The next morning.
The village entrance was bustling and crowded with people. Besides the 7,000 shinobi about to deploy, their family members and clan leaders were also waiting there.
Ryun Uchiha arrived right on time. Seeing this scene, he felt quite pleased; it showed his influence over the village was still significant.
After delivering a series of pre battle speeches, Ryun led two thousand shinobi eastward to attack Kirigakure.
Izuna Uchiha led troops north to prepare for engagement with the Third Raikage A and the shinobi of Kumogakure.
Ryun reached the easternmost part of the continent, which was the sea. To get to Kirigakure from here, they needed boats. To conceal their identities, it was best to use merchant ships, and large ones at that.
So he spent a high price to rent four merchant ships at the ferry that could hold 500 people each, and also hired a merchant who frequently did business on both shores to navigate.
The merchant, seeing Ryun spend money so generously, didn't think too much of it. Who would turn down money? So he led the four merchant ships toward Kirigakure.
The two thousand Konoha shinobi couldn't help but admire Ryun's thorough consideration. But Ryun knew clearly in his heart that he was just emulating the strategy of 'crossing the river in white clothes'. It wasn't some profound tactic, just relying on the element of surprise.
Therefore, he didn't explain much. On the deck of the ship, he wore clothing that only revealed his eyes, observing the direction to prevent the merchant from deceiving them. Fortunately, that didn't happen.
After the ships docked, Kirigakure shinobi came forward to inspect. Upon seeing the merchant's attire and the documents presented, the shinobi chose to let them pass.
Just like that, Ryun reached their front door without them knowing. He asked the merchant to wait a couple more days, until his people returned, before setting sail again.
Moreover, Ryun also compensated for the lost work days of these ships during this period.
The merchant thought this person was good, very sincere, so he nodded, indicating he could wait no matter how long.
After seeing off the merchant, Ryun's expression changed. He looked at the two thousand shinobi. "Those afraid of death, step forward now. You can leave with the merchant and stay safe. Although I will protect you, blades and arrows on the battlefield have no eyes. I cannot guarantee how many will survive."
"Therefore, those who want to leave, go quickly. Those not afraid of death, follow me to charge the formation." Ryun's voice reached everyone's ears.
Most of the two thousand people following Ryun were the younger generation from various clans, all full of courage.
At this age, unaware of the world's dangers, everyone's thought was to achieve merit and establish careers. Thus, not a single one of these two thousand retreated; their gazes were firm.
Seeing this, Ryun smiled. "Everyone, follow me." Then he charged toward Kirigakure at the head, the other shinobi closely behind.
When they reached about one kilometer from the village entrance, Ryun stopped. The fog was white and hazy, the air slightly damp. Due to the surrounding sea and many islands, there was also a faint salty, fishy smell in the air.
Ryun released his True Sight eye to explore the surroundings. Just as he approached Kirigakure, a kunai shot over.
Ryun cut off his vision, but at the last moment, he saw that person's face clearly. Yagura.
Yes, it was Yagura. It's not just Konoha that has an intelligence system. Our Kirigakure is not so easy to provoke.
Ryun clutched his left eye, cursing angrily that they were exposed. Then he saw Kirigakure shinobi rushing out from the village, using the water mist to conceal their figures.
Ryun shouted, "Release Wind Release. Blow away the mist."
Konoha shinobi formed hand signs.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
Wind Release: Pressure Damage.
Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Wave.
A large amount of Wind Release was executed, quickly dispersing the mist. Ryun took out the Blazing Flame Fan. The surrounding temperature rose. He clapped his hands together, took a deep breath.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation." With the boost from the Blazing Flame Fan, the range of Ryun's move expanded by double, and the heat increased significantly.
The Konoha shinobi watching felt their hearts surge. Is this the Uchiha clan's Fire Release? Truly terrifying.
Hearing the discussions of those nearby, other Uchiha clansmen shrunk their necks, too embarrassed to speak up and reveal the truth. Actually, very few in the Uchiha clan could achieve this.
But seeing the nearby people's discussions, the Uchiha shinobi straightened their backs again. Even though this fire wasn't released by me, my surname is Uchiha.
Although Yagura's expression was somewhat grave, it was still within controllable range.
"Everyone, Water Wall." As Yagura's words fell, three hundred Kirigakure shinobi simultaneously released Water Wall, confronting Ryun.
But this was hard on the Kirigakure shinobi. Ryun's force was very strong, causing the contact point between the Great Fire Annihilation and the Water Wall to be close to them.
The steam from water and fire had extremely high heat, scalding some of the mist shinobi who cried out in pain. But they still blocked in front of the village, releasing ninjutsu to resist Ryun's attack.
After about two and a half minutes, Ryun's ninjutsu stopped. Meanwhile, some mist shinobi lay on the ground covered in blisters, motionless. Others were completely dehydrated, thin like dried meat.
Some were red all over like boiled lobsters, their hands trembling, clearly seriously injured.
The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, pupils constricted. The power of one move actually reached this extent. Damn it. He looked toward the forest direction, anger in his eyes.
"Ryun Uchiha, you go too far. You control our Mizukage, take away our village's Tailed Beast, and now you dare to invade our village. Aren't you afraid of the entire shinobi world attacking you?" Yagura roared.
"If you have the guts, come. I, Ryun Uchiha, will accept it." After speaking, Ryun ordered the shinobi forces to perform Wind Release ninjutsu again, blowing away the steam mist just produced.
This decision made Kirigakure's assassination techniques unusable. They could only use Water Release and sword techniques to counterattack. But getting close to the Konoha troops was basically impossible. Ryun was a great mountain, an insurmountable great mountain.
Seeing the unfavorable situation, the Fourth Mizukage Yagura stepped forward, slowly walking to the open area in the center.
Seeing this, Ryun waved his hand, signaling everyone to stop attacking. Then he appeared, smiling. "What is it? What important business does the Fourth Mizukage-sama have?"
"You lead troops to attack my Kirigakure, and ask me what important business I have?" Yagura laughed angrily.
"Enough nonsense. The real reason, we both know it well. Either write a letter of surrender, pay compensation, or..." Ryun said coldly.
Yagura glanced at Ryun, his green flower steel hook spinning once. "Water Release: Water Mirror Technique."
Ryun was stunned. Was he trying to create a copy of himself? Fine, he wanted to see what kind of copy would emerge.
But then Yagura's face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. Insufficient chakra? How could it be? His pupils constricted. I only need 1% of the original's chakra to copy. Why can't I today.
He looked up at Ryun again. Ryun was looking at him with amusement.
"Ding, system prompt: The Water Mirror Technique requires the user to possess at least 1% of the original's chakra to perform, and cannot copy Sage Mode, Susano'o, or Sage Arts. All other ninjutsu can be copied."
Ryun sighed. I gave you a chance, but you're not capable.
Yagura performed the Water Mirror Technique again. This time, it wasn't to copy Ryun, but to copy himself.
Two Yaguras simultaneously swung their steel hooks, smashing toward Ryun, while shouting, "All of you, go solve the Konoha shinobi in the forest."
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