War Against the Hyuga

Seven days had passed since Shin had exchanged for Kamui, though he hardly noticed the time go by.

The Uchiha Clan had finally completed all its preparations for war and declared war on the Hyuga Clan.

The Hyuga Clan had clearly anticipated this. They had assembled their ninja and stood ready, prepared to use their clan's treacherous terrain to wage a war of attrition against the Uchiha. They had also sent someone to ask the Senju Clan for reinforcements.

"The Hyuga Clan is a major clan of the Warring States Period. Even among the great clans, its strength is second to none. They must have stockpiles of food ready in their clan territory. If we simply lay siege to them, not only will they avoid running out of food, they'll have plenty of time to rest and recover. If this drags on, our own supplies might run short first. So before we surround them, we have to destroy their granary."

This was the front line where the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans were fighting. The speaker had a stern face and pointed at the map of the Hyuga Clan on the table as he spoke with conviction.

Uchiha Burin was the commander-in-chief of this campaign against the Hyuga Clan. He was also one of the three Kage-level Experts remaining in the Uchiha Clan.

Six men stood around him. Every one of them was a Peak Jonin, and they listened to his analysis with solemn expressions.

"Our spies among the Hyuga Clan's vassal clans have sent word that their granary lies less than ten miles from the center of the Hyuga Clan Compound. It holds enough food to feed their entire clan for three years. We have to destroy it, and quickly—before the Hyuga realize what we're planning. Even if they have food stockpiled elsewhere, they'll last no more than half a year once their main granary is gone."

Uchiha Burin circled a spot on the map to mark the granary. "We've only just arrived here. The Hyuga won't expect us to attack right away. Tonight, I'll lead all our ninja in a full assault on the Hyuga defensive line to draw their attention. Uchiha Ao, Uchiha Lan, you two Peak Jonin will lead six Elite Jonin and form an elite squad. Take a detour and burn down their granary. Remember: strike once and leave. Don't linger. Hyuga Tenin and a whole host of Hyuga leaders are in their compound. You can't take them on."

Uchiha Burin acted swiftly and decisively. After giving his orders, he dismissed the men to prepare.

That very night, he led all the Uchiha ninja in a direct charge at the Hyuga defensive line. The Hyuga ninja were so startled that their faces changed. Who attacked with a full assault on the very night they arrived? Didn't they need time to rest?

"Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"

Uchiha Burin charged at the forefront, displaying his Kage-level strength without reservation. An ocean of flames engulfed most of the Hyuga ninja. He drew his Tachi, his Three Tomoe turning cold and merciless, and charged straight at the enemy line.

Behind him were four Peak Jonin and twenty-one Elite Jonin, followed by a few Jonin, Chunin, and Genin.

Seven Peak Jonin appeared at the front of the Hyuga formation. Together, they released powerful chakra to block Majestic Destroyer Flame. The man at the very front drew a gleaming Tachi. His Byakugan brimmed with killing intent as he shouted, "Follow me and drive the Uchiha Clan back!" Before the words had even left his mouth, he charged straight at Uchiha Burin.

Hyuga Kazenin was the strongest of the Hyuga Clan's Peak Jonin, with strength just shy of Kage Level. With Hyuga Tenin holding down the clan and Hyuga Shinshu recovering from the injuries Uchiha Tajima had inflicted, Kazenin had taken command of the defense against the Uchiha Clan.

The two sides clashed at close quarters. Shouts of battle rose to the sky, interspersed with the roar of ninjutsu. Uchiha Burin sneered and swung his Tachi faster and faster, forcing Hyuga Kazenin onto the defensive. "Where are Hyuga Tenin and Hyuga Shinshu? They don't dare show their faces, so they sent you to die instead?"

Hyuga Kazenin struggled to swing his blade, his Byakugan focused on every subtle movement his opponent made. He retorted, "Someone like you isn't worth the clan head or the Great Elder getting involved."

"Hah!"

Uchiha Burin sneered. His Three Tomoe turned slowly as he said in a low voice, "Have you forgotten the saying that's spread throughout the Warring States Period? 'In a one-on-one fight, turn and run!' You're just a Peak Jonin, yet you dare face me alone? Die!"

Hyuga Kazenin's body stiffened, as if something had trapped him. He remained calm. "Golden Binding Illusion?"

Uchiha Burin's blade was already at his throat when he suddenly twisted aside to dodge. A Tachi shrouded in blue chakra sliced down past his body, missing by a hair. It belonged to another of the Hyuga Clan's Peak Jonin: Hyuga Kazeoki.

Hyuga Kazeoki hurried to Kazenin's side and sent chakra into him, dispelling the illusion. Hyuga Kazenin sneered and resumed his attacking stance. "Now it's two against one."

"Interesting." Uchiha Burin replied coldly, unafraid. He fought the two men at once.

The main battle between the Uchiha and Hyuga erupted in full. It went on all night before finally ending. The Uchiha Clan failed to break through the defensive line and withdrew. Hyuga Kazenin let out a long breath of relief.

But when news reached the Hyuga Clan the next day that their main granary had caught fire and burned to the ground, Hyuga Kazenin's expression changed. And that wasn't all.

When they saw that the Uchiha Clan had immediately blocked every route in and out, his face turned ashen. He had already guessed what the enemy was planning.

So he gathered the ninja and planned a surprise attack while the Uchiha had only just arrived and had yet to establish themselves. He hoped to seize at least two of the blocked routes and keep supplies moving.

But this changed the balance between offense and defense. If the Uchiha attacked and the Hyuga defended, the Hyuga would have a real advantage thanks to the terrain. But once the situation was reversed, with the weaker side attacking the stronger, the outcome was obvious.

The Hyuga ninja who launched the surprise attack were all driven back, suffering heavy losses. They even lost a Peak Jonin. When Hyuga Tenin heard the news, he burst into furious curses.

"That useless Hyuga Kazenin! He let the enemy sneak right under his nose! What good is he? He's making me furious!" Hyuga Tenin flew into a rage, and none of the Hyuga leaders below dared try to calm him down.

After cursing for a while, Hyuga Tenin sighed and asked, "The Uchiha have blocked every road. We're trapped in our own compound. Setting aside the main granary, how much food do we have left?"

A Peak Jonin stepped forward and answered quietly, "Enough to last about half a year."

Hyuga Tenin thought for a moment, then asked, "What about the Senju? We sent our request for aid several days ago. Where are their reinforcements?"

Another Peak Jonin stepped forward, hesitating. "According to the intelligence we've received, Uchiha Dou intercepted the Senju reinforcements at the Kazama River. Senju Rajin, who was coming to aid us, said... said..."

Hyuga Tenin frowned and snapped, "What did he say? Spit it out!"

The Peak Jonin replied, "Senju Rajin said we should hold out a little longer. Once he dealt with Uchiha Dou, he'd come to our aid."

Smack!

Hyuga Tenin struck the table before him with his palm, smashing it into splinters once more. He growled in a low voice, "Senju, Uchiha—you bastards, both of you. Just you wait."