[Naruto : Yellow Flash] Chapter 471 - 475

Chapter 471: The War Is Getting Tighter

In the barren desert of the Land of Wing, the air vibrated with tension.

Boom!

A deafening explosion sent waves of sand cascading through the air.

"Damn humans!"

A shriek of rage and malice echoed across the desolate landscape. At its source was a monstrous figure—a massive, ochre-colored beast streaked with purple patterns.

One-Tail, Shukaku.

The mighty tailed beast thrashed violently, its body bound by golden chains formed from sand manipulated by the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.

A squad of Sand Ninjas surrounded the beast, their faces tense with determination. One of them rushed to Rasa’s side.

"Kazekage-sama, are you alright?"

Rasa waved him off, his gaze fixed on the writhing form of Shukaku. "I’m fine. Focus on the seal. We can’t let this creature escape again!"

The hunt for Shukaku had stretched on for three grueling months. Despite the combined efforts of the Sand Village, the beast’s cunning and raw power had resulted in heavy losses. Nearly a hundred Sand Ninjas had perished in the pursuit.

"Yes, sir!"

Dozens of Sand Ninjas moved into position, forming intricate hand seals. Their chakra surged, creating a palpable tension in the air.

A kunoichi with short hair stepped forward, her expression heavy with resolve.

"Seal!"

The coordinated voices of the Sand Ninjas reverberated as a brilliant light enveloped Shukaku.

"Damn it! Damn it!"

Shukaku roared, its wild, hate-filled eyes locking onto the kunoichi. She was the new vessel, the cage meant to contain it.

The sealing process reached its peak, and with a final Instant Step, Shukaku’s massive form vanished.

Purple lines crawled across the kunoichi’s face, her eyes becoming blank as the tailed beast's essence fused with her.

"Quickly, stabilize her!"

A Sand Ninja rushed forward, pressing a talisman to her forehead. The glowing seal suppressed the beast’s influence, causing the lines on her face to fade. Her eyes returned to normal before she collapsed, unconscious.

Rasa sighed deeply. Shukaku had been secured, but the strain on the vessel was evident.

"She won’t be able to fully suppress Shukaku," Rasa muttered. "But this seal should hold for a few years at least."

Rasa’s expression hardened as he turned to one of the Sand Ninjas.

"Send word to the Cloud Ninja and Rain Village. Inform them that the Sand Village army will soon march."

"Understood!"

Two Sand Ninjas dashed off in opposite directions.

Rasa clenched his fists, his golden eyes burning with resolve.

"Konoha… Minato Namikaze… don’t think I’ve forgotten the humiliation you dealt me."

Meanwhile, in Konoha’s operations room, the Third Hokage and several senior advisors gathered around a large map, their faces grim.

The Land of Rain was the focal point, sandwiched between the major nations of Wind, Fire, and Earth.

Swish!

Minato suddenly appeared, his arrival drawing all eyes. His face was serious as he delivered his report.

"The Rock Ninjas have established a full supply line in the Land of Grass. According to Aburame Shibi’s reconnaissance, most of their forces are now moving toward the Land of Rain. Their leader, Kitsuchi, has already left their main camp."

The Third Hokage nodded, his brows furrowed.

"We’ve received similar news about the Sand Village. They’ve re-sealed Shukaku and are now mobilizing their forces toward the Land of Rain."

Minato’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. He had expected the Sand Village to retaliate after their previous defeat, but this confirmation solidified his concerns.

"Their intentions are clear," Minato said. "The Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja plan to join forces, with the Rain Ninja likely joining them. This will be a coordinated strike."

He hesitated for a moment before adding, "If I had eliminated Hanzo during our last encounter, this situation wouldn’t be as dire."

The room fell silent at Minato’s words. His acknowledgment carried a weight that unsettled even Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

To defeat Hanzo, the Demigod of the Ninja World, was already a feat that surpassed imagination. To kill him outright was another matter entirely.

But there was no doubt in their minds: Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash, truly possessed the ability to do so.

The Third Hokage broke the silence. "We can’t afford to delay. The forces we currently have at the Rain Village border won’t be able to withstand an assault from these three nations."

Minato nodded. The Third Hokage’s next words were direct.

"You used the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport 500 shinobi at once before. Could you manage a larger number this time?"

