Naruto : Cruel Rebirth

Akatsuki's hideout.

White Zetsu said, "All the clones are ready."

Obito replied, "Go... gather outside Konoha and wait for my signal."

"Understood!"

Rustle, rustle, rustle… The White Zetsus burrowed into the earth, leaving the hideout empty.

Obito turned to look at the seat behind him. Sasuke was sitting, deep in thought, his gaze dark and brooding. The members of Hawk Squad surrounded him. It was worth mentioning that Jugo's arms, which had been broken earlier, were now replaced with White Zetsu's arms.

Obito asked, "Are you ready?"

"…" Sasuke remained silent.

"Sasuke…" Karin's expression showed worry. She hoped Sasuke would change his mind and not fall deeper into this path.

Sasuke said to Karin and the others, "This is my revenge. As for you all, you can choose to follow me."

Karin's eyes darkened, but she still resolutely said, "I'll go with Sasuke! My abilities will be useful!"

Jugo said, "I'll go too. You are the embodiment of Kimimaro, and your actions represent his will!"

"Uh, can I… not go? To be honest, attacking a big ninja village like Konohagakure doesn't really make a difference whether I'm there or not, right?"

Suigetsu was about to say this, but the words didn't come out. He rested his large sword on his shoulder and added, "I'll go, but I'm not doing the dirty work like clearing out Konohagakure's cannon fodder or charging into battle…"

And so, Team Hawk decided to go out together.

Sasuke slowly stood up, his eyes filled with killing intent. "Let's go! Light the flames of the Uchiha's revenge!"

Whoosh!

The space-time whirl of the Uzumaki flowed, and outside Konohagakure, Obito arrived with Sasuke and the members of Team Hawk.

Rustle… rustle… rustle…!

The White Zetsu appeared from the ground.

The leading Black White Zetsu said, "There are no Konohagakure ninjas patrolling the area. Something's off…"

"No ninjas outside means all the forces must be gathered inside the village," Obito said darkly. "By the way, recently there have been many reports of White Zetsu individuals going missing. Although it's happened before, it's been much more frequent in the last two weeks…"

"Did it finally get exposed?"

"Not that it matters. It won't affect the bigger picture. I was originally planning to spread the word to Naruto at the start of the attack, so this actually saves time on unnecessary steps…"

Obito turned to Sasuke. "Sasuke, you will lead the main force of the White Zetsu army to attack Konohagakure. They will be prepared, and their defense will be fiercer than expected, so don't be careless…"

"Hmph." Sasuke coldly replied, "No matter what formation Konohagakure sets up, under the power of the Uchiha's eyes, they will be as fragile as tofu!"

Obito looked away. "Good, as long as you have that confidence. Go ahead, head straight for Konohagakure. I'll handle the rest... including Naruto!"

Whoosh!

With a flourish of his cloak, Uchiha Sasuke stepped forward. The members of Team Hawk followed, and the White Zetsu army marched behind them, heading toward Konohagakure.

As they got closer to the village, Sasuke's eyes flashed, and suddenly he charged forward!

White Zetsu Satoshi shouted, "Hey, Sasuke!! What are you doing?!"

"You all surround the village from the outside. The Hawk will act from the inside!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! With these words, Sasuke moved at high speed, slipping through Konohagakure's barrier and disappearing on the other side of the high wall!

The members of Team Hawk followed closely.

The White Zetsu were angry. "What a bunch of unpredictable people! Won't this increase our casualties?"

Clang, clang, clang...

A large group of Konohagakure ninjas gathered at the village entrance.

Nara Shikaku looked at the White Zetsu army's formation and said calmly, "Just like the person who gave us the information said, the enemy's main force is the large number of White Zetsu…" 

"That mysterious person also told us about the abilities of those White Zetsu… Thanks to that, we were able to call for reinforcements in time. At this critical moment, it's a relief that you've arrived, Kazekage-sama."

Gaara stood next to Shikaku and calmly said, "It's the least I could do. Sunagakure owes Konohagakure too much, and this is just a small repayment…"

—Sand waterfall flow!

Clang, clang...!

The sand gathered and, with a motion of Gaara's hand, it surged forward!

White Zetsu: "That ability... It's the Kazekage of Sunagakure. How is he in Konohagakure? We didn't detect any unusual movements from Sunagakure…"

Gaara said, "Of course, in order to avoid alarming you all... I secretly left the village with Temari and Kankuro accompanying me."

Boom!!

The White Zetsu army, in battle against Konohagakure and Sunagakure reinforcements, marks the start of the great war!

...

Sasuke stood at the highest point of Konohagakure, looking out at the village.

Before launching the final attack, he wanted to confirm his own feelings once again.

When Orochimaru attacked Konohagakure all those years ago, he had a similar train of thought.

Konohagakure had been rebuilt, standing taller and more magnificent than ever before.

The sixth Hokage, Danzo's face had been carved into the Hokage Rock, with his sharp features standing out, making it impossible to ignore.

"…" Sasuke coldly withdrew his gaze and looked toward the farthest part of the village.

Konohagakure had been rebuilt, but there was no longer a place for the Uchiha clan.

"These people... they never even considered it! Instead, they tried to erase the history of the Uchiha and the blood debt that Konohagakure created, as if it never existed!"

"This is the village that Itachi fought to protect with his life..."

Uchiha Sasuke closed his eyes.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

One by one, the white-clad Anbu landed on the rooftops and spoke through their earpieces: "We've spotted the invaders. The number matches the barrier's readings. The leader is definitely Uchiha Sasuke…"

On the other side of the earpiece, Hatake Kakashi's eyes darkened: "So the day has finally come..."

Hatake Kakashi closed his eyes.

Beside him, Might Guy looked at his friend's profile and said solemnly, "Kakashi, we are ninjas..."

"Ah... I understand."

Uchiha Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi both opened their eyes.

"Let's destroy Konohagakure!"

"Let's take down Uchiha Sasuke!"

Whoosh...!

Outside Konohagakure village.

Whoosh! Naruto and Konan appeared together.

"Yo... Uzumaki Naruto, I've been waiting for you. If you want to see Sasuke, you'll have to get through me first."

Obito's voice echoed from beneath his mask.

"Of course, you could use the Flying Thunder God technique and just teleport directly into the village, but I'll follow you there. Things won't be as simple then~."

Naruto's eyes moved behind his mask. "You've set up all this just to create a confrontation with me. Honestly, you didn't have to. Even if you went to Amegakure to find me, I wouldn't run away..."

Obito's gaze darkened. "That's not an option. My Rinnegan is in your hands. Fighting on my home turf would be too risky for me..."

"Just as I thought, your methods are as unpredictable as the patterns on your mask..."

Uzumaki Naruto smiled as he said this, his eyes becoming sharp. "But that's not your 'Rinnegan', Uchiha Obito!"

"!?" Uchiha Obito's pupils suddenly shrank! 

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