As the Leaf shinobi retreated, they saw Katsuro stay behind, clearly intending to hold Iwa back. It looked like he intended to sacrifice himself against that huge army, and they too seemed to be taking the opportunity to focus on the lone warrior rather than Konoha themselves.
Clearly, Onoki saw Katsuro as the more valuable target. Realising his intentions, many Leaf shinobi expressed their disapproval and defiance, reeling to head back and fight alongside him. The loudest voices were expected, the Senju, the Uzumaki, people Katsuro had helped and people who believed in him. They did not want him to fight alone, even tired and battered, many stepped out in the opposite direction they were supposed to go, to stand by his side. Minato, Duy, Kaito, Uzumaki and Senju Clansmen, his disciples even including Kakashi and his squad. Even Orochimaru, Shisui and the Hyuga brothers. They all stood with him.
Many had a good relationship with the man, others like Orochimaru knew what a loss his death would be. Even little Shisui had an extremely favourable impression of the war hero, who during their journey, had gone out his way to help him with his Kenjutsu, footwork and bodyflicker.
It created a domino effect inspiring others to also take a stand as they stopped moving away, and turned back towards the battlefield even if it meant certain death. All the Leaf shinobi knew that Katsuro's presence could dictate if they won or lost. Not just that, but his figure stood as a symbol of hope and inspiration not just in the current war, but also in the previous one.
"Everyone!" Katsuro shouted over the noise as he saw their actions. "This battle is no longer in our favour. We were caught off guard by Iwa's involvement here."
"However! I am not ready to give in. I am not ready to accept defeat. And neither are you! The battle may be lost but the war is not. I am sure of this. I swear on everything and everyone I hold dear, we will win the war!"
"But that starts with retreating now! Throwing away lives here when we are at a clear disadvantage is pointless. A pyrrhic victory is not a victory at all! Konoha will win, and we will do so overwhelmingly! Trust in me! I will hold them off and come back to lead you once more! Heal the wounded, tend to your comrades and prepare yourselves!"
Katsuro's speech, as he was surrounded by bodies with his robes swaying behind him, as he faced the oncoming enemy, invigorated his comrades while giving them confidence despite the situation. More importantly, his own confidence also made them believe in him overcoming the unsurmountable odds. It felt like he could perform miracles, and given his track record those who had started the movement to support him also stopped it. After all, this was the same man that had defeated multiple Kages and Tailed Beasts, and there were rumours that he'd even outmatched Hanzo the Salamander himself. The Shinobi trusted him, and did just like he asked, and ensured a safe retreat as per his orders.
Those closest to Katsuro took it as their responsibility, remaining in the rear to deal with anyone who was pursuing them. But luckily for them, the vast majority of Iwa Shinobi were moving towards Katsuro who remained the biggest threat on the battlefield. If anyone was going to stop them from claiming victory, it would be him.
Across the no man's land that had been created, the enemy Shinobi rapidly shot towards him, as the Konoha forces managed to retreat far away, creating enough distance to ensure that they could heal their wounded and regroup - but they wouldn't be able to assist Katsuro. The opposing Iwa army, meanwhile, screamed battle cries and roars, believing that they would be the Shinobi that would finally take down the Stormbreaker, one of the most powerful Shinobi to ever live.
Leading them were Onoki and the 4 Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi, followed by countless Jonin, and even the 5 Tails Jinchuuriki, who had reverted back to his human 'form' was also present - likely having been forced back by Minato. The army looked confident and ready to take the overwhelming, absolute victory over Konoha.
They're quite confident, aren't they?
Katsuro looked at the huge force, whose current singular goal was to kill him.
These might just be the toughest odds I've ever faced.
Despite that, Katsuro remained unfazed. From the beginning of his Shinobi career, he'd been battling near Kage level threats, and they only grew in strength each time. Multiple Tailed Beasts, Danzo, the entire Root, Four different Kages, and many, many more Shinobi in between.
Only now, it's all at once.
But they don't know yet. Right now, they think they know all my cards - Thunderclap Impulse, Wind Chakra Mode, Rasengan, Susanoo no Mikoto, Flying Raijin, and all the other Jutsus - they think that's it. But they weren't strong enough for me to truly reveal what I am capable of till now.
Katsuro's expression of steel grew a small smile as he clasped his hands together, as if he was praying.
Onoki, if memory serves, you were alive and fighting to see the First Hokage in action, weren't you? I wonder, do you recognise this?
Onoki had previously been grinning from ear to ear, believing that they would achieve his victory with Katsuro sacrificing himself, but as he saw the handsign Katsuro made, the man known as the Fence Sitter shook in his own skin.
An image of the First Hokage in his red battle armour seemed to impose itself on Katsuro in Onoki's eyes, and they widened in terror.
Is that…no. No! It can't be! That handsign. That stance. The First Hokage! WAIT! WAIT!
In his moment of panic, Onoki was unable to get out any words to say his warning in time to the rest of his Shinobi, who unknowingly charged ahead, not seeing the imminent danger in front of them. All they knew was that Katsuro was their opponent, and that alone shook their spirits, and even the veteran Shinobi, who had been alive during the First Hokage's reign, did not realise what was about to happen - they were oblivious to the move the Stormbreaker was about to make.
Katsuro smirked seeing Onoki's face - the realisation dawning upon it - as the enemy Shinobi still approached, not realising this may be their end.
Seems like the First Hokage left an impression on you, Onoki. Looks like you know what's about to happen. But even still - it's too late.
Katsuro smiled, standing alone, as one man against the largest army ever amassed in the history of Shinobi.
"WOOD STYLE: DEEP FOREST EMERGENCE!"
AN: If you would like to view up to 20 more bonus chapters on all my fics so far including this one, and would also like to support me, please visit my P@TR30N, at pa tr eon.com / GhidorahWriter (remove the spaces). Thanks for reading and make sure ADD to your COLLECTION and VOTE with POWER STONES! The target is 200 POWER STONES for the next BONUS CHAPTER!