N-A-A Page 418
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Their faces were ashen, their bodies covered with fine cracks, and their eyes were empty and blank.
However, the chakra fluctuations emanating from their bodies were all those of powerful figures who were once renowned throughout the ninja world!
There is a demon from Kirigakure named Zabuza Momochi.
Sasori, a genius puppeteer from Sunagakure.
Juzo Biwa, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from Kirigakure.
The Gold and Silver Brothers from the Hidden Cloud Village.
There were even... several former members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!
These powerful figures, whose deaths had already been confirmed, are now reappearing in the world in their dead forms!
Obito's gaze, hidden beneath his mask, swept over the rows of Edo Tensei resurrected individuals, and even he showed a hint of barely perceptible seriousness in his eyes.
He recognized the technique: "Impure World Reincarnation... Hmph, I didn't expect that after Orochimaru, that madman, died, you, the venomous snake beside him, would also have completely mastered this forbidden technique."
He adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light.
His tone carried a hint of self-deprecation yet couldn't hide his pride: "After all, I've followed Lord Orochimaru for so many years, even a pig should have learned some basics."
He spread his arms wide, as if displaying his most prized possession: "This is my sincerity, Mr. Ban."
"An immortal army composed of powerful figures from all generations would surely be a significant asset to your upcoming war, wouldn't it?"
He has already revealed his cards, and now the pressure is on Obito's side.
The air seemed to freeze, with only the sound of the wind whistling through the valley.
Obito remained silent for a moment, his Rinnegan fixed on Kabuto, trying to see through the true intentions behind his smile.
Finally, he asked in a deep voice, "Showing such 'sincerity'... what exactly is your purpose, Kabuto Yakushi?"
The smile on his face remained unchanged, but his tone carried a twisted fanaticism: "Purpose? It's simple... I just want to prove myself."
Obito's voice was filled with suspicion and murderous intent: "Prove what? Prove that you are better than your dead master? Or prove the worth of you, you stray dog?"
His chakra began to flow subtly, clearly indicating that he was already thinking about how to subdue or kill this dangerous variable in an instant.
"Hum..."
Dou let out a low laugh and shook his head: "That's not something you should know."
"Everyone has some... obsessions about not wanting others to pry into their lives, don't they?"
"Is that so?" Obito's voice suddenly turned cold, and his killing intent was no longer concealed!
However, just as he was about to make his move—
"Boom!"
Another coffin, thicker and heavier than the others, with more ancient and obscure runes, suddenly burst out of the ground behind Kabuto!
The appearance of this coffin carried an overwhelming pressure that even the Impure World Reincarnation could not completely conceal, a pressure that sent shivers down one's spine!
The coffin lid slid open slowly.
When Obito saw the face of the body in the coffin, he, who had remained calm and even arrogant, suddenly shuddered!
That Rinnegan contracted instantly, and even breathing seemed to stop!
Inside the coffin was a man wearing old red armor and sporting wild, long black hair.
His eyes were closed, his face was cold and stern, and even though he was lifeless, his brows still carried a domineering and aloof air that looked down on the world.
That appearance, that unique aura...
It was none other than the original self that Obito Uchiha had been impersonating all along, someone who should have long since vanished from the annals of history—
"you you……"
For the first time, Obito's voice trembled noticeably and uncontrollably with panic: "How could you... get his...where did you find it?!"
He never imagined that the secret he had painstakingly hidden, the secret that he absolutely could not let anyone discover, would be dug up by this Yakushi Kabuto!
This completely disrupted his plans and even shook the very foundation of his entire scheme!
Dou pushed up his glasses, a smile that was a mixture of smugness and cruelty spreading across his face.
He seemed to enjoy Obito's momentary loss of composure: "I discovered it by chance."
"However, even I never expected that you would hide 'your' remains in the Death Forest of Konoha Village."
"It must be said that the place is chaotic and dangerous, making it the most unexpected and perfect hiding place in the entire ninja world."
"Even if the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, were brought back from the Netherworld, he would never have imagined this."
"The body of his lifelong enemy is buried next to the village he built, beneath the most dangerous forest."
Obito was completely silent.
The mask concealed his expression, but the violently fluctuating chakra around him revealed the intense storm raging within him.
The Forest of Death… that hiding place he thought was foolproof, actually…
Kabuto looked at the silent Obito and knew that the outcome was already decided.
He smiled and said in a statement of fact, "So, it seems our... cooperative relationship is now established?"
Obito stared intently at Madara's body in the coffin, then glanced at Kabuto, who looked smug, and at the undead army of Edo Tensei behind him.