Minato smiled faintly. "If needed, I can bring back the entire force stationed in the Land of Grass."

The Third Hokage considered this, his expression thoughtful. "We can’t leave the Grass border unguarded. 500 shinobi will hold the line there. Bring the rest, including him, back to Konoha immediately."

"Understood."

With that, Minato disappeared, vanishing in a Yellow Flash.

The Third Hokage turned to his advisors.

"The enemy’s forces are too concentrated this time. We’ll need to divert resources from within the village itself."

He raised his voice. "Send for the Anbu."

An Anbu operative appeared instantly, kneeling before him.

"Draw out 80% of the Anbu forces. Prepare them for deployment to the Land of Rain border."

Chapter 472: Land of Rain Master

"Yes!"

The Anbu operative’s eyes flickered momentarily before he vanished. He understood the gravity of the Hokage’s command. Deploying 80% of the Anbu forces—Konoha’s elite protectors—was a measure of desperation.

Utane Koharu frowned, her unease evident. "Hiruzen, is it really necessary to weaken the Anbu’s presence to this extent?"

The Third Hokage’s expression was grave. "The forces amassed by the Sand Ninja, Rock Ninja, and Rain Ninja will likely number in the thousands. With nearly all of Konoha’s elites already deployed, we have no other options."

The room fell silent. The names he mentioned weighed heavily on everyone present: Hanzo of the Rain, the Fourth Kazekage of the Sand Village, and Iwagakure’s leader, Kitsuchi. Each was formidable in their own right.

But it wasn’t just them. The Third Hokage continued, his tone grim.

"Some time ago, we received intelligence that a ninja named Roshi has returned to Iwagakure."

A sharp intake of breath came from Utane Koharu.

Roshi—known as the Four-Tails Jinchuriki—was a name that commanded respect and fear. A contemporary of the Third Tsuchikage, he had left the village in protest years ago but now reappeared, likely to bolster Iwagakure’s efforts.

"Roshi’s mastery over the Four-Tails’ chakra makes him as dangerous as Killer B of the Cloud Village," Sarutobi explained.

"Between him, Kitsuchi, and the Fourth Kazekage, we’re staring down a coalition of extraordinary power. And now, with Hanzo among them…"

His voice trailed off, but the implications were clear.

Homura broke the silence. "If things are this dire, perhaps we should join the battle ourselves."

The Third Hokage shook his head. "That would only escalate matters further. If we step onto the battlefield, it could provoke the involvement of others like the Third Tsuchikage or Third Mizukage. Such a move could spiral the war entirely out of control."

Koharu and Homura exchanged uneasy glances but nodded. The delicate balance of power among the major nations meant even a single misstep could ignite total chaos.

Sarutobi’s gaze shifted to Danzo. "I need half of Root’s forces mobilized. We can’t afford to hold anything back now."

Danzo’s face tightened. Root was his personal force, loyal only to him, and even the Hokage had no direct authority over them. Yet, after a tense moment, Danzo nodded.

"Konoha’s survival takes precedence," he said, though his tone betrayed reluctance.

In the Land of Grass, the Konoha camp buzzed with activity. Hundreds of ninjas stood shoulder to shoulder, their preparations swift and disciplined.

Minato stood at the center, his hand resting on Jiraiya’s shoulder. "Ready, sensei?"

Jiraiya grinned. "Always."

In a flash of yellow light, the entire battalion vanished.

In the Land of Rain’s Valley of Tears, the air was thick with tension. This natural chokepoint, surrounded by steep cliffs, served as the perfect strategic location.

Hundreds of Rain Ninjas had already gathered, their eyes fixed on the man standing at the valley’s highest point.

Hanzo.

The once-undefeated Demigod had been uncharacteristically silent since his loss to Minato. His presence, however, remained as commanding as ever, and no Rain Ninja dared disturb him.

A scout appeared at Hanzo’s side, bowing deeply. "Chief, the Iwagakure forces have been sighted."

Hanzo turned his head slightly, his gaze sharpening as he looked toward the horizon.

The sound of marching footsteps grew louder, accompanied by the rhythmic patter of rain. Soon, black dots appeared in the distance—an advancing army from Iwagakure.

"Chief, the Sand Ninja have also arrived," the scout reported again.

Hanzo’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Right on time."

