The night was pitch black, shrouding heaven and earth in darkness.
Howling winds shrieked through the air, echoing eerie cries like an owl's call in the night.
The Iwa ninja had set up camp atop earthen hills they constructed using Earth Release techniques. The surrounding area was flat and open, offering a clear view in all directions.
Yet tonight was moonless. Without dojutsu bloodline abilities, even the sharpest eyes could barely see beyond ten meters.
Hoo--shhh--
A cold gust swept through the trees, rustling leaves and causing a Rock ninja hiding in the branches to shiver involuntarily.
His gaze swept toward the distant patrol and he double-checked both sides—nothing seemed out of place.
Suddenly he felt something the size of a thumb land on his hand. He quickly swatted it away, but already felt a dull pain spreading across his palm.
As he winced at the sting, dizziness suddenly overwhelmed him, and he plummeted from the tree.
As he fell, he saw the patrol guard he'd been monitoring also collapse. At the same time, a shadowy figure appeared out of nowhere, catching the falling patrol guard gently and lowering him down silently without a sound.
Tssk!
A barely audible sound cracked through the air, and then he found himself caught by someone before losing consciousness completely.
Shisui carefully laid down the fallen lookout, checking his breath and pulse before confirming death. Then he signaled silently to those behind him.
Soon after, Shibi Aburame, Tsume Inuzuka, and Hiashi Hyuga arrived first. After verifying their safety, one dark figure after another approached the area.
"Shibi, can we keep moving?" Fugaku asked.
After discussing briefly with Hiashi Hyuga and Tsume Inuzuka, Shibi shook his head.
Fugaku nodded understandingly. The front was nearly illuminated by the camp lights, with guards stationed every three paces and lookouts every five. Without knowing the exact rotation patterns, continuing forward stealthily would be difficult.
Looking at Hiashi, Fugaku ordered, "Find the enemy commander's headquarters or the jinchuriki's location!"
Upon hearing this, Hiashi activated his Byakugan, gazing toward the continuous line of tents ahead.
At that moment, Aozora Ao leaned in close and whispered into Fugaku's ear, "The command post will definitely be heavily covered with Barriers. It'll be nearly impossible to harm Kitsuchi directly in there, and we'd do little damage anyway. I suggest we directly attack the densely populated enemy camp."
Fugaku nodded. After receiving Ao's report about the likely location of the command center, he instructed Hiashi to check the heavily populated areas.
"Most of the ninja are camping ahead. In the middle is the command tent along with the jinchuriki, while the back area seems to be storage warehouses for supplies," Hiashi reported rapidly.
Fugaku nodded again before ordering softly, "Target the front encampment. Prepare yourselves!"
"Begin!"
With Fugaku's quiet command, the Konoha ninja specializing in Wind and Fire Release techniques stepped forward, Aozora Ao positioning himself right in the center.
[Fire Release – Great Fireball Technique!]
[Fire Release – Great Fire Emitter!]
[Fire Release – Great Inferno Bullet!]
[Fire Release – Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!]
...
One B-ranked jutsu after another flew forth from the hands of the Leaf ninja like they were throwing away scraps.
In the blink of an eye, the night exploded into flames. Intense heat and blazing fire lit up the heavens, forming a vast sea of fire across the sky.
At this moment, Aozora inhaled deeply and instantly unleashed his most proficient B-ranked Fire Release technique.
[Fire Release - Great Fire Dragon Jutsu!]
The heavens themselves paled before the fury of the flames. Within a sea of crimson fire, a massive orange blaze surged forward, transforming into a colossal golden dragon that blotted out the sky.
The Konoha ninja now understood why Fugaku had focused so intently on Aozora's techniques. Clearly, this Great Fire Dragon Jutsu had reached or even surpassed the level of an A-ranked jutsu, nearly matching an S-ranked technique.
A Konoha ninja skilled in Wind Release no longer hesitated and instantly unleashed the full force of his Wind Release techniques.
[Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!]
