Chapter 71: War Day 1
The Surprise Attack Division, led by Kankuro, crouched low in the dense undergrowth. The air was thick with tension as they waited for the incoming White Zetsu army. The silence of the battlefield was broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of footsteps.
Kankuro squinted, his puppets hidden among the shadows of the trees. "They're close. Stay sharp, everyone."
Suddenly, the eerie forms of White Zetsu began to emerge from the forest like consecutive waves of pale, writhing roots. But as the division prepared to engage, their attention was diverted by four figures stepping out of the shadows. Leading them was a man with a massive sword strapped to his back and a cold expression on his face.
"Zabuza Momochi," Kankuro muttered, recognizing the legendary swordsman immediately. His heart sank when he saw the figure beside Zabuza—a young man with long black hair and a delicate, almost angelic face. "And you must be Haku..."
Behind them stood two others: Gari of Iwagakure, his hands glowing ominously with explosive chakra, and Pakura of Sunagakure, her green and orange hair flowing like water, her stance poised for attack.
As the Surprise Attack Division moved to intercept, Haku created a barrier of ice mirrors that deflected the first wave of their attackers. His agility and precision were unmatched. As they fought without volition, the reincarnated shinobi began to realize the horrifying truth: their bodies were invincible, regenerating faster than they could be damaged.
In the distance, the Third Division, led by Commander Kakashi Hatake, arrived just in time to witness the chaos unfold. Kakashi's heart sank as he saw familiar faces from his past. His eyes locked onto Zabuza and Haku, and for a moment, the battlefield seemed to fade away.
"Zabuza… Haku… I didn't expect to see you again," Kakashi said, stepping forward. There was a rare softness in his voice, a mix of sadness and respect. "You both had such an impact on Naruto. On me. It's a shame to see you used like this."
Haku's face softened for a moment, as if some part of him could still hear Kakashi's words. But before he could respond, his body stiffened unnaturally, his expression becoming blank. Zabuza's grip on his sword tightened as Kabuto's control over them solidified. The recognizable glint of sentience in their eyes disappeared, replaced by the cold gleam of mindless killing intent.
Kabuto's voice echoed through the field, disembodied but smug. "Sorry to interrupt your little reunion, Kakashi. But I think you'll find my new weapons are quite… effective."
The reanimated army of shinobi charged forward, attacking with brutal efficiency. Haku's ice mirrors created an impenetrable defense and a deadly long range support network, while Gari's explosions tore through the landscape. Pakura's Scorch Release incinerated anyone who got too close. The Surprise Attack Division, despite their reinforcement, struggled to hold their ground.
Kakashi's sharingan spun as he countered Zabuza's relentless attacks. The familiarity of Zabuza's movements brought back memories of their first encounter, but this time, Zabuza fought without restraint, his attacks fueled by Kabuto's command.
"We can't keep fighting like this," Kankuro shouted as he narrowly avoided a blast from Gari. "They're too strong, and they regenerate faster than we can take them down!"
Kakashi nodded grimly, formulating a plan. But before he could act, Kabuto escalated the battle. Gari and Pakura performed a summoning jutsu, and the ground trembled as more figures emerged. The Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of the Mist—at least those who Kabuto could obtain—stood before them, each wielding their legendary weapons.
Kakashi's eyes widened as he recognized the new arrivals—Mangetsu Hozuki, Fuguki Suikazan, Jinpachi Munashi, and more. Zabuza's former comrades stood ready, their presence radiating an overwhelming aura of danger.
Kabuto's voice rang out again, mocking. "I hope you're ready, Kakashi. The past has come to bury the present."
The Third Division braced themselves as the Seven Swordsmen advanced, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. Kakashi's sharingan glinted with resolve. "We'll stop them. No matter what."
On the coast of the land of lightning, the First Division under Darui of the Cloud was apprehensive in their war camp. The surrounding area was unnaturally quiet, the kind of lingering silence that existed only in liminal spaces, periods of transition. It was a dark, starless night, the formless void of the forest swallowed what little light of the moon's trickled through the cloud line. They waited on the eve of war's break, and slept only to the limited extent of their ability.
