Chapter 741 : The Inevitable Fate?

'Despite my interference creating so many changes, how can this battle unfold exactly like how it did in the original story?' A deep frown appeared on the face of Fujin's clone.

Ever since he stepped into this world, Fujin had been careful not to mess with the story too much. Unfortunately, things hadn't been as he had wished, and his presence inevitably caused several changes. Things had gone so out of hand that Fujin had mentally prepared himself to discard most of his future knowledge.

As such, seeing something happen similar to the original story should have been good news to Fujin. However, his clone wasn't happy. On the contrary, his mood was grave.

He analyzed, 'The circumstances here and in the original story were completely different. In the original story, Konoha was shown to be ignorant to the fact that Gaara was a Jinchuriki. Even if I assume that Hiruzen knew, he hadn't made any arrangements to take care of him. Suna's betrayal had come as a shock to Konoha.

However, due to my interference, Konoha was well aware of Suna's treachery and prepared for the war. The higher-ups have long known that Gaara is a Jinchuriki. Hiruzen and Shikaku even assigned Kakashi to take care of him.

Yet, despite all the preparations and arrangements, despite the changes caused due to my actions, why have things reached exactly this stage?'

Fujin's clone saw Naruto creating a dozen Shadow Clones and using them very creatively to maneuver around Gaara. He used the Thousand Years of Death jutsu, with one small change. Instead of sticking an explosive tag to his kunai, Naruto used the kunai that was given to him by Fujin when he left his training to Jiraiya.

As a result, the explosion was much stronger. Had the circumstances been different, Fujin's clone would have been amused. However, his mind was in a different place.

Just a month ago, Fujin had dismissed Neji's thoughts about Fate and put his own perspective. However, there was one major difference between Neji and Fujin. Neji's perspective was a result of his traumatic childhood and the arrogance of a genius.

Fujin, on the other hand, knew what the future held. He knew that fate played a major role in this world, especially with events involving Naruto and Sasuke. Even so, he hadn't given much importance to it. Fujin believed that once he gained sufficient strength, he could change the future to be extremely advantageous for him.

However, what he was witnessing shook his confidence. For the first time, since coming into this world, Fujin was forced to take 'fate' seriously. Fujin's clone couldn't help but wonder, 'If fate truly exists and if things will eventually happen just like they did in the original story, then what's the meaning of my existence?

Once I make those moves, it should change the future entirely just like when I killed Kabuto. Even the Fourth Great Ninja War will be completely different if it happens at all. However, if fate exists, does it mean that I wouldn't be able to do that? Or, could it be that all my actions will prove futile and the end result will be similar to it was this time?'

Needless to say, Fujin's clone didn't want to believe it. He could gain strength and fight against stronger foes. With Flying Thunder God jutsu, he wasn't afraid even of beings like Madara as he could always run away. However, what could he do against something as intangible as fate? If he didn't know the future, he wouldn't have cared about it as it would have been pointless. But, that wasn't the case.

Fujin's clone quickly concluded, 'I guess I can still chalk this up to a freakish chain of coincidences. Directly blaming fate wouldn't do me any good. I need more information.

Apart from Naruto changing Gaara, there is another critical event that is supposed to happen. Hiruzen is supposed to die in this war. If he doesn't, then the changes will be too huge. However, from the memories I just received, the battle is nearly over. Hiruzen should end up living.

If fate truly exists, then it means that something strange will happen and he'll die… If that truly happens, then I'll need to reevaluate my situation entirely.'

"Multi Shadow Clone jutsu!"

"Infinite Breakthrough jutsu!"

After Sasuke softened Naruto's fall and displayed his resolve to die while Naruto and Shikamaru rescue Sakura and leave, Naruto regained his confidence. He immediately created hundreds of Shadow Clones, which completely surrounded Gaara, who was still in a bad shape due to the explosion. In the blink of an eye, Gaara was bombarded by intense winds from every direction!

