Nara Shikaku stepped forward to the very front of the camp to receive the incoming reinforcements. His sharp eyes quickly scanned the arriving troops before settling on the elderly figure leading them.
"Elder Homura, thank you for your hard work on this journey. I didn't expect the Third Hokage to send you personally."
"Ha ha!" Homura Mitokado laughed lightly, waving his hand in a casual gesture. "The frontline commander will be Jiraiya, but he is still on his way. The Sandaime simply asked this old man to come ahead, assess the situation, and deliver his regards to the soldiers on the front lines."
Shikaku nodded respectfully, a faint smile forming on his lips. "If the soldiers hear of Hokage-sama's concern, their morale will surely rise."
As expected of someone known for his emotional intelligence, Shikaku never missed an opportunity to strengthen unity and boost spirits.
"Elder Homura, please, allow me to brief you on the current situation."
The two walked side by side into the command center, exchanging polite gestures as they entered.
Outside the command tent, the atmosphere in the camp visibly lightened.
"Reinforcements have finally arrived," Kenta said as he walked up beside Aoki Yoru, letting out a long breath. "We don't have to worry about sudden sneak attacks from Kumogakure anymore."
Aoki Yoru nodded. "Yes… at the very least, we might finally get a proper night's sleep."
Everyone present understood how unpredictable Kumogakure could be. They were known for acting recklessly, even at the cost of their own logistics. If they chose to launch another desperate assault, no one would be surprised.
Aoki glanced toward the newly arrived forces. Among them, he spotted experienced Jonin such as Asuma Sarutobi and Aburame Shibi. It was clear that Konoha had deployed nearly all of its available strength.
However, one familiar figure was missing.
"Might Guy isn't here…" Aoki muttered under his breath.
If Guy had been present, the situation would have been far more secure. Even if the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki and the Raikage joined forces, Guy alone could have turned the tide under the right conditions.
Yui, standing nearby, frowned deeply. "They wouldn't send freshly graduated Genin to the battlefield this time… right?"
Her voice carried a hint of unease.
She was worried—deeply worried.
Her cousin had just graduated from the Academy this year. With only basic skills and limited combat experience, survival on a battlefield like this would be nearly impossible.
Aoki was about to reassure her, but his words stopped halfway.
His gaze shifted toward the entrance of the camp.
His expression darkened instantly.
A group of young, unfamiliar faces entered the camp, looking around curiously. Some whispered among themselves, others pointed at the surroundings with excitement. Their behavior resembled tourists rather than soldiers stepping onto a battlefield.
Aoki's eyes narrowed.
Among them, he spotted familiar figures—Hyuga Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten.
"Has the Village lost its mind?" Yui's voice dropped into a furious whisper, her fists clenched tightly. "They're sending newly graduated Genin here? Are there really no forces left in the clans?"
Her anger wasn't unfounded.
She had already seen her cousin—Shimizu Hanon—among the group.
Hanon looked nervous, yet curious, clearly unprepared for the brutality of war. With only basic techniques like the Three Body Technique and a simple Fireball Jutsu, she stood little chance in real combat.
Aoki didn't offer comfort this time. His tone was calm, almost cold.
"If you want to change this reality… then become strong enough to do so."
Yui fell silent.
She knew he was right.
At that moment, Rock Lee noticed them and hurried over, dragging Neji and Tenten along.
"Senior Yoru! Senior Kenta! Senior Yui! Hello!"
Kenta stepped forward with a grin and bumped fists with Lee. "Where's Might Guy-sensei? Why isn't he with you?"
Lee scratched his head awkwardly. "He was supposed to come, but he was called away at the last moment. They said he had to go to the Land of Earth front line."
Tenten then stepped forward with a smile. "And congratulations, Senior Yoru. Becoming a Jonin at your age… everyone in the village is talking about it."
Neji gave a slight nod, his expression calm but respectful.
"Congratulations."
Aoki acknowledged them briefly.
At this moment, Yui stepped forward, gently pulling a shy girl beside her.
"This is my cousin, Shimizu Hanon. Please… take care of her if you can."
The group exchanged introductions quickly.
Though brief, such connections could mean the difference between life and death on the battlefield.
Suddenly—
"Wooo—Wooo—!"