Moments later, two massive armies converged in the valley, their leaders stepping forward.

Kitsuchi, the leader of Iwagakure’s forces, stood at the forefront, his broad frame exuding strength. His eyes scanned the Sand Ninja ranks before locking onto their leader, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.

Rasa met Kitsuchi’s gaze, but his attention quickly shifted to the figure standing slightly behind him.

A red-haired old man with a powerful presence.

Roshi… the Four-Tails Jinchuriki.

Rasa’s sharp instincts immediately recognized the aura of a tailed beast emanating from him.

The tension in the valley was palpable as all three leaders turned their attention upward, where Hanzo stood watching them.

It wasn’t merely his reputation as a demigod that commanded their respect. His aura was overwhelming—a presence that only the most powerful shinobi could perceive and understand.

Hanzo’s eyes swept over the assembled leaders, lingering momentarily on Roshi. The two had crossed paths before, but in Hanzo’s time, Roshi had been a lesser figure.

Now, though, the power radiating from the Four-Tails Jinchuriki was undeniable.

A faint chuckle escaped Hanzo’s lips. "Not bad," he murmured, his voice carrying an edge of condescension.

Rasa and Kitsuchi bristled at the remark but held their tongues.

Roshi, however, stepped forward with a smirk. "Hanzo," he called out, his tone laced with mockery. "I hear you’ve been keeping busy—like losing to a kid from Konoha."

Chapter 473: Testing

As Rōshi’s slightly mocking voice echoed across the valley, a tense silence fell over the gathering.

Many of the surrounding ninjas shifted uncomfortably. The air, already damp with the steady drizzle of Land of Rain, seemed to grow colder.

Hanzo’s earlier words had carried the weight of arrogance befitting a demigod. Few in the ninja world dared to challenge him, and even fewer would risk his ire.

The Fourth Kazekage and Kitsuchi, aware of the tenuous alliance between their nations, had swallowed their pride and suppressed their anger. But Rōshi, the fiery-tempered Four-Tails Jinchuriki, had no such reservations.

His words had struck a nerve, laying bare the most humiliating Chapter in Hanzo’s recent history—his defeat at the hands of Minato Namikaze.

The Rain Ninjas standing behind Hanzo visibly tensed, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads. They knew the volatility of their leader’s temper. Ever since his loss to Minato, Hanzo’s demeanor had been cold and unpredictable.

At the top of the valley, Hanzo’s expression darkened, his anger barely concealed. Though his face remained composed, the air around him seemed to grow heavier, suffused with an icy chill.

Kitsuchi’s muscles stiffened as he watched Hanzo intently. His mind raced. I hope Hanzo can consider the larger picture. We cannot afford infighting now.

But before Kitsuchi could intervene, a sharp clank rang out, and two blindingly fast arcs of light shot toward Rōshi.

"So fast!"

The leaders of the three nations—Kitsuchi, Rasa, and Rōshi—reacted with wide eyes. None of them had even seen Hanzo draw his blade.

Kitsuchi began forming hand seals, but Rōshi was already ahead of him.

"Lava Style: Burning Magma Technique!"

Fiery magma spewed from Rōshi’s mouth, solidifying mid-air into a massive ball.

Boom!

The molten sphere collided with Hanzo’s sword light. The intense heat melted the chakra-imbued slash, but not without consequence—the molten fragments of the attack scattered across the battlefield.

"Move!"

Rasa acted swiftly, summoning a wave of golden sand to shield his forces. The sand absorbed the heat, preventing injury but leaving charred streaks in its wake.

Kitsuchi’s expression hardened. "Hanzo, was that really necessary?"

The normally calm and composed Kitsuchi could not mask his displeasure. While Rōshi’s words had been tactless, Hanzo’s retaliatory strike had threatened to unravel their fragile alliance.

Hanzo, still standing at the top of the valley, sheathed his blade with deliberate slowness. His gaze swept across the gathered forces, his tone laced with mockery.

"If we are to cooperate, I must know the caliber of my allies. If you cannot even handle this, how do you expect to survive against Minato Namikaze?"

Hanzo’s words struck a chord. For all their bravado, none of the assembled leaders could deny the growing shadow cast by Konoha’s Yellow Flash.

