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'Have you lost your mind?! Right now, the Five Kage are already struggling to deal with just one! And you want to bring a second one over there?! Aren't you just adding to the chaos?!'
Shikaku roared anxiously. He believed the Five Kage could currently handle Madara. But if a mysterious man were added to the mix, it might become somewhat difficult.
'No, Dad. The Five Kage haven't arrived at that battlefield yet, have they?'
Shikamaru inquired.
'Things are still being observed on this end. The Raikage and Hokage should be setting out soon. The Tsuchikage and Kazekage are already on-site. As for the Mizukage, it seems Genma, Raido, and Iwashi are with her. They can use the Flying Thunder God to transport her to the battlefield.'
Shikaku suppressed the doubt in his heart and answered Shikamaru's question.
Although it had been more or less decided that the Five Kage would deal with Madara, on such a vast battlefield, the Five Kage couldn't all be huddled in one place. They needed time to assemble, and time to make decisions.
At present, aside from the Tsuchikage and Kazekage, who were already on Madara's battlefield, the other three Kage had yet to arrive.
Shikamaru nodded inwardly. That was right—just as he had expected. Three of the Five Kage were far from the Fourth Division. Whether it was making the decision or arriving on the battlefield, it would take time.
'Then that's perfect, Dad. I'll bring this mysterious man to the Fourth Division first. Hear me out, Dad—I'm not trying to add to the chaos. I've discovered that this mysterious man isn't controlled by the Impure World Reincarnation's caster. He can act freely. And he's taking me to find that caster. So I suspect... this mysterious man and the caster of the Impure World Reincarnation might not be enemies. But they are absolutely not allies.'
Shikaku froze. He wasn't a fool. After analyzing the information in Shikamaru's words, he quickly realized Shikamaru's objective.
'You want to test it?'
'Yes, Dad. I want to test whether this mysterious man will act when he encounters the legendary Uchiha Madara.'
'No! You said it yourself—the relationship between this mysterious man and the caster isn't necessarily hostile. If he doesn't act and instead helps Madara, then what?'
'Dad, I also said just now—he and that caster are absolutely not allies. Even if this mysterious man beside me doesn't act against Madara, he will absolutely not help him. This is a gamble with everything to gain and nothing to lose.'
After hearing Shikamaru out, Shikaku fell silent. As the true chief strategist of the Allied Forces in every meaningful sense, Shikaku had to prioritize stability in the grand scheme. He was the brain of the Allied Forces. Though his mind held many ingenious schemes, he avoided using them whenever possible. Because this battle—the Allied Shinobi Forces could not afford to lose! The world could not afford to lose!
Shikaku had to steer this battle steadily toward victory, not gamble on clever schemes hoping the enemy would fall for them.
So when Shikaku first heard Shikamaru's words, he had vehemently opposed Shikamaru's decision. But now, after Shikamaru had finished explaining everything, Shikaku found himself wavering.
A steady plan was what Shikaku liked most right now. And as it happened, Shikamaru's plan this time... seemed very steady?
'Can you be certain of what you're saying?'
Shikaku's voice dropped low as he ask the question.
'I can'
Shikamaru replied with confidence.
'Shikamaru, this is a battlefield. You need to understand—you need to take responsibility for your words.'
Shikaku spoke in a low voice. Shikamaru's plan seemed steady on the surface, but that steadiness was predicated on Shikamaru's guess being correct. If Shikamaru's guess was wrong—if the mysterious man and the caster of the Impure World Reincarnation were actually allies, and then the mysterious man and Madara joined forces—what then?
Against that possibility, Shikamaru would need to bear the responsibility.
This was a battlefield, not child's play!
'Of course I will, Dad'
Shikamaru answered immediately. He had long since ceased to be a child. Taking responsibility for his plans was something he had decided on from the very moment he considered this one.
Shikamaru was confident in his guess. He firmly believed his guess was correct. This wasn't blind faith—it was confidence!
People who hesitate and look back constantly can never accomplish anything great. And clearly, Shikamaru was not that kind of person.
The voice in his mind fell silent for several seconds. Just when Shikamaru thought his father would reject him, the voice sounded again.
'Then... go!'
Within that voice was deep encouragement and expectation!
Since the decision was made, don't look back, don't hesitate! Go!
Shikamaru smiled faintly and disconnected the communication in his mind.
Kagaya keenly noticed the sudden smile that rose on Shikamaru's face. He glanced at Shikamaru but said nothing.
In truth, Kagaya had some suspicions about Shikamaru being able to communicate with the Allied Shinobi Forces. But Kagaya hadn't thought deeply about it.