Sasuke's body moved before his mind could fully process what was happening. The sharp, acrid smell of smoke filled the air as he stood in the center of the war camp, his Eternal Mangekyōu sharingan glowing ominously in the dark. The once silent night had erupted into chaos as dozens—no, hundreds—of White Zetsu clones emerged from the shadows at once, tearing through the eastern tree line like a swarm of locusts.
A cold rage welled up in Sasuke as he surveyed the scene. His comrades, many of whom had been asleep moments ago, were scrambling to fend off the invasion. He spotted Darui issuing orders, his Storm Release cutting through Zetsu clones with precise lasers. Choza Akimichi, in his colossal Partial Multi-Size Technique form, swatted dozens of the creatures aside with the rear of his fist, as if they were nothing more than flies. Nearby, Tenten was wielding a scroll that unleashed a relentless hailstorm of kunai and shuriken, swords, scythes, lances, and ever more eclectic weaponry cutting through their enemies with impressive skill.
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke roared, his voice cutting through the din of battle. A massive inferno erupted from his lips, blazing across the eastern tree line. The forest illuminated in an instant, and Sasuke didn't bother to mourn the trees that now burned. He knew that his comrades would appreciate the light—it was better to see the enemy coming than to be taken in the shadows.
A flicker of movement caught his eye. His sharingan swirled, taking in the details of the incoming horde. Another group of Zetsu clones surged toward the camp, undeterred by the fire now spreading through the forest. Sasuke's left eye pulsed, and black flames hissed across the swarm of creatures, consuming them in the inextinguishable blaze of Amaterasu. The clones screamed and writhed as they burned, their voices drowned out by the chaos around them.
Sasuke's attention shifted to another group advancing from the right flank. His hand crackled with lightning as he called upon a Black Chidori Senbon technique, sending a barrage of dark, lightning-infused needles into the enemy ranks. The senbon pierced through the clones effortlessly, leaving behind only charred, twitching forms.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Jūgo, now fully transformed, tearing through Zetsu clones with raw power. His monstrous, mutated arm crushed several enemies in one swing, and his sheer presence seemed to create a buffer between the Zetsu army and their intended targets. Meanwhile, Tayuya of the Sound Four stood atop a makeshift platform, her flute creating a haunting melody that summoned a trio of monstrous, demonic figures to attack the invaders. Her cursed seal pulsed with malevolent energy as she directed her creatures with precision.
"Nice shot, Uchiha!" Darui's voice called out as he unleashed his Storm Release: Laser Circus, a flurry of laser-like beams that tore through the advancing clones. "Keep them off the medic-nins!"
Sasuke didn't respond, his focus entirely on the battle. His sharingan scanned the battlefield, calculating the next wave of attacks and his subsequent counterattacks. A faint movement to his left drew his attention, and he turned just in time to see Hiashi Hyuga engage a group of Zetsu clones with his Gentle Fist technique. Hiashi's Byakugan gave him three hundred and fifty nine degree awareness, and his strikes landed with deadly precision, each one severing through the Zetsu clones' tenuous chakra networks.
Not far from Hiashi, Sasuke spotted Tenten fighting alongside Kotetsu and Izumo. The two men, known for their teamwork, were using their chain-and-blade techniques to pin down Zetsu clones, allowing Tenten to finish them off with deadly volleys of projectiles.
The camp's defenders were holding their ground, but the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming. Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he saw yet another wave approaching, this one larger and more organized than the others. His hands blurred through a series of seals.
"Inferno Release: Flame Control!" Sasuke commanded, manipulating the still-burning Amaterasu flames to form a wall of black fire between the camp and the incoming horde. The clones hesitated for a moment, clearly wary of the legendary flames, and Sasuke took the opportunity to charge forward.
He moved with lethal precision, his Susanoo forming around him in its skeletal form. The massive construct swung its ethereal blade, cutting through the clones with ease. Sasuke's sharingan spun wildly as he tracked every movement, ensuring that none of the enemies escaped his notice.
