Despite blocking the attack, Madara still managed to hit Gaara sending him flying, he landed on a pile of sand.

"Gaara, don't overdo it!" Shukaku ordered. 

"I am no longer a jinchuriki," Gaara said sitting up. "So that means we can now pull all-nighters as equals."

"Gaara, you--" Shukaku began. "Remind me of Bunpuku." All the tailed beasts continued to get pulled in, Naruto was flying back through Kurama.

"Hey, kid, Kazekage," Kurama called out. "Do me a favor. His father, one-half of me is sealed inside Minato. So you just take that other half and transplant it in Naruto. That will save his life. Hurry to the Fourth Hokage."

"He has the teleportation Jutsu," Gara recalled. "Why don't we just have him come here?"

"Not possible," Kurama answered. "His teleportation Jutsu is tied to my sealing formula. However, once I', extracted, it will disappear." He started to be pulled. "Just rush Naruto over to the Fourth Hokage and grab Naruto's sister. She'll help keep his life on the line a bit longer."

"Good," Madara breathed as he watched the process.

"You got that, Gaara?" Kurama asked. Seconds later, Naruto got pulled out of Kurama. 

"Naruto!" Gaara exclaimed. He held up his hand, catching Naruto on a pile of sand as Naruto went unconscious. He heard more yelling, he looked back to Shukaku getting sucked in. "Shukaku!"

"Sorry, B," Gyuki apologized. 

"I'm counting on you, Kazekage," Kurama said before him and the eight tails got pulled in. Once the Gedo's statue's mouth closed, all of its eyes opened up. 

"No way," a shinobi breathed. 

"All of them were pulled into it," a shinobi said.

"Doctor Matsuba," A ninja said. They looked over to see her healing the last of the injured. 

"I know," Aceso said sharply...Naruto...Killer B...tears were brimming to come out...but the fight was not over. Suddenly, sand wrapped around her stomach and pulled her up to the sky, she looked up to see a pile of sand. 

"Cousin!" Gaara breathed. "I have Naruto with me!"

"Bring me up closer to Naruto!" Aceso exclaimed as they flew over the battlefield. The sand rose up, she saw Gaara holding up Naruto on his back. Aceso put a healing and chakra patch on both Naruto and Gaara. She then bit her thumb and smeared it onto Naruto's cheek. She did a few hand signs, then Naruto's whole body was covered in the green healing bubble. They soon flew down to where most of the alliance stood fighting against a giant wooden statue.

"There they are!" Gaara pointed out. 

"Sakura!" Aceso exclaimed as they flew down to her, Shizune and Lady Tsunade. 

"Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed running over, as Gaara laid Naruto down on a pile of sand, Aceso was on the left side of him. 

"There's no time to explain right now," Gaara said. "Hokage, you must come with us. Try to help Aceso heal him as much as you can en route."

"I don't have enough chakra left to perform medical ninjutsu," Tsunade admitted. "Take Sakura instead. I think she should be able to help some."

"What happened over there?" Sakura asked. "Naruto? How'd he end up like this?

"Just come," Gaara ordered. "Don't waste time. I'll explain later."

"Sakura, get up on the sand," Shizune ordered. 

"Right," Sakura responded, she got up on the sand next to Aceso. 

"What's going on now?" Lord Onoki asked. 

"Here," Shizune said placing two chakra patches on Aceso's cheeks. "Do you have any more chakra patches?"

"I have some," Gaara answered. "Let's go!"

****

"Is Naruto nearby?" Hinata asked.

"Yeah!" Kiba responded. "He's over there! Hey wait, can't you use your byakugan to see?"

"He took Madara down?" Shino asked as Hinata looked. Hinata let out a gasp. 

"Aah!" Hinata gasped. "Naruto!" She started to run forward as Gaara took them up in the sand and started flying to a new destination. Sakura was on the left side of Naruto as Aceso remained on the same sand carrier as Gaara, he held her up as her chakra went over to Naruto, and Sakura assisted in trying to heal and save Naruto. Hinata ended up falling onto her face as the other three got further and further away. 

"Hang in there!" Sakura exclaimed. "Don't give up! You are so strong! You'll make it! I know that you will!" Sakura started to grunt heavily. "At this rate, Naruto is going die!" The Nine-tails chakra left their bodies. Sakura leaned over Naruto's chest to listen. "His pulse and heartbeat are both almost nothing! It can't be!"