Why? Of course, because Kagaya couldn't stop it. The secret techniques of the Yamanaka clan—Kagaya didn't understand them at all. What the principles were, how they were activated—Kagaya didn't know. Specialization was specialization. In a field you had absolutely no involvement in, trying to stop a top-tier expert of that field was a joke.
Besides, even if Shikamaru really could communicate with the Allied Shinobi Forces, Kagaya didn't care. Before Naruto and Sasuke became Six Paths beings, before the four Hokage were resurrected, the Allied Shinobi Forces had no ability to threaten Kagaya. None at all.
To put it bluntly, even if all eighty thousand shinobi of the Allied Forces were placed before Kagaya, they would just be offering themselves up.
An Impure World Reincarnation body had infinite chakra. As long as Kagaya was willing to spend the time, wiping out eighty thousand Allied shinobi was no difficult task.
Even if the four Hokage were resurrected, they would only be able to restrain Kagaya to some degree. As for posing a threat to his life, there was still not the slightest bit.
Unless they all collectively went mad and abandoned Madara and Obito to focus solely on destroying Kagaya.
Setting out from the First Division, two small dots advanced toward the southwest, heading in the direction of the Fourth Division.
Although the First Division was in the north and the Fourth Division was in the south, there was a certain offset between them. To go from the First Division to the Fourth Division, one couldn't head due south—one had to angle slightly toward the southwest.
Kagaya and Shikamaru were still on the road. But several minutes earlier, over at the Fourth Division.
Red armor. Long black hair covering his right eye. Madara and the Second Tsuchikage stood atop a tall stone pillar.
"Shinobi forehead protectors, yet shinobi garb differing across the Five Great Nations, all kinds mixed together... an allied army?"
Madara was different from Kagaya. Kagaya had watched the original story, so upon resurrection, he immediately knew this was the Fourth Great Ninja War. But Madara didn't know. He still needed to ask.
The Second Tsuchikage explained from beside him.
"Because this is war."
The word "war" basically explained everything. A war that could resurrect Madara must have been orchestrated by Obito.
Madara spoke with a calm expression.
"So it was that guy's doing. He must have his considerations. It seems his plan isn't going smoothly, to have resurrected me in this manner. Who is the caster of this Impure World Reincarnation?"
The first few sentences weren't directed at the Second Tsuchikage at all. They were pure soliloquy, helping Madara organize his thoughts. Only the final sentence was a question for the Second Tsuchikage.
The Second Tsuchikage replied helplessly.
"Well... I don't know."
As his words fell, a powerful controlling force suddenly surged into the Second Tsuchikage's body. Unlike Kagaya, the Second Tsuchikage couldn't resist this controlling force at all. He was controlled in an instant.
Kabuto's strength was no small matter now. Across the entire battlefield, among all those under the Impure World Reincarnation, the ones Kabuto couldn't control were probably just Madara and Kagaya. Those two were exceptions, not the norm.
As for everyone else—even someone as powerful as the Second Tsuchikage—Kabuto could control them with ease.
"I am Kabuto. His collaborator."
Kabuto's voice issued from the Second Tsuchikage's mouth.
Madara still gazed straight ahead, showing no reaction to Kabuto's control over the Second Tsuchikage. He merely spoke flatly.
"Speaking to me through the Impure World Reincarnation... how utterly underhanded."
That remark was purely mocking Kabuto for being afraid. The Impure World Reincarnation resurrected people as living corpses. Normally, no one would like that kind of resurrection. Madara didn't like it either. In Madara's plan, he was supposed to be truly resurrected through the Rinne Rebirth. Now he had become a lower-grade living corpse instead. There was no way he could be pleased. Of course, he wasn't disappointed either. For Madara, being resurrected was enough.
Kabuto ignored Madara's words. Instead, as if to emphasize his own contribution, he spoke.
"I prepared your Impure World Reincarnation personally. Your power now exceeds even your prime."
Kabuto was referring to the Hashirama face on Madara's chest. That was what Kabuto had prepared for Madara. But in truth, Madara had already possessed Hashirama's chakra before his death. So this preparation could only be considered an enhancement, not a qualitative transformation.
Incidentally, it was fortunate that Kagaya's Impure World Reincarnation body had been prepared long ago by Yuki. Otherwise, if Kabuto had done it, he might have stuck a Hashirama face and a Madara face on Kagaya's chest—one on each side.
And called it: "I prepared it personally for you."
Madara tilted his head and looked at the Second Tsuchikage.
"Have you seen my prime?"
"No. So now, please let me witness it—the legendary power of the Uchiha."
As his words fell, a massive surge of sand rushed in, forcing Madara and the Second Tsuchikage off the pillar.
