The Forest Near the Coast;
Shikaku Nara stood in front of a map, deep in thought.
A red circle was drawn on the map.
It marked the location of the Kirigakure vanguard force that Inuzuka Kiba and Hyūga Hinata had just reported.
"We can only wait for them to land."
Inoichi suddenly spoke.
The environment provided a significant advantage to shinobi.
Battling at sea was most favorable for Water Release users.
Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Kirigakure had the largest number of Water Release shinobi.
They also possessed the unique Hidden Mist Technique, which obstructed the vision of all shinobi except those with the Byakugan.
"They should attack under the cover of night."
Nara Shikamaru, usually lazy and indifferent, spoke proactively this time.
Beside him were Akimichi Chōji and Yamanaka Ino.
As the new generation of the Ino-Shika-Chō Trio, they naturally held certain privileges.
Although Chōji felt rather uncomfortable, because here, he couldn't, and didn't dare, to eat his chips.
Ino stood silently at the side, listening attentively.
The same was true for Hinata and Inuzuka Kiba.
"I've already assigned Hyūga clan members to each squad to ensure that every unit has at least one Byakugan user."
Hyūga Hiashi spoke in a solemn tone.
Although the Hyūga Clan had participated in numerous wars, they mostly operated as a family unit.
This was the first time they were being used purely as support troops.
Hyūga Hiashi glanced at Hyūga Hinata.
A large part of this situation was due to his daughter.
In the past, the Hyūga Clan aimed not for merit, but simply to avoid mistakes—as long as they got by, that was enough.
But times had changed.
The Shinobi World was on the verge of unification.
The Hyūga Clan needed enough military achievements to secure their place.
Especially when it came to Hyūga Hinata securing the position of Hokage's wife—that was non-negotiable.
"Thank you for your efforts, Hyūga Clan Leader."
Shikaku nodded.
He understood Hyūga Hiashi's intentions.
In truth, the Ino-Shika-Chō Trio had the same thoughts.
Facing a new era of the shinobi world, they had to put in ten times the effort.
Just then, a figure approached from the distance.
It was Aburame Shibi.
Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Chōza, and Hyūga Hiashi all greeted him.
His status as the Aburame Clan Leader wasn't enough to warrant such attention.
But as the father of the Sixth Hokage, Shinho, he was someone they could not ignore.
"Shino has led the Aburame forces towards Kirigakure's sea camp."
After a brief exchange, Aburame Shibi got straight to the point.
"Oh?"
Shikaku's eyes flashed with thought.
"It seems that Lord Jiraiya intends to attack from both fronts and settle the battle in one decisive move."
"That's the right approach."
Inoichi nodded.
"Aside from the Six-Tails Jinchūriki and Terumī Mei, Kirigakure has little to rely on."
Aburame Shibi smiled slightly as he said; "I have an idea."
"Why don't we take the initiative and attack first?"
"What do you mean?"
Shikaku was momentarily surprised.
"You should know that we are at a disadvantage in naval battles."
"Then we take the fight to the air!"
Shibi's voice carried a hint of excitement.
"With the Konoha Fortress!"
"Konoha Fortress?"
Akimichi Chōza scratched his head, his deep voice puzzled.
"Isn't that just a logistical transport vehicle?"
"It's far more than just transportation."
Shibi explained.
"It's also a mobile weapons fortress."
The Konoha Fortress had always been managed by the Transportation Division, so Akimichi Chōza and the others weren't familiar with its full capabilities.
"It's feasible."
Shikaku hesitated for only a few seconds before agreeing.
After all, Aburame Shibi's status was unique.
"The plan has changed. We need to notify Lord Jiraiya."
Shikaku stood up.
"I'll go personally. The rest of you will board the Konoha Fortress with Shibi."
"Understood."
Hyūga Hiashi and the others responded in unison.
Shikaku, as the chief strategist, held temporary higher authority over them.
Originally, the coastline defense plan had two layers:
First defense line: Led by Nara Shikaku.
Second defense line: Led by Jiraiya.
However, with Shibi's aerial warfare proposal, the original plan was unnecessary.
Shikaku soon met Jiraiya and explained the situation.
"Is the Konoha Fortress that capable?"
Jiraiya looked skeptical.
He knew of its existence but wasn't familiar with its origins and capabilities.
"If Shibi says it can, it won't be wrong."
Shikaku spoke calmly.
Jiraiya fell into deep thought.
He knew that Shikaku and the others weren't trusting Shibi, but rather Shinho.
Ever since Shinho became Hokage, Konoha had undergone tremendous changes.
It was no exaggeration to say that half of Konoha held near-blind faith in him.
"Alright then, let's go to the Konoha Fortress."
Jiraiya finally made his decision.
…
The sun had completely set, leaving only a dim golden glow on the horizon.
Suddenly, a strong wind swept across the sky.
The Konoha Fortress approached from the distance.
Upon entering the barrier, Jiraiya finally saw its true form.
It was completely white, equipped with launch platforms, artillery, and various buildings.
