The scent of burning grass and smoke hung in the air, but no one on the battlefield paid it any mind. A vast torrent of Water Release surged forward from the Umbrella formation, like a river unleashed.
The rushing waters crashed into the roaring sea of flames.
Hiss—!
Steam exploded upward in thick white clouds, briefly swallowing the center of the battlefield.
Then, a fierce wind cut through the mist like invisible blades.
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
Wind Release.
The unmistakable handiwork of the Shimura clan — renowned for their mastery in that nature transformation.
But Naruto's own Wind Release was far from inferior.
He gestured sharply — this wasn't the moment to waste chakra trading jutsu volleys.
A direct assault would settle this faster.
The moment both sides collided, the Sarutobi and Shimura clans realized something was terribly wrong.
Their opponents felt like monsters.
"Hahaha! Brothers — let loose and kill to your heart's content!"
Umbrella forces roared in exhilaration. Their Chakra Armor flooded them with power — enhancing strength, reinforcing durability, and weakening incoming jutsu.
With this advantage, even the weakest among them could overwhelm shinobi of higher rank.
"Damn it! What is that armor?! My ninjutsu barely affects them!"
Killing intent surged and steel clashed. Blood splattered across scorched soil. Naruto looked upon the battlefield, his expression steeled.
This was necessary.
Only destruction of the old could bring forth a new era for the shinobi world.
Words alone would never change anything.
The Allied Command quickly received the emergency report.
The Raikage exploded to his feet, smashing the table into splinters.
"Useless fools! You couldn't even gauge the Umbrella's true strength! I'll go myself!"
His rage stemmed not just from their losses — but the humiliating gap in power.
If the Sarutobi and Shimura clans heard him, they would spit blood. It wasn't weakness on their part… it was overwhelming strength on the enemy's part.
Ōnoki, however, kept a cooler head.
"Calm yourself. We must observe a little longer."
His brow furrowed deeply. Even he had underestimated the Umbrella.
On the battlefield, the truth had already become obvious.
The Sarutobi, Shimura, and Mitokado clans were being beaten back again and again — their formations crumbling under relentless pressure.
"Shimura Dairō! Are you alright?"
A Sarutobi shinobi rushed toward his fallen ally — only to freeze in horror.
A small, perfectly round hole was drilled right through Dairō's forehead. No wound could be seen from the front — only a clean exit wound in the back.
What kind of projectile could do that…?
A chill climbed his spine. He dove instinctively—
Pew—Pew—Pew!
Lines of light sliced past where he had stood — except the next volley found its mark.
His body jerked violently as blood erupted from three clean punctures.
He died with his eyes wide open, confusion and unwillingness frozen in them.
Ten kilometers away…
A lone figure smirked, lowering a massive chakra-enhanced sniper rifle.
Hyūga Shin — known across the new battlefield as the Sniper God.
"Heh. You fools are nowhere near ready to challenge my title."
With the rise of firearms and chakra technology, Umbrella had begun reassigning the title of "Sniper God." Many elite marksmen had appeared — but Shin refused to surrender the throne.
Once just an ordinary Hyūga of the branch family, he now basked in glory.
Even former elites — veteran Jōnin — looked upon him with new respect.
All because he had single-handedly killed over a dozen Jōnin from long range.
In this world, power was the only truth that mattered.
Whether from a gun or a kunai — so long as it killed the target, it demanded respect.
After all… not everyone could fire a shot worthy of fear.
Soon, the Sarutobi and Shimura forces could no longer withstand the relentless pressure. An urgent order to temporarily retreat was issued — and they felt as if they'd been pardoned from death itself. Had the order not come, they might have withdrawn on their own.
The moment the signal was given, they fled the battlefield without hesitation.
Yet just as the Umbrella troops prepared to give chase, Naruto raised his hand.
"Cease pursuit."
Tsunade and several others exchanged confused looks. Why not press the advantage?
Naruto glanced over the burning plains, his voice calm yet resolute.
"A cornered enemy fights like a beast. That's unnecessary loss.
Let the Five Great Nations witness our overwhelming power.
Let the ordinary people see that we bring peace — and real prosperity."
He continued, tone firm:
"This battle is also training. If the vanguard takes everything, what about the units stationed behind us? Don't worry… the real show hasn't even begun."
Understanding dawned across their faces. Tsunade nodded slowly. This war wasn't like those in the past. Victory alone wasn't enough — public support and strategic image mattered.
"Tch. Those traitors got off far too lightly."
Tsunade muttered coldly.
Meanwhile, the retreating Sarutobi and Shimura forces returned to their camp — only to be welcomed by the Raikage's sneer.
"Heh… what useless strength. You couldn't even probe a fraction of the Umbrella's true power."
His cold snort was dripping with contempt.
Asuma Sarutobi's patience snapped.
"Oh, Lord Raikage is certainly imposing!
Just a reminder — we answer to the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, not to some lapdog of Kumogakure! And tell me, who was it that got captured alive by Umbrella?"
The words struck like a kunai straight into Raikage A's pride.
The Raikage shot up from his seat, chakra exploding outward in a violent surge. The ground trembled beneath him, raw power coursing through his frame — stronger than ever.
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
A blessing in disguise… He really has grown stronger.
"Watch your mouth," the Raikage growled, eyes filled with lethal fury.
"You mutts are nothing. The Sarutobi name no longer sits in the Hokage's chair — stop acting like you still matter."
Hearing this, Asuma clenched his fists, but fear crept into his expression. The Raikage's killing intent was suffocating.
Ōnoki quickly stepped forward, his tone stern:
"Enough! We haven't even faced the Umbrella head-on, and yet we're busy tearing each other apart?
If word spreads, the entire Alliance will become a joke.
Focus on the war first!"
The oppressive tension finally eased.
Asuma swallowed his pride and stepped back. His earlier bravado now felt foolish — Raikage A's humiliation at the hands of Umbrella was a fresh wound, and he had dug straight into it.
No wonder he almost snapped.
Umbrella had pushed him past the brink — and this war had only just begun.
...
TN:
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