----
"The enemy has only one true goal in this war to capture the Nine-Tails," Shikaku continued. "That means we can't rule out the possibility that the White Zetsu army is just a diversion, meant to tie up our forces while a separate strike team targets the command centre."
Minato nodded. "That's a strong possibility. Naruto's ability to use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu makes him extremely difficult to capture, and the enemy has known this for a long time. That means their real target is likely to be Kushina."
If Kushina were here, she'd probably lose her temper at this point, Minato mused to himself.
Obito was really asking for a beating.
He had targeted Kushina once before, over a decade ago. And now, once again, he was coming after her.
Minato still remembered his three students Kakashi, Obito, and Rin.
Rin had been a kind and gentle girl, beloved by both him and Kushina.
Kakashi had lost his father at a young age, and Obito had only an elderly grandmother for his family. Because of this, Minato and Kushina had always taken extra care of them. Whenever Kushina saw the two of them, she would wonder what kind of personality their future child might have whether it would be as steady as Kakashi or as lively as Obito.
She couldn't help but see them as her own children.
When they thought Obito had died, both Minato and Kushina had grieved for a long time. They always encouraged Kakashi to move past his pain, but in truth, their own sorrow was just as deep.
And now, after all these years, Obito had reappeared bringing disaster to both their family and all of Konoha. Now, he even sought to sacrifice the entire world.
"Regardless," Minato said, shaking off his thoughts, "we must remain on guard. We cannot allow the Nine-Tails to fall into enemy hands."
---
The morning of the Second Day
Yawning, Naruto emerged from his tent.
"Morning, Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke."
"Good morning. You worked hard last night," Kakashi replied with his usual relaxed tone. Unlike during peacetime, he was never late in times of war.
"Morning," Sasuke muttered. He sounded a bit dejected yesterday, aside from guarding Naruto and Sakura, he hadn't felt like he contributed much. It left him frustrated.
The night before, Naruto, Kushina, and their numerous shadow clones had stood watch outside the various encampments, glowing with the golden aura of the Nine-Tails' chakra. They had done so until dawn.
Their efforts bore visible results.
Every encampment now had at least one or two new trees growing outside, especially near the medical unit's base, where an entire grove had started forming.
It turned out that when White Zetsu were killed by attacks infused with Nine-Tails' chakra, their bodies turned into trees.
Possibly due to the Yang Release or life force within the Nine-Tails' chakra, something about its properties triggered a strange reaction in these plant-like beings.
Naruto figured he should suggest that Gaara collect White Zetsu corpses after the war for further study. If they could harness this reaction, the Land of Wind could gain massive green spaces—ten thousand White Zetsu could become ten thousand trees.
"Is Sakura still working?" Naruto asked.
"She just got some rest," Kakashi replied. "She was completely exhausted yesterday."
Naruto glanced at the time. She pulled an all-nighter, huh?
After all, she was a key member of the medical division. In every way except perhaps for physique she was no less capable than Tsunade herself.
"Alright, let's grab some food. The battlefield might shift today, and we'll be busy again soon," Kakashi reminded.
"Got it," Naruto nodded.
He had slept surprisingly well, thanks to Kakashi keeping watch. On top of that, Kurama could keep alert for any threats. If something happened, the fox could take control of his body or wake him up instantly. Dual-core processing really has its perks.
But most shinobi weren't as carefree. Many had barely managed any rest, their nerves stretched thin. Unlike missions where they camped outdoors, this was an active battlefield. Every little noise had them jolting awake. Some had even suffered full-blown insomnia.
As a result, many ninjas gathered at the morning assembly with dark circles under their eyes.
The Kage and unit commanders had expected this. There wasn't much they could do about it only veteran shinobi could help guide the younger ones through. Besides, once they encountered the enemy again, adrenaline would likely take care of their exhaustion.
---
"Enemy Attack!"
Almost simultaneously, alarms blared across every encampment. The second day's battle had begun.
After a full day of bloodshed, even the rookies had grown significantly.
Surviving on the battlefield required either exceptional luck or true skill. By the end of this war, most would have matured into hardened warriors.
Under their commanders' orders, the Allied Forces once again began their ranged bombardment.
But when the smoke cleared, their brief satisfaction was replaced with shock.
Yes, many White Zetsu had fallen.
But the ones now stepping forward to take the front lines were—
"Father?!"
"Sensei…!"
"Big brother!"
"What the hell is going on?!"
...
First Combat Division
"Uchiha… Hyūga… and…" Fugaku's fists clenched as he saw familiar faces.
Even among the enemy ranks, he spotted the friend whose death had awakened his Sharingan all those years ago.
---
Second Combat Division
"Explosion Release user Gari… Scorch Release's Pakura… Magnet Release's Toroi… and members of the Kaguya clan from Kirigakure…"
Kitsuchi's face darkened. These weren't ordinary foes—many of them had powerful Kekkei Genkai.
---
Third Combat Division
"Jinin Akebino, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Ameyuri Ringo, Munashi Jinpachi…"
Terumi Mei's expression darkened as she recited the names of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Her gaze locked onto three particular swords—Blast Sword: Shibuki, Long Sword: Nuibari, and Helmet Splitter: Kabutowari.
Of the Seven Swords, only Executioner's Blade and Twin Swords: Kiba remained in Kirigakure's possession.
And now, three more lay before her.
She had to reclaim them.
Lightning Cutter and Samehada were still in Konoha's hands. The village owed Kiri a favour for those, so it wouldn't be easy to get them back.
These three, however—there was no question.
---
Fourth Combat Division
"Hanzo the Salamander… It's been a long time," Mifune murmured, gripping the hilt of his sword.
This so-called 'demi-god' had been a lifelong shadow over him.
"Today… I will reclaim my honour!"
---
Across the battlefield, similar scenes played out.
Countless resurrected warriors stood before the Allied Forces. Their bodies bore visible cracks, their eyes pitch black an unsettling sight.
The answer was obvious.
White Zetsu had stolen bodies from grave sites. They had used themselves as sacrifices.
And Orochimaru had cast Edo Tensei.
The timing of this attack had also been carefully planned White Zetsu had sacrificed themselves to ensure the smoothest deployment possible.
In short, the Zetsu army had laboured, fought, and even died to facilitate this grand summoning.
Even the most exploitative warlords would cry if they saw such dedication.
To maximize the effectiveness of the Edo Tensei warriors, Orochimaru hadn't fully erased their emotions. He had simply given them a single command destroy the Allied Forces.
And so, the battle resumed.
For some, it was a matter of duty.
For others…
It was a twisted family reunion.
Thus began the Fourth Great Ninja War also known as the First Ninja World Recognition and Dream Fulfillment Conference!
Organizer: Orochimaru
Sponsors: Uchiha Obito, Zetsu
Participants: The Allied Shinobi Forces and Edo Tensei warriors
Special Thanks To: Tobirama Senju
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