High upon the towering mountain stood a mighty fortress pass—a strategic checkpoint where a single determined warrior could hold back an army of ten thousand. The ancient saying echoed through these peaks, but today it would be put to the ultimate test.
Shihouin Naraku gazed up at the majestic fortress and slowly withdrew his hand from his sword's hilt. The Cloud shinobi stationed along the checkpoint's walls burst into mocking laughter, hurling crude insults down at the lone figure below.
Yet Naraku appeared deaf to their taunts. Instead, chakra began surging throughout his entire body, building to an overwhelming crescendo.
Like a deity descending to the mortal realm!
"BOOM!"
A colossal giant materialized atop the mountain, so immense that its outstretched hands seemed capable of touching the very heavens. White clouds drifted around the titan's waist like a celestial belt, while lightning crackled through the sky above, appearing as divine weapons ready to strike down at the giant's command.
In that instant, both the Cloud shinobi who had been laughing so brazenly at the checkpoint and the Konoha shinobi assembled at the mountain's base fell into stunned silence. Not a single soul dared utter another word.
Sunlight cascaded down from above, illuminating the towering giant until it truly resembled a god made manifest. Before such an awe-inspiring sight, no one possessed the courage to speak disrespectfully!
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
With earth-shaking footsteps, the giant strode forward. It extended arms as thick as ancient trees and grasped the mountain wall with enormous hands. Powerful fingers dug deep into the stone, then suddenly exerted tremendous force!
The ground trembled violently!
With strength that seemed capable of splitting the earth itself, the giant tore a massive boulder from the mountainside. Hoisting the enormous rock onto its shoulder, the titan took aim at the Cloud shinobi's fortress and hurled the boulder with devastating power.
"CRASH!"
The gigantic stone plummeted from the sky and smashed into the checkpoint. The stunned Cloud shinobi had no time to dodge—they were instantly crushed beneath the boulder's weight. Deadly stone fragments exploded outward, piercing everything in their path!
Before the surviving Cloud shinobi could even comprehend what was happening, the flying debris punctured their bodies. They collapsed to the ground, their lives extinguished in seconds.
Where the boulder had struck, a massive crater now marred the fortress. Spider-web cracks spread outward from the impact point while thick clouds of dust billowed into the air.
"That was perhaps too powerful. I should moderate the force," Shihouin Naraku murmured from his position atop the giant Acala.
"Well then, let's continue!"
Acala drew its immense sword and advanced with thunderous steps. Each footfall left deep, clearly defined prints in the earth below.
"SLASH!"
The enormous blade descended upon the fortress, instantly cleaving in half the structure that Cloud Shinobi Village had invested countless resources and years to construct. Defense towers and buildings throughout the pass began collapsing. Amid terrifying tremors that shook the very mountain, this once-magnificent stronghold crumbled into ruins within moments.
"Karyuuenbu!" Naraku called out.
"SCREECH!"
A piercing phoenix cry echoed across the sky!
An orange-red phoenix, spanning several hundred meters in length, soared through the heavens. Its flaming wings beat powerfully, scattering burning embers like falling stars.
The majestic fire phoenix was both beautiful and lethal. After another crystalline cry, it dove straight toward the mountain summit's fortress.
"BOOM!"
A tremendous explosion reverberated across the mountaintop. The entire peak shook violently as flames erupted outward, igniting everything they touched. The scorching fire heated the very air until it shimmered.
"SCREECH!"
The phoenix emerged reborn from the flames, spreading its wings to ascend once more. Then it wheeled around and plunged toward the summit again.
"BOOM!"
Raging flames surged upward, painting the clouds above a brilliant crimson. The surrounding rocks melted into charred ash under the fire's extreme temperature, scattering on the wind like black snow.
Atop the mountain, an ocean of fire now engulfed what remained of the fortress.
At the mountain's base, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, Hyuga Hiashi, Akimichi Choza, and other clan leaders stared up at the burning summit in speechless amazement. For long moments, none could find words.
