While the Royal Court Ninja Army was discussing new regulations, another fierce battle erupted elsewhere.
At the Iwagakure (Hidden Stone Village) encampment, war had already begun.
Forces belonging to the Slane Theocracy had gathered the elite of their entire nation.
Tens of thousands of magic casters launched relentless attacks using Third-Tier spells—fireballs, lightning strikes, water lances, and earth spikes.
Fireballs streaked across the sky like blazing dragons, bringing scorching waves of heat toward Iwagakure's defensive lines.
Lightning crashed down like divine wrath, electric arcs weaving together into a vast net that scorched the earth below.
Water lances cut through the air like arrows aimed at the ninja formations.
Earth spikes erupted violently from the ground like claws reaching out from the underworld, trying to drag their enemies into destruction.
But the Iwagakure ninja, famous for their excellence in large-scale warfare—second only to Konoha—showed no fear before the overwhelming magical assault.
Under the command of their captains and officers, they launched a coordinated counterattack.
Their hands formed seals in rapid succession.
"Earth Release — Earth Flow Wall!"
Massive earthen walls rose from the ground, shielding the battlefield from the blazing fireballs.
"Lightning Release — Lightning Armor!"
Ninja cloaked themselves in shimmering lightning, their bodies wrapped in blue-white energy as they moved unharmed through the enemy's electrical storm.
"Water Release — Water Dragon Bullet!"
Gigantic water dragons surged from their techniques, colliding violently with the Theocracy's water lances.
Water exploded through the air like a dazzling dance of waves.
"Earth Release — Ground Tremor Technique!"
The ground itself shook under the ninja's control.
Enemy earth spikes shattered and collapsed into dust.
Despite the overwhelming numbers—one thousand ninja against ten thousand casters—the clash between magic and ninjutsu remained evenly matched.
Watching the battlefield, the Fifth Tsuchikage, Han, silently observed the performance of his newly organized ninja forces.
A trace of pride appeared in his eyes.
Unlike Konoha, whose high-level fighters increased month after month under Soren's leadership, Iwagakure had already abandoned any hope of catching up.
Their goal was now much simpler—
To maintain their status as one of the Great Ninja Villages.
Because of that, Iwagakure had fully committed to the philosophy of group warfare, embodying the Will of Stone—unity and endurance.
Thanks to Konoha's policy of opening many ninjutsu techniques to the world, numerous low- and mid-level jutsu had spread widely.
They were now as common as cheap books.
Combined with the widespread teaching of chakra cultivation methods, the number of ninja in the world had exploded.
There were now over one million genin.
However, nearly ninety-nine percent were older individuals with limited potential.
Very few could ever reach Chunin.
Whether some late bloomers might appear remained uncertain.
But with such large numbers filling the lower ranks, Iwagakure continued refining its mass army combat system.
Their ninja were trained in one specific elemental style:
Earth, Wind, Water, Lightning, or Fire.
Each ninja specialized deeply in one element.
Their techniques followed a structured progression.
For example:
Genin learned Great Fireball Technique.
Chunin advanced to Phoenix Fire Technique.
Jonin mastered techniques like Great Dragon Fire.
This system made Iwagakure's collective combat power among the strongest in the ninja world.
However—
Their individual combat ability was often lacking.
Among ninja of equal rank, Iwagakure fighters were usually considered the weakest.
A single awakened Uchiha ninja could often defeat seven of them at once.
Only after reaching Jonin rank were they allowed to study additional skills such as taijutsu, genjutsu, or secondary elemental techniques.
"Tsuchikage-sama."
A staff ninja spoke quietly beside Han.
"The enemy has begun a direct charge."
He lowered his voice.
"They've broken the previous stalemate."
"This could mean the Slane Theocracy has a hidden trump card."
"Please remain cautious."
In Konoha, the supreme leader was Uchiha Soren.
In Iwagakure, the spiritual pillar was Han.
If something happened to him, the village he had rebuilt from near collapse might crumble instantly.
Han replied calmly.
"We will observe and respond."
"As long as we stand firm…"
"Iwagakure will remain like eternal stone."
"No scheme from the Slane Theocracy will succeed."
"Only world-ending power could defeat us."
For a brief moment, Soren's figure appeared in Han's mind.
He sighed quietly.
Then his gaze returned to the battlefield.
In the distance, the Theocracy's knight order raised their swords high.
They shouted the names of their gods as they charged forward like an unstoppable flood.
Clad in silver armor and carrying sacred shields, their eyes burned with religious fervor.
Each knight seemed like an unbreakable nail within the advancing steel tide.
In response, Iwagakure's taijutsu specialists—who had mastered Lightning Release Chakra Mode—created Shadow Clones and rushed forward like enraged stone bears.
Soon the two sides collided in brutal close combat.
"Taijutsu — Shadow of the Dancing Leaf!"
The more agile ninja moved like ghosts among the knights.
Their blades struck sparks against the silver armor.
"Genjutsu — Naraka Vision Technique!"
Suddenly, darkness fell before the knights' eyes.
When their vision returned—
They felt unbearable pain.
Moments later, they were trampled by the charging warhorses behind them.
Across the battlefield, magic and ninjutsu clashed like a violent storm.
Fire and lightning intertwined in the sky.
Water and earth collided across the ground.
Every moment was a contest of power and skill.
The knights and ninja fought like dancers in a deadly performance of steel and shadow.
Silver armor flashed among dark silhouettes, forming a magnificent yet terrifying battlefield scene.
In terms of individual strength, the Iwagakure ninja, most of whom were at least Chunin-level, held a clear advantage.
But the knights had ten times their numbers.
Through sheer sacrifice, they forced a bloody path forward.
Then—
A strange figure appeared above the battlefield.
A woman wearing an oversized hat, dressed almost like someone who had rushed out in sleepwear, floated lazily atop a hovering magic sphere.
Despite her disheveled appearance, her figure was striking.
Powerful magical energy pulsed around her.
She was a member of the Black Scripture, ranked Eleventh Seat.
Her codename—
"Infinite Magic."
Holding a sacred staff passed down from the Theocracy's temple, the lazy-looking mage began chanting ancient incantations.
A mysterious and powerful aura filled the air.
As her spell continued, the sky suddenly darkened.
A massive magic circle appeared above the battlefield, as if preparing to engulf the entire area.
One of Iwagakure's squad leaders noticed immediately.
He remained calm.
Quickly issuing orders, the ninja began forming hand seals, preparing to counter the attack.
Then—
A thunderous explosion shook the sky.
From the magic circle descended a massive pillar of fire, its destructive power approaching Morning Star level.
The blazing column surged straight toward the Iwagakure encampment.
But the ninja reacted instantly.
"Water Release — Water Formation Wall!"
A massive wall of water rose into the air.
The raging fire column slammed against it—
and was successfully blocked.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon → [email protected]/lucarioTL (replace @ with a)