On the battlefield—
Dust filled the air, and killing cries echoed across the plains.
Aside from the clash between Uchiha Akihito and the AB Combination, the other elites were locked in equally intense combat.
The Second Tail vs. Ino–Shika–Chō
Yugito Nii stood shrouded in blue-black chakra flames, already in her partial Tailed Beast transformation.
Facing her, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza formed a tight three-man assault formation.
Yugito sneered.
"You three think you can stop me?"
"Move aside if you don't want to die."
Shikaku smiled calmly.
"General Akihito gave the order. We're to keep you here."
Yugito's chakra surged violently.
"Sending the three of you to die—has Uchiha Akihito run out of options?"
Shikaku remained composed.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Words were pointless now.
Only strength would decide the outcome.
Yugito formed hand seals at lightning speed.
"Fire Release: Rat Flame Orb!"
Inoichi closed his eyes and entered sensory mode.
Through mental transmission, the Rat Flame Orb's trajectory appeared clearly in Shikaku's mind.
"Shadow Strangle Technique!"
"Expansion Technique!"
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio moved as one—offense and defense seamlessly intertwined.
They deflected the Rat Flame Orb while launching a counterattack.
"Human Bullet Tank!"
After enlarging, Chōza spun forward at high speed. Shikaku's shadow caught him mid-roll and hurled him like a projectile.
Yugito failed to dodge in time—
And was flattened into the ground by the massive rolling form.
"Puh! Puh!"
Climbing up, spitting dirt from her mouth, Yugito scowled.
She had intended to finish them quickly—
Only to suffer instead.
"Interesting."
"Again!"
With a roar, she fully transformed.
The blazing blue-black cat demon emerged, radiating immense pressure.
The three clan heads felt the weight instantly.
Without hesitation, the Two-Tails opened its jaws and unleashed a massive wave of flame.
"Scatter!"
Shikaku reacted instantly, dissolving their formation.
"Super Expansion Technique!"
Chōza grew even larger—nearly matching the Two-Tails in size—and charged head-on.
Yugito showed no fear.
The Akimichi clan's secret techniques were formidable—
But competing in raw power against a Tailed Beast?
That was pushing it.
BOOM!
Giant fist met flaming claw.
The shockwave thundered across the battlefield.
Both Chōza and the Two-Tails were forced back.
Sweat poured down Chōza's face.
He was nearing his limit.
The Two-Tails, however, had yet to unleash its full power.
Clearly—
The beast held the advantage.
Yugito smirked.
"Akimichi Expansion?"
"That's all?"
As she moved to press the attack—
Inoichi suddenly formed a heart-shaped hand seal.
"Mind Body Switch Technique!"
Yugito's expression changed drastically.
"That's bad!"
If struck, mental possession would be disastrous.
"Matatabi—switch!"
Without hesitation, she handed control to the Two-Tails.
A Tailed Beast's mind was far more chaotic and violent than a human's—much harder for the Yamanaka technique to control.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Inoichi's possession lasted only seconds before Matatabi forcibly expelled him.
Regaining control, Yugito's killing intent surged.
"You three insects…"
"Die!"
The flaming claw descended like a tidal wave—
But suddenly, her body froze.
She couldn't move.
"What—?"
Shock flashed through her eyes.
Shikaku chuckled.
"Never seen this one before, have you?"
"Shadow Possession Technique—success."
Another Front: Darui & Dodai vs. Hyūga Hiashi & Uchiha Shisui
Elsewhere on the battlefield—
Kumogakure's Dodai and Darui confronted Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Shisui.
Dodai, a trusted aide of the Third Raikage, wielded the Lava Release kekkei genkai and served as examiner for the Double Lariat technique.
Darui, though not yet famous, was highly valued by the Fourth Raikage.
An exceptional swordsman and Lightning Release user, he also possessed Storm Release and inherited the Third Raikage's Black Lightning.
Both were elite figures within Kumogakure.
And among Konoha's forces, only the prestigious Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Shisui were suited to match them.
Even in the midst of war, Darui looked half-asleep.
"So this is war?"
"What a drag."
Dodai immediately barked at him.
"Focus!"
"This isn't the time to complain!"
Darui scratched his head.
"My bad. Sorry."
Hiashi had no intention of indulging them.
If they wanted to dawdle—
He'd strike first.
"Eight Trigrams: Air Palm!"
His palm thrust forward, releasing compressed chakra.
Darui, though seemingly careless, reacted instantly.
Clang!
He drew his blade in a flash.
Beside him, Dodai activated—
"Lava Release: Rubber Wall!"
Bang!
Hiashi's strike hit their defenses but failed to break through.
In the next instant—
Shisui joined the fray.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Darui countered immediately.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
The four elites collided in chaotic melee.
"Storm Release: Laser Circus!"
"Body Flicker Technique!"
"Eight Trigrams: Rotation!"
"Lava Release: Rubber Ball!"
…
Dodai and Darui wielded kekkei genkai.
Hiashi and Shisui were elite heirs of noble clans.
Their strengths were evenly matched.
For now—
Neither side could gain the upper hand.
Across the rest of the battlefield—
Konoha and Kumogakure's elites clashed fiercely.
The once-open plains were now completely swallowed by smoke, fire, and the thunder of war.
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