Normally, once a declaration of war is made, it's followed by a flurry of preparations — weapons, rations, logistics, and so on.
But this time was different.
With Kumogakure's army already pressing in, this had become a full-fledged defensive war for Konoha. There was no time to waste on traditional prep.
By the time you finish your "preparations," the enemy would already be at your doorstep.
That's why, once Uchiha Fugaku issued his command, Konoha's shinobi moved out lightly equipped, marching rapidly to intercept the Kumo invasion. At the same time, after relaying the situation to Kirigakure, Fugaku personally led Hyūga Hiashi and Senju Fūsai, fully armed, in search of the Raikage's position.
Konoha's forces were outnumbered. Attempting a large-scale military clash against Kumogakure would be suicide.
Their only chance at victory lay in stopping the rampaging Fourth Raikage deep within the Land of Fire and winning through top-tier force.
Many Konoha shinobi had expected Kumo to try a prolonged war of attrition — forcing a weakened Konoha to surrender through slow, grinding losses.
No one expected a full-scale battle to erupt the very next day, nor for the two village leaders to face off directly.
The Fourth Raikage hadn't even tried to conceal his presence — barging into the Land of Fire with two Jinchūriki at his side. Using Hiashi's Byakugan, Fugaku quickly located him.
"So this is your idea of 'peace,' Kumogakure…"
Staring at the massive, dark-skinned man with short blond hair and rippling muscles, Fugaku took a long breath.
"You've already sent shinobi to steal Konoha's kekkei genkai in secret. And now you invade with your entire force, slaughtering our comrades within our homeland—"
"Spare me the hypocrisy, Uchiha Fugaku!" the Fourth Raikage bellowed. "Return Lotty and the rest of our people now!"
"We sent envoys seeking peace — you paraded around with talk of justice and harmony. But the moment we disagreed on terms, you imprisoned our emissaries!"
"If you won't return Lotty and the others today—then Konoha will be erased from this world!"
"Hmph…"
Fugaku let out a cold chuckle, the Mangekyō in his eyes spinning darkly. Beside him, Hiashi and Fūsai both wore equally grim expressions.
Especially Hiashi.
Kumogakure had long coveted the Byakugan, and had even conspired with that masked Uchiha to abduct several Hyūga clan heirs — nearly including his own daughter.
Now, they dared to invade Konoha outright.
This was not just an insult to the Hyūga — it was an outrage against the entire village.
"Lord Fifth, there's no point talking to them. Let's fight!" Hiashi said coldly.
"Fight?" The Fourth Raikage sneered. "Still got that pair of eyes, huh, Hiashi."
In the days before the Third Great War, Konoha had been a true force — especially with Minato Namikaze alive. But now?
Now, they were just Kirigakure's lapdogs.
The Fourth Raikage himself was here, along with two perfect Jinchūriki. This broken-down Konoha? He could wipe it out with a single blow.
Lightning Release: Liger Bomb!
In a flash, the Raikage exploded forward like a cannon shell, arm drawn like a blade, cleaving toward Fugaku.
Fast!
But not fast enough!
Fugaku's Mangekyō spun rapidly. With a swift motion, he flung several kunai in a sharp arc toward the Raikage.
The kunai flew at tight, unexpected angles — even with the Raikage's monstrous speed, he was still grazed. But his lightning chakra armor, layered over his skin like armor, completely deflected the strikes.
Not that Fugaku had intended to injure him with them anyway.
To a Kage-level opponent, kunai were virtually meaningless. Even Hiruzen or Minato's legendary shuriken techniques were more psychological than practical at this tier.
(Of course, there were exceptions — like that one particular blade that could fly a hundred miles and even threaten the God of Shinobi.)
But these kunai weren't simple weapons. Each one was tied to specially reinforced steel wire, which shimmered faintly under the moonlight, aiming to bind the Raikage mid-charge.
At the same time, Fugaku pulled hard on the wires — releasing a fully charged Fire Release jutsu!
"Sharingan Windmill: Great Fire Dragon!"
Flames surged along the wires like living serpents, forming a blazing dragon that howled toward the Raikage.
But it wasn't enough.
BOOM!
The Raikage, clad in lightning chakra, tore through the wires and fire like a runaway freight train, charging straight at Fugaku.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
Senju Fūsai was quick to react, turning the ground beneath the Raikage into a massive muddy swamp.
But the effect was negligible.
Lightning sparked violently, and the mud was blasted skyward by the Raikage's sheer physical attacks. Even an A-rank jutsu couldn't slow him down.
Speed is power. Speed is impact.
"Revolving Heaven!"
Hiashi leapt forward, activating the Hyūga Clan's absolute defense — a spinning barrier that deflected all physical attacks.
But even Revolving Heaven, famed for countering any physical attacks, couldn't hold back the Raikage's explosive strength.
BOOM!!
Hiashi was sent flying.
In an instant, the combined strike of Konoha's Three Great Clans had been completely shattered.
"So this is the one who inherited the title of 'A'… the Fourth Raikage…"
Fugaku's heart trembled at the overwhelming display of raw power.
The Fourth Raikage's physical body was monstrous — a tower of muscle even among shinobi.
And with Lightning Release Chakra Mode, that already fearsome body became even stronger, faster, more resilient. It boosted everything: speed, defense, offense — by several magnitudes.
Combined with his mastery of top-tier Lightning Release techniques, this man was nothing short of a living war machine.