[Wind Release: Pressure Damage!]
[Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!]
With wind fueling the flames, the gusts propelled the ocean of fire across the sky, forming a devastating tidal wave rushing toward Iwagakure's main camp.
The dragon roared, writhing within the torrent of flames like a divine dragon descending from the heavens or a monstrous dragon heralding the end of the world.
The Rock Ninja on watch at Iwagakure's outpost barely had time to react to the sudden brightness before the pitch-black night sky was seared open, consumed entirely by a sea of flames.
"Enemy attack — !"
"Incoming assault — !"
"..."
Clang! Clang! Clang! — the alarm bells rang out sharply.
Clang! Clang! Clang! —
...
Shrill cries echoed through the roaring inferno as the fire dragon twisted violently, driving the blazing ocean forward.
Kitsuchi had already exited his tent. With a swift burst of Earth Release, an earthen pillar lifted him high into the air, allowing him to witness the devastation consuming the front encampment and see the monstrous dragon riding the fiery tide straight toward them.
This man, as unyielding as stone, stared with eyes filled with rage, his hands moving faster than shadows.
[Earth Release - Earthquake Bomb!]
An ultimate earth technique — one that normally required over ten elite Earth Release jonin working together — erupted from his hands alone. Instantly, the ground beneath the front and central camps sank downward while the land directly in front exploded upward.
Nearby Rock Ninja quickly gathered around Kitsuchi, channeling chakra into the earth to help bear the immense pressure.
Han emerged atop one of the tents, raising both hands toward the sky as he expelled a massive jet of steam and flame to counter the incoming infernal onslaught.
Boom — !
Pom! Pom! Pom!
Crash! Crash! Crash!
Han's steam momentarily slowed the dragon before it resumed its advance, crashing directly into the thick, tens-of-meters-high rock wall conjured by Kitsuchi.
Instantly, a massive indentation formed on the wall, followed by a huge crack.
Unending waves of fireballs and razor-sharp winds smashed relentlessly into the barrier, and within moments, shattered it completely.
Although slowed by this resistance, the once-mighty sea of flames had now lost most of its impact. Eventually breaking apart, it rained down in scattered bursts of orange flames.
Despite the fact that orange fireballs and wind blades still rampaged across the camp, the Rock Ninjas were no longer completely helpless. Some dodged while others used ninjutsu to defend themselves, significantly increasing their survival rate.
But this also threw the entire camp into chaos—explosions, roars, screams, and cries for help echoed nonstop.
Kitsuchi and Han ignored the pleading calls for help and immediately gathered the Anbu, the Demolition Squad, and any remaining battle-capable Rock Ninja. They knew that after enduring such a devastating combined jutsu, the next move would be an even fiercer onslaught.
"Minister Kitsuchi!" a sensor ninja shouted with sweat pouring down his face. "There are large numbers of enemies ahead… each one possesses chakra levels equivalent to jonin—at least sixty or seventy of them!"
Upon hearing this, Kitsuchi and the surrounding ninja all inhaled sharply, cold sweat pouring from their brows.
"Shorty from Iwagakure! Your grandpa from Konoha has arrived!"
"Daring to break the treaty and attack our Konoha borders? Have you forgotten the lesson from THE FOURTH?"
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! Today, we of Konoha will make you feel our pain firsthand!"
"Burn in the flames! Repent in the firestorm!"
Cold voices emerged from the smoke and dust, followed by figures—some tall, some short, some fat, some thin—jumping onto the camp's fence.
[Murderous Gaze] Fugaku, Ino–Shika–Cho, Shibi Aburame, Hiashi Hyuga, [Body Flicker Technique] Shisui, [Copy Ninja Kakashi], Tsume Inuzuka...
One by one, these elite Konoha shinobi appeared on the battlefield, sending waves of despair crashing over the surviving Rock Ninja. Their eyes filled with hopelessness—the sheer might of this lineup was enough to take down five Kage.
