Battle Begins

After the meeting, Taiichi stepped out of the tent and took a deep breath of the cool night air.

Itachi, Yami, and Jiangtai were waiting for him not far away. Since arriving at the front line, these three children had volunteered to participate in the battle.

Taiichi also wanted to train the three of them, so after arranging for Shadow Clone to protect them secretly, he agreed to their request.

"Teacher, how did the meeting go?" Itachi was the first to notice Taiichi's expression.

"It's decided. We'll organize another attack immediately," Taiichi said briefly. "This time, it will be on a larger scale."

Jiangtai's eyes lit up. "Can we participate?"

"You will be assigned to the Feinting Force." Taiichi looked at the three children. "Remember, this is not a drill. The Ghost Legion shows no mercy and will not show any leniency just because you are young."

"We understand!" Yami clenched her fist. "We've seen it all during our time on the front lines."

Indeed, the three children were on the front lines during this time. Although they were assigned to relatively safe defensive positions and looked after by experienced ninjas, the cruelty of the battlefield still exceeded their expectations.

Intense combat is the best catalyst for ninjas.

After three consecutive days of continuous battles, Jiangtai finally mastered the use of Sage Mode. Now his Sage Mode has practical value in combat, and even its duration has been greatly improved.

Yami's progress was equally remarkable. During a defensive battle, in order to protect an injured Iwagakure Chunin, she smashed a Rock Giant with a single punch in desperation. The power of that punch stunned everyone present; it was her initial mastery of using her Chakra Enhanced Strength.

Itachi's growth was the most subtle yet profound. In a rescue operation, he risked being surrounded by ghost soldiers to save a Sunagakure Genin was trapped in an encirclement.

When the Sand Village Ninja grasped his hand and choked out, "Thank you for saving me," Itachi clearly felt a barrier shatter in his mind.

The Sharingan awakened without the person realizing it, with a Tomoe ornamental mark) rotating around the pupil in each eye. There was absolutely no stimulation from negative emotions; it was a natural and effortless awakening.

This news has not yet reached the Uchiha clan; it remains to be seen how much of a shock it will cause.

"Everyone is making rapid progress." Taiichi looked at his three disciples, his eyes filled with satisfaction, "But it's not enough. The battles to come will be even more brutal, so you must be prepared."

"Yes!" the three answered in unison.

Over the next three days, the Allied Forces entered a state of intense preparation for war. Elite troops drawn from various ninja villages gradually assembled, totaling a thousand men, all of whom were either Jonin or elite Chunin.

Meanwhile, preparations for Feint on the main battlefield were also underway.

The Allied Forces have constructed new fortifications behind the Gorge Defense Line and stockpiled large quantities of Explosive Tag, Ninja Tool, and medical supplies. Once the Strike Force set out, the main force will launch a large-scale offensive to draw the Ghost Legion's attention.

By dusk on the third day, everything was ready.

The Strike Force assembled in the open space in the center of the Camp. A thousand men from different ninja villages, wearing different styles of combat uniforms and with different insignia on their Headband, but at this moment their eyes were the same - firm and resolute.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the High Platform, his gaze sweeping over the thousand Strike Force assembled below, the entire Camp fell into a solemn silence.

The evening breeze ruffled his graying hair and beard. The former Third Hokage, now the leader of the Allied Forces, took a deep breath, and his voice, steady and powerful, resonated throughout the hall. "Gentlemen."

Two simple words, yet they made everyone straighten their backs.

"Standing here are ninjas from Konoha, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, Cloud Village, and Mist Village, as well as warriors from Grass Village, Waterfall Village, Rain Village, and Hot Springs Village. Just over a year ago, many of us were fighting side by side on the battlefield."

His gaze swept across the crowd, meeting the eyes of representatives from various countries, including Kitsuchi, Dodai, Chiyo, and Yagura.

But now, we're standing together. Why?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice suddenly rose. "Because there is an enemy, one that belongs to no country, not even to this Ninja World. Its goal is to destroy the entire world, to reduce everything we cherish—our homes, our families, our heritage—to nothing!"

Among the crowd, the eyes of the ninjas from various countries gradually sharpened.

They recalled the scenes they had witnessed on the front lines: the land eroded by a purplish-black hue, the withered forests, and the villages reduced to ruins by the Ghost Legion's attack.

"Moryo!" The Third Hokage's voice echoed like a thunderclap, "This demon, sealed away since ancient times, has returned with a vengeance. It commands a tireless Ghost Legion, extinguishing life wherever it goes. If left unchecked, one day your homeland will also become that scorched wasteland!"

Many of the Konoha ninja clenched their fists.