And from this very moment, Madara... moved!
"Very well!"
The battle was about to erupt!
The fighting had just begun over there. And on Kagaya's side, he had set out with Shikamaru.
Kagaya's speed was quite fast. He hadn't fought much since his resurrection—he had taken Shikamaru with a few quick moves. So while Madara's battle was only just beginning, Kagaya was already on his way toward Madara with Shikamaru.
"There's a question I've been wanting to ask for a while—are you not curious about this war?"
On the road, Shikamaru posed the question to Kagaya.
Kagaya didn't look at Shikamaru and continued running.
"You wanted to ask earlier, so why drag it out until now?"
Shikamaru scratched his head and spoke with a face full of exasperation.
"Ah, well... earlier I needed to think about your strength, motives, objectives, and all sorts of information. I didn't have time to ask. And after you took me, I had to consider my own life. Even less time to ask. I may hate trouble, but when it concerns my life, I still have to make an effort, right? Only now, when there doesn't seem to be anything else going on, did I remember this question."
Kagaya chuckled lightly.
"You're honest, at least. Then I'll answer you. This war is just another Great Ninja War. Knowing that much is enough. My objective isn't in this war."
Shikamaru thought for a moment, then spoke.
"You said earlier that your Impure World Reincarnation was part of your plan. Then allow me to make a vulgar guess—your goal wouldn't happen to be true resurrection, would it?"
Kagaya showed no intention of hiding it. He nodded.
"You're right. My plan is exactly that vulgar guess of yours."
Shikamaru gave a dry laugh and continued.
"Then, let me think... As far as I know—though I may know less than you—based on the knowledge in my head, I only know of one method to truly resurrect someone: the Rinnegan's Rinne Rebirth. So, senior... you wouldn't happen to have the Rinnegan, would you?"
Kagaya clicked his tongue.
"To be honest, if you were someone at my level of strength, I wouldn't exchange half a word with you. I haven't even said anything, and you've already guessed everything about me. That feeling isn't pleasant."
Shikamaru couldn't help but swallow. When he had first seen this man's Mangekyo, he had thought he was on Sasuke's level. Later, after he unleashed his chakra, Shikamaru had thought he was on the level of a Kage, or perhaps slightly stronger. But he had never imagined that all of those guesses were wrong—this guy still had a pair of Rinnegan he hadn't even used yet!
In Shikamaru's perception, many things about this mysterious man were easy to guess. But his strength alone—the more Shikamaru guessed, the more confused he became.
Just how strong was this guy?
Drawing a deep breath, Shikamaru asked.
"Senior... may I ask your name?"
Kagaya tilted his head.
"You want to learn about me through my name? Then you'll be disappointed. My deeds should be very few. Even if I tell you my name, you probably won't know me."
"Please, go ahead." Shikamaru spoke respectfully.
"Uchiha Kagaya. Know it?"
Kagaya looked at Shikamaru with a teasing expression. He had no intention of hiding information. As he had said before—when the gap in strength reached a certain level, intelligence no longer mattered.
Shikamaru was utterly stunned. He considered himself fairly knowledgeable about history. But this name... he had truly never heard it before.
Very quickly, Shikamaru relayed the name to Shikaku. But there was no news from Shikaku's end either.
Kagaya's deeds in this world had been few to begin with. Add to that the annihilation of the Uchiha, and finding records of Kagaya was even more impossible.
In this parallel world, the ones who knew even a little about Kagaya's deeds were probably only Kabuto, Orochimaru, and Itachi. Kabuto and Orochimaru had researched Kagaya's affairs before. Itachi had read certain secret records within the clan and was relatively knowledgeable about the historical period of Izanagi, so he also remembered the name Uchiha Kagaya.
But aside from these three, no one else could possibly have heard the name Uchiha Kagaya.
"Kagaya... can I call you Kagaya?"
Shikamaru asked.
Kagaya smiled and teased. "Not calling me 'senior' anymore? Haha."
Shikamaru sighed.
"Although you are indeed a senior, calling you 'senior' all the time is just too troublesome."
Kagaya smiled again.
"Fine. Call me Kagaya. That suits me just fine."
In Kagaya's original world, Shikamaru had been his classmate. Yet now, in this world, Shikamaru was calling him "senior" at every turn. It felt a little weird.
In any case, Kagaya didn't care about titles. Being called by his name directly was more comfortable.
"Thank you."
Although he had obtained permission to call Kagaya by name, Shikamaru's attitude remained very respectful. He might find things troublesome, but he still had the heart to respect his elders.
Not using "senior" verbally was to avoid trouble. But in his behavior, Shikamaru still treated Kagaya as a senior.
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