Another day passed.
The armies of the Hidden Leaf Village and the Hidden Stone Village stood opposed once more.
But this time, the atmosphere within the Uchiha clan was unmistakably tense and filled with killing intent.
"Is that Kamito still the same as yesterday?"
Senju Hideki asked.
"No, Hideki. Today you cover me. I'll lead the Uchiha clan and charge in for a round of slaughter."
"Ah… alright."
Senju Hideki looked at Uchiha Kamito's resolute expression and could only agree.
The strategist was heading onto the battlefield himself.
What kind of situation was this?
Oh right—this strategist was absurdly strong.
In that case, no problem.
"Uchiha First Unit, take the offensive. Second Unit, defend. Third and Fourth Units, prepare for the second wave. Fifth and Sixth Units, bring out those things. Seventh and Eighth Units, stay in reserve. Any questions?"
Each Uchiha unit had about a hundred members—well, nearly a hundred now. To be precise.
"Understood!"
The Uchiha clan shouted in unison.
"First wave, begin!"
Once again, the Uchiha's familiar "artillery" tactic.
No matter what, just bombard them first.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!"
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
"Combined Ninjutsu: Ultra-Long-Range Breakthrough Fire Bomb!"
The improved Phoenix Sage Fire was already powerful, and now enhanced by Great Breakthrough—
To put it simply, the Uchiha clan could strike all the way from here to the Hidden Stone's frontline command post.
In an instant, countless fireballs filled the sky above the Hidden Stone formation.
"F-fireballs! Dodge!"
"Dodge what? Get out here and use Curved Earth Wall! Cover your comrades!"
Gengan, the Hidden Stone jōnin, quickly stepped forward to take command.
"Earth Style: Curved Earth Wall!"
Countless half-curved earthen walls rose up, and nearby Stone ninja took shelter behind them.
A traditional vertical Earth Wall could only block frontal attacks.
But the improved Curved Earth Wall, developed by the Hidden Stone's Ninjutsu Research Division, could defend against both frontal and aerial attacks.
It was undeniably a brilliant improvement—at least in this moment.
"Stop."
Seeing that the fire barrage had no effect, Uchiha Kamito decisively called a halt.
This turtle-shell defense of the Hidden Stone… it would've been much easier for Shiken to deal with.
When Gengan saw the Hidden Leaf side stop attacking, he immediately stepped forward.
"Where are the assault troops? Get out here—it's your time to shine. The Hidden Stone doesn't just have defensive units, you know."
"Gengan, what nonsense are you spouting? Assault unit boys, give them hell!"
Hanzan Yūga of the assault unit stepped forward.
"Earth Style: Earth Spear!"
Long spears of earth shot toward the Hidden Leaf formation.
Case closed.
The signature jutsu of the Hidden Stone assault unit: Earth Spear.
"Seventh and Eighth Units, intercept them!"
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Lightning Style: Gratitude Lightning!"
"Combined Ninjutsu: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!"
Water dragons crackling with lightning surged upward, smashing the incoming earthen spears.
While the frontline battle raged fiercely, inside the Hidden Stone command center, they were focused on something else.
"How is it? Has Gari's team arrived?"
"They've arrived. Shall we detonate now?"
"Detonate. With both sides engaged in battle, it's the perfect moment to let the Hidden Leaf taste a weapon of war even more powerful than ninjutsu—the might of flowing water."
A trace of desire appeared in Tajima's eyes.
After this battle, his name would be forever engraved in the history of the Hidden Stone Village.
...
Far behind the Hidden Leaf forces, at a great river in the Land of Grass—
Fūka River.
The demolition unit led by Gari was setting something up.
"How is it? Has enough water accumulated upstream?"
"Gari-sama, don't worry. It's practically overflowing already. Even if it wasn't full, we could just blow the opening wider, right?"
"Idiot. The wider the opening, the gentler the flow. Are you trying to drown the Hidden Leaf ninja, or give them a bath?"
"Sorry, Gari-sama. I spoke out of turn."
"The size of the breach and the amount of explosives have all been precisely calculated by Tajima-sama. Even slightly less won't be enough to wash away the Hidden Leaf's formation. Get ready. Soon, you'll harvest those helpless ninja floundering in the water."
"Hahaha!"
Gari felt immense pride.
With Tajima-sama in the Hidden Stone, how could they not prosper?
...
Back on the battlefield,
Uchiha Kamito was thinking about how to break through the Hidden Stone's turtle-shell defense.
The Uchiha artillery unit had wide coverage, but as Shiken said, it lacked endurance.
Besides, one side defends while the other attacks—one above, one below.
Anyone could tell which side would tire faster.
Unless the heavens intervened,
Uchiha Kamito had no real solution.
Rumble… rumble…
What was that sound? Had the heavens actually come to help?
As he pondered, terrified screams suddenly erupted from the rear.
"Water! So much water!"
Water?
Uchiha Kamito turned around.
A massive wave surged forward with overwhelming force, carrying rocks and fallen logs as it rushed toward the Hidden Leaf formation.
His mind raced.
Wasn't this the heavens lending a hand?
Hidden Stone demolition unit: ???
"Hideki, make me a wide, massive slide. Let's show them something new."
"Alright—but the front's too heavy. I can't hold it."
"I've got a way."
"Earth Style: Great Slide Technique!"
Earth Style: ??? You really named it Great Slide Technique? My dignity is gone.
"Susanoo."
Uchiha Kamito's eyes spun rapidly.
His Mangekyō Sharingan appeared, and a dark, armored half-body giant materialized.
As expected of Uchiha Kamito—his heart was dark. Even his Susanoo was black.
Senju Hideki slammed his hands onto the ground.
The earth stretched like chewing gum, rapidly elongating into a massive slab rising from the ground.
But as it extended further, the front of the slab began to sink under its own weight.
At that moment, two gigantic arms lifted the front onto their shoulders.
A tear of blood slipped from Uchiha Kamito's eye.
Madness gleamed within.
"Hahahahaha! Flooding the Hidden Stone and shaking the ninja world—what a perfect opportunity, and it fell right into my hands!"
"Raiden-senpai."
"I'm here."
"Take your men to the rear and keep watch. This is definitely the Hidden Stone's doing. No matter how many come, wipe them out."
"Yes."
Uchiha Kamito looked toward the Hidden Stone formation with delight.
What could be more effective against a turtle defense than a massive flood?
Hidden Stone, enjoy the feeling of being crushed by water.
Water has no constant form or shape.
But it has one advantage—it follows the path set for it.
As long as you guide its course and control its spread, you can direct it at will.
The only problem with this plan was whether they could withstand the initial surge.
If they held, the flood would become as obedient as a child.
If not, it would turn into an uncontrollable beast.
And the Hidden Leaf just so happened to have a "tank" with incredible endurance.
In this situation, no one was more useful than Senju Hideki.