Tsunade had left the Konoha Village many years ago.

So many years, in fact, that her memories of it had grown somewhat blurry.

But now…

Looking at the Konoha Village as it was today—despite the tense atmosphere before the great war—everyone still went about their lives in an orderly fashion. In fact, it was far more prosperous, lively, and peaceful than she remembered.

Shizune, who had also been away from home for so long, couldn't help but glance around in curiosity, left and right.

"Tsunade-sama, it seems that this Uchiha Chiyu really has managed the village quite well…"

"I don't recall the Konoha being this bustling and secure before…"

Tsunade merely nodded in silent agreement.

Not only was it rich and lively…

The Konoha Village in her memory had never been such a peaceful place.

After all, it was a place where ninja and ordinary villagers lived side by side; conflict was inevitable. And as for those villagers of Konoha…

Though she was reluctant to put it that way, they really could be rather troublesome.

They certainly weren't afraid of any ninja.

Add to that the unclear laws and messy management of the village at the time, and it was forever in chaos, with all kinds of bizarre incidents popping up one after another.

But now…

Peace and stability reigned. The troublemakers had disappeared, and you couldn't even spot any of the old bullies or thugs. One could only imagine how forceful Uchiha Chiyu's methods must have been.

Tsunade hadn't bothered to hide her face or her movements, so she was quickly noticed by the Konoha ninja. Among them were some veteran shinobi who recognized her at once and were thoroughly shocked.

"Y-You're…"

"Tsunade-sama?!"

Immediately, the surrounding ninja and villagers also looked on in curiosity.

"That's one of the legendary Sannin, the granddaughter of the First Hokage—Lady Tsunade?"

"How is she still so young and beautiful?!"

"Tsk, that's the number-one medical genius in the entire ninja world. Keeping a youthful appearance is nothing for her…"

"But… She's been gone from the village for so long. Of all times, why come back now?"

"She was a student of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Does she plan to do something against the Hokage—no, against our Lord of the Shinobi World?!"

By the end, suspicion and guarded hostility had begun to take shape among them.

Shizune grew nervous, raising her guard. She said quietly, "Tsunade-sama, it seems these villagers and ninja practically worship Uchiha Chiyu now…"

"This place is too dangerous…"

Tsunade didn't seem concerned.

At this point, an Anbu member stepped forward.

"Tsunade-sama?"

"Since you've returned to the village, please come with me to see the Hokage…"

His tone was respectful but carried an undertone that left little room for refusal.

Tsunade did not object; she merely nodded calmly.

…

Before long.

Inside the Hokage's office.

Chiyu had already sensed the incoming chakra and presence.

With his current visual prowess and perception, not just all of the Konoha Village—he had a clear grasp of everything in the surrounding region.

"Lord of the Shinobi World, Tsunade-sama has returned…"

"Let her in."

"Yes."

Soon, the door opened. Tsunade and Shizune, "escorted" by several Anbu, walked in.

Chiyu glanced at her indifferently.

She looked just like he remembered—perhaps even younger than the Tsunade in his memory. But from Chiyu's perspective, Tsunade alone could not sway the bigger picture. He hardly paid her any mind.

He lowered his head and continued handling official matters without even looking up.

"Is there something you need?"

Tsunade stepped forward.

Immediately, the Anbu tensed in alert.

At that moment, Kakashi Hatake arrived, having heard the news. Seeing Tsunade, he grew slightly tense as well.

"My lord."

Chiyu gave no response.

Tsunade said calmly, "You don't have to be so wary. I'm not here for revenge."

Kakashi let out a small sigh of relief.

He was well aware that even ten—or a hundred—Tsunade couldn't be a threat to Chiyu-sama. But this was still one of the legendary Sannin, so she certainly couldn't be taken lightly.

"Apologies, Lady Tsunade, but… given that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya both died at the hands of the Lord of the Shinobi World, it's only natural people would be cautious."

Tsunade shook her head.

"There's nothing more to say."

