For Kumo's ninja, a new day started with nonstop explosions from explosive tags.
Under the relentless bombardment from Konoha's forces, sleepy Kumo ninja rotated into position, following their Jonin leaders to relieve those who had just finished the night shift—as if they'd been pardoned from prison.
Even when struck occasionally by flying debris from the blasts, the Kumo ninja remained indifferent, as if nothing had happened at all.
It was now the fifth day, yet Konoha's harassment bombing with explosive tags hadn't stopped for even a moment!
What affected morale the most was that some Kumo ninja, while picking up unexploded explosive-tagged shuriken launched by Konoha forces, shockingly discovered these were standard-issue Kumo tools.
This meant Konoha had captured a large amount of Kumo ninja supplies, easing Konoha's own logistical difficulties during its long-range campaign.
As for the source of these supplies, it could only mean one thing—a fully armed and well-supplied Kumo force had been defeated, or even wiped out entirely.
Thus, with internal and external pressures unresolved, Kumo ninja morale plummeted drastically. Only four days of bombardment had turned the once-resolute defenders into completely numb soldiers.
Yet today's morning seemed somewhat different.
"What are those Konoha scum up to now?"
One Kumo ninja peeked his head out, gazing toward the distant Konoha front line.
There, squad after squad of Konoha ninja were openly forming battle lines across the open wasteland, radiating a murderous intent that signaled an imminent full-scale assault.
"Never mind, just wait until they come closer!"
A Kumo Chunin also looked up briefly but showed no special reaction: "They did the same thing a few days ago, and still, absolutely nothing happened."
"Just like firing explosive shurikens—they want to keep us running around exhausted!"
The Jonin from Kumo didn't even lift his head, chewing on dried meat as he spoke: "By the way, if you're idle, go repair the outer perimeter traps."
"I didn't do anything!"
The nosy Kumo ninja quickly pulled his head back in, joining his companions on the ground, taking out the day's ration and beginning to eat.
"This feels a bit strange…"
Jiraiya, observing from the edge of Konoha's position toward Hakone Castle, asked in confusion: "The ninja forces have already prepared for battle, so why does the Kumo inside the city show absolutely no response at all?"
"They must've simply gone numb by now," Orochimaru replied casually.
"But this is only the fourth day—Kumo's fighting will shouldn't have deteriorated that severely, right?" Jiraiya still sounded puzzled.
From his observation, the Kumo ninja within the city showed not just low morale but even basic military discipline had nearly collapsed entirely. Even when Konoha's forces formed battle lines, the Kumo ninja couldn't be bothered to cast a glance in that direction, appearing completely resigned to fate, as though already awaiting death.
With such resilience under pressure, they couldn't even compare to Rain or Grass ninjas, let alone any of the Five Great Shinobi Villages!
"Internal strife and external threats, all communications severed, and reinforcements' arrival remains uncertain."
Tsunade scoffed slightly and said, "Even if the village's Ninja Forces fell into such a predicament, would their situation be any better?"
"That's somewhat true."
Jiraiya raised his eyebrows slightly but didn't continue speaking.
Not until noon did Konoha's Ninja Forces, lined up in formation in the wilds beyond the city walls, scatter noisily at their commander's order, finally allowing the Kumo ninjas remaining on watch to completely relax.
"I told you guys! Except for putting on a show, those Konoha southerners don't have a shred of actual fighting courage!"
A lazy Kumo Jonin lying on the ground soaking up the sun remarked casually, "If they hadn't taken advantage to launch a surprise attack and trick us, we absolutely wouldn't have lost!"
"That's right! That's right!"
"Master Kazuma is correct!"
Other Kumo ninjas nodded like puppets on cue, rushing to flatter, "As long as Master Kazuma and Lord A remain stationed here, Konoha definitely won't dare act recklessly!"
"Exactly!"
The Kumo Jonin shifted slightly, moving his face into shadow to avoid direct sunlight, "Although currently due to numerical disadvantages, initiating an offensive puts us at a disadvantage; however, if we firmly defend, Konoha's small force cannot do anything to us!"
"That's true! That's true!"
