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Under the sunlight, the glint of the Kusanagi sword appeared behind him. In the fear of death, Terumi Mei instinctively narrowed her pupils. Through the reflection in her kunai, she clearly saw that handsome face now showing a demonic smile.
It's too late!
Terumi Mei screamed in her heart, as if her fate had already been decided at that moment. However, at that moment, the surrounding area abruptly changed.
Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique
Whoosh, whoosh.
The mist ninjas around didn't care about their own presence and indiscriminately released their jutsu. Some even threw kunai with exploding tags and additional exploding tags.
Just as the Kusanagi sword was about to strike down, Uchiha Yoru suddenly changed his blade's direction in the face of indiscriminate attacks from all sides. An immense force hit Terumi Mei's back, almost making her spit out blood.
Boom~
A foot mercilessly kicked Terumi Mei in the back without any hesitation. The tremendous force sent her flying, not out of kindness, but to use her body as a shield against the incoming exploding tags and kunai.
"It seems the Mist does indeed discriminate against Kekkei Genkai users."
Even though she knew he was sowing discord, Terumi Mei couldn't help but show anger in her eyes.
Water Style: Water Wall
Suppressing the turmoil in her chest, Terumi Mei seized the only chance for survival and released a defensive Water Style jutsu with her hands in a seal.
Boom, boom, boom~
Explosions erupted all around, and a trickle of blood slowly flowed from the corner of Terumi Mei's mouth. Particularly, a sword wound had penetrated her abdomen. If it hadn't missed her vital organs, she would likely have died right there.
As the screams sounded, and the Water Wall jutsu dissipated, Terumi Mei didn't look at anyone else. She opened her mouth and spat out a dense mist.
Water Style: Hidden Mist Technique
The moment the dense mist appeared, a flash of lightning streaked by. Seeing the fresh blood on the Kusanagi sword, Uchiha Yoru was surprised, "Escaped, huh? Truly worthy of you, escaping even in these circumstances."
In a distant forest, a figure slowly emerged from a puddle. It was Terumi Mei, wearing a mask and severely wounded in the abdomen. Her clothes were soaked with blood, and she was gasping heavily.
"Uchiha clan! We're not done yet."
Terumi Mei, who had twice nearly died under the Kusanagi sword, was not just scared but also angry. She cared for the lives of her fellow villagers, but they didn't care for her. Her anger was also aimed at the current policies in the Hidden Mist Village. Just then, a wailing scream came from the distance. When she looked back at the battlefield, she saw a scene she would never forget.
A figure flashing with electric arcs charged into the fray like a tiger among sheep. With his cursed mark activated, Uchiha Yoru's speed and strength increased dramatically. Especially in the Lightning Style chakra mode, he turned into a meat grinder.
His massive jutsu were limited by the chaotic battlefield, but it also became his personal stage.
The Sharingan with its three tomoe grants extraordinary dynamic vision, and combined with masterful swordsmanship and a figure fast as lightning, nobody can restrict his movements between dodging and weaving.
The Thunder Sword recklessly sweeps through the battlefield. The paralyzing effect of Thunder Style: Chidori Current is the nemesis of countless Mist ninjas.
Thunder Style: Chidori
High-intensity electric currents formed by Thunder Style chakra concentrate in the hand. With ultra-fast stabbing speed and the strong dynamic vision provided by the Sharingan, he turns into a flash of lightning that pierces the target on the battlefield.
Like a tiger among sheep, it's almost a one-sided slaughter. After losing his restraints, Uchiha Yoru lets loose on the battlefield, specifically hunting for exposed or injured ninjas to kill.
"Damn it!"
Hidden in the shadows, Suikazan Fuguki observes the situation. While the Leaf's morale is soaring, their elite ninjas meant to restrain the enemy have already retreated. Frustrated, he can only angrily shout and then order the release of the signal flare for retreat.
Bang bang~
The signal flares burst in the sky, instantly filling the battlefield with a dense fog.
Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu
Under the wide-ranging Hidden Mist Jutsu, the intense battlefield is instantly enveloped by thick fog. The Mist ninjas who were fighting a second ago immediately withdraw, without any hesitation.
