The Raid Opens

After declaring a state of war, the Third Hokage naturally had to rally the village.

The Second Shinobi World War had only recently ended, and now the Third Shinobi World War was upon them.

The Third Hokage had worried that the villagers would be weary of war, but...

Watching the villagers raise their hands, shed tears, and jump up and down shouting about how wise and mighty he was, the Third Hokage decided Yan should tone down the propaganda a little.

Meanwhile, at the Night Organization's private training ground.

"Yan, I know it's been a month, but isn't that smile of yours a little too warm?"

Obito, who had spent several chapters in the background, got a bad feeling when he saw Yan's smile.

"Ahem." Yan cleared his throat and glanced at the system panel. Every organization member had gained a new suffix, which meant he could start farming Gold Coins.

"It's been a month. Let me see how much my dear members have improved."

"Hah! A lot can change in three days, Yan. Get ready to lose to the great Obito!"

Ten minutes later, Obito and seven others lay on the ground. Only Yan and Kakashi were still trading blows.

Yan's Genjutsu had dropped Obito and Might Guy in an instant. Obito had seen Madara Uchiha's face again, of course. Encouragingly, he was no longer afraid; he had charged straight at him.

Then Yan had knocked him out in the real world.

Kakashi dodged a side kick from Yan, pulled back to make space, and used Earth-Style Wall.

Yan formed Hand Seals in a flash. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Boom!

A huge fireball surged forward with a wave of heat. It slammed into the Earth-Style Wall and shattered it, scattering chunks of earth formed from Chakra across the ground.

Yan bent his left leg slightly, ready to rush Kakashi, but the dirt beneath his feet shifted faintly.

Sensing the movement, Yan dodged backward. At the same time, a cold glint flashed from the earth as Kakashi thrust upward with a Kunai in hand.

Yan kicked Kakashi in the stomach, but the figure before him vanished in a puff of White Smoke.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Both voices rang out from behind the remains of the Earth-Style Wall. Two Kakashis unleashed Fire Release and Wind Release at the same time.

The wind fed the flames, whipping them into a blaze. Even those who were out of the fight felt the scorching heat wash over them.

"No way."

Everyone stared in shock as the fireball engulfed Yan.

Yan watched it approach, created two Shadow Clones, and sent them crashing into it one after the other.

Thud!

Thud!

The sweet sound of a Counterattack rang in Yan's head.

Two popping sounds came from within the flames.

Then: "Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

A massive dragon's head of flame rose from the fireball, swallowed it in an instant, and hurtled toward Kakashi.

Boom!

The lingering Wind Release had weakened the Great Dragon Fire's momentum.

Even so, the enhanced flames exploded with a deafening roar.

Fortunately, Kakashi reacted quickly and dodged. When he looked back, the spot it had struck had been burned bare.

Kakashi took a deep breath and looked at Yan.

"Looks like I'll have to use that technique. I haven't finished it yet, but if it's you, I'm sure you can dodge it."

Yan raised an eyebrow as he watched Kakashi form Hand Seals.

Ox—Rabbit—Monkey.

The instant he finished, Kakashi pressed his right hand downward. Dazzling arcs of electricity flashed in his palm, crackling like a flock of chirping birds.

Lightning Release: Chidori!

Yan quietly activated his Sharingan and copied it. A Rasengan formed in his hand; he had no intention of paying royalties.

They charged at each other. Without a Sharingan, Kakashi could barely aim, so Yan, eager to experience the iconic clash, took the initiative and drove his Rasengan into the Chidori.

Boom!

The two Ninjutsu collided. After a brief hush, a tremendous blast rang out and kicked up a cloud of smoke.

Sitting in his office, the Third Hokage felt the impact and looked toward Yan and the others.

As the smoke cleared, Kakashi and Yan emerged, having protected themselves with Chakra in time.

Kakashi sighed. "I lost again."

Everyone sat together and shared what they had gained from the match.

Yan had gained Gold Coins, Kakashi had discovered Chidori's weakness, Asuma and Might Guy had improved their taijutsu, and Obito had gained a grudge against Madara Uchiha. The others had made progress too.

But compared with the beginning, the special training was no longer as effective.

Yan's guidance had been based on his knowledge of the original story. Now that everyone was gradually following their paths from it, he could no longer offer much more advice, even though they had yet to reach their full potential.

After considering the shinobi world's lopsided tech tree, Yan abandoned the idea of training them with a jeep.

Wait!

Yan opened the Raid module, which he had never touched before. If a Raid meant fighting the Six Paths of Pain or something like that, he would have been walking straight to his death.

Now it was time to find out what this Raid thing was.

Once he opened it, boxes filled his vision, each bearing a name.

Zabuza, Pain, A (Fourth Raikage)...

Looks like this mode is for fighting bosses. Having figured that out, Yan selected Zabuza's box.

A prompt appeared as soon as he entered: This mode takes place in an illusion. Injuries sustained here will not carry over to reality.

Yan then found himself in a spacious area. Looking around, he saw no one else. He was sitting on a Meditation Cushion, with nine more laid out on the ground.

Yan thought for a moment, then left the Raid Space.

"Ahem. Everyone, I've thought of a new way to improve our strength."

Yan's words caught everyone's attention.

"I developed a new Ninjutsu. It creates virtual enemies in a Genjutsu for us to fight. Since the battles take place in a Genjutsu, our real bodies won't be harmed."

"You had something this good and didn't tell us sooner?" Anko promptly sat down beside Yan. "What do we do?"

The others moved closer too. They all agreed to try it.

Not everyone would willingly let themselves be put under a Genjutsu. Feeling his companions' trust, Yan smiled faintly and directed them to sit in a circle.

After entering the Raid Space again, Yan silently called for the members to join and brought everyone in.

"W-where are we?"

Everyone stared around the Raid Space in amazement. From Yan's perspective, once the Meditation Cushions were occupied, a Spinner rose in the middle. Its sections were too blurry to make out; only their different colors were visible.

There's a lottery too?

Yan was puzzled, but he silently told it to start.

The Spinner's pointer began to turn. After five rotations, it stopped on a black-and-blue section that gradually came into focus.

You've got to be kidding me.

As the section cleared, Yan saw Zabuza in a black kimono with blue patterns on the shoulders, the Kubikiribōchō on his back, and two Samurai Swords at his waist.

Even freaking Wandering Zabuza was here.

Before Yan could complain, everyone was teleported to separate spots in a forest, where a thin mist hung in the air.

Blood-red words appeared in the sky:

1. Mist covers this area. It alternates between thin and dense every ten minutes. During dense mist, Zabuza knows the locations of everyone within it.

2. Secret Scrolls scattered throughout this area can briefly clear nearby mist.

3. Zabuza enters Demon State after killing five people or losing half his health.

4. If Zabuza has not been defeated within thirty minutes, Yuki Haku will enter the battle.

Victory conditions: At least two people survive for forty minutes, or Zabuza is defeated.

Once the rules had been displayed, the words "Battle Start" slowly appeared in the sky, followed by a red rectangle. Yan no longer had the energy to complain about the crude health bar.

Obito looked around and saw no one. He realized his companions had probably been separated.

But he hadn't understood the rules in the sky at all.

"Damn it." Obito scratched his head hard. "Whatever. I just have to beat this Zabuza guy. Watch me!"

Obito strode off, making no attempt to stay quiet as he casually began searching for his companions.