The Fifth Ninja World War Begins

Time passed quickly under calm conditions, and more than ten days went by in the blink of an eye. The third round of the Joint Chunin Exams the Mist ninja was successfully held.

The Mist ninja arranged the third exam to be held outside the village, beside a huge natural lake.

The exam venue arrangement clearly shows that the Mist ninja were wary of the Cloud ninja.

The abundant moisture in the environment greatly benefited the Mist ninja, which can be seen as the Mist ninja choosing a battlefield for a potential war.

The Fourth Raikage wasn't late; in fact, he arrived before the exam officially began.

Yotsuki A and Kisame were seated on the top tier of the exam stands, one on the left and one on the right.

The two seats were about fifty meters apart, which was even further than the seats occupied by the Tsuchikage Kazekaze during the Joint Chunin Exams held by Iwa ninja.

Kisame was already waiting in his seat, but he didn't get up to greet Yotsuki A.

Furthermore, it can be seen that there are obvious Sealing Runes between the two seats.

Yotsuki A glanced around and knew there was an invisible barrier here.

This barrier was naturally designed for Yotsuki A. While it couldn't stop him, it could buy Kisame some time.

After taking Yotsuki A seat, Aya Yotsuki said to Kisame with a blank expression, "Mizukage, your Kirigakure is really well-prepared for this Chunin Ninja Exams."

Kisame grinned and said, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Raikage. I wonder how Cloud ninja you are in defeating your Raikage this time."

Yotsuki A still didn't look pleased, and said, "Don't worry, Mizukage, our Cloud ninja won't disappoint you."

Neither of them were talkative ninjas, Yotsuki A was even more of a brute who would rather resort to violence than utter a word. So after exchanging a few tentative words, they quickly fell silent.

Soon, the third match officially began.

Iwagakure, the representative of Tomoko, sat on the second tier of the stands, on the other side of Kisame, separated from Yotsuki A.

The competition proceeded quickly, Tomoko watched as she and Kawakita's students took turns competing, with varying results. Overall, however, their performances were quite good.

However, Tomoko's mind wasn't on the exam hall; she was mostly paying attention to what was happening around the stands.

The next moment, she, full of vigilance, noticed that a ninja was rapidly approaching the highest stand, where the two Kage were located, in the passageway inside the arena.

To disturb two Kage at such a momentous time, the information this person carries must be of great importance concerning the safety of the entire Kirigakure.

Without needing to guess, Tomoko was already mentally prepared, knew that the Cloud ninja had indeed chosen to start a war.

After making a series of hand gestures towards the athletes' preparation area and receiving a response, Tomoko quietly left her seat and retreated into the passageway in the stands behind her.

Meanwhile, in the contestants' area, the six Iwa ninja contestants ignored the attention of others and left together.

Soon, Tomoko reunited with her and her six disciples from Kawakita.

"From now on, you will stay by my side and be ready to fight at any time. Our target Cloud ninja," Tomoko said to the six people with a serious expression.

The six nodded and replied in unison, "Understood."

Even before the third match began, the six had noticed Tomoko's unusual behavior and were all mentally prepared.

Looking up, Kisame, after listening to the Anbu's report, calmly turned to Yotsuki A and said, "Raikage, I think you should explain why your Five Thousand Army suddenly penetrated deep into my Land of Water."

Yotsuki A turned his head as well, his expression as resolute as ever, his Chakra surging as he said, word by word, "My explanation is: the Cloud ninja has officially declared war on the Mist ninja!"

As soon as the words were spoken, both sides, who had been waiting in ambush, immediately launched their Ninjutsu. The two Elite Jonin- level guards behind them also quickly launched their attacks.

One of Kisame's Elite Jonin activated the barrier that had been set up beforehand.

"Lightning Armor"

"Water Release: Water Prison Pillar"

Yotsuki A moved quickly and launched the first attack, but the barrier delayed her a little.

The barrier's defensive effect was quite good; under the control of that Elite Jonin, it actually managed to block one of Yotsuki A's attacks. Yotsuki A attacked twice in succession before it finally broke.

After the barrier between him and Kisame was broken, he was greeted by a wall of water.

