Chapter 10

The second day of battle was worse than the first as the dead continued to pile up. The strength of the Third Division was beginning to wane as the hours ticked by with little rest against the White Zetsu clones that infiltrated the ranks and the remaining swordsmen. The ninjas ripped through them no matter how many times the resurrected opponents regenerated and slowly began gaining ground. But the execution of the attacks was taking longer than anticipated with the numbers and strength against them.

Still, with every individual they sealed the closer the Alliance were to victory and that is what pushed them forward. Sai's ink paintings dominated the field ripping apart enemies and allowing those with lightning chakra the openings needed in order to pin them down for the Binding Squad.

"All right! Just three more!" Gai shouted.

Fuguki was the latest to be bound.

"Are you okay, Sai?" Kakashi asked.

"Yeah... I can still go on," the Root Ninja answered wearily. Even hoisting his large parchment scroll was a struggle.

"Just relax and draw that tiger!" Rock Lee stated. He took up stance in front of his comrade. "I'll protect you!"

The clones continued to stampede through the forest and as quickly as one was killed there were two more to take its place.

"At this rate we'll be overrun!" Belva shouted. "And I don't want to be around when these things start mimicking us!"

Word had come in from HQ stating that the enemy was taking on the form of their allies. They could copy appearance, voices, and movements, a terrifying thought for anyone. No knowing who was the real enemy until the person at your side turned and killed you on the spot. By then it was too late to react.

"So, these are the enemy's reinforcements... and it's another huge army," Kakashi muttered.

His eyes were on the Be Fong fighting on the front line. The Chakra Strings tore through each body without remorse, trying to make a dent. If these things did start transforming into their own, she'd be their only hope to pick them out. And the Jounin wasn't sure how much longer she could last with that much strain placed on her chakra levels.

"They're white..." Gai pointed out. "Are these the guys that have been transforming into our partners?"

The General nodded in confirmation.

"Let's clean them out right here!"

With a section of the Third Division behind them, they raced to take on the additional army as Mai strung them out for the slaughter. But they never got a chance as something came in from above, landing between the opposing sides and ripped apart the clones. The golden aura around them was hard to miss, making Kakashi chuckle.

"Naruto's here!" Rock Lee exclaimed. "That means he'll be able to use his Shadow Clones!"

"I can't do that in my current condition," Naruto stated. "But I can help if this guy starts turning into one of our own."

Though his power increased immensely since the last time they were together, Mai quickly realized, "Where's the real one?"

"He got held up, but is on his way with B."

"Naruto."

"Hmm?"

"It's good to see you."

The teen grinned. "Been a while since we've fought alongside each other on this kind of level. This is going to be quite a show."

Of course it would as their chakra levels swelled. The white Zetsu clones took a hesitant step back. With the Nine-Tail and the Be Fong partnered up again, the Akatsuki member knew this was a dangerous mix. And now that Naruto was appearing on every battlefield across the lands, they were beginning to overcome the enemy. There was hope.

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Itachi was free of Edo Tensei. With careful planning on the Uchiha's part, before sealing Nagato, for he was too unpredictable still under control, Itachi managed to sever the connection to be able to act on his own accord. Preventing any hard coming to Naruto and Killer B. However, this reunion had to end. The two parties were needed in different locations in this war to stop the end of the Shinobi World.

"Itachi, thanks for trusting me," Naruto said. "You don't have to worry anymore. You've done enough for the Village. Now it's my turn."

This pleased the older Uchiha greatly. In return, he vowed to stop Edo Tensei. His final act in this world to complete the mission. Naruto would say nothing of their encounter, not wishing for the shinobi forces to go searching for him. After this was over their chance encounter would be nothing more than a memory. This had to be done in secret.

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The Alliance was finally pushing forward. The imposters had been found in every division with countless corpses being sealed up or contained so not to interfere on the battlefield. And even through their exhaustion all fought harder than before. However, as Mai went to impale a clone the teen paused, head turning to the East. It was Belva to finish the attack from behind after exterminating her own opponent.

"Why the hesitation?" the woman asked. Even if Zetsu could not move with the strings wrapped around him it wasn't like the ninja to leave him breathing.

"I sense a lot of chakra..." the Be Fong said.

It was then the sensei could feel it too. "Now is not the time to be distracted."

"But even though it's far away, it could come here if they become overrun."