The Kumo ninjas continuously agreed vocally.
This scene left some slightly responsible Kumo ninjas somewhat puzzled: Wasn't the truth actually that their side had been defeated and surrounded?
But this thought barely flashed through their minds before being swiftly suppressed: That's right! It was Konoha who feared battle! Otherwise why would they keep surrounding us without attacking all this time?
After all, their current situation had reached the pinnacle of hardship; without such self-psychological comfort, probably their entire beings would collapse.
As for those ninjas who had already broken down emotionally, after being taken away by the enforcement squad, they never reappeared in regular teams again.
"Phew"
Seeing the Konoha ninjas who were just putting on a show completely disband and return to camp, the responsible Kumo ninja finally exhaled in relief, then slowly squatted down.
pfffft
But suddenly a muffled sound came from behind him.
"Who just farted?"
Muttering discontentedly, this Kumo ninja prepared to turn around, but his nose suddenly caught a familiar yet terrifying scent —
The stench of blood!
In an instant, his entire trench was filled with extremely thick bloodstained air, making it suffocatingly oppressive!
"Clang!"
The ninja blade tightly gripped in the Kumo ninja's hand unintentionally slipped from his palm, producing a crisp sound.
The lingering scent of blood in the air continuously overwhelmed his senses, rendering his body completely rigid and immobile.
pfffft! pfffft!
Muffled sounds continued coming from behind him, the bloody odor growing increasingly stronger; while this Kumo ninja trembled under the influence of inexplicable fear.
Then, he felt warmth spread downward along his lower body.
"Wet yourself?"
A voice full of mockery sounded from behind him.
Immediately afterward, the sharp sensation pressed against his back disappeared.
"Turn around!"
A laid-back yet undeniably authoritative voice sounded once more.
The lucky surviving Kumo ninja trembled all over, slowly twisting his neck—his entire body had gone rigid with fear, the only parts still under his control being his head and neck!
But as he turned his head, what met his eyes nearly scared the wits out of him on the spot!
All his teammates were sprawled lifeless in pools of blood!
Even that powerful jōnin, who had recently grown listless after suffering a defeat, now lay headless and murdered!
He was the only one left alive on that hidden battlefield deep within the enemy base!
This Kumo ninja was practically scared out of his mind!
Right in the middle of the blood-soaked scene, a silver-haired man calmly wiped the blade of his shining ninja knife—none other than Sakumo Hatake, Kumo's sworn enemy!
Beside him, six Uchiha ninja with black hair and red eyes, typical of Uchiha clan members, were inspecting the corpses, occasionally retrieving small hidden personal items from the bodies—those unmistakable Sharingan Uchihas!
Upon witnessing this sight, the Kumo ninja rolled his white eyes and fainted dead away!
How on earth did he manage to escape being killed on the spot by White Fang and the Uchihas?
"Or should we just finish him off randomly?"
An Uchiha ninja approached, wakizashi in hand, pretending as if he would send this unfortunate Kumo ninja straight to the afterlife.
"Keep him alive—he might turn out useful."
Sakumo Hatake sheathed his tanto with evident satisfaction before continuing, "Also, send a message to Hyūga Soushu!"
"Hai!"
The Uchiha ninja wasted no time debating orders like this one, promptly obeying Sakumo's command by sending a coded signal toward the rear.
"It finally begins..."
Soushu Hyūga relaxed slightly upon seeing the prearranged signal rise successfully into the sky—it wasn't without risk to send elite Ninja Force directly into Kumo's encampment.
Under Hyuga Soushu's leadership, the Konoha Ninja Force participating in this mission divided into two groups: one visibly began gathering openly while the true elite force stealthily advanced alongside Soushu toward the city using Earth Release techniques!
Yet not all the Kumo ninja inside were completely oblivious. In fact, as soon as the flare launched from the outer defenses rose into the sky, some of the more perceptive Kumo ninja suddenly felt their hearts drop into an Ice Cellar.
"It's over... completely ruined..."
While some clueless Kumo ninja made their way to the outer defenses to check out the disturbance, those who had sensed danger earlier wore expressions so pale they looked already dead—fallen into complete despair!
