The greatest war in the history of the ninja world thus began.
Because of one man, the Five Great Ninja Villages united, gathering sixty thousand troops to march on the Land of Waterfalls.
Yet every soldier of the Alliance knew, the enemy they faced was not Ye Zi alone.
Their restless emotions were buried deep, while their determination to win shone on the surface.
Before the main host moved, the Sensor Division dispatched an elite reconnaissance unit to go ahead. Before battle, they had to track the enemy's movements at all times in order to respond a step ahead.
The army advanced in might. At the very front was the Close-Range Combat Division, led by Kakashi, the vanguard on land. Ahead of even them was Konan's Surprise Attack Division, moving through the skies.
Konan's Paper Jutsu granted her flight, and her squad was the smallest, composed mainly of shinobi with flying summons, all quite strong. Advancing through the air allowed them to bypass most enemy eyes and ears.
Their mission was to slip past the enemy army and launch an attack from behind. They would not reveal themselves until the vanguard engaged, only then falling from the skies to join battle.
Coordinating air and ground forces required a perfect communications network. The Yamanaka clan, combined with Konoha's advanced technology, created a relay system linking every unit.
Because of the Yamanaka clan's unique secret techniques, much of Konoha's research had gone into enhancing them. The results were evident. Even setting aside their ability to probe the minds of the dead, this communications net alone would prove of immense value in war.
The Sensor and Medical Divisions were split into countless small squads, embedded throughout the army as support.
The other combat divisions marched close behind Kakashi's vanguard.
No one knew what awaited them ahead.
Would they live to see victory, or fall in the very first clash?
Of all the divisions, the Close-Range Division faced the greatest risk. Yet every member had accepted this fate.
"No word yet from the reconnaissance or the Surprise Attack Division. With insufficient intel, we can't judge enemy movements. The only certainty… is that the enemy is prepared," Shikaku said, face calm, standing before the map.
The Kage, stationed in the rear, all turned their eyes to the map of the Land of Fire spread across the table. Smooth stones marked the positions of each unit.
If not for the barrier alert that had detected White Zetsu back in Konoha, they might not even be this vigilant now.
Surely, Ye Zi, seeing the Allied Army gathered, would not sit and wait for death.
Many possibilities lay ahead. They had to be wary of ambushes. The reconnaissance teams and sensor shinobi scattered among the divisions bore the task of avoiding such dangers.
"Undeniably, Ye Zi is capable. But slowing the march out of endless caution seems excessive," Raikage A said coldly, arms crossed.
"War is no child's game. One wrong step could cost thousands of lives," Ōnoki retorted.
A frowned, but said nothing more.
He had waited so long for this army to gather, and he was eager to tear Ye Zi apart. But because of the risk of ambush, their pace was slowed. He knew the reasoning was sound, yet he couldn't calm his impatience.
"There's news!" Suddenly, Haiichi Yamanaka, wearing his half-enclosed helmet, spoke up. "Enemy sighted."
"How many?" A demanded at once, the question on everyone's mind.
Haiichi paused, then said with slight astonishment, "Just one. Ye Zi."
"One man?" Minato's brows rose.
The room fell silent.
"Impossible it's just one. Have the scouts keep watching. How long until the vanguard makes contact?" Minato broke the silence.
"At their current pace, five minutes," Haiichi replied immediately.
"So close? Where?" Shikaku asked, frowning.
"At the edge of Sunset Hill Forest," Haiichi said.
"So close?" Shikaku blinked in surprise.
Sunset Hill Forest lay a distance from the border. Beyond it stretched the Valley of the End and the Twilight Forest, with the Fire Country's signature mushroom groves nearby.
Shikaku picked up a stone and placed it on the map over Sunset Hill Forest. His face grew heavy. "It can't be just Ye Zi. If the enemy is already here, it means they too marched the moment they got word, just as we did.
"Ye Zi surely knows of our alliance, yet instead of holding the advantage in the Land of Waterfalls, he's chosen to come out and meet us…"
Shikaku drew a long breath and looked around the table.
"Confident, is he…" Ōnoki's eyes chilled.
"Warn the vanguard to stay alert. Until the situation is clear, do not act rashly," Minato ordered gravely. This war had to be won, and won decisively.
The scouts had only found Ye Zi. Within their range, he stood alone. But beyond it, the unknown lurked.
A rash move could mean needless sacrifice.
"Yes." Haiichi relayed the orders to the vanguard immediately.
...
The Battlefield
Sunset Hill Forest, famed for its towering stone pillars of every shape and size.
Atop the tallest pillar, Ye Zi stood, gazing at the black ripple swelling along the horizon.
He knew exactly what it represented.
A cold wind swept grit across his black bangs, whipping the hem of his dark cloak.
One minute. Two minutes…
The black line thickened, blurred, then grew sharp.
In five minutes, the vanguard arrived before him.
Ten thousand shinobi halted, raising their eyes to the lone figure standing on the stone pillar.
"No updates from the scouts?"
Kakashi looked up at Ye Zi with grim eyes. Like everyone else, he couldn't believe Ye Zi would face them alone. What was he plotting?
In the first division stood many masters of blade and fist. Among them, the foremost in taijutsu, Guy.
He stood at Kakashi's side, staring up at Ye Zi, slowly tightening his fist.
Something was wrong. With no fresh orders, the ten thousand-strong vanguard held their ground.
According to Cloud intel, Ye Zi possessed a genjutsu of terrifying power. They had to be wary.
From atop the pillar, Ye Zi gazed down coldly at the ten thousand enemies spread before him.
Since the Battle of The Valley of Clouds and Lightning, his heart as a warrior had been honed to the utmost. Even if a hundred thousand foes stood before him, he would not flinch.
But neither was he arrogant enough to think he could fight the Alliance's vanguard alone.
"Here… is where it will be decided."
"Victory… or defeat…"
His eyes grew sharp. Speaking to himself, he drew the blade Chijin from its sheath.
"There will be no chance result. I will succeed, inevitably."
"Heh."
At his feet, the ground swelled. White Zetsu rose from it with a grin.
"Well?" Ye Zi asked.
"They're in position," White Zetsu replied.
Ye Zi drew a long breath. With his keen eyes, he could see the figures at the enemy's front.
Guy. Kakashi. Hiashi Hyūga… Familiar faces of Konoha, standing ready before him.
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