A sudden surge of chakra drew Sasuke's attention to the center of the battlefield. He turned to see Choza Akimichi, now fully expanded into his colossal form, slam a massive fist into the ground, creating a shockwave that sent Zetsu clones flying in every direction.
"Uchiha!" Choza's booming voice called out. "Focus on the eastern flank! We'll hold the center!"
Sasuke nodded, already moving to comply. He could feel the strain of the battle wearing on him, but he refused to let up. This wasn't just a fight for survival—it was a statement. He would prove his strength, not just to his allies, but to himself.
As the battle raged on, Sasuke couldn't help but think of his brother. Itachi had fought for the village, sacrificing everything to protect it. Sasuke still wasn't sure if he could forgive the Hidden Leaf for what it had done to his family, but tonight, as he fought alongside these people, he felt a spark of something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Perhaps... it was the faintest hint of belonging.
The nearby battlefield remained chaotic as Kankuro's Surprise Attack Squad and Kakashi's Third Division continued to engage the combined forces of Zetsu's clone army and the resurrected shinobi from the past. The air was thick with the smell of blood and the salty tang of the sea, a grim reminder of the high stakes of this war.
Among the resurrected forces, the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist fought with deadly precision. Despite their incomplete arsenal—several of the legendary blades now missing—each still wielded formidable strength. Zabuza Momochi, however, stood out with his oversized zankantō, a simple weapon compared to the monstrous Kubikiribōchō he once wielded. Yet, his skill made it no less deadly.
Zabuza's Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique shrouded the battlefield in a thick, blinding fog. Screams echoed through the mist as shinobi fell, one by one, to the resurrected warriors. Kankuro's team struggled to hold the line, and Kakashi's usual calm demeanor was strained as his comrades continued to fall.
Kakashi's sharp mind worked furiously to devise a plan. "Kimimaro, Suigetsu, Maki!" he barked. "We're going to put an end to Zabuza's mist. We'll create an opening—Maki, you immobilize them the moment we get the chance."
The three nodded and moved swiftly. Suigetsu's watery form slipped through the battlefield like a specter, his liquid body impervious to the mist's concealment. Kimimaro, with his unbreakable resolve and bone-sharpened blades, carved a path toward Zabuza. Despite his ongoing fight, Zabuza seemed to sense their approach, and he moved to intercept, his zankantō swinging with bone-crushing force. Haku moved to defend his master
The battlefield was a frozen wasteland and a graveyard. The once lush clearing had become a stark arena of frost and bone, the clash of two powerful kekkei genkai users turning it into a chaotic canvas of destruction.
Kimimaro stood with his usual stoic demeanor, bone blades extending from his forearms like deadly sabers. His Shikotsumyaku, which imparted him the power to manipulate his own bones, made him a living weapon. Across from him, Haku stood in front of his signature Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, dozens of reflective ice mirrors forming an impenetrable dome around the battlefield. His Ice Release glistened in the cold air, giving him an eerie, otherworldly presence.
Kimimaro stepped forward, dragging his bone sword against the ground, the screeching sound echoing ominously. "Your techniques are elegant," he said flatly. "But elegance without purpose is meaningless."
Haku's face remained composed, but there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "Purpose? My purpose is to protect Zabuza-sama. That is all I need."
Kimimaro tilted his head. "A tool's purpose, then. I'll carve you down and see if your ice can protect you."
Without warning, Kimimaro dashed forward, his speed defying belief. He slashed with his bone blade, aiming for Haku's neck. Haku dodged just in time, vanishing into one of his mirrors. He reappeared behind Kimimaro, a volley of ice senbon firing from his hand. Kimimaro spun with inhuman flexibility, his bone blade deflecting each senbon with a series of hollow clanks.
"Too slow," Kimimaro said, extending a spear-like bone from his other arm. He thrust it toward Haku, piercing straight through his chest. Haku gasped, blood dripping onto the frosted ground.
But instead of falling, Haku smirked faintly. His body seemed to shimmer, the wound on his chest freezing over and sealing shut. In moments, he was whole again, stepping back into one of his mirrors.
