Chapter 357: The Blade Points to the Four Great Villages
Using the Tenseigan's power to control Minazuki Reika, Saori led her elite squad and infiltrated the Mist camp.
What followed was simple. Under the commander's deliberate manipulation, the Mist ninja, unsuspecting, allowed a large force of Konoha ninja into their camp. By the time they realized what was happening, the camp had been overrun by the Eastern Army.
Of the original 6,000-strong army, more than half were killed, countless others surrendered, and only around 700 managed to escape the encirclement.
Thus, the war with the Mist Village, which had lasted only a few days, was over.
Eastern Army Camp, Commander's Tent.
The victorious Eastern Army was celebrating wildly. However, the two main contributors to this victory, Saori and Kakashi, were absent.
On a small hill behind the camp, Saori was gazing into the distance, her expression fluctuating as if she were wrestling with a difficult decision.
Beside her, Kakashi sat leaning against a large rock, gently stroking his White Light Chakra Sabre as if it were a lover.
After a long silence, Kakashi stood up and sighed softly. "Have you decided? Do you need to ask Kyosuke first?"
"No need. I have made my decision."
The cold night breeze blew gently. The silver-haired Kakashi had already vanished with the wind, leaving only the resolute Saori staring into the distance.
In the direction of the Land of Water.
Just as Hyuga Saori resolutely chose to invade the Mist Village, the situation on the battlefront in the Land of Rivers had also undergone a massive shift.
As the wielder of the Rinnegan, Uchiha Cho, after unexpectedly defeating Chiyo, launched an all-out assault with her subordinates, driving the Sand forces back into the Land of Wind.
Ideally, at this point, she should have slowed the offensive to give the Sand some time to consider surrender.
However, Uchiha Cho showed no intention of stopping. Her desire to attack surged wave after wave. Even facing the combined might of Mr. Mon and Rasa, she continued to press the assault.
Under heavy losses, the Sand forces were forced to retreat again and again. Only when they had retreated deep into the heart of the Wind Country did they realize that Konoha was serious this time.
Kazekage Rasa, abandoning all hope of a peaceful resolution, ordered all of the Sand's combat power to the front lines. He didn't even spare the young Gaara, bringing him to the battlefield.
It seemed that the ruthless Rasa, seeing the situation turning against them, was prepared to unseal Shukaku and use the Tailed Beast's power to repel the enemy.
Unfortunately for the confident Rasa, this move was exactly what Uchiha Cho had anticipated—or rather, what she wanted to see.
"Captain, the enemy reinforcements have mobilized. They are expected to reach this canyon within an hour."
"Good. Tell everyone to prepare for battle. We are going to annihilate these 2,000 Sand reinforcements right here."
"Understood."
Watching his subordinate leave to inform the others, a flash of blinding lightning flickered across Uchiha Ukyo's body.
"The day has finally come. It's time to let the ninja world witness the power of the Uchiha once again."
An hour passed quickly.
Following the Kazekage's orders, the 2,000-strong Sand reinforcement unit finally arrived near the battlefield.
Once they passed through the canyon before them, they would soon join Rasa and the others in this massive war.
Little did they know that a group of vicious Uchiha were waiting there like hunters for their prey, and the canyon's unique terrain would become their nightmare.
"KILL!!!"
Just as the entire Sand force entered the canyon, a roar filled with killing intent echoed in their ears. Before the leaders could issue a warning, a mass of figures, descending like thunderbolts, crashed down from the sky.
The Lightning Release Chakra Mode was a well-known jutsu in the ninja world. Even if many Sand ninja hadn't seen it before, seeing the dazzling lightning on the Uchiha, they could guess what it was.
And because of that, despair rose in many hearts. Thirty people. Thirty shinobi with power comparable to the Raikage. Even though the Sand outnumbered them, they were nothing but "targets"—and under the gaze of the Sharingan, slow-moving targets at that.
Chaos ensued. Some Sand ninja, under their commander's orders, formed formations to resist the impact. Others fled frantically toward the canyon exit, trying to escape this death trap.
History would prove the latter choice was the wise one.
Due to the canyon's narrow terrain, at most ten people could stand abreast. In this situation, the Uchiha's power was magnified, while the Sand's numerical advantage was drastically reduced.
Ten Uchiha clan members, equipped with Lightning Release Armor, Sharingan, and Sage Bodies, pierced through the Sand formation in less than fifteen minutes, killing hundreds of enemies.
