War Is Coming

After sending Minato Namikaze off, Haku once again examined his system panel.

Over the past three months, Haku had killed a total of eleven Jonin and around fifty Chunins, earning energy from defeating enemies.

Compared to that, the gains in this area were actually the smaller portion. What mattered more to Haku was his progress in other aspects.

Especially in actual combat. Haku had hardly experienced any battles before, and the few fights he had been in were against enemies stronger than himself. He had simply forced open the Eight Gates, unleashed his potential, and fought desperately.

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

In the past, Haku had possessed the paper strength of a Jonin, but how much of it he could bring out depended entirely on whether he could unleash his potential at the time. Now, both Haku's theoretical strength and combat ability had firmly reached the Jonin level.

Haku even felt that if he used the Eight Gates at full capacity, he should be able to touch Kage Level strength. However, he estimated that he would probably only have the power 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]

None of his attributes had increased, but his Combat Power had risen by five points. It seemed that there was still a great deal of room for improvement in his body's development and control.

Looking at his energy again, it had already reached ninety-two points. He was only eight points short of a hundred. That was also why Haku had agreed to stay behind and participate in the final battle with Orochimaru. If he left, he had no idea how long it would take to gather those remaining points. In an era of peace, it was very difficult to find opportunities to kill people in Konoha.

The war did not keep Haku waiting long. On the fifth day after Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze left, Orochimaru sent someone to inform Haku to assemble at the front line.

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

[There are signs that Kumogakure is mobilizing. They should be preparing to launch the final battle.]

[Their negotiations with the village must have reached a critical point. We also want to end the war as soon as possible. It has dragged on for too long.]

[Yes. All right, don't worry about anything else. The most important thing now is preparing for our final battle with them.]

After giving Clan Head Nara some instructions about preparing for battle, Orochimaru turned to Haku.

[Haku, stay by my side for now. Don't run around. Once I hold off that Raikage fellow, watch the Kage Level battle. At the rate your strength is growing, you'll soon come into contact with battles at this level as well.]

[Although the Fourth Raikage only took over recently and hasn't yet fully reached his peak, his combination with Killer B is already extremely formidable among Kage Level fighters. Even I have to deal with them carefully and wouldn't dare face them head-on. Based on my estimation, the two of them should be able to defeat Hanzo, the Demigod of the Ninja World, at their current stage.]

Orochimaru was still introducing the situation regarding the Third Raikage to Haku when he noticed that the Kumogakure shinobi opposite them had begun their attack and charge.

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

[Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!]

Before the enemy had even fully approached, Konoha's long-range ninjutsu forces unleashed their attacks.

From Haku's perspective, all he could see was a sky full of flames surging toward the enemy.

Although it was known as the kindest ninjutsu in the Shinobi World, Haku knew he could not withstand this scene. He estimated that most shinobi would not be able to endure an attack like this either.

Seeing Konoha release a long-range attack, the Kumogakure shinobi opposite them were unwilling to fall behind and also unleashed a combined ninjutsu: [Water Release: Great Torrent Technique].

With his sharp eyes, Haku did indeed see two figures charge out ahead of the enemy before the ninjutsu was released.

[Boom!]

Those two figures, carrying overwhelming might, broke through Konoha's Fire Style ninjutsu and charged straight toward the center of Konoha's forces.

[Be careful! Those two are the Raikage and Killer B. This generation's AB Combo. Keep your distance from them. I need to stop the two of them. If they break into our main force, no one will be able to withstand even one of their attacks.]

After warning Haku beside him, Orochimaru turned and spoke to Clan Head Nara, who was not far away.

[Clan Head Nara, sorry for the trouble. I need this generation's Ino-Shika-Cho to come with me and stop the two of them.]

[Of course, Lord Orochimaru. It's what we should do.]

[Whoosh!]

[Whoosh!]

As soon as the words fell, this generation's Ino-Shika-Cho followed Orochimaru out of the main force and charged forward to meet the approaching Raikage and Killer B.

Turning back, Haku saw the Fourth Raikage, his entire body crackling with electricity, burst out of the sea of flames without a single mark on him.

Killer B beside the Fourth Raikage was even more exaggerated. He had crossed the sea of flames with his bare body, without the slightest protection, yet remained no slower than the Fourth Raikage as he followed beside him.