"War… has broken out."
At the border of the Land of Fire, inside a remote small town.
A man wrapped in bandages frowned deeply, while beside him stood a youth who looked almost like a girl, his brows also carrying a hint of melancholy.
"That's right, Lord Zabuza. All the major villages have already started moving."
These two were clearly Zabuza and Haku. Ever since the Land of Waves had been freed by Kitagawa Gen, the two of them had learned their lesson.
They did not continue to remain in the Land of Waves. Instead, they ventured deep into the shinobi continent and found a relatively stable place to live in seclusion.
However, with the outbreak of war, their situation could no longer be considered stable—and this time, the scale of the great war was far larger than they had imagined.
"This is really a complete mess…"
Momochi Zabuza pondered for a moment before shaking his head and speaking.
"But it's also really interesting!"
"Lord Zabuza, should we leave this place?"
Haku could not help but ask in a low voice. In her view, the current situation was truly rather complicated.
"Perhaps heading to the Land of Fire would be better. After all, the Fifth Hokage is there—"
"That could work, but we're not going there to seek protection."
Momochi Zabuza fell silent for a moment, then suddenly grinned, which made Haku feel somewhat surprised.
"Lord Zabuza, could it be that you're thinking—"
"Back then, that guy let us off once. Even though I'm still very unhappy with them, it's not like we can't do something in return."
"Are we going to join the war, Lord Zabuza?"
"Mm. If we don't do something at a grand event like this, it really wouldn't feel right."
Zabuza murmured softly as he casually pulled out a kunai from his waist and began examining it.
Before long, he made his decision—and at this very moment, quite a few others were also making their own choices.
With the shinobi world thrown into such chaos and the war escalating to this extent, no one could truly remain uninvolved.
Many wandering shinobi, and even quite a few mercenary organizations, began arriving in the Land of Fire in scattered waves.
There were quite a few people in this world like Momochi Zabuza and Haku—most of them gathering in a piecemeal fashion and heading toward Amegakure, including many familiar faces.
For example, the shinobi of Takigakure—they took the initiative to come to the Land of Fire and chose to join the war.
There were also quite a few shinobi from small countries like the Land of Frost who came here.
There were even some shinobi from Kumogakure who "voluntarily" chose to come and support the war effort.
Although Kumogakure harbors a great deal of malice toward the entire shinobi world, according to their own "claim," they also have "righteous men."
...
"This war really is different."
Inside the main command room of the Land of Fire's capital, Nara Shikaku looked at his good friend Yamanaka Inoichi beside him and could not help but complain.
The main command headquarters was not placed in Konohagakure naturally to avoid suspicion, especially since the shinobi makeup this time was extremely complex.
Therefore, just like the previous Kage Summit, they chose another location within the Land of Fire to coordinate command.
"In past wars, it was either for the village to gain better development, or to protect one's homeland."
"But this time, it's an organization declaring war on the entire shinobi world. After so many years, this is truly the first time I've ever seen this."
Inoichi shrugged and said with a smile.
"Perhaps the Hokage-sama was right—Uchiha Obito has something wrong with his head. But our task right now isn't light either."
"Yeah."
Nara Shikaku nodded. After a round of discussion, the shinobi forces were divided into five combat forces.
Three of them were large in number and were used to fight on three main front battlefields. One was smaller in number, used to deal with the Akatsuki forces from the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Waves.
Another was a mobile force, used to reinforce each battlefield.
But what gave people a headache was that this special mobile force still had not fully assembled even now!
"It's just that Naruto's Nine-Tails isn't exactly behaving, and it still needs to be properly dealt with. Sasuke also hasn't fully recovered yet—what a hassle."
"It's fine. With the Second Hokage-sama and the Fourth Hokage-sama here, the situation isn't that bad. Besides, isn't the Fifth Hokage-sama able to mobilize at any time?"
Inoichi shrugged and smiled. Relatively speaking, he trusted the older generation more, after all—they had been through more.
Of course, among the younger generation, the one he trusted most was the Fifth Hokage Kitagawa Gen.
But Kitagawa Gen was truly a special case—there probably wasn't anyone who wouldn't trust him!
"Other than that, isn't the biggest headache those scattered shinobi who came in ones and twos? They're the ones who are the most troublesome, aren't they?"
