Chapter 72: War Day 2

In the Land of Lightning, the crisp air of the high mountains was thin, but the tension of war still found purchase. Gaara stood on a rocky outcrop, his sand swirling lightly around him as he focused his senses. His eyes narrowed as his Concealed Sand Picture Cat picked up an unsettling presence.

"Mū," Gaara muttered, recognizing the Second Tsuchikage's distinct chakra signature. He immediately alerted his nearby forces, his expression grim. "He's here."

Not far from Gaara's position,Mūstood in eerie silence, his translucent figure blending almost seamlessly with the terrain. Kabuto, watching the scene from his hidden location in a distant cave, grinned.

Mū's hands—controlled remotely by Kabuto—moved deftly through the distinctive seals of Reanimation Jutsu, and the ground trembled as three coffins emerged from the earth. The lids slid open, revealing the resurrected forms of the Second Mizukage, the Third Raikage, and the Fourth Kazekage. The three Kage stepped out, their expressions a mix of confusion and wariness.

"What is this?" the Third Raikage growled, his deep voice echoing across the battlefield. His massive frame loomed over the others, his aura radiating power.

The Second Mizukage, clad in his ornate armor, chuckled dryly. "A reunion of damned souls, it seems. Though I can't say I'm thrilled to be here."

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, scanned his surroundings before his gaze settled on Mū. "We're dead… yet here we stand. This is the work of Impure World Reincarnation." He glanced at his hands, clenching them into fists. "I've heard rumors of this forbidden jutsu, but to witness it firsthand…"

The Second Mizukage scoffed. "Let me guess, Tobirama Senju?"

"No," Rasa replied, his golden eyes narrowing. "He's long gone. In this era, it is believed only Orochimaru has mastered it. But this feels… different. More refined. Whoever did this has surpassed even Orochimaru's mastery."

As the four Kage exchanged uneasy glances, Rasa's gaze shifted, locking onto a figure in the distance. His eyes widened slightly as he recognized the familiar red hair. "Gaara," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of disbelief. "My son."

From his vantage point, Gaara watched the undead Kage with a stoic expression, though his heart clenched at the sight of his father. He activated his mental link with Ino. Her urgent telepathic voice suddenly filled his mind:

"Everyone, I'm getting an urgent message from the Kazekage," she said, her voice echoing through the mental broadcast link. "The reincarnated Kage have been spotted. They include Gaara's father,The Fourth Kazekage, the Second Tsuchikage, the Third Raikage, and the Second Mizukage. Kabuto is pulling out all the stops."

Gaara's expression darkened as Ino continued, this time directly to him, "Shikaku-san is coordinating reinforcements. The Raikage wants to head to the battlefield himself, but Tsunade-sama is trying to hold him back. Stay put for now—we're sending backup."

Back at the Shinobi Alliance's headquarters, the tension was palpable. Shikaku Nara leaned over a map of the battlefield, his sharp mind working at full capacity as he devised a strategy. "We'll need to mobilize portions of the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Divisions to assist the First Division. The Third is closest to Gaara's position and will serve as the frontline."

The Raikage, Ay, slammed his fist on the table. "I should be out there! My father is among the reincarnated. It's my responsibility to put him to rest."

Tsunade stepped forward, her gaze stern. "Your place is here, Raikage-dono. The Alliance needs its leaders to coordinate the larger battle. You charging head first into battle will only show our discord."

"Fine. But if the situation changes, I won't hesitate." Ay growled in frustration but relented, crossing his arms.

Shikaku nodded, his focus never wavering. "We'll send reinforcements immediately. Gaara and the Third Division will hold the line until they arrive."

As orders were relayed and divisions began to move, the battlefield prepared for one of the most intense confrontations yet. Gaara tightened his fists as he stared down at the approaching Kage, his resolve unshaken.

"Father," he muttered under his breath, "this time, I will face you as the Kazekage."

