⁵
The news finally spread across the shinobi world—
Konoha had officially deployed troops.
Though the movement was painfully slow, almost to the point of being mocked as "turtle-paced," they had indeed sent their forces at last. The shinobi nations did not respond with surprise. In their eyes, this development was perfectly reasonable.
After all, Akatsuki had originally been a formal ally of Konohagakure. More importantly, Akatsuki still possessed moral high ground in the public eye. The entire ninja world knew the story: Akatsuki had dispatched a diplomatic team on behalf of their own and Konoha's Chūnin. They had gone with peaceful intentions, only to be ambushed by Cloud shinobi, forcing them to retaliate. That retaliation escalated step by step into the full-scale war now engulfing the land.
Compared to Kumogakure's almost desperate urgency,
the spirits of Akatsuki Village and the Uzumaki Clan soared the moment they learned Konoha had finally moved.
Some Akatsuki shinobi, already high on hope, even began uttering ominous "flag-setting" sentences:
"After the war ends, I'm going to confess to her…"
"Once this is over, I'll start a new life…"
Hearing such unlucky words, Uchiha Makoto nearly exploded on the spot.
"Idiot! Stop tempting fate!" he scolded them. "Stop dreaming about relying on others. If you want something done, do it yourselves! Trusting heaven and earth is useless—trust your own hands."
He addressed the Akatsuki shinobi harshly:
"The power of allies is not our power. A borrowed umbrella cannot shield you forever. So stay sharp. Don't relax just because Konoha finally budged!"
At that moment, Uzumaki Shinji burst into the tent with a bright, relieved smile.
"Makoto! Konoha really did send troops! Sure, they were a bit slow, but it must have been due to supply issues. The important thing is—they moved!"
His voice trembled slightly, betraying just how nervous he had been.
Ever since Uchiha Makoto shattered him psychologically last time, Shinji had lived under constant dread—haunted by the thought that Konoha might abandon them and leave Akatsuki to bear Cloud's fury alone.
Now that Konoha deployed troops, Shinji felt the curse lifted.
Makoto nodded mildly. "Mm. They did deploy. That much is true."
He didn't have the heart to crush Shinji's hope again.
But in Makoto's mind, the truth was clear:
If the Uzumaki Clan continues relying on Konoha, they will be destroyed.
Being Konoha's enemy is dangerous…
But being Konoha's ally is fatal.
After exchanging a few polite words, Makoto excused himself and entered the war room. To him, Konoha's troop movement was merely a small piece of the puzzle.
What he cared about now—
was the movement of Hidden Cloud Village.
And the news was grim.
---
Kumogakure's Frenzy
Over the next two days, the war escalated at a terrifying pace.
Hidden Cloud Village, as if sensing its own ruin looming over the horizon, launched a final, reckless frenzy of attacks.
Their fighting style became increasingly suicidal—
injury for injury, life for life.
The battlefield turned into a meat grinder.
Cloud shinobi fell in droves, their corpses piling high, yet their numbers kept overwhelming Akatsuki's forces. Although Akatsuki's casualty ratio had greatly improved, Kumogakure still had the advantage in sheer manpower.
The war reports left the Akatsuki commanders speechless:
"These Cloud maniacs are betting the fate of their entire village!"
"This isn't strategy—this is insanity…"
"Are they trying to force us into a decisive battle?"
Uchiha Makoto clicked his tongue.
So this was their plan.
Cloud had finally broken.
If Akatsuki chose to drag things out until Konoha's forces arrived, or even simply adopted a defensive posture, Kumogakure would collapse completely. Their village would be crippled, perhaps even destroyed.
Makoto understood this clearly.
Kumogakure had no choice left. They were cornered animals, fighting with desperation.
---
The Third Day — Shocking News
On the third day after Konoha deployed its troops—
A scout reported urgently:
"Lord Makoto! The Raikage has personally led elite troops to ambush our main force! We have engaged them. Please advise—"
Makoto, who had been reviewing war maps, froze mid-motion.
His expression sharpened.
A Kage personally ambushing a main army?
That was no trivial matter.
Normally, a Village Kage leading from the front boosts morale immensely, but it also carries immense risk. A Kage is not simply a warrior—they are the political, military, and symbolic pillar of a shinobi village.
The Third Raikage, in canon history, was among the strongest Kage in existence—borderline "Super Kage." Even he had been killed after getting surrounded by a massive allied force.
The First Raikage certainly wasn't weak—far from it. Entangling himself with an enemy main force was a gamble with catastrophic consequences.
If he dies, Kumogakure collapses.
If he wins, the war shifts dramatically.
Makoto narrowed his eyes.
"Is he reckless… or is this intentional?"
He sensed something deeper.
The First Raikage's actions felt far too calculated for mere desperation.
"This must be a trap," Makoto muttered. "Their main army is most likely hidden nearby. The Raikage is bait."
Bait.
Dangerous, delicious bait.
---
Temptation
Makoto exhaled slowly.
"Risky… but the reward is enormous."
If he could defeat the Raikage here—
he could end the war before Konoha ever reached the front lines.
He wouldn't need Konoha.
He wouldn't owe Konoha.
Akatsuki wouldn't bleed any further.
The war would be over.
Cleanly.
Efficiently.
Beautifully.
But the danger remained undeniable.
He could be walking right into a perfectly laid trap.
Still—
Temptation is the Uchiha way.
His heart beat faster. The sharpness in him—the instinctual urge to cut down his enemies—had only grown with every level of power he reached.
Suppressing that urge every day had become a burden of its own.
He was built for battle.
Uchiha were warriors by nature.
"An opportunity like this…"
Makoto whispered.
"…is impossible to ignore."
He knew it.
Everyone in that war tent knew it.
The Uchiha did not shy away from danger.
They walked directly into it—
and conquered it.
Makoto straightened.
"Someone bring me my armor."
His voice was calm…
…but his eyes burned.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)