Although Shikaku Nara quickly issued a series of commands, Konoha was still caught off guard by the sudden assault from the Hidden Mist.
The main reason was that the reconnaissance units deployed along the coast had failed in their duty. Because of this gap, the enemy managed to slip behind Konoha's lines and complete a partial encirclement.
The Hidden Mist clearly intended to exchange casualties head on. Their goal was obvious, reduce Konoha's active forces as much as possible before reinforcements and the two commanders arrived.
This level of recklessness was completely unexpected.
Both sides had just fought a major battle recently. Under normal circumstances, this period should have been a tense stalemate, a time to rest and regroup while watching the opponent carefully.
After all, ninjas were still human beings, not tireless war machines.
However, the moment this sudden battle began, Konoha had no choice but to respond with full force, even if they had been pushed into the fight without preparation.
On the coastline, staring at the approaching Hidden Mist troops that were already clearly visible through the fog, Nawaki quickly formed hand seals.
Ninjutsu: Summoning Technique.
A massive slug appeared in a cloud of smoke.
Yes, Nawaki had ultimately chosen the slug as his summoned partner.
Among the creatures of the Three Great Summoning Regions, the toads of Mount Myoboku possessed the most versatile combat style. After all, toads had four limbs and could perform a wide range of physical techniques.
But Nawaki had no interest in following the path of the Toad Sage. For the same reason, he also rejected the snake summons from Ryuchi Cave.
In the end, he chose the slugs of Shikkotsu Forest.
Part of the reason was personal preference, but there was also another thought behind his decision.
Nawaki wanted to form a new trio modeled after the legendary Legendary Sannin, consisting of himself, Hayashi, and Minato Namikaze.
Three outstanding shinobi from Konoha should not all share the same summon.
Many people underestimated slugs because they appeared less flashy than toads. However, among the three summoning types, slugs arguably possessed the greatest strategic value.
Their combat power was far from weak. They could release highly corrosive acid capable of damaging enemies instantly.
More importantly, they could provide constant healing support to allied shinobi.
With slugs present, it was almost like having a dedicated support medic on the battlefield.
Under Nawaki's direction, the giant slug immediately divided into countless smaller slugs. Each one crawled onto the shoulders of the nearby Konoha shinobi.
This method of fighting was already familiar to everyone present. No one showed surprise as the small slugs settled into place.
Like the toads of Mount Myoboku, slugs were not fond of seawater. Fortunately, they did not need to fight directly. Their role was to remain on the shoulders of the ninjas and provide support.
If they were forced into the sea, the battlefield itself would soon push them back toward the shore anyway.
"Attack!"
Watching the Hidden Mist forces rushing forward aggressively, Nawaki stood at the front of the Konoha formation with more than a hundred shinobi behind him.
His hands moved through another sequence of seals.
Right now, no one hated the Hidden Mist more than Nawaki.
If possible, he would have liked nothing more than to drive them straight into the ground.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Even in locations without natural water sources, skilled shinobi could create enormous quantities of water with chakra.
Standing beside the ocean made the technique even more terrifying.
A massive surge of water burst from Nawaki's mouth, crashing forward like a towering waterfall that rose more than ten meters high.
Seeing their village's signature technique used so powerfully by an enemy, Biwa Juzo, carrying the massive Kubikiribocho on his shoulder, showed little surprise.
The two sides had fought too many battles already. Each knew the other very well.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Nawaki shifted his seals again.
The massive current formed by the Great Waterfall Technique twisted and condensed, transforming into a giant dragon of water that lunged toward the Hidden Mist ranks.
Swish.
At that moment, Jinpachi Munashi from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist stepped forward.
With a downward swing of his blade, a scroll packed with explosive tags flew directly into the path of the water dragon.
"Detonate!"
Using the power of his sword, the explosive tags ignited instantly.
The violent explosion shattered the Water Dragon Bullet, dispersing the attack before it could reach the Hidden Mist formation.
Swish.
Four more figures rushed out through the smoke of the blast.
They were the remaining members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen present on the battlefield.
Aside from the already deceased Raiga Kurosuki, only Fuguki Suikazan was absent.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Biwa Juzo rapidly formed seals and countered Nawaki's attack with the same technique.
At the same time, Hiashi Hyuga stepped forward.
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
A powerful burst of chakra shot from his palm toward Kushimaru Kuriarare, who wore a Hidden Mist ANBU mask with thick bandages wrapped around his neck.
Kushimaru reacted instantly.
His sword, Nuibari, jerked backward as the long wire attached to it tightened. A captured Konoha ninja was dragged violently behind the blade.
Hiashi's attack narrowly missed.
In the next instant, the Kubikiribocho cut across the battlefield with terrifying force.
Clang!
Hiashi raised a kunai to block the strike.
However, the massive strength behind the blade quickly overwhelmed him.
Within seconds he was knocked backward, his arm numb from the impact.
The swordsmen would never ignore such an opening.
Several attacks immediately followed.
But just as they were about to strike, additional Konoha shinobi arrived and intercepted the attacks of the swordsmen.
Hiashi used the brief opportunity to regain his balance before charging forward again.
Soon, the battlefield became a violent clash of forces.
Two torrents of shinobi collided head on.
...
...
At the same time, deep in the rear area of the Konoha encampment, Hizashi Hyuga and Himeji had also encountered trouble.
The two had led several reconnaissance ninjas to investigate the suspicious activity detected behind the camp.
What they discovered was a small group of Konoha ninjas being surrounded by Hidden Mist shinobi.
Instinctively, they moved in to support their comrades.
However, the moment they engaged, the Hidden Mist ninjas trapped them as well.
Soon afterward, additional Mist forces appeared from both flanks.
Although a signal flare had already been launched, the second Konoha unit was still far away.
They would not arrive soon enough.
"What should we do?" a middle aged ninja asked urgently, glancing at the Mist shinobi closing in behind them.
"There are too many enemies."
"Our squad will stay behind and cover the retreat," said a black haired jonin through clenched teeth.
His team had been the group originally trapped by the Mist.
Without the reinforcements from the others, they would have already died.
"No," another ninja said firmly.
His face carried streaks of paint, and he rode atop a swift black dog.
He was clearly a member of the Inuzuka Clan.
"Konoha shinobi do not abandon their comrades."
Hizashi remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"The two squad leaders will stay behind to cover the retreat."
There were two leaders present.
One was Hizashi himself.
The other was the black haired jonin who had spoken earlier.
"No."
The quiet voice of Himeji interrupted them.
"Himeji," Hizashi said seriously, "you are from the main family, and you are my sister. I must protect you."
He paused briefly.
"Let your second brother decide how he dies."
"No. I will not allow it," Himeji said stubbornly.
Her voice, usually calm and reserved, carried unusual determination.
"I already called for reinforcements."
"The second unit is still far away," Hizashi replied.
"Not them," Himeji said softly.
Earlier, she had sent the small black snake that always followed her to deliver a message.
By now, the preparations on the other side should already be complete.
Standing on the branch of a large tree, Himeji took a blue vial from her ninja pouch. She poured the blood inside onto her palm.
"Summoning Technique!"
Smoke exploded outward.
Seeing this, Gama Inuzuka, who had stopped nearby, nudged Hizashi with his elbow.
"Captain, I have never seen Himeji use a summon before," he said curiously. "What kind of creature is it?"
"Is it strong?"
As the smoke slowly cleared, a young man stepped forward from the summoning circle.
A small white snake rested calmly around his neck.
When Hizashi saw the young man's face clearly, his usually stern expression changed instantly.
His mouth slowly opened in shock.
"It is indeed very strong..."