They remembered the Night of the Nine-Tails, and the disaster that nearly destroyed the entire Konoha.

The threat posed by the Moryo is even more terrifying than that of the Nine-Tails; it is tireless, and its army is endless.

"We are ninjas!" Hiruzen Sarutobi his right hand, his five fingers clenched into a fist. "For thousands of years, our ancestors have used this power to protect the Ninja World and repel countless threats. Now, it's our turn!"

His gaze fell on Taiichi, then swept over the young elites from various countries: Kakashi, Might Guy, Yura, Baki—

Look at the people around you. They were once enemies, but now they are comrades fighting side by side. Because we have learned a lesson: when real disaster strikes, the grudges between nations are insignificant. Only by uniting can we survive!

These words caused a change in the expressions of many ninjas. The Iwagakure ninjas looked at their Konoha comrades beside them, Cloud Village warriors and Iwagakure heroes exchanged glances.

The animosity that had accumulated on the battlefield was now replaced by a greater sense of crisis.

"Today, we will undertake an unprecedented mission—to strike at the heart of the enemy and slay the Moryo!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice boomed like thunder. "Ancient legends say it's immortal and cannot be killed? I don't believe it!"

"The records from a thousand years ago say that only Shrine Maiden can seal it? I don't believe it!"

"We are ninjas! We are beings who wield the most powerful force in the Ninja World! If even we can't kill it, then who can?"

He took a sudden step forward, his combat uniform fluttering in the evening breeze on the High Platform: "Konoha ninjas! The First Hokage, Piercing Through Thorns and Bare Trees, passed down the Will of Fire, ushering in the era of the ninja village and protecting the peace of countless people. Today, we will prove that the Will of Fire of Konoha can not only protect our own homeland, but also the entire Ninja World!"

"Roar--!"

Two hundred Strike Force from Konoha erupted in a deafening roar.

A sharp glint flashed in Kakashi's deadpan eyes, Might Guy gave a thumbs-up with tears welling up in his eyes, and all the ninjas were burning with fighting spirit.

"Warriors of Iwagakure!" The Third Hokage turned to the team led by Kitsuchi, "You were the first to arrive on the battlefield! Before everyone else arrived, you used your flesh and blood to block the first wave of the Ghost Legion's attack! It was your sacrifice that bought precious time for the Allied Forces! Today, let the entire Ninja World see the resilience and bravery of Iwagakure!"

Kitsuchi pounded his chest with all his might, and the 150 elite Iwagakure behind him did the same thing at the same time. The dull thud echoed in the night sky like war drums.

"Warriors of Sunagakure!" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Chiyo, "The wounds of the Third Shinobi World War have not yet healed, yet you still responded to the call for help. Because you understand that some things are more important than hatred—it is the bottom line of being human! Today, with your Iron Sand and Puppet, tell Moryo that the ninja of Sunagakure have never forgotten their responsibility!"

A relieved smile appeared on Chiyo's aged face, and the Sand Village Ninja behind her straightened their backs. Baki took a deep breath and placed his hand on the Ninja Tool Pouch at his waist.

"Brothers of Cloud Village!" The Third Hokage's gaze met Dodai's. "You've come from the farthest Land of Lightning, crossing half the Ninja World. Why? Because retreat is not in Cloud Village's dictionary! Because you know that true strength is not about bullying the weak, but about standing up in the face of disaster! Today, let your Lightning Style resound throughout the Land of Swamps!"

Dodai nodded emphatically, and the Cloud Village ninjas roared in unison, their Chakra surging within them, and faint flashes of electricity crackled among the crowd.

"Heroes of Mist Village!" Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Karatachi Yagura one last time, "You could have stayed out of this, living far away overseas, but you came nonetheless. This is the responsibility of Mist Village, and a testament to your courage and commitment. Today, let us see that Mist Village's Water Style and assassination methods are just as effective against monsters."

Yagura nodded slightly, and the Mist Ninja behind him also gleamed with bloodlust, but this time it wasn't directed at people, but at the monsters.

The Third Hokage surveyed the entire area, and the eyes of a thousand Strike Force were fixed on him.

"Warriors from other ninja villages!" He looked at the groups from the smaller ninja villages, "As ninjas from smaller villages, your courage is second to none! Grass Village, Waterfall Village, Hot Springs Village —your arrival proves a truth: in this world, there are things worth fighting for, regardless of whether you are a large or small country!"

The ninjas from the small village had tears in their eyes. They had never imagined that they would receive the recognition of the leaders of the Five Great Nations on such an occasion.

Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep breath, his voice reaching its peak. "Tonight, we will split into two groups!"

