Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Upon hearing Shūichi's plan, Minato Namikaze's expression turned serious. He didn't object, but he asked, "Are you going alone again?"

Shūichi nodded. "Quick and efficient."

"Besides, in a battle at this level, even regular jōnin wouldn't be able to intervene."

"Shisui is still not quite there yet."

Asuka's Adamantine Sealing Chains were powerful, but he didn't want to risk her safety.

Minato thought for a moment and said, "Don't you need someone to contain Obito?"

"Or maybe take Kakashi with you?"

"He's learned the Flying Thunder God Technique to a basic level. Although he can't use it as fluidly for combat yet, he should be able to help you keep Obito occupied."

Shūichi considered it and asked, "But what about Kakashi's commitment with Kushina-san?"

Minato chuckled, "You won't be gone too long. Besides, sending a shadow clone to help Kushina with her sealing studies could work too."

Shūichi smiled and nodded, "Alright, let's do that."

Minato then advised, "No need to rush, Shūichi. You're still very young."

Shūichi understood and readily agreed.

He had no intention of risking his life.

…

Leaving the Hokage's building, Shūichi teleported directly to Minato's home.

He had a Flying Thunder God mark there, so he appeared right beside Kakashi.

"Shūichi, what brings you here?"

Kakashi, wearing his mask, looked surprised.

"There's a special mission for you to come with me," Shūichi replied.

Kakashi was startled. "What mission? But here…"

"I'll leave a shadow clone here," Shūichi assured him. "We'll be back soon."

As he spoke, he created a shadow clone that went off to chat with Kushina.

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, Shūichi grabbed Kakashi, and they disappeared.

Outside Amegakure in the Land of Rain, inside a cave, Shūichi and Kakashi appeared.

"This is…the Land of Rain!" Kakashi recognized it instantly as he saw the downpour outside.

Shūichi nodded, looking out at Amegakure. "Kushina-san is nearing her due date. During childbirth, her seal will weaken—that'll be the perfect time to target the Nine-Tails."

"And since we're in Konoha… if a fight breaks out in Konoha, the damage will be immense."

"So I need to take preemptive action to deter Nagato and the one controlling Obito from making a move."

Kakashi removed his mask and stepped beside Shūichi. "So, my role is to keep Obito occupied?"

Shūichi nodded. "Sensei should've given you the intel, right?"

Kakashi nodded.

Each time Shūichi had faced Nagato and his group, he'd reported his findings to Minato, including information on the Rinnegan's abilities and the powers of Kamui.

"Obito's eye power is split into two parts, often kept separate. But when he fights me, he fuses them, making his speed even faster."

Shūichi paused, adding, "Enough to somewhat threaten me."

Kamui wasn't much of a threat to him, but taking down Kamui's wielder was no easy feat.

Shūichi then reminded, "Also, be wary of the ultimate genjutsu of the Sharingan, Izanagi."

"This technique can turn any adverse situation into an illusion, reversing death itself."

"The cost is the blindness of the Sharingan used, but Madara Uchiha likely has a stockpile of Sharingan with three tomoe."

"Plus, they can seal jutsu into both eyes beforehand."

Kakashi, alarmed, nodded solemnly. "Got it."

"As for Obito's state right now…" Kakashi began.

Shūichi answered, "He's only partially controlled, so Kakashi, your performance needs to be convincing."

"Remember, in his mind, Rin is dead."

Kakashi nodded.

Shūichi placed a mark on Kakashi's shoulder and said, "Place a mark on me as well."

Kakashi pressed his hand onto Shūichi's shoulder, marking him.

"Let's go!"

The two dashed into the rain together.

…

In a tall tower in Amegakure, a White Zetsu emerged from the ground before Nagato and Konan.

"Shūichi Hoshita is here?"

Nagato asked out of habit.

They'd been fighting regularly for a while now, to the point it felt strange if they didn't clash at least once a month.

Under these circumstances, he'd indeed improved more quickly.

The pressure from Shūichi had been intense.

White Zetsu chuckled. "It's definitely Shūichi Hoshita, but this time he's not alone. He brought Konoha's White Fang's son, Namikaze Minato's other student, Hatake Kakashi."

"Looks like this time it's serious. I've already informed Black Zetsu and the others."

Konan quickly offered, "I'll go hold off Hatake Kakashi!"

Nagato immediately refused. "No need."

Standing up, he continued, "Shūichi Hoshita is strong, but he's not yet capable of defeating the Rinnegan."

"As for Kakashi, I'll leave him to Tobi."

Konan frowned, then asked, "Should we bring the Six Paths?"

Nagato shook his head. "No, save them for the time when we seize the Nine-Tails."

Shūichi was too powerful; even with Black Zetsu and Tobi, they would have difficulty capturing the Nine-Tails without his involvement.

...

In the Northern Mountains of Amegakure

The two sides faced off.

Shūichi and Kakashi vs. Nagato, Obito (with Black Zetsu and White Zetsu), and White Zetsu's Tobi persona.

