Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!
Chapter 553: Nagato Turns the Tide of Battle

Chapter 553 - 553: Nagato Turns the Tide of Battle

Bang!

With a deafening crash, the heavy coffin lid slammed to the ground.

Dust billowed into the air like a raging beast, engulfing the entire space in an instant.

Inside the coffin, a red-haired young man abruptly opened his eyes—his Rinnegan glowing prominently in the darkness.

Who else could it be but Nagato?

"This..."

Nagato had barely uttered a word before his body was overtaken by an overwhelming and mysterious force—the will of Madara.

"Hashirama, our battle isn't over yet."

Madara, now in control of Nagato's body, spoke with an air of provocation and disdain.

With a mere flick of his hand, an immense surge of chakra erupted like a raging torrent.

That power was like an invisible giant axe, and the Red Torii Gates crumbled before it like rotting wood.

In an instant, they were shattered to pieces, debris scattering in all directions.

Hashirama hurriedly turned toward the disturbance but couldn't recognize who Madara was controlling.

Meanwhile, after struggling free from the bindings of the Great God Gate, the First Raikage wobbled as he pushed himself up.

His eyes were clouded with confusion, his mind a chaotic blur.

The last thing he remembered was seeing Hashirama Senju—then his consciousness plunged into endless darkness. Only now had he regained awareness.

Judging by the pain wracking his body and the devastation around him, it was clear he had taken a severe beating.

Nagato, however, spared him no more attention than one would an ant, not even glancing his way.

"It's Nagato!!!"

Mito and Hiruzen exclaimed in unison, their expressions changing drastically.

Both of them were well aware—at least to some extent—of Nagato's terrifying strength.

Only now did Hashirama and Tobirama realize who the red-haired boy possessed by Madara truly was.

"Shinra Tensei!"

Nagato gave them no chance to react.

With a slight bend of his knees, he shot into the air like a bolt of lightning, instantly suspending himself high above.

Then, with both hands pressing downward, an overwhelming surge of chakra erupted like a volcanic explosion.

A repulsive force of apocalyptic magnitude radiated outward from him, a cataclysmic shockwave expanding in all directions.

The ground trembled as even the toughest rock crumbled like fragile sand, instantly reduced to dust.

Debris was mercilessly hurled into the distant sky, disappearing beyond sight.

The towering trees surrounding them fared no better—ripped from their roots, massive chunks of earth still clinging to them as they were sent flying.

Midair, they were torn apart by the suffocating force, reduced to countless splinters.

The shattered wood scattered like a deadly rain, each shard as sharp as a thrown kunai.

Wherever they struck, they carved deep, jagged scars into everything in their path.

Hashirama and Reto bore the brunt of the impact.

The moment the shockwave erupted, they were hit head-on, unable to evade or defend.

It was as if cannonballs had slammed into them, driving them into the hard ground.

The once-solid earth caved under the force, leaving behind two deep craters.

A towering cloud of dust surged upward, burying their figures completely in the chaotic aftermath.

Hiruzen, already gravely wounded, was thrown violently through the air like a helpless leaf caught in a storm.

His body traced a tragic arc before crashing to the ground like a discarded ragdoll.

Even as he lay motionless, his hand still clutched the Adamantine Staff tightly.

Blood slowly seeped from beneath him, staining the scorched earth a stark crimson.

The sight was harrowing.

Mito and Byakuren met the same cruel fate, their bodies sent flying.

Mito's golden chakra chains, her greatest defense, shattered like fragile silk threads under the unimaginable force.

They disintegrated into golden specks of light, vanishing into the air.

Byakuren, his body already riddled with wounds, shattered like fragile porcelain upon impact.

His broken form scattered in all directions.

The scene was nightmarish—beyond terrifying!

Tobirama and Ishikawa, being the farthest from Nagato, suffered the least direct impact.

Even so, they were still hurled dozens of meters away, tumbling across the ground before barely managing to steady themselves.

Their faces were pale with shock and fear.

What kind of monstrous power is this...?!

"Hashirama, do you feel it?"

"This is the power of the Shinra Banshō."

"I have completely surpassed you."

"Hahaha~"

Nagato burst into wild laughter as he looked down at the devastated battlefield beneath him.

His laughter was filled with madness and arrogance.

And right now, he had every reason to be arrogant.

Under Madara's control, the power unleashed by the reanimated Nagato was several times more terrifying than when he was alive.

"What kind of monstrous power is this?!"

The First Raikage widened his eyes, murmuring in disbelief.

He stared at Nagato in shock, unable to comprehend why this red-haired boy filled him with such a profound sense of helplessness.

"Madara, is this what you call happiness?"

"Killing him, then controlling his very soul?"

Hashirama emerged from the rubble, shaking off the dust with ease.

Without much thought, he stepped forward—only to plant his foot squarely on Reto's back, pinning him down. The First Kazekage, still half-buried, couldn't even struggle free.

"He has always been my pawn."

"You should know—pawns do not deserve thoughts, will, or even a soul."

Nagato slowly descended, looking down on Hashirama like a god overseeing the mortal realm.

"You're wrong. Everyone has the right to control their own fate."

Hashirama raised a hand, pointing at Nagato, fury burning in his gaze.

"Enough!"

"I didn't come here to listen to your lectures."

"Fire Release: Great Fire Destruction!"

Nagato opened his mouth, and a massive fireball, blazing like a meteor, erupted forth.

It roared toward Hashirama like a miniature sun, searing everything in its path.

The moment it struck the ground, the flames spread like a living entity, transforming into a boundless inferno that engulfed Hashirama entirely.

The fire raged wildly, crackling and snapping, as if announcing the arrival of death itself.

At that moment, Mito and Tobirama stood side by side, facing off against three First-Generation Kage.

No words were exchanged.

The battle erupted instantly.

Two against three—Mito and Tobirama were immediately overwhelmed.

With the arrival of the reanimated Nagato, the tides of battle had turned completely.