After some time in the grain storage area, Ginkaku grew bored. Fortunately, he enjoyed unrestricted access to the food supplies, a stark contrast to the rationing in the city. Consequently, he spent his days drinking and reveling, neglecting his duties and disregarding the concerns of others.
Sora, frustrated by Ginkaku's laxity, approached Silver Horn. "Ginkaku-sama, you should send your troops to investigate the surrounding area. Raikage-sama mentioned that Konoha Ninja Village might attack here soon."
Ginkaku dismissed her with a sneer. "Let them come if they dare. I'm bored here. Maybe I'll finally get some action."
A Kumo Ninja, idolizing Silver Horn, loudly declared, "As expected, Ginkaku-sama, who is descended from the Sage of Six Paths, will be unbeatable no matter who comes from Konoha Ninja Village!" His praise sparked a chorus of approval from others, further emboldening Silver Horn.
Realizing her pleas were futile, Sora turned away and muttered, "Unbelievable!"
Although she suspected Konoha Ninja might be close, her limited manpower made it difficult to verify. She couldn't convince Silver Horn, and her frustration grew.
Lying in her camp, Sora struggled to sleep. The possibility of a Konoha Ninja sneak attack gnawed at her.
"Sage of Six Paths, if you can hear me, let this be a lesson to your descendants," she silently prayed. The arrogance of Silver Horn only fueled her resolve to act, but her duties to Hidden Cloud Ninja Village restrained her.
Suddenly, in the dead of night, Sora woke with a start. An instinct honed by battle urged her to investigate. She hurried outside and, seeing nothing amiss, prepared to investigate further with a sensory ninja. Just as they were ready to leave, the sensor ninja's eyes widened in shock.
"Sora-san, get down!" he shouted, sensing an immense chakra approaching.
Sora, sensing the danger, fled just as a blinding white beam of light pierced the storage area's outer wall. The beam didn't penetrate further, but the wall, previously thought impregnable, was obliterated.
"What kind of ninjutsu is this?" Sora marveled at the destructive power. Before she could fully comprehend the situation, the sensor ninja warned of incoming attacks. Flames and rock projectiles began to rain down.
Sora's memory flashed back to a similar scene of devastation caused by Fumori Masaki. She braced herself for combat, recognizing the familiar tactics.
"Fumori Masaki, we finally meet!" Sora shouted as she confronted him. "This time, we'll settle this!"
Fumori Masaki remained calm. "I expected this, but are you ready?"
"What?" Sora questioned, surprised by his composed demeanor. Without delay, she performed the hand seals for her most powerful Lightning Release technique. "Raijin!" (Thunder God)
As lightning clashed with the surrounding flames, Masaki calmly responded with a powerful Wind Release technique. A fierce gust of wind blew the flames back toward Sora.
"Ah!" Sora was caught off guard, her defense collapsing under the combined assault. She was knocked back, her body crashing into the ground.
Dazed and injured, Sora could only watch as Masaki closed in, landing a brutal punch to her abdomen. Pain overwhelmed her, and she fell, unable to move.
Masaki took out a kunai with a paralytic poison and applied it to Sora's arm. The poison would hinder her chakra flow and render her powerless. His intent was to capture Sora, viewing her as a valuable bargaining chip.
As Masaki engaged Sora, Senju Tōka, Sarutobi Konosuke, and Inuzuka Shigeru began their assault. With Tōka's illusions and the others' strength, they wreaked havoc on the grain supplies.
"You're attacking here directly?" Inuzuka Shigeru remarked, surprised.
"Focus on destroying the supplies and then leave quickly," Masaki instructed. He hadn't anticipated Sora's defeat but remained focused on the mission.
Tōka and the others proceeded with their task, and as Masaki observed, he detected another powerful chakra approaching. He was taken aback when he recognized the source.
Ginkaku emerged, mocking, "Fallen already? Kumo Ninja is growing weaker by the day."
Sora, weakened and in pain, wanted to retort but lacked the strength. Ginkaku's taunts only highlighted her helplessness.
"Let me show you what a real ninja is," Ginkaku sneered.
Masaki, understanding the gravity of the situation, resolved to defeat Ginkaku swiftly. He prepared himself for a decisive strike, knowing this was his best chance.
He took out a military grain pill, boosting his chakra and activating his Sage Mode. His body was enveloped in the patterns of Sage form , ready for the upcoming battle.