Activating his Scorch Release Chakra Mode, Shūichi hovered in midair, releasing an immense amount of chakra that formed the imposing figure of the Six-Armed Star God.

This form was familiar to Obito and Black Zetsu, but it was Nagato's first time seeing it.

An intense, high-pitched whirring sound filled the air as four Scorch Release Rasenshuriken formed around Shūichi.

Nagato's eyes narrowed, sensing that this battle was different from their previous encounters.

This time, Shūichi was starting with his most powerful techniques.

Whirrrrr…

The arms of the Star God hurled the Scorch Release Rasenshuriken one after another, each aiming for Nagato, Obito, and White Zetsu Tobi.

"Impressive technique, but it won't work on me!" Tobi remarked in his usual relaxed tone as he activated Kamui, phasing through the Rasenshuriken just before they reached him.

Kakashi watched in surprise. "To be able to warp away such attacks so quickly—it's on par with the Flying Thunder God in terms of speed."

Moreover, Kakashi couldn't discern where Tobi had sent the Rasenshuriken.

Turning his gaze toward Obito, Kakashi noticed that Obito hadn't taken any defensive or evasive actions, letting the Scorch Release Rasenshuriken pass through him harmlessly before they detonated into expanding spheres of light.

"What…?" Kakashi's eyes widened as he saw the Rasenshuriken pass through Obito's body without any effect, only to explode afterward.

His attention then shifted to Nagato.

Shinra Tensei!

Raising his hand, Nagato repelled the first Rasenshuriken and the one covering Obito with an invisible force.

The former was dispersed before it could explode, and the latter was blown away immediately after detonating—leaving Obito entirely unharmed.

Then, under Kakashi's astonished gaze, Nagato reached out and caught the second Rasenshuriken, absorbing it until it disappeared without a trace.

"This ability… can absorb ninjutsu."

"And Obito's power… it nullifies attacks—another time-space jutsu, perhaps?" Kakashi analyzed, frowning at these unfamiliar powers.

Shūichi, hovering above, pretended to frown in confusion as he descended to face Nagato. "The Rinnegan… even able to absorb ninjutsu, impressive. But…"

As he spoke, the ground shook violently. In the eyes of Nagato and the others, a massive stone golem resembling a granite sculpture rose from the earth, cracks forming as molten lava began to flow from within.

The Star God - Lava Giant Golem!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The ground trembled as the Lava Golem strode forward, its massive fist launching toward Nagato with brutal force.

This was Shūichi's first time unleashing this attack against Nagato.

BOOM!

The ground exploded as Nagato dodged the punch, but he found himself airborne, just as the enormous jaws of a lava dragon—emerging from the Lava Golem—snapped toward him, ready to engulf him in fiery magma.

This golem and the dragon weren't creations of pure chakra; they were formed by controlling the earth through chakra. The Rinnegan couldn't absorb them.

Shinra Tensei!

Nagato unleashed his repulsive force, shattering the dragon's head and using the momentum to evade the Golem's terrifying fist.

On the other side, Kakashi, seeing Shūichi's serious efforts, immediately attacked as well, hurling a kunai toward Obito.

The kunai passed through Obito's body, and at that moment, White Zetsu Tobi emerged from the ground, blocking Kakashi's path. "Your opponent is me!"

But in the next moment, Shūichi appeared beside Kakashi, and almost simultaneously, Kakashi vanished, reappearing behind Obito and grabbing his marked Flying Thunder God kunai.

Zzzzzzz!

With the sound of Chidori, lightning chakra surged through Kakashi's limbs, enveloping him in lightning as he emitted a fierce electric current.

Obito and both Zetsu were caught off guard—none had expected Kakashi to have secretly mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Although his attack speed was slower than Shūichi's or Minato's, it was still highly threatening.

Originally intending to go after Shūichi, Obito immediately shifted to his intangibility to dodge Kakashi's lightning attack.

Beyond Obito, White Zetsu Tobi sensed danger as Shūichi approached, attempting to retreat into the ground.

But Shūichi was already prepared, moving with incredible speed. Before Tobi could fully submerge, Shūichi had grabbed him by the neck.

"I'm done for!" flashed through Tobi's mind.

In the next instant, his mask shattered, and his Sharingan was snatched from its socket.

However, Tobi's body soon disappeared, reappearing hundreds of meters away.

Izanagi!

White Zetsu Tobi had embedded this technique within his Sharingan through a preset sealing technique.

But no sooner had he reappeared than Shūichi shadowed him, grabbing his neck and reaching for his eye once again.

This time, Tobi didn't immediately activate Izanagi's effect. Instead, he chuckled, "You can't steal this eye from me; it's impossible."

Shūichi replied coldly, "Then I'll make it disappear forever."

With those words, he squeezed the life out of White Zetsu Tobi.

White Zetsu Tobi is crushed.

Yet, he resurrects again.

This time, only his head emerges, shouting, "Hey, someone stop him, or this eye will be lost for good!"

