Chapter 111: A Tragic Victory
Hasumi Maki was perhaps the most leisurely person in this war.
He had no destination, moving in a straight line, casually dispatching any Allied Shinobi he encountered to earn some Malice Value.
Strangely, however, most ninja forces seemed to have orders. The moment they identified him, they fled before he could even get close. This suited him just fine. He was also actively avoiding his "other self" who was sent to fight him. As clone and main body, it was easy for them to sense and avoid each other, allowing him to farm malice in peace.
His path eventually led him from the vast sea, bringing him ashore. The water's surface was choked with the white, lifeless corpses of Zetsu, bobbing with the waves. On the shore, they were piled up in gruesome mountains.
It was clearly the aftermath of a major battle. A powerful barrier formation, like an inescapable net, still sealed away many of the remaining Edo Tensei ninja. It seemed the First, Fifth, and half of the Fourth Divisions had won a great victory here, successfully controlling this battlefield.
As Hasumi Maki observed the cleanup, he glimpsed a familiar face.
"Ah!"
A shrill scream erupted. A shinobi who had been struggling to suppress the Edo Tensei Kakuzu was suddenly cut in half by a gigantic, razor-sharp ice mirror.
Kakuzu's hand shot out, digging into the dying man's chest, and ripped out the still-beating heart. He stuffed it into his own chest cavity without hesitation. A moment later, his figure flickered and reappeared beside Hasumi Maki.
Kakuzu's stitched, distorted face twisted into a sneer. "I thought you were dead long ago."
Hasumi Maki met his gaze indifferently. "As you can see, I am alive and well."
He slowly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the endless shinobi army before them. They were surrounded.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: 10,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: 10,000]
[Chakra (300,175,000 / 400,000,000)]
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: 100,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: 100,000]
[Chakra (300,185,000 / 400,000,000)]
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: 100,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: 100,000]
[Chakra (300,195,000 / 400,000,000)]
...
"The directive from HQ is clear! Once we encounter Hasumi Maki, we are to retreat and report his location immediately!"
Shikamaru's brows were furrowed, his eyes lowered as he fought to control his emotions. Hatred radiated from him, but reason overrode it. He turned to Darui, the captain of the First Division, and spoke in a low, deep voice.
"We have so many elite ninja gathered here," Akimichi Choza roared, his eyes wide with fury as he hefted his giant bo staff. "Are we supposed to be afraid of just two of them?"
His eyes were bloodshot. His son had died at the hands of Hasumi Maki.
Darui nodded, his expression solemn as he scanned the two Akatsuki members. "From a numerical standpoint, we have the overwhelming advantage."
In truth, Shikamaru's heart also burned for revenge. But his reason told him that Hasumi Maki's Flying Thunder God Technique, combined with his unique soul-targeting Bloodline Limit, made him absurdly threatening in a group battle.
Just as Shikamaru was about to voice these concerns, Darui raised a hand, stopping him.
"We managed to seal the Gold and Silver brothers with united efforts. Even if we face Hasumi Maki, who is said to be immortal, we can do it!" Darui's face was resolute. His usual laziness was gone, replaced by a fierce determination. "Listen up, everyone! There are only two of them!"
A roar went up from the allied forces.
But at that exact moment, a new, slightly playful voice came from behind Hasumi Maki and Kakuzu.
"Who said there are only two?"
Hasumi Maki raised an eyebrow and looked over his shoulder. The figure gradually resolved into Uchiha Obito, wearing his masked Tobi persona.
"What a coincidence," Hasumi Maki said, his lips curving into a faint smile.
Hasumi Maki's gaze immediately flicked past Obito to the large Amber Purifying Bottle sitting in the distance, heavily guarded. Obito's purpose was self-evident.
Sealed within that bottle were the Gold and Silver brothers, Kin-Gin, who possessed a significant amount of the Nine-Tails' chakra. Since Obito had failed to capture the Nine-Tails itself, they were the next best substitute.
"Summoning Technique!"
Obito's hands blurred through seals. The earth began to tremble violently. The ground behind Obito cracked open, and a colossal, hideous monster burst forth.
The impact shattered the coastline, and terrifying fissures swallowed ninja who couldn't dodge in time.
