Chapter 490: 455. End of the Night battle
Zabuza also wins his battle against Juzo and slashes Juzo's body in half with a swing of the executioner's blade.
Sigh…
Juzo sighs and closes his eyes.
"I did many things which weren't honorable as one of the seven mist swordsmen. However, now I can rest in peace knowing that the future is in secure hands and Kubikiribōchō found a worthy wielder."
"Yes, you are right!" Zabuza walks beside Juzo and glances in Haku's direction.
"The future is indeed in secure hands, but I am not the worthy wielder of this sword. Like you, I also lived as a rogue and did many dishonorable acts. But unlike you, I got a second chance and was able to right my wrongs. So, I am only holding onto this blade until a worthy wielder for this blade appears." Zabuza gently caresses the blade of the Kubikiribōchō.
"I see!" Juzo closes his eyes and his body slowly dissipates away.
Zabuza walks towards Haku and pats the latter's shoulder. During the battle, he overheard the conversation between Haku and his uncle.
"Your uncle and mother don't want to see you sulk over their death. I am sure they would be proud of the current you."
Haku turns towards Zabuza and asks him.
"Zabuza-san, are you proud of me?"
"Me?!" Zabuza is stunned by Haku's question.
"Of course, I am proud of you. You have long exceeded my expectations and have grown far stronger than I ever could." Zabuza nods at him after a while.
Haku closes his eyes and nods at Zabuza's response. Kakashi notices the interaction between Zabuza and Haku.
'I see!' He shakes his head at Zabuza's cluelessness.
"Let's return to the camp." Kakashi turns to the captain and various vice-captains.
Other than the third sub-division, the rest of the division also underwent multiple battles. Although all of them successfully repelled the attacks, it came at a cost.
Back at the headquarters,
The intelligence division tallied the casualties, and the count reached a thousand deaths. With this, the Allied shinobi force suffered a death count of four thousand deaths on the very first day of the battle.
A clench his fists and slams the table as he reads the report.
"What are the search parties for finding Kabuto's whereabouts doing?"
"Raikage-sama, they are still looking for Kabuto's whereabouts?" The leader of the recon division has an anxious expression on his face.
"I think it's about time for us to enter the battlefield," Onoki suggests.
"Mm… Lord Tsuchikage is right! The Allied shinobi force suffered massive casualties. The morale of our shinobis is at an all-time low after witnessing the death of their close comrades. At this rate, we will lose this battle for sure." Rasa agrees with Onoki's words.
"Very well! Tomorrow, the Kages will enter the battlefield and we will reduce the perimeter of the battlefield. We will make a comeback with a fierce counterattack and destroy the enemy army." Minato shares similar sentiment as the rest.
"Also, about those figures in black, they?" Onoki inquires about the origin of a strange group of cloaked figures.
"They are a secret elite squad of my company," Mei replies to him.
"I see! No wonder!" Onoki nods in understanding. With the deep pockets of Kaminomegumi, it's not difficult for them to employ a few very powerful shinobis.
Despite their display of strength, Onoki and the rest of the group had some doubts about the familiar abilities of this group. However, they decide to keep their mouth shut since these shinobis are their allies. Minato, Tsunade, and Mei also didn't deem it necessary to further reveal any information about this group.
The meeting ends, and everyone returns to their camp to take a rest.
Minato sighs and stares at the giant map of the battlefield. Even though they expected a night raid from Akatsuki. Kabuto didn't hold back his punches and used most of his cards.
The allied shinobi force sealed a total of three hundred Edo Tensei shinobi and most of these were elites. The former seven mist swordsman were just a small part of it. The ambush group also included the members of the Twelve Guardian Ninjas from Konoha, members of the explosive corps from Iwagakure, the infamous puppeteer squad from Sunagakure, and the former Storm trooper squad from Kumogakure.
The puppeteer squad and the Storm Trooper squads were a famous group of shinobis from the era of the First and second shinobi war. The puppet expert Lady Chiyo was also a former member of the Puppeteer squad and the Storm Trooper squad was created by the First Raikage to act as bodyguards for the Kage.
Other than these figures, the main soldiers of the Edo Tensei army were the various former test subjects of Orochimaru. These test subjects consisted of several shinobis with Kekkei Genkai or inhuman strength and chakra. They retained their modifications before their death without any side effects and were the main group responsible for the high number of casualties on the battlefield.
It was a tough battle to neutralize the threats of these groups. However, the Allied shinobi group was able to pull through with the sudden arrival of a group of cloaked figures. There were a total of seven of those cloaked figures and all of them were at a level above elites. These cloaked figures took on more than one opponent and managed to defeat them with ease.
However, after sealing the Edo Tensei, these figures will vanish from the battlefield. The helpless captains from various squads could only consider them as part of the tactical reinforcement from the headquarters.
But of course, this cloaked group was none other than the shadow branch of the In-Yō. Prior to the battle, Minato instructed them to act as reinforcement during the war when required.
Back in a secret underground hideout,
Kabuto stares at the various black and white pieces on the Shogi board.