"Just hand in there, Naruto," Gaara urged. 

"But why? My Jutsu is not working," Sakura said. 

"Because the Nine-Tails chakra was extracted," Gaara answered.

"Impossible!" Sakura gasped. 

"Madara attacked him, but there is a way to save him," Gaara explained. "And that's why we're hurrying right now. "

"To where exactly?" Aceso asked. 

"Where the Fourth Hokage is," Gaara answered. Gaara then explained the conversation between him and Kurama. "That's what the Nine-Tails said to me. As of right now, there isn't any other way to save Naruto."

"Then let's go," Sakura insisted. "How much farther?"

"Several kilometers," Gaara answered. "Aceso, can you double the healing?" 

"I can try," Aceso answered. Gaara lifted up his hand, sand wrapped around Aceso, he moved her over to Naruto and Sakura. Aceso bit her thumb once more and wiped it onto Naruto. She did the same hand symbols and another cloak of the green healing bubble formed around Naruto. "Sakura!"

"Right!" Sakura breathed leaning over. "It's keeping it a bit more steady."

"Sakura! Cut into the side of Naruto's chest and pump his heart manually!" Aceso shouted. "And perform mouth to mouth." Sakura unzipped Naruto's jacket.

"I'll help do whatever it takes with what little chakra I've got left," Sakura said pulling up the mesh shirt. She held two fingers to reveal the blue chakra, she cut Naruto's side. Then her other hand had the healing chakra. Gaara gasped as Sakura stuck her hand in. "I started the pumping."

"Good," Aceso breathed as she put her hands up, the healing chakra formed at Aceso's hands as she placed them on Naruto's chest. 

"As long as I'm here, I am not going to let you die," Sakura declared. Gaara used sand to put around Sakura, to secure her from falling off. 

"Going full speed," Gaara stated.

"Right," Aceso breathed. Gaara picked up speed as Sakura began to perform mouth to mouth on Naruto. Soon they started to descend where Kakashi, Minato, and Obito were still located. Obito had black Zetsu on half of him. "Dad!"

"What happened, Aceso?" Kakashi asked.

"The Nine Tails was extracted from Naruto," Aceso answered. 

"It doesn't look good," Sakura added. 

"Naruto," Minato breathed, staring down at his son. 

" A message from Naruto's Nine Tails," Gaara said. "Listen, Fourth Hokage. He said to transplant the other half Nine-Tails within you into Naruto. It's the only way to save him."

"Kakashi, he's all yours," Minato said. 

"Understood," Kakashi said,

"I'll help," Gaara said standing next to Kakashi. Minato performed a few hand signs with one hand, then put his hand on Naruto's stomach. A bright orange appeared, and the other half of the Nine-Tails was being placed in Naruto. Suddenly, Black Zetsu appeared in between Naruto and Minato, taking the Nine-Tails

"What happened?" Gaara demanded as Obito doubled over. Minato formed a Rasengan, he went to hit black Zetsu, then Zetsu disappeared. "How is Naruto?" Something slammed into the ground.

"What was that?" Sakura asked. 

"No way," Gaara breathed as they all stared. 

"Lord Madara," Zetsu greeted with a smile. 

"Black Zetsu, you're taking too long," Madara said. He was different, he looked like Obito when he was the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, he had a cloak, a staff, a few black balls around him, and two horns. His hair was white, instead of the Uchiha black hair. "So I decided I should come to you instead. Zetsu why are still clinging to Obito?"

"Forgive me, but doing so allowed me to steal the nine tails' other half from these guys," Zetsu explained. 

"Good," Madara said. "Now bring it and my left eye to me. 

"So the fourth Hokage's nine tails is inside that black thing?" Gaara asked. 

"Madara, how'd he get Six Paths' power?" Kakashi asked. Black Zetsu began to leave Obito's body, and everyone gasped.

"Since Lord Madara is here now, you can't do anything to me even if I do separate myself from Obito," Zetsu explained. Zetsu stopped moving. "Damnit!"

"Now, Kakashi!" Gaara insisted, and the two sprinted forward. They went behind Obito as Zetsu was forced back onto him. 

"Why you," Zetsu growled. "You're still--"

"Not yet," Obito said. "I need to ask you something, Madara." Gaara held up a hand, Kakashi stopped him from going further.

