Spring, Year 63 of Konoha.
Under the meticulous planning of Fugaku and the others, the two great machines of the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning began to turn. The two nations formed a ninja coalition army and once again embarked on a campaign of expansion.
Since their target this time was the Land of Wind, the Lightning-Fire Allied Army gathered along the western border of the Land of Fire.
The winter snow had melted, yet the spring breeze still carried a trace of chill.
But the faces of the fifty thousand soldiers in the Lightning-Fire Allied Army were all lit with excitement.
For the first time… they were actually looking forward to war.
Because the one leading them this time was the undefeated Uchiha Yuzuru!
Everyone knew that fighting under Uchiha Yuzuru meant this: if you lived, you earned merit; if you died, your family received generous compensation and special privileges.
Even before the war had begun, they had already been paid a substantial sum.
And the food rations were downright outrageous.
Meat, eggs, milk—unlimited supply.
During the era when Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō held power, such treatment would have been unthinkable.
Looking at the spirited appearance of the allied forces below, Yuzuru allowed a faint smile to curl at his lips.
He stood atop a high platform built from piled yellow sand, his gaze sweeping slowly across the ranks.
The fifty thousand Lightning-Fire ninjas were divided into five grand formations, each numbering ten thousand.
The First Formation was led by Fugaku. Its Squad Leaders included Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, and other elite members of the Uchiha clan.
The Second Formation was commanded by Hatake Sakumo, with Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, Yugito, and Samui serving as Squad Leaders.
The Third Formation was led by Pakura, with Sasori and Karura acting as Squad Leaders.
The Fourth Formation was under Orochimaru's command, with Hyuga Hiashi, Akimichi Chōza, Aburame Shibi, Nara Shikaku, and other clan ninjas serving as Squad Leaders.
The Fifth Formation was overseen by Tsunade, assisted in command by Kushina Uzumaki, Nohara Rin, and Shizune.
The first four formations were responsible for the assault. The Fifth handled logistics and medical support.
In addition, there was a thousand-man rapid strike unit led by Namikaze Minato, Nagato, and Kakuzu, tasked primarily with battlefield support and decapitation missions.
"I wonder what kind of expressions Rasa and Chiyo will make when they see this lineup."
Yuzuru indulged in the thought for a moment before speaking in a deep voice:
"For the everlasting peace of the ninja world—kill!"
The moment his words fell, a unified, thunderous roar erupted from below.
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
———
Land of Rivers.
A small country wedged between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, with little contact with the outside world.
After the Land of Silence fell under Uchiha Yuzuru's rule, its unique geography made it a refuge for many wanted rogue ninjas.
In the original story, the Akatsuki established its base in the Land of Rivers.
A nation like this naturally possessed little strength of its own.
The Fourth Formation, led by Orochimaru, easily broke through into the heart of the Land of Rivers—
The Oxalis Gold Mine.
"The Oxalis Gold Mine is the largest mine within the Land of Rivers and the primary source of its funding."
"According to intelligence, this region is controlled by a family known as the Kurosuki clan."
"Their strongest force consists of nine jōnin, most of whom are rogue ninjas wanted by other nations."
Inside the tent, Nara Shikaku reported the compiled intelligence to everyone present.
After listening, Orochimaru licked his lips and swept his gaze over the group. "Who would like to deal with them?"
Hyuga Hiashi stepped forward immediately. "I will go."
Orochimaru nodded. "Very well. Select your own men."
"Yes."
Hiashi accepted the order and quickly selected a thousand ninjas before heading toward the Oxalis Gold Mine.
Looking at the quiet town ahead within the mining district, Hiashi spoke in a low voice, "Hizashi and I will lead one hundred men in a frontal assault. The rest will split into three-man teams for infiltration attacks. End this within three hours."
"Understood!"
The nine hundred ninjas immediately dispersed, breaking formation and advancing toward the town from all directions.
Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi led one hundred ninjas in a direct assault from the front.
Though the Kurosuki clan's nine jōnin made them unshakable within the Land of Rivers, such strength was pitifully insufficient before Konoha's allied forces.
Under the fierce offensive of Hiashi and Hizashi, the ninja forces attached to the Kurosuki clan collapsed in less than half an hour.
Two hours later, the Lightning-Fire squads regrouped, every face stained with blood.
Hiashi reviewed the battle results, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
Of the Kurosuki clan's nine jōnin, more than half were killed. The rest were all captured alive—none escaped.
The remaining clan members were completely eliminated, and the Oxalis Gold Mine was fully secured.
They had finished a full third faster than projected.
"That was exhilarating. I've never imagined war could be this simple," Hizashi couldn't help but remark as he stood in the center of the town.
Unlike Hiashi, who had lived as the clan head, Hizashi, once a member of the Hyuga branch family, had participated in many wars of varying scale.
Every single one had been brutal beyond words.
Even the smallest gains had required countless lives to achieve.
But now, with just a single charge, the enemy had crumbled effortlessly…
Their own casualties were almost negligible.
It felt incredible.
Hiashi chuckled softly, about to speak, when he noticed three ninjas escorting a child from the distance.
Judging by their disheveled state, they had clearly gone through a fierce battle.
Hiashi frowned. "What happened?"
The arriving ninja squad dropped to one knee. "Lord Hiashi, we were ambushed in the western sector and nearly wiped out. Fortunately, Lord Minato arrived to support us, and we narrowly escaped disaster."
"Minato? Where is he?"
"Lord Minato said he was merely passing through. After rescuing us, he has already departed."
Hiashi did not question further.
Namikaze Minato was originally part of the rapid strike unit—his appearance anywhere was hardly unusual.
What puzzled Hiashi was something else.
"I personally selected this operation's personnel. Every squad had at least one member of the Hyuga clan."
"With the Byakugan's insight, how could you have fallen into an ambush?"
At his words, the kneeling squad pushed the child they were holding forward.
"It was this one. He possesses a power that counters our Byakugan!"
"What?!"
Hearing this, both Hiashi and Hizashi's expressions changed.
A power that counters the Byakugan?
This little brat?
##Discount##
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