Kitsuchi roared, "Fugaku Uchiha! Is Konoha really ready for total war against Iwagakure?"
Leading the charge, Fugaku coldly replied, "Ask your Iwagakure who broke the peace first!"
Kitsuchi swept his gaze over the front lines—a scorched mess where all defenses had been incinerated—and shouted, "Frontline ninja, retreat!"
As he spoke, he and Han led a group of elite Rock Ninjas forward, buying time for the surviving lower-rank ninja to escape.
"Tsuchiton: Defense!" Kitsuchi commanded.
Instantly, the Rock Ninjas halted their advance. Hands flashing like shadows, they erected rows upon rows of earthen walls.
These thick earth walls could withstand weeks of sword attacks—but they faced none other than Konoha's finest.
"Lightning Release: Chidori!"
After completing the hand seals, Kakashi shot out his right hand. In an instant, countless pale-blue sparks surged into his palm, engulfing it entirely in crackling lightning.
Ziiiiiip! Ziiiiiip! Ziiiiiip!
A piercing screech erupted—like a thousand birds shrieking at once—as every eye turned toward him.
White-haired and bloodshot-eyed, Kakashi dashed forward surrounded by electricity, swift as lightning—cutting through everything before him like paper.
The dust from the shattered earthen wall didn't obstruct his vision. Instead, it caused the Iwa jonin who'd created the wall to momentarily lose sight of him. By the time he realized what was happening, Kakashi's right hand had already pierced through his chest.
[Secret Jutsu - Garoga!]
Tsume Inuzuka's summoned beast transformed into a two-headed giant wolf. Then, both human and beast simultaneously began rotating their bodies rapidly, forming an enormous whirlwind.
The whirlwind spun at an impossible speed. Its cutting power tore through the earthen wall—and anyone hiding behind it—shredding them to pieces.
[Secret Jutsu - Expansion Jutsu!]
[Taijutsu - Flesh Bullet Slam!]
Choza Akimichi activated Expansion Jutsu and grew into a towering giant. He curled his limbs inward, becoming a massive flesh ball—a deadly fusion of size and technique.
Spinning at high speed, it crushed everything in its path.
With Kakashi, Tsume Inuzuka, and Choza Akimichi leading the way as destructive forces, other Konoha ninja closely followed, intercepting the fleeing Iwa shinobi before they could escape.
Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Secret Jutsu, and Dojutsu rained down upon the Iwa ninja relentlessly.
Fugaku charged forward, his crimson Sharingan radiating danger amidst the flames. Any ninja who met his gaze involuntarily hesitated, and that brief pause meant permanent departure from this world.
Shisui darted into the Iwa ninja crowd, instantly becoming dozens of figures. He slashed and killed slower reacting enemies with single decisive cuts.
Aozora stood atop an upright earthen wall, scanning everywhere with his Sharingan. One after another, kunai flew from his hand, aiming for certain death or injury.
Aozora's hands trembled — a rare reaction — as he watched golden droplets of Gongde appear and vanish on the Heavenly Book.
If these golden droplets symbolized good deeds, then their disappearance must mean he committed evil acts?
Moments later, Aozora completely pushed all thoughts of those golden droplets from his mind.
This was the battlefield—where there were no notions of good or evil, only survival and death.
He might strive to do good for more golden droplets, but absolutely never let them restrict him.
While Konoha jonins slaughtered Iwagakure genins and chunins, experts like Kitsuchi and Han collided with Konoha ninja as well.
[Earth Release - Earth Flow River!]
Kitsuchi transformed the soil beneath Fugaku's feet into a surging river, forcibly sweeping Fugaku away.
Then, riding the earth current, he rushed toward and entangled Fugaku. Fugaku's Sharingan exerted too much damage against regular shinobi.
[Boil Release - Monstrous Strength!]
Behind Han, over a dozen jets of steam erupted, instantly propelling him as a blur straight into the Konoha ninja group, sending them tumbling about.
His powerful punch landed directly onto the gigantic flesh ball Choza had become.
