"We've located the enemy. It appears to be an elite vanguard unit from Sunagakure, approximately six kilometers from our current position," Hyūga Hiashi reported, veins bulging around his eyes as he fully activated his Byakugan. He detailed the scene he observed down to the smallest detail.
"There are a total of twenty-four individuals, and from their movements, it's clear they're all Jōnin. These will be tough opponents," Hiashi continued.
Uchiha Akira couldn't help but mentally note the capabilities of the Byakugan. "The Byakugan might not match the Sharingan in combat, but in terms of its functionality for group battles, it far surpasses the Sharingan," he mused. Despite the six-kilometer distance and the trees obstructing the view, Hiashi could see the enemy's movements with precision. The combination of telescopic and x-ray vision made the Byakugan an impressive tool.
"Twenty-four Jōnin? This will be a difficult battle," Kakashi remarked, his expression grim after hearing the enemy's numbers and strength.
There were only eight of them on their side, including Naruto, who likely wouldn't be much help in such a high-level battle. This meant that each of them would have to take on at least four Jōnin.
"Although they outnumber us, our high-level combat strength is superior, and we have the advantage of surprise. If we set traps in advance, we might just be able to turn the tide," Nara Shikaku suggested, offering his tactical insight.
For Jōnin, a six-kilometer distance could be covered in no time. Based on the enemy's route, Uchiha Akira and his team quickly identified a suitable location for an ambush.
The twenty-four Jōnin team from Sunagakure was likely part of their "spearhead" strategy. Such a team could ensure their safety while gathering intelligence on the Land of Fire's defenses.
As the wind rustled the leaves, the first two Sunagakure ninjas appeared, advancing toward the trap Uchiha Akira's team had set. The terrain at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind was sparse, with low shrubs that offered little cover.
The two ninjas moved swiftly, passing by without triggering any traps.
Their caution paid off—they weren't actual ninjas but puppets sent ahead to scout. About thirty seconds later, the real Jōnin followed in the puppets' wake, emerging from the shadows.
Suddenly, the sound of paper burning echoed through the air.
"Scatter!" the lead Sunagakure Jōnin shouted, recognizing the sound of exploding tags.
At that moment, Yamanaka Inoichi had already targeted one of the enemy ninjas, using his Mind Body Switch Technique to take control and force the puppet to stab a comrade. The unexpected attack caught the other ninja off guard, causing serious injury.
Simultaneously, Shikaku, disguised as a rock, sprang into action. Forming a series of hand signs, he extended multiple shadow tendrils to ensnare the shadows of several Jōnin.
As explosions from the traps detonated around them, chaos erupted within the Sunagakure ranks. Despite their numerical superiority, the ambush caught them completely off guard, causing significant casualties.
Akimichi Chōza followed up with his Partial Expansion Jutsu, transforming into a massive human boulder and rolling into the disarrayed enemy ranks. Meanwhile, Might Guy opened four of the Eight Gates, and Uchiha Akira unleashed a massive Fireball Jutsu. Despite being a B-rank technique, the attack, powered by his Kage-level chakra, devastated the Jōnin, who cried out in pain as the fire engulfed them.
Kakashi, wielding his Raikiri, moved like a shadow among the chaos, striking down enemies with precision.
The battlefield became a chaotic mess, with the Sunagakure ninjas overwhelmed by the ferocity of the ambush. Though outnumbered, the Konoha ninjas fought with unmatched intensity.
The Sunagakure Jōnin quickly regrouped and attempted to mount a counterattack, but Uchiha Akira's sheer power—enhanced by opening five of the Eight Gates—proved too overwhelming. His jutsu, amplified beyond their normal rank, inflicted devastating damage on the enemy.
After just five minutes of intense combat, the Sunagakure forces retreated. They had arrived with twenty-four Jōnin and left six dead on the battlefield, along with a scattering of shattered puppets.
However, Konoha's side didn't escape unscathed. Chōza, who had acted as the team's tank, was covered in injuries and had been poisoned—no surprise, given that puppet masters were rarely without their poisons. Kakashi also sustained serious injuries.
