In this era, how much influence could a Kage-level fighter exert on a battlefield?
The answer—
Limitless.
If the opposing side lacked an equivalent powerhouse, a single Kage-class shinobi could spearhead an advance and lead allies to rout forces several times their size.
In smaller engagements, multiple elite jōnin squads might restrain such an individual.
But in full-scale war?
A Kage-level shinobi was the equivalent of a one-man army from ancient battlefields.
When such a figure acted as the spearhead, allies rallying behind them, morale surged—while the enemy's collapsed.
And morale, in war, was everything.
That was precisely why Shikaku had chosen Obito Uchiha as the breakthrough point.
The Three-Village Alliance undoubtedly possessed multiple Kage-class combatants—but they would allocate them carefully.
Just as they had assigned Kitsuchi and Rōshi to counter Jin—
They would certainly prepare counters for Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kushina as well.
Minato—the Yellow Flash—was too dangerous to ignore.
Kushina—the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki and Minato's fiancée—was the perfect pressure point. Target her, and you indirectly pin Minato down.
Shikaku was certain:
The breach forming at Fourth Peak would conceal elite operatives advancing specifically for Kushina.
But Obito?
To the outside world—
He was dead.
The allied forces likely didn't even know who he was, much less plan around him.
Which meant—
Third Peak would be free of their top-tier counters.
That was Konoha's opening.
"Reserve unit—alternating cover. Fall back toward Kikyo Mountain Fortress."
Shikaku rose and issued the command.
If Obito's charge would determine whether Konoha won—
Then these five hundred reserves would determine whether Konoha lost.
They could not allow the enemy's three-thousand-man strike force to pass Kikyo Mountain.
They had to hold—
Until Orochimaru and his two thousand struck from behind and shattered the allied assault.
Time.
They needed time.
The five hundred Konoha shinobi shifted formation and began an orderly withdrawal.
At the same moment—
On Third Peak—
Obito erupted.
He manifested the third stage of Susanoo.
A towering humanoid giant dozens of meters tall materialized, sweeping the battlefield with devastating strikes. Every swing crushed a dozen enemy shinobi.
The allied formation faltered.
Collapsed.
Nearly ten minutes later—
The enemy's three-thousand-man strike force finally broke through Fourth Peak and began advancing toward Kikyo Mountain Fortress.
On the Fortress Wall
Shikaku turned suddenly to Kushina.
"Kushina. How much of the Nine-Tails' power can you control now?"
Kushina lifted her chin proudly.
"I can maintain full awareness up to six tails."
That was no small feat.
Unlike a perfect jinchūriki, Kushina did not enjoy the Nine-Tails' cooperation. She wrested its power by force.
And this wasn't a split half like the future Naruto's sealed state—
This was the complete Yin-Yang Nine-Tails.
Under such resistance, maintaining six tails without losing control was proof of true Kage-level strength.
Shikaku continued.
"Can you fire Tailed Beast Bombs? And control their scale?"
"Of course," Kushina replied confidently. "I can even fire rapid-sequence small ones. I won't hit our own."
"Good."
He pointed toward the approaching strike force.
"Fire ten small Tailed Beast Bombs in that direction."
He wasn't uncertain of his deduction.
But before committing fully—
He wanted to see if the "big fish" would surface.
The Bait Is Cast
"No problem!"
Kushina's chakra surged violently.
She dropped to all fours, six tails lashing behind her as she entered partial tailed transformation.
"Continuous Tailed Beast Bomb!"
Without charge time—
Ten football-sized black spheres shot forward like artillery rounds.
"Watch out! Tailed Beast Bombs!"
The allied strike force reacted instantly.
Three figures burst from within their ranks—
"Magnet Release: Sand Barrier!"
"Puppet Technique: Three Treasures Vacuum Crush!"
"Boil Release: Steam Kick!"
Defense.
Absorption.
Deflection.
All ten bombs were neutralized mid-advance.
And in doing so—
They revealed themselves.
They had no reason to hide anymore.
Their target had been confirmed.
Shikaku's eyes gleamed.
"Fourth Kazekage Rasa. Elder Chiyo. And Iwa's Five-Tails jinchūriki, Han."
"Excellent."
"The big fish have surfaced."
Just then—
A familiar figure flickered into existence beside Kushina.
Minato.
"Am I late?" he asked with a gentle smile.
Shikaku shook his head calmly.
"No. You're right on time."
Ahead—
Rasa, Chiyo, and Han surged forward, breaking from the strike force to lead the charge.
Han barked a command:
"Leave five hundred to suppress the fortress defenders! The rest, advance per original plan! I'll open the breach!"
His body expanded—
White steam roared outward—
And he transformed into the massive white, five-horned, five-tailed beast: the Five-Tails, Kokuō.
He lowered his head and thundered toward the fortress walls.
"Horn Breaker!!!"
The battlefield trembled.
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