With a wave of Fugaku's hand, the Barrier Team behind him immediately retreated.
Obito quipped, "I never expected Clan Head Fugaku to prepare such a grand reception for me."
Fugaku's expression was grim. He knew this man was the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails Rampage, but he remained calm, still waiting for reinforcements.
Seeing Fugaku's silence, Obito shrugged. He needed to stall for time as well, so Fugaku's inaction suited him perfectly.
Less than thirty seconds later, a flurry of movement announced the arrival of a dozen elite Jonin. All of them were elite shinobi with three-tomoe Sharingan; Fugaku had ordered anyone with lesser skill to remain within the clan grounds for their own safety.
Once everyone had assembled, Fugaku wasted no words, leading the charge directly toward Obito. He had arrived only moments ago, but including the time spent waiting for his clansmen, more than a minute had already passed.
A little over three minutes remained. If they couldn't stop Obito here, he would have no choice but to recall Kawasaki.
Shink, shink, shink!
Before the Uchiha clansmen could even get close, a rain of shuriken flew through the air. Obito dodged left and right, appearing flustered as several cuts opened on his body. He scrambled desperately, trying to find cover as his enemies closed in, drawing nearer with every second.
Just a little closer...
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. He suddenly threw up a hand and roared, "Retreat!"
The Uchiha shinobi fell back instantly, their response immediate and without hesitation.
Obito's gaze hardened. He flicked his sleeves forward, knowing this was his only chance. He poured all his chakra into the attack!
Crrrack!
With the sound of tearing cloth, innumerable wooden branches shot forth from Obito's palms. The branches rapidly swelled and thickened in mid-air, lancing through the Uchiha ranks like lightning.
So fast!
Fugaku's face darkened. He had known Obito possessed Wood Release, but he had never anticipated it would be this swift. He swung his sword in a blur, cutting down the branches that rushed toward him. The other Uchiha, thanks to Fugaku's warning, were not caught in the thick of it, but the branches were too fast. They could only barely manage to avoid fatal blows.
Boom!
The branches slammed into the ground, shaking the earth.
"Ugh... Ah..."
Groans of pain rose from the Uchiha. Many had been struck by the Wood Release. Some had their arms or legs pierced, with blood gushing like fountains.
"Riku!"
"Oura!"
Yoju cried out in grief. A deep gash had been torn across Riku's back, revealing the bone beneath. Oura had taken a direct hit to his leg, the bone clearly shattered.
Aside from Fugaku, only six other Uchiha remained standing.
After unleashing the Wood Release, Obito was panting heavily. The technique consumed a massive amount of chakra, and even he struggled to bear the cost. Damn it. If he had Kamui, it wouldn't have come to this. And six of them were still standing.
Seeing that Fugaku had weathered the attack, Obito knew the situation was dire. He immediately turned to flee.
…
Within Konoha village.
Naruto's group had just left the food street when they saw several vehicles parked in front of them. Other Uchiha clan members were guiding civilians away, leaving a wide path leading directly out of Konoha. Under the Uchiha's direction, the people were evacuating in an orderly fashion.
The ANBU's reasoning was simple: if the enemy was targeting Naruto, mixing him in with the crowd would only risk innocent lives. It was faster for their small group to move alone. One of the ANBU fired a signal flare, summoning reinforcements. The Uchiha clansman still directing the evacuation saw this and, with a sigh of relief, fired a warning flare of his own.
…
The ANBU led Naruto and Sasuke along a predetermined route. They hadn't gone far when one of them shouted, "Careful! Something's ahead!"
Two large, plant-like leaves suddenly emerged from the ground, revealing a two-toned face between them. The four ANBU and the two boys were instantly on high alert, the ANBU drawing their kunai. The two boys cursed their luck; they were unarmed.
Zetsu popped his head out of the ground, ignoring them as his gaze shot toward the Uchiha clan grounds.
A temporal sealing formation? The Uchiha had been thorough.
Zetsu wasn't worried about Obito. After all, Obito had both Wood Release and Izanagi. The temporal seal wouldn't last long. At worst, he would have to sacrifice a Sharingan.
