At the Ninja Alliance Headquarters, upon learning of the true Madara's reanimation, the Raikage could no longer sit still, shouting his intention to go to the front lines.
Shikaku, considering that Li Xing, who was on par with Madara, was present, deemed this the opportune moment. Naruto and Killer Bee would handle the imposter Madara, while the Raikage would proceed to the real Madara, joining forces with the other Kage to defeat him.
For this purpose, Mei Terumī, the Mizukage, was also needed. Fortunately, Mei Terumī had the protection of former Hokage guards, including Genma Shiranui. The three of them combined their Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport Mei Terumī to the scene, as long as a mark was placed on Tsunade's slug.
"Fortunately, Lord Tsunade left a clone of the great slug. Lord Raikage, you will teleport to the battlefield with the slug, and then Genma and the others will teleport Lord Mizukage to the battlefield."
The Raikage found this method feasible and immediately agreed, instructing Mabui to prepare the Heavenly Transfer Technique.
Meanwhile, Mei Terumī and her group, who were fighting Black Zetsu, upon learning of the headquarters' plan, decided that Chojuro of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen would protect the Daimyo. With Naruto's clones present, there was little to worry about.
...
Desert Battlefield.
"Enough playing time. I'm going to capture the remaining two Tailed Beasts."
Madara's nature was arrogant and conceited. Knowing he couldn't defeat Li Xing at the moment, Madara lost the desire to fight. It had been a long time since the Warring States period that he had experienced such a challenger's spirit. Madara only wished to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki as soon as possible and defeat this brat before him.
Li Xing waved his hand and said, "Go, go! I'll handle things here. I still have some personal matters to attend to."
Madara wasted no more words and departed in a certain direction, heading towards where Obito, Naruto, and Killer Bee were. The two parties had already met.
Obito was controlling six Tailed Beasts using the Outer Path of the Rinnegan, bringing them out to battle. However, these were only in their first stage of Tailed Beast transformation, not fully transformed.
Not long after Madara left, the Raikage arrived at the battlefield with a slug, followed by Genma Shiranui and others teleporting Mei Terumī.
"Where is Madara? Where did Madara go?" the Raikage bellowed as soon as he arrived, inquiring about Madara's whereabouts.
"Madara has already left. He's probably gone to Naruto's location. With Li Xing here, we couldn't stop him," Gaara explained.
Upon hearing this, the Raikage looked ahead and saw only a white-haired young man standing on a rock. Glancing around, he noticed a circle of flames, as if the Ninja Alliance was surrounded by Li Xing alone.
However, at this moment, Fū and Yugito sensed the emotions of the Tailed Beasts, which seemed to be a mix of distress and anger.
"Li Xing, I'm sorry. I have something to do and need to leave for a while," Yugito shouted towards Li Xing.
Li Xing naturally knew what was happening – the Tailed Beasts were being controlled by Obito, and as former Jinchuriki, they felt the Tailed Beasts' pain.
"You may go. Karin, you go with them too, to protect them and yourself!"
Seeing Li Xing's agreement, Yugito and Fū immediately flew towards Naruto's location. Karin was reluctant to participate, but seeing the urgent look in Yugito and Fū's eyes, she had no choice but to follow them.
With several people gone at once, Li Xing was truly surrounded by the entire Ninja Alliance. He clapped his hands, dispelling the surrounding summoning flames.
"Ninja Alliance, you may go to other locations to provide support. The Five Kage, Jiraiya, and Deidara, stay behind. I will be your opponent."
However, Deidara's mindset had changed; he no longer wished to use his inferior art and immediately declared he was returning to research new art. The other ninjas also began to leave, realizing from the previous battle that they were not capable of participating in combat at this level.
Li Xing did not stop Deidara, letting him leave. The numbers were irrelevant; an extra person or one less would not be able to defeat him.
The Raikage yelled at Li Xing, "Just you alone? Brat! Then I will utterly annihilate you here!"