"I know all about what the Old Man did."

"I was also perfectly aware of what he did to the Senju clan, but there was nothing I could do—nothing I was truly capable of doing."

"In fact, I should be thanking you for killing him."

"As for Jiraiya… I know he chose his own end, perishing alongside Mount Myōboku. He was someone who followed the path he believed in, right to the very end. That's exactly the kind of man he was."

Chiyu was somewhat surprised.

He looked up. "I didn't expect you to be so accepting."

Tsunade replied, "I've traveled the world for years; I'm not who I used to be."

"So why did you return to Konoha?"

She fell silent for a moment.

"Even if I can set aside my origins, my past, my bonds…"

"I'm still a person."

"That bastard Madara wants to destroy the world. I can't just stand by and do nothing."

Chiyu nodded.

He didn't particularly care one way or the other about Tsunade.

Still, having her around—especially as the most skilled medical ninja in the ninja world—was a boon.

"Alright."

"The joint forces of the Five Great Ninja Villages are assembling. If you're willing, we'd certainly welcome your help."

Tsunade had already made up her mind.

"I want to form a medical ninja unit. On one hand, we can treat the wounded; on the other… I want to pass on my medical techniques."

Chiyu said nothing before Kakashi and the others quickly perked up.

"That would be wonderful…"

"That's a real blessing…"

"And there's no one more qualified than Lady Tsunade."

Chiyu also nodded.

"Fine."

"I'll assign the medical ninja from the Five Great Villages to join you."

"Thank you," Tsunade replied.

She was about to leave, but then she hesitated, as if there was something more she wanted to say. A faint blush rose to her cheeks, somewhat at odds with her usual demeanor.

Chiyu frowned slightly.

"What is it?"

Her face still slightly red, Tsunade said, "I know you've conquered the Three Great Sage Lands, including the Shikkotsu Forest. Even Lady Katsuyu has pledged her loyalty to you."

"However… for my medical ninjutsu, whether using it myself or teaching others, I really need the aid of the Katsuyu summon. I rely on Lady Katsuyu's powers, so…"

Chiyu immediately understood.

"No need to continue. Go ahead."

Tsunade paused, then nodded.

"Thank you."

Indeed, Tsunade had long since signed a summoning contract with Katsuyu and the Shikkotsu Forest, but now that Lady Katsuyu had fully submitted to Chiyu, if he refused her, Tsunade's summoning would fail no matter how hard she tried. Chiyu held absolute authority over the Shikkotsu Forest.

Having secured permission, Tsunade breathed a small sigh of relief and realized she'd been uncharacteristically flustered just moments ago. Without delay, she left.

Shizune followed behind, sensing that Tsunade-sama seemed somehow different today…

…

Back in the Hokage's office.

Kakashi, watching Tsunade's departing figure, couldn't help but smile.

"With Lady Tsunade's help, it looks like our chances for the final battle have improved again, my lord…"

Chiyu shook his head.

In truth, Chiyu alone could summon Lady Katsuyu in her entirety, anytime he wished. Even on the battlefield, the fully manifested Katsuyu could split into countless clones to cover the entire area, ensuring allies could be healed at will. Essentially, it was an invincible edge.

In the original story, Tsunade and Sakura joined forces with the Hundred Healings technique to summon only a fraction—perhaps a tenth—of Katsuyu's main body, yet they still blanketed the battlefield to heal the Allied Shinobi Forces.

And now, Chiyu could summon Katsuyu in full, anytime.

Of course—

Chiyu himself didn't know any medical ninjutsu. Summoning alone was simply a technique. Thus, Tsunade's medical expertise was still valuable in its own right. On the battlefield, her contributions would be the proverbial icing on the cake.

Kakashi sighed.

"It's strange to think how the legendary Sannin have taken such different paths. Jiraiya died along with Mount Myōboku, while Orochimaru continues to follow the Akatsuki, obsessing over his dark forbidden experiments… And to think…"

"Tsunade-sama, the granddaughter of the First Hokage and a student of Hiruzen Sarutobi, would voluntarily pledge her loyalty to you…"

"The twists of fate are incredible…"

Chiyu said calmly, "That's enough sentimentality for now, Kakashi. Save it for after the war."