Kimimaro's eyes narrowed. "So, you're not alive in the conventional sense. That will make this interesting."
Haku counterattacked, leaping from one mirror to another at dizzying speeds. From each position, he unleashed a storm of ice senbon, each needle glinting with deadly precision. Kimimaro didn't flinch. His Shikotsumyaku exploded into action as bone plates erupted from his body, shielding him in an impenetrable armor. The senbon struck, but they shattered harmlessly against his reinforced skeleton.
Haku landed gracefully on the ground, forming a series of hand seals. "Ice Release: Thousand Needles of Death!" From the icy ground below, countless shards of ice erupted upward, forming a deadly forest of spikes that sought to impale Kimimaro.
Kimimaro leapt into the air, his movements impossibly fluid. "Dance of the Camellia!" He twisted mid-air, extending dozens of bone blades from his body, spinning like a whirlwind of death. The ice shattered around him as he landed, unscathed.
Haku barely had time to react before Kimimaro was upon him again, bone blade slicing through his chest once more. Haku stumbled back, blood splattering onto the ground. But again, his body regenerated, the ice in his veins knitting the wound shut.
"You cannot kill what is already dead," Haku said quietly, his voice calm despite the ferocity of the battle. "I was brought back for a purpose. I will not fail Zabuza-sama again."
Kimimaro's lips curved into the faintest of smirks. "Neither can you kill me. My body is stronger than steel. We're at an impasse."
Haku's eyes flickered to the distance, where the sounds of Kakashi and Zabuza's clash echoed faintly through the mist. He knew where he was needed.
"I don't have time for this," Haku said, his voice filled with resolve. He stepped into a mirror and disappeared, leaving only the faint shimmer of frost behind.
Kimimaro stood still, watching the empty space where Haku had vanished. He sheathed his bone blade back into his arm with a quiet sigh. "Foolish. Running won't change the outcome."
With that, he turned back toward the main battlefield, ready to continue the fight.
"Not so fast!" Suigetsu grinned, intercepting Zabuza's blade, aimed at Kimimaro, with his own. The clash of steel against steel rang out, cutting through the muffling fog. Zabuza growled in irritation as Suigetsu held him at bay, allowing Kimimaro to advance. He slipped away into the mist unseen.
The battlefield was drenched in mist, Zabuza's Hidden Mist Technique turning the world into an obfuscated scene. The faint glint of Suigetsu's Kubikiribōchō, the monstrous blade of Zabuza's own legend, caught the light as he hefted it onto his shoulder with ease. He grinned, his shark-like teeth gleaming as he listened intently for Zabuza's movements in the fog.
"You're not worthy to wield that blade," Zabuza's voice growled from the mist, coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. "A blade like that deserves a master, not a child playing ninja."
"Big words from a dead man wielding a discount zankantō," Suigetsu taunted, turning toward the sound. His voice carried a cocky bravado, but his sharp eyes scanned the mist warily. "Don't worry, Zabuza. I'll do this blade justice by cutting you down with it."
Suddenly, Zabuza appeared behind him, moving with the stealth of a ghost. Suigetsu barely raised the Kubikiribōchō in time to block the downward slash of Zabuza's oversized zankantō. The clash of steel reverberated through the fog, sparks flying as Suigetsu gritted his teeth under the force of the blow.
"You think you're good," Zabuza sneered, pushing down harder. "But I've been killing kids your age since before you could crawl."
Suigetsu smirked and liquefied his torso, letting Zabuza's blade pass through him harmlessly. "Too bad for you—I'm not as easy to kill as a child."
With a burst of strength, Suigetsu swung the massive Kubikiribōchō horizontally. Zabuza leapt back just in time, the edge of the blade slicing through the mist where his head had been moments before. Suigetsu pursued him, his swings wild but heavy, each strike shaking the ground where it landed. Zabuza, however, was faster, sidestepping the blows with practiced ease.
"You're strong," Zabuza admitted, his tone cold. "But you've got no control."