It wasn't that Kakashi lacked skill; rather, the intensity of the battle, with all participants at the Jōnin level, was far beyond Naruto's expectations. Witnessing such brutal combat for the first time left Naruto in a state of shock, unable to react.
Sensing Naruto's paralysis, a group of Sunagakure ninjas targeted him. Kakashi, in an attempt to protect Naruto, was gravely injured in the process.
Kakashi's selflessness, perhaps a contrast to his portrayal in the original story, where he seemed to favor Sasuke by teaching him the Chidori, leaving Naruto to learn tree climbing on his own. This time, Kakashi's actions might have earned him more respect.
"Treat Kakashi and Chōza's injuries immediately," Shikaku ordered. Despite their careful planning and the successful ambush, facing twenty-four Jōnin with just seven was an incredible challenge. The results were impressive, but the battle was taxing.
Uchiha Akira's display of overwhelming power after opening five gates left Shikaku and the others in awe. Although they had heard of his strength—he had, after all, killed the Third Hokage—they had never witnessed it firsthand. Now, they were truly impressed by his capabilities.
Akira's leadership and power as the head of Konoha's Anbu and the leader of their current mission were undeniable.
"Akira, everyone, I'm so sorry... I..." Naruto stepped forward, his face filled with guilt as he looked at the others, especially Kakashi, who had been injured saving him. He felt deeply ashamed.
Naruto had mastered two A-rank jutsu: the Rasengan and the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. He had hoped to prove himself in battle, but the reality of war had shattered his expectations. Not only had he failed to contribute, but he had also become a burden, and the guilt weighed heavily on him.
"It's okay, your reaction is normal. You'll adapt in time," Uchiha Akira reassured Naruto, showing him understanding rather than reprimand.
The others nodded in agreement. After all, Naruto was just a seven-year-old child, witnessing such violence for the first time. It was natural for him to freeze up in the face of such carnage.
"Akira, everyone, I promise... next time we face an attack, I won't be a burden—I swear it!" Naruto declared, his voice trembling with determination.
Whether the vow was meant for the others or for himself, it was clear that Naruto was resolved to improve.
"Gentlemen, while these Sunagakure ninjas were formidable, our real crisis is just beginning," Akira warned, his tone serious.
In his earlier simulation, Akira had seen that after defeating the elite Sunagakure forces, the greatest threat would come from the imminent attack by Orochimaru and Sasori.
Hearing this, Kakashi and the others tensed, nodding in agreement. They knew that facing two Kage-level opponents like Orochimaru and Sasori was a daunting task, even with preparations in place.
The group focused on treating Kakashi and Chōza's poison-induced injuries. Kakashi's condition was particularly severe, with a fractured left wrist that would limit his combat effectiveness in the near future.
That evening, with little else to do, Kakashi took the time to coach Naruto on some of the finer points of the Rasengan. Having mastered the technique years ago, Kakashi was well-equipped to guide Naruto, who was still a beginner.
After Naruto resumed his training, Uchiha Akira approached Kakashi.
"Kakashi, you seem to have grown quite accustomed to your Sharingan," Akira commented casually.
"Yes, this eye has been with me for many years. I've grown used to its power," Kakashi replied, his voice tinged with sadness as memories of Obito surfaced.
"Have you ever considered taking your Sharingan to the next level?" Akira asked, probing deeper.
"The next level? The Mangekyō? That's impossible—I don't have Uchiha blood..." Kakashi responded, shaking his head at the notion. It was already remarkable that he could wield the Sharingan without being an Uchiha, but expecting it to evolve further seemed absurd.
"Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, this eye of yours is already a Mangekyō Sharingan?" Akira suggested.
Kakashi was speechless.
********Important***********
Snollygoser is slightly ahead in the power rankings as I type this, but things might change by the time you read it—I'm not sure. I remember him saying last week that I wouldn't have a chance to be first if he promised a chapter. He also said that I wouldn't be first this weekend. Let's prove him wrong by giving more stones and keeping me in the top spot by the end of the week. I know this is a translation, which many authors may not like, especially when a translation ends up first on the leaderboard. I understand how frustrating that can be. But this is the leaderboard, where everyone has a chance to climb to the top. Like everyone else, I also want to reach first place.