The War Approaches

After seeing Minato Namikaze off, Haku once again looked over his System panel.

In terms of energy gained from defeating enemies, over the past three months, Haku had dealt with a total of 11 Jonin and around 50 Chunin.

Relatively speaking, the gains in this area were minor. For Haku, progress in other aspects was more important.

Especially in terms of practical combat, Haku hadn't experienced much fighting before. The few battles he had were against stronger enemies, and he had resorted to forcibly opening the Eight Gates and going all out.

Taking advantage of this mission, Haku had many opportunities to fight against people of his own level or slightly weaker.

Previously, Haku possessed the paper strength of a Jonin, but how much he could actually utilize depended entirely on whether he went all out at the time. Now, Haku's paper strength and practical combat ability had both steadily reached the Jonin level.

Haku even felt that if he used the Eight Gates at full capacity, he should reach Kage-level strength, though likely only for a single strike.

[Combat Power: 80]
[S-Cells: 60]
[Ninjutsu: 12]
[Taijutsu: 22]
[Genjutsu: 0]
[Intelligence: 16]
[Strength: 25]
[Speed: 19]
[Chakra: 32]
[Hand Seals: 6]
[Energy: 92]

His attributes hadn't increased, but his combat power had risen by 5 points. It seemed there was still significant room for improvement in developing and controlling his body.

Looking at his energy again, it had reached 92 points, just 8 points short of 100. This was also why Haku agreed to stay and participate in the final battle at Orochimaru's request. If he didn't stay, he had no idea when he would accumulate the remaining points. In a time of peace, opportunities to kill were scarce in Konoha.

The war didn't make Haku wait long. Five days after Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze departed, Orochimaru sent someone to notify Haku to gather at the front lines.

When Haku arrived, he saw Clan Head Nara and Orochimaru discussing the current battle situation.

[Kumogakure is showing signs of gathering. It seems they are about to launch the final war.]

[It must be that the negotiations between them and the village have reached a critical point. We also want to end the war quickly; dragging it out is too much.]

[Yes, alright. Don't worry about it too much. The most important thing now is to prepare for the final battle with them.]

After Orochimaru instructed Clan Head Nara to prepare for battle, he turned to look at Haku.

[Haku, stay by my side. Don't wander off. When I hold off that Raikage fellow, you can observe the Kage-level combat. Given your rate of growth, you should also be touching upon this level of battle soon.]

[Although the Fourth Raikage has only recently taken office and his strength hasn't been honed to its peak, his combination with Killer B is already extremely formidable among the Kage-level. Even I have to deal with them carefully and dare not confront them head-on. Based on my estimation, the two of them at this stage could defeat that ninja world's Demigod, Hanzo.]

While Orochimaru was explaining the situation of the Third Raikage to Haku, he noticed that the Kumogakure ninja opposite them had begun their attack.

[They're here! Experience the war, Haku!]

[Fire Style * Great Fireball Technique!]

Before the enemies could fully approach, Konoha's long-range ninjutsu unit unleashed their jutsu attack.

From Haku's perspective, he could only see a sky full of fire heading towards the opposite side.

Although it was hailed as the kindest ninjutsu in the ninja world, looking at the scene, Haku knew he couldn't withstand it, and most ninjas probably couldn't either.

Seeing Konoha's long-range attack, the Kumogakure ninja opposite them retaliated with their own combined jutsu, [Water Style * Great Waterfall Technique].

Haku, with his sharp eyes, indeed saw two figures rush out before the jutsu was unleashed.

[Boom!]

Those two figures, with overwhelming power, broke through Konoha's Fire Style ninjutsu and charged directly towards the center of Konoha's forces.

[Careful! Those two are the Raikage and Killer B, this generation's AB combo. Be mindful and don't get too close to them. I need to intercept them. If they break into our main forces, no one will be able to block a single blow from them.]

After giving instructions to Haku beside him, he turned and said to Clan Head Nara not far away.

[Clan Head Nara, I'll trouble you. I need this generation's Ino-Shika-Cho to come with me to block them.]

[Understood, Lord Orochimaru. This is our duty.]

[Swish!]

[Swish!]

As the words fell, this generation's Ino-Shika-Cho charged out with Orochimaru, meeting the charging Raikage and Killer B.

Turning back, Haku saw the Fourth Raikage, crackling with electricity, emerge from the sea of fire without a single mark left on him.

Killer B beside him was even more exaggerated, directly crossing the sea of fire with his bare body, without any protection, yet his speed was no slower than the Fourth Raikage's.