Obito's repeated failures had made Black Zetsu anxious. That pawn was far too important. Obito's power had to be enhanced.
"Who are you!?" one of the ANBU demanded. This strange black-and-white creature was obviously no friend.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki," White Zetsu said, causing everyone's expression to change drastically.
Sasuke's heart sank. Just as he thought, they were after Naruto.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. So they're here for me.
Cold sweat beaded on the ANBU's foreheads. Nothing ever happened on other people's shifts, but of course, trouble would find them. What rotten luck! They could only pray that reinforcements from the village would arrive quickly.
White Zetsu stomped his foot, and a dozen pale, humanoid monstrosities burst from the earth. They were all malformed and incomplete. Some had gaping holes in their bodies, others had a single, crooked eye. Their pasty white skin made them look like poorly made clay figures. The monsters surged from the ground, charging straight for Naruto and Sasuke.
"Naruto, Sasuke, go now!" one of the ANBU yelled as the four of them leaped forward to intercept the creatures. In the next instant, the White Zetsu clones were engaged in battle with the four ANBU.
Though the clones weren't particularly strong, they were effective enough to tie up all four ANBU.
Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a look and nodded firmly. As Sasuke began forming hand seals, he said to Naruto, "There are too many of them. We need to help the ANBU."
"Right!" Naruto agreed.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof!
A series of explosions filled the air as dozens of Naruto clones appeared. The four ANBU, locked in combat with the Zetsu clones, were stunned. When had Naruto learned the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu?
"Everyone, let's go! We have to save them!"
"Yeah!"
"Charge!"
Naruto's army launched a counterattack against the White Zetsu clones. It was a sight to behold—a single person creating so many duplicates. The Naruto clones rushed forward, grappling with the White Zetsu clones and holding them in place.
The ANBU sighed in relief. With a flash of their blades, the immobilized White Zetsu clones fell one by one. The pressure on them eased considerably, but Naruto's clones were also being depleted at a rapid rate. Amidst a series of popping sounds, their numbers dwindled.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past as the real Naruto charged forward, a Rasengan spinning in his hand. His target was Zetsu himself. Seeing that the ANBU were managing, Naruto had decided to go after the main threat.
Zetsu waved a hand, and a thick tree trunk erupted from the ground.
Bam! Naruto's Rasengan slammed into the trunk, leaving a massive crater. It was useless. The trunk violently rebounded, striking Naruto in the chest and sending him flying. He crashed to the ground, coughing up blood.
"Chidori!" Sasuke roared. A brilliant blue light flickered as the sound of a thousand birds chirping filled the air.
Sasuke's Sharingan spun rapidly as he endured the immense strain of the Chidori, aiming straight for the black and white Zetsu. His target had always been the main body, not the clones. The moment Naruto was sent flying, Sasuke had already completed his accelerated charge!
Naruto watched with hopeful eyes.
The Chidori shrieked, getting closer, closer! A look of triumph flashed across Sasuke's face. Success was within his grasp!
Just as the Chidori was about to hit its mark, Zetsu sidestepped and hooked his leg out, tripping Sasuke and sending him sprawling. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. The Chidori dissipated as his hand slapped against the ground.
Crack! He could almost hear the sharp snap of his own finger bones.
"Aaaargh—!!"
A heart-wrenching scream tore from Sasuke's throat. A wave of excruciating pain shot through his entire body. Tears and snot streamed down his face as he nearly fainted from the agony.
"Sasuke!" Naruto yelled.
Damn it!
The two clones behind him immediately began forming another Rasengan. Just then, Zetsu's hand shot out, and a thick branch lanced from his palm like an arrow. Naruto barely managed to dodge the attack. But then the sickening sound of flesh being pierced made him turn his head stiffly.
The ANBU members who had been fighting the White Zetsu clones had been impaled through the abdomen by the branches. They were clearly finished.
"You bastard!"
A sinister chakra began to rise.
Thump-thump!
