The intelligence scroll delivered by the messenger hawk unrolled slowly in Chiya's hands. His gaze swept quickly across the text and his brow gradually tightened.
The message on the scroll was brief but heavy. On the northwestern front, Iwagakure had deployed their jinchuriki.
By the time the unit led by Hatake Sakumo arrived, the border defense ninja had been driven back step by step, and the entire front line was on the verge of collapse.
"A jinchuriki..."
Chiya murmured quietly. A grave look passed through his eyes.
Iwagakure's two jinchuriki, Roshi and Han.
Both were powerful beings capable of wielding the power of their tailed beasts.
And the abilities they could bring to bear were equally extreme.
Although the intelligence did not specify which jinchuriki had appeared, it did not matter which one it was.
For ordinary ninja, facing either of them was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
He raised his head and looked toward the northwest, as though he could see straight through the layers of mountains to the smoke-choked battlefield beyond.
Hatake Sakumo's letter stated that with the jinchuriki joining the offensive, Iwagakure's assault had become unstoppable.
A defensive line that had been holding firm was reduced to paper in the face of the tailed beast's destructive power. Konoha ninja had suffered severe casualties, and morale had dropped to its lowest point.
'Iwagakure is opening with their finishing move.
They brought out a jinchuriki from the very start. It is clear they have no intention of holding anything in reserve. They want to maximize their advantage in one decisive push.'
"Sensei, what happened?"
Shisui noticed the change in Chiya's expression and stepped forward to ask.
Chiya passed the scroll to him.
"A jinchuriki has appeared on the northwestern front. Hatake Sakumo's unit cannot hold, and they urgently need reinforcements."
Shisui read through the intelligence quickly. His expression grew grave as well.
"The power of a jinchuriki... ordinary ninja truly cannot stand against it."
Chiya gave a nod. His gaze swept over the Uchiha ninja moving busily through the camp.
They had just won a battle and their morale was high. But against a tailed beast, numbers and tactics alone would never be enough.
"Tekkai!"
Chiya called out in a raised voice.
Uchiha Tekkai came quickly at the sound and bowed respectfully.
"Clan Head, what are your orders?"
Chiya looked at him and spoke with gravity.
"I need to leave the northern front temporarily and go to the northwest to support Hatake Sakumo.
During that time, you will be in command of the Uchiha forces. Shisui will assist you."
Tekkai was briefly taken aback, but he composed himself quickly.
"Yes! Please leave it to us, Clan Head. We will hold the line."
Chiya looked toward Shisui. His tone was gentle but left no room for argument.
"Shisui, this time you will stay at Tekkai's side. Pay close attention to the details of battlefield command.
Remember, while I am gone, keep to a defensive posture. Do not make any reckless advances."
Shisui gave a solemn nod.
"I understand, Sensei."
Chiya gave him a pat on the shoulder, then turned and walked toward Kurama Sōun's tent.
The Kurama Clan Head was in the middle of discussing the details of genjutsu coordination with his clan members. When he saw Chiya enter, he quickly rose to greet him.
"Clan Head Chiya, what are your instructions?"
Kurama Sōun asked.
Chiya spoke directly.
"A jinchuriki has appeared on the northwestern front. I must go to provide support immediately.
During my absence, command of the northern front will temporarily be handed to Uchiha Tekkai. I hope Clan Head Kurama will not mind and will give your full cooperation."
Kurama Sōun straightened and said firmly.
"Please leave it to us, Clan Head Chiya. The Kurama Clan will do everything in our power."
With everything arranged, Chiya wasted no time. He set out alone on the path to the northwestern front.
His figure cut swiftly through the forest like a black bolt of lightning, and in the blink of an eye he was gone into the darkness of the night.
Northwestern front, Konoha temporary camp.
Hatake Sakumo stood on a stretch of elevated ground. His silver hair stirred faintly in the wind.
His gaze was fixed on the distance. Rolling clouds of dust filled the horizon, and the roar of a tailed beast drifted faintly through the air.
Konoha's defensive line had been torn open in several places. Iwagakure ninja surged forward like a tide.
