June 5th
"R‑Report! Multiple chakra signatures detected in the northeast! Th‑There are—there are—uh—this—"
Inside Uzushiogakure's barrier defense station, a red‑haired Uzumaki barrier specialist trembled uncontrollably. His ceremonial cloak shook, and the large seal‑covered conical hat on his head rattled as he stuttered.
"Calm down, Tetsuha!"
"Captain! Th‑There's too many of them! I—I—"
"It's alright. You don't need to explain. Transfer the barrier data to the visualization seal."
"Y‑Yes, Captain. I'm sorry…"
A moment later, the center of the room lit up.
A rough hologram of the Land of Whirlpools and its surrounding waters materialized above the table — a three‑dimensional map made entirely of chakra and sealing ink.
Uzumaki Kyoto, Uzumaki Kenzo, Uchiha Sosuke, Eisuke, Fukashi, Shinichi, Senju Kenichi, and Senju Hisashi all leaned in.
The Konoha shinobi stared in awe.
"Uzukage‑dono… this is—"
"Hahaha! Our newest fuinjutsu innovation," Kyoto said proudly. "It links directly to our detection barrier and visualizes everything it senses."
"Amazing… As expected of the Uzumaki. So this is how you detected the vanguard fleet…"
Kyoto's smile faded as he studied the hologram.
"Approximately 8,000 chakra signatures approaching the northeast coast. Three Kage‑level. Twelve quasi‑Kage. And 548 jonin‑level."
"""??!!!!!"""
"Your barrier can sense that too?!" the Konoha shinobi shouted.
Kyoto blinked.
"Isn't that the most basic function of a sensory barrier?"
"""???!!!!"""
'If anyone else could do that, no village would ever fear invasion…'
Kyoto straightened to hide his smile and pride, as he secretly noted their reaction.
"Proceed with the plan. Kenzo!"
"Yes, Father!"
Uzumaki Kenzo, Kyoto's eldest son and next Uzukage in line stepped forward. He already reached Kage-level and attained grandmaster rank in fuinjutsu. Moreover, since Kyoto's strength began to decline in due to old age. Kenzo began to take care of most of Uzushio's business, he has not yet succeeded the position because Kyoto has not yet passed on few key fuinjutsu seals.
"Kenzo, I entrust Uzushio to you. Monitor the barriers. Watch for any Kiri infiltration."
"Yes, Father."
Kyoto turned to Sosuke and Kenichi.
"Sosuke‑dono, Kenichi — shall we?"
""Konoha is ready.""
"Good. Then let's move."
As Kyoto turned to leave—
"Father!"
Miho rushed to his side, grabbing his sleeve.
Kyoto softened.
"Miho… stay in headquarters. Protect yourself."
She nodded, but her eyes drifted to Shinichi as he followed Fukashi out.
Her fists clenched.
If only I were a perfect jinchūriki…
***
"Mizukage‑sama. We've passed Uzumaki's sensory barrier."
A white‑haired young man in a yukata spoke calmly. Red circular markings sat above each eyebrow, and his long hair parted in a zigzag pattern.
This was Kaguya Morikawa, the rising star of Kaguya clan and its new clan head.
Yuki Shuto added from the side.
"Our vanguard reports that Konoha sent reinforcement to Uzushio this time, mainly composed of Senju and Uchiha clan elites."
Gengetsu smirked.
"Good. Everything is playing out just as I have calculated."
Noticing the Mizukage's easy going attitude, Morikawa stepped forward in a worry.
"Mizukage‑sama… the Uzumaki and Konoha are not to be underestimated. If we don't crush them now, they will become a threat to Kiri's future. Senju, Uchiha, Hyūga… and Uzumaki. We cannot let them grow further."
Gengetsu gently stroked his mustache. He knew Kiri wasn't ready for a full war. But this war was also the onlychance to injure Konoha's foundation.
Hozuki Gengetsu stood up from his chair and declared.