Zabuza feinted left, then darted to Suigetsu's right. With a precise slash, his zankantō severed Suigetsu's arm clean off at the shoulder. The arm, still clutching the Kubikiribōchō, fell to the ground with a wet thud.
"Pathetic," Zabuza muttered, stepping back to survey his work.
But instead of panicking, Suigetsu chuckled. "You're really out of the loop, still, Zabuza?"
The severed arm dissolved into a puddle of water, and before Zabuza could react, Suigetsu's body reformed entirely, a new arm already regenerating from the liquid mass of his body. He picked up the Kubikiribōchō with his regenerated hand and swung it onto his shoulder with a grin.
"You can't kill water," Suigetsu said smugly. "And I can't kill you, but I can definitely make you wish you were dead."
Zabuza scowled. "You're an annoyance."
The two clashed again, Zabuza's precision meeting Suigetsu's raw power. Zabuza weaved through Suigetsu's wild swings, landing precise cuts on Suigetsu's body. But each time Suigetsu's wounds simply reformed, water dripping from his body to the ground as he regenerated.
"You can't keep this up forever," Zabuza growled, frustration creeping into his voice.
"Neither can you," Suigetsu retorted, swinging the Kubikiribōchō in an arc so wide it sliced through a tree, which fell with a deafening crash. "You're a walking corpse. Me? I'm just getting started."
As the mist thickened, Zabuza moved with increasing aggression, each strike carrying lethal intent. Suigetsu could feel the force behind Zabuza's blows; even with a simple zankantō, his skill and ferocity were undeniable.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Enough, Zabuza."
Kakashi Hatake stepped out of the mist, his sharingan faintly illuminating the surrounding mist. He locked onto Zabuza with a mixture of familiarity and determination in his face.
"You've met your match, Zabuza. Let's end this."
Suigetsu smirked. "Guess I've got backup. Not that I needed it, but I won't say no."
The two faced Zabuza together, Suigetsu's monstrous strength and Kakashi's precision forming a deadly combination. For the first time, Zabuza's composure faltered, and he tightened his grip on his blade.
"Fine," Zabuza said, his voice low. "Let's see if either of you has what it takes."
The three warriors clashed in a furious melee, the mist-filled forest trembling under the weight of their battle.
But Haku suddenly appeared, moving like a wraith through the mist. His mirrors of ice reflected the chaos of the battlefield, and before Kakashi could react, Haku stood between him and Zabuza.
"Haku, don't—" Kakashi started, but it was too late. Just as before, Haku acted as a human shield for Zabuza, holding Kakashi in place while Zabuza moved to slash through them both.
Kakashi, however, was no stranger to Zabuza's tactics. In the split second before the blade struck, he substituted himself with a log, the technique so seamless that Zabuza only realized it after his sword cut through empty wood.
"Lightning Blade!" Kakashi's voice rang out, and his electrified hand pierced through Zabuza, sending a jolt through his reanimated body. Zabuza staggered, momentarily immobilized, and Suigetsu seized the opportunity to bind him with the sealing cloth.
Nearby, Haku fell to his knees, weakened but still resisting Kabuto's control. "Kakashi… thank you… for remembering us," he managed to say before Kabuto's technique clamped down on him, erasing all traces of free will. Zabuza, too, forced out a gruff apology through sheer willpower before succumbing to the jutsu's control.
As the Hidden Mist Technique dissipated, Kakashi stood over the bound forms of Zabuza and Haku, his expression a mix of grief and fury. "This jutsu," he growled, his voice trembling with barely suppressed rage. "This is unforgivable."
Meanwhile, on the Land of Lightning's coast, the battle raged on. Chōza Akimichi squared off against his son's former sensei and comrade, Asuma Sarutobi, Choza's massive frame shielding his comrades from Asuma's deadly wind-infused strikes. Nearby, Hiashi Hyūga faced his reincarnated brother, Hizashi, the weight of their shared past hanging heavy in the air. Sasuke and his Sound Ninja rested this shift, recovering from the battle the night before.
