Minazuki Junhyo nodded in satisfaction and formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Foam Wave"
He spat out a large amount of foam, coating the cracks in the ship's hull, then formed hand seals again.
"Secret Technique: Modified Thousand Flying Water Needles"
The foam instantly froze, and the broken sections of the ship's hull were firmly joined together.
"Mizukage-sama, you can come out now. Hurry, before the ice melts."
At that moment, there were two small islands.
Before long, Kirigakure's warships sailed around the islands.
From the outside, it was impossible to detect the Uzushio Ninja on the islands.
They needed a Sensory Ninja.
Kirigakure's Sensory Ninja probed the island.
"Mizukage-sama, there's a barrier erected by the Uzumaki Clan on the island. I can't get a clear reading, but I can tell that the Land of Whirlpools' camp is roughly in the middle of the island."
"There are barriers to the north, south, and west. Surround them on three sides and leave one open. We can only enter through the eastern passage."
"Mizukage-sama, if we focus our attacks and break through the three barriers, we can attack from all sides. The Land of Whirlpools has fewer troops than we do, so we can encircle and wipe them out."
Hozuki Gensei, acting as military strategist, laid out the plan.
Hozuki Gengetsu was already fired up and could barely stay calm. Impatiently listening to the strategist, he pointed at the camp ahead.
"The Land of Whirlpools' main force is right up ahead. Move out and wipe them all out."
"Report! Kirigakure has surrounded our camp and begun its attack. They haven't attacked the barrier. They've chosen to advance through the front entrance."
Everyone present, including Uzumaki Shori, felt their hearts tighten. Kirigakure had finished recuperating at sea far sooner than expected.
"This is Island B. Notify the warships stationed at Island B to fire their rocket launchers. Leave the launch crews on Group A's island, and have everyone else assemble at the Command Camp."
"Uzukage-sama, they're only attacking along one route. Why don't we fire everything and crush them?"
"Kirigakure is already prepared. Firing the rocket launchers will only deplete their chakra and ease the pressure on us."
The remaining two hundred rockets had been saved for dealing with that. It would be best if they didn't have to use them.
The communications ninja quickly formed hand seals.
"Ninja Art: Telepathic Communication Technique"
Uzumaki Shiro, the Second Squadron captain stationed aboard the warships, heard that Kirigakure had attacked. Unable to hide his anger, he looked at his fellow clansmen and relayed the order.
They grabbed the fuses, channeled Fire Release chakra into them, and adjusted the launchers' angles.
The captain roared.
"Ready! Countdown! Three, two, one—fire!"
The rocket launchers stood tall aboard the warships.
Twenty-four I-beam launch rails were arranged in two staggered rows.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
They thundered one after another.
The rocket launchers fired in unison.
The rockets shot into the sky, then ignited their second-stage boosters.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Six hundred rockets were fired in succession this time.
The smoke from their bursts spread across the sky above Group A.
Group A followed the smoke toward the Command Camp, preparing to repel the enemy attack.
The Mist Ninja hurried forward. Suddenly, a series of explosions rumbled ahead. Was it some kind of special ninjutsu?
An immense pressure swept over them, slowing their advance.
Before long, arrows capable of exploding appeared in the sky, attacking the Mist Ninja warships.
"Mizukage-sama, the Land of Whirlpools is using that same technique again."
The Mizukage was growing more and more excited as he watched the rockets come hurtling toward them in a vast swarm.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet"
Ten water dragons soared up from the sea and charged at the rockets.
The two sides collided.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The ten water dragons consumed a full two hundred rockets.
Watching this, the Mist Ninja could hardly believe that even the Mizukage's ninjutsu couldn't stop the rockets' assault.
Hozuki Gengetsu stared ahead. It seemed he'd underestimated these rockets.
Each rocket was only as powerful as a B-rank technique, but a barrage of B-rank techniques grew exponentially more powerful.
"Everyone, use techniques with strong piercing power, low chakra consumption, and a high number of attacks. A single rocket is nothing to worry about."
Minazuki Junhyo, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Kaguya Majen, and numerous Mist Ninja formed hand seals.
"Ice Release: Swallow Snowstorm!" "Water Style: Water Bullet Barrage!"
"Water Style: Water Gun!" "Multiple Senbon Technique!"
The Mist Ninja fired a barrage of techniques with piercing power at the incoming rockets.
The rockets were shot down one after another and exploded in midair.
The Mist Ninja gazed up at the sky. The heat from the explosions swept over them, drying out the air. The heat itself didn't hurt them, but metal fragments came flying down in its wake.
After the rockets were pierced by the ninjutsu, the explosions scattered metal fragments in every direction. The Mist Ninja below drew their shuriken to block the fragments.
The Genin weren't strong enough to deflect every fragment. One after another, they were struck and fell to the ground, crying out in pain.
Hozuki Gengetsu watched the wounded littering the ground, growing more excited by the moment. The thrill of battle was truly wonderful.
"Those who can't walk, stay where you are. Everyone else, keep moving."
Around three hundred had been injured or killed. The Mizukage continued forward with the remaining 1,700 ninja.
"Report to Uzukage-sama: the rocket launchers targeted two thousand enemies. Three hundred were injured or killed, and the Mist Ninja are continuing toward the camp."
A Sensory Ninja among the Uzushio Ninja delivered the report.
Uzumaki Shori's expression shifted slightly. The attack had been far less effective this time. Their opponents had clearly prepared more thoroughly against the rocket launchers.
As the words "Enemy attack!" spread through the camp, the Uzushio Ninja gathered from all directions in front of the Command Room.
"The battle is upon us. Move out."
He turned and headed outside, with the others following behind Uzumaki Shori as they left the Command Room.
Looking at the assembled Uzushio Ninja, Uzumaki Shori gave a final speech before the battle.
"The enemy has broken through the rocket attack and is about to reach the camp. The heat from the rockets can strip the moisture from the island."
"This will dry out the island, making them expend more chakra when they use Water Release."
"Our Uzumaki Clan can increase the power of our Fire Release against the Mist Ninja. The final defensive barrier has already made its last contribution for us. Everyone, follow me to face the enemy."
The heat from the rockets had absorbed the moisture from the sky, leaving it a deep blue.
The two sides took up their positions. Uzumaki Shori stood at the front, with Senju Tsunade and Uzumaki Ashina on either side. Also present were the six captains of the Land of Whirlpools' guard, Shiro, Gongjing, Longchang, Jiro, Muto, Sasuke, and Elder Uzumaki Keimei.
The sky had turned a dark red after being bombarded by the rockets.
Hozuki Gensei appeared at the front, accompanied by Suikazan Fuguki, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Jinin Akebino, Munashi Jinpachi, Biwa Juzo, Hozuki Gensei, Raiga Kurosuki, Kaguya Majen, and Minazuki Junhyo.
Uzumaki Shori stared straight at the Mizukage.
"Mizukage, this is the first time we've met. You've invaded the Land of Whirlpools with malicious intent. You'll pay for it."
The Mizukage replied nonchalantly.
"Where is the First Uzukage of the Land of Whirlpools? Did you pass the title of Second Uzukage to this brat when you saw Kirigakure invading?"
"You little brat! I'm getting excited. Just thinking about the Land of Whirlpools being destroyed in a moment makes me tremble all over."
The Uzukage and the Mizukage gave their orders at the same time:
"Attack!"
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