The situation on the battlefield had become crystal clear.
Thanks to Naruto's intervention, every major front of the Shinobi Alliance had entered its final phase.
Ever since Naruto activated his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, he was able to sense the chakra signatures of White Zetsu hidden amongst the ranks of the Allied Shinobi Forces. As a result, Kabuto's subversion strategy, originally designed to turn allied shinobi against one another, was only partially effective in the early stages.
But once Naruto began appearing on each battlefield via his Shadow Clones, the tide shifted dramatically. The disguised White Zetsu forces were exposed and systematically annihilated.
Left with no better option, Kabuto issued the command: retreat.
Meanwhile, Black Zetsu continued probing for weaknesses in the Mizukage's defenses, trying to locate and abduct the Feudal Lords, but the Mist's protection was airtight. After a failed ambush where he was nearly cleaved in two, Black Zetsu barely escaped with his life and returned to the hidden base.
Inside the underground hideout, Kabuto stood before both Black and White Zetsu.
"The battlefield is no longer in our favor," Kabuto said coldly. "The pieces I've deployed are nearly exhausted. We can't afford to sacrifice any more White Zetsu. Pull them all back!"
White Zetsu scratched his head and muttered, "I'll have to ask Tobi's permission first…"
Kabuto scoffed. "Why bother asking him? He's barely managing to protect himself. He can't even take down Naruto's real body. Meanwhile, that kid's clones are flying all over the battlefield, creating chaos."
Kabuto was clearly irritated.
Black Zetsu nodded, his voice dark and calm. "The commander has overextended. We're within our rights to act. Besides… Uchiha Madara has been fully resurrected."
Kabuto narrowed his eyes and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. The glint in his lenses revealed that he had expected this. White Zetsu was a follower without initiative—he never made decisions himself. The one truly calling the shots was Black Zetsu, and he had always been loyal to Madara at heart.
Indeed, the moment Madara returned, Black Zetsu had wasted no time siding with him. Even when Obito had tried to assert control, it was clear where Black Zetsu's allegiance truly lay.
With that, the trio made their next move. After coming to a mutual agreement, they withdrew the remaining White Zetsu army from the battlefield and disappeared underground, moving toward Obito's location.
At this point, the war had changed. The era of scattered skirmishes was over—what remained now was large-scale confrontation. Even Madara himself was moving toward Naruto.
Across the Allied Forces, shinobi began noticing that their enemies were falling back. The Reanimated shinobi were making their last stands. The weaker among them, unable to retreat in time, were quickly sealed.
As Shikaku Nara received intelligence from across all units and consolidated it at headquarters, he turned to Naruto.
"Your thoughts, Naruto?"
Naruto gave a small smile. Everything was going according to plan.
One Hundred Thousand White Zetsu.
In his previous life, these White Zetsu clones had caused massive casualties across the Alliance. What most didn't know was that these Zetsu soldiers were created from the people trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi during Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's era. Each Zetsu, in essence, carried the combat ability of at least a Genin.
But in this life, Naruto had taken control of the war's rhythm from the beginning.
His strategy had been twofold: accelerate the battle timeline to reduce Allied casualties and force the enemy to retreat the White Zetsu army prematurely.
So far, only about 20,000 to 30,000 of the Zetsu had been eliminated. That meant 70,000 to 80,000 Zetsu were still intact—a precious and powerful resource.
To others, this might not mean much.
But to Naruto, this was everything.
These White Zetsu weren't just soldiers. They were ideal sacrifices for the Impure World Reincarnation. They were perfect raw materials—ready vessels for the reanimation jutsu.
Naruto had already made up his mind.
In order to combat the threat beyond the stars—the Ōtsutsuki Clan—he needed an immortal army. He needed bodies, he needed souls, and he needed Kabuto's jutsu.
Although Kabuto had been sealed temporarily, Itachi, Shisui, and Kisame had already been dispatched with strict orders.
Their mission was to locate Kabuto, break his control over the Reanimation Jutsu, and bring him under Naruto's command.