And the most hopeless sight of all was the crimson figure rampaging across the battlefield. The Four-Tails jinchuriki, Roshi.
"Lord Hatake, the Third Squad has been wiped out entirely. The Fifth Squad has lost more than half its number!"
An ANBU ninja dropped to one knee. His voice trembled despite his efforts to suppress it.
Hatake Sakumo tightened his grip on the White Fang blade at his side. His knuckles went white with the force of it.
He said in a firm, low voice.
"Pass the order. All units fall back to the second defensive line. Ninja with strong Water Style ability are to cover the retreat. Avoid direct engagement with the jinchuriki at all costs."
"Yes!"
The ANBU ninja received the order and departed.
Hatake Sakumo drew a deep breath. A wave of helplessness rose in his chest.
Against a normal enemy, no matter how great their numbers, he was confident he could lead his troops to cut a path through.
But facing a jinchuriki leading the charge, especially Roshi, who could undergo a full tailed beast transformation, ordinary tactics and jutsu felt utterly hollow.
Just then, a figure appeared silently at his side.
"Sakumo, the situation is worse than I imagined."
Hatake Sakumo spun around sharply. He saw Chiya standing right beside him. The Mangekyō Sharingan blazing crimson in his eyes was especially striking against the darkness of the night.
"Chiya!"
The tension in Hatake Sakumo's expression finally eased slightly.
"You came at exactly the right time."
Chiya gave a nod. His gaze turned toward the battlefield in the distance.
The Four-Tails jinchuriki, Roshi, had entered his tailed beast chakra cloak.
Roshi, combined with his use of Lava Style, was plowing through the battlefield. Everywhere he passed, Konoha ninja were either dead or badly wounded.
"The destructive power of a jinchuriki is truly something else."
Chiya said coldly.
Hatake Sakumo gave a bitter laugh.
"If it were otherwise, I would not have sent an urgent request for support. Our defensive line is meaningless in front of him."
Chiya pulled his gaze back and looked at Hatake Sakumo.
"Senior, leave what comes next to me. Lead the troops to stabilize the lines and prevent the Iwa-nin from seizing the chance to break through."
Hatake Sakumo gave a solemn nod.
"Be careful. His Lava Style and Tailed Beast Ball are extremely dangerous."
Chiya gave a slight smile.
"Understood."
Before the words had fully left his mouth, his figure had already vanished from where he stood.
On the battlefield, the Four-Tails jinchuriki Roshi was toying with a ball of molten lava. The scorching magma turned the earth beneath it to charred rubble.
Konoha ninja scattered and fled in every direction. Still, some were caught in the blaze, and their screams were unending.
"Hahahaha! Ants of Konoha! Feel the rage of the lava!"
Roshi's voice poured out from the Four-Tails' mouth, filled with wild madness and the intoxication of slaughter.
"Even at this point, won't you send your Nine-Tails jinchuriki out to face me?"
Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of Roshi, blocking his path.
"Hmm?"
The Four-Tails lowered its head. Standing in the midst of the lava was a dark-haired young man, wrapped in a thin layer of pale blue chakra, completely unharmed.
"Who are you?"
Roshi asked with wariness. From this person, he sensed a dangerous aura.
Chiya raised his head. The Mangekyō Sharingan rotated slowly.
"Uchiha Chiya. The one who has come to take your life."
"Insolent!"
Roshi let out a furious roar. A massive crimson claw formed from condensed tailed beast chakra came crashing down toward Chiya.
Chiya neither dodged nor retreated. The power of his Sharingan erupted in an instant.
In that same moment, a dark crimson skeletal frame condensed and took shape around Chiya's body.
A skeletal hand shot outward and met the crimson claw head on.
It stopped Roshi's attack cold.
The chakra skeleton growing from Chiya expanded at tremendous speed.
In the blink of an eye it had formed into a half-body frame, the chakra encasing him completely.
Cold chakra radiated outward, filling those who felt it with dread.
"This is..."
While Roshi was still frozen in shock, a massive dark crimson palm came sweeping in at terrifying speed.
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