As the flames gradually died down and the thick, rolling smoke began to thin, the massive Yatagarasu descended slowly, carrying the four shinobi to a relatively safe spot atop the mountain ridge.
Even from this height, the aftermath of the explosion was terrifying.
The ground beneath their feet still radiated intense heat, as though the earth itself had been scorched to its core. Below them, in the valley, only scattered patches of orange flame remained, flickering weakly like dying embers. The once-bustling supply camp had been reduced to nothing more than a charred ruin—a graveyard of ash and twisted metal.
Aoki Yoru closed his eyes briefly and expanded his sensory perception.
What he felt confirmed his expectations.
All combustible materials—food supplies, medical stockpiles, cloth, and wooden structures—had been completely incinerated. Even the metal tools, such as kunai and shuriken, had melted under the extreme heat, their forms warped beyond use. The once-organized supply depot had been erased as if it had never existed.
As for the people…
There were very few survivors.
Only a handful of Kumogakure ninja had managed to endure the explosion, likely by using Earth Release techniques to shield themselves. However, even they were in critical condition. The intense heat and shockwaves had left their bodies severely burned and barely functional.
Aoki Yoru opened his eyes and turned toward Kakashi.
"The supplies are completely destroyed," he reported calmly. "Only a few survivors remain. Should we eliminate them to ensure nothing is left behind?"
Kakashi Hatake shook his head without hesitation.
"No need. Our objective was to destroy the supply point, and that has been accomplished. Engaging further would only increase the risk unnecessarily."
His gaze lingered on the devastated valley for a moment before he spoke again.
"Let's return to camp and report. With their supplies gone, Kumogakure will likely respond with desperation. A counterattack is almost certain. We need to be prepared to hold the line."
Without wasting another moment, Kakashi leapt lightly onto Yatagarasu's back.
The great bird spread its wings and took flight, cutting through the air with powerful beats.
On the Return Journey
As they flew back toward the Land of Fire, Kakashi glanced toward Aoki Yoru.
"Your Yatagarasu can no longer remain hidden," he said evenly. "It must be included in the mission report."
Aoki Yoru nodded slightly.
"I expected that. The moment we accepted this mission, it became inevitable. An aerial strike was the only viable solution."
Kakashi studied him for a moment before speaking again, his tone slightly softer.
"Don't worry too much. The Village has its own rules. They won't force you to give it up. At most, they'll assign you more missions because of it."
Aoki Yoru sighed lightly.
"That's exactly what I'm worried about. I don't want to spend all my time on missions. I still need to train and improve."
Kakashi gave a faint nod.
"Then grow stronger. If you reach the level of Tsunade or Jiraiya-sama, no one will be able to force anything upon you."
Aoki Yoru didn't respond immediately. He simply nodded.
In the end, strength was everything.
Return to Camp
As usual, Yatagarasu landed several kilometers away from the Konoha camp.
Even though its existence would soon become known, Aoki Yoru still preferred to minimize unnecessary attention. More importantly, he remained cautious of potential Kumogakure spies within their ranks.
If news of this raid—and his role in it—spread too widely, he would undoubtedly become a target.
The four made their way back to headquarters on foot.
Inside the command tent, Nara Shikaku was reviewing reports when they entered. His tired eyes lifted slightly.
When Kakashi calmly reported that the supply base had already been destroyed, Shikaku froze.
"…What did you say?"
There was genuine disbelief in his voice.
The mission had been assigned only hours ago. And yet, here they were, claiming complete success.
Kakashi then explained the entire operation in detail—from the aerial approach to the explosive strategy and final detonation.
As Shikaku listened, his expression shifted from disbelief to astonishment.
When Kakashi finished, the tent fell silent.
Shikaku let out a long breath.
"Incredible…" he muttered. "I assigned this mission knowing the odds were slim. I didn't expect you to succeed—let alone achieve this level of destruction without casualties."
He straightened slightly, regaining his composure.
"You've done well. I will report your achievements to the Village in full."
After a brief pause, his tone turned serious again.