From Yotsuki A's perspective, it appears to be a massive wall of water. However, from a high vantage point, it becomes clear that it is an incredibly thick column of water.

The giant water column swept horizontally, pushing Yotsuki A and his two guards hundreds of meters away.

Part of the grandstand structure was also pushed aside, but although the top floor was damaged, it did not affect the area below. Clearly, the Mist ninja had made thorough preparations when building this grandstand.

Guests from various countries in the stands below could only hear the sound of huge waves crashing against the rocks overhead.

The next moment, when the sound came again, its source was hundreds of meters away from the stands, directly above the huge natural lake.

Having seized the initiative, Yotsuki A to the top of the lake, and Kisame himself followed closely behind to the lake's edge.

"Water Release: Great Torrent Breakthrough." With the help of this huge natural lake, Kisame's speed in using Ninjutsu this time far exceeded that of Karatachi Yagura's self-destruction.

The next moment, the entire lake was enveloped by a vast Water World.

Yotsuki A unleashed two large-scale, high-energy-consuming Ninjutsu right from the start. As Taijutsu Ninja, Aya Yotsuki hadn't expected Kisame's Ninjutsu to be so exaggerated, and immediately lost the initiative.

His Lightning Release Body Technique excelled in its incredible speed, but Kisame created a fighting environment that was very unsuitable for him to utilize his speed.

"It seems I underestimated this Fifth Mizukage," Yotsuki A Yozuki muttered to herself.

He had already separated from his two guards, but that was for the best; without any burdens, he could perform at his own pace.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Flow Net." Centered on Yotsuki A, a massive amount of Lightning Release spread rapidly in all directions, mediated by Kisame's Great Raging Waves.

Yotsuki A wasn't Sensory Ninja, but he felt that Kisame Mist ninja wouldn't be enough to deal with him.

Judging from the Mist ninja's thorough preparations, a large number of ninjas were probably already closing in on them. The Lightning Flow Net, combined with Water Release, was now proving effective.

However, Yotsuki A overestimated Kisame. Although many Anbu surrounded him to provide assistance, none of them entered the Great Raging Waves.

Kisame decided to hold off Yotsuki A alone. These Anbu were there as a precaution. They had two purposes: to prepare for a rescue and to provide Kisame with Chakra.

Therefore, most of Yotsuki A's ultimate move missed its target, with only Kisame and the four guards of the two Kage hitting it.

Kisame paid no attention to this scattered attack, Samehada easily completed the treatment for him.

"Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique; Water Release: Thousand Feeding Sharks."

Within his Water Release range, Kisame could clearly sense the location of Yotsuki A.

Knowing that he would not fare well in close combat with Yotsuki A, Kisame immediately used large-scale, high-energy-consuming Ninjutsu, aiming to wear Yotsuki A down.

The battle broke out suddenly at the examination site, but the Mist ninja remained calm and prepared. They immediately dispatched their pre-assembled army towards the direction of the Cloud Ninja main force.

Although it was also an invasion battle Chunin Ninja Exams, the Mist ninja were not as foolish as the Konoha in the original story, who didn't try to repel the enemy but instead started fighting in alleyways right from the start.

The Mist Ninja Army successfully intercepted the Cloud Ninja Army more than ten kilometers away from Kirigakure.

The Cloud ninja's plan was for Yotsuki A to kill Kisame as soon as possible, and if that wasn't possible, at least to hold Kisame.

Yotsuki A thought that with the Mizukage unable to break free from the sudden attack, the Mist ninja's reaction would definitely be a beat slower.

However, he was clearly mistaken. The Mist ninja had not only assembled a large army in advance, but the commanders had also been arranged long ago, so there was no need for the Mizukage at all.

Kisame then tried to hold off Yotsuki A.

Once the Cloud Ninja Army is repelled, the Mist ninja can turn around and attack Yotsuki A. The Mist ninja are experts in this area; that's how the Third Raikage was killed.

While tens of thousands of ninja clashed in Kirigakure, things were also not peaceful in Konoha.

Ten days ago, ninjas with ill intentions began to infiltrate the vicinity of Konoha.