If Itachi's Izanami couldn't break Kabuto's twisted psyche, then Shisui's Kotoamatsukami would be the failsafe. A single use could overwrite Kabuto's very will and force him to obey Naruto.
Once Kabuto was secured, all of his reanimated ninja would become Naruto's own army of the undead.
And the White Zetsu? They would be the blank canvases upon which this army would be painted.
If they weren't enough, there were countless unmarked graves across the world—Naruto would open them all.
He took a deep breath and snapped back to the present.
"It's fine," Naruto said calmly. "Everything is proceeding as expected. Uncle Shikaku, continue the original plan. Let the troops advance."
Shikaku and the Fourth Raikage exchanged glances. Though they had silent doubts, they chose to trust Naruto's judgment.
Meanwhile — Kabuto's Hideout
Black Zetsu disappeared underground to track down Madara.
White Zetsu returned to the trees, guiding the retreating army toward Obito's location.
Kabuto remained behind, considering his last few trump cards—deciding where he could still do the most damage before the final act.
What he didn't know was that Itachi, Shisui, and Kisame were already closing in on him.
Obito's Side
After Killer Bee released a massive Tailed Beast Bomb, the surrounding forest had been obliterated. The blast carved a crater so deep that even within that, another pit had formed—inside of which lay the Eight-Tails, panting heavily.
Orochimaru, observing from afar, clapped and chuckled. "Truly astounding. The destructive power of the Eight-Tails never ceases to amaze."
Minato nodded in agreement. "Comparable to a Tailed Beast Bomb from Kurama himself."
Naruto grinned. "Let's move in."
He placed his hands on Orochimaru and Minato to prepare for a teleportation jump.
But Orochimaru quickly shrugged him off.
Naruto frowned.
"I don't think I should be present for the next scene," Orochimaru said with a smirk. "It's better I observe from afar."
Naruto gave a teasing smile. "What's wrong, Uncle Snake? One of the Legendary Sannin afraid of a little chaos?"
Orochimaru shrugged, unfazed. "Not afraid. I just enjoy the view better from a distance."
Naruto nodded. Orochimaru's penchant for observation was well-known, so he grabbed Minato and teleported toward the Eight-Tails.
"Uncle Bee! That was insane!" Naruto said, landing beside him. "Massive destruction."
Naruto was clearly impressed—about a hundred meters away, all seven Reanimated Jinchūriki lay unconscious, collapsed in the aftermath of the blast.
The Eight-Tails rumbled. "Seal them now while they're down!"
Minato was surprised. "You know sealing techniques?"
Naruto nodded. "He does, but they won't be enough. Obito will act soon. That's why I waited."
Killer Bee grunted, then the Eight-Tails opened its mouth and expelled a massive amount of black ink.
"Sealing Technique: Furious Ink Clone Bind!"
The spilled ink formed multiple clones of Killer Bee, who rushed forward and pinned down the seven Jinchūriki with powerful restraint holds.
Minato had never seen this technique before. "What jutsu is that?"
The Eight-Tails explained, "Killer Bee's original sealing technique. The ink solidifies over three seconds and paralyzes the target. Once they can't move, just extract the control rods from their chests."
Minato's eyes lit up. "Perfect!"
But Naruto's smile faded. "They won't stay down for long."
In the distance, Orochimaru silently observed.
Killer Bee raised an eyebrow. "Yo, Naruto—don't doubt me! Let's count it down. One!"
Just as he said it, Obito emerged from a spiraling space-time vortex.
"Two!"
The vortex widened—out stepped Sasuke, Karin, Jugo, and Suigetsu.
"Three!"
Boom!
All seven Jinchūriki suddenly twitched, their bodies pulsing with new energy. Their forms began to morph—they had activated their Tailed Beast transformations.
The ink clones were shredded instantly.
Naruto sighed. "Told you, Uncle Bee."
Killer Bee cursed under his breath. "Damn it! You're so annoying sometimes!"
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