In mid-June, the village leadership announced that the Chunin Ninja Exams would proceed as planned and that Jonin could continue nominating candidates.
In just three months, the border clashes had caused far more casualties than expected, and the war showed signs of expanding.
Inside the Hokage Building, Utatane Koharu gave her routine report on the latest developments at the front. When she brought up Sunagakure, her expression turned strange.
"Though it may sound unbelievable, the Third Kazekage most likely died at the hands of his own people."
"The Intelligence Department believes Sunagakure is still in the midst of internal turmoil. Chiyo and her brother are trying to divert the conflict by starting a war. They want to use it to choose the next Kazekage."
Mitokado Homura also found the matter absurd. The strongest Kazekage had died at the hands of his own people. He couldn't imagine anything like that happening in Konoha.
"Hiruzen, we've already spread the word inside Sunagakure, and Danzo completed his mission well. Hanzo has agreed to let us enter the Land of Rain."
"Orochimaru has pushed the front line to the border. We haven't seen any sign of Iwagakure yet."
Unlike Jiraiya's counterattack near the Land of Grass, Orochimaru had disregarded casualties and, in just one month, driven Sunagakure back to its "homeland."
The results were impressive. But thinking of the signs that Danzo and Orochimaru were working together, Sarutobi Hiruzen furrowed his brows and asked, "Is Danzo still in the Land of Rain?"
"Root seems to have discovered a 'secret' about Amegakure. Danzo believes we can win Hanzo over to our side."
Utatane Koharu replied quietly. She didn't know the details of Root's operations, but she trusted that her old friend wouldn't betray the village's interests.
Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped his pipe. Root was getting a little out of control, and Orochimaru hadn't completed the mission he'd assigned him.
"Tell Orochimaru to watch the casualties. If he sees any sign that Sunagakure and Iwagakure are joining forces, he should return to the border at once."
"Yes, sir!"
The Anbu member who received the order straightened his chest and replied proudly. In just two months, the village had seized the initiative again. That was the strength of the Konoha Ninja.
War had once again broken out in the Land of Rain, a country shrouded in rain year-round. Though Amegakure had issued warnings in advance, several border villages were still destroyed.
Sparse raindrops fell on the bloodstained earth as inhuman howls rang out again and again.
"Ah!"
Under the cover of Explosive Tags, Sunagakure's ninja continued their fearless charge. Their pointless cries seemed to bolster their courage.
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave."
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
The moment Shu Furukawa, clad in white armor, opened up some distance, he began forming Hand Seals. By the time he landed, a thin stream of water was already shooting from his mouth.
The Sunagakure ninja in front slapped both hands against the ground, raising an earthen wall. But the defense was as flimsy as paper. The water pierced through it instantly, and a spray of blood followed.
"Ugh! Ah..."
The high-speed, thread-thin jet of water swept sideways. Some of the charging Sunagakure ninja couldn't dodge in time and were cut in half at the waist. Their screams rang without end.
The sight of blood didn't frighten the remaining Sunagakure ninja. Their faces twisted into snarls as they poured out more chakra and continued charging toward their enemies.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
The Uchiha ninja behind Shu Furukawa spat out fireballs one after another. After successfully disrupting the enemy's formation, the two sides clashed in close combat once more.
"Stay with Lord Shu!"
A young Uchiha ninja shouted. Several squads behind him roared and charged forward at full speed.
"Clang..."
The Sunagakure ninja at the front swung with all his might. His longsword clashed with a short blade, sparks flying. The force of the impact split the skin across his thumb and forefinger.
Shu Furukawa seized the brief opening. Chakra burst beneath his feet, and he spun nimbly into a side kick.
"Pfft..."
The young Sunagakure ninja flew sideways. The force crushed his chest inward, and blood poured from his mouth and nose as he hit the ground. He was already beyond saving.
Shu Furukawa leaped into the middle of the Sunagakure formation. The earth cracked beneath his landing, sending shards of stone flying and completely breaking the enemy's charge. The Konoha Ninja behind him seized their chance and gained the upper hand.
