A small-scale elite clash between Kirigakure and Konoha was about to begin.
On Kiri's side stood the so-called perfect jinchūriki, the Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi. Even under Obito's hypnosis, he couldn't exert his full strength—but he was still a terrifying opponent.
Likewise, after being beaten by Yorin, Uchiha Obito licked his wounds and, having at least swallowed a few of Black Zetsu's suggestions, managed to level up a little.
Black Zetsu himself had no combat power, but he was the finest intel master. Possessing a White Zetsu body, he could fight using Wood Release.
In the original timeline he even went back and forth against a shinobi alliance unit led by Mei Terumi—that's Kage-tier, most likely.
Beneath the three Kage-class stood the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—well, now only four.
First-gen Seven Ninja Swordsmen:
The severing blade Kubikiribōchō's wielder, future big-bro to "Itachi," Jūzō Biwa.
The great sword Samehada's wielder, the intel traitor Fuguki Suikazan, stabbed to death by Kisame.
The lightning twin blades Kiba's wielder, making one further question Kiri shinobi's fashion choices, Raiga Kurosuki.
And last, the only second-gen member present, the twin blades Hiramekarei's wielder, genius of the Hōzuki clan, Mangetsu Hōzuki.
…
Compared to Kage-class, these guys don't look like much. They'd even had their courage scattered by the original "Konoha Beast," becoming a joke for a time. But no matter what, as Kiri's marquee, each Swordsman was at least elite jōnin level.
Some even said the strongest among them were Kage-level.
…
So Kiri's lineup: three Kage-class, one a perfect jinchūriki; plus four elite jōnin or quasi-Kage.
Lavish, by any measure.
Kiri propaganda loves to boast that when the Seven Swordsmen deploy together, they can topple a small country in a single night.
Yorin remained skeptical.
After all, Land of the Sky and Uzushio were "small countries" that had already been wiped off the map. The Land of Rice Fields—no shinobi village—was a small country. Even Rain, rebuilt by Akatsuki, was a small country.
Destroying those above is bullying fools; destroying those below is asking to die. Either way—idiocy.
Still, with that roster, wiping a small country overnight is reasonable—but—comically—the Konoha side was even more terrifying.
Two beyond-Kage:
The invincible Uchiha Yorin, and the "wellness veteran" Jiraiya!
Four veteran Kage-class:
The invincible Fourth Namikaze Minato, the strongest medic Tsunade, Sunagakure's top genius Pakura, and the just-back-from-long-haul Uchiha Shisui!
Stack those six together—forget a small country—even a great country could fall in a night.
With such a bulldozer lineup, elite jōnin like Kakashi, and even Mei, became benchwarmers.
Black Zetsu, seeing the intel, nearly cried.
We get it—Konoha's strong—but this strong?
With that lineup, why don't you kick off the Fourth Great Ninja World War already? Why pick on us?!
Oh—right, we're the ones attacking Konoha. Carry on.
No blows had been struck yet, but Black Zetsu had already marked Kiri down as lost.
Now came planning the aftermath—and setting the next moves.
The Rinnegan was non-negotiable; therefore, no matter how much of a brat Obito was, he must be preserved. Beyond that, Black Zetsu had to contact more Uchiha—increase tools and spares.
"Uchiha Yorin."
Black Zetsu rolled the name on his tongue. "I'll need a way to make that man work for me."
He was thinking on it when night fell.
A night with high winds—perfect for fire. Moonless—made for murder.
High-spirited Obito, controlling Yagura, issued the order:
"It's time! March on Konoha—seize the Nine-Tails—rule the shinobi world—now!!"
Hearing that, even the Four Swordsmen—who despised Yagura—couldn't help getting fired up.
Pity White Zetsu had to mutter something soul-crushing and stupid to spoil the moment: "I need to poop."
…
"They're here."
Without the Byakugan's super radar, Jiraiya still said:
"Don't underestimate my intel network—this is how Telescope Technique is meant to be used," and put dozens of kilometers of the Forest of Death's edges under surveillance.
"The enemy splits three ways—one is the Swordsmen, one is the masked man with Black and White face, and one is Mizukage Yagura. How do we proceed?"
