A New Way of Ninja, (Naruto)

31: Obito's Retaliation

For a while the heroes stayed out of the fight entirely. They went to the top of a hill and watched from afar all the moving figures.

This was still a pretty good view, and Camie was interested, as they saw Obito and Madara's fights with the main ninja, the Tailed Beast transformation of Obito (which looked gross even from a distance), and the kages trying to pin Madara down.

Sasuke, notably, accomplished nothing of real significance in this time except that he was backing Naruto up, and Sakura was only keeping people from getting injured.

"They're so quick to fall back into their usual roles," Dabi remarked, eating another snack, since now was the time to refuel.

"Because you can't change very much about a person, especially their nature, by changing their situation," Shine said. "Nature will not change, and if they've learned to be the way they are, they won't have the courage to leave that role without a true change of nature. Simple as that."

Momo, not really wanting to see this fight, had laid down with her head on Shoto's lap.

"Hearing their attacks is...so strange from this distance," she said. "Between them, the night is almost peaceful..."

"I just don't feel right about sitting here while they're duking it out," Shoto said.

"You'll see the wisdom of it soon enough," Shine said, also leaning on Wally, tired, "when you have energy to step in and they are all exhausted. It's common in war to have backup in reserve. It's just how it works."

"I'm just praying that we're actually able to do something to help," Wally said. "I don't know what yet, but...those poor people. They're way outmatched, mostly, and they're still hanging in there. I have to respect that. I've been there a lot of times."

"The only thing to do while we wait is try to build our strength up," Shine said.

"I can't eat anymore," Momo said. "I'll be sick. I thought I would be before, with all those...fallen warriors."

"At least we know this will be over tomorrow..." Camie said, wanly.

"I meant build our inner strength," Shine said. "I know none of us feel like it, but this is the time it's the most important to praise God, to show we have not lacked in our faith."

"I know that means you're going to start singing," Dabi sad. "But it's better than listening to that commotion down there was."

Well, for him that was support.

"Come, now is the time to worship. Come, now is the time to give your heart. Come, just as you are to worship. Come, just as you are before your God. Come.

"One day every tongue will confess You are God. One day every knee will bow. Still, the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose You now."

["Come, Now Is The Time To Worship"--Brian Doerksen/Wendy Whitehead.]

And another song that was more the boy's speed:

"When He rolls up His sleeves, He ain't just puttin' on the ritz (Our God is an awesome God).

"There's thunder in His footsteps and lighting in his fists (Our God is an awesome God)

"And the Lord, He wasn't jokin' when He kicked 'em out of Eden. It wasn't for no reason that He shed His blood. His return is very close and so you better be believing that Our God is an Awesome God!