After a long silence, he forcibly suppressed the murderous intent and unease surging within him, and squeezed out three words through gritted teeth:
"…a pleasure to work with."
A dangerous alliance, like betting against a tiger, was formally forged in this desolate valley in an unexpected way.
Chapter 443 The Fourth Shinobi World War! Begins!
After several days of intense preparation and rapid assembly, Cloud Village, located atop the mountains and symbolized by steel and thunder, witnessed an unprecedented grand occasion.
The huge square, which is usually full of a rugged industrial style, was now shrouded in a solemn and majestic atmosphere.
Looking around, one sees a sea of people, their densely packed figures filling almost every inch of open space.
They wore ninja uniforms of different colors and styles.
They represent the elite forces from the five great nations of Konoha, Sunagakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and the host country, Kumogakure.
There was even a group of warriors from the Land of Iron who wore traditional dōmaru (a type of armor), carried tachi (another type of sword) at their waists, and exuded a calm yet fierce aura.
Their participation symbolizes that this war transcends the scope of the ninja system and represents a united force protecting the entire ninja world.
Eighty thousand ninjas and samurai!
This is a terrifying force capable of overthrowing a nation and altering its topography.
At this moment, for the common goal of survival, they have set aside past grievances and misunderstandings and gathered here together.
The air was filled with fluctuations of chakra of various attributes, mixed with tension, determination, and a hint of trepidation about the unknown war.
It creates a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.
On the rooftop of the towering building directly in front of the square stood the core command of the Allied Ninja Army and the captains of each unit.
Their figures stood like anchors in the sea, under the gaze of tens of thousands of eyes below.
The supreme commander of the allied forces is the fourth Raikage Ai, who has the strength and prestige to command respect and was the initiator of the talks.
He stood like an iron tower, arms crossed, his majestic gaze sweeping across the entire room, exuding authority without anger.
Standing beside him was the deputy commander of the coalition forces.
They are also the leaders of their respective villages: the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi, the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, and the Fifth Kazekage Gaara.
The four shadows looked solemn, representing the will of their respective villages and bearing the enormous responsibility of fighting together.
Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, needs to be stationed at the Cloud Village's sacred site, Thundercloud Gorge, to ensure the final line of defense remains intact.
Therefore, the main defensive line and battlefield of the allied forces will be built around the Land of Lightning, which has a strategically important and easily defensible terrain.
Raikage A stepped forward, his booming voice, amplified by chakra, clearly resounding throughout the entire plaza:
"Gentlemen! The shadow of war has already loomed over our homeland!"
"A madman who attempts to enslave the entire world with illusions is declaring war on us all!"
"Today, we stand here, no longer distinguishing between villages and nations; we share only one name—the Allied Ninja Army!"
Behind us are our loved ones, friends, and future waiting for us to protect! They are the lights that will illuminate countless homes in the future!
He abruptly waved his hand, his voice resolute:
"Now, I declare the Allied Forces' operational order of battle officially established! The entire army is divided into five Allied Forces!"
As he spoke, the captains of each unit stepped forward to receive their appointments.
"First Force, Joint Force for Medium and Long-Range Combat!"
The Raikage pointed to a Cloud Village Jonin with white spiky hair, a slightly lazy expression but sharp eyes: "Captain, Darui!"
"Your mission is to lead your troops to guard the long coastline of the Land of Thunder, utilize the advantageous terrain to construct defensive fortifications, and guard against any enemy attacks launched from the sea!"
"Yes!" Darui replied in a deep voice.
"Second Unit, Close Combat Combined Force!"
The Raikage's gaze shifted to a tall, resolute-looking Jonin from Iwagakure: "Captain, Hirotsuchi!"
"Your unit is responsible for guarding the only land route leading to the heart of the Land of Lightning! That will be the battlefield where the most intense direct confrontations will take place!"
"Your mission is singular—to stand firm like a rock and completely block all enemies attempting to pass! Not a single step back is permitted!"
"Understood! I will not fail you!" Huang Tu's voice was as deep and resonant as a mountain.
"Third Force, Medium- and Long-Range Support/Combat Combined Force!"
The one named this time is Kakashi Hatake, an elite Jonin from Konoha.
He was still wearing a mask, his right eye was calm and unwavering, but the calm aura he exuded was reassuring.
"Captain, Kakashi! Your unit, as a mobile force, roams between the main battle lines, providing support at any time based on the ever-changing situation on the battlefield! Go wherever you are needed!"
“Leave it to me.” Kakashi nodded, his eyes sharp.