Kaito Akaden (Kaito)

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Chapter 16: The Ongoing War

It had been several months since Obito had been recruited by Madara and Zetsu. During this time, a multitude of significant events had unfolded. Firstly, the Third Great Shinobi War was gradually nearing its conclusion, and the toll it had taken on the various ninja villages was immense.

Counting the losses suffered by each village, it was evident that this conflict had been brutal and devastating. Villages were left grappling with the aftermath of fierce battles, the loss of precious comrades, and the destruction of their homes and resources. The war had not only tested the mettle of the shinobi but had also left an indelible mark on the very landscape of the ninja world.

The conflict with the Hidden Stone Village had finally drawn to a close, with both sides agreeing to a ceasefire. However, the decision made by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, not to demand reparations from the Hidden Stone had far-reaching consequences for his political standing. If memory serves correctly, this particular choice played a pivotal role in his eventual decision to step down from his position as Hokage.

The fallout from this decision was twofold. On one hand, it was seen as an act of goodwill and an attempt to foster peace and reconciliation in the tumultuous times of the Third Great Shinobi War. On the other hand, there was a significant faction that criticized Hiruzen for what they saw as a missed opportunity to secure reparations for the heavy losses Konoha had suffered under his leadership during the war.

This controversy surrounding Hiruzen's choices added to the mounting pressure he faced, ultimately contributing to his decision to relinquish the title of Hokage.

The ongoing war with the Hidden Cloud Village continued to be a challenging endeavor for the Hidden Leaf Village. However, ever since Minato joined the Hidden Cloud front, the situation had started to improve. His strategic acumen and formidable abilities had made it notably easier for the Hidden Leaf forces to contend with the Hidden Cloud Village.

Rumors had begun to circulate regarding the demise of the Third Raikage, and they added a layer of intrigue to the ongoing conflict. According to these rumors, the Third Raikage had met his end in a heroic battle against a vast army of ten thousand shinobi from the Hidden Mist Village. Allegedly, he had held them at bay for an astonishing three days, allowing his team to retreat safely.

However, I and many others are skeptical about the authenticity of these rumors. The notion that one could fend off ten thousand shinobi for three consecutive days was met with incredulity. It was argued that such a feat would place the Third Raikage on par with legendary figures like Madara and Hashirama. If that were the case, it stood to reason that he could have single-handedly turned the tide of the war by decimating entire armies, much like Minato had done with approximately two hundred shinobi against Hidden Stone Village.

As such, doubts persisted, with some believing that these rumors were merely a ploy by the Hidden Cloud Village to embellish the circumstances of their leader's demise and perhaps ease their ongoing hostilities.

On the front of the Hidden Mist, the Hidden Leaf Village was also asserting its dominance, a triumph that followed the dramatic defeat of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen at the hands of Might Duy, who happened to be none other than Might Guy's father. The battlefield bore witness to an extraordinary showdown, where Might Duy valiantly clashed with and ultimately vanquished half the members of the formidable Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the mist, This astonishing feat was achieved through Might Duy's audacious decision to unleash the formidable power concealed within the Eighth Gate, an act undertaken with the sole purpose of buying precious time for his beloved son and their steadfast teammates, Genma Shiranui and Ebisu, who had been cornered and faced dire circumstances.

Amidst these tumultuous events, Kakashi and Rin, who had been grappling with the profound sorrow stemming from the loss of their comrade Obito, were assigned to join the fray on the Hidden Mist front. It would be during this period, to the best of my recollection, that the fated abduction of Rin Nohara would unfold. This abduction would ultimately lead to her becoming a host for the Three-Tails, her mind manipulated, and her life cruelly taken at the hand of the person she loved by jumping in front of an attack that Kakashi was about to use. This brutal sequence of events was orchestrated with precision by Zetsu and Madara behind the scenes. All in the hopes that Obito awakens his Mangekyou Sharingan and embraces the vision of an ideal world through the fabled Mugen Tsukuyomi that Madara had proposed.

Regrettably, I find myself powerless to alter the course of these events, for they were meticulously devised by the insidious duo of Zetsu and Madara, who had exerted their control over the Hidden Mist. The exact timing of these events remains shrouded in uncertainty, leaving me with only a vague notion of when they are slated to unfold.