The dawn sun appeared over the distant mountaintops, and many Konoha ninjas looked up to gaze at it.
January 1st, Konoha Year 49, should have been a joyous day. But the 2,000 Konoha ninjas who had arrived at White Bird Castle couldn't manage a single smile.
Fugaku jumped onto a large tree, taking in the horrific state of this city of death.
Shun held the roster and his gaze lingered for a moment when he saw Rin's name among the captured medical ninjas.
His voice was as cold as ice. "Report, Fugaku-sama. Intelligence gathering on the outpost personnel is complete. 817 confirmed dead, 24 medical ninjas captured, 20 missing, 139 survivors, 34 of whom are severely wounded."
Fugaku didn't reply. His gaze fell on a small corpse, the child still clutched a Konoha forehead protector tightly in his hand, his fingers stiff and unyielding.
Blood-red claw marks on the city walls showed that they had futilely tried to climb the high walls to escape.
Shun sighed, "Alas... It seems these people must have been early-graduated civilian students. They hadn't even learned the technique of climbing walls with Chakra."
Suddenly, Ryuka appeared with the Body Flicker Technique. "Report, Fugaku-sama! Hiyori's body has been found. It appears he chose to commit suicide after being defeated."
Although Hiyori was the overall commander of the Kirigakure front, he was more like a joke. He commanded over 3,000 Konoha ninjas, of whom 2,450 were children under 12. It could be said that in this war, he played a tragic role, leading 3,000 child soldiers into battle against Kirigakure's blood-soaked executioners.
The Kirigakure battlefield was Shisui's peak period. He awakened his Three-Tomoe Sharingan at age 8, was skilled in Phantom Body Flicker Technique, and had already earned the title 'Shisui of the Body Flicker.' In terms of Genjutsu talent, he was better than Itachi. Of course, this was just surface information. The truth was that 9-year-old Shisui had already awakened his Mangekyo.
Thinking of this enigmatic child, Shun calmly asked, "Is there any news of Shisui?"
"Some survivors said he transferred to South Sand Castle to guard a few days ago." Ryuka replied.
Outside the tent, a commotion suddenly broke out.
A Chunin, his face covered in blood, rushed in, holding an unconscious little girl in his arms. "Please! She's still breathing!"
Hyuga Ikkaku, nearby, activated his Byakugan, his gaze sweeping over the kunai-pierced wound on the girl's chest. He then looked at the dwindling medical supplies and slowly closed his eyes.
"With an injury like this, unless Tsunade-sama is here, she can't be saved."
Fugaku was accustomed to death. He sighed slightly, "Execute the original plan. Ryuka, you will lead 1,700 men to escort these survivors and bodies back to Konoha. We will take 300 men to South Sand Castle to pursue those Kirigakure ninjas."
Ryuka knelt on one knee, his forehead protector glinting coldly in the morning light. "Understood, Fugaku-sama."
On the Kirigakure side, seven ninja swords of various shapes were stuck into rock crevices, their blades reflecting an eerie blue light.
Jinin punched the rock wall, and fragments of stone clattered down.
He gritted his teeth and said, "I didn't expect attacking White Bird Castle would cost us over 700 men."
Jūzō wrapped Kubikiribōchō in bandages and said, "I heard Konoha has signed a peace treaty with Kumogakure. These people came from the Kumogakure battlefield, and their main members are from Konoha's Ino–Shika–Chō, Inuzuka, and other clans. It's normal for them to be stronger."
Fuguki's plump face was twisted as he said, "The Land of Fire is truly rich. A few days ago, we plundered over 30 billion ryo from Bear City. But at White Bird Castle, we only plundered over 10 billion ryo and lost over 700 men. I think this war is a bit of a loss."
Jinpachi said with a serious expression, "If we hadn't captured 24 Konoha medical ninjas at White Bird Castle, Fourth Mizukage-sama would certainly blame us for losing over 700 ninjas."
Fuguki's small eyes darted around, and he said, "I heard Fugaku defeated Iwagakure, so the war should end soon. After this, there might not be any more opportunities for plunder. I suggest we take the opportunity to plunder South Sand Castle before the war ends, what do you think? We could conservatively plunder over 20 billion ryo."
