"Nice, Shikamaru!"
Two voices rang out as Asuma and Darui burst out from behind the rubble.
One wielded a chakra blade, the other raised a long sword, both charging straight for Obito's chest and abdomen.
But the very next second, the four Edo Tensei Jinchuriki immediately went into partial tailed-beast cloaks, rushing in and slamming the two of them flying. The shockwave rippled out and Shikamaru was also blasted away, breaking his Kage Mane no Jutsu (Shadow Imitation Technique).
Choji took the opportunity to partially enlarge himself, his massive fist crashing down, only to be repelled and blown back by Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push).
Fortunately, none of them were seriously injured. They scrambled back to their feet, though their expressions were grim.
Asuma asked, "Shikamaru, got a plan yet?"
Shikamaru's smile was bitter. "I'm working on it, but I don't like our odds. A Rinnegan with four Jinchuriki backing him is basically cheating. People like us aren't meant to fight that."
Darui said, "Cheating or not, we still have to deal with it. We just need to hold until reinforcements arrive. You're our 'strongest brain', so hurry up and think of something."
Shikamaru sighed, feeling thoroughly unlucky.
But if he wanted to live, if he wanted everyone else to live, and if he wanted victory, he had to come up with something.
Fortunately, over at HQ, the intel division led by Inoichi had already hooked up a special device that greatly boosted the range and efficiency of message reception. They received the distress signals in short order.
"The First Division's defensive line has encountered Obito!"
"The Fourth Division has engaged the Edo Tensei Fourth Kazekage!"
"We need to dispatch reinforcements immediately!"
Neji stood up at once. "Shino, Yamato, we're moving out! Have Gaara contact the Mizukage. The daimyo doesn't need her guarding him anymore. Taking down Obito is the top priority now!"
With that, Neji, Shino, and Yamato headed out the door and mounted Badora.
Since Natsuki and Tenten had gone to the frontlines, there was no more Flying Thunder God to speed up reinforcements, which meant everyone else would move slower. So the two had chosen instead to summon Badora and a whole flock of giant mountain eagles, and HQ had been feeding them on cattle and sheep. Whenever support was needed, the reinforcements simply rode the eagles straight to the front.
It had to be said, choosing to sign a contract with the mountain eagles back then had been absolutely the right call. Now, they were proving invaluable.
Gaara immediately ordered that a message be sent to Mei, telling her and Nagato to hurry to the Second Division's line of defense.
Even so, when it came to the Fourth Division's side, Gaara couldn't calm down. That battlefield involved his father, and with Maki and Temari there, the two of them were no match for Rasa.
He knew better than anyone how strong his father was. Whenever Shukaku rampaged, it was always Rasa who got it under control.
Because of that, he was worried. He couldn't bear the thought of his sister Temari dying there.
Maki: What about me? I don't get to live?
"No. I'm going to the Fourth Division myself!"
Gaara suddenly stood up and headed for the door, but Konan instantly spread her arms, blocking his way.
"You can't go!" she said, her tone firm. "You're a Jinchuriki. You can't go to the frontlines. I won't let you."
To make up for her past mistakes, she was prepared to do anything within her power. Failing to seal the Gedo Statue had left her dejected for quite some time, but she had pulled herself together quickly and assigned herself a new mission: protect the Jinchuriki.
Shikaku added, "Gaara, Konan is right. You cannot go to the front."
Mabui said, "We'll send others as reinforcements. You don't have to worry."
But Gaara simply couldn't set his worries aside. "No one understands my father's strength better than I do. All of our top fighters have already gone off to different fronts. There's no one left who can stop him. That means I'm the only one who can go!"
"No. I absolutely will not let you go."
Konan stood her ground. "If you're that worried, then let me go instead. I've already assigned the Nara team to protect your sister."
Gaara opened his mouth, saw the unshakable resolve in Konan's eyes, and suddenly didn't know what to say.
He knew a lot about Konan's past. He knew that, to atone, she was willing to throw away her life. That knowledge moved him more than he cared to admit.
But he also couldn't just stand by and watch Konan walk off to die.
Fortunately, at that moment, a voice rang out.
"Hey, hey, don't forget you've still got me, the Toad Sage Jiraiya! At a time like this, of course it's my turn to head out."
That's right, they still had Jiraiya.
He had stayed at HQ partly to protect Gaara, but also because he carried the sealing scroll holding the severed leg of the Gedo Statue. Everyone had simply taken it for granted that he had to remain in the rear.
But now, perhaps it really was time for him to go to the front.
Jiraiya nodded. "Alright then. Leave Rasa to Jiraiya-sensei. Konan, you be careful too."
Gaara wasn't ungrateful. With even Jiraiya stepping up, he didn't have much left to worry about. If even Jiraiya couldn't handle Rasa, it wouldn't matter if Gaara went as well.
Konan let out a quiet breath and smiled. "Natsuki and Tenten's summoning beasts really are convenient. They've helped us a lot."
Jiraiya agreed readily, but added, "Konan, I know you want to make amends, but you need to protect yourself too. Otherwise, in the future, how am I supposed to face Yahiko and Nagato?"
Konan lowered her gaze and said nothing.
In truth, after Nagato's death, she'd had no desire to go on living.
If Nagato hadn't given her a new mission, she would probably have gone after Obito long ago in a suicidal attack.
So now, as long as she could help in any way, she was prepared to sacrifice her life without hesitation. But the more she was like that, the more it hurt Jiraiya.
And yet he could not talk her out of it.
(End of Chapter)
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