The sunset burned crimson, staining the rolling hills and forests with a grim, blood-colored glow.
When the news that Hiramekarei had fallen into Konoha's hands reached the Kirigakure camp, the towering figure of Fuguki Suikazan showed no joy at discovering the location of Konoha's eastern army.
Nor did he show the slightest grief over his comrade's death.
To him, once something had already happened, wasting emotion on it was meaningless.
As the commander, Fuguki Suikazan knew exactly what he needed to do next.
He needed to deliver a decisive counterattack.
"Hiramekarei couldn't even escape… looks like the eastern front has a tough opponent."
Beside him, Jūzō Biwa calmly maintained his Kubikiribōchō, the Executioner's Blade.
"Konoha doesn't have many notable fighters in the east."
"It's probably those Uchiha."
"Whoever they are, they'll pay the price."
Fuguki Suikazan drew Samehada, its massive blade pointing toward the location of the Konoha eastern camp on the map.
"Orders!"
"The entire army moves out!"
"We'll flatten Konoha's camp and show the world the blades of the Bloody Mist!"
A deep war horn echoed across the battlefield.
Thousands of Mist ninja surged forward like a dark tide.
After sprinting more than ten miles, the Konoha eastern camp came into view.
"Enemy attack!"
"It's the Mist main force!"
A Hyuga branch family ninja on the watchtower barely finished shouting the alarm—
Before dozens of orange hair strands infused with chakra shot through the air like iron rain.
"Needle Hair Senbon!"
Thud.
The sharp projectiles pierced flesh.
The Hyuga ninja was instantly turned into a blood-soaked rag and fell from the tower.
"Advance."
Fuguki Suikazan lowered his hair and waved his hand.
Behind him, Mist ninja finished forming hand seals.
"Water Release — Great Waterfall Technique!"
"Water Release — Water Dragon Bullet!"
Massive waves surged forward.
Countless water dragons roared through the air, forming a devastating torrent that smashed into Konoha's outer defenses.
Stone barriers and Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall groaned under the pressure—
Before shattering into massive breaches.
The calm of the camp was ripped apart.
Shouts, explosions, and clashing blades filled the air.
Mist ninja surged forward under the cover of water techniques, infiltrating the camp like ghosts.
Jūzō Biwa led the charge.
His Executioner's Blade flashed.
A pale arc of steel cut through the air.
A Konoha chunin attempting to form hand seals was split cleanly in half.
Blood splashed across the ground.
"Too slow!"
Jūzō laughed wildly as the blade drank blood.
It swung again toward another victim.
Meanwhile—
Fuguki Suikazan was like a human tailed beast.
Samehada roared through the battlefield.
Every swing tore through the air with terrifying force.
A Konoha jonin tried to defend with Earth Release—
But the rock wall shattered like biscuits under Samehada's strike.
The ninja behind it was sent flying.
"Pathetic!"
"Bring out those Uchiha!"
Fuguki roared.
Samehada greedily devoured the chakra of fallen enemies.
The blade's barbs trembled excitedly.
Konoha's commander shouted desperately.
"Contract the formation!"
"Earth Release squads — form a circular defense!"
"Medical teams — evacuate the wounded to the second line!"
But the Mist assault was like a tsunami.
Wave after wave crashed forward.
"Silent Killing Technique!"
A low voice echoed.
Dense water vapor rose from the ground and spread across the battlefield.
Within seconds, thick fog swallowed most of the camp.
Konoha ninja could see less than ten meters.
Mist ninja moved freely within the fog.
"Fire Release — Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
A Sarutobi jonin released a blazing fire dragon.
The flames briefly cleared part of the mist—
Only to be destroyed by multiple Water Dragon Bullets.
A storm of senbon flew from the fog like angry hornets.
Several Konoha ninja were struck in the neck and face.
They collapsed instantly.
"Watch the projectiles!"
Before the warning finished—
A cold blade flashed through the fog like a venomous snake.
A chunin's throat was slit silently.
Blood sprayed out as he collapsed, clutching his neck.
Elsewhere—
Explosive tags were nailed onto a newly raised Earth Wall.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The explosions shattered the defense.
Flying debris struck several Konoha ninja, knocking them down.
Under the setting sun—
The entire eastern Konoha camp became a bloody hell.
Every second, lives vanished.
The earth soaked in blood, turning into a dark crimson swamp.
The eastern Konoha forces were pushed back step by step.
When the final ray of sunlight disappeared—
The forward defenses had collapsed.
The surviving troops retreated to the core position.
The original commander had already been killed by Jūzō.
Command passed to a ninja from the Akimichi clan.
He stared at the Mist army, exhaustion in his eyes.
They lacked strength.
They lacked manpower.
They lacked weapons.
How were they supposed to fight?
Looking at the fewer than six hundred survivors, he spoke numbly.
"Request reinforcements from the Uchiha Red Guard."
