Chapter 353: Facing the Enemy Alone, Kakashi's Resolve
On this day, the Eastern Army led by Hyuga Saori finally set foot on the soil of the Land of Whirlpools.
"I didn't expect this... I thought this place was a desolate wasteland, but there are actually civilians living here," Saori remarked with a sigh, recalling the scenes she had witnessed upon arrival.
Since the end of the last war, Konoha had poured immense manpower and resources into transforming the Land of Whirlpools into a fortress of war to prevent another invasion from the Mist.
However, leaving such a vast territory solely as a frontline defense seemed wasteful. The Konoha high command eventually decided to rebuild a village here—a fortress that could provide a steady stream of food and equipment.
The secrecy of this operation was extremely high. Aside from the higher-ups, only the ninja in charge knew the details. Saori only learned the full extent of it from the commanding officer after landing.
Upon hearing the news, the Eastern Army was understandably excited. At the very least, they wouldn't have to build their own defensive fortifications. The structural integrity of the Land of Whirlpools, rebuilt on its old ruins as a war fortress, was impeccable.
And so, Saori and her troops stationed themselves there, waiting for the arrival of the Mist's main army.
Just as the Ninshu reinforcements were reaching the various battlefields, the forces of the Mist Village finally landed on the coast of the Land of Whirlpools.
"Report!"
With the camp set up, Minazuki Reika sat in the main command tent, receiving intelligence from her scouts.
"According to our scouts, the Konoha forces are stationed in a village thirty kilometers away. The enemy commander is the current head of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Saori."
"Hyuga Saori..." Reika murmured the name. She turned to the man beside her. "Is she the woman who wiped out the Moon Clan and awakened the Tenseigan?"
"That seems to be the name. To think we'd run into her right at the start... our luck is good."
The man with a gloomy expression was the founder of the Kaguya Clan, a super-powerhouse possessing the Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse) Kekkei Genkai. He was serving as Reika's second-in-command for this crusade against the "treasonous" Konoha.
Hearing her companion's confirmation, Reika nodded. "Indeed. Since Uchiha Kyosuke is still hiding inside Konoha like a turtle, let's start by eliminating his lover."
With that, she stood up and walked out of the tent with the Kaguya founder.
Outside, the Mist troops were busy arranging their formations, preparing for the impending war.
"Relay my orders: All forces, advance."
"Kill them all!"
"YES, MA'AM!!!"
Village of Whirlpools.
Inside the largest house, Hyuga Saori was leisurely enjoying fruit offered by the villagers.
These villagers knew very well that if the Eastern Army fell, a hellish fate awaited them. Therefore, they offered whatever help they could, even if it was just food.
Understanding this, Saori and her troops accepted the unexpected gifts without hesitation. No one knew if they would survive this war, so they might as well eat while they could.
Just as Saori was staring at the platter, debating which fruit to pick, a knock came at her door.
"Come in," she mumbled, picking up a kiwi-like fruit and taking a big bite.
Creak.
The sliding wooden door opened, and Kakashi walked in slowly, wearing his signature dead-fish eyes.
"We've received word. The Mist forces have mobilized."
"Oh." Saori tossed the half-eaten fruit aside. As she stood up, a terrifying killing intent flooded the room.
"Since they're in such a hurry to die, we won't be polite. Pass the order: All forces, move out to intercept."
"Understood."
Soon, the surprise attack squads from both sides clashed.
The result was decisive. In just a few exchanges, the Eastern Army shattered the Mist's vanguard. They then split into smaller groups, infiltrating the enemy's rear to disrupt their formation before the main battle began.
But then, the surprise attack squad noticed a single man charging madly toward the main body of the Eastern Army. Judging by his attire, he was a Mist ninja. Confused but determined, they decided to take him out before continuing their mission.
However, the moment they engaged, the man displayed terrifying power. Amidst a dense forest of protruding bones, the surprise attack squad suffered heavy casualties in an instant.
"Damn it! Is he one of the Ninshu powerhouses? How can his strength be this terrifying? And that ability... is that the legendary Shikotsumyaku?!"
One member of the squad tried to retreat quietly to send intel back to headquarters. However, several finger bones shot through the air, piercing his body. The powerful impact sent him flying back over ten meters before he crashed to the ground.
"...Bastard." The critically injured ninja felt his consciousness fading. Summoning his last ounce of strength, he threw a kunai with a signal flare into the sky before his head slumped to the ground.
"...Scum. You'll be joining me in hell soon enough."
Thanks to his dying warning, the location of the man charging through their lines was quickly pinpointed by the Eastern Army.
When Saori received the news, she knew immediately that the intruder was likely the founder of the Kaguya clan mentioned in the intel. Only he would dare to charge into an enemy army alone, relying on bones harder than steel.
Possessing the Shikotsumyaku and strength at least on par with a Kage, the man had the capital to ignore ordinary ninja. Therefore, Saori prepared to move out personally to kill him, preventing unnecessary casualties among her troops.
But just then, Kakashi, who had been briefed on the situation alongside her, suddenly spoke up.
"How about you leave him to me?"
Saori turned and gave him a deep look. Without hesitation, she agreed to his request.
She didn't ask if Kakashi had the confidence to win. This was his choice. If he lacked the strength and fell to the enemy, that was a consequence he would have to bear.
Watching Kakashi's back as he headed toward the enemy, Saori took a deep breath and led the main force forward.
The situation on the other battlefields was unknown. Worried, Saori decided that in today's battle, she would kill the enemy commander no matter the cost. She would take the victory and then slowly wipe out the rest of the Mist forces.
Regardless of what tricks the Ninshu woman had, the current Hyuga Saori was confident she could win.
Because her current strength had already reached a realm that even Kyosuke had yet to touch.