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Deep within the forests of the Land of Iron, an encampment had been built to conceal and protect the Five Kage.
Elite guards patrolled the perimeter this was the last safe zone before war.
Among those under heavy protection was Killer B, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki. The Fourth Raikage had personally insisted he stay close.
Here, surrounded by the strongest of the Cloud's forces, even the village itself couldn't offer more security.
But to Obito, all that strength was meaningless just a cluster of "large ants" awaiting extinction.
---
Without hesitation, Obito materialized from a whirlpool of space-time, aiming to seize Killer B instantly.
Sensing the danger, Gyūki's voice echoed through B's mind.
"B! No time to think—transform now!"
A burst of chakra split the air.
The Eight-Tails' colossal form erupted into the open, thrashing tentacles through the trees, sending shockwaves that shook the entire forest.
Obito frowned.
He's faster than expected… and that chakra approaching from behind He turned slightly, the Rinnegan glinting.
"So, the Fourth Raikage arrives already. Impressive."
Lightning cracked through the air.
A thunderclap split the clouds as the Raikage appeared, his body blazing in the Lightning Release Armor, speed rivaling that of the Fourth Hokage.
---
"Lightning Release: Lariat Heat Fist!"
The Raikage charged forward, arms wreathed in blinding blue arcs, ready to crush his target with raw power.
But as his strike connected his arm passed straight through.
Obito's form shimmered, untouched.
The Raikage landed hard, blasting a crater into the forest floor.
Instantly, he pivoted appearing behind Obito in a blur, unleashing a flurry of hits, probing for weakness.
Just like Tsunade described, the Raikage thought grimly. He can turn intangible must be time-based.
He tested the timing again and again, sparks clashing against swirling vortexes of space.
Obito barely shifted, letting every attack pass harmlessly through him.
---
Fully transformed, Killer B fought beside his brother, tentacles lashing in perfect sync.
Each blow was raw power two against one, lightning and beast but Obito danced between them like a phantom.
His dual eyes, Sharingan and Rinnegan, spun slowly, calculating every motion.
For a brief instant, the Raikage's speed and power reminded him of his teacher, the Fourth Hokage, Minato.
But Obito was stronger now his mastery of phase-space greater than ever.
Still, he couldn't finish it fast enough.
He sensed them—
From the skies, Ōnoki and Gaara were approaching fast, and below, Tsunade and Mei Terumi surged through the forest.
The Five Kage... all of them? Already?
Obito's eyes narrowed. This isn't worth it.
He hadn't known the summit's first resolution was unanimous:
Protect the remaining jinchūriki at all costs.
When the Raikage detected danger, the meeting was suspended immediately.
The Kage and their guards had moved together five shadows united for the first time in decades.
Black Zetsu, hidden nearby, sighed inwardly.
"So much for the Eight-Tails…"
---
Obito countered a last assault, forcing the Raikage back with a burst of distorted chakra.
"Consider yourself lucky," he said coldly, the space around him twisting. "Next time, you won't have this many allies."
The spiral swallowed him—and he was gone.
Moments later, the remaining Kage landed across the battlefield.
Ōnoki hovered beside Gaara, impressed.
"Sand used like that… creative. Your father would be proud."
Mei and Tsunade broke through the last trees, arriving just as Obito's vortex faded.
"Damn it," Tsunade muttered. "We're late."
The Raikage deactivated his armor, catching his breath.
"His ability—nothing we've seen can pin it down. He's untouchable without countermeasures."
Ōnoki nodded. "Even I can't counter intangibility. You did what you could."
---
As B reverted to human form, his eyes caught a particular figure the Fifth Hokage, her cloak torn slightly at the shoulder.
He blinked. Then sniffed. Then blushed.
Gyūki groaned in his mind. Don't even think about it, fool.
But Tsunade's glare caught him mid-thought, her killing intent cracking the ground beneath her feet.
The Raikage stepped in instantly. "My apologies, Fifth Hokage. He means no harm."
He then smacked B on the head so hard the jinchūriki saw stars.
"Sorry, bro! I didn't mean it, yo!"
"Shut it," the Raikage growled through his teeth.
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Tsunade folded her arms, voice sharp.
"If they're desperate enough to attack now, then the time for debate is over."
She turned to the others.
"Do any of you still object to the Shinobi Alliance?"
No one spoke.
Even the Raikage bowed his head.
"We'll cooperate. For the Eight-Tails. And the Nine-Tails."
Gaara extended his hand first.
Then Tsunade.
Then Ōnoki, Mei, and finally the Raikage.
For the first time in history, the five great nations Leaf, Sand, Mist, Stone, and Cloud stood together.
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