Han got sent flying backward from the impact, his feet scraping across the ground and instantly creating deep cracks.
Choza's inflated flesh ball deflated like a balloon after being struck.
Two Rock ninja lunged toward the wounded Choza. But mid-charge, one turned on his ally, plunging a kunai deep into his companion's chest.
As Han attempted to charge again, a shadow on the ground quickly approached, forcing him to dodge frantically in all directions.
Under cover from Inoichi and Shikaku, Choza slowly recovered.
After taking a secret pill, Choza rubbed his ribs and said, "No wonder you're called the 'Steam Release Ninja'! That strength rivals even Tsunade-sama's Monstrous Strength!"
At the same time, the guards left behind at Iwagakure's main camp had also rushed to the frontlines.
Under the command of Iwagakure Jonin, large-scale composite Earth Release techniques were deployed one after another, instantly stabilizing the defensive line.
Seeing the central encampment's earth walls grow thicker and taller, Fugaku knew that unless they went all-out, further progress would be impossible.
Blazing Flame Annihilation!
[Fire Release - Great Fire Annihilation Technique]!
A wide-range Fire Release Ninjutsu erupted from Fugaku's hands, then he leapt onto a burning flagpole.
The flames slowly consumed the banner embroidered with Iwagakure's insignia beneath his feet. Pointing toward the blazing encampment, Fugaku coldly declared, "This is what awaits those who invade the Land of Fire!"
Then Fugaku addressed Kitsuchi, emerging from the ground: "Kitsuchi, if your Iwagakure knows what's good for you, withdraw from the Land of Fire immediately! Otherwise, every single one of your thousand rock ninja will never return!"
Having issued the warning, Fugaku bellowed, "Retreat!"
Fugaku's authoritative voice echoed throughout the entire encampment. Konoha Jonin didn't hesitate to fight longer, immediately breaking away and withdrawing to the rear.
In an instant, Aozora and Shisui leapt to Fugaku's side, standing guard beside him.
Kitsuchi angrily retorted, "Empty boasts! Get after them!"
In an instant, Iwagakure ninja behind the earthen walls leaped out, chasing in the direction Konoha ninja were retreating.
Fugaku scoffed, shaking his head. "Foolish!"
Without realizing it, the three tomoe within Fugaku's crimson Sharingan began drawing inward. In the next moment, his personal Mangekyo Sharingan appeared.
Terrifying dojutsu power overflowed from his eyes, causing blood to flow from them.
In the blink of an eye, a full moon hung over a pitch-dark sky, and then transformed into a blood-red pupil.
Within this pupil, its shape resembled a three-bladed shuriken, with black dots decorating each blade edge—precisely the pattern of Fugaku's Mangekyo.
Instantly, all Iwagakure ninja present were struck by soul-deep fear.
Aozora and Shisui also felt waves of palpitation, but since they weren't targeted by Fugaku, they quickly unleashed two fire techniques.
[Katon: Gōka Messhitsu!]
[Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!]
[Fire Release - Great Fire Annihilation Technique]!
[Katon: Gōka Messhitsu!]
[Fire Release - Great Fire Annihilation Technique]!
The infernal flames overwhelmed the enemy, restoring the rock ninja's control of their bodies—but now they screamed in agony as they burned alive.
Kitsuchi shed the rocky armor covering his body, using Earth Flow River to douse the flames engulfing the Iwa ninja, though many were already charred beyond recognition.
When he looked back to where Fugaku's team had stood, the spot was already empty—vanished into thin air.
Jumping beside Han, Kitsuchi questioned angrily, "Han, you're a jinchuriki! Even against a Mangekyo dojutsu, you shouldn't have been trapped, right? Why didn't you stop them?"
Han remained silent briefly, then soon a low voice came from under his mask, "Five-Tails fears Fugaku Uchiha's eyes—and dared not attack!"
Kitsuchi fell silent, filled with trepidation as he looked in the direction Konoha had withdrawn.
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