The next day brought an eerie stillness to the Wind-Cloud Allied Forces. No air raids launched, no attacks commenced—as if the previous night's chaos had drained every ounce of their strength. From the distant observation points, only the constant bustle within their main camp was visible: figures moving back and forth in organized patterns, their purpose shrouded in mystery.
"Sir, what do you think has them so busy? All that back-and-forth movement?"
On a hillside overlooking the enemy encampment, Hyuga Hizashi channeled chakra to his eyes, the veins around his temples bulging as he focused his Byakugan on every detail of the Wind-Cloud Allied Forces' activities.
Danzo shot him a withering glare.
"Have your injuries healed?"
Hizashi patted his ribs experimentally. "Completely healed, sir."
"Funny. I don't think they have."
The words carried an icy edge that made Hizashi's stomach drop.
"Sir? I don't understand—"
"Your brain injury, you idiot!" Danzo's voice was a harsh whisper. "Do you think I can see anything from this distance? What exactly do you think I brought you on this reconnaissance mission for, branch family?"
Heat flooded Hizashi's cheeks as he scratched his head awkwardly. No wonder the main family looks down on us.
Danzo exhaled slowly, reining in his temper. "Tell me—do the people in that camp look panicked to you?"
Hizashi refocused his Byakugan, studying the distant figures. "Actually, no. Their movements are very orderly. Disciplined."
"Any obvious changes to the camp's layout?"
"No, wait..." Hizashi's enhanced vision caught something. "Actually, yes!"
"Which is it?!"
"Yes, sir! They're moving supplies from the central command area to the rear guard position."
Danzo's eyes sharpened with interest. "You're certain?"
"Absolutely. They've been at it since dawn."
A slow smile spread across Danzo's weathered features. "Staying calm under pressure, maintaining perfect order... Jinghang, you really do have the makings of a great general. But you've just revealed your hand."
"His hand? What do you mean?"
"Think, boy. Why move critical supplies to the rear guard for no reason?"
Hizashi's eyes widened as understanding dawned. "To make the rear guard the vanguard—for a retreat!"
"They're planning to run—"
Danzo's hand clamped over Hizashi's mouth before he could finish. "Keep your voice down! We're leaving. Now."
————————————————
Midnight struck with the deep toll of temple bells. Konoha's massive gates groaned open, revealing a sight that would have chilled enemy hearts: over ten thousand ninja assembling in perfect silence, their dark forms flowing like a tide of shadows beyond the village walls.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood atop the gates in full battle regalia, his weathered face carved from stone as he watched his forces take position. The weight of command sat heavy on his shoulders—this could be Konoha's salvation or its doom.
The assembly completed with military precision. Without ceremony, Hiruzen leaped down in a graceful arc, landing at the formation's head. His gaze found two figures at the very front: Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina.
"Kushina." His voice carried quiet authority. "You'll spearhead our assault. I'm entrusting this to you."
The red-haired kunoichi's jaw set with determination. "Understood, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen's attention shifted to the blonde beside her. "Minato, your job is supporting Kushina and ensuring her safety above all else."
"You have my word, Hokage-sama." Minato's blue eyes blazed with resolve. "I'll protect her with my life."
For a moment, the Third Hokage's stern mask softened. "Konoha's future rests in your hands. When you return victorious, I'll personally host the grandest wedding this village has ever seen."
The couple exchanged a look that spoke of shared dreams and unbreakable bonds before melting into the darkness ahead.
...
Behind them, Senju Nawaki shifted restlessly beside his sensei, confusion written across his young features.
"Orochimaru-sensei, why are we waiting? Shouldn't we be moving out too?"
Orochimaru's golden eyes reflected the moonlight as he studied his naive student. "We're giving the Nine-Tails room to work, Nawaki. Tell me—are you eager to fight? Even knowing your beloved brother-in-law commands the enemy forces?"
The words hit like a physical blow. Nawaki's body went rigid, his face draining of color. "I... I don't..."
Watching his student's internal struggle, Orochimaru felt an unfamiliar pang of sympathy. This war held little meaning for him personally—he had no desire to cross blades with Jinghang. But duty bound him to Konoha, at least for now. His true path, his pursuit of forbidden knowledge, would have to wait. After this battle, he promised himself. Then I'll be free.
"Nawaki," he said quietly, ensuring only his student could hear. "Some things are beyond our control. This isn't your fault." He paused, making a decision that would change both their fates. "After this battle, I'm leaving Konoha. Would you come with me?"
Nawaki's response was silence. He looked up at his sensei, then back toward the village's carved monuments, his eyes lost in a maze of conflicting loyalties.
"MOVE OUT!"
Hiruzen's command shattered the night's stillness. The great decisive battle between Konoha and Sunagakure had begun.
...
Minato and Kushina's advance was swift and silent. Within minutes, they reached the perimeter of the Wind-Cloud Allied Forces' encampment.
The massive fortification sprawled before them, eerily quiet under the moon's pale gaze. No sentries called out, no patrols moved along the walls. Only the whisper of wind through grass broke the unnatural silence.
"Did they really withdraw?" Kushina's voice carried a note of disbelief. "Both Suna and Kumo?"
"Impossible." Minato's tactical mind raced through possibilities. "Danzo conducted reconnaissance just this afternoon. If they were retreating now—"
A figure emerged from the camp's main gate, cutting off his speculation. Even in the moonlight, that distinctive blue hair was unmistakable, catching silver highlights as it moved.
"Well, well." The voice carried cultured amusement. "'Is it not a pleasure, having friends come from afar?' Out for a romantic midnight stroll, are we?"
Jinghang's confident smile gleamed in the darkness, his posture radiating the casual arrogance of absolute power.
"Jinghang!" Minato's voice cracked like a whip.
The smile vanished instantly, replaced by cold fury. "How dare you address me so casually! I am Kazekage-sama to you, boy!"
His hand swept outward, and iron sand erupted from the earth like a metallic tsunami, racing toward the pair with deadly intent.
Minato's reflexes kicked in—he grabbed Kushina and flickered away just as the sand crashed into the space they'd occupied, leaving gouges in the earth.
But Jinghang wasn't finished. He appeared between them in a blur of motion, his hands already forming seals.
"Iron Sand: Drizzle!"
Thousands of needle-sharp particles filled the air, all aimed at Kushina with surgical precision.
"You bastard!" Minato's roar echoed across the battlefield as he positioned himself protectively in front of his girlfriend. "Targeting her directly—have you no honor?!"
"Honor?" Jinghang's laugh was sharp as winter wind. "You came to my doorstep uninvited. If you can't protect what's precious to you, that's your failing, not mine. Learn the difference between kings and pawns."
Minato vanished with Kushina, reappearing hundreds of meters away before flickering back with a kunai raised, murder in his eyes.
But Jinghang had already dismissed him, his attention fixed solely on the red-haired kunoichi in the distance.
Sorry, Minato. But you're not my target tonight.
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