Chapter 294: The War Erupts — My Era Begins!
"...So it's begun, huh?"
At the border of the Land of Fire, in a quiet, remote town, a man wrapped in bandages sat by the window, frowning deeply.
Beside him, a slender youth with a delicate face — almost feminine — sighed softly.
"Yes, Zabuza-sama," the youth said. "All the villages are on the move."
It was none other than Momochi Zabuza and Haku.
Ever since they were freed by Kitagawa Gen after the Battle of the Wave Country, the two had chosen to disappear — settling in a hidden corner of the continent to live in peace.
But that peace was short-lived.
The war that now engulfed the entire shinobi world left nowhere untouched.
Zabuza let out a low chuckle.
"Damn it... what a mess."
Then, unexpectedly, his lips curved into a feral grin.
"But it's also... kind of exciting, isn't it?"
Haku looked at him in surprise.
"Zabuza-sama... are we going to leave this place?"
Zabuza thought for a moment.
"Maybe heading toward the Land of Fire wouldn't be a bad idea. After all, that Fifth Hokage is there."
"You mean to seek refuge?" Haku asked.
Zabuza snorted.
"Refuge? No. We're not going there to hide."
He drew the kunai from his belt and turned it over in his hand, eyes glinting.
"That guy spared our lives once. I still don't like owing people — even him. Guess it's time we do something to settle that debt."
"Are you saying we should... join the war?"
Zabuza grinned.
"Exactly. A spectacle this grand — how could we sit it out?"
---
All across the continent, others were making the same decision.
As the Fourth Great Ninja War erupted in full force, no one could truly remain neutral.
Wandering shinobi, mercenaries, and rogue fighters began drifting toward the Land of Fire, answering the call of chaos.
Many — like Zabuza and Haku — came on their own, while others gathered in clusters near Amegakure, forming impromptu militias.
Even Taki-nin and shinobi from small nations like the Land of Frost arrived to offer their blades.
Surprisingly, a handful of Cloud-nin also crossed the borders — claiming they came "of their own free will" to aid the fight.
Though Kumogakure as a whole remained silent, their individual shinobi spoke of "justice" and "honor."
This war was unlike any before it.
---
In the central command base of the Land of Fire's capital, Nara Shikaku stood over a massive tactical map, rubbing his temples.
Across from him, his longtime friend Yamanaka Inoichi gave a wry smile.
"This war really is different, isn't it?" Shikaku muttered.
Previous wars had always been about territory — defending home, expanding influence, or protecting one's village.
But this time, it was an organization declaring war on the entire shinobi world.
Even for veterans like them, it was unprecedented.
Inoichi chuckled. "Maybe the Hokage's right — Uchiha Obito really has lost his mind. But still... our job's not exactly easy either."
"Yeah." Shikaku exhaled. "The forces have already been divided into five divisions — three large fronts, one maritime unit for Uzushio and Wave, and one rapid-response force for reinforcements."
He paused, frowning.
"Although that last one's still not fully assembled..."
Inoichi nodded. "Naruto's Nine-Tails isn't exactly behaving. Sasuke's still recovering too. A headache, isn't it?"
"True," Shikaku said. "At least we've got the Second and Fourth Hokage to stabilize the frontlines — and our Fifth, Gen, can move at any time."
Inoichi smiled faintly. "If it's Kitagawa Gen, no one doubts him. Not even the elders."
They both chuckled, though the tension never left the room.
"The real problem," Shikaku added, "is all those unaffiliated shinobi pouring in. We can't tell who's genuine and who's a spy."
Inoichi sighed. "And we can't exactly turn them away either. Can't risk demoralizing potential allies."
"Exactly. If any of them are Akatsuki infiltrators, it'll be a nightmare."
"And don't get me started on those Cloud-nin showing up on their own," Inoichi said dryly. "Acting like heroes while their Kage says nothing."