Numerous shinobi were busy organizing medical supplies, provisions, and weapons.
"Lord Jiraiya."
Shibi stepped forward.
"I'll take you to the control room."
Jiraiya, filled with curiosity, entered the Konoha Fortress.
Soon, his curiosity turned into astonishment.
The interior was nothing like he had imagined, it was incredibly futuristic.
Automatic glass doors, projection screens displaying the outside world, and countless control buttons.
"The Konoha Fortress is powered by Tailed Beast Chakra."
Shibi said proudly.
"It also has a super cannon capable of rivaling a Tailed Beast Bomb."
Due to the war, and the fact that Three-Tails Isobu had mastered Lightning Release, Shinho had temporarily replaced Zero-Tails with it.
Of course, this was only temporary.
Once the war ended, Three-Tails would be repurposed as the power generator for the Land of Fire's metropolis.
"Tailed Beast Bomb?"
Jiraiya was stunned for a moment before laughing.
"Something this powerful should have been used long ago!"
Still, he felt a little annoyed.
As the Commander with the highest authority at this front, he hadn't known about this.
But then again, he had neglected Konoha's internal developments lately.
The Great Toad Sage had been pressing him to find the Child of Prophecy and the Fourth Great Sanctuary.
"Let's set off immediately without any further delays!"
Jiraiya waved his hand with great momentum.
"We must reach Kirigakure before they land and give them a surprise!"
"Yes!"
Shibi turned to inform Shikaku.
Moments later, the Konoha Fortress soared toward the coastline.
Inside, shinobi stood battle-ready.
There was no doubt that, once Kirigakure spotted the fortress, the fiercest battle for air supremacy would erupt.
But now, the battlefield advantage had shifted.
Originally, Kirigakure had the geographical advantage.
Now, Konoha did.
..,
The vast ocean stretched endlessly.
As night fell, thick mist engulfed the waters.
Amid the fog, Terumī Mei, clad in a blue strapless dress, stood expressionless at the bow of the ship.
Behind her stood Chōjūrō, Momochi Zabuza, and Haku.
Without his Byakugan, Ao's strength had diminished.
As an experienced jōnin, he remained at Kirigakure's main camp instead of joining the battle.
Alongside them was the Six-Tails Jinchūriki, Utakata.
Originally a rogue ninja, Utakata had been returned by the Akatsuki.
Through Terumī Mei's investigation, he had come to understand his master's true intentions, his master had never tried to kill him but had instead wanted to free him from the burden of being a Jinchūriki.
Realizing the truth, Utakata rejoined Kirigakure.
"Chōjūrō, Zabuza."
Terumī Mei spoke.
"It's time. Prepare for the landing operation."
"Yes!"
Chōjūrō's face showed both nervousness and excitement.
Momochi Zabuza, however, simply nodded coldly.
"Strike while the iron is hot, but don't linger in battle."
Terumī Mei instructed firmly. "Don't get caught up in prolonged fighting."
"Huh?"
Chōjūrō blinked in confusion. "Why?"
"This war's outcome won't be decided by Kirigakure's strength alone."
Terumī Mei shook her head.
Thanks to the policies of the previous two Mizukage, Kirigakure's strength had reached an all-time low.
Although she had done everything in her power to improve the situation over the past few years, the Bloodline Limit clans and shinobi who had been wiped out would never return.
"What kind of price do you think we'd have to pay to defeat Jiraiya and his forces?"
Seeing that Chōjūrō was still puzzled, she questioned him directly.
"We... we'd suffer heavy casualties."
Chōjūrō answered honestly.
Konoha had Jiraiya and nearly three thousand shinobi.
Although Kirigakure had twice that number, achieving victory wouldn't be easy.
Based on his estimates, they would lose at least one to two thousand men.
"Exactly."
Terumī Mei sighed.
"And that's the best-case scenario. What if the battle turns into a prolonged stalemate?"
Chōjūrō's eyes widened as realization struck him.
She wasn't trying to win the battle outright, she was trying to buy time.
If they delayed the fight long enough, Kumogakure and Iwagakure would win their battles and then send reinforcements.
At that point, defeating Konoha would be effortless.
Most importantly, taking down Jiraiya and his forces wouldn't decide the war.
The key to victory was eliminating Shinho.
"As expected of Lady Mizukage!"
Chōjūrō said in admiration.
"You still have a lot to learn."
Terumī Mei smiled faintly. "Go on, then."
Chōjūrō was one of Kirigakure's most outstanding young shinobi.
She had personally trained him, hoping he would become the pillar of Kirigakure's future.
However, his timid personality gave her frequent headaches.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Haku's expression changed. "Something's in the sky!"
The sky?
Terumī Mei instinctively looked up.
Despite the dense mist obscuring their vision, they saw the enormous silhouette.
"What... what is that?!"
Chōjūrō couldn't help but exclaim.
"Defensive formations!"
Terumī Mei shouted urgently.
