A sense of urgency filled the air as Nara Shikaku processed Fugaku's question. Before he could answer, a faint rumbling sound echoed from outside the wooden house.
"Boom!"
The noise reverberated through the air, drawing the attention of everyone inside. Their conversations abruptly halted as heads turned toward the source of the disturbance. Within moments, the room was empty as the Konoha leaders vanished, each ninja heading to investigate the threat.
"Crash!"
Just beyond the village lay a port, and Fugaku Uchiha, upon flashing outside, was met with an ominous sight. Towering waves, tens of meters high, surged forward with terrifying force. The sea roared as the massive tsunami rolled toward the shoreline.
"Swish!"
Fugaku's Sharingan activated instinctively, the scarlet glow of his eyes illuminating the tense expressions of his comrades. Black tomoe spun methodically within his pupils as he assessed the situation.
"This isn't a natural tsunami—it's ninjutsu," remarked Uchiha Yoruki, his gaze fixed on the advancing waves. His eyes darted downward to the coastline, where the bodies of Konoha ninjas, once stationed as guards, now lay lifeless.
"What a terrifyingly precise technique," he muttered under his breath. The realization sent chills through the gathered troops.
The tsunami wasn't just a distraction; it was a calculated strike.
The waves surged closer, their size and speed unnerving even the most seasoned ninjas. Thousands of Konoha warriors stood frozen for a moment, their eyes locked on the unnatural disaster.
"Uchiha clan, form a fire formation!" Fugaku's commanding voice cut through the growing tension, pulling his troops back into focus.
Hundreds of Uchiha elites moved into position with practiced efficiency. In perfect unison, they formed seals with their hands.
"Boom!"
A sea of flames erupted as the Fire Release technique from hundreds of Uchiha warriors converged into a single blazing inferno. The sky turned red as the scorching flames raced upward to meet the incoming tsunami.
"Everyone, fall back!" Fugaku ordered, his calm demeanor steadying the Konoha forces. The retreat was orderly, a testament to the discipline instilled by their leaders.
"Shhh!"
The overwhelming blaze collided with the towering waves. Steam hissed as fire met water, creating a dense mist that quickly enveloped the battlefield. The tsunami's upper portion evaporated, sparing the retreating ninjas. However, the lower part of the wave continued its relentless advance, crashing down and flooding the abandoned village.
"They've attacked us outright," Shikaku noted, his frown deepening. "This move defies all logic. Kirigakure seems to be acting independently, ignoring the consensus with the other nations."
Fugaku didn't reply immediately, his attention shifting to the thick mist now shrouding the battlefield. His Sharingan scanned the area, but even with his enhanced vision, he could only make out indistinct shadows.
"This saves us the trouble of hunting them down," said Uchiha Yoruki, drawing his katana. The blade's design was unique, clearly crafted with materials that amplified chakra flow.
"Boom!"
Flames danced along the edge of the sword as Yoruki infused it with his Fire Release chakra. The weapon glowed fiercely, a reflection of his battle-hardened spirit.
Fugaku's gaze remained steady. "How many of them are there?" he asked.
"Approximately a thousand," replied a Hyuga ninja, his Byakugan active and veins bulging around his pale eyes.
A scoff came from one of the Uchiha elites. "Only a thousand? They're underestimating us. This will be over quickly," he said arrogantly, his Sharingan spinning.
"Wind Style users, prepare to disperse the mist!" Fugaku barked, ignoring the comment. Dozens of Wind Style ninjas stepped forward, forming seals in rapid succession.
"Hoohoo!"
Powerful gusts of wind swept through the area, thinning the mist momentarily. Shikaku's sharp gaze lingered on Fugaku, his mind noting the ease with which the Uchiha leader had mobilized such a diverse force. Many of the ninjas present came from different clans, yet Fugaku's commanding presence ensured their seamless coordination.
Still, as the wind cleared the battlefield, the mist began to thicken again, seemingly regenerating faster than it dissipated.
"Swish!"
Uchiha Yoruki, standing near the front, narrowed his eyes. Without hesitation, he launched himself forward like a black streak. His movements were fluid and deadly, a testament to his unparalleled skill. Among the Konoha troops, he was one of the few whose strength rivaled, if not surpassed, Fugaku's.
Deep within the mist, Yoruki's Sharingan scanned for targets. His gaze locked onto a figure emerging from the haze.
"Raging!"
The flames on his blade intensified, their searing heat evaporating the mist around him. The light revealed a figure—a scarred, monstrous man wielding a peculiar, oversized blade.
"What incredible speed," Yoruki muttered as the figure reacted, swinging his blade to counter.
"Clang!"
The clash of weapons sent a shockwave through the air. Yoruki felt the force of the strike reverberate through his arms, and his expression hardened.
"He's strong," Yoruki admitted silently, his respect for his opponent rising. His Sharingan revealed the man's scarred face and a grotesquely split mouth, giving him an almost demonic appearance.
Feigning retreat, Yoruki leaped back, his blade held defensively. The monstrous swordsman misinterpreted the move as exhaustion and lunged forward, his oversized weapon cutting through the air with alarming speed.
As the blade descended, it struck nothing but air.
An afterimage.
Behind him, Yoruki appeared like a phantom, his sword raised high. Flames surged along the blade as he slashed downward with lethal precision, aiming to end the battle in a single stroke.
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