"You want me to check if there are any omissions or errors?" Shikaku asked.
"Mm." Hiromi nodded.
"If it's as you say, and Black Zetsu is single-mindedly focused on Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, then after her resurrection, he will definitely come out openly and stand by her side, letting out all the endurance of the past thousand years and turning into a mad dog that bites anyone he sees."
Shikaku added, "If he is even still human."
"No other omissions?" Hiromi asked.
Hiromi was certain about Black Zetsu's behavior once Kaguya's resurrection was successful. But he felt that something wasn't quite right.
Was it too easy? Or too ideal?
Hiromi couldn't figure it out.
Shikaku pondered carefully. A few minutes later, he looked up and asked solemnly, "Does resurrecting Ōtsutsuki Kaguya require a massive amount of Chakra?"
Hiromi's body stiffened, he narrowed his eyes, and a smile appeared on his face. "It seems we need to fight this Fifth Great Ninja War for a bit longer."
Shikaku nodded and said with a heavy expression, "Currently, Takigakure and Iwagakure have been destroyed, and there are very few ninjas left. Now that the ninjas from small villages are gathering, it could fill the gap, but if the Fifth Great Ninja War is won too quickly, I'm afraid he can only target civilians with little Chakra."
"And he probably doesn't know that you know about his existence and purpose... No, this could also be a test he intentionally exposed through inaction. After all, he is an existence that has lived for a thousand years."
Shikaku fell into deep thought. "If we really win, the omission would be too large. Although we might catch him, if it's his test, I'm afraid he will wait a hundred years until we are all dead before choosing to carry out his plan."
Shikaku looked at Hiromi and said extremely seriously, "The Fifth Great Ninja War must be dragged out until he has absorbed the power of the Tailed Beasts. Even if he is cautious, he will definitely be tempted by the prospect of resurrecting his mother."
Hiromi nodded and said, "Mm, it's better to eliminate the hidden danger as soon as possible."
He had no intention of waiting a hundred years. Moreover, he wanted to try for this mission reward.
[Mission "You're the Idiot Who Brings Destruction to the World for the Sake of Peace?" completed. You have obtained Nuclear Release + Nuclear Release Chakra Mode.]
...
The order to "delay the Fifth Great Ninja War" was passed down from Hiromi to the ears of every Uchiha. This left them somewhat dumbfounded.
Shisui even set up various conditions. For example, killing at most ten people a day, not killing the opponent's key figures, and not letting the opponent realize they were going easy on them, and so on.
Even the clan members whose personalities had become gloomy instantly broke down.
"How is that even possible!"
"I'm just this strong, what can I do?"
"Exactly! Being strong isn't a crime!"
"You can't expect me to cut off an arm, can you?"
"Right! You can't just... eh?"
"Eh!!!"
Suddenly, the Uchiha Clan Members all turned their heads to look at that clan member, their eyes glowing red and flashing with the light of wisdom.
"That..."
"I was just saying it casually... ah!"
"Help!!! Murder!!!"
Soon, the clan members coldly arrived at the experimental results.
For those strong in Ninjutsu, cutting off one arm could reduce combat power by about fifty percent.
For those strong in Taijutsu, cutting off one leg could also reduce combat power by about fifty percent.
For those with Chakra Mode, it would probably take cutting off both legs to reduce combat power by about fifty percent.
For Mangekyo users, all four limbs would have to be cut off.
The latter two weren't tested, not for any other reason, but simply because they couldn't win the fight, which led to multiple sets of tests successfully confirming the first two.
However, the clan members were very much in favor of such a plan.
Although they didn't know why they had to delay, for them, fulfilling Hiromi's orders was the most important thing.
However, such an insane plan was ultimately stopped by Shisui. Instead, Shisui proposed another plan—letting them use the Transcription Seal to seal a portion of their ocular power into someone else, which would significantly reduce their combat power.
And aside from the Uchiha clan knowing a portion of the ocular power was missing, others wouldn't be able to tell. They would just think it was a normal Uchiha Sharingan.
As for those with Chakra Mode, there was no choice but to focus on fighting the opponent's strongest warriors. They could endure and get through it eventually.
While the Uchiha clan was pulling long faces, the Allied Shinobi Forces were filled with high spirits.
—
The Allied Shinobi Forces.
Hoshigakure from the Land of Bears, which practices the Mysterious Peacock Method using a meteorite.
