"Obito, what do you think? Should we take this opportunity to launch a counterattack?"
As the room buzzed with strategy discussions, Fugaku directly turned to Obito and posed the critical question. His tone had subtly shifted—not as a superior giving instructions, but as an equal seeking the opinion of another seasoned warrior.
Obito scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed at the unexpected responsibility.
"Well… why don't you ask Kakashi, Chief?" he replied, glancing sideways. "I only joined halfway through the operation. Kakashi has a much better grasp of the situation in the Land of Water."
Everyone present exchanged glances and nodded silently in approval. There was no hint of criticism—only admiration. Obito had proven himself time and time again to be a Kage-level prodigy. And now, even with his tremendous strength, he remained humble. It was an admirable quality.
Fugaku, still watching him, nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. Kakashi, what's your take on it?"
He couldn't explain why, but something about Kakashi always felt mysterious—like the boy was hiding something far more significant than what he let on.
"You can fight," Kakashi responded after a brief pause, his voice calm but decisive.
"Although the fall of the Mizukage hasn't caused an immediate collapse in Kirigakure's forces, the blow to their leadership is undeniable. Their Seven Ninja Swordsmen have been wiped out, and the bloodline clans—Ice Release and the Kaguya of the Dead Bone Pulse—have suffered heavy losses. Without their elite fighters, the chain of command and morale will be shaky at best. It's likely the soldiers are already doubting the war."
He leaned forward slightly, emphasizing his point.
"A well-executed counterattack at this stage could shatter their morale completely—like the final straw that breaks the camel's back."
As he finished, Kakashi added almost as an afterthought, "Oh, and by the way—the remaining two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, as well as the strongest warriors from the Ice Release and Dead Bone Pulse clans? Yeah, Obito took them down too."
Everyone in the room turned to Obito in shock and admiration once again.
Meanwhile, Obito looked completely baffled.
Huh? When did I do that?
Sure, he remembered taking out a couple of enemies with bone-based jutsu, but he had no idea who they were exactly. As for the Ice Release ninja or the rest of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—he hadn't even seen them, let alone fought them.
But Kakashi had spoken, and Obito knew better than to argue in front of everyone. So, with a resigned sigh, he accepted the undeserved credit in silence.
Not that anyone cared at this point—Obito's reputation had reached such mythical levels that nothing surprised them anymore.
Suddenly, a shout rang out.
"Report!"
A Konoha sentry rushed into the tent. "Chief Fugaku! Kirigakure's forces are advancing again!"
Fugaku's expression turned icy. Then, he slammed his hand on his thigh and stood up.
"Excellent timing!" he declared. "Pass the word—everyone, assemble immediately! This time, we'll make sure they never come back!"
Until now, the battles had been frustrating. The Mist Shinobi had the geographical advantage, striking from the sea, launching ambushes with perfect timing. And their numbers never seemed to dwindle—reinforcements kept arriving, while Konoha's forces had fought with limited support.
Many elite Uchiha had perished during these skirmishes. In one devastating encounter, the two sons of Elder Uchiha Setsuna—both of whom had awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan—were ambushed. They had vanished without a trace. Their fate remained unknown.
The brutality of the war was undeniable.
Just three minutes after Fugaku's command, Konoha's forces were fully assembled.
"Obito, you're coming with me this time," Fugaku said. Then he added in a low voice, "And don't use the Mangekyō Sharingan unless absolutely necessary."
As a Mangekyō wielder himself, Fugaku was well aware of its terrible cost. Overuse could lead to blindness. He didn't want the young Uchiha to burn out his gift from recklessness.
Obito nodded quietly. Kakashi had warned him of the same thing before.
They could reveal the Mangekyō if needed, but the fact that Obito possessed Hashirama's cells—and thus Wood Style—had to remain a secret. The Uchiha clan having two Mangekyō users was alarming enough. If word got out that Obito also wielded the First Hokage's power, it would send the Konoha elders into a frenzy.
Danzo, in particular, would see it as a direct threat.
It wasn't that Kakashi feared Danzo—he feared the political fallout. Minato hadn't officially become Hokage yet, and Danzo still had the Third's backing. Moving against him now could derail everything.
Better to stay quiet and strike when the time is right.
With that decision in mind, Obito, Kakashi, and the others followed Fugaku to the battlefield.
---
By the time they reached the front lines, the Mist Shinobi had already begun their formation.
Fugaku spotted the leader of the opposing force—Chief Hozuki of the Ghost Lantern clan.
He immediately raised his voice.
"Chief Hozuki! Your Mizukage is dead! The Seven Ninja Swordsmen have been annihilated, and your Ice Release and Dead Bone Pulse clans have been devastated! You've already lost this war."
He paused, his eyes locked on the enemy leader.
"If you surrender now, I may consider sparing your lives!"
The Mist Shinobi soldiers, who had moments earlier been brimming with battle spirit, now looked at each other in confusion and disbelief.
"What?! The Mizukage is dead?"
"The Seven Swordsmen… gone?!"
Gasps and whispers rippled through the ranks. Their morale began to falter.
Chief Hozuki's face darkened. Damn it! How did Fugaku get the news so quickly?
He had only learned of the Mizukage's death that very morning. That's why he had launched this aggressive charge—hoping to strike before the bad news spread.
But clearly, he had failed.
Still, Hozuki kept his expression calm and sneered.
"Hah! Chief Fugaku, are you trying to demoralize us with lies? Our Mizukage is far away in Kirigakure. You expect my men to believe he was slain by some Uchiha?"
He turned to his troops, raising his sword.
"This isn't your first battle against Uchiha. Don't fall for their tricks!"
Fugaku's expression didn't change.
"Chief Hozuki, you know the truth. I'll ask one last time—will you surrender?"
Hozuki scoffed. "You escaped last time with your life, Fugaku. You won't be so lucky today."
He raised his hand.
"All troops, attack! Kill them all!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
The Mist Shinobi charged as one, their war cries shaking the battlefield.
Fugaku turned back to his own troops. "Then so be it. Let's settle all scores—past and present—today!"
He drew his blade, eyes burning with rage.
"My fellow clansmen! My comrades of Konoha! The time for vengeance is now! Make them pay in blood!"
"Blood for blood!"
"Blood for blood!"
"Blood for blood!"
Konoha's shinobi roared back in unison, their voices shaking the earth.
And then, with both sides fully committed, the two armies clashed in a deafening, chaotic storm of war.
Steel met steel. Jutsu clashed in blinding explosions. Sharingan spun, tracking every movement. Water Release techniques exploded across the field, only to be met with fire, earth, and lightning in retaliation.
Obito and Kakashi fought back-to-back, cutting down any Mist Shinobi who came close.
Meanwhile, Fugaku led the charge, his Sharingan blazing. Every movement was precise, deadly—an Uchiha in his prime.
Chief Hozuki himself entered the fray, his blade dripping with chakra, seeking out Fugaku for a one-on-one duel.
Above them, the clouds began to darken as jutsu scorched the skies.
The final and most brutal battle between the Mist and the Leaf had begun.
And this time, Konoha would not be denied victory.