The rising sun climbed into the sky, turning the vast sea into flowing shards of gold.
Dozens of Kirigakure warships cut through the white waves, advancing toward the coast of the Land of Fire like sharks that had smelled blood.
Gray sails swelled with the salty wind.
The iron rams at the prows gleamed coldly beneath the sunlight.
On the deck of the leading warship stood two figures radiating killing intent.
Two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
On the left stood Jūzō Biwa, carrying the massive Executioner's Blade over his shoulder. The blade reflected a chilling stream of light.
He grinned viciously, sharp teeth glinting beneath the sun.
"We've finally arrived."
"The rich Land of Fire… even the air smells sweet."
On the right stood Fuguki Suikazan, whose enormous body blocked half the sunlight. The Samehada strapped to his back twisted excitedly after catching the scent of blood carried by the wind.
He inhaled deeply.
His voice was heavy, like waves crashing against rocks.
"The vanguard has already torn open a gap."
"They slaughtered a hundred-man Konoha unit."
"They're now scouting the region to determine the exact defenses of the eastern front."
"This operation brought three thousand men."
"The village's orders are clear."
"We must swallow the entire eastern defense force of Konoha."
"Not even the bones can remain."
Jūzō analyzed the situation calmly.
"Based on current intelligence, Konoha's main forces are tied down by Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure."
"With our numbers, taking the eastern front shouldn't be difficult."
He paused slightly before adding cautiously,
"The only question is whether we can devour this piece of meat quickly with minimal losses before Konoha sends reinforcements."
"Heh. What's there to worry about?"
Fuguki replied indifferently.
"A ninja simply completes the mission."
"If we lack soldiers, the village can send more to die."
"The Mizukage only cares about results."
"Not the process."
Those cold words sent a chill through Jūzō's body.
The man whose lower face bore red stripes and whose ears and neck were wrapped in bandages suddenly felt ice crawl down his spine.
The village had truly changed.
The waves struck the ships, spraying water that sparkled like diamonds beneath the sunlight.
When the ships finally docked at the riverbank, Kirigakure ninja began disembarking one after another.
As Fuguki stepped onto land, a Kirigakure intelligence ninja rushed over and knelt on one knee.
"Lord Suikazan! Urgent report!"
"The Uchiha clan of Konoha has formed an independent army and is moving at full speed toward the eastern front!"
Fuguki's thick brows tightened instantly.
His mood darkened.
The Mizukage might not care about casualties—
But success or failure would determine how the higher-ups evaluated him.
And failure in Kirigakure often ended with a knife in the back disguised as "suicide."
Jūzō walked over and asked sharply,
"How many?"
"Approximately two hundred."
"Two hundred?!"
The number stunned both swordsmen.
They exchanged glances—
Then burst into mocking laughter.
"Then let the so-called first noble clan of the ninja world perish in this war!"
"Just like the Senju of the Forest—"
"And turn into dust in the pages of history!"
By noon, the Uchiha Red Guard had crossed the mountains in a straight line and arrived outside the closest large city to the coast.
A rapidly developing trade hub in recent years.
Infinite City.
They established camp on high ground overlooking the surrounding terrain.
Under Fugaku's command, the Red Guard quickly dispersed.
Some took watch positions.
Others rested.
Within moments, the camp had taken shape.
Although the Ninja Academy restricted the spread of ninjutsu, it taught many other subjects freely.
Even physics and chemistry appeared in the Chūnin Exam written test.
Command Tent
Inside the command tent, the core members of the Red Guard gathered.
A detailed eastern coastal map, carefully drawn by ninja cats, was spread across the table by Mikoto.
Every coastline and town was clearly marked.
"The Land of Fire's coastline is long," Anlan said.
"Finding Kirigakure's landing point won't be easy."
"But ultimately, they didn't come here to behave politely."
He turned toward Hyūga Hizashi, who sat near the edge.
"Lord Hizashi."
"Time is short."
"We need to grasp Kirigakure's movements immediately."
"Please assign your three clan members to form reconnaissance squads and investigate the main coastal towns."
The Byakugan, sharing the same ancestor as the Uchiha, could amplify visual perception through chakra.
Depending on purity and skill, it could see at least one kilometer in every direction.
Its long-distance observation far surpassed the Sharingan.
With such a battlefield asset—
There was no reason not to use it.
Hizashi bowed immediately.
"As you command."
For branch family members, knowing what they must and must not do had been clear since the Caged Bird Seal was burned into their foreheads.
Anlan then pointed to a marked location on the map.
"Inabi."
"Assign clan members to escort the reconnaissance teams."
"Ensure their safety."
"You will accompany Lord Hizashi to the Konoha Eastern Army Headquarters to assess the situation."
His voice turned serious.
"If Kirigakure prepares to attack, send information immediately through ninja cats."
"Yes, General!"
Inabi stood and left the tent swiftly.
Anlan noticed he moved even faster than Hizashi—
But paid it no mind.
The Uchiha and Hyūga clans had clashed since the Warring States era.
Still—
Once the Byakugan proved its irreplaceable battlefield value, the proud Uchiha would naturally show respect.
Besides, Hyūga branch members had spent their entire lives enduring suppression.
And Uchiha pride rarely targeted those already oppressed.
Anlan believed that after some time—
Inabi and the others would accept the Hyūga.
Outside the tent, Hizashi and Inabi quickly gathered twenty ninja.
