Three days ago, after the Senju, Sarutobi, and Shimura launched a probing attack on Hagoromo, they had been locked in a stalemate.
The three clans neither relaxed their offensive nor launched a full-scale attack.
At this point, in the eyes of the three clans, the Hagoromo clan was like a grasshopper in autumn, destined to falter for only a few more days.
What the three clans needed to do was to gradually erode Hagoromo's strength, wearing them down step by step.
Since the Hagoromo clan's ninja numbers were inferior to the three clans, and their top-tier combat power was also lower, a full-scale attack would only result in their own heavy losses if Hagoromo fought back fiercely.
Therefore, it was better for them to slowly wear down Hagoromo, gradually reducing the number of their ninjas each day, depleting their morale, and exhausting their bodies.
Once the Hagoromo clan could no longer hold out, they would launch a final assault, thus maximizing their gains with minimal losses.
Boom!
A small explosion rang out.
Within two seconds, a series of explosions erupted, and the Hagoromo clan's camp descended into chaos.
"Defend!"
"It's the Sarutobi clan!"
"Quickly!"
...
The commotion outside was deafening. Masamichi, his expression grave, gripped the long sword at his waist and stepped out of his tent.
Kazuki followed the main force toward the battlefront.
Soon, he arrived at a large rock at the rear of the battlefront.
Accompanying him were Elder Ryūga and a group of elite jonin, including Masamichi.
He stood beside Masamichi.
"Father..."
He looked at Reiryū in disbelief. Whether it was due to his past life or something else, the word "Father" slipped out in a shocked voice.
Only three days had passed.
Three days ago, when they parted, Reiryū had brown hair, but today, his hair had turned white.
He couldn't imagine what his father had gone through these past few days!
Just how much pressure was he carrying?
Hearing the voice, Reiryū seemed to finally see his son. "You've come."
Kazuki nodded, his heart filled with complex emotions.
Reiryū's expression was calm, but his brows were furrowed. He looked ahead. "Since you're here, be careful later."
With the fate of the entire clan resting on his shoulders, Reiryū had little energy left to care about his son.
Since the probing attack three days ago, the three clan leaders hadn't made a move.
But this wasn't a good sign.
The daily casualty figures for his clan made Reiryū understand what the enemy was planning.
But what good was understanding? This was a blatant scheme, a naked declaration: "I'm going to wear you down."
Faced with this situation, he truly had no way to break free.
After all, fighting to the death meant immediate demise. Not fighting, though a slow death, at least offered a glimmer of hope—what if things took a turn for the better?
This protracted conflict was, in fact, a last resort.
Seeing the daily numbers of his clansmen's sacrifices, watching one corpse after another being sent back to the clan's burial grounds, how could he not feel heartache?
But he truly had no other choice.
Seeing the helplessness hidden within his father, Kazuki nodded, remaining silent.
He didn't have a better solution either. He couldn't very well say, "Everyone, just hang in there. In another month, Masamichi will break through to the patriarch level."
If he were to say this aloud, not only would others not believe him, but they would also suspect that the young clan leader had been driven mad by the brutality of the battlefield.
If news spread that the young clan leader had been terrified by war, wouldn't that further demoralize the Hagoromo clan?
Therefore, in this situation, it was better for him to wait and fight the enemy later.
"Prepare the explosive tags!"
On the front lines, an elite jonin commander held out his hand, and the clansmen beside him immediately prepared kunai and explosive tags, ready to throw them upon command.
The Hagoromo clan was stationed on a slope, which was also the only way to enter the Hagoromo clan's territory.
Seeing that the Sarutobi clan had entered the area, the elite jonin waved his hand. "Throw!"
As soon as the words fell, the waiting Hagoromo clansmen instantly threw out the explosive tags.
The Sarutobi clan below the slope, of course, wouldn't foolishly take the hits.
Seeing the kunai falling from above, the stronger Sarutobi ninjas immediately formed hand seals.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A long earthen wall emerged diagonally from the ground, blocking the Sarutobi ninjas' heads at a 45-degree angle.
The kunai, strapped with explosive tags, landed on the earthen wall.
Boom...
A series of explosions rang out.
After a dozen seconds, the Hagoromo clan ceased their explosive tag attack.
Seeing this, Sarutobi quickly withdrew their Earth-Style Wall and rushed forward.
"This is..."
A Sarutobi ninja felt as if he had tripped over something.
Before he could react—
BOOM!
An explosion blasted him to pieces, his body mangled beyond recognition. Immediately afterward, numerous more explosions rang out, leaving many Sarutobi genin stunned.
"Earth Release: Earth Surge and Rock Overturning!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out, and the ground in front of the Sarutobi clan surged, triggering the traps set by the Hagoromo clan.
BOOM...
Flames and flying dirt detonated all the explosive tags hidden in the open space between the two sides.
After the explosions subsided, the group of Sarutobi ninja rushed forward, forming hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
The elite jonin standing on the front lines was the first to form hand seals. "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Instantly, a massive torrent of water surged down the slope.
The other clansmen followed closely. "Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Water and fire clashed, creating a vast cloud of mist, and the Sarutobi clan seized the opportunity to launch a surprise attack.
"Kill!"
At the elite jonin's command, the Hagoromo clan instantly launched a counterattack, engaging the enemy in close combat.
In the battle between the two clans, casualties occurred every moment.
"Sigh..." Masamichi sighed.
Although they were now only facing the Sarutobi clan on the battlefield, and the number of ninjas on both sides was roughly equal,
The Hagoromo ninjas' morale was already low after the continuous battles.
The Sarutobi clan, thanks to the rotation with Shimura and Senju, were in better condition than the Hagoromo.
Therefore, the Hagoromo clan suffered significantly more casualties than the Sarutobi clan.
Faced with this situation, Reiryū, though heartbroken, couldn't send the remaining clansmen on standby.
After all, if these clansmen went up, Shimura and Senju would definitely support Sarutobi, further exacerbating Hagoromo's disadvantage and causing even greater losses.
At this moment, Reiryū's heart was filled with frustration and helplessness.
Sarutobi! Shimura!
Two second-rate clans—they deserve to die!
Watching the situation on the battlefield, Kazuki jumped down from the boulder and walked toward the ramp where the fighting was taking place.
Reiryū opened his mouth upon seeing this, but ultimately remained silent.
Not far below the ramp, Sarutobi Kato and Shimura Nesuke were observing the situation on the battlefield, while the Senju First Elder was resting in his tent.
At the front lines, he gripped his short sword, quickened his pace and gradually began to run, soon entering the battlefield.
"Ice Release: Swallow Blizzard!"
He formed hand seals, and more than a dozen ice darts shot directly toward the enemy in front of him.