As he trailed behind Toshiro, Raizou steadily advanced toward the heart of the battlefield, where the largest concentration of Kiri ninjas had gathered.
Ordinarily, his cold and reserved nature would have kept him from such unnecessary actions. However, as he watched the Hokage's figure disappear into the fray, a surge of emotion welled up within him—something he could no longer suppress.
How could they afford to falter when their leader charged forward without hesitation?
Even if they couldn't influence the battles unfolding around the Hokage, they were still more than capable of handling the Kiri ninjas on their own.
And it wasn't just him. One by one, Konoha's shinobi unleashed strength beyond their limits, rallying behind the flowing white robe of their leader. The battlefield shifted as they surged forward, launching a fierce counterattack against the overwhelming forces of Kirigakure.
Their voices rose in a resounding battle cry, an unstoppable force ignited by the example set before them.
—
He hadn't expected Toshiro's strength to grow to such terrifying levels. Watching him advance toward Yagura, Obito couldn't shake the unease creeping into his thoughts.
Perched on a concealed tree at the battlefield's edge, Black Zetsu's expression darkened—though, given his inky complexion, it was impossible to discern. His voice carried a note of frustration as he muttered, "Obito!"
His gaze remained locked on Toshiro, recalling the sheer precision and brutality of his recent actions. "Could he have awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan?"
The thought unsettled him. If not for the fact that Madara had perished only a few years ago and the timelines didn't align, he might have even suspected Toshiro to be the reincarnation of Indra. Otherwise, how else could one explain his seemingly limitless growth in power?
And then there was Obito—that fool—who had even lost his treasured Gunbai. Now wielding it, Toshiro was more formidable than ever.
Even more dangerous. Even more unpredictable.
"I don't know…" Obito muttered, irritation flickering in his voice. His gaze followed Toshiro's relentless advance. "But… he's still holding back. If he fully unleashes his Senjutsu, even Nagato might struggle against him."
He had always known Toshiro was strong—he had even respected him as a brother—but this?
This was something else entirely.
Ever since he had awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, Obito had never truly regarded Toshiro as a threat. He had assumed his own power was leagues above. But when they crossed paths again not long ago, he was met with an unpleasant surprise—one that shook his confidence.
First came the unsettling news from Orochimaru, hinting that Toshiro had possibly unlocked the Mangekyō as well. Obito had dismissed it at first, focusing instead on using Danzo to eradicate what remained of the Uchiha clan. But before he could execute his plan, Toshiro once again proved to be an anomaly.
And this time, it was even worse.
Now, it seemed the man had evolved his Sharingan even further—attaining the Eternal Mangekyō. That fact gnawed at Obito, filling him with unease.
How could this be?
"Wasn't I supposed to be the savior of this world?"
Ever since unlocking Kamui and setting his sights on the Tsuki no me plan, he had carried himself as though he were the chosen one—the one destined to reshape the world in his vision. And yet, standing before him was his so-called brother, growing stronger at a terrifying rate, as if he were the true protagonist of this tale.
Worse still, Toshiro had acknowledged him. Recognized him. And for some reason, that unsettled him even more.
Obito's fingers clenched into a fist as he exhaled slowly. Then, an idea surfaced in his mind—a way to gauge the depth of this unsettling power.
"How about we let the Three-Tails test his strength first?"
Yagura had outlived his usefulness. After this war, a failed Mizukage would have no authority to control the Kiri ninja. His reign was already crumbling, and there was no salvaging it.
It was time to discard this chess piece.
"Are you sure..."
Hearing Black Zetsu's hoarse voice, Obito hesitated for a brief moment.
"Well... Nagato is nearly done with his preparations, and the Akatsuki is already moving in the right direction. There's no need to keep our hold on Kirigakure anymore."
His gaze locked onto the distant figure of Toshiro. Compared to Karatachi Yagura, uncovering the truth about Toshiro's eyes was far more critical.
Obito exhaled lightly and made his decision.
"Fine. Let him go."
A deafening roar suddenly tore through the battlefield.
Before Toshiro could close the distance to Yagura, the Mizukage's body began to swell and distort at an alarming rate.
"Fall back! The Fourth Mizukage is about to unleash the Three-Tails! Retreat immediately!"
As the chilling cry echoed across the battlefield, both Kiri and Konoha ninjas alike sprang into action. None of them needed further explanation. The sight before them made it clear—Yagura had lost control, and in his rage, the Three-Tails was about to be unleashed.
No one wasted a second.
At full speed, the battlefield scattered, shinobi fleeing from the imminent chaos at the heart of the war.
Even Mei Terumi, who had been locked in battle with the Third Hokage, was momentarily stunned by the sight before her. That brief lapse in focus nearly cost her life, as the Third Hokage's staff swung dangerously close.
"Yondaime... are you truly willing to fight to the death?"
Her expression darkened with uncertainty.
Since the moment the Fourth Hokage had arrived the previous night—bringing with him an underwhelming supply of reinforcements and provisions—Mei had already steeled herself for the inevitable. The Kiri ninja's defeat was all but certain.
But she had never expected the Fourth Mizukage to go this far.
For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into her mind. Had her own preparations been unnecessary? Should she and her forces abandon all hesitation and throw themselves into a final, desperate battle against Konoha?
"On the battlefield, distractions are fatal! Even if you are my junior, I will not hold back!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Hiruzen spun the golden staff—his trusted weapon, the transformed Monkey King Enma—before swinging it with relentless force toward Mei.
"An old man like you shouldn't linger too long on the battlefield," she shot back, swiftly dodging. "Or you might just end up staying here forever!"
Mei arched her back into an impressive curve, effortlessly evading the Third Hokage's sweeping attack. With a graceful flip, she landed lightly, never ceasing her movement, her agility on full display.
As she skillfully dodged his successive strikes, her lithe figure and exceptional flexibility became all the more apparent.
"I never expected the great Third Hokage to be old in years but still so... youthful in spirit."
Her teasing remark came as she caught his gaze lingering—ever so briefly—on the slit of her battle attire.
Yet, rather than reacting with anger, Mei only smirked and playfully threw him a wink.
"Ahem..."
The Third Hokage cleared his throat, suddenly aware that he had been caught. For the first time in the battle, he looked somewhat flustered.
"I was merely experiencing a brief chakra shortage… yes, that's all it was—a chakra shortage!" He quickly justified, his voice just a little too firm.
Mei rolled her eyes, unimpressed.
'As if I'd believe that nonsense.'
She knew better than to let her guard down against him. The old fox was cunning, always weaving hidden traps and employing unpredictable tactics.
Better to play it safe.
"Boil Release: Acidic Fog!"
Though she brushed off his wandering gaze, her hands never hesitated. Without wasting a moment, she unleashed a torrent of her bloodline ninjutsu, sending waves of corrosive mist hurtling toward the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen, willing to endure his opponent's wrath, found himself relentlessly pursued, forced into retreat.
As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours.
"Hiruzen... it's time."
A weary voice echoed from Enma in his grip. A single eye blinked open along its surface, casting a tired glance at the aging Hokage.
"This fog is too corrosive. My chakra is completely drained. The rest of the battle is up to you!"
"What?! Enma, you—"
Before the Third Hokage could protest, tEnma dissolved into a puff of white smoke, vanishing from his grasp.
Left alone to face an opponent brimming with relentless energy, Hiruzen let out a bitter sigh. There was no time to curse his longtime summon for abandoning him at such a crucial moment.
Thinking quickly, he formed several shadow clones around himself. As they took shape, he seamlessly blended into their ranks, using the distraction to obscure his true position, hoping to slip from Mei's immediate focus.
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