Koushin: Konoha’s Dragonborn[Completed]

Instead of bemoaning the complexity of their enemy's defenses, Koushin locked eyes with Naruto. The two shared an unspoken understanding, nods barely perceptible as they readied for their next moves.

With Itachi's Susanoo, they couldn't damage them. That realization gripped the field, almost tangible amidst the chaotic energy of the battle. Just as this thought sank in, Paarthurnax lunged from the sky, a roaring inferno in his maw. At the same moment, Naruto charged forward, his White Susanoo mirroring his movements, radiant and intimidating.

"Time to shake things up," Naruto yelled as he rammed his foot against the towering form of Itachi's Susanoo, sending it skidding away from the Ten-Tails.

Koushin watched from above, his gaze locked onto the unfolding drama. "Oh, splendid! A temporary separation—always good for drama."

Naruto refocused, his eyes meeting Itachi's for just a moment. This was his chance. Naruto had an ability that could cleanse Itachi of the malevolent spirit embedded within his Mangekyo Sharingan. But before he could tap into that purifying force, the field shifted—new figures appeared around Itachi. And not just any figures; they were living legends of the Shinobi world.

Naruto looked at the faces, disbelief clouding his eyes—Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his own father, Minato Namikaze. All stood around Itachi, barriers to his goal.

Down below, Oonoki muttered something incomprehensible, Mei bit her lower lip, and A’s muscles tightened, looking like cables of steel under his skin. Rasa's gold dust began to swirl around him, a silent testament to his readiness.

"Shit just got real," Tsunade shouted indignantly

Except for the Second Hokage, the other three were Edo Tensei, their black sclera creating a striking contrast to Itachi and Tobirama. The latter walked toward Itachi and knelt, murmuring, "Master."

Tsunade and the others gasped at the spectacle. "You evil—!" Tsunade's voice was laced with a cocktail of disbelief and anger. Her uncle Tobirama was ensnared by Itachi's genjutsu; how could she accept that? Hashirama looked sad, too. His own brother had summoned them, and now they were battling against their own kin.

Naruto’s eyes met those of his father, Minato, and the other legendary shinobi surrounding Itachi. No words were exchanged, but the gravity of the moment was palpable.

With a guttural roar, Naruto's White Susanoo lunged forward, its Sword of Purity shimmering in the dim light. The sword clashed with Hiruzen’s enlarged staff, generating a spray of blinding energy that lit up the battlefield. The force of the impact reverberated through the air, causing both combatants to skid back several feet.

Without missing a beat, Naruto pivoted and lunged at Tobirama, who unleashed a barrage of water-based attacks. The Sword of Purity met the oncoming assault and dispelled it effortlessly. As the blade swung toward Tobirama, its aura expanded like a wave, encapsulating the Second Hokage. Tobirama’s eyes flickered for a moment before returning to normal, his genjutsu dispelled.

Meanwhile, Hashirama had activated his Wood Golem technique and was rampaging toward the others. Tsunade and Mei took to the offensive. Tsunade’s fists met wood with cracking force, her chakra-enhanced strength putting dents in the enormous construct. Mei's lava release melted through other sections of the Golem. Yet it kept regenerating, and Tsunade knew they were only buying time.

Naruto noticed the Wood Golem but had his hands full with his own father, Minato, who had already unleashed his signature Rasengan. The swirling vortex of energy sped toward the White Susanoo, colliding with its Shield of Sanctity. The shield held fast, and the Rasengan disintegrated, releasing a shockwave of purifying energy that caused Minato to pause.

Seizing the moment, Naruto drove the Sword of Purity into the ground, generating a wave of purifying energy that swept through the field. His father and the Third Hokage were engulfed in the aura.

Naruto shouted, "It is time to show you that my Sage Chakra is the bane of every Evil Technique created by Evil Tengu!"

As his words resonated, the Third and Fourth Hokage abruptly ceased their attacks. Minato's eyes widened as the jutsu anchoring them to the living world began to unravel.

"You can even cancel Edo Tensei?" Itachi asked, his usually composed demeanor tinged with disbelief.

"I am proud of you, Naruto," Minato said, smiling warmly.

"Thanks, Dad," Naruto beamed back. This moment was the culmination of a long journey that began when he had unsealed Kurama and met both Minato and Kushina. Their heartfelt conversation had empowered him, and now, standing here, he was a shinobi capable of freeing the souls bound by Edo Tensei.

Swinging the Sword of Purity downward into the earth, Naruto released a burst of purifying energy. The ethereal wave washed over Minato and Hiruzen, their eyes returning to their normal color as the sinister chakra binding them dissipated. They exchanged grateful glances, nodding at Naruto before their forms disintegrated into light, returning to the afterlife.

Naruto had discovered the histories of his father and mother, as well as the village's past. Armed with this knowledge, his first action was to liberate himself and the Third Hokage, whom he still viewed as his grandfather. Now, he was prepared to confront the First Hokage.

Hashirama, who was struggling to hold his Wood Golem at bay against Tsunade and Mei's relentless assault, looked up aproaching Naruto.

Itachi’s eyes narrowed as he commanded, “Tobirama, bring Hashirama inside my Susanoo.”

Tobirama complied, using his unique teleportation jutsu to appear next to Hashirama and then instantly reappear inside Itachi’s Susanoo. Now fortified by the Susanoo, Hashirama resumed his assault, channeling an even more potent Wood Dragon to strike out.

Naruto gritted his teeth. The newfound fortification made the Wood Dragon virtually unassailable. His White Susanoo's sword clashed with the dragon, producing a radiant wave of energy that scattered leaves and cracked branches but failed to dismantle the dragon entirely.

Itachi didn’t hesitate. Fingers interlocking, he cast a genjutsu, sending two crows directly into the White Susanoo’s path. The crows disintegrated upon impact, engulfing the area in a dark fog. But Naruto’s Susanoo glowed brighter, dispelling the genjutsu with its purifying aura. Itachi raised an eyebrow, momentarily taken aback.

Simultaneously, the Wood Dragon lunged, its maw wide open. Naruto parried with his Sword of Purity. The impact reverberated with a force that shattered the ground below them. The dragon recoiled, but not without leaving deep scars on the Susanoo's armor.

Knowing that a continuous frontal attack would prove futile, Naruto deployed White Wind. A tornado of cleansing energy burst forth from his Susanoo, spiraling toward Hashirama’s construct. On contact, the dragon faltered, its form disintegrating into a flurry of wooden shards.

Undeterred, Itachi unsheathed the Totsuka Blade, channeling its ethereal energy into a condensed bolt of energy that shot straight for the heart of Naruto's Susanoo. Just in time, Naruto raised the Shield of Sanctity. The shield glowed with an eerie light, absorbing and nullifying the ethereal bolt.

“It seems we are at an impasse,” Itachi muttered.

“Not quite,” Naruto retorted.

Naruto punched his palm, "Let's go, Kurama!" Chakra roared like a tempest around him, transforming his Susanoo into a masterpiece of radiant gold. All the samurai-like facets of the White Susanoo morphed. Now they were awash in a golden sheen, stripes of the same hue lining its arms, legs, and the detailed armor. Tomoes like flecks of fire dotted the Susanoo, giving it a surreal appearance that was both awe-inspiring and fearsome.

Itachi stared as Naruto's Susanoo brandished its Golden Sword of Purity. The blade seemed to seethe with untamed energy, humming a relentless tune that blended with the roars of the Nine-Tails. It was an awe-inspiring, ferocious weapon that promised catastrophe upon contact.