Izanagi, the ocular technique revered within the three Tomoe Sharingan.
Its function allows the user to record their current state with the Sharingan upon activation. Within the technique's effective duration—unique to each individual—any injury suffered, including death, can be physically reversed to the recorded state.
The cost of this technique, however, is the permanent loss of light in the eye that performs it.
Relying on this ninjutsu, Uchiha Madara survived his battle against the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
And just now, using Izanagi, Madara escaped Uzumaki Raiden's Totsuka Blade seal.
With just a glance at Madara's gray left eye, Raiden immediately understood how his opponent had avoided defeat. However, the tide of battle had shifted.
As Madara charged toward him at incredible speed, Raiden's first instinct was to move. His Lightning Armor instantly enveloped him as he exerted force to break free.
To his shock, the wooden bindings of White Zetsu's Wood Release held firm, and the vines wrapped around his ankles began absorbing his chakra.
"How is this possible?"
Raiden's eyes widened in disbelief at the strength of the opponent's Wood Release. Just as he prepared to raise his hands in defense, he felt a cold grip around his neck.
"Boy!"
"Die!"
Madara's withered hand successfully seized Raiden's throat, and his pale palm was quickly coated with a layer of purple chakra. To penetrate Raiden's Lightning Armor, Madara had poured his remaining chakra into activating Susanoo.
"Damn it!"
With no chance to escape, Raiden knew he had to counterattack. Chakra surged into his left hand, forming a violent surge of lightning.
If he couldn't evade, he'd strike first!
A sonic boom echoed through the air as Raiden's attack struck before Madara could fully react, his hand piercing straight through Madara's chest.
Blood gushed from the wound, and Madara's heart had been completely destroyed. The grip around Raiden's neck weakened slightly.
"Hmph!"
Before Raiden could celebrate, Madara, with a crazed smile despite his mortal wound, tightened his grip once more.
"!!!"
With a sickening crunch, Raiden felt his throat crushed. Blood spurted from his mouth, his limbs weakened, and the Lightning Armor faded.
"Puff!"
At that moment, White Zetsu, disguised as Nawaki, struck with a wooden spike, piercing Raiden's right chest. Blood trickled down the wooden stake.
Before Raiden, Madara's body finally lost all signs of life.
"This guy... he gave up his last chance to use Izanagi just to take me down with him!"
"Damn it... I didn't make it out after all!"
Raiden felt his strength fading rapidly. With a final effort, he swung the Sakegari no Tachi, forcing "Nawaki" back and decapitating Madara in a surge of frustration.
"Haha, terrifying!"
Despite Raiden's critical state, White Zetsu chuckled mockingly while maintaining a cautious distance. Several figures surrounded him, wary of attacking rashly.
White Zetsu now resembled a predator, patiently waiting for his prey to lose its final strength.
The suffocation made Raiden desperate.
Only now did he realize the true horror of dying from suffocation—an experience far more terrifying than he had imagined.
He had always thought he wasn't afraid of death, but now, he knew he was.
His thoughts weren't racing with memories; there was no fabled "life flashing before his eyes."
"Ugh!"
Raiden collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath him. His Uzumaki heritage kept him from dying instantly, prolonging his suffering.
Lying there, his eyes drifted to Madara's severed corpse, bringing a sense of relief. But when his gaze fell upon White Zetsu's face, disguised as his friend, rage filled him.
Yet, all of it would be meaningless with his impending death.
His eyelids grew heavier, and soon, he lost all sensation of pain. Slowly, his eyes closed.
It was only then that White Zetsu and his clones moved in, closing in for the final blow.
"Whoosh!"
"Three Styles of Spiral Flash Super Wheel Dance and Roar!"
A loud cry rang through the battlefield, and golden flashes surrounded Raiden. In an instant, White Zetsu's clones were obliterated, their corpses scattered across the ground.
A blond young man appeared beside Raiden—Namikaze Minato, wearing Konoha's forehead protector and the standard green flak jacket. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings vigilantly.
Minato's heart sank as he took in the sight of Madara's decapitated corpse and Raiden's dying body.
"The Yellow Flash of Konoha... Namikaze Minato!"
White Zetsu whispered anxiously.
"This guy is troublesome. Regardless, the Fourth Hokage will die sooner or later... I need a new plan."
"Time to retreat."
From within Madara's corpse, Black Zetsu peeked out, observing Minato with cautious eyes before deciding to flee.
"Boom!"
At that moment, white spores rapidly grew on both Madara's body and Raiden's wounded form.
"Raiden!"
Minato shouted, slicing through the spores with a kunai and grabbing Raiden before darting away at high speed.
"Boom!!!!"
A massive explosion engulfed the battlefield, and the towering Gedo Mazo vanished in a cloud of white smoke.
Standing at the edge of the explosion site, Minato glanced at the destruction before looking down at the unconscious Raiden. Without hesitation, he disappeared with him.
That night was an endless nightmare for Konoha. Countless lives were lost, and many families were shattered.
But no matter how dark the night, dawn would always come.
Yet, the morning sun could never dispel the sorrow that now gripped the hearts of Konoha's people.
(End of Chapter)