Unlike the Cloud ninja, who mobilized a large number of ninja armies, the Konoha Village sent only high-level ninjas.

They were few in number but very strong, so the patrolling ninjas on the outskirts of Konoha didn't notice them at all.

However, the fact that the patrolling ninjas did not discover it does not mean that the Konoha High-ranking officials was unaware of it.

In fact, the Konoha High-ranking officials had long sensed the danger and had formulated a series of contingency plans to deal with the enemy.

Fortunately, it seems that none of the powerful figures wandering around the perimeter have forced their way in yet; at least the Barrier Team, which has been operating at full capacity for the past ten days, has not issued any alarms.

Yichen stood on the outskirts of Konoha, a position directly opposite the Hokage Rock. Looking at the five enormous human-faced sculptures at the end of his vision, Yichen smiled gently.

At this moment, Yichen had already entered Sage Mode, clearly ready for a great battle.

Just now, through the shark Summoning Beast, news came from the Mist ninja that the Cloud ninja had made their move.

Therefore, Yichen chose to ignite the powder keg of Konoha at the same time.

"Sokai, it's been six years since you left Konoha. This is your first time back. How are you feeling?" Yichen asked Sokai beside him.

That's right. Besides bringing the Outer Path Statue Fragment, Yichen also brought Sokai Uchiha on this trip.

Because a great battle was imminent, none of the three Tailed Beast emerged from the Outer Path Statue Fragment.

This was an agreement between the two: Yichen would help the Uchiha Clan in his personal capacity—no, he should be helping Sokai.

Once this is all over, Sokai will be able to live a peaceful life as an Iwa ninja.

Although Sokai is still weak, Yichen still brought him along.

Sokai remained silent, staring at the somewhat unfamiliar Hokage Rock without saying a word.

Of course, I've seen the Hokage Rock Sokai, but I don't remember Hokage Rock from this angle. I only remember seeing the Hokage Rock in profile.

That's right, our Uchiha Clan was long ago driven into a corner by the Konoha High-ranking officials.

Moreover, at that time, there were only three heads on the Hokage Rock, and all the clansmen hoped that their clan leader's face could be carved on it.

However, even though there are now five portraits on the Hokage Rock, there is still no Uchiha.

"I'm going to take action. I'm going to make your Uchiha Clan betray you yourselves. Will you hate me?" Yichen asked softly.

Sokai shook his head, looked at the Hokage Rock, and said, "Teacher Yichen, you're right. The Konoha High-ranking officials are unfair to the Uchiha Clan."

"We are one of the Founders of Konoha, yet Konoha refuses to give us the honor we deserve, instead suppressing and ostracizing us at every turn."

"Rather than wait to die, we might as well fight. There are no cowards among us Uchiha."

Yichen nodded and said, "Alright, let's begin."

After saying that, Yichen took out a scroll and sent a signal into the sky.

This was certainly not a signal of attack; only Yichen from Iwagakure came, and there were only two of them, including Sokai.

Other ambitious individuals lurking outside Konoha would not heed Yichen's orders.

Yichen's signal was intended for the intelligence ninjas within Konoha.

Many people saw Yichen's Signal Flare. Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Hokage Building, alerted by the Anbu, arrived at the rooftop of the Hokage Building and saw it.

Kakashi, dressed as an Anbu and standing next to Tsunade, naturally saw it too.

The three of them looked grim. Although they didn't know the meaning of the Signal Flare, Tsunade immediately gave the order for everyone to be on alert and prepare for battle.

Although Danzo, who was at the Root Base, did not see the Signal Flare with his own eyes, he received intelligence from his subordinates.

Danzo quickly gathered his subordinates, then looked at one of the ninjas and asked, "Kagami, are you ready?"

This ninja, who was probably the umpteenth to be addressed as "A," quickly replied, "Lord Danzō, I'm ready."

Danzo nodded expressionlessly and began to await further information.

Outside Konoha, Rasa and his group also spotted the Signal Flare.

"Has it started?" Rasa Ryosuke, asked. "Sensei, shall we begin now?"

Rasa shook his head and said, "No rush, let's see what the Tsuchikage can do first."