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If this were a game, then Obito would be that rookie player with high-end gear and top-tier equipment—yet still playing like a total noob.
Meanwhile, Guy was the expert player using standard gear but pulling off insane high-skill manoeuvres with sheer mechanical prowess.
Logically speaking, with a Mangekyō Sharingan, a Rinnegan, and the absurdly enhanced body of a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, Obito should have been able to perceive Guy's movements and react accordingly. He should have been able to dodge or counterattack.
But in reality?
Guy, having opened the Seventh Gate, smashed a fist into Obito's face, followed it up with a kick to his chest, and then before Obito could recover, finished with Hirudora—Daytime Tiger.
---
Back when Madara became a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, even Guy's Seventh Gate was completely ineffective against him. Not even Hirudora could scratch him. Only after opening the Eighth Gate did Guy reach the level where he could stand toe-to-toe with Madara.
But Obito?
Who knew if it was due to the Ten-Tails' incomplete development or if he was just plain bad at this, but the white tiger-shaped shockwave enveloped his entire body, forcing its pressure onto him.
Obito struggled against the overwhelming force, barely managing to raise an arm to cover his mouth.
His ribs were probably cracked. He wanted to cough up blood, but he really didn't want to risk coughing up a Tailed Beast instead.
"That taijutsu… that strength…!"
Shocked, Obito was sent hurtling back hundreds of meters by Hirudora.
Guy exited his Seventh Gate, breathing heavily.
---
Some of the more perceptive shinobi had managed to track Guy's movements.
Kakashi, having known Guy for years, wasn't surprised.
But for Shisui, Itachi, and Sasuke, the sheer speed and power Guy displayed were horrifying.
That bowl-cut freak is a monster!
Itachi had seen Hirudora in action before when Guy used it to defeat Kisame—but Kisame was nothing compared to this. Obito was a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, practically a god-tier entity! Was taijutsu really this powerful?
Sasuke, meanwhile, felt ashamed. He remembered Gen, Daiki and Jiro Uchiha clansmen who had also mastered powerful taijutsu. If they combined that strength with their Sharingan, they might have been even more formidable than Guy. Sasuke had once looked down on them, thinking they were an embarrassment. But now… he realized he had been ignorant.
---
Naruto, Minato, and Kushina couldn't visually track Guy's movements, but through Sage Mode, they felt everything.
Even so, they could tell even this wasn't enough to take Obito down.
Tenten, Lee, and Neji had a newfound appreciation for their teacher.
Lee, in particular, was bursting with excitement. This confirmed it taijutsu could rival even god-like beings! If he trained hard enough, he could surpass Guy-sensei!
Neji, on the other hand, felt a cold sweat trickle down his back. He immediately decided that he would never spar with Lee again. He had been getting an ominous feeling lately a ninja's instincts were rarely wrong.
He had assumed it was due to the war, but now… he had a sinking feeling that he'd end up dying in a sparring match against a Gate-activated Lee.
Among the most shocked was Yagura.
All he had seen was a burst of blue steam, then bam; Obito was flying through the air.
Gaara and Ōnoki, having witnessed Guy's power earlier, weren't as surprised.
But Yagura? Today, he finally understood how the previous generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had been completely wiped out.
---
Guy steadied his breath, eyes firm. "The Seventh Gate isn't enough. Today might be the day the Blue Beast disappears—"
"No."
Minato cut him off before he could finish.
He knew exactly what Guy was thinking—sacrificing himself to open the Eighth Gate. Yes, it would give him unimaginable power. Yes, it might be enough to take Obito down.
But Minato wouldn't allow it.
"Guy, I understand your resolve," Minato said. "But I still have one last ultimate technique I haven't used yet. And even if someone must risk their life—" He paused, flashing a familiar wide grin, raising his thumb just like Guy always did.
"As Hokage, I should be the first one to do so."
Guy froze.
He had always thought that only his father could say something like that. That only his students would walk the same ninja path as him.
But now…
Did this count as… recognition from the Hokage?
---
Ōnoki floated over beside Minato. "He's right. Sacrificing ourselves to protect the village—that's our duty as Kage. And now, to protect the entire shinobi world, it should be us leading the charge."
Gaara and Yagura stepped forward as well, standing beside Minato.
---
As the group was preparing their next move, a figure suddenly emerged from underground—an Iwa shinobi, just three or four meters away from the Kage.
"Are you all already thinking about a final battle?" the figure spoke. "Why not consider working with me instead?"
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed. "Scorch Release… Is that you, Jirō? Are you an Edo Tensei summon?" He immediately guessed what was going on. "Orochimaru!"
The others tensed.
Kushina and Naruto instinctively prepared their chains, ready to seal him.
Orochimaru, standing in Jirō's reanimated body, smirked. "Yes, it's me."
Minato's gaze sharpened. "What are you after?"
"Obviously, I'm here to propose a temporary alliance to stop that lunatic," Orochimaru said smoothly.
He wasn't lying.
Having observed the battle through his Edo Tensei summons, Orochimaru had reached an undeniable conclusion—Obito might be fighting like an idiot, but his power was absolutely real.
If any of the key players on Konoha's side fell, taking down Obito would become exponentially harder.
More importantly, with power this overwhelming, Orochimaru was almost certain that the Infinite Tsukuyomi wouldn't be as simple as Obito made it sound. He prided himself on his survival skills, but against Six Paths level power? There was no guarantee he'd be safe.
What if it could directly affect souls?
Orochimaru wanted to live.
In terms of sheer survival instinct, he was probably the most persistent person in the entire shinobi world.
And so, he had a bold idea.
---
Ōnoki scoffed. "An alliance, with you?"
"You're our enemy," he continued. "Your Edo Tensei has already caused us enough trouble. Why should we trust you?"
"I've already shown some sincerity," Orochimaru pointed out. "As we speak, my Edo Tensei forces are helping the Allied Shinobi Forces wipe out the White Zetsu army. You should already know this."
The Kage exchanged glances.
It was true. When Ōnoki, Yagura, and Gaara had stopped by the command post, they had already been informed that Orochimaru's Edo Tensei summons were assisting in battle.
Inoichi had also just relayed the same information to Minato via telepathy.
Orochimaru continued, "Besides if Obito's plan succeeds, I die too. You know me, Fourth Hokage—I seek immortality. Achieving dreams by dreaming? That's just pathetic."
Minato hesitated for a moment.
Orochimaru did have a point.
Finally, he asked, "Then how exactly do you plan to cooperate with us?"
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