Raiga gave an evil smile and said, "We can plunder South Sand Castle, but we need a good battle plan."
Kushimaru stroked his chin and said, "I have a suggestion. Seal the Three-Tails into a Konoha medical ninja and then release it near South Sand Castle. With our village's Fuinjutsu, the Three-Tails will break free on its own in half a day. At that time, Konoha ninjas will have to fight Three-Tails, and we can take the opportunity to plunder, which will greatly reduce our casualties."
Jinin pondered for a moment and said, "I agree with Kushimaru's plan. If we submit this plan to the Fourth Mizukage, he should agree to it."
Raiga said expressionlessly, "Sealing the Three-Tails and sending it near South Sand Castle will take about 12 hours. How about we go deep into the Land of Fire and create some commotion to attract the attention of Konoha ninjas? This way, when our main force attacks South Sand Castle, we will encounter much less resistance."
Fuguki said, "I also agree with this plan."
Jinin made the final decision, "Then let's proceed with this plan. In one hour, we will penetrate deep into the Land of Fire to create chaos, disperse Konoha's forces, and also take the opportunity to kill some Konoha ninjas, weakening Konoha strength."
...
Deep within the Land of Fire, the breaths of thirteen-year-old Guy, Genma, and Ebisu condensed into white frost in the cold air.
"Damn it. How did we run into the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? These monsters..." Ebisu's hand, gripping his kunai, trembled incessantly.
Seven dark figures slowly emerged from the mist.
Jūzō raised Kubikiribocho and said, "Konoha brats, let your blood be a sacrifice to my blade."
At that moment, a green figure, like a meteor, crashed into the center of the battlefield, the ground beneath his feet cracking.
Guy's eyes widened, looking at that familiar green jumpsuit-clad back.
"Father, you're just a Genin, why are you here?"
Duy didn't turn around, but gave him a thumbs-up, his voice more serious than ever. "Guy! Take your companions and retreat immediately."
Ebisu shouted, "Duy-san, they are the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist! We can't beat them, you should run!"
"Ebisu, do not underestimate a father's determination to protect his child. Now, let me show you a father's true power!"
Duy clenched his fists, his gaze extremely firm, and with a resolve to die, he charged towards the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
"Eight Inner Gates... Eighth Gate: Gate of Death, Open!"
Bloody steam shot skyward, and Duy's skin began to crack.
Kushimaru's Longsword: Nuibari was the first to strike.
"Evening Elephant... First Step."
Duy's fist pierced the air, creating a vacuum shockwave. Nuibari was repelled the moment it touched the shockwave, which then landed on Kushimaru, his chest caving in.
Guy was dragged back by Genma, but he couldn't help but look back. He saw his father's figure weaving through the encirclement of the seven legendary ninja swords, each punch carrying the power to split mountains and shatter rocks.
Guy's tears blurred his vision. "Father's move... It's so powerful. He's not the useless Genin people said he was."
"Evening Elephant... Second Step."
Another shockwave landed on Kushimaru, instantly crushing him into a pile of minced meat.
"Evening Elephant... Third Step."
Fuguki saw that the situation was bad and immediately controlled his hair to protect himself. But even so, he was sent flying far away by the shockwave.
"Evening Elephant... Fourth Step."
Jinpachi had intended to rescue him, but before his explosive blade could detonate, he was blasted away, crashing through seven large trees before stopping. He spat out a mouthful of blood and lay motionless on the ground.
Jūzō and Raiga, seeing the dire situation, immediately used Water Body Flicker Technique to escape.
Jinin, the slowest of the seven, knew he couldn't escape.
He charged in the opposite direction, then shouted, "Kirigakure also has true men who are not afraid of death!"
"I admire your courage. But this is my youth. Evening Elephant... Fifth Step... Sixth Step..."
Duy looked in the direction Guy had fled, their gazes seemingly meeting across the distance.
"Guy, your father's life is ending. The path ahead, you must walk yourself. Guy, you will always be your father's pride."
Duy, from a distance, raised his clenched right hand, giving a thumbs-up as usual.
Guy, tears streaming down his face, responded to his father's gesture and also gave a thumbs-up.