"Wait... wasn't this supposed to be just a diversionary attack?" Yamanaka Inoichi finally managed to speak, turning to Shikaku with his mouth still agape, desperately hoping for clarification.
Nara Shikaku nodded slowly. "Yes, it was meant as a feint."
Akimichi Choza and Hyuga Hiashi whirled to face Shikaku. They weren't children—how could annihilating every enemy constitute a feint attack?!
If all the enemies were dead, what was the point of a diversion?
"I suppose this changes things," Nara Shikaku admitted with a bitter smile. But his expression quickly shifted as realization dawned.
Konohagakure had gained another shinobi of legendary caliber!
"Though I never witnessed the First Hokage in his prime, I cannot imagine his power surpassing what Naraku has demonstrated today."
Shikaku gazed at the inferno still raging atop the mountain. After this battle, he doubted any village would dare speak arrogantly to Konoha again.
Single-handedly defeating hundreds of elite ninja!
Killing the Two-Tails jinchuriki and severely wounding the Eight-Tails!
And now, Shihouin Naraku had solo destroyed the impregnable fortress that Cloud Shinobi Village had poured endless resources into building.
Previously, Nara Shikaku couldn't truly grasp how powerful the First Hokage had been. But witnessing Shihouin Naraku's current display, he couldn't imagine anyone standing as this man's equal!
A warrior capable of challenging the entire world alone!
Such power had emerged once more!
Hyuga Hiashi and the others heard Shikaku's whispered words. Although First Hokage Senju Hashirama held a sacred place in every Konoha shinobi's heart, Naraku's overwhelming strength made them reconsider their loyalties.
Hyuga Hiashi suddenly laughed. "Haha... With such power at our disposal, strategies and tactics become almost irrelevant."
The others nodded in agreement. With Shihouin Naraku's abilities, even if unexpected complications arose during the war, he could simply force the situation to change through raw strength!
For the first time in his life, Nara Shikaku felt that his vaunted intelligence and strategic genius were utterly meaningless when confronted with such overwhelming power.
Atop the mountain, Shihouin Naraku stood on Acala's head, surveying the wildly spreading flames and flowing magma with satisfaction at his handiwork.
"The flames have grown more intense. The temperature is significantly higher than before. Could this be due to the Two-Tails Nekomata's chakra?"
Naraku recalled that the Two-Tails Nekomata had also excelled at Fire Style techniques!
Perhaps absorbing the Two-Tails' chakra had enhanced his fire jutsu's power.
"Wait... did I completely destroy this place?"
Naraku, who had been considering testing his Odama Rasengan next, suddenly realized he might have overdone things. The battle plan definitely hadn't called for this level of destruction.
"This is problematic. It was only supposed to be a diversion."
"Are we actually going to cross Thunder Gorge and invade the Land of Lightning's heartland?"
"This was meant to be a limited engagement. We can't simply destroy the entire Lightning Country."
Dismissing the giant Acala with a wave, Naraku sheathed his sword and stepped onto a large boulder, contemplating the crimson flames that continued to burn.
As Naraku pondered their next strategic move, a red meteor appeared in the distant sky, streaking toward the mountaintop.
The Comet Dragon!
In mere moments, the Sky Comet Dragon arrived before him.
Powerful winds swept across the summit, fanning the sea of fire to even greater intensity.
The Sky Comet Dragon folded its wings and landed on the scorched ground. It lowered its massive head slightly and rumbled a greeting to Naraku.
"You found them?"
"ROAR!"
The Sky Comet Dragon swished its long tail, stirring up clouds of ash and dust.
"Excellent work!"
The Sky Comet Dragon suddenly positioned itself protectively in front of Naraku, spreading its crimson wings wide and roaring at figures rapidly approaching the summit.
"We're all allies here. No need for the hostile reception."
Shihouin Naraku patted the Sky Comet Dragon's flank, signaling it to calm down.
The dragon tilted its head, scratching at it with one massive claw before folding its wings and stepping aside.
"Naraku, are you alright?"
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