"Don't underestimate him. His strength is even greater than Uchiha Madara's," Ōnoki said, placing a hand on the Raikage's shoulder, urging him not to act rashly.
"Li Xing, what a handsome man. It's a shame to kill him like this," Mei Terumī's thoughts aligned with Li Xing's. She found the man who had offended her detestable, yet she intensely missed that feeling from before.
Tsunade stepped forward, "Li Xing, do you have to fight no matter what? What will you gain from this?"
"Fighting is unavoidable. As for what I can gain, my milestone will be augmented with a splendid battle," Li Xing thought carefully. He couldn't really gain anything else, and this reason was the most fitting.
"That's enough, Tsunade. It seems you can't persuade Li Xing anymore. All we can do now is fight. Li Xing must have expended a lot of energy in the previous battle. To win, we must strike while he hasn't recovered," Jiraiya said, clapping his hands, already preparing Sage Mode. Facing such an opponent, one had to go all out from the start.
"Is that so? Li Xing, if we can't talk things through, then I'll have to beat you up like before. I'll give you a good beating and then take you back," Tsunade rolled up her sleeves, activating the Hundred Healings Technique, preparing to fight her precious disciple.
The others also assumed combat stances, especially Nagato, whose eyes were fixed on Li Xing, searching for any opening.
"Wait a moment, I still have something to say," Li Xing raised his hand to halt them, asking them to wait before fighting.
Then, Li Xing took out two rings and gently tossed them, accurately placing them on the ring fingers of Tsunade and Mei Terumī.
"Tsunade Hime, the Fifth Hokage, Mei Terumī, the Fifth Mizukage, I, Li Xing, am fortunate to meet you. This is fate ordained by heaven. Now, with heaven as witness, I formally propose marriage to you both!"
After speaking, he gave a gentlemanly bow, and simultaneously snapped his fingers, causing red petals to continuously drift down from the sky.
This scene stunned everyone. At such a time, he was thinking of proposing. What was going on?
Tsunade also found it very sudden. Although she had been mentally prepared for a while, doing this in front of other Kage and her classmate Jiraiya was simply too embarrassing.
Mei Terumī, suddenly proposed to, became flustered. Her heart pounded rapidly, and she kept patting her chest. The marriage she had always dreamed of had been achieved so easily, and she was already imagining names for their children.
"Li Xing, what exactly are you trying to do? What does this proposal mean?" Jiraiya was extremely confused, finding Li Xing's thoughts increasingly unfathomable.
However, Li Xing ignored Jiraiya and continued to stare at Tsunade and Mei Terumī. Seeing that they had not removed the rings, Li Xing continued, "Since you haven't refused, I will consider it your consent. The engagement is set, heaven bears witness, there is no turning back. To go back on your word will incur divine punishment."
As he spoke, several flashes of lightning streaked across the sky. This made Nagato's expression even more solemn below. It was clear that the Heavenly Dao Li Xing spoke of was the true heaven, and Li Xing had a very high probability of being able to control heaven.
"I accept. However, you must also promise me one condition: withdraw from the Akatsuki and help us win this war!" Tsunade was still rational. If such a powerful force as Li Xing could be brought to their side, it would be extremely beneficial to the Ninja Alliance.
"I can withdraw from the Akatsuki, but regarding helping the Ninja Alliance, I am already doing so! Konan on the coastal battlefield, Karin who just left, Yugito, aren't they all helping you fight the Akatsuki? And my previous battle with Madara, I protected your Ninja Alliance! Also, Mei Terumī, what are your conditions?"
Li Xing looked at Mei Terumī, anticipating her reply.
Mei Terumī was reminded by Tsunade and finally reacted, "I accept your proposal, but you must be able to withstand my kiss. I like men who aren't too easily melted..."
"So you mean I have to defeat you first before we can get married? Then stop the nonsense and let's fight!"
...
(I believe that for Deidara to avoid post-war judgment, he can only pursue a different kind of art. By contributing on the battlefield, he can avoid repeating his past mistakes of constantly blowing up villages.)