Obito, entangled with Kakashi, surges with chakra, manifesting Susanoo's skeletal structure, and punches Kakashi.

Kakashi vanishes, reappearing with Shūichi behind Tobi again, seizing his eye once more.

Obito's Susanoo quickly forms into a complete humanoid shape, conjuring a chakra blade, and slashes down fiercely.

Meanwhile...

On the other side of the battlefield, Nagato charges up, using Shinra Tensei to counter the Lava Giant's fist, shattering it entirely.

But Shūichi's shadow clone remains intact, using countless handseal-free ninjutsu and Flying Thunder God techniques to restrain Nagato.

With the main body dodging Susanoo's attacks using Flying Thunder God, Shūichi creates another clone, activating Sage Mode. Empowered, the clones launch God of Star and Lava Giant once again, pressuring Susanoo.

Kakashi watches the two giants clash, drawing his blade. He leaps in, charging it with electricity, and plunges it into Susanoo's back.

Crack!

Susanoo fractures, and Kakashi channels even more of the Eight-Tails chakra, pushing the White Fang short blade deeper. Alongside Shūichi's attack, Susanoo collapses, its armor shattering.

At this, White Zetsu Tobi begins to panic.

His plan was for Obito to hold off Shūichi and Kakashi, allowing him to use Kamui to retreat into the Kamui dimension.

But now, he's only managed to hide underground.

As long as Shūichi isn't pinned down, he can't safely reappear on the battlefield.

Yet...

Just as White Zetsu Tobi thinks he's safe underground, a powerful force pulls him out.

Earth Release - Opening Earth Rising Excavation!

Shūichi, well-aware of White Zetsu's abilities, had prepared for this.

Knowing that Izanagi's duration would allow Tobi temporary escape underground, he was also aware that Kamui wasn't an option at the moment.

Flying through the air, White Zetsu Tobi laughs wildly, "I guess this is the end, huh?!"

Shūichi's first jutsu isn't Flying Thunder God, though.

It's genjutsu.

Under its effects, Shūichi appears behind White Zetsu Tobi.

Grabbing him by the neck, he takes his eye, destroying the chance for Izanagi.

Meanwhile, Obito, under Black and White Zetsu's guidance, unleashes his full power. Despite the loss of one eye, his Susanoo takes on a full humanoid form, resembling a fearsome tengu with armor.

The power is overwhelming. Though Kakashi unleashes Eight-Tails' power, he's forced to retreat with Flying Thunder God, joining Shūichi's clone in pinning down Nagato.

So far, Nagato has yet to use his trump card.

Obito's Susanoo smashes Shūichi's Star God.

But then, two clones appear—a Star God and a Lava Giant, surrounding Susanoo.

Meanwhile, White Zetsu Tobi's Izanagi had reached its time limit.

As Shūichi launches him skyward, neck held, Sharingan seized, White Zetsu Tobi chuckles bitterly, "Seems this eye's a waste after all."

However, when he attempts to use Izanagi again, nothing happens. Shocked, he stares in disbelief.

"What's going on?" it gasps, "Why isn't Izanagi activating?"

Obito, back on the ground after shattering both giants, glances upward. "Genjutsu?"

Black Zetsu scowls, "That idiot Tobi is under Shūichi's genjutsu, thinking he activated Izanagi when he hasn't."

White Zetsu mutters, "Now that he's lost one eye to Shūichi, it'll be hard to recover it."

Obito replies coldly, "That's your own fault."

"Though losing an eye doesn't stop me from using Susanoo."

"And perhaps he's deliberately weakening us."

His gaze shifts to Nagato.

Seeing Shūichi seize an eye, Nagato's aura shifts as he finally gathers enough chakra, stretching his hands wide.

Shinra Tensei!

A powerful repulsive force erupts.

Shūichi's shadow clone's Star God disintegrates immediately, forcing the clone and Kakashi to use Flying Thunder God to retreat, reappearing beside the airborne Shūichi.

The Scorch Release fades as the clone catches Kakashi, who passes the sealed White Zetsu Tobi to the main Shūichi.

"Leave now, I…" Shūichi begins, but Nagato shouts, "I'll use that move! Take back the eye now!"

As he speaks, he activates Bansho Ten'in, drawing Shūichi's group toward him.

Shūichi summons Star God again, but Obito hurls a chakra blade, piercing it.

Yet in that brief moment, Shūichi's clone and Kakashi vanish with the stolen Sharingan and White Zetsu Tobi.

Snap! 

Nagato clasps his hands, lowering his gaze.

"Planetary Devastation!"

But instead of forming a small black sphere, he directly targets the spot where Shūichi's Star God was destroyed.

Boulders from the crumbled Lava Giant shoot skyward, pummeling Shūichi.

"Haaa!"

Nagato roars, his eyes blazing as the land quakes, splitting and collapsing as massive stones rise, slamming into Shūichi to form an enormous stone sphere.

(End of Chapter)

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