Then, another ten took the front, unleashing another merciless slaughter.
An hour passed quickly. The canyon was dyed red with blood. Aside from those who luckily escaped, the Sand reinforcements were almost entirely annihilated within the canyon.
"Hahaha! Damn it! I've hated the Sand for so long! Today, I finally got my revenge!"
"That's right! Let these traitors know Konoha's anger!"
"It's a pity... if we could tear down the gates of the Sand Village with our own hands, I'd be even more excited."
"Haha, keep dreaming."
Hearing one of them speak arrogantly, the other Uchiha laughed. Even the speaker grinned sheepishly. The only one who remained expressionless was their captain, Uchiha Ukyo.
"Captain... what's wrong? Why so serious?"
"I was thinking... perhaps tearing down the gates of the Sand Village with our own hands really would be a good thing."
Uchiha Ukyo's words stunned the group into silence. However, the stifling atmosphere lasted less than ten seconds before being shattered by cheers.
"Captain, are you serious? We're going to attack the Sand Village? Oh my god, that's crazy!"
"Tch, if you're scared, you can stay here and cover our retreat."
"Bullshit! Who's scared..."
Seeing the excitement and enthusiasm on his subordinates' faces, Uchiha Ukyo waved his hand and sped off in the direction of the Sand Village.
"Let's go see the Kazekage's office. And while we're at it, let's plant Konoha's flag there."
"Bang!"
The Adamantine Staff swung violently, the heavy blow sweeping the Two-Tails' massive body away.
Hiruzen Sarutobi flickered into the air above where she landed. With a change in hand seals, he summoned four shadow clones.
Including his main body, they unleashed a barrage of Fire, Lightning, Water, Earth, and Wind ninjutsu, instantly knocking down the recovering Two-Tails.
"Five Release: Great Combo Technique!"
"BOOM!"
After a deafening explosion, Yugito Nii reverted to her human form, lying dying in a deep crater.
Following the orders Kyosuke left before departing, Yamato used his Wood Release to restrain Yugito, then completely sealed her and had her detained in a makeshift prison.
"Report!"
Just as Hiruzen was contemplating his next move, a subordinate rushed in with unexpected news.
"Raikage Killer B has just led his army back to the Land of Lightning."
"Hm?" Hiruzen was momentarily stunned, then the muscles on his face twitched, and his wrinkled face blossomed into a smile like a chrysanthemum.
"Excellent! In that case, the war is..."
"Report!"
However, before he could finish celebrating, a communications ninja brought the latest orders from Konoha.
"Order for Hiruzen Sarutobi to lead the army in pursuit of the retreating Cloud forces. Chase them to the border of the Cloud Village, then rest and await further instructions."
"This..."
"Susanoo!"
"Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation!"
On the Stone battlefield, Onoki fought alone against Shisui and Anko. Although he couldn't handle them with ease and frequently faced lethal risks, Shisui and Anko couldn't completely defeat him either.
Just as the other battlefields were gaining the upper hand, a beautiful figure arrived on this battlefield.
Looking at the cool and elegant woman, Shisui realized, "This must be the Teacher Tagitsuhime Anko mentioned. Hatsuko's mother."
"Teacher Tagitsuhime, you're here!" Anko giggled and ran up to the woman, shaking her arm affectionately.
"Since this is the first time Kyosuke has asked me for a favor, I couldn't refuse," Tagitsuhime explained calmly, then walked past them to stand before the wary Onoki.
"Who are you? This old man has never heard of someone like you in Konoha."
"Enough talk." Tagitsuhime cut off Onoki's probe with a wave of her hand. She moved instantly behind him and punched him flying.
"In front of me, who can freely control natural energy, do you think you deserve to fly in the sky?"
"Damn it."
Scrambling to his feet, Onoki angrily used his proud Dust Release Kekkei Tota, but once again, the agile trio dodged it.
Eventually, after more than ten minutes of arduous fighting, Onoki was defeated by the combined efforts of the three. He retreated to his camp heavily injured. Following this, the Stone forces suffered heavy casualties under the frenzied assault of the Konoha ninja and were forced to announce their retreat.
However, this time Konoha didn't stop as before. Instead, after the Stone surrendered, they launched another attack. After killing thousands of ninja, the main force arrived at the border of the Hidden Stone Village.