But…
Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly — staring past the Raikage, at the two figures behind him.
Initially, he had planned to face the Raikage 3-on-1 — Hyūga, Senju, Uchiha versus one.
But now there were two Jinchūriki at his side.
Fugaku bit his thumb and rapidly formed hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
BOOM!
A cloud of white smoke burst forth. When it cleared, two elegant, stunning women in white appeared — their beauty ethereal, their presence divine.
Hiashi and Fūsai were both stunned.
Wasn't the Uchiha Clan known for summoning ninja cats or crows? When did it become... women?
And these weren't ordinary women, either.
"Already summoning us the moment we signed the contract? You're really something, Little Fugaku."
The one floating midair, wrapped in white sashes, bare-footed and graceful, smiled teasingly. This was Tagorihime, one of the Ryūchi Cave's Snake Priestesses.
"Hmph! You're so inconsiderate. Orochimaru never summoned us this early."
The other had long blue hair, a golden crown on her head, and looked like a delicate doll. She pouted slightly — Ichikishimahime, the younger of the two.
Indeed.
Fugaku had summoned none other than two of Ryūchi Cave's legendary Snake Maidens.
"Sorry to trouble you, Sages… Where's the third one?" Fugaku asked, scanning their surroundings.
"Busy with other tasks. White Snake Sage keeps us working non-stop," IIchikishimahime sniffed, then leaned close, nearly brushing against Fugaku. "Why? Want to spread our teachings in Konoha, hmm?"
"If we win this battle," Fugaku said calmly, "Konoha can become a sanctuary for your faith."
"Oh? So generous…" Tagorihime smiled, but as her gaze landed on the Raikage and his two Jinchūriki, her expression froze.
"Don't tell me… you want us to fight that guy — and two perfect Jinchūriki? You should be asking Yuki Yoru for this!"
"Lord Mizukage is very busy," Fugaku said flatly. "I just need you to hold them off."
Turning to the slightly dazed Hiashi and Fūsai, he barked,
"Hiashi, Fūsai — assist the Snake Priestesses. But keep the battle from spilling too close to the village!"
"Understood!"
While Hiashi and Fūsai were clan heads of the Hyūga and Senju respectively, their power wasn't on par with the monsters of old. They were elite jōnin — perhaps quasi-Kage level at best.
That level could take on normal Jinchūriki, but against perfect hosts like the Hachibi and Nibi?
Not a chance.
But with two Sages backing them up, stalling should be doable.
"A Byakugan user?"
"And one of Senju blood?"
The Snake Maidens were momentarily at a loss.
They had lived for centuries — and knew all too well the tangled history between Uchiha, Senju, and Hyūga. To see all three now united — and led by a Uchiha — was almost surreal.
"Sages of Ryūchi Cave, huh…"
Hiashi and Fūsai recognized the snake features manifesting on the maidens' bodies. Combined with their interaction with Fugaku, it was clear who they were.
Their confidence grew.
Yes, the enemy had powerful Jinchūriki — but they were not weak either.
And now they had the backing of two Sage-level allies.
The Raikage's expression darkened as he watched Fugaku's summons. He was impressed — Konoha's foundations were deeper than expected.
But that wouldn't stop him.
Even if the Sages of the Three Great Sacred Lands were here, what of it? I am unrivaled!
First kill Fugaku.
Then eliminate the Hyūga and Senju.
Seize their kekkei genkai.
Destroy Konoha.
Once Kumogakure possessed the Sharingan and Byakugan, not even Kirigakure or Yuki Yoru could stop their rise.
The Raikage understood his village's strengths — and its fatal weakness.
Lightning Release Chakra Mode was insanely powerful, but also incredibly dangerous to train. One misstep could permanently damage the user.
Which is why, even though it was a B-rank technique, only the physically elite Raikage bloodline could master it.
But what if they had a dōjutsu — like the Sharingan?
A visual jutsu that could observe their own chakra flow, allowing them to refine and safely master this technique?
Then the number of Kumogakure shinobi able to use Lightning Release Chakra Mode would multiply exponentially.
So what if Yuki Yoru is strong? So what if Kirigakure is rising?
I'll drown them in ten thousand Lightning Armor warriors!
"Even if you summon the White Snake Sage herself, it won't matter!"
"With those nearly-blind eyes of yours, this war already belongs to Kumogakure!"
Lightning surged. The Raikage vanished again, reappearing in front of Fugaku in a flash.
Elbow Bolt!
His arm, crackling with lightning, crashed down like a meteor onto Fugaku's skull.
Even the others — the four fighting behind and the two Snake Maidens — turned toward the impact.
The chakra shockwave kicked up dust across the entire field.
But then—
From within the haze, a massive blue skeletal hand erupted, fingers spread.
Dark chakra and Yin Release energy gathered in its palm — condensing into a gigantic chakra blade, which came crashing down toward the Raikage.
BOOM!!
The ground shook. Birds fled. Trees shattered.
"Blind?"
"Ahahaha hahahahaha!"
Laughter rang out as the dust cleared.
Fugaku stood tall, one hand over his face — the Mangekyō spinning with overwhelming force.
"Who told you… I was going blind?"
Behind him, a towering blue half-bodied warrior loomed — skeletal and armored, twin blades in hand.
"Are you ready to taste despair?"
"This… is the power of the Third Power—"
"Susanoo!!"