Naruto running out there was completely expected. It would've been a miracle if he hadn't.
Kiyosuke had only given the headquarters a small suggestion. He figured that the Fourth Raikage and Tsunade were already on their way to bring the two Jinchūriki back.
After all, the whole reason for this war was to protect their own Jinchūriki. Letting them join the battlefield would only expose their greatest weakness to the enemy.
Not long after, a report came from headquarters.
"Captain Kiyosuke," the communications officer called out, "we've received orders from headquarters. The Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Naruto, and the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki, Killer Bee, have entered the battle."
Kushina's voice immediately rang out.
"What?! That child joined the war?"
"Y-Yes…" The communications officer nearly jumped out of his seat.
"Kiyosuke! How could you let Naruto join such a dangerous war?" Kushina demanded angrily. In her eyes, Naruto was still just a kid.
Kiyosuke replied calmly, "Don't worry. If Lady Tsunade agreed to let them fight, that means Naruto's already mastered the Nine-Tails' chakra. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to sense the war from that distance. We all went out of our way to keep this war hidden from him, remember?"
"I see." Kushina finally relaxed, then sighed. "That boy's nothing like Minato. He's nowhere near as calm."
"Yeah, yeah, you're right. That kid never listens—ow!"
Kiyosuke didn't even finish before Kushina punched him square in the shoulder. Her smile was sweet and terrifying.
"What was that? I didn't quite catch what you said."
"Uh—nothing! I didn't say anything!" Kiyosuke coughed to cover it up and quickly turned to the communications officer. "What about the other battlefields?"
"The First and Second Divisions have engaged the enemy, but they're holding on. The Fourth Division's opponents, however… are multiple Kage-level shinobi."
"Multiple?" Kiyosuke frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
The officer's face turned pale.
"From the First to the Fourth Kazekage, the Second and Third Mizukage, the First to Third Raikage, and the First and Second Tsuchikage."
"..."
"..."
The entire tent went silent.
Except for the Hokage, every other Kage had been resurrected by Edo Tensei.
This… was going to be rough.
Good lord, how many graves did Kabuto dig up this time?!
Kiyosuke rubbed his temples.
"Get in touch with Lady Tsunade again. Tell her to transfer me there. Otherwise, the Kazekage won't be able to hold the line."
Gaara alone wouldn't be enough to stop them, even with all his men. Thankfully, the enemy hadn't begun their full assault yet.
"Yes, sir!"
The communications officer snapped to attention and relayed Kiyosuke's request. After a quick discussion between Tsunade, the Fourth Raikage, and Ōnoki, the proposal was approved.
Originally, Raikage and Ōnoki had planned to depart themselves, but now it was decided that Tsunade and Raikage would stay behind while Ōnoki and Kiyosuke headed for the Third Division's battlefield.
Ōnoki had to go—since the Second Tsuchikage, a master of the Dust Release, was there.
"Contact Obito. Have him transport Ōnoki and Kiyosuke to the Kazekage's position! The Third Division will temporarily fall under Kakashi's command," Tsunade ordered decisively.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Yamanaka Inoichi immediately began the connection.
Moments later, Obito appeared and teleported Ōnoki away.
Inside the Third Division's command tent, Obito and Ōnoki materialized out of thin air.
The moment he saw Kushina, Obito fell to his knees.
"Forgive me… for everything I did back then…"
Thud!
Obito hadn't phased himself, and Kushina's punch sent him flying.
"You idiot! How could you let yourself get controlled so easily?!"
"S-Sorry!"
Kushina grabbed him by the collar and started beating him again.
Kiyosuke and Kakashi stood to the side, wisely choosing not to interfere. When Kushina finally dusted off her hands, she said with a smile,
"I'll let you off this time. You've got a lot of work ahead of you. Otherwise, you'd be bedridden for months."
"You could kill me if you want, I wouldn't complain," Obito muttered weakly, getting up with a bruised face.
"Who said anything about killing you? Just make sure you take care of Naruto for me."
"I will."
"Kiyosuke, do you have any spare clothes? I can't exactly go into battle dressed like this," Kushina said, glancing down at her housewife outfit.
"I can fix that for you."
Normally, the Edo Tensei form appeared as whatever the dead wore at the time of death—but that was just the default. It could be altered. For example, Uchiha Madara was summoned wearing his old battle armor, even though he hadn't died in it.
With a simple thought, Kiyosuke changed Kushina's attire into a sleek, combat-ready ninja outfit, complete with a Konoha forehead protector.
"This feels nostalgic," she said, flexing her arms and legs. "Ever since I married Minato, I haven't gone on a mission."
Uzumaki Mito, on the other hand, didn't bother changing. Her clothes were already suitable for movement.
"I'll come with you," Mito said. "Facing that many Kage alone isn't something to take lightly. I'll leave behind a shadow clone here."
"Alright."
Kiyosuke didn't refuse. He nodded.
Obito, his face swollen, mumbled, "Let's go."
"Yeah. I'm counting on you here, Kakashi."
"Got it."
Kakashi nodded firmly. He had his hands full already—with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist roaming around, there was more than enough chaos for him to handle.
Kiyosuke and the others departed, reappearing on the Wind Country battlefield where Gaara was stationed.
Gaara had already been informed of their arrival and immediately briefed them on the situation.
Ōnoki spoke first. "Mū's abilities are too tricky. I'll handle him. But as for the First…"
"Leave that to me," said Uzumaki Mito calmly. "I can handle three Kage at once."
So this was the confidence of a true sealing master!
Kiyosuke nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you, Mito-sama. Kushina, how many can you take on?"
Kushina thought for a moment. "I'll take the Third Mizukage."
"Good. Obito, you handle the Raikage. Every single one of them mastered Lightning Release Armor—walking tanks that refuse to die. You're the best one to stall them."
"Understood."
"Also, go get Itachi from the Surprise Attack Division. We'll need every bit of power we can muster. And if possible, drag one of Naruto's shadow clones over here. This place is about to become the main battlefield."
"Alright."
Gaara frowned slightly. "Naruto's shadow clone won't make much difference."
"It'll be enough," Kiyosuke replied. "Even a clone in Nine-Tails Mode has immense power."
He took a deep breath, eyes blazing.
"The rest… leave it to me. I'll show them what real strength looks like today."
Ōnoki chuckled. "Big words for a youngster. Don't let your mouth write checks your body can't cash!"
"Don't worry, old man," Kiyosuke smirked. "Just make sure you don't throw your back out."
----------------
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (536 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)
