On the other side, Darui's troops encountered rogue ninjas from the Hidden Cloud Village on the coast, Kinkaku and Ginkaku, who had killed the Second Raikage and the Second Hokage, known as the two beams of light in the clouds.
Their ninja tools were still the Six Paths Ninja Tools, rumored to have been used by the Sage of Six Paths: the Gold Coin Rope, the Seven-Star Sword, the Diamond Pot, and the Banana Fan.
In addition, Hyuga Hizashi, Kato Dan, and Asuma also appeared on this battlefield.
Kinkaku and Ginkaku were dealt with by Darui, Samui, and Atsui from the Hidden Cloud Village. Kato Dan was handled by Akimichi Choza, Asuma by Yuhi Kurenai, and Hyuga Hizashi by Hyuga Hiashi—a confrontation between the main and branch families, and brothers.
Meanwhile, Gaara's troops encountered only four enemies: the Second Tsuchikage Mu, the Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki, the Third Raikage A, and the Fourth Kazekage Rasa.
Upon learning the identities of the enemies, Onoki decided to personally go to Gaara's battlefield to provide support, while half of Gaara's troops would be diverted to Darui's battlefield.
...
"Long time no see, Asuma. I never thought I'd have to fight a comrade," Kurenai said, twirling a kunai in her hand before gripping it.
Asuma was still conscious, and although he didn't want to fight Kurenai, his body wouldn't obey him.
Subsequently, both sides engaged in fierce combat, especially in the battle involving Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
Samui and Atsui were caught by the Gold Coin Rope and then struck by the Seven-Star Sword. Their spiritual utterances were sealed; one, uttering a habitual phrase accidentally, was sealed, and the other, due to prolonged silence, was absorbed into the Diamond Pot.
Now only Darui remained, but he was not faring well. Fighting two against one, he was pushed back repeatedly, and eventually, he was accidentally touched by the Gold Coin Rope.
Although Darui chose to remain silent, he accidentally uttered a homophone while bantering with Kinkaku and Ginkaku. A powerful suction force swept over him.
In the last critical moment, Darui kept apologizing, instantly changing his habitual phrase. Seizing this opportunity, Darui severed Kinkaku's arm and then kicked the Gold Coin Rope onto Ginkaku. As Ginkaku was surprised, Darui also snatched the Seven-Star Sword and the Diamond Pot.
Ginkaku was absorbed for shouting Kinkaku's name. However, with Ginkaku sealed, Kinkaku fell into a frenzy and instantly activated his Tailed Beast Cloak.
Kinkaku and Ginkaku had once been swallowed by the Nine-Tails for two weeks. They survived by eating the Nine-Tails' flesh and gained some of its chakra, which allowed them to use the Tailed Beast Cloak mode.
The headquarters, upon learning of Kinkaku's transformation, decided to transmit the Six Paths Ninja Tool, the Amber Purifying Bottle, to Darui. This was a perverted ninja tool that sealed anyone who responded to their name being called.
However, Kinkaku was very familiar with the Amber Purifying Bottle, as it had belonged to him and his brother.
Darui was stalling for time because the plan from headquarters required the appearance of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
After a while, Shikamaru, along with Choji and Ino, arrived at the seaside battlefield, along with half of the ninjas from Gaara's side.
"Human Bullet Tank!"
"Shadow Possession Jutsu!"
"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
The three attacked in coordination. Choji drew Kinkaku's attention, Shikamaru seized the opportunity to use Shadow Possession Jutsu to restrain Kinkaku, and finally, Ino's Mind Transfer Jutsu replaced Kinkaku's consciousness.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Darui opened the Amber Purifying Bottle and shouted "Kinkaku!" Ino, impersonating Kinkaku, responded, and then returned to her own body. Kinkaku was completely sealed.
(The sealing of Kinkaku by the Amber Purifying Bottle is a crucial plot point and cannot be skipped.)
...
Gaara's troops were currently at the border between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Moon. This was a desert, the place where Gaara could exert his maximum strength.