The peace-loving Land of Vegetables.
Takumi Village from the Land of Rivers, specialized in manufacturing and using ninja tools.
The Jōmae Village from the Land of Keys, specialized in infiltration and investigation.
Nadeshiko Village, where only women reside.
Kusagakure, Yukigakure...
Ninjas wearing various headbands arrived with determination, looking like the saviors of the Allied Shinobi Forces, reassuring smiles on their faces.
But the combined numbers from these small nations barely reached twenty thousand. It could only be said that they filled the vacancy left by Iwagakure—only the vacancy in numbers.
As for Cooperation Ninjutsu, the combat power of Onoki and Kitsuchi still could not be replaced.
Even if Hiromi did not act, if only Shisui, Fugaku, and Itachi deployed their three Susanoo, they could likely crush them.
Baki and Mabui met each other's gaze, becoming even more convinced of their secret plan to defect to the Uchiha clan.
However, seven days later, they began to waver.
—
The forest.
Ninjas from the Jōmae Village headed towards the Uchiha Imperial City to investigate, attempting to infiltrate it. But as expected, they were discovered.
The Jōmae Village Ninjas immediately fled, pursued by three Uchiha Clan Members.
Kunai whistled through the air and Ninjutsu flared violently, causing the Jōmae Village Ninjas to break into a cold sweat, their hearts racing with panic.
Fortunately, Yukigakure ninjas had found a good position, allowing the people from Takumi village to set up ingenious traps.
Then the ninjas from the Land of Vegetables launched a surprise attack, and the Chakra from Hoshigakure transformed into beasts to attack.
Nadeshiko Village, Kusagakure, and many other villages joined the siege. Over a hundred people besieged three. Though these hundred people were from various villages and seemed to coordinate well, in the eyes of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, there were too many openings. So, regrettably, they were still allowed to escape.
—
Subsequently, the Uchiha counterattacked and carried out raids, forcing them to move their camp and retreat.
Taking advantage of their superior numbers, the Allied Shinobi Forces began harassment, cutting off supplies, and fire attack plans. For a time, it was a back-and-forth struggle, with both sides fighting to a stalemate.
—
Seven days passed quickly.
The ninjas from the various small villages gathered together.
"They aren't that big of a deal after all."
"And here I thought the Sharingan was so powerful."
"As long as you don't make eye contact, it's fine."
"We didn't get them this time, but next time we'll definitely make them run for their lives."
"Right!"
"Hahahahaha!"
The ninjas of the small villages did not have the same complex, deep-seated blood feuds that the Five Great Ninja Villages had with each other.
When they first arrived, they were cautious of one another. Now, after seven days of cooperation, their bonds had deepened considerably. After all, they were all victims of the Great Ninja Villages.
Baki frowned as he watched, his expression uncertain.
The Uchiha clan seems to have become weaker?
He heard Hiromi was seriously injured... is it true or false?
If it's true, could Sunagakure take this opportunity to rise?
Now that Iwagakure is destroyed and none of the villages have Kage-level fighters, Sunagakure's combat power could be considered top three. Baki's eyes flickered with hidden thoughts.
Mabui was also puzzled.
The Uchiha's performance heartened Sunagakure and Kumogakure, who had been demoralized by the first battle, making them believe they could win. It was too strange.
As for the rumors that Hiromi was seriously injured...
Where was the blood? Where were the wounds? Where was the evidence?
She didn't believe it at all.
To this day, she still remembered Dōdai's words—'Compared to his combat power, Hiromi's ideology is even more dangerous.'
She didn't believe the Uchiha clan would lose.
Her gaze became increasingly determined.
...
Many people were watching this Fifth Great Ninja War.
The Uchiha clan's performance did not exceed everyone's expectations. After all, they were reduced to only a few dozen clan members. Facing tens of thousands of the Allied Shinobi Forces, no matter how strong they were, how strong could they be?
As for the rumors that the Hiromi was seriously injured, countless people found it reasonable. That man was, after all, the one who had destroyed the Uchiha Imperial City and left the Uchiha with only a few dozen clan members. Against such a powerful existence, it was only natural that Hiromi would win but be seriously injured.
This led many hesitant people to join the Allied Shinobi Forces one after another. For example, Samurai, summoned by the Daimyo, joined the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Everyone shared one will—Hiromi, who destroyed villages at the drop of a hat, must die.
Yet among them, someone held a dissenting opinion.
***
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