The Battle Escalates (Happy New Year, everyone)

"Lord Tsuchikage, it's here."

Inside the Land of Cedars, in the outer region extremely close to the battlefield between Uchiha Kei and Jigen, Ōnoki and Gangye Zhengxiong stood here.

Behind them was a densely packed army of Ninja stretching as far as the eye could see!

Iwagakure had deployed no small number of troops in the Land of Cedars. After all, this place bordered Kumogakure and could be considered Iwagakure's foremost frontline against Kumogakure.

If this place fell, Kumogakure would likely march straight into the Land of Earth.

The reverse was also true. Once war broke out, this place would definitely serve as the bridgehead for an assault on Kumogakure.

If Kumogakure wanted to attack Iwagakure, they had to first capture this place before they could advance unhindered.

It could be said that the Land of Cedars was one of the most crucial strategic junctions between the two nations.

Iwagakure had gained considerable advantages in this place, but that did not mean they could afford to let their guard down.

The troops Iwagakure had deployed here were instead the greatest in number among all its border regions.

"Mm, what's the situation inside now?" Ōnoki nodded before asking in a low voice, "Have they shown any signs of coming out?"

"Not for the time being. The Explosion Corps has already sent clay eagles inside to gather intelligence, but we haven't received any feedback yet," Gangye Zhengxiong said respectfully. "However, we do have one piece of information: the Chakra inside is in disarray, preventing the clay eagles from getting close. Once they approach, they lose effectiveness. I'm afraid..."

Gangye Zhengxiong did not finish his sentence, but Ōnoki already knew what he meant.

There had likely been a terrifying battle inside, and that battle had made it impossible for the clay eagles to