Rōshi, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, felt a pang of unease. He had dismissed the rumors surrounding Minato’s prowess as exaggerations. But now, standing in the presence of a man like Hanzo—someone who had fought and lost to Minato—Rōshi began to reconsider.

Rasa’s face darkened as he recalled his own encounter with Minato. That day, the Fourth Kazekage had faced death more closely than ever before. If Minato had intended to kill him from the start, Rasa knew he wouldn’t have survived.

Kitsuchi spoke, his voice firm. "Minato Namikaze may be powerful, but even he is just one man. This is a war of nations. He cannot change the tide alone."

Hanzo smirked but did not respond. He knew better. He had seen firsthand the devastating effectiveness of Minato’s Flying Thunder God Technique.

"He is not to be underestimated," Hanzo finally said. "Even I underestimated him once. That mistake cost me dearly."

The words left a chilling impact on everyone present.

Rōshi, despite his usual fiery demeanor, found his confidence shaken. Rasa’s jaw tightened. Even Kitsuchi, a man of patience and practicality, felt the weight of what lay ahead.

Meanwhile, in Konoha, the gathered forces were preparing to march.

The plaza in front of the Hokage Building was packed with over 1,500 ninjas, each standing at attention.

The Third Hokage, clad in full military regalia, addressed the assembled troops. Beside him stood Jiraiya, Minato, and several other senior leaders.

Among them was Kato Dan, whose calm presence radiated assurance. Suzuka, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd, was a reminder of Konoha’s legendary strength—even among its veterans.

Behind them stood the masked members of Anbu and Root, their faces hidden but their resolve palpable.

The Third Hokage’s voice rang out clearly.

"This war demands sacrifices, but I remind you all: we fight not just for victory, but for the future of Konoha. Should the need arise, I will stand beside you on the battlefield."

"Yes!"

The collective response echoed, filled with determination.

Minato’s gaze shifted toward the side of the Hokage Building, where a familiar red-haired woman stood. Kushina’s eyes met his, her expression firm yet laced with worry.

Minato offered her a reassuring smile, his voice soft as he whispered, "I’ll come back to you."

Kushina’s lips moved silently, but he could read her words as if they were spoken aloud.

"You must come back safely. I’ll be waiting."

"Sensei, let’s go."

With a hand on Jiraiya’s shoulder, Minato reached out with his chakra, connecting with the hundreds of shinobi around them.

Swish, swish, swish!

The air shimmered, and in a Yellow Flash, over 1,500 Konoha ninjas vanished from the plaza.

Kushina watched the empty space where Minato had stood moments ago. Her eyes glistened, but she refused to let any tears fall. Instead, she clenched her fists, determination burning within her.

Chapter 474: War Begins!

At the border of the Land of Rain, Konoha Camp.

Swish, swish, swish!

The air seemed to ripple as a sudden surge of energy filled the camp. In the blink of an eye, 1,500 Konoha ninjas materialized within the tent, their arrival compressing the once-spacious area into a tightly packed assembly. The startled expressions on the faces of the Konoha soldiers already stationed there reflected their amazement at the abrupt change.

At the forefront of the group stood Minato Namikaze, his iconic blond hair disheveled and his breaths labored. His brow glistened with sweat as he struggled to steady himself. Transporting an entire battalion using the Flying Thunder God Technique was no small feat, even for the Yellow Flash. Despite the toll it took on his chakra reserves, Minato had made his decision. In war, the one who strikes first gains the advantage.

Nearby, Jiraiya observed his student with a mix of pride and concern. Minato’s resolve had proven crucial in ensuring they arrived ahead of the enemy forces.

The commotion had not gone unnoticed. Within moments, several Konoha sentinels on duty appeared before the pair, their movements swift and precise.

“Lord Minato, Lord Jiraiya!” they greeted in unison, bowing respectfully.

“Do we have any information about the enemy?” Jiraiya asked, waving for them to stand at ease.

“Not yet, sir,” one of the ninjas replied, his voice tinged with regret.

Minato nodded thoughtfully. The Land of Rain’s terrain was treacherous, and its leader, Hanzo of the Salamander, was no novice when it came to defending his domain. It was no surprise that intelligence-gathering efforts had met with limited success.

Jiraiya frowned, scratching his chin. “We need more eyes in the field. Shibi, I’m counting on you,” he said, turning to Aburame Shibi, who stood nearby.

