Below, the ranks of the Allied Shinobi Forces erupted in astonished murmurs. After all, each of the five figures above represented the very peak of the ninja world.
"I am Rasa, Fourth Kazekage and Captain of the Allied Shinobi Forces' First Division! I will lead you in a direct assault to break the enemy!"
"Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Rasa stepped forward, arms crossed as he shouted his declaration.
His words immediately stirred a response from below.
"Lord Rasa!"
"The strongest Magnet Release user! Lord Rasa's Gold Dust will overwhelm them!"
The Sunagakure ninja were the first to roar—this was their own Kage, after all, and support was mandatory.
The other villages' ninja were surprised as well, but not nearly as worked up.
He wasn't their Kage, so why get that excited?
"Hehehe, Lord Kazekage is certainly fired up today. I am the elderly Ōnoki, Captain of the Second Division."
Even while introducing himself, Ōnoki couldn't resist needling Rasa. His introduction, however, was much simpler—age had cooled his enthusiasm.
Even so, Ōnoki's reputation remained unmatched. Though old, he was still a legend of the ninja world.
"Alright, are you two determined to compete forever?"
"Quit stalling already."
Kazuyama Gekkō finally snapped. These two were always taking turns one-upping each other. He stepped forward, unable to watch any longer.
At that moment, looking out at the Allied Shinobi Forces, a sense of satisfaction filled him.
Akatsukigakure was far weaker than in the original timeline. Even with some unknown factors remaining, the current Allied Shinobi Forces were overwhelmingly powerful.
And with the Jinchūriki under his protection, he felt absolutely no fear.
"Lord Mizukage, I'm terrible at all this pre-battle speech stuff. You handle it."
"As for those two, leave them be. We can call them again when it's time to move out."
Kazuyama's blood was boiling from the sight below, but when it came time to speak, he froze. He had no choice but to pass the responsibility to someone more suited for stirring up a crowd.
Terumi gave him a sharp glare but still stepped forward—he was her sensei, after all. She had to help.
After nearly ten minutes of rallying the troops, the ninja below finally cast aside their personal grudges and united their hostility toward Akatsuki.
Fighting spirit surged like a breaking storm.
The roars grew louder and louder.
Seeing this, Kazuyama Gekkō smacked his lips and muttered, "These days, having a sharp tongue is everything. Honestly."
"Yahiko, see? What really defeats people isn't ninjutsu or kekkei genkai—it's speech."
"Just a few minutes, and she stirred up eighty thousand people. Absolutely terrifying."
Yahiko nodded seriously. Looking at Terumi now, he couldn't help recalling the past—when this girl had been just a child.
Years of forging had shaped her into a true powerhouse.
"Alright, time to move."
"Kazuyama, what's your plan? Charge straight in?"
Kazuyama nodded and answered firmly, "Things have already reached this point. The enemy's entire army has been exposed."
"No matter what, these White Zetsu and inhuman creatures cannot be allowed to survive. Our main force's mission is to wipe them out. As for what comes after, leave that to the Five Kage."
Yahiko studied him. For some reason, he felt Kazuyama was holding something back, but he couldn't guess what.
At that moment, Terumi's voice boomed across the battlefield:
"Battle!"
"All units! Form up and move out!"
At her shout, Kazuyama and Yahiko both turned to the distant sky.
Kazuyama, abandoning all traces of his usual playful demeanor, was completely serious.
"It's begun."
"Let's go. Time for us to get moving too!"
The next second, Kazuyama vanished—not through Flying Thunder God Technique, but by launching straight into the air and flying out.
Ōnoki blinked in surprise.
"That brat can fly too? Ah… I'm getting old. Kids these days are terrifying."
"Enough, Lord Tsuchikage. Save the chatter—we're moving."
Responding to Ōnoki's remark, Rasa also took flight—using Magnet Release. Gold Dust formed beneath his feet, lifting him as he shot forward.
Three of the five captains could fly.
Only Terumi and Yahiko remained earthbound, leaving both utterly speechless.
.....
Kikyō Pass, Land of Fire.
Muren Uchiha and Black Zetsu remained at the base, still preparing.
"How are your eyes? Is the fusion going well?"
"Almost. I can feel it—give me one more day, and they'll be completely integrated."
"Aoi and I may not be related by blood, but our bond surpasses blood itself!"
Muren Uchiha's eyes were wrapped in bandages, and his aura had grown increasingly sinister. Even without sight, the suffocating pressure he emitted startled Black Zetsu.
He thought: It's just eye fusion… how did this kid's personality change too?
"Good. I'll begin now."
"Mhm. The war has already started. To crush the Allied Shinobi Forces quickly, his revival is essential."
Muren understood now—seizing the tailed beasts by force was too difficult with their current strength.
They had no choice but to rely on that man's power.
Black Zetsu detached himself from White Zetsu's body, then wrapped around Chiyo with black substance, forcibly controlling her.
At the same time, a coffin burst up from beneath the ground.
"Ninja Art: One's Own Life Reincarnation Technique!"
Chiyo's aged voice rang out. In the next instant, she placed both hands on the coffin, unleashing a brilliant blue light.
Feeling the life force radiating from it, Black Zetsu couldn't help sighing.
"I must admit… that old hag Chiyo really is a genius."
"I once thought resurrection techniques were possible only with the Rinnegan. Who knew she truly developed a forbidden jutsu capable of bringing someone back to life?"
"Muren, be ready. If the old woman's chakra isn't enough, you'll need to assist."
Chiyo was old—her vitality and chakra were nowhere near their former levels. Completing this technique alone was unlikely.
External support would be necessary.
Muren Uchiha nodded. Though blind, his sensory perception was still sharp. He quietly moved behind Chiyo.
The reincarnation technique continued, and Chiyo's condition worsened visibly.
"Muren! Help!"
At Black Zetsu's command, Muren raised his right hand and poured his chakra into Chiyo's weakening body, sustaining the reincarnation technique.
The process dragged on for a long time, until—
BOOM!
The coffin burst apart, and a demonic aura surged outward with overwhelming force.