A powerful heartbeat suddenly echoed in everyone's minds.
Naruto's face twisted into a snarl, his eyes taking on a crimson hue! With the help of his clones, he finally formed another Rasengan. Wrapped in a cloak of red chakra, Naruto charged ferociously toward Zetsu.
As Zetsu watched the red chakra overflow from Naruto, he could almost see the demonic, snarling head of the Nine-Tails materializing behind the boy.
"Interesting," Zetsu remarked.
He reached out, grabbing Naruto's wrist and deflecting the Rasengan. As Naruto lost his balance and was thrown backward, he extended his left hand, which now sported sharp claws, and raked them across Zetsu's arm, leaving deep gashes.
Thud! Naruto fell to the ground. The Rasengan in his hand slammed into the earth, carving out a crater.
"Naruto!" Sasuke cried out, enduring the searing pain in his right arm. But the massive chakra drain from the Chidori, combined with the agony of his shattered fingers, had left him completely exhausted. Seeing Naruto struck down and unable to move, Sasuke's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
Suddenly, a cool sensation flooded Sasuke's mind, and the pain in his hand lessened significantly. The single tomoe in his Sharingan eyes spun, transforming into two. He felt a new surge of power well up inside him. Gritting his teeth, he struggled to his feet!
But it was all in vain.
Zetsu simply stepped on him, slamming him back into the ground.
Pfft...
Sasuke spat a mouthful of blood onto the dirt. He refused to give up, fighting against the pain that wracked his body. Zetsu frowned, and a wooden stake grew from his hand, plunging straight into the ground.
Sasuke saw the stake descend from the corner of his eye. Horrified, he twisted his body with all his might, but the stake pierced directly through his shoulder blade.
"Ah!..."
Sasuke let out one last scream before falling unconscious.
Zetsu paid him no mind. With the ANBU dealt with, capturing the Nine-Tails was a fine alternative. He reached for Naruto, who was just struggling to his feet. Thinner branches shot from his hand, wrapping tightly around Naruto's body. In an instant, Naruto was bound like a mummy.
Naruto's gaze fell upon Sasuke. His eyes widened, his pupils narrowing into slits. Boom!
A violent, fiery red chakra erupted from him! The gushing energy formed a vermilion cloak around his body, and a single fiery tail extended from behind him. The branches binding him were instantly shattered by the force.
Zetsu frowned slightly. Has he lost control?
Naruto lunged forward with the speed of a cheetah, the wind howling around him as he pounced on Black Zetsu. Black Zetsu leaped backward, dodging the attack. While still in the air, Naruto's tail shot out, wrapped around the stake pinning Sasuke, and yanked it free.
The unconscious Sasuke twitched, letting out a pained moan.
After landing, Naruto immediately scooped Sasuke up and started running toward the village. He didn't look like he had lost control at all.
Zetsu was momentarily stunned, surprised that Naruto hadn't been overwhelmed by the Nine-Tails' influence. Sensing more ANBU approaching in the distance, he narrowed his eyes and slowly sank back into the ground.
······
...
Konoha Village.
On the edge of the Uchiha clan grounds.
Thanks to Obito's surprise attack with his high-chakra Wood Release, many Uchiha lay on the ground, groaning in pain. Fugaku's eyes burned with rage as he surveyed the gruesome scene.
"Yoju, take care of the wounded and wait for reinforcements. The rest of you, with me!"
Without waiting for a reply, he rushed off in pursuit. Yoju looked at the injured clansmen around him. He continued to fire signal flares into the sky while taking out emergency medical supplies to perform first aid. The clan's medical team would arrive soon after receiving the signal.
...
Burning with fury, Fugaku stayed hot on Obito's heels. He never imagined the enemy would be so well-prepared. To be ambushed like that, with so many injured… if he had known, he would have recalled Kawasaki from the start.
Fugaku pushed more force into his legs, the trees beside him blurring into a retreating green wall.
"Plan B!" he ordered.