Orochimaru stood atop a damaged circular building. Watching Shu Furukawa calmly dodge in the midst of the encirclement, his blade and kicks killing with concise efficiency, a gleam of excitement appeared on his sinister face.
"What exceptional talent!"
"Boom!"
An Explosive Tag detonated in the middle of the formation, and screams erupted all around. Taking advantage of the chaos, a puppet squad hidden in the rear ranks of Sunagakure launched a surprise attack. Poisoned Senbon felled a group of Konoha Ninja.
Shu Furukawa leaped into the air to dodge a hand thrusting from the ground. He gathered strength for an instant, then lashed out with a fierce side kick.
"Ah..."
Two Sunagakure ninja's heads twisted around. They gave muffled groans and died on the spot. The ninja beneath the earth didn't escape either. By the time Shu Furukawa landed, his short blade had already pierced the man's head.
More and more blood spread across the ground. Driven by the thrill of killing, both sides had nearly lost their reason.
The Uchiha Clan's ninja used their Sharingan to suppress the puppet forces. The Antidote they'd taken in advance meant they had no fear of the poisoned weapons.
After clearing the Sunagakure ninja around him, Shu Furukawa pressed his hands together. As the Konoha squads fell back to open up some distance, he unleashed another large-scale technique.
"Water Release: Water Shockwave!"
It was as if the rain in the sky had been sucked away. A circular current of water rose around Shu Furukawa, its deafening roar briefly drowning out the bloodcurdling screams.
"No way... Ugh!"
The Sunagakure puppet squad and the allies around them stared at the violent torrent in the sky, muttering in disbelief. Despair showed on their faces.
"Boom..."
The raging torrent crashed down from the sky with a thunderous roar. More than half the battlefield was swept clear. Orochimaru appeared beside Shu Furukawa and snarled in a cold voice.
"Kill them all!"
"Yeah!"
The Konoha Ninja roared and charged again. The Water Release Ninjutsu, like divine punishment, sent their morale soaring. Sunagakure was no match for them!
By evening, the light rain had finally stopped. For the first time in half a month, Shu Furukawa saw the sunset.
There wasn't a single Sunagakure ninja left in the border village of the Land of Rain. The air was thick with the stench of blood. The Konoha Ninja cleaning up the battlefield had long since grown used to it, and many were still chatting excitedly.
The Konoha Ninja clearing the battlefield were all young, around fifteen years old. When Shu Furukawa appeared, they bowed to him, their faces full of reverence.
"Lord Shu!"
"We have you to thank for your Water Release Ninjutsu and the Antidote, Lord Shu!"
"Lord Shu is truly kind..."
Shu Furukawa nodded in response, then crouched and closed the eyes of a corpse with a twisted face. After completing [Collection], a pained expression appeared on his young face.
Orochimaru watched with interest as Shu Furukawa went around comforting the dead. An inscrutable smile spread across his pale face. At last, he even stuck out his long tongue and licked his lips.
At dinner, Orochimaru came over to Shu Furukawa and said with a hoarse laugh, "Shu, your performance on the battlefield far exceeded my expectations! Staying with Tsunade really would have wasted your talent."
"Lord Orochimaru, there's no need to say that. Without Teacher Tsunade's guidance, I wouldn't have the strength I do now."
After finishing the dried meat, Shu Furukawa shook his head. Orochimaru didn't seem to mind and continued preaching his philosophy.
"You can call me Teacher. The Second Hokage's Water Release Ninjutsu really does suit you."
"These Sunagakure ninja are no match for you. They can't test your mettle. Shu, I can also teach you Wind Release Ninjutsu later."
"Tsunade asked me to look after you, but we both know that only killing lets you truly understand the meaning of life!"
Shu Furukawa put on an attentive expression. But when he saw Orochimaru go on and on with his "Talk no Jutsu," he couldn't help but complain inwardly.
As expected of a kidnapper. He really knows how to trick little kids...
"..."