A flicker of unease danced across Zashi's eyes at Ebizō's enigmatic smile. A nagging feeling, a premonition of something going terribly wrong, gnawed at him. He meticulously reviewed every detail of the operation, every strategic decision – nothing pointed towards a potential defeat.
This wasn't just his own conviction; it was the culmination of meticulous planning by the entire First Division's leadership. Zashi forced himself to calm down. It had to be a bluff, a desperate attempt by Ebizō to stall for time and facilitate a retreat for the Sand forces.
"Ebizō," Zashi scoffed, a sneer twisting his lips, "do you truly believe you can frighten me at this juncture? Disillusion yourself!"
Ebizō's response was a cryptic smile that sent a shiver down Zashi's spine. Uncertainty flickered across his face for the first time.
Unbeknownst to Zashi, far away at the Konohagakure camp, dozens of kilometers from the battlefield, a scenario was unfolding that would drastically alter the course of the war. A group of unwelcome guests had arrived.
Despite the deployment of Konohagakure's elite forces elsewhere, Zashi had left a contingent of 2,000 shinobi to defend the camp. Its strategic location within a secluded basin provided a natural advantage – easily defensible and difficult to assail. Coupled with abundant supplies, this force could withstand a siege by a considerably larger enemy force.
The question that gnawed at Zashi now was this: with Konohagakure preoccupied on this front, who in the Land of Rain could muster an additional 4,000 ninjas, an unseen threat that jeopardized his carefully laid plans?
The confidence of Zashi and the Konohagakure high command, however, was built on a slight oversight. Their meticulous calculations had failed to account for one crucial possibility: an aerial assault.
High atop a watchtower within the Konohagakure camp, a lone shinobi squinted into the distance. A swarm of tiny black specks dotted the horizon, growing larger with each passing moment. Initially dismissed as birds, a closer look sent a jolt of terror through him. They were people – ninjas, and they were flying in formation, closing in on the camp with alarming speed.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" The shinobi's panicked cry echoed through the camp as he activated the alarm. The shrill clangor of the alarm bell pierced the air, shattering the momentary peace. Confusion rippled through the ranks.
Wasn't today supposed to mark the conclusion of the Second Ninja World War? Why were they under attack? Weren't their comrades locked in a decisive battle in Chishagakure City?
Despite the confusion, years of training kicked in. Konohagakure shinobi scrambled to their positions, bracing for battle. But against an aerial assault, their preparations were woefully inadequate.
The airborne attackers, clad in peculiar winged apparatuses, zipped through the air, leaving a trail of sonic booms in their wake. Reaching their target, they unleashed a devastating barrage. Grenade compartments on their suits snapped open, raining down high-explosive bombs onto the unsuspecting camp below.
Deafening explosions rocked the Konohagakure camp, flames erupting everywhere. The air filled with the screams of the dying as countless shinobi fell victim to the sudden onslaught.
The airborne attackers weren't content with a single devastating blow. Relentlessly, they unleashed wave after wave of bombings upon the camp. The Konohagakure First Division's supplies, stockpiled for tens of thousands of shinobi, were now lost in a fiery inferno. Smoke and dust billowed from the ravaged camp, visible for kilometers around.
Gazing down at the scene of destruction below, the flying attackers – a force of two thousand strong – wore expressions of grim satisfaction. Their mission here was complete. Now, their sights were set on a new target – Chishagakure City, lying in the distance.
Meanwhile, as Zashi's exchange with Ebizō concluded, a sense of unease flickered across Aizen, his exceptional perception detecting something amiss. He tilted his head upwards, his gaze locking onto the strange figures soaring in the distance.
"So, Sand Shinobi has joined forces with the Sky Ninja," Aizen murmured, a flicker of understanding crossing his eyes. "Even with this combined might, conquering Konohagakure's eight-thousand-strong army won't be a cakewalk. Perhaps Sand Shinobi has another ace up their sleeve. For now, caution is the better than courage."
The sudden shift in power dynamics with the introduction of the Sky Ninja left Aizen unfazed. Recognizing the futility of a direct confrontation, he opted for a tactical retreat.
With Sand Shinobi and Rain Shinobi joining forces, a comeback for Konohagakure seemed impossible without external support. Aizen delved into his memories, the fragmented pieces of the Second Ninja World War history piecing themselves together. He recalled the warring factions – Rain, Sand, Konoha, Iron Country, and lastly...Sky!
A villain introduced in a Naruto movie, Ninja was responsible for the devastating bombing of Konohagakure. Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, had later confirmed their annihilation during the Second War. This detail, a mere footnote in the grand narrative, might have slipped past anyone else's notice. But for Aizen, with his near-encyclopedic knowledge of the Naruto universe, it was a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Consulting the map provided by Senju Nawaki, Aizen cross-referenced his newfound knowledge. The location of the Land of Sky aligned perfectly with the historical records of Sora Ninja. The missing piece had fallen into place.
Aizen's discovery challenged a long-held belief – the Land of Sky, supposedly eradicated by Konohagakure, still thrived. This revelation, coupled with the ongoing battle, painted a clear picture of Sand Shinobi's ploy.
However, sharing this information with Konohagakure's leadership held no appeal for Aizen. Even if they believed him, what value would it bring him? The mounting casualties among Konohagakure's ranks were of no consequence to him.
With a hand gesture, Aizen conjured a shadow clone. Assigning it control over the concealing phantom mist technique, he utilized the subterranean Technique to burrow underground, vanishing from sight. This wasn't his fight; he would remain a detached observer.
While Aizen contemplated the unfolding chaos, another deafening explosion rocked the battlefield. The rear of the Konohagakure army was engulfed in flames, suffering devastating losses. This sudden assault plunged the entire force into disarray.
Mitarashi Zashi and the other high-ranking officials were left speechless, their minds reeling from the sheer unexpectedness of the attack. Only after the bombing ceased and the Sky Ninja departed did they regain some semblance of composure.
But just as Zashi, his eyes blazing with fury, contemplated retaliation against the Sky Ninja, a fresh wave of misfortune befell them. Sand Shinobi reinforcements materialized on the horizon around Chishagakure City. Divided into two flanks, they charged into the already-disorganized Konohagakure ranks, fundamentally altering the course of the battle.
Energized by the reinforcements' arrival, the Sand Shinobi within Chishagakure City launched a fierce counteroffensive, pushing back against the beleaguered Konohagakure forces. The tide had turned decisively.