Naruto: Puppet Master Undercover in Konoha

Shindai's group hadn't even had time to catch their breath in Konoha before rushing off to a new battlefield.

"Ugh, is this never gonna stop? Can't we even get a single day of rest? I seriously miss my soft bed at home. How long has it been since I've gotten a decent night's sleep?"

Shindai grumbled as they walked.

Kakashi sighed exasperatedly, "Can your mouth ever shut up for just a second? We've been gone over a day already, and aside from when we rested, have you stopped talking at all? Don't you ever get tired?"

Shindai muttered, "What? Can't I complain a little? Ever heard of free speech?"

Rin comforted him, "Come on, Shindai, don't whine so much. Didn't the Hokage say himself? This might be the last battle of the war. If we stop the Sand and Cloud ninja alliance and keep them from moving forward, they'll retreat naturally."

Minato analyzed, "That's right. Since the Sand and Cloud launched this surprise attack by forming an Allied Ninja Force, they must've planned to catch us off guard right after we finished fighting the Rock ninja.

Given how big their movements were, we barely got the intelligence report at all. That means they hastily assembled their forces, which is why we didn't get any prior intel. So they're only aiming for one big push—straight into Konoha Village.

Even if it turns into a stalemate, they'll still be at a disadvantage. Clearly, they didn't bring enough supplies with them. They can't afford a long war.

So if I'm right, once we block their first wave, they'll start thinking about retreating. After maybe two or three more failed attacks, they'll definitely pull out."

Obito replied sharply, his voice icy, "Sensei Minato's right. As long as we stop them and keep them from crossing Mount Hakuto, this war will end—and victory will belong to Konoha ninja! Heh, my Mangekyo Sharingan's practically burning with hunger for battle. With the power of the Uchiha clan's ultimate dojutsu, I'll end this war!"

Shindai and Kakashi shot Obito a look as he struck a dramatic pose and said in unison, "Idiot!"

Obito snapped, flustered, "What did you just say?!"

Shindai scoffed, "Oh please—'my Mangekyo Sharingan's practically burning with hunger.' What, is your eye gonna eat someone?"

Kakashi added mockingly, "When you say it like that, Obito, it sounds twice as stupid. What do you think, Rin?"

"Hmm…" Rin hesitated, fidgeting slightly. "Actually, it's not that bad… It's not as terrible as you two make it sound. I think it actually sounded kind of okay."

Obito immediately leaned in, touched and said emotionally, "Rin, you're so sweet… If you really like it, I'll talk like this every single day from now on!"

"Right, Tenten will tell you everything!" Obito shouted.

Rin Nohara shook her head frantically. "No way! I prefer the usual Obito much better."

"Eh?!"

Obito's cheeks immediately flushed red. Rin said she liked him!

Kakashi and Shindai rolled their eyes dramatically.

This hopeless romantic was beyond salvation.

Minato Namikaze spoke seriously to Obito. "Obito, although it's great that you've awakened your Mangekyo Sharingan, I must remind you not to use this power recklessly. I've heard about the Uchiha clan's Mangekyo Sharingan. It develops Doujutsu specialized in the user's area of strength, but also brings huge risks. The more you use it, the quicker blindness approaches.

"Therefore, never use the Mangekyo Sharingan unless absolutely necessary. Do you understand?"

Obito nervously swallowed hard.

Blindness?

Nobody had told him about this before!

Shindai mockingly commented, "Someone here plans to end this war with the ultimate power of the Uchiha clan's Doujutsu. I just hope he'll still have his vision intact afterward."

Obito immediately backed down. "No no no, I think this war can definitely end without needing my Doujutsu!"

Shindai intentionally scared Obito like this because only then would Obito learn his lesson and not recklessly use the Mangekyo Sharingan's Doujutsu.

After all, current Obito didn't possess Hashirama cells and couldn't avoid the side effects of using the Mangekyo Sharingan.

When they arrived at Mount Hakuto, they found many ninja there—ones that Shin and the others had met during previous missions.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru were also at Mount Hakuto.

Seeing Minato arrive, Jiraiya smiled happily. "Finally made it, huh, Minato? And you younglings too—you seem to have grown quite nicely."

Smiling sweetly, Shindai said, "Master Jiraiya still looks as dashing as ever."

Jiraiya puffed out his chest proudly. "That's right!"

Minato asked, "Jiraiya, has the battle plan been finalized already?"

Jiraiya nodded. "Yep, it's ready. Our strategy is a straightforward frontal assault."

Minato looked surprised. "Frontal attack? Do we have enough people for that?"

Jiraiya explained, "We're definitely outnumbered, but we've set up numerous traps on Mount Hakuto in advance. Orochimaru plans to completely crush the enemy with one direct frontal assault. After such a devastating defeat, they will retreat."

Therefore, although our numbers are insufficient, the traps we've set can reduce a portion of the enemy forces. These traps will also cause panic among them. They definitely won't expect us to engage in direct combat, giving us the advantage of taking them by surprise. In that case, the gap between us will shrink dramatically—so much so that we could even say there's no gap at all.

So, the upcoming battle will be a direct confrontation with no tricks involved."

Minato Namikaze thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement. "If that's the case, then direct combat really isn't an issue. The Sand ninja and Cloud ninja certainly won't work together perfectly. If we can make them fall into chaos internally, the results will be excellent.

So, Master Jiraiya, when do you estimate the Sand ninja and Cloud ninja units will arrive here?"

Jiraiya replied, "Estimated to be around midnight tomorrow. That means we still have more than thirty hours to prepare. Alright, I won't talk with you any longer. I'll find a place to rest now, and I'll come looking for you when it's time for action."

Minato Namikaze nodded in agreement and simply said, "Alright."

After Jiraiya left, Minato Namikaze found a place to rest.

Minato Namikaze addressed Shindai and the others, "You've all heard what's been said. This will be a direct engagement with no trickery involved. I'll be leading the vanguard and fighting alongside Master Jiraiya. When the time comes, make sure you stay safe and fight well. Understand?"

"Understood, Master Minato!"

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