It must be said that the adaptability of this Mist ninja technique is remarkable. Not only does it have corresponding assassination techniques, but it also serves as cover during retreat. More importantly, this technique is just a D-rank jutsu; the scale of its range depends on how much chakra is released. Simple and convenient.
"Hyuga's Byakugan, confirm the position of the Mist ninjas!"
"Mist ninjas are retreating at eleven o'clock!"
"Mist ninjas are retreating at thirteen o'clock!"
"Mist ninjas have already retreated from the forest at eight o'clock!"
...
Reconnaissance and perception ninjas shouted in the thick fog. As continuous reports rang in their ears, the tense Leaf Village ninjas showed joyful smiles.
"All Leaf ninjas, stay alert!"
"Wind Style ninjas, disperse the fog."
Wind Style: Great Breakthrough
Although Wind Style ninjas are rare, they still exist. Since this technique is just C-rank and the battlefield is open, the dense fog was quickly dispersed by powerful gusts. The shadows of people around became visible, as did the retreating figures in the fog at a distance.
A ninja battlefield is like this—quick to come and quick to go. Various strange techniques restored peace to the battlefield in the blink of an eye.
Among the remaining bodies, all the Mist ninjas were finished off, especially their heads, as they contain important secrets.
As for the injured, even the cold-blooded Mist ninjas wouldn't abandon them easily. After all, the injured can still fight once they're healed.
"Treat the wounded; uninjured scouts, explore the surroundings."
"Ninjas who can still fight, return to your lines and be on guard!"
After the orders were given, the Leaf Village ninja corps quickly prepared for battle. Meanwhile, medical ninjas appeared on the battlefield.
Those with severe injuries were prioritized for treatment, while those with minor injuries treated themselves with tourniquets.
"Everyone, quickly recover your chakra and stamina."
After orders were given on the battlefield, everyone went into their respective states, especially the special Jonin and Jonin who calmly began to give directions, coordinating with the Chunin team leaders.
Years of training at the Ninja Academy have instilled obedience into every ninja, making them a fast-response unit by nature.
"Captain Yoru."
"Yoru."
The Mist ninja's assault this time was ferocious but somewhat incomplete, as if it was just for probing.
When Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy and the other ninjas arrived, Uchiha Yoru looked very serious, not at all delighted by repelling the Mist ninjas.
"This time, the Mist ninjas' attack was probing in nature, aimed to test our actual strength here. Quickly inform Hyuga Hizashi and Uchiha Shisui, telling them that the Mist ninjas are likely to launch probing attacks on those two locations next."
"Yes!"
Shiranui Genma, Raidō Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami shouted in unison after listening, respecting the higher-ups and demonstrating the standard of obeying orders immediately. They were a qualified guard squad.
However, Kakashi Hatake, the deputy, frowned after listening and lowered his headband to cover his Sharingan eye. He said in a serious tone, "Yoru, are you saying the Mist ninja are trying to weaken us?"
Clearly, in this regard, Kakashi's thinking was far ahead of anyone else. Uchiha Yoru nodded with a satisfied smile, "Exactly."
"The Mist's blood mist policy is the cruelest elite policy in the ninja world. They have fewer numbers among the Five Great Ninja Villages, and we, Konoha, are clearly at a disadvantage. If we get into a war of attrition, the Mist, who can occupy more territories, will disperse their forces. They're better off focusing on one point and launching an attack at any time."
Uchiha Yoru paused and then continued, "Furthermore, the Mist's objective is not just the wealth of the Land of Whirlpools. The current Fourth Mizukage is likely targeting the strategic importance of the Land of Whirlpools, which is why there has been sudden border friction."
Meanwhile, he thought to himself that the Fourth Mizukage, who is controlled by Tobi, wants to weaken Konoha and also weaken the bloodline clans within the Mist Village. It's a win-win.
"Yoru, the Mist has two mines close to each other, while our three mines are far apart. Their forces can concentrate on one point, while ours are split into three," Kakashi Hatake said somberly.
Uchiha Yoru nodded and said, "Exactly, the days ahead will be even more difficult. The Mist, with concentrated power, has the initiative and can harass us at any time. The fine iron and chakra metal we mine might become their targets."
"After all, they don't need to guard; they can simply plunder and acquire huge wealth. The Mist has a distinct advantage unless the village sends a large number of reinforcements."