It wasn't that he Be Fong doubted the Kazekage's strength and power, seeing as it was the direction of the Fourth Division's battlefield these levels were coming from. More so a precaution and wondering if they would soon need assistance. They had to prepare–

The very ground beneath their feet trembled so forcefully many stumbled to catch their balance. Others froze wondering what was happening. An earthquake? No, because it began to dissipate moments later.

"What the fucking hell was that?" Belva questioned.

None had an answer, and even the clones fighting against them appeared to be confused, if not frightened. But now was not the time to dwell on that matter as they clashed once more.

Attention, news from HQ. The five Kages have joined forces on the Fourth Division battlefield. Madara has made his appearance a part of the Impure World Reincarnation Summoning reinforcements.

The statement startled the ninjas. Then who was the Akatsuki member claiming to be Madara Uchiha this whole time?

Naruto and Killer B have engaged with the Akatsuki member known as Tobi, along with the seven resurrected hosts killed by the organization. Divisions One, Two, and Three, you are requested to leave your positions when concluding your fights to assist them.

Kakashi observed their situation, as what was left of the clones dragged themselves back into the dense forest for cover. There was only one corpse left, a swordsman, and he was greatly outnumbered.

"We can move when you are ready," Belva stated.

"If we go with numbers and stay together, we won't make it in time," Gai pointed out.

"You're right," the General answered. "Gai and I will go on ahead to assist Naruto. Belva, gather what remains of the division and head out as soon as you can. Send those with injuries back to HQ. Mai!"

The teen was chasing the enemy across the battlefield, twisting and spinning through the air. Her feet never even touched the ground, always on the move.

"Do you have this covered here?"

"Go on without me!" she shouted.

"You're not staying by yourself."

"We'll stay," Rock Lee offered, Sai nodding as well.

"As will my team," Ensui reassured.

The young man nodded. "Just follow her orders, and don't get in her way."

The swordsman was thrown to the ground before being dragged across it violently.

"Move it!" Mai shouted. "Before that bastard gets Naruto too!"

Without another word the division began moving out.

"What is it you need?" Rock Lee asked.

"For you to save your strength," she answered.

"You should not be doing this alone," Sai pointed out. "You're just as valuable and the rate you're continuing you'll be exhausted before reaching Naruto."

She offered him a lopsided smirk. "That's why you're carrying me when this is over."

Understanding, the Root Ninja backed off allowing the Be Fong to do what she wanted. And he wasn't disappointed when only minutes later their last enemy had been bound.

"Are there anymore in the area?" Ensui asked.

"No," the Be Fong said. "What remained of Akatsuki ran away with their tails tucked between their legs. They won't come back this way. At least not in an attempt to overtake us. They'll go to the same destination as the others where the war is now at a head."

"Killer B and Naruto," Rock Lee said.

She nodded. There was movement at her side, finding Sai crouched down, back to her.

"Get on," he ordered. "We need to catch up."

The Be Fong climbed on without hesitation, muscles instantly relaxing once the artist's arms hooked under each leg. Her own wrapping around his shoulders as he stood.

"We shouldn't worry about that. You're fast even if we're tired."

Sai glanced back at her. "Why the compliments?"

She blinked. "As morbid as this is... I guess it's because we're not sure if we'll be alive in the next few hours. Better to show you appreciate what's around you and who you are with before it's too late."

He understood as what remained of the Third Division rushed off into the forest.

"You should do that more often," the Root Ninja suddenly stated. "It suits you more than remaining silent and distant." He would know because he had been the same boat once before.

She blinked at the back of his head. "Where did this come from?"

"I'm not the only one who thinks this. Shikamaru spoke highly of you and has admired you for your skills. I knew nothing of Team 7, and no one really trusted me when I first joined your group. He was the first one to do so, and I went to him trying to understand... companions... friendship..."

That Nara. He was honestly something else, after all these years...

"I still promised him a game of Shoji," Mai mused. "Though... I haven't been a very good friend, have I, by skipping out all these years?"

A true smile reached Sai's lips. "I think he'll forgive you when this is all over."

The area suddenly lit up, surrounding them in a blinding light temporarily as a blast ripped into the earth up ahead. The tremors reached as far back as they were startling them as it receded.

"Let's hurry," the Be Fong stated. The group picked up its pace easily.

New from HQ! The conditions are good at the reinforcement point! Meaning, Naruto Uzumaki is holding his ground! Naruto and B, who we're here to protect, are currently fighting with all their heart on the front lines! The same goes for Kakashi and Gai! We want you all to join them! Everyone's powerful feelings coming together will foretell our victory!