He turned instinctively to Uchiha Yorin.
No one said it—but everyone defaulted to Yorin as commander, even the official commander, Minato.
Not that Yorin outclassed Minato in command; Minato was simply a wreck—heart in his throat.
From the temporary sterile ward came his wife's cries—his face was all worry. People even fretted he might fumble in a real clash.
No—surely not. He's the Yellow Flash; he won't fall apart.
They trusted Minato—but weren't willing to bet on it.
Luckily—they didn't have to.
Konoha had enough top-tiers to lock down all three vectors—and erase them.
"Jiraiya-sensei—Mizukage's yours, okay?" Yorin said.
Jiraiya's giant toads could trade blows with Tailed Beasts—perfect for a jinchūriki. Add his own power—even if he couldn't beat Yagura, it would be fifty–fifty.
Jiraiya: "Got it—no problem!" He nodded without hesitation. Then Yorin looked to Minato and Shisui: "Obito's yours. Per plan—capture if you can. If you can't—beat him down and drive him off."
"Yes—no problem."
"Leave it to us."
Minato tried hard not to glance toward the delivery room—but his thoughts were an open book.
Yorin: "Relax—Pakura, Mei, and Tsunade are all here. Anbu's deployed outside. Kushina is safe. Think about Obito instead."
"Don't worry."
On this, Minato was himself again—decisive, sharp. "I know what to do."
"Good, Minato. You too, Kakashi."
Yorin turned to the silver-haired, dead-fish eyes.
On the big picture, Minato wouldn't falter—Yorin trusted him. Kakashi—less so. The man looked like, "Huh??? What the hell???"—completely out of context.
Yorin thought he'd explained clearly, but Kakashi still wore "Ah???" like a mask. It made Yorin want to smack him twice to bring him back—
Maybe not Kakashi's fault.
Most people hearing such a data dump would freeze up like that.
It was fine. With Shisui and Minato carrying, Kakashi could be dead weight and it'd still work.
Yorin included him not for the mythical "fifty–fifty with anyone," but to pull a brother up.
After all, Kakashi was more a principal than Minato here.
"If you really want to bring Obito back—then pull yourself together!"
He stopped himself from giving him a three-stage face-slap, grabbed his shoulders, shook him hard, and yelled while tapping his temple.
The pain snapped Kakashi's instincts—he almost resisted, then understood—and sprang to attention:
"Yes! I understand! I will save Obito!!"
"Then go." Yorin nodded and turned to Pakura and Mei. "You two hold here. Under no circumstances do you leave. Got it?!"
Truthfully—not ideal. Pakura was fine; Mei was raring to go—she wanted Yagura.
Yorin wasn't letting her charge in to get clobbered.
They aren't the same tier. One coral slap from Yagura and Mei is cut into panels.
If she must fight—the Swordsmen are more suitable.
Unfortunately, Uchiha Yorin kept those four for himself.
This wasn't mismatching the pieces—or Yorin shirking.
His public reason: he's the fastest—he'll crush them quickest and go help the other fronts—
True enough—but the real reason was the system's quest ping. Yorin had flipped hunter mode on.
[Emergency Quest: Snap the Blades — Objective: Defeat the invading Seven Ninja Swordsmen (When steel clashes, the strong live—junk snaps). Reward: Swordsmanship XP of the defeated]
[Emergency Quest: Stomp the Shell — Objective: Defeat the invading jinchūriki Yagura Karatachi (For a turtle-man—step hard). Reward: Portion of Tailed Beast chakra]
[Emergency Quest: Logging Job — Objective: Defeat the invading Black & White Zetsu (His foolishness, his sorrow, his naivety—none of it will slow your slaughter, will it?). Reward: Partial Yin–Yang Release knowledge]
…
The system's an idiot—but an excellent idiot!
Three prongs of invasion—three big payouts.
Sword XP, Tailed Beast chakra—both gold. Best of all—Yin–Yang. The Sage's power that births all things. Even a sliver would feed Yorin for life!
…
So—why not go for Zetsu first?
Because Yorin is greedy.
Pick one of three?
No—he picks all three.
Tonight, every intruder in Konoha—
—falls beneath his peerless Thunder–Fire Sword.
~~~
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