"Inform the troops. No need to go all out. The main combatants will be us — the strongest and the old relics. Let the young ones gain experience. As for the Three‑Tails… act like we're here for it. But don't risk lives. There is no need to put all of our effort, we just need to drag Konoha into quagmire."
"Yes! Mizukage-sama!"
Of the 7,783 shinobi in the main fleet, over 75% were older veterans — hardened by decades of conquest. The rest were young elites and rising geniuses.
"Morikawa," Gengetsu said, "stay back until we secure the coastline. You're more effective on land. Shuto and I will begin."
The 'true' vanguard forces were mostly composed of Hozuki, Hoshigaki, Terumi, Yuki clans, and water release specialist ninjas, which was more than half of the entire invasion force.
"I understand, Sensei."
"Mizukage‑sama! You can't be serious!" Yuki Shuto protested.
"Hahaha! Relax, Shuto. Think of it as a field trip. A training exercise for our young shinobi."
Gengetsu pointed toward the shore.
"Heh. Look. Uzushio brought a welcoming party."
He raised his hand.
"Charge! Begin the invasion!"
He leapt from the ship, Shuto following behind.
"I leave the main force to you Morikawa."
"No worries Shuto-sama! Have fun!"
Morikawa watched them go, smiling bloodthirstily.
"I'll join once the foothold is secured…"
***
"Commander! They're 100 meters from shore!"
Uchiha Sosuke opened his Sharingan. He looked at the Senju, Hyuga, Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi, and other Konoha ninjas and finally landed on Uchiha clansman. He commanded.
"Uchiha! Give them a warm welcome."
""Yes, Clan Head!""
Hundreds of Uchiha jonin and chunin lined the shore.
Katon Gokakyu no Jutsu !! 火遁・豪火球の術 (Fire release : Great Fireball Technique!)
Hundreds of massive fireballs — each half the size of a transport ship — arced into the sky and descended toward the Kiri fleet.
This time, they attacked before the landing. Few of the Uzumaki traps under maintenance from the damages it suffered the day before.
***
Tssk! "Damn Uchihas, don't bother. I'll handle it."
Suika no jutsu! 水化の術 (Hydrification Justsu)
Gengetsu leapt into the sea. His body expanded forming a colossal hydrified titan of water. He shielded the fleet as the fireballs struck him and evaporated instantly, forming a thick fog.
Gengetsu smirked.
"hmm, let's call this move… Tsunami!"
Suiton: Tsunami! 水遁・津波 (Water release: Tsunami!)
His massive body surged forward, transforming into a towering wave that roared toward the shore.
"Hahaha! Let's see you block this!"
Kiri shinobi cheered.
Unlike Konoha, Kiri had fought countless wars of conquest, subduing many small islands and archipelagos nations surrounding the main center island. With the exception of few self-serving bodies, which were resolved yesterday, their teamwork was sharp and morale was high.
Konoha on the other hand, faced no large conflicts like the first Shinobi War. The ninja clans only worked together in small scaled missions. Never in large scale wars and battles. Even now, on this battlefield, each ninjas were gathered together among their clansmen, only those in Anbu grouped together and fought together with great teamwork.
***
"What is that!"
"We are doomed!"
"How are we supposed to resist that."
Uzu and Konoha allied force erupted in chaos and disbelief, as the fog cleared, revealing a tsunami taller than the cliffs.
"Damn it! Mizukage acted first!" Kenichi shouted. "This was not within our calculation!"
"Activate the defensive barrier! Now!" Kyoto roared.
Fukashi leaned toward Sosuke and whispered, "Sosuke… I'll do it."
Sosuke's eyes widened.
"Fukashi… you—"
Fukashi nodded as Sosuke inhaled sharply. There was a mix of cautiousness and excitement in his eyes.
"All allied forces! Gather around me and Fukashi!"
"??!!"
The Uchiha echoed Sosuke's order.
""All allied forces, gather around the commander!""
Over 7,200 shinobi clustered together.
Shinichi stared at his father.
"Dad! Are you…"
"Don't worry Shinichi. This is for theUchiha!"