Orochimaru slammed his hands on the branch he was standing on and said, "I didn't want it to end this way, but this is the end. You will die here, Sensei! And, Fujin, Jiraiya and every Konoha ninja here will follow you into the afterlife!"

Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock as ten boxes appeared from the branch! Each of them opened and the faces of the ninjas inside became visible. Hiruzen muttered, "Impossible!"

Up in the sky, Fujin noticed them through the holes in the iron-gold dome. His pupils dilated and his eyes widened as he muttered in disbelief, "This… He still had such a card left?"

While the dome blocked the view of most Konoha ninjas, the Hyuga ninjas were able to see what was happening inside the barrier clearly. Without an exception, shock appeared on everyone's face!

The ten reanimated ninjas walked out of the boxes. Some of them muttered, "This is weird. How am I alive agai… The First Hokage???"

Their eyes widened as they saw Hashirama and Tobirama attacking Hiruzen. Seeing Hashirama, each one of them panicked without any exception. However, in less than a second, they recalled that they were already dead and so was Hashirama.

One of them said, "So, this is the Second Hokage's Edo Tensei. Hahaha, it looks like someone used it to attack Konoha. That's hilarious."

Another replied, "You sure are calm for someone who's being controlled. It looks like this young man is the caster of this jutsu."

Most of them didn't recognize Orochimaru, but a few did and were surprised. One of them chuckled and said, "So, the snake turned on his village in the end."

In the arena, a few ninjas asked, "Hiashi-sama, what's the issue? What is happening inside the barrier? Is Hokage-sama safe?"

Despite his vast experience, Hiashi was too stunned to speak. Several others asked similar questions to other Hyuga ninjas, but none of them answered. In the skies, Ryu muttered, "Ten new chakras, similar to those four dead ones have appeared. Fujin, do you recognize them?"

Fujin replied, "Yeah, each one of them is terrifying. We won't be their match. Each one of them led one of the major hidden villages in their prime!"

Hiruzen muttered, "First Raikage, Second Raikage, Third Raikage, First Tsuchikage, Second Tsuchikage, First Kazekage, Second Kazekage, First Mizukage, Second Mizukage and Third Mizukage… You reanimated all of them?"

Disbelief could be heard in Hiruzen's voice. He never expected to see such a sight in his old age. Fujin thought, 'Except Minato, every dead Kage is here. This crazy bastard collected everyone's DNA in the month-long break! That's why he was so confident! However, can he control them all?'

Fujin's mind immediately went into overdrive, analyzing every information he had so far. He immediately concluded, 'No, he definitely must have some limits. Otherwise, he'd have revived way more ninjas and sent them after me. That said, he must have some means to keep some degree of control. Regardless, how do I tackle this?'

Even Fujin felt a bit overwhelmed and helpless. Had it been a few, he could have dealt with them. However, there were 14 reanimated Kage in and around the barrier. Not to mention, Sakumo was keeping Guy, Kakashi and Renjiro occupied in the arena.

Fujin realized, 'This is impossible to deal with. If we break the barrier now and try to use our numerical advantage, hundreds of Elite ninjas will be slaughtered. There is a good chance that the entire army would be wiped out. Even when Jiraiya reaches here, we won't have the forces to eliminate them.

Even if I go all out and use my Flying Thunder God jutsu and all my other hidden cards, I can't change the battle much. All of them are strong even among the S rank. Some of them stood at the peak of S rank when they were alive. They won't be caught off guard that easily.

The best I can do is touch them and teleport them hundreds of kilometers away from here. However, Tobirama can easily counter this tactic. Even if I assume that they aren't marked yet and send 3 away before Tobirama reacts and marks everyone, that's still too much…'

Fujin glanced at Hiruzen and thought, 'The only way is the Death Reaper Seal. However…'

Just like his clone, Fujin too felt extremely uncomfortable at the way the events suddenly changed. He couldn't help but think about fate as well and have the same thoughts as his clone!

[A/N: PS: Please keep the author notes of chp 704 in mind.]

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