"Hold on," Kakashi ordered. "We need the nine tails inside that thing. We can't afford to miss. We have to wait for the right moment."

"Tell me now, what am I to you?" Obito asked. Madara huffed.

"You have to be kidding, right?" Madara laughed. "What kind of a stupid question is that? You have always been only one thing to me. You are Madara. You see, Madara is defined as he who rejects this world. All who hold that thought in their heart and striving towards achieving the infinite Tsukuyomi are Madara."

"That was--" Obito breathed. "That was once my path too."

"I left you in charge, everything in your hands, and let you walk in my shoes while I sleep the eternal sleep waiting to return," Madara said. "It's the exact path I guided you toward. You were supposed to live your life as Madara to achieve a mutually agreed-upon goal as the savior who this world. This world laid out by the Sage of the Six Paths has failed. Listen, the chakra Six Paths' dispersed was meant to be a linking power, something that would connect the mental energies between people so all could understand each other's hearts without words that would lead to peace and stability. The one who preached this as Ninsu, the Shinobi Creed, and sought to guide the people forth was the Sage of the Six Paths. And yet, before long, time after time, people use chakra not to connect with others, but only to link the mental and physical energies within themselves. Through a method of infusing one's own chakra and increasing it manifold, they changed chakra into ninjutsu that could be used as weapons on battle. Which, ironically, meant reverting things back to the way Six Paths' mother Kaguya originally used chakra."

"Exactly what in the hell is he talking about anyway?" Sakura asked. 

"Gaara," Kakashi breathed.

"Yes, I know," Gaara said.

"The Sage's actions ended up merely furthering the human paradox," Madara said. "And even if some bonds were established, all they really learned was that true understanding wasn't possible. Either way, chakra only gave rise to conflict and false hope. We know the reality all too well. Even as we seek peace, we seek war at the same time, and this reality compels infinite suffering via the power known as chakra. Power only leads to a desire for conflict, and the lack of power leads to losing everything. But I shall create a new world that will overcome that. The Infinite Tsukuyomi will produce a dream world, not any abominable chakra. And I as the person who possesses the most powerful chakra will lead it! You are me, Madara himself, not Obito. Obito Uchiha with his Uchiha chakra challenge Kakashi Hatake sought the title of Hokage and yearned for Rin Nohara. But because his power was a deception, he ended up losing everything. This entire world is hell. Have you forgotten that?" Obito gasped lightly. "Yes, you come over here, Madara." Obito started to walk over. "You are still the savior even now." Gaara put his hands on the ground, and Kakashi began his Kamui as Minato threw a marked kunai, going into Sage Mode. A sand wall rose up, and Obito started to warp as Minato appeared in front of Madara with a Rasengan. Madara smacked off Minato's arm, then kicked him through the sand wall, Minato slammed into Gaara and Minato's arm slammed into Kakashi; both flew back. 

"No," Sakura breathed. "No way! Even their combined attack was--"

"Wait, please Mr. Obito!!" Aceso called. She was running low on chakra, she wanted to get out as much as she could. Obito stopped walking, he looked back at her 

"Tell me Kakashi's daughter," Obito said. "Why would you still want to live in this world of hell?"

"In the dream world, the love isn't real," Aceso answered. "If I am going to be loved by someone or others I want it to be real, straight from the heart of someone else."

"Foolish girl!" Madara exclaimed. "You wouldn't even be able to tell the difference! You would rather live in a world of pain?"

"Yes," Aceso answered looking at him. "Pain is evidence of how hard we love. I don't know this Rin, but Dad has spoken about her a couple of times, you as well, Obito. The pain you felt losing her, is evidence of much you loved her...don't throw it away into some dream world where she isn't even real."

"In this world, you will be able to see your parents, wouldn't you want that, having them watch over you?" Madara asked. 

"They have been watching over me, this entire time," Aceso answered, Obito let out a small gasp. "People don't have to be alive to watch over you." 

"Sakura," Aceso breathed. "Watch over Naruto." Her eyes closed; she slumped over to the side.

"No!" Sakura gasped as she reached into the pouch, putting a medicine and chakra patch on Aceso as the green healing bubbles left Naruto's body. "I'm not losing you either!"