"The Shinobi Allied Forces still need your strength."

"Yes, my lord!"

…

With the final battle looming, the moment Chiyu gave the order, the Five Great Ninja Villages swiftly assembled into an unprecedented Allied Shinobi Force!

The Allied Forces weren't organized by village but by role and specialized skill, enabling each unit to make the best use of its strengths.

Among them, the newly returned Tsunade naturally became the head of the medical unit.

Chiyu had already informed every village to assign their best medical-nin to Tsunade's ranks.

Those from the Konoha included Shizune, Nonō Yakushi, Kabuto Yakushi, and among others.

From the Cloud came Amai, and from the Sand came Yashamaru—Gaara's uncle, who was still alive because Chiyu had killed the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and ended his twisted policies, thus preventing the tragic mission in which Yashamaru had tried to assassinate Gaara. In this new timeline, Gaara also never succumbed to darkness.

That is the so-called butterfly effect.

Beyond these, medical-nin from the other villages also gathered.

With Tsunade in command, the medical unit at last had a true pillar of support.

Tsunade imparted her medical knowledge without reservation, noticing that certain individuals—Kabuto, for instance—had extraordinary potential.

Kabuto, too, was a beneficiary of Chiyu's "butterfly effect."

By killing Danzō, Chiyu had freed Kabuto from the curse seals and shackles of Root, preventing the tragic events in which Nonō Yakushi and Kabuto nearly killed each other. That incident had been the source of Kabuto's eventual fall into darkness.

Much like Yashamaru and Gaara's tragedy, that path was averted thanks to Chiyu.

Having saved Nonō Yakushi and the orphanage children, Chiyu won Kabuto's deep gratitude, prompting him to betray Orochimaru and act as a spy for Chiyu within Akatsuki. Now, at eighteen, Kabuto had Nonō Yakushi as his foster mother, plus Tsunade—one of the legendary Sannin—as a mentor. His fate had been completely transformed.

…

The rest of the Allied Shinobi Forces were divided into five main divisions. However, their organization under Chiyu was quite different from in the original story.

Originally, members with similar skills—close-range, mid-range, long-range combat, etc.—were grouped into specific units. But that structure struggled against the complexities of the battlefield, like White Zetsu's shapeshifting and unexpected enemy abilities, since it often lacked the right sensory, medical, or sealing support at critical moments.

Chiyu's approach was to ensure every division had a balanced range of capabilities, able to handle any contingency.

For example:

The First Division was led by the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki. He could fly, excelled at Earth Style for defense, and wielded the powerful Dust Release for offense.

Alongside him were strong Iwa-nin like Kitsuchi and the Explosion Corps, providing tremendous offensive and defensive power. Yet Iwa had fewer experts in sensing, medical skills, and sealing techniques. So Chiyu assigned the Inuzuka clan to the First Division as trackers, added Shizune for medical support, and supplemented them with sealing teams from other villages. In this way, the division had a well-rounded composition.

Each of the other main divisions was organized similarly:

The Second Division was under Raikage Darui.

The Third Division was under Mizukage Mei Terumī.

The Fourth Division was under Kazekage Baki.

The Fifth Division was led by Uchiha Fugaku.

In addition, Kakashi Hatake commanded a special strike and support team, including elite forces like Might Guy, drawn from various villages' Anbu units. They stood ready to reinforce any battlefield at a moment's notice.

Finally, the central command, functioning as the "brain," was led by Chiyu himself, with a planning group consisting of Shikaku Nara, Mabui, and communications and intel specialists like Ino Yamanaka and Ao.

As for the personal guard for the Five Great Nations' daimyō—like in the original story, where Mei Terumī led a team for that purpose—Chiyu dismissed it outright. He couldn't have cared less about whether those daimyō lived or died.