A deep, resonating alarm echoed across the camp.
Everyone's expressions changed instantly.
The relaxed atmosphere vanished.
Without another word, they dispersed toward their respective units.
One Day Later – The Border Battlefield
The sky was unnaturally dark.
Thick storm clouds loomed overhead, blocking out the sun entirely. The air felt heavy, suffocating, as if the heavens themselves were about to collapse.
On the vast plain, two massive forces stood facing each other in silence.
Weapons were drawn.
Chakra surged quietly beneath the surface.
Every ninja held their breath.
The war was about to begin.
Homura Mitokado stepped forward, his expression grim.
He hadn't expected Kumogakure to move this quickly.
Jiraiya had yet to arrive.
That meant they were missing one of their strongest assets.
Still, there was no time to hesitate.
"Raikage!" Homura's voice rang across the battlefield. "Withdraw your forces. This war is meaningless. You cannot invade the Land of Fire."
From the opposing side, a towering figure stepped forward.
Massive, imposing—like a moving fortress.
The Fourth Raikage.
He looked at Homura with clear disdain.
"Old man… is Konoha so short on fighters that they send someone like you to the battlefield?"
He smirked.
"Meaningless? I can step into your territory in just a few steps. That is meaning enough."
Before his words even finished—
Lightning exploded around him.
"Attack!"
Homura's expression hardened as he gave the order.
The battlefield erupted.
Like two massive tides crashing together, the armies collided.
Steel clashed against steel.
Explosions lit up the dark sky.
Ninjutsu of every element filled the battlefield—fire roared, lightning crackled, earth shattered, and water surged.
The air trembled with violence.
From a high rock wall overlooking the battlefield, Aoki Yoru and his team observed the chaos.
"I hope Kakashi-sensei is alright…" Yui murmured, her eyes fixed on the battlefield.
"He's also on Kumogakure's hit list."
Aoki remained calm.
"Don't worry. With his strength, even the Raikage won't be able to defeat him easily."
Kenta stepped forward, glancing at the battlefield uneasily. "Is it really okay for us to stay here?"
Aoki nodded. "I'm monitoring everything within a three-kilometer radius. If anything happens, we'll know immediately."
This time, the newly graduated Genin had not been sent directly into combat. Instead, they were assigned to guard the main camp and medical stations.
Aoki had been placed in charge of the rear guard.
A position of responsibility—but also one of relative safety.
And he was satisfied with that.
After all, he knew very well—
He himself was a target.
Facing the Raikage head-on would be extremely dangerous.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield—
The Fourth Raikage rampaged like an unstoppable force of nature.
Wrapped in Lightning Release Armor, his speed and power were overwhelming.
Only the combined efforts of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio could briefly hold him back.
Even then, it was barely enough.
The Raikage didn't engage them directly.
Instead—
He hunted the weak.
One after another, Konoha ninjas fell.
Morale began to waver.
Nearby, Kakashi Hatake stood amidst the chaos.
His Sharingan spun as he cut down a Kumogakure Jonin with precision.
Blood splattered.
But his gaze was fixed elsewhere.
On the Raikage.
"We can't let him continue like this…" Kakashi muttered. "If this goes on, morale will collapse."
He raised one hand, forming seals.
Purple lightning surged around him.
He began forming his own Lightning Armor.
The Raikage stopped.
He sensed it immediately.
His gaze locked onto Kakashi.
Then—
He began walking toward him.
Each step carried immense killing intent.
"Lightning Armor…" the Raikage said slowly. "That technique… I taught it to my comrade."
His eyes narrowed.
"You learned it."
A pause.
"That means… his death is connected to you."
Kakashi said nothing.
He only stared back, his lightning reaching its peak.
The battlefield seemed to fall silent around them.
Blue and purple lightning clashed in the air, crackling violently.
The ground beneath their feet blackened.
The tension reached its peak.
Then—
A single gust of wind passed.
And both figures vanished.
"BOOM!"
Two flashes of lightning collided.
The explosion that followed was deafening.
A shockwave tore through the battlefield like a tsunami.
Nearby ninjas were sent flying.
Dust, debris, and shattered earth rose into the sky.
Even the heavy storm clouds above seemed to split under the force of their clash.
The battle had truly entered its most dangerous phase.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)