"I fulfilled my end of the deal with Tobi, and the war began with an explosive opening. Though, I lost several pieces in the process. For tomorrow's battle, I will pull back and let Tobi handle the rest. Also…"
Kabuto narrows his eyes and gazes toward the surface.
"There are several hounds of the Allied Shinobi Force in the vicinity. Sooner or later, they will locate my position. So, it's about time I change my location."
Kabuto picks up his Shogi board and enters the ground. He reappears above the surface and stares at the members of the recon division.
"Konnichiwa Mina-san!"
Kabuto's lips curl into a smile as several snakes escape from his body and bite the neck of those weak recon division members. A few of them attempt to fight back, but Kabuto easily overwhelms them.
Swish… swish…
He makes a series of hand signs and summons a giant snake.
"Manda, carry them or me!"
He issues an order to the giant snake and the giant snake opens its giant maw and swallows the unconscious group of shinobis and disappears. Kabuto also escapes with the spot using Earth Release: Earth Escape technique.
Whoosh… whoosh… whoosh…
A few seconds later, several groups of shinobis arrive at the location of the battlefield. They quickly survey the traces of battles.
"It was Kabuto!" The leader of the group concludes and quickly sends a message to the headquarter.
The leader of the recon division learns of the death of his division members and grits his teeth in rage.
"Kabuto! You son of a bitch! I will tear you to pieces." The leader of the recon division, Sakuto Koriko, is a former war veteran of Kumogakure and is from the same generation as the three Sannins. Though he isn't as well known as them, he still made a name for himself during the second shinobi war.
"Relay my orders to all squads to group up and search every nook and cranny of the battlefield to search for Kabuto's traces."
"Yes, Lord Sakuto!" His subordinates swiftly retreat from the office.
"I will report this situation to Lord Minato and ask him to deploy the members of the special squad."
Meanwhile, somewhere in another secret hideout.
Fwoosh…
Black Zetsu pops out of the ground.
Swirl…
A few seconds later, Tobi walks out of the shadows.
"How was it?" He asks Zetsu.
"It was a trap! The entire Zetsu squad was annihilated."
"Hmm… it's not feasible to capture the Daimyos to gain an advantage in the war, to begin with. Our army is almost about to reach the battlefield. So far, Kabuto's performance in this war is satisfactory. It's time our main force enters the battlefield."
"What about the Eight and Nine-tails?" Zetsu questions him.
"The five nations hid them well and we have no hope of capturing them in such a short time. So, we have to continue the plan without them. Kisame brought a portion of eight tails chakra with him and we were able to acquire a portion of Nine-tails chakra from the Fire temple. Though not ideal, it should be enough to awaken the ten-tails." Tobi makes a few modifications to the plans.
Chapter 491: 456. Battle of Second Day
Back on Genbu Island,
After the recent attack by Kabuto, Onoki moved the entire island with him to a different location to prevent Akatsuki from staging another attack.
Inside a temple on the island,
"Man! It was a challenge to tame all these wild beasts. But I somehow managed to pull it off!" Naruto cracks his neck and glances at the row of giant animals lined together.
"Yo!" Killer Bee arrives at the entrance of the temple and waves his hand at Naruto.
"Oh! It's the Octopus Ōji-san!" Naruto waves at Killer Bee.
"Fool ya Fool! I heard everything from Maroi. Naruto, you were so cool!" B makes his signature pose.
"Now, come on! I wasn't really that cool." Naruto grins in embarrassment.
"Come to think of it, what are you doing here, Octo Ōji-san? Are you also a part of the S-Rank mission?"
"ASSS… RANK?" B tilts his head in confusion.
'B, it must be related to the shinobi war. Didn't your brother also send you to this island to protect you from Akatsuki?" Gyuki's voice echoes in B's head.
"Oh! I see. That brother of mine really made me a fool!"
[It has been a while since we last met, Kurama!]
Gyuki communicates with Kurama.
Hmm…
The Yang Kurama opens his eyes and glances in Gyuki's direction.
[And here I thought, who was disturbing my sleep? Turns out it was you.] Kurama replies to Gyuki with disinterest.
[Hmm… you don't seem to be as violent as I saw last saw you.] Kurama's calm behavior surprises Gyuki.
[Ugh…]
Kurama recalls the rehabilitation he underwent under Izuna's guidance.
[I would rather not recall that process.] He shakes his head and turns to Gyuki.
[So, why would you suddenly bother me?]
[Well, it has been a while since we last met. So, I was a bit concerned about you.]
[I am alright!] Kurama waves his hand.
[Hmm… does this mean this little fellow is also a perfect Jinchuriki like B.] Kurama's tame behavior surprises him. If it was Kurama from before, given his prideful and arrogant nature, he would have lashed out multiple times by now.
[Sort of.] Kurama answers him with disinterest.
[I lend him my chakra on multiple occasions but I have yet to synergize completely with him since he wasn't ready. His body and mind are ready but his spirit requires a bit of training.] Kurama replies to Gyuki.
[Oh! Then why don't I ask B to train him?] Gyuki proposes.