"And from the Hokage's office."
Meanwhile—
Fuguki Suikazan stood in the middle of the battlefield.
Samehada hummed contentedly after devouring chakra.
He stepped on the corpse of a Konoha jonin.
Looking at the remaining Konoha camp—
He didn't rush the attack.
"Surround them completely."
"Slowly wear them down."
He sneered.
"Summoned beasts may leave."
"But no humans escape."
Even without The Art of War, such tactics were common sense on battlefields.
Fuguki wanted to see how much Konoha valued its comrades.
Five miles away—
Hyuga Hizashi watched the battlefield through the Byakugan.
"Fuguki Suikazan and Jūzō Biwa are leading the main assault."
"The Mist army has at least three thousand troops."
"The eastern camp is finished."
Beside him, Uchiha Inabi listened carefully.
He could imagine the carnage.
This… is war.
His mood was heavy.
But then another thought rose.
Under the General's leadership, the Red Guard will win.
He wrote the report quickly.
Then bit his thumb.
"Summoning Technique!"
A gray cat appeared.
Inabi placed the scroll inside a small tube around its neck.
"Deliver this immediately."
"Yes, Lord Inabi!"
The cat vanished in a puff of smoke.
Infinite City — Night
Night had fallen in Infinite City.
Two figures moved silently across rooftops near the Ginza Merchant Guild headquarters.
One slender.
One voluptuous.
"Lady Tsunade… isn't this a bad idea?"
Shizune whispered nervously.
Robbing a ninja clan from the same village made the honest girl blush.
Tsunade snorted.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Senju beating Uchiha is perfectly natural."
"If you keep talking…"
"I'll sell Tonton and use the money to buy dinner."
Shizune immediately shut up.
"Tsunade, stay close."
Tsunade formed hand seals.
Her body transformed into an ordinary guild maid.
Shizune followed, turning into another servant.
They had already studied the place during the day.
The plan was perfect.
Disguised with Transformation Jutsu, they passed through the front courtyard.
When they reached the restricted inner courtyard—
They moved again.
Using Body Flicker Technique, they slipped past guard posts.
But the deeper they went—
The tighter the security became.
Eventually Tsunade dragged Shizune into a room.
"Listen."
"You're just a worker."
"You don't earn much anyway."
"Don't resist."
Tsunade pressed a kunai against a steward's neck.
"Tell us the procedures for entering the vault."
"And don't lie."
"I remember your face."
"If something goes wrong, you're dead."
Shizune played the good cop.
"We only want money."
"We won't hurt you."
The steward hesitated.
Sweat dripped down his forehead.
Finally—
He nodded.
Soon after—
Shizune transformed into the steward.
Tsunade disguised herself as a guard.
They arrived at the vault entrance.
Beyond the door was a corridor.
At the end stood a massive metal gate engraved with complex sealing arrays.
Tsunade glanced once.
Then pressed her palm onto the door.
The seal vibrated.
The gate slowly opened.
And suddenly—
It was like the sun had fallen to earth.
A blinding golden world appeared.
Mountains of gold bricks reflected the ceiling lights.
Jewels, pearls, and gemstones filled huge chests.
The entire chamber glittered.
The air itself seemed heavy with the scent of wealth.
Shizune gasped.
She had never seen so much money.
Even Tsunade was stunned for a moment.
Her brown eyes reflected the shining sea of treasure.
"Uchiha…"
"They're filthy rich."
She walked deeper into the vault.
Shizune hesitated but followed.
After all—
They were already here.
At the very center stood a simple wooden box.
A paper seal was attached.
"Do not open. Consequences at your own risk."
Tsunade grinned.
"Interesting."
She lifted the lid.
Inside—
There was no treasure.
No shining jewel.
Only—
A cup filled with blood.
"AH—!"
Tsunade's excitement vanished instantly.
All strength left her body.
Her legs collapsed.
She fell to her knees.
The sight of blood dragged her back into memories she never wanted to face.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune rushed forward.
But Tsunade couldn't hear her.
Her world had been swallowed by red.
A calm voice echoed behind them.
"I told people not to look."
"But you insisted."
Shizune spun around.
Standing in the golden light—
Was a tall young man.
"Breaking into someone else's vault…"
"And opening something clearly marked forbidden…"
Anlan stopped a few steps away.
"That's not very dignified for a Legendary Sannin, Lady Tsunade."
"So…"
"What should I do with you?"
Shizune swallowed nervously.
Seeing the Uchiha fan crest on his clothes—
Her instincts screamed disaster.
She almost burst into tears.
"I swear on the name of the Sannin!"
"We didn't take anything!"
Anlan looked at her.
The situation felt strangely familiar.
He was about to tease her—
But noticed Tsunade stirring.
Without hesitation—
He knocked both women unconscious.
Then disappeared.
The Number One Healer of the Ninja World—
Successfully captured.
120plus chapter ahead on my patreon