News that Sunagakure and Konoha had joined forces to attack the Land of Earth's mainland couldn't be kept secret. After all, every village in the Five Great Nations had spies from other countries, especially when it came to a major invasion like this. Until now, only Iwagakure's Surprise Attack Force had been capable of infiltrating another country's territory without a sound.
That was because Iwagakure's Surprise Attack Force could all fly through the sky.
Now, the sudden strike by Sunagakure and Konoha had taught every other nation a lesson.
For a time, the morale of the Stone Ninja on the Land of Rain front wavered when they received the news, and they were driven back again and again by Konoha.
A small town somewhere in the heart of the Land of Rain.
Orochimaru strolled through the rain with the Kusanagi Sword in hand. Blood on the blade ran down toward the ground as the rain washed over it. All around him lay the bodies of Stone Ninja wearing red half-armor. Their blood had pooled into puddles, mixing with the rain before seeping into the earth.
Clang.
Beside him, Shimura Danzō casually tossed aside a short sword he had taken from someone and surveyed the battlefield.
Suddenly, an eagle's cry caught Orochimaru's attention. He raised his arm, and a Ninja Hawk circled down from the sky, landing neatly on it.
"Heh heh heh, how interesting."
Orochimaru took the message from the hawk's leg. After reading it, he chuckled softly and handed it to Shimura Danzō beside him.
"I never expected Hiruzen to come up with a plan like this—and actually pull it off!"
"Uzumaki Kuming... Your junior disciple really is remarkable!"
After reading the message, Shimura Danzō sliced it into pieces with Wind Style. The scraps fluttered to the ground, mingling