The stoic shinobi adjusted his glasses, nodding silently before vanishing into the shadows. He excelled at reconnaissance, and Jiraiya trusted him implicitly.

“Now, we wait,” Jiraiya said, his gaze meeting Minato’s. Despite the looming threat, the two shared a brief, reassuring smile.

Moments later, a figure darted into the tent. Hyuga Tenki, the commander overseeing the border defense, arrived with a grim expression etched across his face. However, his demeanor lightened slightly upon noticing the reinforcements.

“Lord Jiraiya, Lord Minato,” Tenki began, his tone urgent, “the Rain Ninja, led by Hanzo, have joined forces with the armies of the Rock and Sand. They’re moving through the Valley of Tears and are headed directly for the Land of Fire border.”

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit cave within the Land of Rain, a tense conversation unfolded.

“Hanzo must have lost his mind,” Yahiko growled, his fist slamming against the rocky wall. His orange hair, damp from the rain, framed his determined expression. “If he drags the Land of Rain into this war, it will become a target for all five great nations!”

Konan, standing nearby with her arms crossed, frowned. “Even if he hadn’t allied with the other nations, it’s unlikely he could have stopped the Rock and Sand Ninjas from marching through our territory.”

Yahiko exhaled sharply, conceding her point. Yet, the frustration gnawed at him. This war will tear apart everything we’ve worked so hard to build.

Nagato, who had been silent until now, spoke up, his voice calm but tinged with sadness. “Perhaps we could reason with them. If Jiraiya-sensei and Minato are leading Konoha’s forces, there may still be a chance for diplomacy.”

Yahiko shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Even if Jiraiya and Minato were willing to listen, Hanzo and the other nations won’t back down. The wounds inflicted by the Yellow Flash run deep.”

Back at the Konoha camp, Shibi returned with his report.

“We’ve confirmed the enemy’s numbers. The combined forces of the Sand, Rock, and Rain Ninjas total approximately 4,500,” he stated.

A heavy silence fell over the tent. The Konoha forces, including those already stationed at the border, numbered only 2,500. The odds were daunting.

“They’re less than fifty miles away and advancing rapidly,” Shibi continued.

Minato’s eyes narrowed. “Fifty miles… that gives us some time to prepare.”

Jiraiya smirked. “What’s running through that sharp mind of yours, Minato?”

…

Outside the camp, the enemy forces pressed onward. A massive sea of 4,500 ninjas moved in unison, their formation as intimidating as a swarm of locusts.

At the head of the army, Hanzo raised his hand, signaling the troops to halt.

“Now,” he commanded.

Hundreds of Rock Ninjas stepped forward, their hands flying through a series of seals. With a resounding boom, they pressed their palms to the ground.

The earth trembled violently, splitting apart in jagged lines that surged forward like waves. The cracks tore through the terrain, destroying everything in their path.

Hanzo sneered. “Such petty tricks won’t stop us.”

As the ground upheaved, hidden explosive tags were unearthed, glinting in the sunlight. Hanzo tossed a kunai bearing an explosive tag into the chaos.

BOOM!

Chapter 475: Suspicious Formation

The deafening explosions continued to wreak havoc, reducing massive rocks to rubble within a radius of hundreds of meters. The relentless detonations echoed across a kilometer-wide expanse, the sound reverberating like rolling thunder.

Hanzo stood at the forefront of the enemy forces, his expression as calm and detached as ever. The devastation before him failed to stir even a flicker of emotion in his sharp eyes. To him, these traps—crafted with Earth Release techniques and laden with explosive tags—were nothing more than an amateurish tactic.

The terrain at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain stretched over several kilometers of open space. Hanzo had seen it all before. Konoha thinks they can delay us with such petty tricks?

“Did they retreat because they knew they were outnumbered?” Hanzo muttered, narrowing his eyes.

The combined Earth Release technique executed by hundreds of Rock Ninjas had annihilated the Konoha camp in the area. Yet, there were no signs of life among the ruins. The absence of even a single corpse made Hanzo uneasy.

His sharp gaze shifted to the figures beside him: Onoki’s son, Kurotsuchi’s father, the stoic Kitsuchi, and the cunning Fourth Kazekage, Rasa. Their expressions mirrored his own doubts.

