Just as Seimei had predicted, when the news spread that the third round of negotiations between Konoha and Iwagakure had successfully concluded and the final round was set to occur in ten days, Kirigakure chose to act.
---
**The Next Day, Morning**
As usual, Seimei had his five shadow clones patrol outside while he secluded himself in a hidden spot to train.
Suddenly, a voice entered his ears. In an instant, Seimei recognized the source—it was one of his shadow clones tasked with monitoring the movements of Kirigakure shinobi in Feiyu Town.
Speaking rapidly, the shadow clone reported, "The Kirigakure shinobi in Feiyu Town seem to be making their move. I saw them leaving the town and heading toward the Blackstone Outpost."
Simultaneously, another shadow clone patrolling the eastern sea relayed a message, reporting that Kirigakure warships were approaching from the ocean.
The two reports confirmed each other, and Seimei immediately understood: Kirigakure was truly taking action.
He quickly activated the *Communication Technique* to connect with his other three shadow clones and instructed them, "Do not act rashly. Just closely monitor Kirigakure's movements and leave the rest to me."
"Yes."
"Understood."
"Got it!"
"..."
The varied responses ringing in his mind gave Seimei a slight headache. Rubbing his temples, he severed the connection and activated *Wind Release: Wings of Wind* and *Chakra Cloak,* propelling himself into the sky and heading toward the Blackstone Outpost.
---
**Enhanced Flight Speed**
Notably, after intense training the previous afternoon and evening, Seimei had mastered *Wind Release: Wings of Wind* to its maximum level—Lv7 (0/0). With this improvement, his flight speed could now reach an incredible 300 meters per second.
Although this speed didn't quite break the sound barrier, it was remarkably close, making him one of the fastest beings in the ninja world. Seimei had hoped the upgrade would double his previous speed and push him past the sound barrier, but reality fell short of his expectations.
Breaking the sound barrier, it seemed, was a significant threshold, whether in his past life's ordinary world or this extraordinary one. However, Seimei wasn't discouraged. At a full-speed flight of 1,080 kilometers per hour, he could traverse the ninja world with ease. For longer distances, space-time ninjutsu would eventually become his ultimate solution.
Nonetheless, he didn't plan to give up on surpassing the sound barrier. While space-time techniques were ideal for instant teleportation, they often required precise coordinates and weren't always convenient. Therefore, developing a supersonic flying technique was still necessary.
He already had an idea in mind. Among the five chakra natures, Wind Release leaned towards flexibility, making it challenging to achieve supersonic speeds. But what about Lightning Release? Known for its explosive power, Lightning Release had enabled the Fourth Raikage to match Minato Namikaze's *Flying Thunder God Technique.* Its potential was undeniable.
Seimei speculated that creating a flight technique based on Lightning Release might achieve supersonic speeds. However, since his mastery of Lightning Release was still lacking, this project would have to wait. Once developed, combined with a space-time ninjutsu, Seimei envisioned a complete mobility system: long-distance endurance via *Wings of Wind,* short bursts using a Lightning Release flight jutsu, and ultra-long-range travel through space-time techniques. No corner of the ninja world would be beyond his reach.
---
**Approaching Blackstone Outpost**
Lost in his thoughts, Seimei soon arrived near the Blackstone Outpost. Instead of entering directly, he adhered to protocol, undergoing a routine inspection. While it was more of a formality for someone of his status, Seimei respected the rules and cooperated.
Once cleared, he proceeded to the command center, where Sano Nobuhisa and several Jonin were already gathered. They had been waiting there since the previous afternoon, receiving intelligence updates from Seimei's clones every two hours. These reports were crucial for assessing the situation and planning their response.
This time, however, Seimei himself appeared, putting everyone on edge. Without wasting words, he relayed the reports from his shadow clones. Upon hearing that Kirigakure had mobilized, the tension in the room eased slightly—not because they felt confident, but because the uncertainty was over. With solid intelligence in hand, they could focus on preparing for the imminent clash.
---
**Strategic Response**
Sano Nobuhisa swiftly issued orders. While most tasks underwent slight adjustments, Seimei's primary mission remained unchanged: to monitor Kirigakure's movements in all directions. The only difference was a reduced reporting interval—from every two hours to every hour. Additionally, Seimei was tasked with contacting nearby outposts to confirm if they had observed any Kirigakure activity, ensuring the safety of the entire frontline.
Receiving his instructions, Seimei wasted no time. Activating *Wings of Wind* and *Chakra Cloak* again, he took to the skies and flew out of the outpost.
---
**Blackstone Outpost's Mobilization**
Shortly after Seimei's departure, the Blackstone Outpost came alive. Squads of Konoha shinobi poured out, led by Jonin, and moved to intercept the advancing Kirigakure forces.
Sano Nobuhisa had no intention of letting the battle reach the outpost. Instead, he planned to strike preemptively, using the outpost as a logistical hub to supply frontline teams with equipment and treat wounded soldiers.
This strategy was influenced by Seimei's intelligence. While the Kirigakure forces at sea were an unknown variable, those advancing from Feiyu Town were divided into several groups, taking different routes toward the outpost. This gave Konoha an opportunity to adapt and engage in smaller skirmishes rather than a large-scale confrontation.
Such tactics were more aligned with the ninja way. Massive battles involving thousands of shinobi were rare, typically occurring only when one side fortified itself or had an obvious target. In most cases, smaller, more flexible engagements allowed ninja to maximize their strategic and tactical advantages.
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