Their figures disappeared into the forest.
Back inside, Anlan continued.
"According to our intelligence, Kirigakure's vanguard units are scattered across the eastern region."
"Our arrival has likely already been discovered."
He turned toward two men.
"Yashiro. Yakumi."
"You will each take twenty men and form ten patrol squads."
"Monitor a ten-mile radius around the camp."
"Capture any suspicious individuals."
"Use the Sharingan to interrogate them immediately."
"Yes, General!"
The two left quickly.
Anlan then turned to the two kunoichi.
"Mikoto. Hazuki."
"The intelligence network will be your responsibility."
Both nodded calmly.
Finally, his gaze fell on Fugaku, who had remained silent.
"Brother Fugaku."
"I'll leave the camp to you for now."
"I need to visit Infinite City."
Leaving the camp at such a critical moment?
A trace of doubt passed through Fugaku's mind.
He glanced toward Mikoto, who remained calm.
Did he receive new intelligence through the ninja cat network?
The thought vanished instantly.
Fugaku remained composed.
"Understood."
"I will oversee the camp."
Then he added quietly,
"However…"
"General, forgive my bluntness."
As both a subordinate and elder brother, Fugaku didn't want Anlan risking himself.
"Going alone to Infinite City may be too dangerous."
"The situation in the east is unpredictable."
"Kirigakure spies may already be inside the city."
"You are the backbone of the Red Guard."
"And the future of the clan."
"We cannot risk losing you."
Mikoto had already guessed what Anlan intended.
She was about to offer herself as escort—
But Fugaku stepped forward again.
"Please take at least one guard."
"Even if they remain hidden."
"With me, Mikoto, and over a hundred clan members here, the camp will remain secure."
Anlan signaled Mikoto to remain calm.
Then nodded.
"You're right."
He glanced around the tent.
"Shisui will accompany me."
Me?
Young Uchiha Shisui, who had been sitting quietly, looked surprised.
But when he noticed Anlan watching him, he immediately stood.
Imitating the others, he performed a proper salute.
"Yes, General!"
Fugaku still seemed unconvinced—
But Anlan waved a hand.
"That's enough."
"Everyone return to your duties."
"Shisui, come with me."
The tent curtain lifted and fell.
Two figures stepped into the bright noon sunlight.
Infinite City
Meanwhile, inside Infinite City, Kakuzu stopped in front of a bustling tavern.
Unlike other shops, the black wooden sign above the door bore a ninja cat paw mark.
Inside the paw print was the Uchiha clan fan crest.
Behind him stood the red-haired Uzumaki mother and child.
The woman held her infant tightly.
Her pale face still carried fear and confusion.
"Follow me."
Kakuzu pushed open the door.
The tavern interior was dim but lively.
The scent of food filled the air.
A waiter noticed the ninja immediately.
"Sir, please follow me upstairs."
Kakuzu ignored him and walked directly upstairs.
The red-haired woman hurried after him.
The second-floor hallway was quiet.
Inside a small tea room, Kakuzu dismissed the waiter without hesitation.
The Uzumaki woman stood nervously.
Kakuzu formed a simple summoning seal.
With a puff of smoke, a black ninja cat appeared.
Its fur was glossy black except for its white paws.
The cat's emerald eyes examined Kakuzu.
Then it looked at the red-haired pair.
"Delivery complete," Kakuzu said flatly.
"Tell the Uchiha to pay the remaining amount."
The cat nodded.
From a small pouch beneath its body, it produced a special payment note.
The material wasn't ordinary paper—
But a tough chakra-infused sheet.
Elegant vine-like patterns decorated the borders.
At the center was an embossed Uchiha fan crest.
Beside it was a ninja cat paw mark.
Below it was written a large sum of money.
In the corner, small text read:
"This note is valid at all shops of the Cat & Fan Alliance. Full exchange or purchase supported."
"Same rules as always, Lord Kakuzu," the cat said.
"You may redeem it at any affiliated shop."
"No delays."
Kakuzu stored the note inside his cloak.
Over the past few years, the Uchiha commercial network had expanded rapidly.
Many ordinary ninja didn't realize it—
But Kakuzu, who traveled constantly for bounty hunting, knew well.
These notes were essentially currency.
And far harder to counterfeit.
He had even tried hiring craftsmen to replicate the paper—
All had failed.
His dream of overnight fortune had died quickly.
The ninja cat turned toward the Uzumaki mother.
"Please wait here."
"The Uchiha will guarantee your safety."
Hearing the words "Uchiha" and "safety," the woman's tense body finally relaxed slightly.
She hugged her baby tighter.
Hope flickered in her eyes.
Once, the Uzumaki clan and Konoha had sworn a blood alliance.
The Senju were even their relatives.
But after the Senju declined—
The Land of Whirlpools was destroyed.
She had been only a chūnin during those days.
She didn't understand all the political reasons.
But she knew one thing clearly.
When the Uzumaki needed help the most—
Konoha never came.
Even when the clan was nearly wiped out and survivors scattered across the world—
No Konoha ninja appeared.
That was why she fled to the chaotic Land of Grass instead of the nearby Land of Fire.
She didn't trust Konoha.
She hated it.
But the Uchiha, who opposed Konoha—
The same Uchiha who had spent a fortune to buy her and her child—
Had earned a small piece of her trust.
After all—
Even if someone sold her and her daughter by weight—
They wouldn't be worth four million ryō.
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