A figure flashed, and Hasumi Maki instantly appeared on a safe reef far from the chaos. Kakuzu followed a moment later. The two stood calmly, watching.
The Outer Path Demonic Statue, the Gedo Mazo, finally revealed its true form. The thick iron chains that had bound its hands shattered as it broke free.
Unbound, the Gedo Mazo became even more violent, letting out deafening, frenzied roars. It took massive strides, charging directly into the Ninja Allied Forces.
In front of its mountain-like form, even Akimichi Choza, using his Super-Multi-Size Technique, looked like a child. The other ninja were nothing but ants, crushed effortlessly.
"I have a very bad feeling about this..." The feeling had been nagging Shikamaru ever since Hasumi Maki appeared, and now it was overwhelming.
Gazing at the towering monster, Shikamaru decisively raised his hand in the signal to retreat. Against such a powerful enemy, preserving their strength was the only wise choice. They had to live to fight another day.
The number of ninja concentrated here was the highest of any battlefield. If they were all wiped out, the other fronts would collapse. Avoiding a needless slaughter was the top priority.
As Shikamaru had anticipated, the Gedo Mazo swept through the allied lines with overwhelming force. In an instant, flesh and blood flew, and bodies littered the shore.
"Fall back!" Darui roared. "Everyone, retreat behind the coastline immediately!"
The surviving ninja turned and fled. Amid the chaos, Uchiha Obito's figure appeared beside the Amber Purifying Bottle. He reached out a hand to grab it.
Strangely, his hand remained suspended in the air, frozen in place.
Hasumi Maki and Kakuzu, still observing, both turned their attention to Obito.
"Hmph. It's that Konoha ninja again," Kakuzu growled.
A black shadow had emerged from the chaos, tightly linking Obito to Shikamaru, who was hidden among the retreating forces. It was the Shadow Possession Jutsu.
Obito found himself losing control of his body, his limbs suddenly feeling as heavy as lead.
"He failed to capture the Nine-Tails, so he's targeting the Kin-Gin brothers in the bottle as a substitute," Shikamaru thought, his mind racing as he held Obito in place. He had instantly discerned the entire reason for this attack.
"Heh heh... it seems your alliance doesn't lack intelligent people. What a pity you're an enemy," Obito's voice echoed, cold and menacing.
Just as he finished speaking, Shikamaru felt an unusual oppressive sensation from above. He looked up.
A colossal hand blotted out the sky. The Gedo Mazo's palm was crashing down toward him with overwhelming force.
There was no escaping it. He couldn't dodge in time.
Shikamaru frowned, slowly closing his eyes.
Is this the end?
"Shikamaru!" Ino screamed, her eyes wide with terror and despair.
Beside her, Akimichi Choza gripped his staff so tightly his arms trembled, but he was too far away. They all knew it was impossible to rescue him.
A blue figure, like a bolt of lightning, streaked across the battlefield, instantly appearing beside Shikamaru.
The next second, the Gedo Mazo's colossal palm slammed down, carrying a destructive force. With a deafening crash, the ground shattered, and surging seawater roared into the new crater.
In that breathtaking moment, Shikamaru miraculously appeared, unharmed, right beside Ino.
He widened his eyes, pupils trembling, still in shock. After several seconds, he turned his head, his gaze falling upon the man beside him.
"Renji!" Akimichi Choza cried out, his voice filled with relief and gratitude.
Ino rushed forward, embracing both Shikamaru and Renji tightly, tears streaming down her face.
Shikamaru belatedly reached into his flak jacket, pulling it open. In an inconspicuous corner of the vest, a Flying Thunder God seal glowed faintly. He suddenly understood.
Renji looked at him with a slight smile. "Don't mind it, Shikamaru. I was worried something might happen to you all, so I secretly left a mark on each of your clothes, just in case."
Ino frantically checked her own vest and found the same glowing mark. A brilliant smile bloomed on her face. "Thank you, Renji!"
If not for his timely assistance, Shikamaru would be dead. The thought made her tremble.
Having broken free of the shadow, Uchiha Obito successfully grabbed the Amber Purifying Bottle. He and the Gedo Mazo vanished without a trace.
From his reef, Renji looked up at Hasumi Maki, who was still watching from his own perch.