"Finally," Madara smiled holding up his hand as Obito got closer. Obito reached for it, then shoved his hand into Madara's chest. Everyone gasped. "Why, you damned--"

"What are you doing?" Zetsu demanded. 

"Those who truly lead others would never step over their comrade's corpses, even if their own ends up being stepped upon," Obito said. 

"Well then, for you to confirm that's true, you're going to have to become a corpse," Madara said as a black ball formed on Obito's hand. 

"I won't let you step on me anymore," Obito said. " I know now that letting someone use your name and handle things for you isn't the same as truly entrusting them with the task. I am not you." Gaara, Minato, and Kakashi regained themselves, all panting. Gaara looked over at Naruto, his eyes widened even more at his cousin. The black staff with rings formed at Obito's hands. "The current me is the one who wanted to be Hokage, Obito Uchiha."

"Obito!" Minato breathed as Gaara went over to Aceso, he flipped her over on her back. Gaara unzipped the jacket and raised her long sleeve shirt, then the fishnet armor shirt that was underneath. He paused, this was the first time he's seen all the damage caused by Sasuke. He took out a container of the chakra ointment, his hand sand spun a circle dip into the container, then he placed the chakra drenched sand onto Aceso's stomach, then spread rapidly across her body, the chakra began to settle in. It was a technique the two came up with, Gaara had a desire to heal people like her to the best of his ability. 

"Obito, you've finally found yourself," Kakashi said. Madara reached forward, he passed right through Madara's head. 

"I passed through," Madara said. "That's your original right eye's power.  Madara jumped back, getting away from Obito. "Are you really trying to extract the tailed beasts and thereby weaken me? How could you possibly think that you can win against me? You're so weak. You were only able to grab a small piece of one tail and eights tails." There was a chakra of the tailed beasts, in Obito's hand that he extracted from Madara.

"Quick, Kakashi!" Obito called out. "Take Naruto to our time-space!" 

"Kamui!" Kakashi exclaimed as he warped away Naruto and Sakura into the time-space along with the help from Obito. Madara then threw two black balls, they collided with a green barrier causing an explosion. Gaara looked down to see that Aceso had come back around, her eyes were glowing green.

"Don't overdo it and knock yourself out," Gaara advised as he sat her up. 

"Where's Naruto and Sakura?" Aceso asked looking back, her eyes went back to normal.

"They are somewhere safe," Gaara answered. The smoke cleared; Obito had jumped back, he was still on his feet. Madara was looking over at them, he glared at Aceso, and he put his eyes back on Obito.

"Since at one time he's been in Sage mode, he was able to steal some Sage power from me, along with the tail beasts' chakra," Madara said. 

"I've transported Naruto," Kakashi informed appearing Obito. "So all that's left is for you send yourself there and Naruto can be saved. Right, Obito?"

"Oh, damn it," Obito laughed. "You're still talking down to me and acting so superior. Just like old times. This time, I'm gonna take point. You'll be my backup, Kakashi."

"It's been a while since we were a two-man squad," Kakashi said. "Don't stumble, Obito."

"Are you prepared?" Obito asked. 

"Yeah, I'm glad my final op is with you," Kakashi admitted. 

"Obito," Minato breathed. "Kakashi."

"Obito, I'll have you return to me everything I'd loaned you, especially my left eye," Madara said. 

"Are you worried?" Obito asked. "Madara, you once said only with both together could the Sharingan's true power be unleashed. And so--"

"You're wrong. Those are Rinnegan, not just Sharingan," Madara corrected. 

"You're wrong," Obito denied.

"Hm?" Madara asked. 

"I'm talking about these eyes," Obito corrected, he referred to sharing in Kakashi and himself. Madara launched two black balls, Minato started to run forward with a kunai in his mouth, and he fell forward. 

"Kamui!" they both shouted. Obito has transported away, as there was a giant aftershock. 

"They performed Kamui at the same time!" Madara exclaimed. "And doing so doubled the speed of the Jutsu!" The debris cleared, and in the distance, Aceso could see green lighting up the night.

"Papa!" Aceso breathed with a smile. 

"You actually had perfect timing, for once," Kakashi said. 

"You all right, Kakashi?!" Gai asked. "And how about you kid?!" He looked over at Aceso. She gave a weak thumbs-up, and Gai returned the thumbs up.  

"I've seen you before," Madara said. 

"Hm?" Gai asked looking back at him. "Who is that?!"