Further along the battlefield, Darui reluctantly stepped forward to confront the infamous Gold and Silver Brothers, Kinkaku and Ginkaku. Known for their treachery and brutality in life, the brothers now wielded the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths, artifacts of immense power. Samui and her brother Atsui flanked Darui, ready to assist.
Kinkaku sneered as he raised one of the tools, a massive gourd that shimmered with otherworldly energy. "You think you can take us on, little ninja?" he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Don't underestimate them, Darui!" Ino's voice rang out in his mind through the Alliance's telepathic link. "Kinkaku and Ginkaku aren't normal. They survived being eaten by the Two-Tails, and they retained some of its chakra. They can use its power—and those tools make them even more dangerous."
Darui nodded grimly, his focus unshaken. "Got it. Thanks for the heads-up."
As the brothers unleashed a wave of fiery jutsu, channeling the power of the Two-Tails' chakra, Darui countered with a precise Black Lightning Release: Panther technique, meeting the flames in a stalemate before they could spread. The clash of elements lit up the battlefield, and the war continued to escalate as both sides fought with everything they had.
The battlefield was ablaze with light and destruction as Sakura, Lee, and Guy faced off against the undead forms of Pakura and Gari. The tension was palpable, the air thick with the oppressive energy of their enemies' Kekkai Genkai. Each breath felt like a countdown, each movement a calculated risk.
Pakura stood tall, her demeanor calm and confident as she summoned her Scorch Release orbs. Half a dozen incandescent spheres floated around her, each one pulsating with the blinding heat of a miniature star. Her orbs collectively radiated a heat so intense that the very air around them shimmered like a mirage. "You cannot outrun the sun," she said with a cruel smirk, flicking her wrist to send the orbs spinning toward Lee and Guy.
"Yosh, Lee!" Guy shouted, his voice booming even over the din of battle. "Let us show her the power of our youth!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei!" Lee's enthusiasm matched his mentor's as the two launched themselves at Pakura with unimaginable speed.
Pakura's orbs spiraled hypnotically in every direction, each one homing in on the duo. The two taijutsu specialists moved faster than the untrained eye could follow, their afterimages flickering like phantoms as they narrowly evaded the searing heat. The ground beneath them scorched with each missed impact, leaving smoldering ash in their wake.
Pakura laughed, her movements fluid and precise. "Impressive speed. But how long can you keep it up?" She directed her orbs with increasing precision, forcing Lee and Guy into tighter and tighter corners.
Meanwhile, Sakura faced off against Gari, who grinned wickedly as he slammed his fist into the ground. A ripple of destruction surged toward her, the ground erupting in violent explosions from his appropriately named Explosion Release. Sakura leapt into the air, avoiding the blasts by millimeters.
"I know that technique," Gari said, his eyes narrowing as Sakura brought her three-pronged kunai into the fray. "That's the Flying Thunder God, isn't it? A relic of the Second Hokage. Let's see if you're worthy of wielding it."
Sakura smirked and threw the unique Kunai with a fervor. "Let's find out, shall we?"
Gari swung his arm, detonating a blast directly in Sakura's path. But before the explosion could reach her, Sakura vanished in a pink flash, reappearing beside him. Her Chakra Sabre ignited in her hand, the wind-enhanced blade glowing with white luminescence as it cut through the air. Gari raised his arm to block, but the blade sliced cleanly through his limb.
Gari roared in pain, but his undead body began to regenerate almost instantly. "You can't kill me!" he snarled, his arm reforming as he launched another wave of explosive attacks.
Sakura grinned and three another Kunai. "I don't need to kill you."
She vanished again, reappearing behind him and slamming her blade into his shoulder. Gari staggered, disoriented, as Sakura marked him with her Flying Thunder God seal. From that moment, the battlefield became a blur of pink flashes as Sakura teleported around him, striking from every angle. Her attacks were relentless, each blow sending Gari flying through the air.
As Gari attempted to retaliate, Sakura unleashed a devastating combination: a blast of fire and lightning chakra from the storage seals on her palm followed by a thrust of her wind-natured Chakra Sabre. The elemental attacks collided with Gari, destabilizing his form and leaving him vulnerable. At that moment, Kankuro, who had been silently maneuvering his puppet behind Gari, sprang his trap. With a flick of his fingers, Kankuro's puppet captured Gari in a suppression seal wrap, immobilizing him completely.
