Kiba Inuzuka possessed such keen beast-like intuition that he had the potential to become a true powerhouse.
For most Inuzuka clansmen, whose talents and energy were limited, splitting their focus between sensory ninjutsu and the clan's Human-Beast Transformation was a reasonable approach.
But for a genius like Kiba, his natural instincts could be honed into something far greater—a versatile, beast-style taijutsu system.
A fully developed beast-style combat system would suit a shinobi far better than a single technique like the Tsuuga series.
While Tsuuga was undeniably powerful, its linear attack pattern left it vulnerable in the ever-shifting world of ninjutsu. Without overwhelming speed and defense like the Third Raikage, relying on a single move was a surefire way to get outmaneuvered.
Elite jōnin, with their vast combat experience and varied techniques, often exploited this weakness. Against average chūnin and genin, the Inuzuka's sensory abilities, raw power, and numerical advantage (thanks to their ninken partners) made them formidable. But against true masters? Their one-dimensional offense became a glaring flaw.
However, the recent alliance between the Inuzuka, Umino, and Shigure clans—modeled after the Ino-Shika-Chō trio—helped mitigate this issue.
In this trio:
Inuzuka served as the primary assault force, leveraging their enhanced offense and sensory skills. Shigure specialized in defense, using Earth Release and Multiple Iron Prison Gates to shield allies while setting traps. Umino, much like the Nara, took on battlefield control and command. Their Water Syrup and Black Rope techniques excelled at restraining enemies (unless facing someone like Sakumo Hatake). They also handled basic medical support.
While not as refined as the Ino-Shika-Chō, this trio was more versatile. Their summoning beasts—adapted to land, sea, and air—allowed for three-dimensional warfare, making the unit exceptionally deadly.
Quantity also played a role. Currently, the trio's summons were stronger than their masters—a trend that would continue, especially after the Inuzuka's Military Rations Pill formula was refined into Chakra Beast Pills.
The Umino clan's Umibōzu summon, in particular, surpassed standard jōnin-level combatants. Near water? Its power became monstrous.
After taking on the three young clansmen as disciples, Sōsuke Umino further polished their combined tactics, integrating land, sea, and aerial strategies. The Shigure clan, previously underestimated, now shone in this system—whether through aerial bombardments with explosive tags or crushing enemies under Iron Prison Gates.
There were subtler tactics too, like dropping Water Syrup from above to immobilize foes before finishing them with fire or a Tsuuga from the skies.
But time was short. With the Land of Grass frontline fully mobilized, their training was cut short.
Under Hiruzen's command, Konoha's forces launched their full assault.
Though Iwa's army numbered 8,000—outnumbering Konoha—their overall quality lagged. In high-tier combatants, the gap was stark:
Konoha boasted five Kage-level fighters: Hiruzen, the Sannin, and Kato Dan. Iwa had only two: Explosion Release user Gari and Five-Tails Jinchūriki, Han. Their commander, Higashi, was merely an elite jōnin.
The other two Kage-level Iwa-nin—Ōnoki and Four-Tails Jinchūriki Rōshi—were absent, possibly due to infighting or vigilance against Kumo.
Still, Iwa's defensive prowess was formidable. Previous Konoha assaults, fueled by outrage over Nawaki's death, had failed to break their lines.
Ironically, the invaders were now playing defense—likely to stall Konoha and buy time for Sunagakure's operations.
"Fire Release Battalion—ADVANCE!"
Hiruzen stood at the vanguard, his arm sweeping forward.
Three hundred Sarutobi-affiliated shinobi unleashed a coordinated Fire Release—far more refined and devastating than the Umino Corps' earlier attempts.
At its peak, the Sarutobi war machine fielded 3,000 troops. While not at full strength now, this unit was more than just the 300 present.
(Umino Ikki had once been among them—his loyalty as a Sarutobi vassal securing his spot. Only the founding of the Umino clan had pulled him away.)
"Fire Release: Great Blazing Art!"
Three hundred flames merged into an inferno, reducing everything in its path to ash—even solid rock melted into rivers of magma.
"Tch—!"
Sōsuke Umino inhaled sharply.
This was beyond anything he'd imagined.
No wonder this jutsu was used against the Ten-Tails.
Even Madara's Great Fire Annihilation might pale in comparison.
"Earth Release: Thousand-Mile Earth Wall!"
Iwa's counter was a Great Wall-like barrier, but the magma-fire hybrid ate through it effortlessly.
Just as the flames surged toward the Iwa ranks—
"Earth Release: Earth Core!"
The entire Iwa frontline rose on a tectonic platform, letting the inferno pass harmlessly beneath.