Chapter 35: The situation escalates & Chaotic Ninja World
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"What? The Mizukage and Hanzō went to the Land of Whirlpools!" In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked in surprise after hearing the report from his subordinate.
"Yes! According to our intelligence, our deployment to the Land of Whirlpools led the Mizukage to believe we intended to offer significant support. Consequently, he planned to take preemptive action before we could send substantial reinforcements. As for Hanzō's return, I apologize for my incompetence in ascertaining the reason thus far."
"Are the Mizukage and Hanzō insane? How foolish must they be to believe Konohagakure still possesses the strength to heavily support the Land of Whirlpools! We are merely there for an extraction, why must they react so drastically? Their actions risk plunging the entire ninja world into chaos."
The Sandaime Hokage was nearly exasperated by the Mizukage and Hanzō's perceived stupidity. With their move, Sunagakure no longer needed to fear an attack on their coastline by Kirigakure.
Would the Sand Ninja, now with their forces freed up, let the Land of Rain, devoid of Hanzō, go unpunished?
"Hurry and summon the advisory elders for an immediate meeting, and issue an emergency signal at once. War is coming."
The Sandaime Hokage issued the urgent order.
…
"Sir, all the troops have been transferred." A chūnin appeared, knelt on one knee, and reported to Ebizō, who had spoken.
Ebizō stood with his hands clasped behind his back and said slowly, "Instruct them to exercise caution and avoid alerting the spies of the Land of Rain. Once the troops are fully assembled, they are to immediately launch an attack on the Land of Rain."
"Yes." The chūnin responded and promptly left to relay the order.
Ebizō sighed inwardly. To deceive Hanzō this time, he had mobilized a significant number of troops near the border of the Land of Fire.
However, these troops would soon be replaced by civilians tasked with logistics, while the actual combat forces would change their equipment and quietly proceed to the Land of Rain border to regroup.
When Ebizō had received news the previous day that Hanzō had suddenly departed the Land of Rain, he sensed an opportunity and immediately accelerated the troop assembly. Now, they were nearly ready.
At that moment, another ninja flashed to the ground and stated, "Reporting, Lord Ebizō, the latest intelligence from the Land of Whirlpools."
Ebizō raised his eyebrows slightly. After quickly reviewing the information handed over by the ninja, he exclaimed in surprise, "Hanzō is actually allied with the Mizukage! Go and intercept the troops withdrawing from the coast. Once you locate them, inform them they are not to return to the village but are to proceed directly to the Land of Rain encampment to join the support forces."
"Yes!" the ninja responded and swiftly disappeared.
While the Sand Ninja were urgently mobilizing their forces, the Cloud Ninja were also far from idle.
"Hokage-sama, there are unusual movements in Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning. A large number of ninja troops are advancing towards the Land of Hot Water and will reach the border of our Land of Fire soon!"
In the Hokage's office, the Sandaime was seated at his desk, processing documents. A masked Anbu suddenly appeared in the room, kneeling on one knee and reporting to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The Anbu's report left the Sandaime Hokage in silence. He needed a moment to process the information and formulate a response.
However, the Sandaime immediately grasped the intention of the Kumo Ninja. They had clearly surmised that the Mizukage and Hanzō's actions implied the Wind Country would engage the Rain Country in conflict.
Fearing Konohagakure would divert troops from their border to support the Land of Whirlpools, they were sending forces to exert pressure on Konohagakure.
"None of the ninja from these major villages are easily dealt with." The Sandaime held his pipe to his mouth and pondered for a moment. He promptly convened a high-level meeting to discuss Kumogakure no Sato's incursion into the Land of Hot Water.
Ōnoki, too, was perplexed by the sudden escalation in the ninja world. He immediately assembled troops to deploy to the borders of the Land of Lightning and the Land of Rain for defensive purposes.
Simultaneously, he dispatched forces to occupy the site of the former Kusagakure to prevent others from seizing the strategic location.
Hanzō and the Sandaime Mizukage were oblivious to the far-reaching consequences their actions would unleash upon the ninja world.
"Here I come."
The Uzumaki clan head lowered the telescope in his hand, his left hand clenching into a fist. With a grave expression, he announced, "The Mizukage is here."
He sighed inwardly. The war had finally begun, and their ally, Konohagakure, had only sent a dozen individuals. Though they were all elite ninja, their impact on the unfolding battle remained uncertain.
"Are they here?" Yuta, hearing the Uzumaki clan leader's words, turned quickly and asked, "Are you ready?"
The Uzumaki clan leader nodded. "Those unable to fight have been evacuated to the shelters. Only those capable remain here."
"I will deal with Hanzō later. Which of you can restrain the Mizukage?" Yuta pondered for a moment before stating, "Only by holding back both the Mizukage and Hanzō do we stand a chance."
"The Great Elder and I will attempt to coordinate our efforts. We should be able to hold him for a time, but we are both aged and cannot sustain it indefinitely."
The Uzumaki clan leader spoke with a hint of embarrassment.
"That will suffice. After I handle Hanzō, I will come to your aid. The ninja I brought to guard the shelters, along with ten more individuals, will also join the battle." A terrifying glint shone in Yuta's narrowed eyes.
He had not intended to reveal his full strength so early, but the current situation had spiraled beyond his initial calculations. Without exerting his utmost, they might all face dire consequences.
"Mizukage." Hanzō observed the Uzumaki clan ninja waiting on the shore. "Should we commence the attack now? We should resolve this swiftly. I feel a persistent unease."
"Then proceed. I, too, am curious to witness the magnanimity of the Konoha Silver Fox."
Upon hearing the Mizukage's words, Hanzō leaped onto the bow of the warship and rapidly formed hand seals.
"Suiton: Daibakuryū no Jutsu!"
The calm sea surface suddenly churned violently, and a swirling vortex of water rapidly coalesced into a colossal wave, stretching for kilometers as it surged towards the coast of the Land of Whirlpools.
"Your power is truly astounding, Lord Hanzō. It is no wonder you are called a demigod. The sheer force of this Water Release technique is unparalleled in my experience!" The Sandaime Mizukage, witnessing the might of Hanzō's ninjutsu, offered lavish praise.
"Lord Mizukage, your compliments are too generous. I shall now engage the Silver Fox of Konoha. Please await my return, Lord Mizukage." Observing Hanzō's confidence, the Mizukage was unwilling to be outdone.
He leaped off the warship and propelled himself across the water towards the Land of Whirlpools.
"What?! What kind of monster is this!" The people of the Uzumaki clan watched the overwhelming wave approach with expressions of utter despair. This battle was entirely unlike anything they had ever imagined!
Their usual conflicts involved exchanging a few kunai throws. If those missed, they would engage in brief kunai clashes, culminating in a single ninjutsu to end the fight.
No one present had ever witnessed a wave of such immense scale and power at the very onset of a battle.
Except for one. Yuta clasped his hands together and declared, "Doton: Yūdo Dōjō!"
The land before them rapidly rose and solidified, transforming into a towering city wall two meters thick and extending for over ten kilometers along the coastline.
"Boom!" The violent collision of the colossal wave against the newly formed stone wall erupted in a massive spray of water mist, which, under the sun's rays, momentarily transformed into a breathtaking rainbow.