Naruto: The Second Chance of Obito Uchiha
Chapter 20: The Northern Front
Several days had passed since the destruction of Kannabi Bridge.
The victory had accomplished exactly what Konoha hoped.
With their supply lines severed and General Gansui dead, Iwagakure had ordered a temporary withdrawal from the western front to rebuild its logistics and appoint new commanders.
For the first time in months, the western battlefield fell quiet.
But the war itself only grew fiercer.
The moment Iwagakure stepped back…
Kumogakure surged forward.
Inside the Hidden Leaf, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before the great war map.
Colored markers covered every battlefield.
Shikaku Nara adjusted several pieces.
"The Stone has completed its organized withdrawal."
"They're rebuilding their western army."
Another commander stepped forward.
"As predicted, the Cloud has exploited the opening."
He pointed north.
"Their offensive has intensified."
Hiruzen nodded.
"They've committed their greatest weapons."
Messenger hawks immediately departed the Hokage Tower.
Each carried new orders to Konoha's battlefield commanders.
On the northern front, thousands of shinobi occupied an enormous military camp carved into the mountains.
Supply wagons arrived day and night.
Medical tents overflowed with wounded soldiers.
Scouts constantly came and went.
At the center of the camp stood Minato's command tent.
Minato studied a detailed map while Kakashi, Obito, and Rin waited nearby.
A messenger hawk landed on the table.
Minato broke the seal.
"The Hokage's latest orders."
He quickly read the report before looking at his team.
"Iwagakure has officially withdrawn from the western front."
Rin smiled.
"So our mission really changed the war."
Minato nodded.
"It gave Konoha breathing room."
His expression soon became serious.
"But that breathing room is over."
He pointed toward another section of the map.
"Kumogakure has launched a major offensive."
Not far from their position…
Jiraiya stood atop a fortified ridge overlooking the battlefield.
Explosions echoed constantly across the valley.
One of his commanders landed beside him.
"Our eastern flank is collapsing."
Jiraiya frowned.
"Again?"
The jonin nodded.
"They're attacking faster than we can reorganize."
Jiraiya looked toward the distant battlefield.
"I had a feeling…"
"…those two were involved."
Far below…
Lightning illuminated the battlefield.
A charged through the Leaf formation like a living thunderbolt.
Every punch shattered the ground.
Every movement sent Leaf shinobi flying.
His Lightning Release Armor crackled around his body as Cloud shinobi advanced behind him.
No one could stop his momentum.
Nearby…
Killer B laughed while spinning all eight swords around his body.
"Eight blades dancing, hear 'em sing,
Cloud's gonna rule this battlefield thing!
Fool, ya fool!"
Three Leaf jonin attacked together.
B vanished.
His swords flashed.
The jonin collapsed one after another.
B balanced a sword on his shoulder.
"You brought three, should've brought more,
I'm still standing, ready for war!
Fool, ya fool!"
Even veteran Leaf shinobi hesitated before approaching him.
Back at the command camp, another scout rushed inside Minato's tent.
"Captain Minato!"
"The eastern defensive line has fallen back another five hundred meters!"
Another scout arrived moments later.
"The Cloud's assault is being led by A and Killer B."
Silence filled the tent.
Obito slowly closed his eyes.
He remembered exactly how overwhelming those two were.
Even decades later…
Very few shinobi could challenge them.
Minato rolled up the map.
"It's time."
Outside, hundreds of Leaf shinobi assembled.
Special Jonin.
Jonin.
ANBU.
Medical Corps.
Everyone understood the importance of the next mission.
Minato looked at his team.
"Our objective is not to defeat A or Killer B."
"They're among the strongest shinobi alive."
Kakashi nodded.
"Then what's our mission?"
"Stabilize the front."
"Protect our forces."
"And create an opening."
Obito smiled.
"So you'll handle the impossible part."
Minato smiled back.
"I'll keep A occupied."
He looked at all three of his students.
"You'll support our line, protect the wounded, and eliminate any elite squads attempting to break through."
Rin adjusted the medical pouch on her waist.
"We won't let you down."
Across the battlefield…
A stood atop a cliff overlooking the approaching Leaf reinforcements.
A Cloud jonin handed him a scroll.
"The Yellow Flash has arrived."
A read the report before crushing it in his hand.
"So…"
"…he finally came."
Nearby, Killer B looked toward the horizon and grinned.
"The Flash is here? Oh, what a thrill!
Let's test who's got the greater skill!
Fool, ya fool!"
A's Lightning Release Armor surged around him.
"For the first time today…"
He took a single step forward.
"…this battle might become interesting."
Miles away, Minato led Team Minato and hundreds of Leaf shinobi toward the sound of thunder.
The distance between Konoha's Yellow Flash…
And Kumogakure's strongest duo…
Was closing with every passing second.
The decisive battle for the northern front was about to begin.