On the Kumogakure front, nearly ten thousand Kumogakure ninja were advancing rapidly, their target: the Land of Fire, and ultimately, Konoha.
"Lord Raikage, Moonfall Mountain is just ahead," one of the Kumogakure shinobi reported to the Second Raikage, A.
Once they crossed the mountain, the route through the Land of the Moon would be far easier.
"Good. Pass the order—full speed ahead!" the Second Raikage commanded, unaware that Mochizuki Hui had extracted information about the Four Kage Alliance from Kinkaku's mind, allowing Konoha to prepare in advance.
"Yes, sir!"
With the order given, Kumogakure's troops pushed forward with even greater urgency. But as their vanguard reached the plains below Moonfall Mountain, the ambush was sprung.
Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!
More than thirty of Konoha's elite Earth Release ninja performed the jutsu simultaneously, transforming the ground beneath Kumogakure's forces into a massive swamp.
The sudden shift caught many Kumogakure ninja off guard, their momentum carrying them right into the mire as they sank into the mud.
"Argh!"
"It's an ambush!"
"Damn it, pull me out of here!"
A mix of anger, fear, and panic filled the air as they realized they had walked right into Konoha's trap.
But the Konoha ninja showed no mercy—and neither did Mochizuki Hui. At his command, dozens of Uchiha clan members began weaving hand signs.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!
One by one, massive fireballs launched from their mouths, joining into a sea of flames that spread across the swamp, heating it to a boil. The mud began to dry and harden, trapping many of the struggling Kumogakure ninja.
When the fire ceased, a sickening smell filled the air—a grotesque mix of charred flesh and seared mud.
Across the now-dried swamp lay the burned bodies of over a hundred Kumogakure ninja, their corpses still smoldering, the scene below resembling a hellish nightmare. Many felt a wave of nausea just looking at it.
Suppressing his own discomfort, Mochizuki Hui stepped forward with his elite team.
As they appeared on the ridge, hundreds of hidden Konoha ninja revealed themselves, looking down at the Kumogakure forces.
Below, the remaining Kumogakure ninja halted in anger, their faces dark as they glared up at the Konoha forces.
"Mochizuki Hui!!"
The Second Raikage, A, growled, grinding his teeth as he stared at the young man leaping down to a large boulder across from him.
Hui looked back at the near ten-thousand-strong Kumogakure force from the high ground, separated by the dried swamp.
With a mocking smile, he called out, "So the four great villages formed an alliance just to kill me? Should I feel honored for being so important to you, or laugh at how frightened you all are?"
At this, the Second Raikage's expression shifted.
He now understood how Konoha had known exactly where to set this ambush, and how Mochizuki Hui had anticipated their movements: Konoha had gained access to Kinkaku and Ginkaku's memories.
He fixed his gaze on the young man across from him. It was his first time seeing Mochizuki Hui in person, as it was for most of the Kumogakure shinobi, who stared wide-eyed at this legendary figure. With his calm, handsome features, he looked more like a refined young noble than the fearsome "Ghost" of Konoha's ANBU.
"Hui! Last time, I was left unsatisfied. Let's settle things here and now!" The Third Raikage's voice cut through the tension.
Standing beside the Second Raikage, his eyes blazed with the desire to fight, blue chakra surging around him, arcs of lightning dancing across his body.
Unlike the others, he had lost to Mochizuki Hui himself rather than one of his shadow avatars, defeated by his own "strongest spear."
So, while his loss was less humiliating, it still left him itching for a rematch. For a year and a half, he had waited for another chance to face Mochizuki Hui.
"If you win, Kumogakure withdraws from the war—I'll gladly accept that." Mochizuki Hui's proposal surprised the Third Raikage, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"Or better yet, why not make it a real challenge? You, the Second Raikage, and maybe a Jinchuriki or two. Beat me, and I'll surrender with all of Konoha's forces here. But if I win, Kumogakure withdraws. What do you say?"
His words left everyone in stunned silence. Both Konoha and Kumogakure ninja stared at Hui, shocked at his audacity.
A one-on-three duel against the Second Raikage, his apprentice the Third Raikage, and a Jinchuriki?
Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the Second Raikage, who would make the final decision.
But the Second Raikage merely chuckled.
"Mochizuki Hui, do you really think we're waging this war just to get rid of you? You're naive. This war is about destroying Konoha and seizing the Land of Fire's fertile land!"
His voice dripped with mockery, openly revealing Kumogakure's ambition.
But Mochizuki Hui didn't buy into the bait. Shaking his head, he looked at the gathered Kumogakure forces below with disdain.
"So, you don't have the confidence to beat me even with your apprentice and a Jinchuriki by your side? Is this the strength of Kumogakure's proud Raikage? How disappointing."
Many of the Kumogakure shinobi felt a surge of shame and anger, their faces flushed as they glared at Mochizuki Hui.
"This is war! It's not some juvenile duel!" shouted one of Kumogakure's elite, trying to shake off the sting of the Second Raikage's refusal.
Predictably, this reminder rallied several Kumogakure ninja, who nodded in agreement.
"Still afraid to face me one-on-one?" Mochizuki Hui replied smoothly, his taunt hitting its mark. The elite ninja fell silent, his face darkening.
"Enough talk—let's take him down!" One of the Kumogakure ninja finally snapped, unable to stand Hui's arrogance.
"Mochizuki Hui, what's the point of all this bluster?" the Second Raikage barked, preparing to give the command to attack. "You want a duel? You can have one after we've conquered Konoha!"
Seeing the Second Raikage's resolve, Hui shook his head, a trace of disappointment in his expression.
"It seems there's nothing left to discuss," he said, his tone cool and steady. "Then, let the battle begin!"
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