"Trying to play both sides, most likely." Shikaku stretched and smirked. "Well, we've got our hands full. Let's make sure our divisions hold their lines. Coordination's the key."
Inoichi nodded, glancing around the crowded command post — filled with shinobi from Konoha, Iwa, Suna, and Kiri, all working side by side.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "This war... really is something else."
---
Meanwhile, the first division, led by Kakashi Hatake, advanced toward enemy territory.
Before long, the white earth trembled — and a wave of pale bodies began emerging from the ground.
"White Zetsu..." Kakashi muttered, his Sharingan narrowing.
But what caught his attention were four figures at the front — all wearing Kirigakure forehead protectors, their faces cracked and pale.
"Reanimation jutsu," Kakashi said grimly.
Behind them, more shinobi appeared — reanimated soldiers from every hidden village.
"The Akatsuki really went all out," muttered Might Guy, eyes narrowing. "They've brought back everyone."
Then, spotting the familiar shapes of massive blades gleaming under the light, his mood shifted.
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist...! Incredible! My blood's boiling already!"
"Hey, hey!" Kakashi rolled his eye. "This is war, not a sparring match."
Guy just grinned, thumbs up. "I know, I know! But if they're here, then youth must burn brighter than ever!"
Kakashi sighed but couldn't help smiling. He lifted his headband, revealing his Sharingan.
"Fine. But remember — reanimated shinobi can't be killed. Tell the sealing unit to stay close, and protect them at all costs."
"Yes, sir!" Guy saluted. "You may have the better students, Kakashi, but my spirit burns hotter than ever!"
"Yeah, yeah," Kakashi muttered, preparing for battle.
---
Then, his Sharingan caught something — movement from the treeline.
A figure leapt into view, followed by another — both familiar.
"...Wait a second. Is that—"
Zabuza landed on the battlefield, his massive sword resting across his shoulder, Haku right behind him.
Kakashi blinked.
"Zabuza? You're alive?"
Across the field, even the reanimated Mist shinobi froze — the sight of the once-dead swordsman throwing them into confusion.
"Well, well," one of them rasped, grinning through cracked lips.
"Isn't this a surprise... Momochi Zabuza. Didn't think you'd still be breathing."
"Zabuza… still alive, huh?"
The massive man with the shark-like face — Kisame Hoshigaki's predecessor, Hōzuki Fuguki — raised a brow and smirked oddly.
Beside him, Kuriarare Kushimaru said nothing, while Jinpachi Munashi let out a cold chuckle.
"So you're the one who picked up Jūzō Biwa's sword, huh? Guess you've got some skill if you managed that much."
"Yeah," another voice joined in, low and dismissive. Ameyuri Ringo's eyes narrowed. "I heard only you and Kisame survived after defecting from the Mist.
Didn't expect to see you fighting for Konoha."
"Che," Jinin Akebino spat, looking Zabuza up and down with disdain before his eyes shifted toward the man behind him.
His expression hardened.
"Well, well. Isn't this the brat from back then?" He sneered. "Let's see how you compare to your father!"
At that, the other members of the reanimated Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist turned their eyes toward Might Guy — each face twisted with buried rage.
Because all of them still remembered.
Years ago, Guy's father, Might Duy, had single-handedly annihilated the Seven with his forbidden technique — the Eight Gates Formation.
Even those who had survived that day were forever scarred by the memory.
And now, standing before Duy's son, they could feel that same burning fire staring right back at them.
---
Kakashi's Sharingan flickered.
"Why are you here?" he asked, voice wary but tinged with curiosity.
"Gen let you two go free. I thought you'd gone into hiding."
"Hmph." Zabuza grunted, resting the Decapitating Blade on his shoulder.
"This war doesn't belong to just you lot."
His eyes shifted toward the reanimated swordsmen across the field.
"You think I could live quietly while these bastards are still around? Don't forget — they once tried to recruit me."