"That's right. Screening them really doesn't put anyone in a good mood, but we can't refuse them either."
Nara Shikaku had a splitting headache. He had to guard against whether these people might be spies from Akatsuki, yet at the same time he couldn't dampen others' enthusiasm.
This kind of matter—no matter who handled it—would feel extremely troublesome.
"Especially those guys from Kumogakure. Some individuals actually ran over on their own to join the war, while their village hasn't made any statement at all."
"Are they trying to please both sides?"
Yamanaka Inoichi raised an eyebrow, then shook his head with a hint of disdain.
"Do they think this is still the past? Aren't they afraid of bringing trouble upon themselves?"
"Who knows with them? All right, enough about that—we still need to complete our own tasks."
Nara Shikaku stretched lazily, then spoke with a smile.
"We have to ensure the frontlines advance smoothly and guarantee coordination and tactics across all units. We've got plenty of work ourselves."
"Yeah."
Yamanaka Inoichi smiled. Looking at the 'new companions' from Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and even a few from Sunagakure around them, he couldn't help but sigh.
"This time really is extraordinary."
And while they were chatting, advances across the shinobi world continued without pause, and Akatsuki's army of White Zetsu also began to move.
"This is a bit troublesome…"
Kakashi was leading the First Division forward continuously, but when he saw the enemies suddenly appear ahead, he couldn't help but frown slightly.
Before him, in addition to large numbers of White Zetsu flickering in and out of sight, the four figures standing at the very front all wore Kirigakure forehead protectors.
Moreover, their faces were covered in cracks—clearly, every one of them was an Impure World Reincarnation.
The crack-covered faces marked their identities as reanimated shinobi.
Aside from them, there were also many shinobi wearing all kinds of forehead protectors, already poised to act.
Evidently, Akatsuki had prepared shinobi from every village across the board.
"Those Akatsuki bastards are really detestable—there's every kind of person among them."
Seeing this scene, Guy couldn't help muttering a curse under his breath, but he quickly grew excited again.
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—Kirigakure really is something, to have been so unprepared. But—"
"Hey, hey, hey, this is a war!"
Kakashi seemed to notice Guy's unusual excitement, which immediately made him roll his eyes.
"Also, those Impure World Reincarnation can't be killed. Notify the sealing unit and have them ready at all times—and make sure to protect the sealing unit."
"Yes, yes, yes, I know!"
Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs-up and spoke with a grin.
"In terms of disciples, I'm afraid I can't compare to you—but in other areas, I won't lose! Youth is exactly the time to burn!"
"You idiot…"
Kakashi smiled as he lifted his forehead protector, revealing the Sharingan hidden beneath.
He also knew that Guy's excitement went far beyond just this. Back then, his father had faced the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and unleashed that power known as "the power of youth."
That experience had always influenced Guy, guiding him all the way to where he stood today.
Now, facing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist once again, Guy would naturally be even more excited—this was only to be expected.
"Yes, yes, yes. Get ready for battle, we—hmm?"
At that very moment, he suddenly sensed something. He looked up—and saw that Zabuza had already run over, bringing Haku with him!
"Huh? It's actually you?"
Zabuza's appearance made Kakashi pause for a moment, and it also caused the expressions of the Impure World Reincarnation on the opposite side to turn somewhat strange.
"Yo, isn't that Zabuza? Didn't expect you to still be alive."
Suikazan Fuguki raised an eyebrow and spoke oddly. Kushimaru Kuriarare said nothing, while Jinin Akebino let out a cold laugh.
"You're just a guy who picked up Biwa Jūzō's blade. But whatever—being able to get the blade at all means you've got some skill."
"Indeed. I heard that among those who defected and are still alive, only you and Kisame remain. Didn't expect you to be helping Konoha."
Jinpachi Munashi sounded somewhat disdainful, though his gaze was focused more on Guy standing behind.
"Tch, isn't this that little brat from back then? I wonder how you compare to your father!"
Not just him—several of the others couldn't help but look toward Guy as well. They were all victims from those days.
Even if they hadn't been beaten to death on the spot by Might Duy, they had been tormented to death by that incident afterward.
It could be said that Might Duy alone had completely shattered the mindset of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Now that they had run into Guy, every one of them naturally harbored their own complicated thoughts.