…

Once the Allied Forces were assembled, they marched toward the God Tree's location—where the final battle would be joined!

On the other side, Uchiha Madara immediately dispatched a hundred thousand White Zetsu clones and innumerable Ten-Tails spawn in all directions, aiming at the now less-protected homelands of the Five Great Nations.

He wasn't actually trying to conquer defenseless villages. His intent was merely to force the Allied Forces to split up in pursuit, thereby delaying their arrival at the God Tree.

His units also split into five parts. Beyond the tens of thousands of White Zetsu clones and hundreds of Ten-Tails spawn were the Akatsuki members and the Edo Tensei–resurrected strongmen of the shinobi world.

For instance, to counter the First Division led by Ōnoki, he deployed Kakuzu and Konan, as well as Edo Tensei versions of the Second Tsuchikage, Mū—Ōnoki's former master, even more fearsome in power. Mū had not only Earth Style and Dust Release but also sensory abilities, invisibility, and a cloning technique. Everything Ōnoki could do, he could do better—and more.

Alongside them were Edo Tensei Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails (Rōshi), the Five-Tails (Han), plus various other fallen warriors. It was terrifying. Even Ōnoki was quickly mired in a grueling fight.

However…

Chiyu had summoned Lady Katsuyu and split her into five parts, sending one clone to each division to handle medical support. This gave the Allied Forces a significant advantage, ensuring they could sustain themselves indefinitely.

Moreover, Konan from Akatsuki suddenly defected and withdrew from the battlefield…

Plainly, following Yahiko and Nagato's deaths, she no longer had reason to remain in the Akatsuki. She secretly took the remains of Yahiko and Nagato back to the Amegakure, preparing to isolate herself from the world.

…

Meanwhile, the various battles raged, and the entire shinobi world was engulfed in chaos.

As for the Tailed Beasts and their Jinchūriki, Chiyu did not send them into combat. Not only were they unnecessary; with the God Tree already active, their presence risked capture and absorption, giving the enemy an easy power boost.

Chiyu himself…

Appeared at the final battlefield in an instant, right before the God Tree!

There, someone awaited him.

Of course, it was—

Six Paths Uchiha Madara!

Seeing Chiyu arrive, Madara's gaze grew burning and intense.

"You've finally come…"

"Uchiha Chiyu!"

"I was humiliated in defeat by you before, but today, I will repay that debt in full!"

Chiyu, by contrast, showed little enthusiasm.

He knew well that Madara was now on a completely different level, far beyond his previous strength—ten times stronger, at least.

Originally, Madara had only been at a half-baked Six Paths level, not truly there. But now, as the Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails, he was the genuine one.

Though he hadn't fully gathered all nine Tailed Beasts and was missing something compared to the canon storyline, this Madara had also fused the chakra, spirit, and physical power of Asura and Indra.

Not only that—

Chiyu could sense the powers of countless clans and bloodlines inside Madara's body: a fusion of their kekkei genkai, wrought from Orochimaru and Hiruko's experiments. Even if it wasn't fully perfect, Madara had nonetheless absorbed and assimilated all kinds of powers.

Thus, the current Six Paths Uchiha Madara was a fearsome being on par with, or beyond, his original counterpart. Inside him lay the strength of Asura and Indra, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, the Tailed Beasts, the Rinnegan, his own and Hashirama's powers, and even the bloodlines of the Senju, Uchiha, Hyūga, Uzumaki, the Kaguya clan, and the Hamura lineage. He possessed Magnet Release, Lava Release, Boil Release, Scorch Release, Wood Release, and even higher-level techniques like Dust Release.

He was the pinnacle of accumulated power in the shinobi world's history.

No wonder Madara stood there with absolute confidence, despite facing Chiyu.

Standing by the God Tree, Madara rose, holding his massive Gunbai war fan in one hand and a Six Paths staff in the other. Fixing his gaze on Chiyu, he shouted:

"Fight me!"

~~~

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