"Get some rest. This isn't over. Kumogakure will not let this go unanswered. Their next move will not be a probing attack—it will be an all-out offensive."
The four nodded and exited the tent.
Kumogakure's Fury
Shikaku's prediction proved correct.
The explosion had not gone unnoticed.
The massive blast in the canyon had lit up the night sky, visible even from distant watch posts. The towering flames and rising smoke resembled a pillar reaching toward the heavens.
The Kumogakure scouts immediately reported the incident.
Dodai, the frontline commander, personally led a unit to investigate.
What he saw left him speechless.
The canyon had been transformed into a wasteland.
The ground was littered with blackened debris and shattered remnants. Supplies meant to sustain an entire army—food, weapons, medicine—had all been reduced to ash.
Corpses lay scattered across the valley floor.
Some were burned beyond recognition.
Others still clung to life, writhing in pain.
The entire supply base… was gone.
Dodai's face darkened.
The atmosphere around him grew heavy with rage.
"We will take revenge!" one of his subordinates shouted.
"Those Konoha cowards must pay!"
Voices of anger rose around him.
Dodai clenched his fists.
"Enough."
His voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"Treat the wounded first."
Then, after a brief pause, his eyes burned with cold fury.
"Notify all units. We launch a full-scale attack on Konoha's defenses tomorrow at dawn."
The Calm Before the Storm
The next day, tension filled the Konoha camp.
Scouts had confirmed it—Kumogakure forces were mobilizing.
War was inevitable.
Shikaku stood on an elevated platform, addressing the assembled shinobi.
"The enemy has lost their supplies. Their morale is shaken," he declared. "This attack is nothing more than a desperate gamble."
He raised his voice.
"Hold the line. Defeat them—and victory will belong to Konoha!"
A resounding cheer answered him.
Morale surged.
Aoki Yoru's Perspective
Aoki Yoru stood slightly behind the main formation.
His team had been assigned to the rear guard—a position meant to reinforce weak points and respond to unexpected threats.
Around him were young ninja—many of them fresh Genin.
Their faces were filled with excitement and determination.
Some even smiled.
They dreamed of glory.
Of proving themselves.
Aoki Yoru simply watched them in silence.
How many of them will survive this battle? he wondered.
The thought lingered heavily in his mind.
The Battle Begins
At the border of the Land of Fire, the two armies faced each other.
The air itself seemed to tremble with killing intent.
On one side stood Konoha's forces, led by Shikaku and supported by elite Jonin, including Kakashi.
On the other stood Kumogakure's army, led by Dodai.
Silence stretched between them.
Then—
"Despicable cowards of Konoha!"
Dodai's voice thundered across the battlefield.
"You destroyed our supplies, killed our comrades, and cut off our lifeline. Today, you will repay that debt in blood!"
Shikaku's expression remained calm.
"Enough talk," he replied sharply. "Let's see what you're really capable of."
And just like that—
War erupted.
Chaos of Battle
The two forces collided like raging tides.
The battlefield exploded into chaos.
Steel clashed against steel.
Explosions rang out.
Ninjutsu lit up the sky in bursts of fire, lightning, and wind.
The cries of battle filled the air.
Aoki Yoru did not rush forward.
Instead, he moved along the edges of the battlefield, carefully picking off isolated enemies.
A Kumogakure Chunin spotted him.
"Die!" the man shouted, charging forward with a blade.
Aoki Yoru didn't move.
To the enemy, he looked like a frightened rookie.
But in the next instant—
He vanished.
"Pfft—!"
A thin line of blood appeared across the man's neck.
His body collapsed before he even realized what had happened.
Aoki Yoru had already moved on.
A New Threat
Suddenly, Aoki Yoru sensed danger.
A figure surged toward him, wrapped in crackling lightning.
Fast.
Very fast.
He turned and raised his blade just in time.
"Clang!"
The clash rang out sharply.
Using the force of the impact, Aoki Yoru leapt backward, creating distance.
He lifted his gaze.
And then—
He smiled faintly.
"So it's you…"
"It really has been a long time."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)