Chapter 73: March to War

The air in Konoha was thick with tension, charged with the weight of coming battle. The once-hidden storm of war had fully revealed itself, and soon, the nations would collide in a conflict that would reshape the world.

With the Blood Purification Campaign complete, Konoha had been reborn. The Uchiha, the Hyūga, the remnants of the Senju, and even ordinary shinobi had awakened untapped potential, their bloodlines restored to a level unseen in centuries.

But power alone wasn't enough.

War demanded strategy, unity, and absolute resolve.

Konoha's War Council

In the underground war chamber, Konoha's finest had gathered once more.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, stood at the head of the table, his aged yet sharp eyes scanning the room.

On one side sat Sakumo Hatake, the legendary White Fang, flanked by Jiraiya and Orochimaru. Across from them, Tsunade sat with Uzumaki Mito, while Ryūsei remained standing, his six-magatama Rinnegan glowing faintly.

The map of the Elemental Nations lay before them, marked with enemy positions, strategies, and potential battlefields.

Hiruzen exhaled deeply. "The war is no longer speculation. It has begun."

Sakumo nodded. "Kumo has officially launched an offensive on our northern borders. Their forces are moving swiftly, striking key villages and attempting to destabilize our supply lines."

Jiraiya tapped his finger on the western side of the map. "Suna is pushing forward as well. Their daimyo has officially given the order for war."

Orochimaru smirked. "Iwa remains quiet, but their silence is too perfect. They are waiting for us to be weakened before making their move."

Tsunade frowned. "And the Mist?"

Hiruzen's expression darkened. "Kirigakure is currently… unstable. Their internal struggles have kept them occupied, but we cannot count on their neutrality. If they stabilize, they will join the war."

The room fell into a tense silence.

Ryūsei finally spoke. His voice was calm, but his words carried absolute weight.

"This war will not be one of survival. We are not fighting to defend."

He looked at each of them.

"We will crush them. We will shatter their ambitions before they can fully form. Konoha will not be a mere participant in this war. We will dominate it."

His Rinnegan pulsed, and the room felt heavier, as if space itself trembled at his conviction.

Tsunade exhaled. "Then let's discuss our battle plan."

Konoha's Strategy—A War of Annihilation

1. The Lightning Front – Striking Down Kumo

• Ryūsei would personally lead a strike force against Kumo's raiding forces.

• The goal: Destroy their forward bases before they could gain momentum.

• Jiraiya and his infiltration squad would sow chaos behind enemy lines, assassinating key strategists.

2. The Sand Front – Cutting Off Suna's Lifeline

• Orochimaru and Sakumo would take a tactical approach—disrupt their supply chains, assassinate their daimyo's financial backers, and force their mercenary forces into disarray.

• Without funding, Suna's war effort would collapse.

3. The Stone Front – Outmaneuvering Iwa

• Iwa expected Konoha to be weakened. Instead, Konoha would set a trap, baiting their forces into an ambush where they would be annihilated in a single decisive strike.

• Tsunade and Mito would prepare medical and logistical support to ensure Konoha's army could sustain prolonged battle.

4. The Mist – A Potential Wildcard

• If Kirigakure stabilized and chose to enter the war, Konoha would act preemptively, using its newfound bloodline strength to overwhelm them before they could fully mobilize.

Hiruzen nodded after hearing the plan. "Then we prepare for battle."

The First Move – Ryūsei's Assault on Kumo

The Land of Lightning's border was a battlefield of dark skies and roaring thunder. Storms raged endlessly, the heavens themselves seeming to mirror the brewing conflict.

Kumo's forces had pushed deep into the outer villages, believing Konoha's response would be delayed.

But they were wrong.

Standing atop a lone cliff, Ryūsei gazed down at the encroaching army.

Hundreds of Kumo ninja marched below, their banners waving proudly, their arrogance unchecked.

Their leader, a massive shinobi wielding a blade crackling with lightning, barked orders. "Press forward! Konoha is weak! Their defenses won't hold—"

His words died in his throat as a shadow appeared before him.

In an instant, Ryūsei had descended.

His six-magatama Rinnegan burned like golden fire, his Byakugan active as he read every single movement in the battlefield.

The Kumo commander barely had time to gasp before Ryūsei's hand pierced through his chest.

Time seemed to freeze.

The surrounding Kumo shinobi staggered back, eyes wide with horror.

Ryūsei pulled his hand free, letting the commander's lifeless body fall to the ground.

And then—he raised a single hand.

"God of Destruction."

The air itself twisted.

A wave of absolute annihilation erupted from his palm, sweeping through Kumo's front lines like a celestial storm. Tens of shinobi disintegrated instantly, their bodies reduced to nothingness before they could even scream.

The remaining forces tried to flee, but it was too late.

Ryūsei moved like a phantom, cutting through them with a precision that was beyond human comprehension.

In less than ten minutes, the Kumo invasion force had been eradicated.

Blood dripped from his fingertips, but his expression remained calm, unreadable.

A single Kumo survivor, barely alive, stared up at him in sheer terror.

"You… what are you?" the man choked out.

Ryūsei's Rinnegan pulsed.

"Your nightmare."

With a flick of his fingers, the man's existence was erased.

Ryūsei exhaled, turning his gaze toward the horizon.

This was only the beginning.

The War Has Begun

Word of Ryūsei's assault spread like wildfire.

The destruction of Kumo's front lines sent shockwaves through the ninja world.

In Suna, the Kazekage grew uneasy.

In Iwa, Onoki's frown deepened.

In Kiri, the blood mist stirred.

Konoha had made its first move.

And now…

The world would burn.