Hooked a Big Fish

Hatake Sakumo led his subordinates out overnight.

Uchiha Tokimitsu remained for another day, putting on an act alongside the Shadow Clone Hatake Sakumo had left behind before returning to the camp to inspect the personnel.

Regarding Uchiha Tokimitsu's initiative to join the battle, Uchiha Kamon tactfully expressed his concerns and suggested reinforcing the accompanying Ninja. Uchiha Tokimitsu naturally accepted the elder's well-intentioned advice.

Thus, Uchiha Tokimitsu expanded the original force of thirty Jonin and sixty Chunin into thirty-three Jonin and sixty-nine Chunin. Besides the Uchiha ninja, he also transferred in a Byakugan squad led by Hyuga Toshiki and assigned two additional Medical Squads.

Once the troops were ready, Uchiha Tokimitsu dispatched each unit separately under the guise of missions. After gathering at the agreed location, the Ninja army quietly infiltrated the border of the Land of Waterfalls under the cover of night.

Being a Ninja was a profession that demanded great patience.

This was especially true for infiltration and assassination missions. Remaining motionless at a predetermined location for days and nights without eating, speaking, or sleeping was commonplace.

Uchiha Tokimitsu had it relatively good while lurking in the border region. At least he had a cave to squat in, as well as a Ninja hound that was stupid-looking, fierce, and somewhat adorable to relieve his boredom.

Waiting for intelligence was dull. Bored out of his mind, Uchiha Tokimitsu condensed Flame Style Chakra in his palm and shaped it into various forms at will, while his other hand mercilessly kneaded the Ninja hound Bashya.

The Ninja hound Bashya silently endured all of Uchiha Tokimitsu's "affection." It was not that he lacked a temper or personality, but the Chakra gathered in Uchiha Tokimitsu's hand was simply too terrifying for a dog. He had no choice but to submit.

Suddenly, Bashya's body stiffened.

"Hmm?"

Feeling that something was suddenly off, Uchiha Tokimitsu lowered his head toward the Ninja hound. "What is it? Has Jonin Sakumo sent a letter?"

"Yes, Lord Tokimitsu." Bashya nodded repeatedly. "Please allow me to get up and receive the messenger."

"Oh." Uchiha Tokimitsu withdrew the hand that had been continuously rubbing the Ninja hound.

The Ninja hound straightened up, spat out a small scroll from his mouth, unfolded it, and pressed a paw onto the rune array inside the scroll.

Bang!

A small cloud of smoke rose inside the cave.

A Ninja hound carrying a letter in his mouth appeared before them.

The new Ninja hound released the letter, nodded to Uchiha Tokimitsu and Bashya respectively, then turned into a puff of smoke and departed.

"Your companion has some manners, though not much," Uchiha Tokimitsu said to Bashya as he picked up the letter.

Bashya was so frightened that he lay flat on the ground, wagging his tail repeatedly with a fawning grin.

After opening the letter, its contents made Uchiha Tokimitsu's eyelid twitch.

They had hooked a big fish!

Uchiha Tokimitsu's first reaction upon reading the letter was that they had struck gold.

Based on Iwagakure's movements, Hatake Sakumo had tracked them down and ultimately confirmed that the secret meeting between the Stone and Cloud Villages was taking place at a location called Lake Shikotsu in the northern part of the Land of Waterfalls. The highest-value confirmed targets were the Tsuchikage's Assistant and the Raikage's Secretary, each accompanied by fifteen Ninja dressed as Anbu. However, the letter did not reveal what they were discussing. It was unknown whether that was for secrecy or because it had not yet been discovered.

Judging from their numbers, even if all the target's accompanying Ninja were Jonin, there would only be thirty at most. That matched the number of Jonin led by Uchiha Tokimitsu, and with dozens of Chunin supporting them, victory might not be guaranteed, but it would at least be like catching turtles in a jar.

However, if they killed those two, they would likely forge an irreconcilable grudge with the Stone and Cloud Ninja Villages from then on.