"Nice work," Sakura said, landing beside Kankuro with a victorious smirk.
Meanwhile, the battle against Pakura reached its climax. Lee and Guy, pushed to their limits by Pakura's relentless Scorch Release, activated the Fifth Gate simultaneously. Their bodies radiated a green aura as their speed and power skyrocketed. Pakura, for the first time, seemed rattled as the two taijutsu masters launched their assault.
To the untrained eye, it was as if Pakura was being struck by an invisible force. Lee and Guy's movements were too fast to follow, their strikes landing with the force of cannonballs. Pakura retaliated with her orbs, but she couldn't keep up with the sheer speed and ferocity of their attacks.
"This is the power of youth!" Guy shouted as he delivered a bone-crushing kick to Pakura's midsection, sending her sprawling to the ground.
Pakura tried to rise, but Lee appeared above her in a blur, slamming her back down with a devastating punch. For a moment, the battlefield was still, the once-mighty Pakura lying battered and defeated.
"Maki, now!" Guy called.
Maki rushed forward, her suppression sealing cloth in hand. She quickly immobilized Pakura, sealing her away before she could regenerate.
As the battlefield quieted, Sakura, Lee, and Guy regrouped. The once-formidable enemies were now subdued, their destructive powers neutralized.
"Well done, everyone," Guy said, his usual enthusiasm tempered by the gravity of the situation. "The power of youth triumphs once again!"
Sakura nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade. "One battle down. Many more to go."
Lee clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes. "We'll keep fighting, no matter what!"
And with that, the three turned their gaze toward the next battlefield, ready to face whatever came next.
The battle on the coast was a storm of chaos as Kinkaku and Ginkaku wielded the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths with ruthless efficiency. Their power was overwhelming, and the members of the First Division struggled to keep up. The tools, imbued with ancient Six Paths chakra, were used to devastating effect as the brothers toyed with their opponents.
"Those tools are no ordinary weapons," Darui began, his tone grave. "They were forged with the power of the Sage of Six Paths and can seal a person's soul. The Kōkinjō—the rope—marks the target by drawing out their spiritual essence, their 'word soul.' Then, the Shichiseiken, this sword, severs the word soul, revealing their true essence."
He gestured to the Benihisago, its crimson surface glinting in the sunlight. "And finally, the Benihisago seals the target inside. But it's not that simple. If someone speaks their most commonly used word or phrase, they'll be bound and sealed instantly."
Kinkaku, his imposing figure towering over the battlefield, lashed out with the Kōkinjō, pulling the soul words from Atsui and Samui. Ginkaku followed suit with a sinister smirk, severing their souls with the Shichiseiken and placing them into the Benihisago.
"You two are so predictable," Ginkaku sneered, holding the Shichiseiken like a trophy.
Atsui struggled to remain silent, but the brothers weren't done. Kinkaku summoned a wave of fire with the Bashōsen, causing Atsui to reflexively shout, "Hot!" The word triggered the sealing mechanism, and he was sucked into the Benihisago with a scream.
"One down," Kinkaku chuckled.
Samui remained calm and stoic, biting her lip to avoid making a sound. But Ginkaku grabbed her, holding her hostage. "Drop your weapon, or she's next," he threatened Darui, his voice dripping with malice.
Darui gritted his teeth, assessing the situation. Reluctantly, he lowered his sword and stepped forward as if surrendering. But the moment Ginkaku relaxed, Darui lashed out with his Storm Release: Laser Circus, the beams slicing through the air to free Samui and knocking Ginkaku backward.
"You'll pay for that!" Kinkaku roared, kicking his severed arm, still wrapped with the Kōkinjō, toward Darui. The golden chain extended, latching onto Darui's soul word.
Darui's face twisted in horror as he realized what was happening. His soul word was being pulled, and despite his silence, his body betrayed him when he reflexively muttered a word that sounded like "dull." The brothers laughed, seeing his fate sealed.