The Uzumaki barrier lasted for three minutes before it shattered completely into pieces as the tsunami roared forward.
"Uwahhhh. What is commander thinking? Why aren't we retreating?"
"Hey don't even think about it. The Uchiha are staring at us from both front and back with sharingan."
"Is he going to let us all die together here!!"
Konoha and Uzushio ninjas began to panic.
"COMMANDER SOSUKE!" Kenichi yelled. "If you have a plan—NOW!"
Sosuke ignored him and glanced at Fukashi.
Fukashi took a step forward and revealed his Mangekyo sharingan before everyone. Three tomoes spun rapidly as it merged into six black spiral curves.
Then red veins started to creep on the white sclera as blood dripped from his left eyes.
Ame no Iwato! 天の岩戸
A translucent figure of a long‑haired woman in white shrine maiden robes with a golden sun circlet on her forehead appeared above him.
Then a barrier formed around the entire allied force.
The allied force closed their eyes and braced themselves as the tsunami struck. But the shock did not arrive as it dissipated instantly.
The rest tore through the terrain outside the barrier, flattening everything.
As soon as it passed, the barrier also vanished. But Fukashi groaned in pain as he clutched his left eye while staggering a few steps.
Shinichi shunshined to his side, supporting him and stabilizing his chakra.
""""Wahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!""""
The Allied forces erupted in cheers.
But Kyoto and Kenichi exchanged grim looks.
'Uchiha Fukashi awakened Mangekyo Sharingan…... since when?'
'Forget it. Let's focus on the battle for now.'
They pushed the thought aside as this was not the time to question the Uchiha.
***
"Hoh~, what an interesting jutsu!" Gengetsu stroke his mustache as he stared at a barrier that created a hole through the tsunami he just sent.
"I wonder, if this part of Uzumaki's barrier fuinjutsu? Or is this something else entirely?"
"Mizukage-sama! Your commands!"
"Stick to the plan. Charge forth! The beach is clear for landing." Gengetsu spread his arms out as he commanded. "Move in groups of four as we have planned!"
Kiri formed a squad of four with one veteran jonin, two veteran chunin, and one young shinobi and leapt from the ships.
The invasion had begun.
***
Uzumaki chunin wearing a grey armor knelt on one knee as he reported.
"Uzukage-sama! Our fuin traps and defenses are destroyed! We were able to salvage only 3% of it."
"Thank you, Arashi. you are dismissed."
"HAI!"
"They are coming." Sosuke said as he opened his sharingan.
Kyoto frowned. "Without fuinjutsu, we lose our advantage. Should we fall back to the second line?"
Senju Kenichi remained silent as he hesitated.
Sosuke spoke first.
"No. We confront them here. If we retreat now, we will lose our initiative and become passive. And that is a death sentence."
He turned to the old Senju in green Senju armor behind Kenichi.
"Don't you agree, Senju Hisashi?"
Hisashi scoffed.
"You want my opinion, Uchiha? Aren't you the commander?"
Sosuke rolled his eyes.
"I'm not stupid, Senju. Except for my clan, the rest of the force follows Kenichi." He then turned his back and scoffed contemptuously. "If Senju want to run with their tails tucked, go ahead. Uchiha will fight. After all, Senju without Hashirama are not the same as Senju with Hashirama."
Sosuke no longer continued to mix words with the old Senju and immediately shunshined away with his clansmen.
"Tssk! That brat—"
"Hisashi-san!"
"Apologies Kenichi-sama…... But I must agree that Uchiha has a point. Sacrifice is inevitable in war. It is better to damage Kiri now than retreat and lose momentum. And with that Fukashi brat's Mangekyō, we won't suffer too much."
"Mangekyo…."
Kenichi raised his head up and looked at the sun high up in the sky and then at Kyoto.
"Konoha will fight Kiri here. What about Uzu, Kyoto-jisan?"
Kyoto grinned, as he pounded his fist together.
"Haha, Then Uzushio stands with you!"