But since he had already agreed to Hatake Sakumo's request, there was no point in overthinking it.

Uchiha Tokimitsu immediately sent out a signal to summon the Jonin.

After discussing and finalizing their tactics, the group rushed toward the target location without stopping.

"Jonin Sakumo!"

About fifty kilometers from Lake Shikotsu, the Ninja army led by Uchiha Tokimitsu successfully rendezvoused with Hatake Sakumo.

"Tokimitsu-kun." Hatake Sakumo looked somewhat weary. "Thank you."

"Don't make it sound so formal." Uchiha Tokimitsu waved a hand. "How is the enemy situation?"

"Thirty-two people, around twelve Jonin." Hatake Sakumo explained bluntly. "Their defenses are thorough. There should also be accompanying Sensor Ninja, so infiltrating to eavesdrop is impossible."

"Where are your subordinates?" Seeing Sakumo alone, Uchiha Tokimitsu asked.

"...Two disguised themselves as Rogue Ninja passing one kilometer from the target location, but they were eliminated immediately. I placed the others on the perimeter to keep watch." Hatake Sakumo paused. "There are members of the Explosive Unit among the Iwagakure Ninja."

"So we can only force our way in?" Uchiha Tokimitsu continued.

"At present, that seems to be the case." Hatake Sakumo nodded. "Although we don't know what Iwagakure and Kumogakure are discussing, disrupting their meeting first cannot be wrong."

"Good." Uchiha Tokimitsu agreed at once and began arranging his forces.

"Uchiha Taishi, lead thirty men to the north of Lake Shikotsu within thirty minutes and lie in wait. Launch an attack when you receive the signal. Your unit will also be responsible for the battlefield barrier!"

"Yes!" A middle-aged Uchiha ninja stepped forward and answered resolutely.

"Uchiha Kazushi, lead thirty men to the west of Lake Shikotsu within thirty minutes and lie in wait for orders. Once the attack begins, leave two squads behind in place in case enemies try to flee."

"Yes!"

"Uchiha Tsunashige, lead twenty men in along the water route. You will launch the probing attack first!"

"Understood!"

"Everyone else will launch a frontal assault with Jonin Sakumo and me!"

"Yes!"

"Move out!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Dozens of figures used the Body Flicker Technique, darting and leaping through the forest.

An encirclement net closed in on the Iwagakure and Kumogakure forces discussing matters by the lake.

"Tokimitsu-kun is quite skilled at commanding troops," Hatake Sakumo remarked.

"Just a trivial trick." Uchiha Tokimitsu was unconcerned. "But does the enemy have any notable experts?"

"None have been spotted." Hatake Sakumo thought for a moment. "Their accompanying Ninja are all dressed as Anbu from their respective villages, so they cannot be distinguished."

"Then it doesn't matter. With a three-to-one advantage in Ninja numbers, we win no matter how we fight."

The two chatted as they traveled. Uchiha Tokimitsu took out a pocket watch and checked the time. Feeling that the two flanking units should have reached their positions by now, he nodded at Uchiha Tsunashige.

Having received the order, Uchiha Tsunashige immediately called for the selected Ninja to jump into the river and swiftly dive toward the distant lake.

"Jonin Sakumo, let's get moving as well." Uchiha Tokimitsu turned to invite Hatake Sakumo.

Hatake Sakumo nodded steadily and drew the Short Sword strapped to his back.

With his blade drawn, Hatake Sakumo displayed a temperament completely different from his usual friendliness. His killing intent was contained yet concealed, his sharpness restrained yet unscattered—the hallmark of a top-tier swordsman.

Uchiha Tokimitsu also drew the longsword at his waist. Finding the scabbard bothersome, he casually tossed it onto the ground. He could come back for it after they won.

He brushed his left hand over the longsword, coating its blade in purple Flame Style Aura.

The two exchanged smiles and led their troops forward to launch an attack.

"Who goes there?!"

