Deep in the eastern forests of the Land of Fire, two Leaf shinobi ran for their lives.
Their clothes were torn, faces pale with terror. They kept glancing over their shoulders like death itself was right behind them.
"Captain, just go!" one of them gasped, legs shaking. "I can't run anymore."
"Tanaka, we're almost there. If we keep moving we might hit another patrol—"
Tanaka yanked his arm free and leaned against a tree, chest heaving. "You know they're just playing with us. They could've killed us anytime. They're dragging this out for fun." His voice was steady despite the fear. "I'm done running like prey. At least this way I can buy you a few extra minutes. Go. Get the intel out."
The captain hesitated, then nodded once and took off. Tanaka stayed behind, kunai in hand, breathing hard.
Five minutes later, laughter echoed through the trees.
"Well, well. The little mouse finally stopped running."
A group of seven figures stepped into view. Their appearances were wild—strange hairstyles, bizarre weapons, and the unmistakable air of killers who enjoyed their work.
The man with the lightning blade grinned. "Giving up already? Boring."
Another, carrying a massive cleaver, spoke up. "We don't have time to play. Finish him and move on. There's still one more rat to catch."
Tanaka charged anyway, pouring everything he had left into one final attack.
A bolt of lightning dropped from the sky and slammed into him before he took three steps. His body convulsed, then went still—charred and lifeless.
Black Hoe Raiga clicked his tongue. "You're too fast, Raiga. I wanted to blow him apart slowly."
"Enough games," Biwa Juzo growled, hefting his massive sword. "We've wasted enough time. We still need to find the rest of their people."
The masked one—Kurara Senmaru—spoke in a low, cold voice. "No need to search. Let the last one run. He'll lead us straight to the nearest Leaf outpost."
The others looked at their leader, Watermelon Mountain River Puffer Ghost. He considered for a second, then nodded.
"Good idea. Follow the bait for now. If it doesn't work, we change plans."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen vanished into the trees, hunting.
---
Farther west, a column of over a thousand shinobi moved steadily through the forest. This was the main reinforcement force from Konoha—made up of fighters loaned by every major clan.
In the very center of the formation walked three men: Uchiha Fugaku on the left, Hyuga elder Yuki on the right, and Taiichi in the middle. It was an awkward compromise. Neither the Uchiha nor the Hyuga trusted each other enough to let the other take the lead position, so they'd shoved Taiichi into the middle as the only person both sides could tolerate.
Taiichi didn't seem bothered. He walked calmly, eyes scanning the ranks.
He spotted several familiar faces—Uchiha Shisui, Hyuga Tokuma, Yamanaka Inoichi, and even Maito Dai in his signature green jumpsuit. The sight of Dai made Taiichi's expression tighten. In the original timeline, the Seven Swordsmen had nearly wiped out Guy's team. Dai had opened the Eighth Gate to save them.
Taiichi made a mental note. Once they reached the front, he needed to check on Guy and make sure history didn't repeat itself.
"Taiichi," Fugaku said quietly, "my clansmen will be counting on you when the fighting starts."
Before Taiichi could answer, the Hyuga elder snorted. "The Uchiha really have fallen. Begging an outsider for help instead of relying on your own strength."
Taiichi's eyes flicked toward the man, but Fugaku spoke first, voice cold.
"If my people get injured, I'll make sure Taiichi treats them personally. You can keep your own medics busy, Hyuga elder."
The tension spiked. Taiichi was about to step in when the Hyuga elder's younger brother, Hiashi's brother Hizashi, tried to intervene quietly—only to get snapped at and put back in his place like a servant.
Taiichi's jaw tightened. He had known the Hyuga's main and branch family system was harsh, but seeing it up close still pissed him off.
"Enough," Taiichi said, letting a sliver of killing intent leak out. It wasn't aimed at anyone, but the weight of it was enough to shut both sides up. "We're heading into a war against Mist. Save the infighting for after we win. Right now we move."
The column kept marching.
They reached the forward camp the next afternoon. The coastal outpost shinobi who had pulled back were already there, looking relieved to see reinforcements.
The first thing everyone wanted was to meet their new commander—Tsunade.
She wasn't there.
Every head turned toward Taiichi.
He closed his eyes and sensed the special Flying Thunder God kunai he'd given her. She was close—maybe a few hours out.
"She's on her way," Taiichi said calmly. "Should arrive before nightfall. In the meantime, get the camp properly set up. Reinforce the barriers, set up proper patrols, and make sure the perimeter is secure. We don't want to look like amateurs when she gets here."
The tension eased. At least their commander was actually coming.
As the sun dipped low, a patrol returned with two figures in tow.
"Tsunade-sama has arrived! The commander is here!"
The entire camp erupted. People dropped what they were doing and rushed toward the entrance.
Taiichi led the clan representatives out to meet her. Tsunade walked in with Shizune at her side, looking completely at ease despite the long journey.
"Sensei, you're late," Taiichi said, half-grumbling, half-relieved.
Tsunade clapped him on the shoulder with a grin. "I got here, didn't I?"
She looked over the gathered leaders—Uchiha, Hyuga, Sarutobi, Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Aburame. Every major clan had sent people. This wasn't just a reinforcement force. This was Konoha throwing everything it had left at the eastern front.
Tsunade's expression turned serious.
"I came from the Land of Waves. Mist already has scouting parties active there. Their main force won't be far behind."
She swept her gaze across the group.
"Everyone, with me. Command tent. Now. We're planning how we're going to crush these bastards."
She turned and strode toward the largest tent like she already owned the battlefield.
Behind her, the clan heads exchanged glances. The younger generation looked fired up. Even the older ones seemed to stand a little straighter.
Taiichi walked beside her, fighting back a smile.
Tsunade might have been gambling until the last minute, but she knew exactly how to make an entrance.