"Why are you here?"
Kakashi was still somewhat wary, though that wariness also carried a hint of curiosity.
"Gen let you go. Weren't you living in seclusion? Why—"
"Hmph. This war doesn't belong to you alone."
Zabuza snorted coldly. Looking at the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist before him, as well as the Impure World Reincarnation forces behind them, he spoke in a low voice.
"If I want to properly enjoy a secluded life, these guys won't agree. Don't forget—they even tried to recruit me back then."
"Looks like this time, we'll be fighting side by side."
Kakashi sounded somewhat emotional. That unlucky guy Zabuza had run into them twice—both times as an enemy.
Who would have thought that this time, their identities would undergo such a drastic reversal, and they would actually become teammates?
"This world really is strange."
"It is strange. By the way, it was your command headquarters that told me to come."
Zabuza hefted the Kubikiribōchō onto his shoulder. He also felt a subtle sense of fate—his bad luck seemed to always bring him face to face with this guy.
Even though Kitagawa Gen wasn't here this time, that kid was already the Hokage!
"Without Kitagawa Gen, I feel like you're pretty unreliable—but let's work together to deal with these guys!"
"Come on, even without Gen, you've never beaten me, all right?"
Kakashi found it a bit amusing, but he quickly turned serious.
"Then let's move. This time, we can't lose."
As his order was given, the shinobi behind him made their preparations at once and followed in his steps, charging straight toward the Impure World Reincarnation.
And in other areas, battles began to erupt as well.
Whether it was the father–daughter pair Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi, the sibling pair Temari and Kankurō, or the forces of Kirigakure, all had already run into their respective enemies.
They each encountered foes of their own, and this shinobi world war left little room for probing—fierce combat erupted from the very start!
...
"Damn it, why won't you let me go up there—hm!"
Inside the command headquarters, Deidara looked extremely displeased as he poked at his hands.
"Even that old man gets to go as part of some reinforcement unit. Why do I have to stay here? Damn it!"
"Cut it out. Right now, as Kage, we can't just run around."
Terumī Mei heard Deidara's complaints and rubbed her brow with a headache, which only made Deidara even more displeased.
"But the old man hasn't officially announced it yet! He hasn't stepped down at all, yet he goes off to enjoy himself and leaves me stuck here—how hateful, hmm!"
"Idiot."
Kitagawa Gen rolled his eyes. To be honest, he also felt rather bored.
"I haven't been officially announced either, but who doesn't already know I'm the Fifth? Strictly speaking, I'm pretty unhappy right now too—but this is inevitable."
"As Kage, we need composure. Besides, Akatsuki's core members still haven't shown themselves."
Terumī Mei followed Kitagawa Gen's line of thought and added an explanation. She tilted her head and asked with some curiosity.
"Speaking of which, Gen, when do you think they'll make their move?"
"That, I don't know either."
Kitagawa Gen shrugged. Even so, Kisame had provided him with quite a bit of information about Akatsuki's situation.
They were gathering toward the various battlefields, and Orochimaru had also activated Yakushi Kabuto to inquire about certain conditions inside Konohagakure.
It was easy to imagine that once they were in position, the intensity of the fighting would rise another level.
Most importantly—
'Nagato and Kimimaro have joined the war, and Obito is about the same. It's just that Uchiha Madara's location still isn't confirmed.'
The participation of these three was hardly surprising. They still needed to release their Kāma, so they naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.
The most troublesome one was still Uchiha Madara. His position remained uncertain, and the trouble he could cause would be anything but small.
'But there's nothing to be afraid of. Senju Hashirama has been waiting for him all along. Once they start moving, there will only be more interesting things to come.'
Kitagawa Gen was in an excellent mood. This time, their preparations for the great war were extremely thorough.
Perhaps the only thing that annoyed him was that Sasuke's eyes still hadn't completed their full fusion.
'That really slows my task down a bit.'
The powers of Indra and Asura weren't fully gathered yet, but barring accidents, he would obtain them in this war as well.
'And the source of the God Tree within me has almost fully recovered. The fruit is nearly ready, so then—'
'We'll just wait for Obito or Nagato to release the Ten-Tails. Then it will truly be an era that belongs to me!'
---
I will post some extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. >> patreon.com/TitoVillar
---