My Techniques are a bit off

Main World – Before Dawn Near the Graveyard Mountains

"Where is the Fourth Kazekage?"

Ōnoki frowned as he stared at Gaara, who was wearing the Kazekage robe.

Although they'd heard the urgent news that the Kazekage had changed two days ago, sending a kid to lead a war felt a bit too careless.

"My father will not be taking part in this war," Gaara said calmly, removing his hat. He knew that, one way or another, none of them could really resist Link.

Sasuke had shown him footage from the Fourth World of how the Black Shadow Army swiftly ended the war. Gaara didn't think their own Shinobi Alliance—lacking Konoha's forces—could possibly measure up to the Fourth World's level.

In that case, there was no need for his father, who had lost the will to live in the end, to come to the battlefield. What if he got desperate and tried to kill himself right there?

Gaara himself would be busy trying to unmask Link; he wouldn't have time to look after his father. And if the Black Shadow Army really was as powerful as in the Rownet videos, the war would be over in a snap anyway.

"Your Sunagakure—" Ōnoki had just begun to speak when an eerie roar overhead cut him off.

A mountain-sized Earth Dragon soared through the sky, scattering clouds. The first light of dawn broke along the horizon, illuminating the varied expressions of the four Kage.

"Everyone," said the Fourth Raikage in a somber voice, "the war has begun!"

From the intel division, the message passed swiftly to the four waiting units.

No more hesitation—together, the Four Kage raced toward where the Earth Dragon was landing.

This war was completely different from the previous three. Their opponent's jutsu was powerful beyond anything they'd ever faced. In Ōnoki's view, not even Uchiha Madara in his prime had felt so oppressive.

A single person possessing the strength of an entire army—that jutsu. Even if the other side hadn't initiated war, even if he wasn't crazy enough to think he could take on the entire world alone, the various ninja villages still wouldn't have tolerated him.

He's only thirteen—just thirteen years old—and already can do so much. If things continue, wouldn't the Leaf Village be invincible in the future?

Even though they had gathered so many allies in the Shinobi Alliance, they were basically just there to stall the Black Shadow Army. The real deciding factor rested with the Four Kage and their bodyguards.

This is so bad… I'm not even married yet. If I die here…—

The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, sprinted forward, tears welling up inside at the thought. Back when the Black Shadow Army swept through Kirigakure, the real leader—Elder Genshi—had already judged that the Shinobi Alliance couldn't win.

But they had to fight anyway. Their opponent was obviously unhinged, wanting to "take on the whole world" to satisfy his own desires.

And yet, even though the Black Shadow Army had already been capable of destroying her village, in the end they didn't kill a single person. It was clear the Sixth Hokage, though insane, wasn't some genocidal maniac.

So let's just humor him once. Genshi's resigned words still echoed in Mei's ears. Everyone knew they were basically playing his game, but it was still war, and they had to give it their all. If the Sixth Hokage lost control and killed her, there would be nowhere to lodge a complaint.

A so-called "war game"…the younger generation these days…

Ōnoki was even more resigned. He, who had once confronted the mighty Uchiha Madara, now didn't even want to fight when he saw the Black Shadow Army's power. Negotiation, treaties—anything but this. But the enemy kid gave them no chance, throwing out a declaration of war and then just running off.

Can we win…?

Lightning crackled around the Fourth Raikage. Over the last month, after the humiliation he'd suffered at the hands of the shadows, he'd made some progress in training. Even without Killer Bee, he was determined to win.

We can win!

"Look, there they are!"

As the Earth Dragon lowered itself, countless shadowy figures stood on the ground below. On the dragon's head stood Link, wearing a trench coat. Everyone's eyes snapped to him.

Has that brat gotten taller?

Many who had seen him before found themselves perplexed.

"It's a Transformation Jutsu," Kiri's Ao whispered to Chōjūrō.

"Huh… Also, it looks like he's standing on two shadowy…feet?" he added to himself.

He could see with his Byakugan that there was no chakra flow in the dark shapes beneath Link—just two shadows kneeling to support him. But since it was still somewhat dim, and Link was some distance away, no one else seemed to notice.

If he's using a Transformation anyway, why not make himself taller?

Maybe he wasn't skilled enough to change his height? Ao found that thought mildly amusing and dismissed it as ridiculous.

Link, meanwhile, was inwardly excited but kept his composure. Carefully maintaining his Transformation Jutsu, he spread his arms wide and greeted the massed ninja army in a ringing voice. His words echoed for kilometers around, carried by Bubbles' technique.

"What are you after?" Ōnoki couldn't help blurting.

He could at least understand why Uchiha Madara had bullied them back in the day, or why some ambitious individuals would do outrageous things. But every move of the Sixth Hokage was incomprehensible.

And yet this terrifying child had overwhelming power. If words could resolve this, it would be best.

"Heh," Link chuckled, speaking in an arrogant tone. "From the start, there was no one standing above— not you, not me, not even the gods themselves!"

"Look at his feet," Ao muttered softly. "He's standing on two of those shadow legs. There's no chakra flow at all—it's literally just shadow creatures kneeling underneath him. The light's too dim for everyone else to see it."

Even though he was using a Transformation Jutsu, why wasn't he taller? Did he not have enough skill?

Ao found it really odd, but he discarded that possibility. Too silly.

Link continued, keeping his excitement under control, "But now, the empty throne in the sky will at last be claimed!"

His voice reverberated strangely, giving him a commanding presence.

Using his Byakugan, Ao could see everything, narrating, "Those bubbles must be the Hidden Mist's Rokubi Jinchūriki's secret technique—it's broadcasting his voice so everyone can hear it. The strange effect is some kind of physics-based reverb. Looks like Bubble has modified his own technique to create that dramatic sound."

"Now it really feels like some stage play," Mei Terumi remarked wryly. She knew this was all a farce, but couldn't they at least give it a bit more of a warlike atmosphere?

"From now on, I shall rule the heavens!" Link proclaimed grandly. He executed a stylish gesture, slicking back his hair with the hand coated in hair gel.

Wait, that left a weird gap in his forehead…

Bubble watched silently, resisting the urge to point it out, and jotted down a note.

"No matter what happens, if you stand beneath me—" Link strode forward, expression composed. The shadows beneath him quickly shuffled forward, propping him up so he didn't lose balance. "None shall stand in our way!"

Uh, does that brat not have any lower legs?—xN

Many people noticed the odd way Link moved, realizing his calves seemed to be just a solid patch of shadow.

"Ta-ta-ke!"

Before anyone could process it further, Link gave the order, and the Black Shadow Army surged toward the Shinobi Alliance like a tidal wave.

The Four Kage and their eight bodyguards—twelve in total—charged toward the Earth Dragon's head with complicated feelings.

No matter how ridiculous it seemed, this was their Fourth Great Ninja War.