost lives every minute and second.
Yet, the stalemate gave Konoha hope, showing that Akatsuki wasn't invincible!
Tsunade, in particular, was even more fired up.
She focused on defeating and sealing Edo Jiraiya quickly, then leading Konoha to crush Akatsuki's attack!
Unfortunately, this beautiful dream barely formed before Akatsuki's follow-up forces slapped it away.
Just minutes after the war began, over a hundred of Akatsuki's elite Edo Tensei reinforcements arrived in Konoha Village, swiftly storming the battlefield.
Don't underestimate the hundred-plus number—it was enough to tip the battle's balance.
Like a scale with equal weights, even adding a single feather to one side could crush the other.
Moreover, over a hundred immortal elite Edo Tensei ninjas were equivalent to several Kage-level forces.
Konoha's painstakingly built defense line was almost instantly breached and torn apart!
Konoha ninja casualties surged rapidly, making Tsunade and others' blood pressure spike in agony.
Seeing this, someone couldn't hold back.
Might Guy, originally locked in fierce combat with Kisame, erupted first, determined to defeat Kisame quickly to aid others.
Seventh Gate: Open!
"Hirudora!"
Another massive blue chakra steam tiger appeared, carrying a shocking aura, roaring toward Kisame.
Kisame was fighting joyfully!
Rarely meeting a Konoha expert on his level, he was ready for 300 rounds to stretch his muscles.
But Guy's sudden ultimate move caught him off guard.
He could only hurriedly use Suiton: Daikodan no Jutsu, unleashing a massive shark-shaped water ball to counter.
However, with no seawater in Konoha Village to boost his Water Release, Kisame was at a disadvantage against Guy here.
As expected, the tiger air ball tore through the shark water ball, carrying its remaining shocking force, slamming Kisame hard.
Kisame spat out a mouthful of blood, flying back, crashing through over ten wooden houses, and was severely injured.
Fortunately, Samehada was in his hands, or he might've been knocked out in one hit.
"Damn it! I'm no match for him…"
"Someone help me!"
Kisame dropped his earlier bravado, using a water clone to distract Guy while calling for aid from his comrades.
He no longer needed to desperately guard any secrets, and with so many teammates, if he couldn't win, he wouldn't fight to the death.
He instantly switched to backup-calling mode. Plus, Guy's taijutsu was overwhelmingly strong, a natural counter to his ninjutsu style.
Moreover, Kisame didn't forget he was still alive, so it was better to let some Edo comrades handle this guy!