The Battle Begins Head-On

Sunset Gorge.

Hatake Sakumo led most of the camp's ninjas to the agreed location early. They stood in full battle formation, quietly awaiting Sunagakure's arrival.

Before long, a ninja responsible for sensing reported to him that roughly three thousand Sunagakure ninjas were heading their way.

Yet Konoha's ninjas remained unflinching, without fear or the slightest intention of retreating. They stood firm, calmly waiting for Sunagakure to draw near.

At last, under Chiyo's leadership, the Sunagakure forces advanced toward them in a vast formation.

"Yūske, don't rush into battle yet. Wait for Sunagakure's Puppet forces to appear, then make your move. Don't worry, I'll arrange for someone to clear out a battlefield where you can fight freely!"

Hatake Sakumo watched Yūske beside him and gave the quiet instructions. "Did you bring the antidote Tsunade gave you? That could save your life at a critical moment."

"Don't worry. I brought it."

Yūske never took his eyes off the Sunagakure formation. His heart was filled with anticipation and tension. This was the first time in his life he had experienced a battle on such a massive scale, yet he felt a faint, uncontrollable excitement.

At that moment, Ebizo's voice sounded beside Chiyo's ear. "Sister, look. Isn't that person standing next to Hatake Mōsō Watanabe Yūske?"

Chiyo's gaze swiftly locked onto Yūske. She had already confirmed with Ebizo that the one who had defeated Shūji and controlled him was none other than Watanabe Yūske before her.

Chiyo said to several trusted subordinates, "Capture him alive if possible. Do not let him escape." Her eyes revealed her unwavering determination.

Across the vast battlefield, the two armies stood ready. There were no elaborate schemes or sneak attacks. Both sides upheld their pride and dignity, prepared for an open and honorable confrontation.

At a command from the commanders of both sides, the horn of battle sounded, and the ninjutsu units launched the first attack.

In an instant, dazzling ninjutsu of every color intertwined in the sky, shining with blinding brilliance. Fire Release soared like flaming dragons; Water Release surged like raging waves, crashing against Sunagakure's defenses; Earth Release rolled forth like mudslides, placing immense pressure on the enemy; Wind Style whipped up endless clouds of sand and dust, blasting toward the enemy like countless sharp blades and spears.

Immediately afterward, soldiers from every unit seized their various weapons and charged toward the Sunagakure forces like a gale.

Their steps were steady and powerful, their eyes filled with fearless courage. Blades clashed with crisp ringing sounds; kunai and shuriken streaked through the air, flashing with deadly cold light.

The ninjas moved with agility, nimbly evading their opponents' attacks while unleashing fierce counterattacks.

Dust filled the battlefield, and cries of battle rose and fell without end. Both sides clashed fiercely, every strike brimming with strength and skill. Their coordination was seamless as they supported one another, forming an unbreakable battle line.

The Sunagakure forces were not to be outdone. They answered Konoha's attacks with their own unique tactics and skills. Wind Style stirred up waves of sandstorms, confusing and obstructing their opponents' vision; puppet masters controlled all manner of puppets, engaging Konoha's ninjas in close combat.

The entire battlefield descended into a chaotic yet magnificent spectacle. Both sides fought with everything they had for their own honor and convictions.

"This is war!"

Yūske watched the fiercely battling ninjas, unable to stop the emotion rising in his heart.

"It's about time for you to enter the field, Yūske."

Hatake Sakumo, the commander, had eyes sharp as flames. He had noticed puppet masters appearing on the battlefield. Hatake Mōsō knew that his responsibilities were grave and that he could not casually throw himself into battle, so he instructed Yūske.

Yūske took a deep breath and adjusted himself. Then, like a phantom, he vanished from Hatake Sakumo's side.

"Damn it, I can't get anywhere near him!"

A Konoha Special Jonin complained bitterly to the Sunagakure jonin puppet master before him.

"Haha! My Grasshopper handles offense, Shield Armor handles defense, and Weasel Slash waits for chances to ambush you. How are you going to break through my defenses and hurt me?"

The Sunagakure puppet master looked at the Konoha ninja with contempt, his eyes full of mockery.

"You!"

The Konoha ninja was helpless. None of his ninjutsu could break through Shield Armor's defenses. He could only glare in fury, his heart filled with resentment.

Parasitic String!

Suddenly, a phantom-like figure appeared between the two of them like lightning.

"Lord Yūske!"

Seeing that the newcomer was Yūske, the Konoha ninja immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sorry about this, but Lord Sakumo said all the puppet masters were mine. So take a rest for now."

Yūske turned his head and spoke to the ninja from his own side.

"Kid, didn't your elders tell you that exposing your back to an opponent in battle is a stupid thing to do?"

Before the Konoha ninja could speak, the Sunagakure puppet master drove Grasshopper and Weasel Slash toward Yūske with fierce momentum.

Without even turning around, Yūske lightly moved his fingers. The three puppets suddenly slipped from their master's control, their movements becoming chaotic.

"You... what did you do to my children?" The puppet master increased his chakra output, trying to regain control of the puppets, but it was all in vain.

Five-Colored String!

Yūske raised a hand and gave it a light sweep. Dozens of transparent threads shot forth like sharp blades, forcibly severing the Chakra Threads attached to the three puppets.

"Now, your children are mine."

The corner of Yūske's lips curled upward in a sinister smile.

He swept forward his other hand, the one casting Parasitic String, and the puppets immediately moved according to his will, pouncing on their master like a gale.

Pfft!

The puppet master suddenly recalled his teacher repeatedly stressing the importance of mastering taijutsu, but he had never taken those words seriously.

Yet he never could have imagined that he would be killed by his own puppets at this very moment. With a muffled thud, his life came to an end in despair.

"Good!"

Hatake Sakumo beamed as he watched Yūske with satisfaction, secretly glad that assigning Yūske to the Combat Unit had been a wise choice.

"He killed a jonin puppet master that easily?"

Nara Shikamaru's eyes widened as he stared in Yūske's direction, filled with regret. Fortunately, Hatake Sakumo had not listened to his suggestion. Otherwise... he did not dare think any further.

From the moment Yūske stepped onto the battlefield, far more people than Sakumo and the others had been watching him.

Chiyo clenched her teeth and stared fixedly at Yūske's godlike technique, watching helplessly as he effortlessly eliminated one of her capable subordinates. She turned and sternly ordered the assistant beside her.

"Pass down my order. Have the puppet masters stay away from Watanabe Yūske. Have the other jonin take their place."

"Remember, capture him alive at any cost!"