[Hmm… Naruto will certainly grow faster under the training of another Jinchuriki. Although that Uchiha brat taught him a lot of things but all of them were supplementary lessons and not the real thing. So, perhaps…] Kurama glances at Killer B.
[Very well! I will leave this brat in your care. Do as you please!] Kurama nods at Gyuki.
While Naruto is counting the giant beasts, Bee is having an internal conversation with Gyuki.
'B, I had a conversation with the Nine-tails. The Nine-tails asked me to train Naruto with the tailed beast transformation. So, B, why don't you train Naruto in the Tailed beast transformation? It will kill two birds with one stone. Not only will it prevent Naruto from escaping to the battlefield, but it will also raise his strength.'
'Hmm!' B takes out a small diary from his pocket and scribbles something on it as he communicates with Gyuki.
'But what will I get from it?'
'Umm… a listener to your new song.' Gyuki replies to him after some thinking.
"Then, we got a deal!" B smirks.
"Huh!? What's the matter Octo Ōji-san?" Naruto notices the weird expression of B.
"Ah! Yes… I was thinking of a new song, Naruto! Would you like to hear the new song that I just wrote?"
"Ugh… I would rather not." Naruto shakes his head.
"What if I also teach you how to do this?" B pockets his notebook and pen and claps his hand.
B's entire body turns into a giant octopus.
"Fool ya Fool! Ain't, I cool?" B perform a break dance in his complete-tailed beast transformation.
[Pfft!] Kurama breaks out in laughter at the comical sight.
[Ugh… I have lost my face.] Gyuki's expression turns ugly.
"Oh! That's so cool!" Naruto's eyes shine in amazement.
'Hey, Kurama! Can I also do this?'
[Don't you dare do such a thing with my body!] Kurama warns him.
'Ugh… not that! I mean, can I also turn into you, like Octo Ōji-san?' Naruto shakes his head.
[You can! But as he said, you need more training.] Kurama nods in affirmation.
Naruto turns towards the giant Gyuki.
"Hey, Octo Ōji-san! Can you teach me how to do this? I will listen to your new song."
"Yay! Now, that's what I want to hear." Gyuki turns back into B and B makes a victory pose.
"Then follow me to the waterfall of truth for the first step of training!" B enters the temple. Naruto quickly follows after him.
-----------------------
Back at the Allied Shinobi headquarters, the next day in the morning,
The various Kages, commander, and vice-commander gather again for another strategic meeting inside the virtual mindscape.
Most of them didn't have any wink of sleep since the last battle was fought until 3 a.m.
"Looks like everyone is here?" Sakumo opens his eyes and glances at everyone present in the room.
"Then let's proceed to discuss today's battle strategy!" He waves his hand and generates a map of the shinobi world.
"In yesterday's battle, we suffered massive losses. The moral of the allied shinobis has taken a hit. So, today we have to make a comeback and gain an advantageous situation in the war." Sakumo continues.
"We have already discussed the strategy for today's battle previously. However, some changes are required after the previous battle since the Kages are stepping up on the battlefield."
The meeting lasted for half an hour as Shikaku devises another strategy.
"As expected of the brain of the Allied Shinobi Force. With this, our victory in today's battle is guaranteed." Onoki praises Shikaku as the new battle plan pleases him.
"Of course, Lord Tsuchikage will be the central figure of the plan. Today, the third division will play a very crucial role in the battle. Their role is to hold down the Zetsu army long enough for the reinforcement to arrive." Shikaku nods at Onoki.
"Just leave that to me and Lord Kazekage!" Onoki pats his chest with pride.
With that, the meeting comes to an end and the various commanders and vice-commanders get ready for the battle.
The allied shinobi force splits into two groups, with the members of the third division and fourth division in one group and the first division and the second division in another group. The Raikage's second division is on standby and will act as the reinforcement unit in case the situation changes on the battlefield.
At the battlefield, the forces of the allied shinobi force march forward on the battlefield.
Halfway through the battlefield, the force splits into two groups. One group marches towards the sea while the other group continues forward at the expected location of the clash.
Whoosh…
Onoki flies through the sky and glances at the members of the third division and fourth divisions marching toward the destination. Mei is also flying beside him with lava wings.
"Hmm… I didn't expect the Mizukage to also know of a technique to fly through the sky."
"This technique is quite taxing on chakra, so I can't use it for long," Mei replies to him as she gazes at the outline of the sea in the distance.
Mmm…
Onoki nods at her remark and doesn't say anything as he focuses his attention on the coast. According to the intel, half of the Zetsu army is traveling underground beneath the sea. So, they have to barricade the coast and prevent the Zetsu army from uniting with the rest of the army.
It will be an ideal case if they can eliminate a major portion of the army before the main division joins them in battle.
'Well, I can't be too ambitious.' Onoki calms down.
The consequences of being overly ambitious are still clear in his mind as he recalls the events of the Second Shinobi War.
'One Uzumaki is enough to turn the tides of the battle.' Onoki glances at the various Chakra positioning flags slowly being planted by the members of the Sensor unit.
'What if the entire Uzumaki clan was here?'
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