But Darui's habitual nature saved him. His tendency to apologize altered his most spoken word to "sorry" at the last moment. The Benihisago hummed but failed to seal him. Darui took a deep breath, realizing his luck, and seized the opportunity. Black Lightning ignited in his palm and he cut the Kōkinjō and, using the severed tool, he managed to entangle Ginkaku, forcing him to scream his brother's name, Kinkaku. With the Shichiseiken in hand, Darui severed Ginkaku's word soul and sealed him in the Benihisago.
"Kinkaku!" Ginkaku's voice echoed from the gourd as his soul was sealed.
But this only enraged Kinkaku, who let out a guttural roar. His chakra surged violently, and his body transformed into a monstrous two-tailed Jinchuuriki form. The battlefield quaked as Kinkaku unleashed his rage upon the First Division, his scarlet form radiating malice and power.
Darui, now exhausted, readied himself for what seemed like a losing battle. The First Division scrambled to contain the destruction, but Kinkaku was relentless, a living embodiment of chaos.
Just as the situation seemed hopeless, Sasuke Uchiha appeared on the battlefield, flanked by Karin, Jugo, and the resurrected Sound Four. His Eternal Mangekyōu sharingan glowed ominously, and his presence alone turned the tide of the battle.
"Sasuke!" Darui shouted, both relieved and wary. "Am I glad to see you."
Sasuke didn't answer. Instead, his imperfect, skeletal Susanoo inundated him with raw energy, its jagged, skeletal frame encasing him in a spectral violet aura. The glowing ribcage and skeletal arms radiated an ominous light, exuding an almost uncontainable power. The aura flickered violently, a sign of the tremendous energy it held within. Sasuke's Eternal Mangekyōu sharingan glowed like burning embers, the crimson light feeding into the ethereal construct.
As Sasuke narrowed his eyes in focus, a surge of chakra erupted around him like a tidal wave. The skeletal Susanoo began to shift, its jagged edges smoothing out and elongating as layers of chakra enveloped its frame. The rib cage expanded, forming a solid, armored torso. The skeletal arms thickened and gained definition, transforming into muscular limbs adorned with detailed plates of armor. With a deafening roar that reverberated through the battlefield, the Susanoo sprouted enormous, feathered wings on its back, their shimmering violet feathers seeming to hum with latent energy.
The Susanoo's helmeted visage took on a menacing, refined form, its fierce expression solidifying into one of dominance and precision. Its left hand wielded a massive bow crafted entirely from pure chakra, while its right hand held a shimmering arrow, poised to unleash devastating power. The transformation reached its peak as a radiant aura surrounded the Susanoo, giving it an almost divine appearance.
Sasuke hovered within the chest of his Perfect Susanoo, the translucent purple construct towering above the battlefield like a colossus. The wings spread wide, casting a massive shadow over the landscape. The air buzzed with intensity as the immense power of the transformation settled, and Sasuke's gaze burned with unrelenting determination.
The transition was a testament to Sasuke's mastery over his Eternal Mangekyōu sharingan, a display of both his unyielding will and the unparalleled strength of his lineage. Now armed with this perfected form, Sasuke was prepared to dominate the battlefield, his bow aimed and ready to deliver destruction with pinpoint accuracy.
"Kinkaku," Sasuke muttered coldly, his sharingan locking onto the raging beast. "Your rampage ends here."
In a single, decisive motion, Sasuke's Susanoo brought its arm down with staggering force. The impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. Kinkaku roared, his monstrous form flickering as the impact disrupted his chakra. "Ginkaku!"
With surgical precision, Sasuke struck again, firing an arrow that severed Kinkaku's chakra and rendered him vulnerable. His Susanoo grabbed Benihisago and sealed Kinkaku, who still screamed his brother's name, before he could recover.
As the battlefield grew quiet, the First Division stared in awe at Sasuke. His presence was undeniable, his power overwhelming.
"This battle is won," Darui muttered, collapsing to his knees. "But the war... it's far from over."