Uchiha Yoru shared his analysis, and Kakashi's expression became even more solemn. He was not foolish; while others only saw a passive situation, he saw the long-term strategy.
This was a war of attrition between Konoha and the Mist. Konoha had greater resources, but the Mist had the initiative, and Konoha was also restrained by other villages. It was evenly matched.
"Kakashi, be careful with your eyes," Uchiha Yoru suddenly said. Others thought he was referring to the burden of the Sharingan, but only Kakashi smiled wryly. He knew Uchiha Yoru was talking about the side effects of the Mangekyou Sharingan. He had already prepared for it.
Both Shisui and he only needed to bear the side effects of Mangekyou, control the usage, and maintain well. Kakashi had to bear not just the side effects but also the burden of Mangekyou, which was much more than that of the three tomoe.
At this point, Konoha was in a tough defensive phase on the battlefield of the Land of Whirlpools, and the ninja world was in a state of flux.
…
Land of Water, Hidden Mist Village.
The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, looked at the intelligence scroll in his hand with a cold smirk, traces of the Sharingan appearing in his eyes.
"What a laughable shinobi world. But this suits me just fine. I can use your power to weaken the Leaf."
Yagura's Sharingan faded, and he spoke sternly to the doorway, "Tell the Raikage and Tsuchikage that the Mist Village wants the Land of Whirlpools. But we'll need their help to distract the Leaf in order to take that position."
"Yes!"
An Anbu appeared in the office, kneeling on one knee and speaking respectfully. Yagura then took out another intelligence scroll and said sarcastically, "Dispatch another 300-man ninja squad from the village to support the Land of Whirlpools' battlefield."
"Yes!"
Sending another 300 men would mean that the Mist Village has committed over a thousand ninja to the Land of Whirlpools. They were crossing a line. This was also a message to the Raikage and Tsuchikage: if you don't intervene, we will withdraw; if you help, we will fight.
It must be said that Obito's methods were quite effective.
...
Hidden Cloud Village, Raikage's Office.
The Fourth Raikage, A, had a rare smile on his dark face. "Haha, excellent. Looks like the Leaf is in for a big loss this time. Let's see how you deal with this, old man Sarutobi."
"Tell the Fourth Mizukage that the Cloud has added more ninja to the border, doing our best to distract the Leaf."
"Haha, Sarutobi, no matter how cunning you are, this time the Mist has its eyes set on the strategically important Land of Whirlpools. The Leaf has just been through the Nine-Tails chaos and lost their Fourth Hokage, not to mention the Orochimaru incident. It looks like everyone wants to take a bite out of a weakened Leaf."
The rough Fourth Raikage, A, laughed heartily and clapped his hands, "Go! Spread rumors about the Leaf's current plight to all the small ninja villages, and stir up friction between them and the Leaf."
"Yes."
…
Iwagakure, Tsuchikage's Office.
The Tsuchikage, an old man with a big red nose named Ōnoki, looked at the information he had in hand and revealed a cunning smile on his face. "Heh heh, last time using Akatsuki didn't work because we were united with other ninja villages. This time, we can use them."
"Hire the rogue ninja organization 'Akatsuki' to stir up as much chaos as possible at the Leaf Village's border."
"Yes."
However, when Ōnoki saw another piece of information, his brow furrowed, and he cursed under his breath, "Short-sighted Kazekage, it serves you right that the Sand Village is at the bottom. You choose to give up weakening the Leaf Village for your own benefit at this time."
Although Ōnoki was cursing the Kazekage, there was also a sense of helplessness. The situation in the Sand Village was evident to all. Fortunately, the price for the Leaf Village to win them over would be very high.
"Summon someone quickly, notify the envoy going to the Sand Village. Pass this information to the Kazekage, and tell them that Iwagakure is willing to form an alliance."
"Yes."
As he looked at the setting sun over the western mountains, a triumphant smile appeared on Ōnoki's face. "Sarutobi, you want to win over the Sand Village? Fine, but the price for that won't be small."
"Kazekage, since you want to restore the strength of your village, consider this as me helping you. We all share the same goal. After so many years, Konoha finally shows signs of fatigue. This time, we must pull down the strongest ninja village from its pedestal."