Naruto, Killer Bee, Yugito, and Itachi gathered in the makeshift clearing they'd claimed as their camp. The remains of the battlefield surrounded them, but their focus had shifted to the war at large. The Alliance was scattered across the Land of Lightning, fighting on multiple fronts, and decisions had to be made quickly.

"I've got a bad feeling about my brother," Killer Bee began, his voice unusually serious. "Ay's not the type to sit still when something's going on. If he finds out where we are, he'll try to stop us. He doesn't want us fighting."

Naruto crossed his arms, his blue eyes blazing with determination. "I'd like to see him try," he declared with characteristic confidence, his fiery resolve making him seem larger than life.

"Naruto, don't be an idiot," Yugito snapped, giving him a hard look. "Even if you could beat the Raikage—and I'm not saying you could—it would be a pointless fight. You'd waste your energy, and if one of you got injured, it would weaken the Alliance. We're too important to this war. You're too important to it—to Sasuke, and to me." Her voice softened, though her expression remained guarded.

Naruto's grin spread slowly, teasingly. "Yugito, that almost sounded sentimental."

Yugito's cat-like eyes narrowed, her tone cold as ice. "Mention it to anyone, and I will slit your throat while you sleep."

Naruto laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I'd probably regenerate," he quipped, barely concealing his amusement.

"Good," Yugito shot back, her tone unreadable. "That way I can kill you as many times as it takes to work out my anger."

Killer Bee, standing to the side, watched their banter with a mix of amusement and pride. He didn't say it aloud, but he respected how Naruto had managed to break through Yugito's walls in ways he never could, despite his attempts. She'd always kept him at arm's length, viewing his choice to embrace his Jinchūriki life willingly as something she could never understand. But Naruto, with his blunt honesty and relentless optimism, had become someone she could trust. Even Bee had to admit that Naruto's ability to forge connections was something special.

It was Itachi who brought them back to the matter at hand, clearing his throat quietly but with enough authority to command their attention. "That is quite enough," he said calmly. "The Alliance needs us to act. We don't have time for idle chit chat. The Akatsuki's forces are vast, and their reanimated army will only grow more destructive the longer we wait."

The four of them nodded, and a tense silence fell as they considered their options.

"I suggest splitting up," Itachi continued. "Yugito and I will reinforce Darui's First Division. The coast is under siege, and Sasuke is there. He'll need help—he's strong, but even he can't take on all of Kabuto's summons alone. Besides, it would be... fitting for the two of us to fight with each other, if only briefly. I'll keep him focused."

Naruto blinked in surprise. "You're going to see Sasuke? Just like that?"

Itachi's expression was unreadable. "I owe him answers," he said simply.

Naruto and Bee exchanged glances before nodding. "Then we'll head inland," Naruto said. "Kakashi-sensei and Gaara are holding the line with the Kage and the Third Division. They'll need backup, and we can cover more ground if we move fast."

"Agreed," Itachi said, his tone final. He turned to Yugito. "Let's move quickly. Every second counts."

Yugito nodded, her eyes narrowing with determination. "Don't get yourself killed, Naruto," she said before turning and leaping into the trees with Itachi following close behind.

Naruto watched them go before turning to Killer Bee. "Guess it's just us now."

Bee grinned, his playful demeanor returning. "Yo, let's go, bro! Time to show the Alliance what we're here fo'!"

Naruto couldn't help but laugh as the two of them turned toward the distant horizon, their mission clear. The war raged on, and they were ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Yugito and Itachi moved through the dense trees of the Land of Lightning's coast, their silent steps barely disturbing the forest floor. The crash of waves against the cliffs echoed faintly in the background, blending with the rustle of leaves. Neither had spoken for hours, save for occasional curt exchanges about their route or warnings of potential threats. Itachi was astutely attuned to Yugito's simmering hostility, and truthfully, he welcomed it. He deserved it. She loved his brother—of that much he was certain—and for that, he was grateful. The least he could do was ensure her safety and give her the space she needed to process whatever valid emotions boiled within her.

But her silence didn't last forever.