Hasumi Maki, in turn, gently patted Kakuzu's shoulder, a smile playing on his lips. "Kakuzu, till we meet again! My mischievous younger brother is about to come after me, so I better make a quick escape."
Before Kakuzu could react, Hasumi Maki's figure vanished.
"Ino, Shikamaru, you two be careful! I have to pursue him immediately!" Renji urged, his expression serious.
Shikamaru and Ino exchanged a glance, understanding.
"You be careful too, Renji," Ino said softly.
Renji nodded, and then his figure also vanished, streaking across the sky like a shooting star.
Darui slowly surveyed the war-torn battlefield. This should have been a clear victory. But because of Obito's sudden appearance, the entire situation had been upended, ending in what could only be called a tragic victory.
Looking at the lifeless shinobi scattered on the ground, Darui lowered his eyes. If he had known the bottle would be stolen anyway, he should have ordered the retreat from the beginning.
"Captain," Shikamaru appeared beside him. "Every war is full of variables. Its outcome is always unpredictable. Regret is a taboo for a commander."
He knew that if a leader fell into a vortex of negative emotions, it would be a fatal blow to the entire team.
Darui raised his head, looking at the seemingly lazy but exceptionally wise Konoha ninja. His eyes gradually became resolute. "I understand."
A bright moon rose, its light showering the scarred battlefield.
At the same time, in the Mountain Graveyard, Kabuto skillfully collected all the Edo Tensei ninja, recalling them into their specially made coffins. They would not be deployed tonight.
The fierce battle of the first day drew to a close.
Renji returned to the Allied Forces' main camp. Tents stood in neat rows, lit by flickering candlelight. Patrols were tense and highly vigilant.
Allied Forces Headquarters Command Center.
Inoichi Yamanaka reported the day's results to Shikaku. "Of the eighty thousand Allied Shinobi Forces... forty thousand... That is the number of comrades who fell today."
"The Daimyo are also..." The tent flap opened, and the Mizukage, Mei Terumi, entered. She looked exhausted and furious.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: 10,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: 10,000,000]
[Chakra (301,195,000 / 400,000,000)]
"What!" Shikaku frowned, sitting bolt upright.
Every war was financially supported by the Daimyo. If they were dead, the nations would fall into power struggles, and all support for the shinobi... weapons, food, medicine... would stop.
This was a catastrophic problem.
"It was Hasumi Maki," Mei Terumi said, a venomous killing intent flashing in her eyes. "Next time I encounter him, I will kill him."
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: 1,000,000]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: 1,000,000]
[Chakra (302,195,000 / 400,000,000)]
"Fifty thousand out of one hundred thousand," another intelligence ninja reported, referring to the enemy's casualties.
"Both sides lost roughly half their forces," Shikaku summarized, his hands clasped under his chin.
"But on our side," the intelligence ninja said, his voice heavy, "they are living people."
Not disposable white monsters.
Mei Terumi's gaze turned to Shikaku. "What is the status of the other Kage?"
Shikaku took a deep breath. "Naruto and Killer Bee successfully broke out from the island. The Hokage and Raikage are moving to intercept them. The Tsuchikage has joined the Fourth Division, which encountered the past Kage. Fortunately, the enemy Kage have retreated, though we don't know why the enemy suddenly pulled back."
The night should have been the best time for the tireless Edo Tensei to attack, yet the war had abruptly paused. It puzzled Shikaku.
He pondered... it seemed the entire front went quiet right after Obito obtained the Amber Purifying Bottle.
Even if he knew the answer, it didn't matter. They had no choice. As the man said, their side consisted of living people. After a full day of brutal combat, every ninja was exhausted. They needed to rest, or the losses tomorrow would be even greater.
The most pressing issue now was supplies. With the Daimyo dead, the supply chain was broken. Someone would have to be sent to resolve it. And in the current chaos, if rational communication failed, they would have to take the supplies by force.
This was the situation Shikaku dreaded most. Shinobi were already a group viewed with suspicion by the common people. If they began plundering national resources, they would face even more rejection and hatred.
That was why they had dispatched the Mizukage to protect the Daimyo in the first place. Their importance was irreplaceable.
Now, they could only focus on surviving the immediate difficulties.
After the war, Shikaku knew, ninja would be needed to take the blame and appease public anger. As the supreme commander of the Allied Forces, he was willing to bear that responsibility.
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