Nine coffins stood in perfect alignment before them.
At the sight, Uzumaki Ashina immediately understood. His expression darkened.
"How many Uzumaki souls have you desecrated?"
Yūma scratched his head awkwardly.
"Not many. Your remains were mixed with others in the ruins. Separating them took effort. I selected only the strongest for combat. The rest I released—their souls have returned to the Pure Land."
He placed his hand on one coffin.
"These nine can each fight at jōnin level. Without them, attacking Kusagakure and rescuing the survivors would be impossible."
Ashina sighed but nodded.
"Awaken them. I will speak to them."
Yūma formed the hand seals for the Edo Tensei. The coffin lids slid open, revealing nine red-haired Uzumaki shinobi.
After Ashina explained the situation, they agreed to assist.
—
The Assault Begins
Outside Kusagakure, the plan was set.
Ashina and the nine Uzumaki would infiltrate near the prisoners' location. Yūma would attack the main gate and draw the enemy's forces.
The priority: protect the six survivors at all costs.
As Yūma approached the gate, guards shouted.
He raised his hand. A mass of chakra spun violently, forming a gigantic wind shuriken.
Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
He hurled it.
A blinding explosion engulfed the gate, shredding the terrain with countless microscopic wind blades.
From afar, Ashina watched in silence. This Hyūga was no ordinary shinobi.
Soon, dozens of Kusa ninja gathered.
"He has the Byakugan!"
"It's Konoha's S-rank missing-nin, Hyūga Yūma!"
A jōnin demanded:
"Why attack Kusagakure?"
Yūma gave no answer.
When he launched a second Rasenshuriken, over a hundred ninja performed a combined technique:
Earth Release: Banri Doryūheki.
A massive earthen wall rose.
The Rasenshuriken struck, cracking the structure—but continuous chakra reinforcement restored it.
More ninja arrived. Ordinary shinobi reinforced the wall while elite fighters leapt atop it.
Kusagakure's reputation was poor. Skilled in Earth and Fire Release, many of their techniques had been acquired through questionable means from villages like Konohagakure and Iwagakure.
Still, surviving between great powers required real strength.
"Use Fire Release!"
"Kill him!"
"Take his eyes!"
Dozens of ninja surged forward.
Amid flames and flying debris, Yūma stood calm, Byakugan active—waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------/
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