With the connection cut off they could just see the Third Division in the distance as they drew closer. But seeing them did not cause mild relief to go through the Phantom Ninja. It was what the member from the Yamanaka Clan said.

Mai smirked, I always knew you had it in you, Naruto.

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It was beginning to rain. A light drizzle that didn't affect travel in the slightest as it touched down on all points of the battlefield. And just beyond the border of the fight a rogue wandered. That was, until they were cut off by a horde of clones from the White Zetsu.

"You already found me," Sasuke spoke. Unconcerned by the fact he was outnumbered.

"Why are you here?" one shouted. The minute they felt his chakra moving they rushed to intercept him from the nearest combat zone.

"I don't have any particular reason. I passed through two cities before coming here but they were empty. I thought that the situation out here was strange but do you know anything about this?"

"We are the ones asking questions here!" another shouted. "Why did you come outside?"

"If you don't like me to be here, why don't you try to capture me? You even have a lot of people on your side this time."

A lot... A horrified thought came to mind, as panic began to take over the clones. "You... could it be that you killed our original?!"

The Uchiha only stared at them without remorse for his actions.

"This time I'm facing a group of opponents. That's good, I should obtain a certain amount of feedback."

Enraged, they raced forward as one, intending to overtake him where the teen stood. Though before they could get close a black shield expanded from Sasuke's form, towering high overhead. Susanoo. A new, dangerous version that had overlapping plates taking on the form of thicker armor, no longer just a skeleton with the help of Itachi's eyes. And with the wave of its hand each White Zetsu was set ablaze by blackened flames. As many withered in agony or already lay dead, there was still one to remain in good condition as the warrior's hand reached across the space plucking Zetsu up by the head. He was dragged before the Uchiha being forced to submit to the Sharingan. As planned, Sasuke would receive everything he wished to know.

"This is a war... I have to defeat my enemies..."

"That Tobi..." Sasuke sighed. "It seems that he waged war, huh."

"We have... to seize..." Zetsu droned on. "Killer B... and Naruto Uzumaki... We must hurry... his comrades are gathering... to the place where he is..."

The teen's brows narrowed. Everyone was gathering. Then that must include Mai as well. She'd never allow that idiot to be left on his own. Why would she stay with Naruto so willingly instead of join his side? It also irritated him to know that Naruto had not heeded his words.

"Did you forget it, Naruto? What true strength is?"

"It was a high unlike anything I've ever felt. Like I was finally cleansing the Uchiha name of the stigma that's dogged it all these years. Like I was freeing the Uchiha from being associated with the corrupt Shinobi World. In a sense, it's what the Leaf has always wanted. After rejecting my Clan for generations, I'm finally going to wipe it from your memories by killing every last one of you until Konoha is crushed forever! Any link to the Uchiha will be served and our name will be purified! That is how I'll revive my Clan!"

Except Mai. That was one bond he could never cut no matter how hard he tried. If anything, the Uchiha came to realize their bond had only helped him grow stronger because she was someone he had to surpass when meeting on the battlefield. She understood him.

Brandishing his sword, it severed the head of the final clone ceasing his babble.

"I will go to that place as well in order to kill you, Naruto," Sasuke muttered.

There was movement that caught his attention just out of the corner of his eye. Watching as one of the clones thought to be dead attempted to escape.

"You are not shinobis from Konoha. You are not included in my promise."

The clone relit in a firey inferno of black flames. It made him smirk.

"These are good eyes, I'm getting more and more accustomed to them, brother."

Sensing the overwhelming amount of chakra surging in the air the Uchiha turned to follow the advancing forces. The forest was thick as the foreboding silence dragged on. There were no animals to speak of having resembled the towns he had passed already as they ran away frightened. There were even a few instances when the ground vibrated under his feet from explosions miles away.

It hadn't been long when another presence suddenly appeared out of nowhere. How he had not noticed their movements before puzzled him greatly. This person could hide their chakra. They came bolting out of the leaves and branches a few feet to his right and a few feet higher. But the passerby paid no mind to the individual as they proceeded in the opposite direction. However, it made Sasuke's steps faltered for a moment, eyes wide as they passed. The familiar cloak they wore billowed after them. None could mistake the red-clouded print surrounded by black. But it was the profile of the wearer that caused his surprise.

Itachi Uchiha.