The Iwagakure Anbu by the lake noticed unusual movement on the water and drew their Ninja blades as they approached the shore.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Five Water Dragons violently burst from beneath the water, pouncing toward the tents by the lake. This was a combined Ninjutsu attack formed by multiple Ninja jointly casting Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique.

Then twenty figures leaped from the water and began rapidly forming hand seals.

Earth Style: Multiple Earth Flow Walls!

Though caught off guard, the Iwagakure Anbu were clearly elites. The Ninjutsu they hastily cast happened to block the Water Dragon Bullet attack.

"Fire Style—"

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

"Dragon Fire Technique!"

Large-scale Fire Style Ninjutsu jointly unleashed by several Uchiha surged toward the Stone and Lightning forces.

"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"

"Lightning Style: False Darkness!"

"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

For a moment, Ninjutsu from both sides bombarded each other at close range.

Uchiha Tokimitsu took out a whistle, drew in a deep breath, and blew sharply.

Whee! Whee-whee-whee!

The Ninja troops lying in wait to the north and west also sprang into action, fiercely pouncing toward the Iwagakure and Kumogakure forces by the lake.

"Gentlemen, attack with me!" Uchiha Tokimitsu shouted, taking the lead in charging forward with his sword.

"Kill!" The accompanying Uchiha ninja shouted in response and charged toward the enemy forces by the lake.

Hatake Sakumo was even faster, using the Body Flicker Technique to streak into the enemy formation like lightning.

With his fierce swordsmanship and incredible speed, Hatake Sakumo beheaded two men in quick succession before five Kumogakure Anbu joined forces to stop him.

The name "White Fang" truly lived up to its reputation.

Even Uchiha Tokimitsu felt that he might have made too much of this by bringing so many people.

"Prepare the combination Ninjutsu!" Since they were already here, the prepared Ninjutsu offensive could not go to waste.

"Fire Style—"

"Wind Style: Great Tornado!"

"Great Fire Annihilation!"

A series of combination Ninjutsu involving Fire Style and Wind Style surged fiercely toward the Iwagakure and Kumogakure forces.

"Earth Style: Earth Style Wall!"

The flustered Iwagakure and Kumogakure Ninja each employed their own methods. Although they blocked this wave of Ninjutsu attacks, their formation was thrown into utter disarray, allowing the numerically superior Uchiha clan members to rapidly split them apart and gang up on them.

After using Ninjutsu to disrupt the enemy formation, the most effective and direct method for the side with superior numbers was close-quarters combat, relying on their Numerical advantage to gang up on the enemy separately.

By now, the battlefield had descended into chaotic melee. Uchiha Tokimitsu gripped his longsword, intending to charge in and cut down enemies, but he could not find an opening. The Dark Guard Ninja around him stayed tightly at his sides, leaving him no chance to engage the enemy.

The only enemy group still holding together was the battle group containing the Tsuchikage's Assistant and the Raikage's Secretary. Seven people remained, but they were surrounded on all sides by the flanking forces led by Uchiha Taishi and Uchiha Kazushi.

"Secret Technique: Fire Rat Ball!"

Suddenly, among the surrounded enemy forces, a Kumogakure Ninja violently tore off his mask and spat dense clusters of blue fireballs from his mouth, which rushed toward the Uchiha ninja encircling them.

Though the Uchiha clan members used their own methods to block them, those clusters of eerie blue flames unexpectedly broke through their defenses, causing the Uchiha clan members no small amount of trouble.

Although the encirclement did not collapse, it loosened.

"Damn it!" A Kumogakure Ninja in the field cursed loudly.

Uchiha Tokimitsu was also somewhat surprised. The Uchiha Clan were inherently masters of fire, so how had their defenses been breached so easily?

However, those blue flames, and that peculiar Ninjutsu name... they seemed familiar.

Blue flames... eerie fireballs... Uchiha Tokimitsu muttered to himself. Then he suddenly thought of something and hurriedly shouted, "Careful, that guy is the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki!"

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