The moon hung high in the sky, surrounded by sparse stars. Pale moonlight filtered through the dense canopy along the border of the Land of Rivers, scattering mottled patches of light across the forest floor.
A cool night wind drifted through the valley, carrying the damp scent of the distant river.
The forest was silent—save for the steady chirping of insects.
Several shadows moved swiftly through the trees.
At their head—
Orochimaru.
The Konoha force under his command had completed a long, high-speed march and now linked up with Jiraiya's border troops.
Behind them, figures filled the clearing like a silent tide.
Dark silhouettes.
Dense.
Oppressive.
An ANBU guide knelt on one knee and quickly sketched a rough map into the dirt with a kunai.
"The main forward camp of Sunagakure is ten miles from here," he said in a low voice.
"It's built along the river valley terrain."
"There are front and rear positions."
"We haven't confirmed exact troop numbers…"
"But judging by the camp's scale and recent raids—"
"There are no fewer than three thousand."
Jiraiya folded his arms, brows slightly furrowed.
His gaze swept across Orochimaru's reinforcements.
The ninjas stood silently.
Fatigue was evident after the forced march.
Then he glanced toward the Sarutobi jōnin commander responsible for this front.
The man looked utterly exhausted.
Under constant harassment from Sunagakure, his forces had dwindled from two thousand to less than eighteen hundred.
They had been barely holding the line.
"Our total strength is around 3,800," Jiraiya said quietly.
"In numbers, we're not inferior."
"Sensei's orders are clear—"
"End this quickly."
"Crush them."
"Send a message to the smaller villages watching us."
He turned to Orochimaru.
"Can your men still fight tonight?"
Orochimaru's golden, snake-like eyes gleamed under the moonlight.
"A brief rest will suffice."
"Tonight's timing… is perfect."
"Good."
A sharp glint flashed in Jiraiya's eyes.
"Then we strike."
"Before they realize reinforcements have arrived."
"We take them by surprise."
The Sarutobi commander listened as the two Sannin finalized the plan within moments.
His lips twitched slightly.
A trace of dissatisfaction flickered—
But it was quickly buried beneath relief.
If they won, he'd share the credit.
If they lost—
The responsibility wouldn't be his.
Orders were issued.
Nearly four thousand Konoha ninjas began to move.
Under their captains' command—
They advanced silently.
Spreading out.
Taking positions.
For ninjas—
Ten miles was nothing.
Sunagakure had layered sentries across the wilderness.
With such numbers, stealth was impossible.
But—
With the Byakugan's vision—
And silent eliminations by elites like Orochimaru and Jiraiya—
The outer sentries were picked off one by one.
Konoha seized the initiative.
By the time they reached the shadows flanking the valley—
A piercing alarm whistle rang out.
"Enemy attack—!!"
The warning had barely sounded—
When Konoha struck.
"Throw!"
Commanders shouted in unison.
The sky dimmed.
Thousands of kunai and shuriken shot upward—
Then rained down like a storm.
Blades tore through tents.
Slammed into barricades.
Explosive tags detonated violently.
Sunagakure ninjas rushing out—
Were cut down instantly.
Blood splattered across the ground.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
"Combination Ninjutsu: Wind–Fire Inferno!"
Under jōnin coordination—
Wind-style users unleashed powerful gusts.
The flames surged with the wind—
Transforming into blazing fire dragons.
They roared straight into the camp.
Tents ignited.
Supplies burned.
Ninjas caught in the blast—
Were swallowed by flames.
The eastern valley became a sea of fire.
The sky glowed crimson.
Chaos erupted.
Screams.
Explosions.
The roar of flames.
All echoing through the night.
But Sunagakure was still one of the Five Great Villages.
After the initial shock—
They stabilized.
"Earth Release: Earth Wall!"
Massive stone barriers erupted from the ground.
They blocked incoming attacks.
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter!"
Invisible blades sliced through the air—
Intercepting projectiles mid-flight.
Meanwhile—
Puppet masters deployed their creations.
Mechanical bodies rushed forward.
Poisoned blades slashed.
Hidden needles rained down.
But Konoha pressed forward like an unstoppable tide.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
From the river—
A massive water dragon surged into the sky—
Then crashed down.
"Lightning Release: Ground Flow!"
Lightning surged through water and earth—
Electrocuting multiple enemies.
Bodies convulsed—
Then fell.
The battlefield exploded with light.
Ninjutsu collided.
Explosions roared.
Each blast shook the earth.
Each blast meant death.
The burning camp illuminated everything—
Revealing shadows clashing in every direction.
Steel struck steel.
Explosive tags roared endlessly.
Then—
A massive chakra pressure erupted.
From the center of the battlefield.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Great Burial!"
A cold voice echoed.
A tsunami of golden sand surged skyward.
It hardened instantly—
Forming a massive barrier.
Fire and water techniques—
Stopped.
"Lord Rasa!"
Sunagakure ninjas roared in excitement.
Floating above—
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
Golden dust swirled around him like a storm.
His eyes were cold.
Killing intent radiated outward.
"Konoha ninjas…"
"Die."
Hand seals formed.
The gold dust churned violently.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust World Method!"
The ground erupted.
Countless golden spears formed—
And rained down.
The battlefield shifted instantly.
Konoha's advance stalled.
Many were forced back.
Some—
Were pierced and pinned to the earth.
At the rear—
Orochimaru watched calmly.
Excitement flickered in his eyes.
"Finally…"
"Something interesting."
He exchanged a glance with Jiraiya.
Then—
They moved.
One openly.
One in the shadows.
Both—
Rushing straight toward Rasa.