----
As conversations unfolded across the battlefield, some gradually escalated into full-fledged combat. The Edo Tensei resurrected shinobi had been given a clear command to attack the Allied Forces. No matter how much they held back or reminisced, the fight was inevitable.
And so, the battlefield became an odd mixture of father-son duels, mentor-student sparring sessions, old rivals testing each other, and impromptu "combat training." Amidst the clash of weapons, taunts, advice, and laughter could be heard just as often as war cries.
For those who hadn't encountered someone they knew among the resurrected, the atmosphere felt bizarre. Some more eccentric shinobi even tried forcing conversations with random enemies.
"I don't know you personally, but I know someone from your village! What? You don't know them either? Well, I know your Kage! Even if they don't know me…"
Comedic relief shinobi are never bored they'll always find something to talk about.
When Naruto's clones finally air-dropped the sealing squads onto the battlefield, many shinobi found themselves not only fighting but also making unexpected new acquaintances whether among the living or the dead.
First Combat Division – Naruto Clone 001
After dropping off the sealing team, Clone 001 eagerly prepared to enter the fight and burn through some of his main body's excessive chakra.
But then…
He stopped.
The scene in front of him was simply too surreal.
Fugaku's face, normally stoic and unreadable, was now an emotional rollercoaster.
Smiles mixed with tears.
Tears mixed with pride.
Pride mixed with conflict.
Conflict mixed with anger.
If Naruto had to guess, the plain-looking young man opposite Fugaku must have been his best friend from his youth.
Naruto squinted at Fugaku's Sharingan. The tomoe patterns practically spelt out "I missed you."
'Damn, Uncle Fugaku, all this from just a kunai exchange? You sure are dramatic.'
'And if he was like this, what about the others?'
The battlefield had transformed into a chaotic family reunion-slash-memorial service-slash-revenge match.
'...Would it be bad to disrupt the mood now?' Clone 001 pondered, 'But I already made my Rasengan… I can't let it go to waste.'
Thus, he turned and charged toward the White Zetsu in the back.
---
Normally, Orochimaru should have known the risks of allowing the resurrected to keep their emotions.
Yet, he still did it.
Perhaps he was half-assing things to spite Obito.
Perhaps he lacked the energy to fully control so many at once.
Or…
Perhaps he recognized the advantage it provided.
Because if there was one thing these resurrected shinobi were truly passionate about, it was settling old scores.
Take the Mist Village's deceased shinobi, for example. Many had been slaughtered by their own bloody Mist policies.
Or Pakura of the Sand, who had been betrayed and sacrificed by her own village.
Their grievances made them all the more vicious.
---
Among all battlefronts, the Third Combat Division, led by Mei Terumi, was experiencing the most brutal fighting.
Several of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen had locked onto their modern successors.
"That brat has the Executioner's Blade?" Jinin Akebino sneered, eyeing Zabuza.
"That shrimp is carrying the Twin Swords?" Kushimaru Kuriarare scoffed, glaring at Chōjūrō.
Their expressions radiated pure disdain.
Chōjūrō, outwardly timid but fiercely capable in combat, showed no hesitation when the fight began. With Zabuza backing him up, he didn't fall behind.
---
The battlefield also saw a fight that left even Edo Tensei veterans baffled.
The opponents?
Kushimaru Kuriarare (Longsword: Nuibari)
Jinpachi Munashi (Blast Sword: Shibuki)
Jinin Akebino (Helmet Splitter: Kabutowari)
Versus…
Uchiha Gen
Uchiha Daiki
Uchiha Jiro
At first, the former Swordsmen fought separately, refusing to work together.
But then—
They realized something disturbing.
These three Uchiha were fighting purely with taijutsu and kenjutsu.
No Sharingan illusions. No flashy Uchiha fire jutsu.
Just pure, raw, in-your-face swordplay.
This deeply unsettled their opponents.
Where's the Uchiha we know?! What happened to their finesse?! Did they just throw their heritage into the trash?!
It was at that moment that they realized.
"These three are freaks!"
Jinpachi swung his explosive sword downward, triggering a massive detonation.
The three Uchiha narrowly evaded the shockwave, nearly messing up their hairstyles.
Kushimaru saw an opening and sent his Nuibari needle flying through his undead comrade's torso, launching it straight toward Gen.
Utilizing their Edo Tensei invulnerability to attack from unexpected angles is a dirty but effective trick.
Gen was caught off guard.
Just as the attack was about to connect.
Kimimaro intercepted it, deflecting Nuibari with a bone blade in one hand while blocking the falling axe with another.
Kuriarare smirked. "So it's the Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku, huh?"
He sneered. "Why are you protecting Konoha's shinobi?"
With a malicious grin, Jinpachi swung his hammer to amplify the force of Kuriarare's axe. The sheer impact cracked Kimimaro's bone weapon, sending tremors through his arms.
'Damn it' Kimimaro thought.
These weapons are absurd.
Helmet Splitter's unique design made it practically impossible to block effectively. If Naruto hadn't specifically advised against wasting time talking mid-fight, Kimimaro might have tried debating his opponent.
But instead—
He focused.
No words. Just action.
The battle raged on.
---
While chaos unfolded on the front lines, the Allied Forces' sensory division detected an anomaly.
"Three high-level chakra signatures have bypassed our main forces. They're heading straight for us!"
Mabui immediately relayed the report to the Five Kage.
"Shikaku, confirm their identities," Minato ordered.
Shikaku used his network of scouting teams. Moments later, he reported back.
"Correction, it's four individuals. The resurrected shinobi are:
Second Tsuchikage, Mū
Third Kazekage
Third Raikage
First Mizukage, Byakuren"
Shikaku's voice was unusually grim.
"Their presence alone is troubling, but according to reports, these Edo Tensei shinobi are operating at nearly full power."
The Raikage slammed his fist onto the table.
"They even brought my old man back?! Those bastards!"
Minato narrowed his eyes. "So it's them… There's even one among them whom our sensory division couldn't detect."
Ōnoki sighed. "That would be Lord Mū. He was my teacher and the one who taught me Dust Release. His invisibility and sensory suppression are unmatched."
Minato continued, "The Third Raikage and Third Kazekage were both regarded as the strongest of their respective generations. The First Mizukage was the founder of Kirigakure.
Not a single one of them is an easy opponent.
Sending ordinary ninjas to intercept them would be pointless."
The Raikage stood up, cracking his knuckles.
"Then the solution is obvious we'll go handle it ourselves."
He grinned.
"I've been itching to hit something anyway."
----
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