“Lord Kazekage,” a Sand Ninja sensor reported as he hurried to Rasa’s side, “I cannot detect any chakra signatures within several hundred meters.”

Rasa nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the demolished ground. “Namikaze Minato is a master of sealing and barrier techniques. It wouldn’t be surprising if he used a barrier to shield the Konoha forces from detection,” he remarked, his voice heavy with caution.

The barren landscape stretched out before them, littered with debris and enveloped in a fine layer of dust. Light rain fell steadily, though it did little to calm the chaos in the air.

Despite the eerie calm, Hanzo and the leaders of the joint forces remained stationary, unwilling to advance recklessly.

“You’re all too cautious,” scoffed a gruff voice.

Rōshi, the fiery jinchūriki of the Four-Tails, stepped forward, his impatience palpable. “Do you think Konoha could have set more traps after this devastation? If anything, this is just a feeble attempt to confuse us.”

Without waiting for a response, Rōshi leapt ahead, traversing the ruins with bold, confident strides. The tension in the air grew as he approached the center of the devastated zone, but nothing happened.

Hanzo’s eyes narrowed as he observed Rōshi’s progress. Seeing the jinchūriki unharmed seemed to dispel the lingering doubts.

“Advance!” Hanzo barked.

The combined forces surged forward, thousands of ninjas moving like an unstoppable tide.

As they pressed deeper into the barren ground, a sudden movement caught their attention.

Swish, swish, swish!

Hundreds of figures materialized at the edges of the battlefield, encircling the invading forces. The sudden appearance of Konoha ninjas sent ripples of alarm through the joint army.

In the center, Rōshi’s sharp instincts kicked in. He spun around, ready to strike, but his vision was filled with a flash of blond hair and piercing blue eyes.

Namikaze Minato.

“Do it!” Minato’s voice rang out like a thunderclap.

All around the battlefield, the newly appeared Konoha ninjas finished their hand seals in perfect synchronization.

“Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!”

A howling gale erupted from all sides as hundreds of Konoha ninjas unleashed the wind-style technique in unison. The combined force of the wind was overwhelming, a storm born of ninja arts.

The devastating winds swept through the battlefield, hurling debris, shattered rocks, and sharp fragments like cannonballs. The terrain, already pulverized by the earlier explosions, now became a deadly weapon.

Jagged rock shards filled the air, their sheer volume impossible to count. Within seconds, they descended upon the invading army, shredding through the ranks with terrifying precision.

“They’ve set us up!” Hanzo growled, his realization coming too late. “The detonations weren’t meant to attack—they were meant to create ammunition!”

The Earth Release jutsu from earlier had created the perfect conditions for this attack. The winds transformed the debris into lethal projectiles, hemming in thousands of ninjas from all directions.

“Bang, bang, bang!”

The sounds of rocks piercing flesh echoed through the chaos. Blood sprayed into the air as hundreds of enemy ninjas fell, their bodies riddled with gaping wounds.

Though the combined wind pressure was enough to incapacitate most ordinary ninjas, for shinobi like Hanzo, Rasa, and Kitsuchi, it was a mere annoyance.

“Enough of this!” Hanzo snarled, drawing his blade in one swift motion.

The legendary scythe in his hand gleamed ominously. With a single slash, he cleaved through the oppressive winds, creating an opening.

Swish!

Hanzo moved like a blur, slashing through layers of wind pressure as he advanced toward the Konoha forces. His blade left destruction in its wake, weakening the coordination of the wind currents.

Rōshi, meanwhile, had his own encounter. Before he could react, Minato appeared before him, his movements a blur. In one fluid motion, Minato grabbed Rōshi by the wrist and redirected him, sending him hurtling back with precision.

Minato’s focus then shifted to Hanzo. His piercing gaze locked onto the approaching threat as he swung his iconic kunai.

“Clang!”

The kunai and Hanzo’s blade collided, sparks flying as their attacks canceled each other out.

Minato’s movements didn’t stop. He ignited a flare, its bright light cutting through the chaos. The signal was clear, and the Konoha ninjas immediately ceased their wind-style techniques, regrouping with precision.

As the dust settled, the battlefield revealed its grim toll. Nearly 300 enemy ninjas lay dead, their bodies scattered across the ravaged land.