In the minds of these Kumo ninja, Konoha should have been gentle and obedient, willing to kneel for so-called peace! Precisely because of this kind of appeasement—something that almost always happened—generation after generation of Kumo ninja had been inspired to march southward, seizing water and land beneath the sun for their village!
But why has expansion and progress suddenly become so difficult for their generation?
Has the era changed?
"Aaaahhh!!"
Just then, the Kumo ninja who had rushed to the outer perimeter positions caught a flash of silver-black light—then all sensation ceased. They were beheaded in an instant!
Meanwhile, the Kumo ninja inside the city also noticed the commotion at the outer defensive line and quickly headed toward the command post to report.
At the same time, the elite ninja force led by Hyuga Soushu plunged into the ranks of the Kumo forces. Their entire covert advance went off without a hitch—no resistance at all. It was like a stroll through the countryside.
And just like that, the war exploded into chaos.
[Jumping Slash!]
Hyuga Soushu leaped straight into the thick of the Kumo ninja, ruthlessly cutting down their seasoned veterans one after another. Then, guided by the defecting Kumo ninja, he launched a swift assault toward the location of the Kumo command post.
Shortly afterward, the second wave of Konoha's elite ninja—who had infiltrated alongside Hyuga Soushu and hidden themselves around the city outskirts—emerged from underground, fully prepared. Under their respective Jonin commanders, they initiated a full-scale offensive.
"Honorable One!"
Inside the Kumo command post, a Kumo Jonin nervously spoke up, "Shouldn't you consider—"
"Enough!" Raikage heir A interrupted sharply.
After destroying every sensitive document he could get his hands on, A's mental state had visibly improved.
Ultimately, the miracle he had hoped for never arrived.
Instead came a relentless, full-speed ninja assault!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As the sounds of explosions grew closer, A's mood unexpectedly calmed.
What was bound to happen has finally happened—even though this outcome was the most unwelcome. Trapped in dire straits, there was no longer room for well-meaning lies that offered hope.
"Not bad indeed—being able to maintain such rare composure even now, one of Kumogakure Clan's high-ranking leaders!"
Hyuga Soushu barged alone directly into the Kumo command center wielding a blood-streaked torch pole, glaring fiercely with his Byakugan at his final target for this battle—the Raikage heir, the Fourth's successor, A!
"Oh no—not you again."
A was slightly surprised at first, but when he saw Soushu's white eyes, realization dawned. "Makes sense. After all, being Uchiha's ronin husband, your nose must be particularly sharp!"
"You clueless fool."
Soushu snorted coldly and chose to start fighting immediately.
[Shifting Body Technique!]
Although his wounds hadn't completely healed yet, A activated a secret technique regardless of potential side effects, going all out!
Simultaneously, the pain surging through his body became increasingly vivid, while his available power surged dramatically within a short span.
Nevertheless, even under normal, healthy conditions, A still couldn't match Hyuga Soushu—and how much more so now, in his severely weakened state!
Therefore, even though he used various stimulating secret techniques, during direct confrontation with Soushu, A rapidly fell into complete disadvantage.
[Counter Storm!]
Hyuga Soushu activated the skill head-on amidst A's taijutsu assault.
"Dangerous!"
As his punch missed, A recognized the familiar pressure of Wind Barrier—and knew trouble was coming. He tried to break away fast.
But it was already too late.
[Counter Storm Second Activation!]
As a strange Chakra ripple spread outward, A's body involuntarily sank into dizziness!
Soon after, a sharp pain shot through the back of his head. His consciousness faded along with it, and he blacked out.
"Pack this guy up nicely. Understood? Don't let him die!"
After knocking A unconscious with a heavy strike, Hyuga Soushu summoned a squad of ninjas and issued orders. Without missing a beat, he eagerly charged forward, swinging his Torch Pole once again into battle!
Having effortlessly eliminated A—who acted as their command center—the Kumo ninja were now utterly leaderless and had completely become walking corpses doomed to die.
But Soushu had no interest in asking them to give up. To him, those Kumo ninja were just moving targets packed with XP and Coins!
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
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