Chapter 526: Rock Ninja War

The Land of Grass, Konoha Camp.

The Konoha camp this time was strategically positioned at the edge of a vast basin. This basin wasn't a natural formation but the result of intense Earth Release ninjutsu from a previous clash between Konoha and Iwagakure. Its steep walls provided a tactical advantage, giving Konoha forces a clear line of sight over any advancing enemy.

Under this terrain, any frontal attack from the Iwagakure forces would be clearly visible, allowing the defenders to prepare and respond swiftly.

Inside the main tent, the air was heavy with anticipation. An Anbu ninja burst into the room, his voice urgent but composed.

"Hokage-sama, the Iwagakure army has arrived."

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood in the center of the tent. Clad in black combat attire, his calm demeanor exuded a quiet authority. His old but sharp eyes swept across the room, their gaze filled with the wisdom and majesty of decades of leadership.

"Follow me into battle," he commanded, his voice steady and resolute. Though it wasn't loud, it carried the weight of unshakable confidence.

"Yes!"

The response was immediate and unified. Among those gathered were Jiraiya, Uchiha Yoruki, and other elite shinobi of Konoha. They knew the gravity of the situation and the importance of their roles in the upcoming battle.

Outside the tent, Konoha's forces moved swiftly. Shinobi gathered at the edge of the basin, their eyes fixed on the approaching Iwagakure army. From their elevated position, the enemy's movements were clearly visible.

The Rock ninja marched in disciplined formation, their numbers vast and imposing. As they reached the basin's edge, the army halted, a calculated move to assess the terrain and their opponents.

Uchiha Yoruki's sharp gaze locked onto the enemy forces, his attention drawn to a diminutive figure floating above the troops. The short man exuded an aura of power that rivaled even the Third Hokage's. Yoruki's expression grew serious as he recognized the individual—it was the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, a ninja of immense reputation and strength.

Ōnoki hovered in the air, his hands clasped behind his back, his demeanor calm yet commanding. His sharp eyes scanned the Konoha forces before settling on Sarutobi Hiruzen. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, it's been a long time," Ōnoki said, his voice carrying a tone of casual familiarity, as though greeting an old acquaintance.

"Yes, several decades," Hiruzen replied, his expression calm but tinged with the weight of their shared history.

The two Kage regarded each other in silence for a moment, their eyes reflecting the countless battles and decisions that had shaped their lives.

Ōnoki's gaze shifted briefly to the shinobi behind Hiruzen, his eyes gleaming with recognition. "Konoha is as full of talent as ever," he remarked, his tone contemplative. "You've done well to uphold the legacy of your predecessors."

Despite the enmity between their villages, there was a mutual respect for the era they had both witnessed. Konoha under the First Hokage's leadership had been a force that none dared challenge.

"I haven't done enough," Hiruzen replied, his voice laced with regret. His gaze swept over the Rock ninja below. "Otherwise, you wouldn't dare attack so boldly."

Ōnoki's expression darkened, but he didn't deny the claim. Instead, he responded with bitterness. "Your disciple has caused Iwagakure great losses. Minato Namikaze slaughtered over 800 of our shinobi, including members of the Kamizuru clan. That battle was a scar we cannot forget."

Hiruzen's lips curled into a faint, sarcastic smile. "If you've suffered so greatly then why did you came again, perhaps Minato hasn't killed enough."

The words were a calculated provocation, and they struck their mark. Ōnoki's face hardened, his aura shifting as a chill emanated from his small frame.

Without another word, the Third Tsuchikage clasped his hands together, his chakra flaring as he prepared a jutsu.

"Shhh!"

Lightning arced through the air as Hiruzen countered immediately. Bright streaks of electricity shot skyward, forcing Ōnoki to retreat. His eyes narrowed as he assessed his opponent's response.

"As expected of the Ninjutsu Professor," Ōnoki muttered under his breath.

While his ability to fly gave him an advantage against most opponents, Hiruzen was no ordinary ninja. The Third Hokage's mastery of all five chakra natures and his encyclopedic knowledge of ninjutsu made him a formidable adversary.

"Go! I'll handle the Tsuchikage!" Hiruzen shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.

At his command, the Konoha forces sprang into action. Groups of shinobi formed distinct teams, each preparing their own techniques.

Ōnoki, still hovering above, moved quickly. "Earth Release: Rock Fist!" he called out, forming hand seals with practiced precision. From his mouth, dark rocks emerged, shaping themselves into enormous fists that rained down on the Konoha forces.

"Lightning Style: Lightning Pillar!"

Hiruzen's hands moved just as swiftly, his own jutsu countering Ōnoki's. A massive column of lightning surged upward, colliding with the rock fists. The impact shattered the earth-based attack into fragments, scattering debris across the battlefield.

As the lightning dissipated, Hiruzen's sharp eyes met Ōnoki's. His opponent's aerial advantage was undeniable, but Hiruzen's skill and adaptability kept the playing field even.

Behind Hiruzen, Uchiha Yoruki observed the exchange with keen interest. His Sharingan glowed faintly as he analyzed the techniques.

"The Third Hokage isn't just countering. He's using chakra-efficient methods to exploit elemental weaknesses," Yoruki thought. "Only someone with his level of knowledge could fight like this."

The battlefield erupted into chaos as Konoha and Iwagakure forces clashed. Ninjutsu flew in every direction—fire, earth, and water techniques intertwining in a deadly symphony.

"Boom!"

Explosions rocked the basin as Konoha shinobi unleashed their attacks. The Iwagakure forces responded with earth walls, creating barriers to absorb the impact.

Amid the chaos, two figures emerged from the Rock ninja ranks, their speed blinding. One formed seals rapidly, while the other radiated a menacing heat, their body surrounded by a fiery glow.

"Earth Release: Rock Collapse!"

Kitsuchi, the son of Ōnoki, pressed his hands to the ground. The earth trembled violently, deep cracks forming as the terrain shifted under his control.

At the same time, another ninja unleashed a devastating attack. Lava-like fire erupted from their body, forming fiery tails that lashed out toward Konoha's forces.

Four blazing tails, like serpents of molten rock, surged upward, their heat distorting the air as they arced toward the defenders.

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