"So," he said, lips curling into a grin, "I figured I'd return the favor… with my blade."
Kakashi blinked, then smiled faintly. "Guess we'll be fighting side by side this time."
Zabuza laughed. "Strange world, isn't it?"
"Very," Kakashi replied. "But I'll take all the help I can get."
"Just don't slow me down, Copy Ninja," Zabuza said, smirking. "If Gen trusted you to lead, you'd better not make me regret it."
"Please," Kakashi shot back, amused. "You've never beaten me. Don't start bragging now."
Zabuza chuckled lowly. "Then let's see if that changes today."
---
Kakashi's voice grew sharp.
"All units — move out! Engage the enemy!"
With that command, the Konoha and Allied shinobi surged forward. The sealing teams stayed close behind, forming protective circles as the battlefield erupted into chaos.
All across the continent, the same scene repeated — clashes breaking out between the living and the dead.
In one sector, Ōnoki's successors — Kurotsuchi and her father Kitsuchi — fought side by side, launching volleys of Earth Release jutsu that shook the ground.
In another, Temari and Kankurō faced their resurrected enemies from the Sand's dark past.
Even the Mist's forces had met their adversaries head-on.
This war had no warm-up, no testing phase — it was total combat from the very first breath.
---
Meanwhile, far from the frontlines, inside the Allied Command Base, Deidara paced in frustration, tapping his fingers on the table.
"Seriously? The old man gets to join the reinforcement squads, and I'm stuck here babysitting maps? Unacceptable! Hmm!"
"Stop complaining," Mei Terumi sighed, massaging her temple. "As one of the current Kage, we can't just run off whenever we want."
"But Ōnoki hasn't even officially retired yet!" Deidara barked. "He's still out there fighting, and I'm here bored out of my mind! This is unfair, hmm!"
"You're an idiot," came a dry voice.
Kitagawa Gen leaned back in his chair, looking just as restless.
"I haven't been formally announced as the Fifth Hokage yet either, you know. But everyone already treats me like it.
And yes, it's annoying — but that's part of being a Kage. You stay put until it's time to strike."
Mei nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We have to stay calm. The Akatsuki's core members haven't even shown up yet."
She turned toward Gen with curiosity. "So… any guess when they'll move?"
Gen shrugged. "Hard to say."
Of course, that was only half true. Kisame had already sent him plenty of inside information — enough to know that Akatsuki's inner circle was on the move, converging toward the battlefields.
At the same time, Orochimaru had reactivated Kabuto Yakushi, feeding him intel about Konoha's inner structure.
Once those two forces collided, the war would reach a whole new level of intensity.
---
"The real concern," Gen murmured, "is that Nagato, Kimimaro, and Obito are all active now. Only Madara's whereabouts remain uncertain."
It didn't surprise him that those three had joined the fray — all of them had reasons tied to their own "evolution" and the power of their Seals.
Madara, though… was a different problem entirely.
No one knew where he was hiding. But when he appeared, the consequences would shake the world.
Still, Gen's tone was calm, even amused.
"It doesn't matter," he said lightly. "Hashirama's been waiting for him. When those two finally meet again, things will get… interesting."
He stretched, smiling faintly to himself.
This war was unfolding exactly as he had planned — and this time, they held the advantage.
The only irritation was Sasuke's incomplete progress — his eyes hadn't fully stabilized yet.
"That's slowing down my next phase," Gen muttered.
He needed both Indra's and Ashura's power to complete his grand design — but he was close, very close.
"Besides," he added softly, "the God Tree within me is nearly fully restored. Its fruit is ripening."
He clenched his fist, chakra pulsing faintly.
"All that's left…" he said, eyes gleaming, "…is for Obito or Nagato to unleash the Ten-Tails."
A faint smile curved his lips — calm, cold, and certain.
"When that happens…"
He looked out at the distant horizon, where lightning and fire flashed across the night sky.
"…that will be the dawn of my era."