"The main force will launch a frontal assault, crushing the Ghost Legion with overwhelming force! And you..."

He pointed at the Strike Force: "They will be like sharp blades, piercing straight into the heart of the Moryo!"

"Remember, you are not going to your deaths! You are going to victory! Because behind you stands the most powerful Allied Forces in the entire Ninja World! Because beside you are elites from all nations! And even more so because," the Third Hokage's gaze finally settled on Taiichi and the group of Elite Jonin at the forefront, "You have elites like Taichi Matsushita and Kitsuchi leading the vanguard!"

All eyes were drawn to the front row, especially to the boy.

Most of the ninjas from other villages present had some interaction with Taiichi, either because they failed a mission because of him or because he beat them up badly. Naturally, they all knew how powerful he was. The thought that the "White Reaper" was on their side this time gave them a sense of security.

"Now!" Hiruzen Sarutobi his right hand and swung it down fiercely. "For the Ninja World! For the future! Attack!"

"Attack--!!!"

A roar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing through the night sky.

The moment the mobilization ended, the entire Allied Forces Camp sprang into action like a sophisticated war machine.

On the main battlefield, the strength of more than 7,000 Allied Forces ninjas was unprecedented.

In the history of the Ninja World, there has never been a war in which such a massive force was gathered on a single battlefield.

Faced with the Ghost Legion enemy, the ninjas abandoned their usual small-team assaults and adopted a more flexible fighting style, employing traditional military formations for counter-attacks, and began a steady advance.

The ninjas from each village were disorganized and regrouped according to their strengths.

Fire Style and Lightning Style are particularly effective against the Ghost Legion, so the ninjas skilled in these techniques are positioned at the very front of the formation as the main attack force.

Water Style Wind Style ninjas were positioned on the flanks, providing support and cover.

Earth Style ninjas excel at defense and terrain manipulation, serving as the backbone to anchor the main attacking force from the rear, thus securing the overall situation.

In addition, there are ninjas with all-around abilities and proficiency in Taijutsu, who are deployed between different teams to fill gaps and assist the main force in their attacks.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, as the commander-in-chief, stood on a makeshift watchtower, with advisors from various villages beside him. His pipe had been extinguished, and his gaze swept across the entire battlefield like that of a hawk.

The orders were quickly relayed by messenger ninjas.

In this massive formation of over seven thousand men, the main attacking force was the first to launch its offensive.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!

Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!

Fire Style: Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!

Nearly five hundred Fire Release Ninjutsu rose up almost simultaneously, merging into a blazing sea of fire that was truly spectacular.

Countless Fireball, fire dragons, and fire phoenixes rained down on the Ghost Legion in the canyon. The night was completely illuminated, and the light of the flames dyed the entire sky orange-red.

The rigid Ghost Legion had never encountered such an attack before, and they launched their attack on the Camp according to their usual procedures, which created an excellent opportunity for the Allied Shinobi Forces to attack.

The Rock Golem in the front row began to melt and disintegrate amidst the vast flames; their unique immortality was negligible against such a large-scale Fire Style.

Those Resentful Spirit were even worse off. Faced with the Fire Style attacks, they had no chance to struggle and, after letting out a shrill scream, evaporated completely in the sea of fire.

But this is just the beginning.

The Lightning Style ninja's attack followed swiftly.

Various Lightning Ball, Lightning Net, and chains darted around the Puppet Legion. Although very few Puppet Soldier were completely wiped out, they effectively slowed down the Ghost Legion's advance, buying time for other attacks.

Behind them, the Earth Style ninjas were not to be outdone, and they all began to Hand Seals and cast spells.

The ground cracked open and caved in, and stone walls rose up, cutting the entire Ghost Legion into pieces, making it easier for the attacking forces to strike.

In this organized and premeditated overall attack, there were also some elite individual ninjas who performed exceptionally well.

Itachi was one of them. Having already awakened his Sharingan, Itachi, along with Jiangtai and Yami, were assigned to a mixed unit.

The three formed a small team to support each other and moved along the front lines of the battlefield.

There is a noticeable difference between Itachi after he awakens his Sharingan and before. The powerful dynamic vision brought about by awakening his Sharingan alone has brought about a tremendous improvement in his fighting style.

The long sword slashed down by the Rock Golem was slowed down infinitely in Itachi's eyes. The trajectory of the sword was clearly visible, and the distance between the tip of the sword and his forehead was constantly fed back to his brain. Without any further movement, just a slight shift of his feet, the sure-kill blow missed.

Immediately following was a powerful flying kick, sending Puppet clumsy Puppet flying backward, tumbling several times before finally coming to a stop.