However, Li Xing also flew to this battlefield. Sensing Gaara ahead, Li Xing smiled, then clapped his hands, and a coffin appeared on the ground.
Shakuton Pakura, enter.
"Is this the Land of Wind? Who are you?"
"No, this is the Land of Lightning. A war is currently underway. Ahead is the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, and his troops. I want to see you fight, revenger!"
Li Xing pointed ahead and explained what was happening in the ninja world. Upon hearing the name Kazekage, Pakura felt a surge of anger. It was the Kazekage who had betrayed her; all the people of the Sand Village deserved to die.
However, behind Li Xing, the previous four Kage were advancing slowly towards Gaara.
Li Xing naturally wouldn't let Pakura see Rasa, or they would start fighting. First, he would let Pakura test Gaara's strength.
"Summoning, Rock Wall!"
Li Xing waved his hand, and a long wall appeared behind them, blocking the path of the previous four Kage. Kabuto naturally knew that Li Xing had arrived. Since Li Xing didn't want the four to go first, he stopped their actions.
...
"You are... the hero of the Sand Village, Shakuton Pakura." Gaara stood in the air, looking at the woman approaching below, and immediately recognized Pakura's identity.
Pakura's eyes were filled with rage. Upon seeing Gaara, she began to form hand seals, and three fireballs circled around her body. She then leaped up.
"Scorching Release, Over-Vaporization Kill! Die! People of the Sand Village!"
"Sand Burial!"
Gaara crossed his arms and didn't even move, easily trapping Pakura in the air, unable to move.
Li Xing saw that this wouldn't do; if she was instantly killed, where was the fun? He then swung his sword at Pakura. The sand trapping Pakura was released, and a green light emanated from Pakura's chest.
"As expected, the meteor from the sky can be enhanced. This should be enough to not be instantly killed, right?"
Seeing this swordsmanship, Gaara immediately thought of Li Xing. He looked around but couldn't find Li Xing's figure.
"You are Rasa's son, aren't you? Then die quickly!"
As Gaara scanned his surroundings, Pakura attacked Gaara again. Pakura created hundreds of fireballs, swung her fist, and all the fireballs shot towards Gaara.
Gaara immediately erected a sand wall in front of him, steadily blocking these fireballs. However, the explosions generated when the fireballs touched the sand broke the sand, and Gaara was forced to retreat.
"As expected, you're strong. But I saw a familiar look in your eyes, just like mine used to be, only thinking of killing and hatred."
Gaara saw Pakura's hatred and prepared to use his talk-no-jutsu on her.
"Shut up! What can you possibly understand about me!"
Gaara shook his head. "No, I understand your feelings very well. I was the same once, sealed with a Tailed Beast by my father, facing assassination and testing by my father every day..."
Gaara began to talk at length, recounting his experiences, mentioning the friends who pulled him back, like Naruto, and how he eventually became the Fifth Kazekage and the current Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Shinobi Forces.
"You say you understand the importance of companions. Then, would you sacrifice your companions for peace?" Pakura retorted.
Gaara thought of Naruto again. What would Naruto do? Gaara then smiled. "I will not abandon my companions, nor will I abandon my subordinates. Similarly, I will strive to achieve peace. Never give up, that is his ninja way."
"Is that the friend you just mentioned? I really want to meet him! Fifth Kazekage, you are an excellent Kazekage. I believe you will surpass the past Kazekage."
Pakura was merely driven by the hatred before her death. In reality, her heart still leaned towards the village. Now, seeing an excellent leader, she withdrew her intention of revenge and stood in place, awaiting sealing.
"Farewell! Hero of the Sand Village." Gaara bid farewell to Pakura and then sealed her.
...
"The Hokage's talk-no-jutsu is indeed invincible. There's no more fun. Kabuto, bring the four Kage over!"
Li Xing sat cross-legged in the void, resting his head in his hand, and commanded Kabuto while looking at the Allied Shinobi Forces below.