Obsidian lashed out in anger once more.
But the result was the same—his attack passed right through.
Shock and frustration flashed across his face, but he quickly regained his composure.
With a swift movement, he jumped back, putting distance between himself and Sakiya.
Meanwhile, Kakashi and the others had covered two-thirds of the battlefield.
They naturally noticed Sakiya's actions on top of the city wall.
Confusion spread among them.
They all knew Ino had been right beside Sakiya the whole time.
So how was she also up there?
Ino narrowed her eyes at Sakiya.
(Is this the real Sakiya… or not?)
She had a strong urge to chop her on the head again, just to check.
---
On the city wall, several Iwa-nin gathered around Obsidian, wary of the strange situation.
"Lord Obsidian!"
Sakiya was now surrounded, yet instead of fear, an excited grin spread across her face.
"The Eye of Death! The final strike of fate!"
She gripped her club with both hands and raised it high.
A glowing circle appeared beneath her feet.
In the next moment—a matching circle suddenly appeared behind Obsidian.
Sakiya's club came swinging down.
Obsidian sensed something and instinctively spun around, launching a punch.
"Stone Fist!"
His rock-covered fist passed straight through the club—as if it wasn't real.
But then—sharp pain exploded in his head.
BAM!
Obsidian crashed to the ground, a massive lump forming on his skull.
For a moment, he lay there, stunned.
Then, gritting his teeth, he rolled to his feet—his expression filled with pain and suspicion.
This girl… he couldn't trust anything about her!
Her illusions weren't just fooling his eyes—they were making him lower his guard while her real attacks struck from nowhere.
The blow just now… it was real.
Which meant…
While the illusion in front of him was distracting him, her real body was somewhere else.
Obsidian's eyes darted behind him.
"Did anyone see where she moved?!"
The Iwa-nin around him hesitated, then shook their heads.
"No, sir!"
Obsidian tensed.
"Damn it… is she invisible?!"
His eyes scanned the darkness around them, calculating.
He needed to flush her out.
Quickly forming hand seals, he slammed his palm onto the ground.
"Earth Release! Piercing Thorns!"
Roots and jagged spikes erupted from the walls, stabbing into every empty space around him.
If she was nearby—this would force her out.
But…
Nothing.
No reaction. No movement.
A terrible realization crept over him.
His gaze snapped toward the Iwa-nin standing farther away.
"Stay alert—!"
BAM!
A scream tore through the air.
One of the Iwa-nin was sent flying off the wall, crashing down below.
Sakiya stood exactly where he had been, casually holding her club mid-swing.
The Iwa-nin who witnessed their comrade being knocked off the wall immediately launched an attack on Sakiya.
But without exception—every strike passed through her like an illusion.
Obsidian's frustration grew.
"Everyone, stay on high alert!"
Just then, a scout shouted in urgency.
"They're here!"
Obsidian's pupils shrank.
"Move now!"
But the Iwa-nin hesitated.
The team approaching them looked exactly like the phantoms they had been attacking earlier.
Was this another trick?
If they struck now, would they just be wasting their efforts on illusions while the real Konoha forces struck from another angle?
There was no time to think.
Kakashi and his team had already closed in—and their attack had begun.
A volley of kunai and shuriken was the first strike.
This forced Iwa-nin to react instantly, launching their own counterattacks of ninjutsu and projectiles.
But reality was cruel.
Kakashi and his team were smirking.
These fools had been attacking illusions the whole time… and they were still doing it.
As Iwa-nin launched their attacks—a familiar magic circle surrounded the incoming team.
Their hearts sank.
The moment the light faded, the entire enemy squad vanished.
Only to reappear on the opposite side.
Worse yet—
The kunai Iwa-nin had thrown in panic were now flying straight at their own ranks.
SCHLICK—
The unmistakable sound of blades piercing flesh echoed across the battlefield.
Screams and cries of pain followed.
"They're here!"
"Engage them! Now!"
"Earth Release! Hardening Technique!"
A full-blown melee erupted.
Iwa-nin surged forward, trying to regroup, but Obsidian couldn't even issue commands properly.
Because that damn girl was still running around with her mallet, knocking his men off the wall.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
It was relentless.
No one could stop her.
Another Iwa-nin was sent flying, letting out a strangled yell before crashing to the ground below.
Sakiya winked playfully at Obsidian before vanishing into another flickering magic circle.
Despite their superior numbers, Iwa-nin were losing ground fast.
Kakashi and his squad had already broken through a gap in their ranks.
His movements were sharp, efficient—every strike lethal.
His scarlet Sharingan glowed ominously as he led the charge at the front.
The others were just as fierce.
"Konoha-ryu! Strong Whirlwind!"
With a powerful spinning kick, Guy sent three Iwa-nin flying.
"Fang Over Fang!"
"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!"
"Rotation!"
"Insect Feast!"
"Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!"
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Sand Spear!"
The Konoha fighters, who had been holding back, finally unleashed their full strength.
Their charge was like a sharp arrow tearing through the battlefield—Iwa-nin couldn't hold the line.
Screams filled the air as countless enemy shinobi were thrown skyward.
The backline of Iwa-nin watched in horror, but retreat wasn't an option.
Instead, they roared in desperation, trying to suppress their fear.
"Charge! Surround them! Kill them all!"
"AHHH! KILL! KILL THEM ALL!"
The real battle had begun.
Explosions rang out across the chaotic battlefield.
Despite being outnumbered, Konoha's forces fought with precision and teamwork.
Each shinobi had to face multiple enemies, yet they moved fluidly—covering for one another with seamless coordination.
Lee exchanged rapid blows with an Iwa-nin who had hardened his body with Earth Release.
Suddenly—another enemy lunged from behind!
But—
"Fang Over Fang!"
A spinning vortex slammed into the ambusher, launching him into the air.
Kiba landed beside Lee, panting.
Lee gave him a nod of gratitude.
Similar moments played out across the battlefield:
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio clearing threats for Neji's team.
Tenten covering for Sakura against incoming attacks.
The battle deepened their bonds as they fought side by side.
Yet—Sandnin's forces weren't faring as well.
Only Gaara, a few elite warriors, and the survivors under Chiyo's command still stood.
Sakuragi and Tsuchiya Tsukigami were trapped in Sakiya's illusionary realm, moving effortlessly through its distorted reality.
For them, this battle was almost effortless.
Meanwhile, Sakiya subtly shielded her Konoha allies—though she did so in a way that wasn't immediately obvious.
---
As the battle raged, in a quiet, unnoticed corner of the battlefield…
A vortex spiraled open in the air.
A man in a whirlpool-patterned mask stepped out.
Moments later, a black-and-white figure emerged from the earth.
"These fools are completely useless," the plant-like being muttered.
"Hah! As expected," the masked man scoffed. "Even with intel, they were never going to stop Kakashi."
The creature—Zetsu—grinned.
"Obito, should we use this chance to take the Nine-Tails and One-Tail?"
Obito's gaze was cold, emotionless.
"It's too soon."
He stared out at the battlefield.
(Kakashi… you just keep clinging to life. Living in this illusion of a world.)
_______
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