She could hear the rushing wind.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
Chōjūrō and Momochi Zabuza quickly formed hand seals.
The seawater surged, rising around them like towering walls of water.
Then—
Whoosh!
A downpour of kunai and shuriken rained from above, resembling a torrential storm.
The Water Formation Wall absorbed the impact, sending countless weapons rebounding into the sea, creating splashes upon impact.
Terumī Mei exhaled in relief, their forces had suffered no casualties from the ambush.
But in the next instant—
Her instincts screamed a warning.
Beyond the kunai barrage, a line of chakra-powered artillery shells descended.
As soon as they neared the surface of the sea, they detonated violently.
A massive shockwave erupted, churning the waters into a raging tempest dozens of meters wide.
Screams filled the air.
Driven by Tailed Beast energy, the chakra shells weren't quite as strong as a Tailed Beast Bomb, but they rivaled jōnin-level ninjutsu, without requiring any hand seals.
The dense mist dispersed slightly.
Terumī Mei gazed at the bodies floating in the sea, and her heart ached with grief.
Her expression darkened as she glared skyward, finally laying eyes on the culprit—
It was a massive Fortress.
Under the moonlight, she could make out the massive cannons still steaming from their last attack.
"Look out!"
Chōjūrō's pupils contracted in fear. "Another barrage is coming!"
"Fall back! Everyone, retreat!"
Though furious, Terumī Mei remained rational.
"Jōnin, intercept the attacks!"
The Konoha Fortress was too high in the sky.
Regular ninjutsu couldn't reach it, meaning Kirigakure's forces could only take the hits.
But Terumī Mei refused to accept that.
"Haku!"
She growled. "Send me up there!"
Ice Release: Demonic Ice Mirrors!
Haku swiftly formed hand seals.
A massive ice mirror materialized before him.
Gripping it tightly, he hurled it skyward with all his might.
Terumī Mei leapt onto the mirror, using it as a platform to soar to Konoha Fortress's altitude.
"Enemy incoming!"
Hyūga Hiashi's Byakugan had already detected her approach.
"Prepare for impact!"
Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique
Terumī Mei arched backward, then spat a massive wave of molten, corrosive acid.
The moment it appeared, the acid expanded, spreading like a raging waterfall toward Konoha's shinobi.
In the original timeline, this jutsu was strong enough to melt even Susanoo, its power was terrifying.
The air distorted from the heat.
A wave of death surged forward.
Konoha's shinobi felt an overwhelming sense of peril.
Jiraiya's expression hardened, his hands flying into seals.
But—
Someone reacted even faster. Startling him for a brief moment.
As far as the eye could see, heavy snow fell form the sky.
The sky turned into a swirling blizzard.
Flying Snow Gu!
Hinata transformed into a Snow Fairy, raising her hand.
The lava surge was instantly frozen mid-air, solidifying into an icy sculpture.
"It's Hinata."
Shikamaru sighed in relief.
"That was incredible."
Akimichi Chōji marveled.
Against Terumī Mei's powerful Lava Release, none of them could have done anything.
Ino, watching Hinata's snow spirit form, felt a complicated mix of emotions.
Without realizing it, Hinata had already left them all far behind.
But Ino wasn't without hope—
If she could successfully assimilate Ido and Mōryō, she might catch up.
Hiashi's face beamed with pride.
Even though Hinata wasn't using the Gentle Fist, she was still his daughter.
No matter what techniques she mastered, they all belonged to the Hyūga Clan's legacy.
Terumī Mei froze momentarily.
She recognized Hinata.
Which made her feel a deep sense of envy.
Konoha had too many outstanding shinobi.
But she had no time to dwell on that—
Jiraiya's ninjutsu was already upon her.
A dragon-like inferno roared toward her.
Just then—
A wall of water surged up in front of her.
A massive sword came flying next.
It resembled the Executioner's Blade, but it wasn't the original—
The real Executioner's Blade was still in Shinho's possession.
The sword spun through the flames, slashing toward Jiraiya.
Hinata's gaze flickered.
The blizzard condensed, forming a gigantic ice barrier.
CRACK!
The sword lodged into the ice.
"Well done."
Jiraiya praised, before leaping forward.
Rasengan!
He lunged at Zabuza.
Boil Release: Skilled Mist Jutsu!
Terumī Mei's red lips parted, exhaling a scalding hot vapor.
The mist flowed like liquid, surging toward Jiraiya.
Jiraiya didn't dare take it head-on.
He halted mid-air, retreating quickly.
The mist devoured the ground, melting it into deep craters.
Meanwhile, Inside Konoha Fortress
The battle outside didn't disrupt the control room.
Shikaku stood before a series of monitors, continuously issuing orders for the Konoha Fortress to bombard Kirigakure's forces.
Though the jōnin fought valiantly, they couldn't prevent the mounting casualties.
The ocean turned crimson, the scent of blood thick in the air.
Meanwhile, Thousands of Miles Away…
Inside Kirigakure's main base,
Shino Aburame hovered mid-air.
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