Noticing Obito's dangling right arm, Fugaku guessed that the earlier attack had put a heavy strain on it. The other Uchiha shinobi revealed their arms, each one bearing a sealing formula.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Countless shuriken flew through the air.
Obito couldn't use his Kamui space and wasn't in the habit of carrying a ninja tool pouch. He had no choice but to expend more chakra, using Yin-Yang Release to form a black receiver to defend himself.
The air filled with the constant clanging of metal as Obito deflected the shuriken and kunai with his black rod. But it was a futile effort. Fugaku and the other Uchiha were well-stocked with projectiles, continuously pulling more from their seals and hurling them at Obito.
Obito dodged and blocked as he fled, but he was soon wounded. There were too many projectiles to defend against; all he could do was protect his vital points. Three shuriken and two kunai found their mark in his leg and shoulder. Though he quickly pulled them out and the wounds weren't deep, blood seeped from them with every movement. The black rod he had created on the fly was nowhere near as durable as the ones he would later possess. It was sturdy, but it couldn't stand up to the sheer numbers advantage of his pursuers.
Throughout the chase, Obito accumulated more and more injuries. If it weren't for his modified body's exceptional durability, he would have already collapsed. The Uchiha clansmen maintained a careful distance from him, wary of another Wood Release attack. The sealing formulas on their arms were top-grade, packed with a massive number of weapons that Fugaku had specifically prepared for this fight. If not for Obito's successful ambush, he would likely have been taken down by now.
The Uchiha refrained from using ninjutsu. Obito was too slippery to pin down, and a poorly aimed Fire Release could easily obstruct their allies' vision. Unfortunately, they had all underestimated just how tough Obito's body was. Even as projectiles continued to hit him and he bled profusely, he showed no signs of falling.
Fugaku checked the time mentally. Two minutes left before the temporal barrier collapsed. He was getting anxious. The thrown weapons were too weak to deliver a decisive blow. There was no more time for games. If projectiles weren't enough…
Boom! Come forth, Susanoo!
A colossal, violet-black figure descended from the sky. Obito glanced back, and his heart clenched. Fugaku's Susanoo was still evolving.
Drawing upon the ocular power left by Kawasaki, Fugaku had directly activated a more advanced stage of his Susanoo.
"Hah!"
Flesh and muscle formed over Fugaku's Susanoo. This second stage was capable of long-range attacks. A Yata Jewel materialized in the Susanoo's hand and shot straight toward Obito!
Whoosh…
A piercing whistle, thick with killing intent, locked onto Obito. As the violet-black Yata Jewel closed in, his first instinct was to use Kamui to phase through it. But his Kamui was sealed, and his body was in poor condition. His dodge was a fraction too slow.
The Yata Jewel slammed into the right side of his body.
"Urk!..."
With a muffled grunt, Obito was thrown to the ground. His entire right arm, along with his shoulder, was gone. The cross-section of the wound revealed a pale white substance, not the color of human flesh.
Clutching his shoulder, Obito forced himself to stand, his eyes flashing with a desperate light.
Time was almost up! The temporal barrier was about to collapse!
Obito's eyes narrowed, and he slammed his remaining left hand onto the ground! A red glow spread across the earth.
Fugaku's Susanoo soared into the air with a savage aura. Its hand grew larger, transforming into a giant claw. With a roar of wind, the massive claw, formed from pure chakra, descended like a mountain, casting a shadow over Obito.
A red light flared!
Uchiha Flame Formation!
Fugaku's claw swung down.
BOOM!!
A wall of red fire erupted in front of Obito, shimmering with crimson light.
BOOM!!
Another deafening explosion!
The flames surged, and Fugaku's Susanoo claw was blasted back, glowing red-hot. Both Fugaku's weapon and the wall of fire from the Flame Formation slammed into the temporal barrier above.
Whine...
The temporal barrier flickered.
Fugaku's expression changed. Not good, time is almost up! The shockwave threw him backward. A sharp pain shot through his eyes, and his Susanoo flickered violently.
Obito also saw the flickering barrier. A smirk touched his lips.
Let's see you break through my Flame Formation barrier now