Chapter 299 : This Time, Let Me Stand In Front of You
Madara frowned, a rare trace of surprise flashing across his expression. "Wasn't the attack a direct hit? How could this be?"
Obito clenched his teeth, his narrowed eyes shifting toward Naruto, who stood calmly with a faint smile on his face. That expression—he immediately understood. It was him. Naruto had done something.
Naruto's lips curled into a confident grin as he looked at Obito and shouted, "This time, I won't let you hurt the people around me ever again!"
Obito's fury ignited.
He knew in that moment—the purpose of attacking the Allied Shinobi Headquarters had completely failed. Naruto had managed to intercept both the first and second strikes.
But what truly unsettled Obito was the question: how had Naruto known in advance that the headquarters would be targeted?
No… impossible.
He shook the thought from his mind. Naruto couldn't have known for certain. The only explanation was that Naruto had predicted the attack and made preemptive arrangements.
What brilliant foresight...
Obito's heart raced. For the first time, a creeping fear took hold of him. He'd always operated from the shadows, even when he acted openly. If something unexpected occurred, it was usually chalked up to chance or oversight. But now... even with Madara beside him, controlling the Ten Tails, things were spiraling out of control.
Naruto had become the greatest obstacle—not just to this battlefield, but to the success of the Eye of the Moon Plan.
"We have to eliminate Naruto—no matter what!" Obito snarled, hatred etched deep in his expression.
Madara glanced at him curiously. "Oh? That much resentment toward a single boy?"
Obito's eyes were filled with malice as he stared down at Naruto. "Ever since he appeared and took Nagato's Rinnegan, the plan has fallen apart. First Nagato... now Sasuke. Who's next?"
"Now we're controlling the Ten Tails and launching an assault—and yet, this guy had the preparations in place. Look at his expression. His eyes. Do you see even the slightest trace of fear?"
Madara turned his gaze to Naruto. True enough, there was no fear. Only calm, unshakable resolve.
Madara furrowed his brow. "Then what do you intend to do?"
Obito gritted his teeth. "We kill him first."
With that, Obito forcefully exerted control over the Ten Tails, directing its massive chakra to lash out with a mighty swipe toward Naruto.
But before Naruto could even respond...
Just like in their past life—history repeated itself.
"Eight Trigrams Air Palm!"
With a thunderous bang, Hyūga Neji appeared in front of Naruto, striking Ten Tails' colossal limb with a precisely aimed palm thrust that blew the attack off-course.
"Don't stand there dazed, Naruto!" Neji barked. "Lord Shikaku just issued orders! Are you even listening?!"
Naruto nodded, "Of course I am. And I'm not dazed."
As he spoke, a massive hand made of Nine Tails Chakra emerged from behind him. It grabbed Neji and tossed him behind Naruto.
"Hey, hey! Naruto, what the hell are you doing!?" Neji yelled, startled as he was flung backward.
Without turning around, Naruto answered firmly, "This time... let me be the one to stand in front of you."
Neji was momentarily stunned.
What did that mean?
From deep within Naruto's mind, Kurama's voice rang out.
"Chakra's ready, Naruto."
Naruto brought his palms together. "Alright, Kurama. Let's do this."
With a low hum, the Nine Tails Chakra engulfed Naruto. He transformed once more into Kurama Mode, the golden chakra coat forming over his body.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu—Multiple!"
Boom boom boom boom boom!
Dozens of Naruto clones appeared in a flash of smoke, dispersing across the battlefield like a storm.
Shikaku's voice rang through the sensory communication network. "Naruto, you're the key to winning this war! Everyone's priority is to protect you. Don't release chakra carelessly. Wait for my signal!"
Naruto nodded. "I understand. But I have things I have to do. I'm moving!"
In a whoosh, the clones scattered in all directions, while the original Naruto remained in his seal formation.
Obito's eyes locked on him. Sensing an opportunity, he launched another attack with the Ten Tails. The real Naruto, still channeling chakra for the seal, was about to respond when—
Boom!
Tsunade intercepted with a fierce Heavenly Foot of Pain, smashing into Ten Tails' limb and forcing it back.
"Ahhh! Stay focused!" Tsunade roared. "As long as I'm standing, no one lays a finger on Naruto Uzumaki of Konoha!"
Obito growled. Ten Tails' ten enormous tails spread out again, each charging an attack.
Gaara got struck.
Ōnoki got overwhelmed.
Mei Terumī was thrown back.
A got blasted.
Each of the Five Kage took on a tail each, holding their ground through sheer willpower.
But that wasn't all.
With the remaining five tails, more figures stepped forward—Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and Jiraiya—each intercepted the attacks in unison, refusing to be left behind.
Madara's eyes narrowed. Even with Ten Tails' power, this was no easy fight.
"Controlling the Ten Tails in this state is still imperfect," Madara muttered. "And they're all Kage-level shinobi. Each tail fighting a Kage-level opponent... This isn't progressing at all."
Madara's hand absently reached for the Hashirama Cell embedded in his chest. "Obito, at this rate, we'll only have limited control of the Ten Tails."
"If we want full control... one of us has to become its Jinchūriki."
Obito narrowed his eyes. Madara didn't bother hiding his ambition.
"I intend to become the Ten Tails' Jinchūriki," Madara said plainly. "But first, I need to be resurrected from Edo Tensei into a living body."
Obito scoffed. "So that's why you didn't launch a full-scale self-destruction with the Tailed Beast Bombs earlier. You were afraid I might die—since you need me alive to use the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu."
"In other words, your position is delicate now. You'll follow my lead... won't you, Madara?"
A subtle, amused smile curled Madara's lips. "The little brat has grown shrewd."
Obito sneered. "Let me make one thing clear—I've never considered you a comrade. You've always been just another pawn. Same as Sasuke."
Madara's grin widened. "Very well, then. Do as you please."
Obito turned his attention back to the battlefield, raising his hands.
"Then I'll show them—what true despair looks like!"
...Until his eyes widened in surprise.
"What the hell...?"
Dozens of Naruto clones had reached shinobi across the battlefield.
"Hinata, Neji! Hands out, now!"
"Okay, Naruto-kun!"
"Huh? What's this?"
Slap!
Naruto and his clones pressed their palms against theirs. In an instant, Kurama's Chakra flowed into them.
The original Naruto shouted across the battlefield, "Everyone—put out your hands! I'll give you my chakra!"
Boom boom boom boom!
Everywhere, clones sprinted and passed chakra to ninja from every village. Within moments, the battlefield lit up with red chakra glows—thousands of shinobi burning with Nine Tails' power.
A single spark can start a prairie fire...
Obito snarled, stretching out his hand.
"Do you think this will save them from despair? Naïve!"
Ten Tails' ten palms opened wide. In each, a small black orb began to form—dense, malevolent energy spinning.
"Wood Release: Cutting Technique!"l
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