Shisui analyzed the situation carefully.
"The previous Nine-Tails jinchuriki was Lady Kushina, but she's already dead."
"When a jinchuriki dies, there are usually two possibilities for the Tailed Beast. Either it dies along with the host and reappears somewhere else after a while… or it leaves the host's body before death."
"The Nine-Tails most likely went with the second option."
"At that point, it had already broken free of Lady Kushina's control."
"Minato-sensei used the Reaper Death Seal to contain it. Given the circumstances, he didn't have many options. A normal person could never have survived it."
...
Orochimaru didn't question Fugaku's explanation. He simply gave a slight nod.
"I see."
"Hiruzen-sensei sending you here is a big help. Sunagakure's forces are no joke—especially those superior Devil Fruits. They even give jonin a serious boost."
"I'm tied down by Pakura. The rest of my people can't break through either."
"Now that you're here, things should get easier."
"Tonight I'll arrange a surprise attack. You're ready, Fugaku?"
Fugaku shook his head.
"We'll follow your orders, Lord Orochimaru. The journey here didn't drain us much. A few hours of rest will be more than enough."
"Good."
---
Night fell.
Under Orochimaru's command, the Leaf forces launched their assault.
"Kill them!"
Hyuga scouts confirmed the area ahead was clear.
Once they were sure there were no traps, the Nara clan moved in.
"Mind Transfer Technique!"
The jutsu landed instantly, seizing control of several Sunagakure shinobi.
For the first few seconds the Sand ninja couldn't break free. By the time they started to resist, the second wave hit.
"Shadow Sewing Technique!"
Then came the close-range attackers—fast, precise, and lethal.
Kunai and blades sank into vital points before the Sand ninja could even scream.
Shunk!
The Leaf had executed this combination so many times it was second nature. The Ino-Shika-Cho formation had worked together for years.
But Sunagakure wasn't clueless either.
Pakura gave the order.
"Execute the plan!"
"Yes, Lady Pakura!"
The Sunagakure forces immediately began a controlled retreat—fighting while falling back.
Uchiha Yakumi moved beside Fugaku.
"Lord Fugaku, what should we do?"
"Give it everything we have."
Fugaku knew Hiruzen still didn't fully trust the Uchiha. He had only sent them because Konoha was truly short on manpower.
If the Uchiha fought hard and earned results, they might not even get proper recognition.
But if they slacked off, punishment was guaranteed.
"Yes, Lord Fugaku!"
The Uchiha squad charged at the front.
Fugaku ran while forming seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball roared forward and exploded among the retreating Sand ninja.
Boom!
Flames scattered in every direction, creating serious trouble for the Sand forces.
Nearby Leaf shinobi glanced over.
"The Uchiha may have attitude problems and dangerous ambitions, but their strength is the real deal. Too bad they walked the wrong path and caused trouble for the village."
The other three Uchiha also went all out.
For a moment, several Sunagakure ninja found themselves in real danger.
Pakura's eyes flashed.
"Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder!"
A blazing chakra sphere shot toward the Uchiha team, forcing Fugaku and the others to dodge.
But Orochimaru appeared instantly and engaged Pakura directly.
"Pakura, your opponent is me!"
Pakura's expression darkened.
On the other side, Daya tried to support her but was immediately tangled up by Akimichi Choza.
Suddenly, Fugaku felt a cold premonition.
He instinctively turned—
—and saw a massive, fire-red figure charging straight at him at terrifying speed.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Fugaku fired on instinct.
The creature didn't dodge. It ran straight through the fireball without slowing down.
It smashed through the flames and kept coming.
Only then did Fugaku get a clear look at his attacker.
A gigantic, fire-red rat.
"Rat-Rat Fruit – Fire Rat Form!"
The beast slammed into him with full force.
Fugaku crossed his arms in front of him, channeling chakra into his palms.
BOOM!
The impact sent Fugaku flying backward.
"Lord Fugaku!"
The other three Uchiha turned in shock and tried to help.
But this time the tables had turned—Sunagakure ninja swarmed in and cut them off.
The Fire Rat landed and immediately charged Fugaku again.
Man and beast clashed at high speed.
Fugaku's face grew grim.
"Another superior Devil Fruit?"
Word about the superior Devil Fruits had already spread across the ninja world. Unlike normal ones, these could actually boost jonin-level fighters.
That made every other village extremely jealous.
After all, jonin were the elite of the elite in most villages.
A superior Devil Fruit was worth more than ten regular ones.
"Worse… this Fire Rat has a direct counter to me."
"Fire Release barely hurts it. That fur is completely fireproof and heat-resistant."
"And it's fast!"
"It was hiding in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to hit me hard."
Fugaku felt the sharp pain in his arms. The impact had been brutal, and the surprise attack had left him no time to brace properly.
It had even tanked his Great Fireball head-on without flinching.
"One arm's broken… the other's fractured!"
Fugaku's expression darkened.
This kind of performance would never satisfy Hiruzen. The Uchiha still living in Konoha were going to have an even harder time after this.
"Did Sunagakure know I was coming to the front lines? Did they deliberately send this thing after me?"
"Or did I just have terrible luck?"
At that moment—
"Lord Fugaku, watch out!"
Fugaku snapped back to reality.
His three-tomoe Sharingan spun.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan!"
But the Fire Rat had already lowered its head, refusing to meet his gaze. It dug its claws into the ground and vanished underground in an instant.
Fugaku felt the ground tremble beneath him and leaped into the air.