"Why are you staring at me?" Yugito hissed, her voice sharp enough to cut through the ambient noise. She didn't turn to face him, her pace relentless as she leapt to another branch.

Itachi followed smoothly, his face as composed as ever. "I apologize, Nii-san. I am only curious."

She rolled her eyes, the expression visible even in the fleeting moonlight filtering through the canopy. "Curious about what?"

Itachi said nothing, though his attention remained focused on her as they moved.

Yugito's tone turned venomous, each word laced with restrained fury. "I'm curious about something, too. Curious about how you could knowingly destroy the life of a child. Inflict pain, trauma, and unspeakable suffering on someone you claimed to love. Someone you claimed you were sparing."

Itachi's expression didn't waver, but his gaze fell slightly, a rare break in his otherwise impenetrable composure. He didn't defend himself. He wouldn't.

"He's your brother," Yugito spat, her voice trembling with the weight of her own emotions. "That's supposed to mean something, isn't it? I always thought it did. I always wanted a brother—someone who'd protect me when I was too weak to protect myself. Someone who'd stand up for me when I myself couldn't stand. But I didn't get that. I got tormentors—my teachers, my peers, my entire village. They hated me, but needed my might, and this I was trapped, for they held my leash."

They paused for a moment, landing on adjacent branches as they surveyed the coastline for movement. Yugito's breathing was heavier, her fury barely contained.

"I'm sorry, Nii-san," Itachi said quietly, his voice sincere. "For what happened to you. And for what I did to someone you love. Someone we both love."

Yugito whirled on him, her glare piercing. "You have an interesting way of showing love," she snapped. "He told me about the Tsukuyomi you cast on him four years ago. Do you know what that did to him? What it still does to him? He was a child, Itachi. A traumatized child, and you compounded that trauma. What was it, some kind of sick pleasure? Or was it just to remind him—and me, and everyone like us—that our worth only comes from being pawns in your grand plans?"

Itachi flinched. Subtle as it was, Yugito caught it, and she relished the sight. For once, she had the upper hand against the stoic Uchiha.

"I've made many mistakes," Itachi admitted, his voice low and burdened. "Mistakes that I can't atone for, not in life or death. But I made my choices to protect my village. To protect Konoha. The Uchiha would have burned it to the ground, taken the lives of countless innocents, just to satisfy their ambition. I couldn't let that happen."

"And Sasuke?" Yugito's voice cracked. "What about him, wasn't he innocent? You burned his life to the ground."

Itachi closed his eyes briefly before answering. "He was innocent, yes. The only Uchiha child of his generation. He wasn't part of their schemes. I spared him because he deserved a chance to live—to be free from the burden of our clan's sins."

"You think he's free?" Yugito barked a bitter laugh. "You think you saved him? You condemned him, Itachi. You burdened him with guilt and anger and left him to parse through your lies on his own. He didn't grow strong because of you. He grew strong despite you."

"I know," Itachi said simply. "But I did keep him alive. And for me that was enough."

Yugito's dark eyes burned into him, more vehement than any sharingan. "You senseless men," she growled. "Always making the wrong decisions when it comes to emotions. It was never his job to redeem you, Itachi. It was yours to tell him the truth. To let him decide whether or not to forgive you. And you've failed that miserably."

Itachi's gaze softened, his expression wistful. "Not yet," he said quietly.

Yugito said nothing, turning away sharply as they continued their journey. The silence between them returned, but it was heavier now, laden with words unspoken and wounds unhealed. They moved forward, united by purpose but divided by pain, each carrying the weight of their choices and the people they had failed.

The forest echoed with unnatural silence, broken only by the faint sound of distant waves. Itachi and Yugito moved steadily forward, their steps careful, senses alert. Then, without warning, the stillness was shattered.

"Well, well," a manic voice called out, brimming with unhinged excitement. "Look who we've got here, Kakuzu!" Hidan stepped into view, his scythe slung casually over his shoulder. His grin was feral as his violet eyes locked on the pair. "If it isn't Itachi Uchiha! And he's already captured the Two-Tails for us. Kabuto sure made this easy!"

