It didn't matter if the war failed, the world could not exist without Rin. A world without Rin—what purpose would life have?
Uchiha Obito's mind burned with resolve. The only thing to watch out for was Ashveil causing complications in the battle.
"Damn Ashveil… don't give me any trouble…" Obito muttered under his breath, then surged forward, his chakra flaring.
"With me here, the Ten Tails will appear unimpeded," he said, his tone deadly serious.
Across the battlefield, Ashveil finally activated his Conqueror's Haki. His target: Zabuza.
Boom.
A sphere of molten Conqueror's Haki engulfed Zabuza completely. There was no time to react; the former Swordsman of the Mist was obliterated in an instant.
Kakashi, nearby, stumbled back several steps, unable to comprehend what he had just witnessed. Zabuza, a ninja of tremendous skill, eliminated so effortlessly in front of him… shock rooted Kakashi in place.
According to intelligence from the Nara clan, Kabuto was allied with Akatsuki. Yet here, Zabuza was attacked and destroyed. What was truly happening?
Other ninjas shared his confusion.
"What's going on?"
"Isn't he a rogue from the Akatsuki?"
"Why would he help us?"
Then, Zabuza's body began to reassemble, fusing back together. The first act of his revival was an immediate assault on Ashveil.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
The Ninja Allied Forces watched, stunned.
"Is Zabuza invincible?"
"So… Ashveil killed him on purpose just to bring him back and force our surrender?"
Kakashi's face hardened as he analyzed the unfolding situation.
"No," he said firmly. "It's not that simple. Zabuza attacking Ashveil shows this isn't just a mindless tactic. Everyone, do not underestimate him. This is the same man who nearly destroyed the entire Leaf Village. There may be things you still do not know."
His words drew the eyes of all nearby ninjas. They swallowed hard.
"He's stronger than the one who almost destroyed the Leaf Village?"
"How is that even possible?"
Kakashi continued gravely. "Ashveil did not destroy the Leaf Village—not because he lacked power, but because he chose not to. His mood dictated mercy. With his strength alone, he could have obliterated the village. At that time, Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, was present. Even the Nine-Tails could have been eliminated, yet Ashveil spared him based entirely on his mood. That is how terrifying his combat power truly is."
The surrounding ninjas trembled at the revelation.
Zabuza's Water Dragon struck near Ashveil, but his molten Conqueror's Haki instantly vaporized the attack into steam. The sheer heat astonished everyone.
"Indeed! What Captain Kakashi said is true," a ninja whispered. "Ashveil is beyond comprehension."
Then, a chilling icy aura spread over Zabuza's body. Every attempt to attack became futile as his body froze, sizzle by sizzle, until he was encased in solid ice.
"Kakashi," Zabuza gasped before being completely immobilized, "watch… Ashveil…"
The Swordsman of the Mist fell silent, frozen into a jagged icicle.
Ashveil's voice cut through the tense battlefield.
"To deal with these Impure World Reincarnations, remember this. Simply defeating them is useless. You must have sealing specialists to completely neutralize them."
His words were precise and commanding, revealing the secret to victory to the allied ninjas. Some exchanged glances, acknowledging the genius of his strategy. Even Kakashi was momentarily perplexed.
"What do you mean by this?" Kakashi asked, narrowing his eyes at Ashveil. "Have you betrayed the Akatsuki?"
A faint curve appeared on Ashveil's lips. "Betrayal? The Akatsuki and I only cooperate when convenient. Do not flatter yourselves. I am not allied with you either."
The United Army felt a collective chill. Not allied… later, they would face him. Even the thirty thousand-strong army felt the oppressive weight of Ashveil's presence; sweat beaded on foreheads.
Kakashi demanded, "Then why attack Zabuza and explain how to handle Edo Tensei?"
Ashveil's grin widened. "I hope you do not mind. I share this information because… neither the Akatsuki nor the Alliance Army can challenge me. Since victory is already certain, why not make this war more… entertaining?"
Shock and disbelief rippled through the army. Ashveil acted purely for amusement, confident in his inevitable triumph.
Kakashi's expression hardened. Lightning gathered in his hand as he charged. "Chidori!"
The air crackled with electricity, tracing his path toward Ashveil. Yet as he closed in, Ashveil's voice echoed, infused with Conqueror's Haki.
"What are you thinking? Do you really believe a mere Chidori can harm me?"
Kakashi froze, a tremor running through him. Even now, older and more experienced, facing Ashveil was more terrifying than when he first encountered Orochimaru.
Nearby ninjas gaped, stunned by their captain's sudden immobility.
Then, a massive ice dragon appeared overhead, its body hundreds of degrees below zero, radiating layers of frozen air. Fear gripped everyone.
"Ashveil… how much chakra does he have?"
"It's impossible to resist!"
"Every technique is like an S-rank jutsu! How can we possibly fight him?"
The ice dragon descended rapidly, but instead of striking Kakashi's forces, it redirected toward the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
From the start, Ashveil had no intention of targeting the Allied Forces. The Swordsmen, wielding their weapons in shock, could only watch as their bodies succumbed to the icy Conqueror's Haki, frozen one by one, never understanding why they were chosen.
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