Twenty li outside Sanpo City, after several brutal battles, the joint Stone and Rain Ninja force finally reached the area. Mitokado Homura had coordinated their response quickly enough, but the Stone and Rain Ninja had clearly resolved to press the attack. They didn't care about their own casualties, charging forward with a reckless disregard for their lives and breaking through several checkpoints.
The joint force left all its wounded behind and successfully reached the outskirts of Sanpo City as night fell.
"Rest here. We attack Sanpo City at dawn!"
The joint force was led by a blond, middle-aged man. The years had left their mark on his face, but they had done nothing to diminish his handsome features. If anything, time had given him an air of greater distinction.
The middle-aged man looked eight parts like Houtu, whom Uzumaki Jiuming had met before. If he were thirty years younger, he'd look exactly like Deidara.
"Captain, we just received word that the Third Hokage's three disciples are leading a relief force here. They're moving quickly toward Sanpo City."
"They'll be here in less than twelve hours."
A round-faced Stone Ninja behind the blond man reported this to him.
"I see."
"I'll make arrangements."
Night deepened.
Because of the explosion at dusk and the enemy invasion, Sanpo City was now under maximum alert. Konoha's ninja patrolled the city in groups of three or five, and there were twice as many guards on the walls as usual.
The once-bustling city was now under a complete curfew, making the already quiet night feel even darker.
"Juju, how long do you think this war's going to last? I've been away for two years already. I couldn't even go home when my child was born."
"The kid's probably talking by now. I wonder if they'll even