Kakuzu appeared from the shadows, his gaze calculating. His stitched-together form was more monstrous than ever under the eerie glow of the Reanimation Jutsu. "Fool," he muttered, casting a glance at Hidan. "The Jinchuriki is clearly not a prisoner. She's fighting willingly."

Yugito's lips curled into a sneer, her sharp teeth glinting as a bubbling red shroud of chakra enveloped her body, forming ethereal outline of a cat with two swaying tails. "Perceptive," she said coolly, her eyes glowing with malice.

Without hesitation, Yugito leaped forward, her chakra-enhanced speed making her a blur. Her two tails extended into deadly lances of pure demonic energy as she spun low, striking at both opponents. Hidan, overconfident in his invincibility, took the hit squarely in the chest. He stumbled back, looking down at the smoldering hole with mild annoyance. "Oh, come on!" he yelled. "You think that'll work on me?"

Meanwhile, Kakuzu's black threads erupted from his body, whipping toward Yugito like a swarm of serpents. She darted between the deadly tendrils with feline grace, her movements fluid and calculated. A flick of her hand sent a column of blue flame roaring toward Kakuzu. One of his elemental masks emerged from his body, countering with a torrent of water that hissed as it met the fire, creating a shroud of steam.

Yugito pressed the attack, her chakra claws extending out and slashing through Kakuzu's threads with precision. Her movements were relentless, a blur of fiery energy as she weaved through the battlefield. However, a sharp pain seared through her side, and she turned to see Hidan grinning wickedly, his scythe dripping with her blood. "Gotcha!" he said, raising the weapon triumphantly.

But then, Yugito's form shimmered—and exploded into a flock of inky ravens.

Hidan blinked in confusion, his grin faltering. "What the—?"

Itachi stepped into view, his sharingan spinning ominously. "You're already under my Genjutsu," he said, his voice calm and foreboding. Hidan's body tensed as the illusion warped his reality. Before he could react, black flames erupted across his body, the inextinguishable fire of Amaterasu consuming him. Hidan rolled on the ground, screaming in rage and agony, his immortality his only reprieve from complete destruction.

Meanwhile, Yugito stepped back into the fray, her body glowing with raw power. The chakra around her expanded, engulfing her entirely until the massive form of Matatabi emerged—a towering feline beast cloaked in cobalt and obsidian flames. The air vibrated with the intensity of her palpable chakra as she roared, her voice shaking the forest to its roots.

Kakuzu's threads lashed out in desperation, but they burned to ash before they could reach her. Matatabi's flames surrounded Kakuzu, boxing him in on all sides. He tried to counter with his elemental masks, but it was futile against the sheer heat and force of the tailed beast's power.

"You'll regret this!" Kakuzu snarled, his eyes darting for an escape.

Yugito didn't respond. Instead, she gathered the immense energy within her, a dense sphere of chakra forming in her mouth. The Bijudama glowed ominously before it shot forward, hitting Kakuzu directly. The explosion was cataclysmic, obliterating the surrounding landscape in a blinding flash of light and vibrant chakra.

When the dust settled, the battlefield was unrecognizable—a scorched wasteland. Kakuzu's fragmented body lay motionless, regenerating slowly under the influence of the Edo Tensei but rendered inert for now. Hidan's screams of fury still echoed faintly, the black flames of Amaterasu consuming him endlessly. Itachi solemnly summoned a spectral arm of his Susanoo, his Blade of Totsuka posed to strike. He quickly sealed both immortals in the gourd he held in another monstrous arm of chakra.

Yugito reverted to her human form, panting but resolute. Itachi stepped beside her, his sharingan still active as he surveyed the devastation. "Efficient," he remarked quietly.

Yugito didn't look at him, her gaze fixed on the destruction. "We have no time to waste. There are more like them out there."

Itachi nodded, and the two disappeared into the forest, leaving the lingering residue of their battle behind.