Breaking the City

Matsuo Town, located less than 30 li from Tsurumi Pass, is the final fortified city before the pass itself.

The setting sun bleeds across the horizon, casting a cold glint upon the masonry of the city walls in the twilight.

Kamekichi, a veteran soldier, kicks at the loose gravel at his feet in boredom before glancing at the comrade patrolling the wall beside him, a grin spreading across his face.

"Urahara, I heard you fled here from Kasumi Town. Is the New Martial Army really as terrifying as they say?"

"The New Martial Army..." At the mention of the name, Urahara's pupils tremble, and cold sweat beads on his forehead.

"Look at you, scared out of your wits! How pathetic," Kamekichi remarks, his expression turning to one of disdain.

Urahara, feeling indignant, retorts.

"That's because you haven't faced the New Martial Army; you don't know their terror. When they lay siege, they first roll out rows of pitch-black tubes—they call them Cannons.

These things are like a disciplined unit of ninja; every blast sounds like a thunderclap, and their power is like a high-level ninjutsu.

After a few rounds of bombardment, the city walls are reduced to rubble, and then the New Martial Army begins their charge..."

As he speaks, Urahara's voice falters, his body trembling again as if reliving the memory.

"Those New Martial Army soldiers aren't like normal men; they're like lunatics. They don't stop even when arrows turn them into pincushions, and they keep climbing the ladders even with their guts hanging out..."

At this point, Urahara points to the wall in front of them.

"Just imagine a massive horde of people, like vengeful ghosts, feeling no pain, trampling over the corpses of their own comrades as they scramble to climb up from below."

Hearing this, Kamekichi imagines the gruesome scene. When he considers that Matsuo Town is also a target of the New Martial Army and that he might soon face such horrors, a chill runs deep into his bones.

"Cough, stop trying to scare me with your alarmist talk..."

He forces a stiff smile and pats Urahara on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, the Daimyo has already sent reinforcements to Matsuo Town. We will definitely be able to hold off the New Martial Army."

It is unclear whether Kamekichi is saying this to reassure Urahara or himself.

"Let's go, it's about time. Let's head down and get some food."

Kamekichi feels his back soaked in cold sweat. He has a nagging feeling that at the edge of his vision beyond the city walls, a massive army could appear at any moment, making him panic as he hurriedly shoves Urahara toward the stairs.

However, at that very moment.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Dull drumbeats roll in from the distance, each strike vibrating against the chest like the heartbeat of a savage beast.

Immediately following, countless torches ignite at the edge of the dim horizon, spreading like a wildfire and rapidly closing in.

Amidst the clashing of iron armor and the thunderous roar of hooves, Kamekichi and Urahara stand frozen in bewilderment.

But when rows of pitch-black steel tubes are set up at the front of the formation, Urahara's legs give out, and his face turns deathly pale.

"Cannons! Those are the Cannons!"

Kamekichi finally snaps out of his stupor, stumbling toward the rear and screaming down at the soldiers below.

"Enemy attack! The New Martial Army is here!"

Outside Matsuo Town, at the front of the New Martial Army, Dongfang Mao gazes at the brightly lit city not far away.

Thirty li behind this city lies Tsurumi Pass. If he can capture that natural chasm, the heartland of the Land of Rice Fields—the largest plain in the country—will open its gates to him.

On those vast, fertile plains, there will be no natural barriers to build fortresses upon.

Once that happens, who in the Land of Rice Fields will be able to withstand his military might?

A surge of heat rises in Dongfang Mao's chest. He suddenly raises his hand and shouts.

"Cannons, ready—fire!"

"BOOM—!!"

In an instant, the earth trembles. Dozens of cannons roar in unison, tongues of searing flame tearing through the night as shells rain down upon the city walls like falling stars.

Masonry shatters and smoke billows into the sky; the defending soldiers who had just gathered are instantly swallowed by the deafening explosions.

After the first round of shelling, the city walls are choked with thick smoke, obscuring the view, but Dongfang Mao does not hesitate, waving his hand again.

"Second round, ready—fire!"

As his command falls, another wave of overwhelming, violent thunder erupts.

After ten consecutive rounds of bombardment, the city walls are finally visibly crumbling.

Seeing this, Dongfang Mao's eyes flash.

"Ladders and battering rams, ready—charge with this Commander!"

If Dongfang Mao were an ordinary man, he would naturally stay safely in the rear to command the battle, never risking his own life.

But now, he has gained a preliminary understanding of the three secret techniques personally taught by Tsunade: Strength of a Hundred, Creation Rebirth, and the Strength of a Hundred Technique.

These were techniques Tsunade originally tailored for the unique constitution of her own Senju clan.

However, in terms of physique, Dongfang Mao surpassed Tsunade in every aspect, whether it was body density, raw strength, or regenerative ability.

Consequently, these ninjutsu techniques were even more effective when wielded by Dongfang Mao than by their creator, acting like wings added to a tiger.

This mere rain of blades and arrows posed no threat to him whatsoever.

He naturally intended to lead the charge in person, both to boost the morale of the troops and to elevate his own prestige within the army.

This would allow him to avoid the awkward situation of having merit so great it could no longer be rewarded, for he himself was the one with the highest military achievements.

"Kill—!"

Dongfang Mao let out a roar like a thunderclap. His warhorse reared up, and the long blade in his hand carved a chilling arc through the night as he shot toward the city gate like an arrow released from a bow.

Seeing this, the thousands of soldiers behind him felt their blood boil, erupting into a heaven-shaking battle cry!

However, halfway through the charge, the defenders on the city walls, who had been scattered by the Cannon fire, regrouped and roared as they unleashed a volley of arrows directly at the leading Dongfang Mao.

Facing the dark, torrential downpour of arrowheads, Dongfang Mao showed no sign of alarm. He did not dodge or evade, instead pressing his palms together while still on horseback.

"Earth Style: Multiple Earth Wall!"

"Boom—!"

Several arched earthen walls rose from the ground, layered one after another. The arrowheads struck the stone walls with a rhythmic clatter, unable to harm Dongfang Mao in the slightest, and even shielding a portion of the New Martial Army behind them.

"It... it's ninjutsu!"

Seeing this, the defenders on the wall fell into a fresh state of panic, with many beginning to show expressions of despair.

Yet it was not over. Dongfang Mao suddenly flipped off his horse, leaped onto the stone wall, and pressed his palms together once more.

"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Song!"

Six fire dragons roared from his mouth, lunging straight for the city wall before spiraling and detonating.

Bricks and stones exploded, the watchtower turned into a torch, and defenders fell screaming from the battlements as the stench of burning human fat filled the air.

With the path to the city now clear of obstacles, he arrived at the gate in the blink of an eye, leaping down to land beside the battering ram.

"Prepare the battering ram!"

As he spoke, his right fist suddenly glowed with blue chakra.

Bang—!

His punch, imbued with the Strength of a Hundred, struck the gate simultaneously with the massive iron ram.

As wood splinters exploded outward, the three-inch-thick, iron-clad gate shattered into pieces as if it were made of paper!