Rocket Launcher Fires Again

Minazuki Junhyo nodded in satisfaction and formed hand seals with both hands.

"Water Style: Bubbling Wave"

He spat out a massive quantity of bubbles, which adhered to the cracks in the ship's hull, then formed hand seals once more.

"Secret Technique: Thousand Flying Water Needles - Modified"

The bubbles instantly froze into ice, firmly binding the fractured hull back together.

"Lord Mizukage, you may come out now; if we don't hurry, the ice will melt."

At this moment, there were two small islands.

Before long, the Kirigakure warships sailed into the vicinity of the islands.

From the outside, it was impossible to detect the Uzumaki Clan ninjas within the islands.

At this time, a sensory ninja was required.

The Kirigakure sensory ninja probed the situation inside the islands.

"Lord Mizukage, there is a barrier technique of the Uzumaki Clan inside; I cannot probe in detail, but I have roughly detected that the Land of Whirlpools camp is located exactly in the center of the islands."

"The barrier technique is still standing to the north, south, and west. Surround three sides and leave one open; we can only enter from the eastern passage."

"Lord Mizukage, let us concentrate our attacks to break the three-sided barrier and attack from all four sides. The Land of Whirlpools has fewer combatants than us; we can surround and annihilate them."

Hozuki Gensei, acting as the military advisor, proposed the tactic.

Hozuki Gengetsu's blood was already boiling; unable to remain calm, he listened impatiently and pointed toward the camp ahead.

"The main force of the Land of Whirlpools is right ahead. Move out, and wipe them all out."

"Report! Kirigakure has surrounded our camp and launched an attack. They did not attack the barrier; they chose to launch a frontal assault from the open path."

Everyone present, along with Uzumaki Shori, felt a tightening in their chests. Kirigakure had finished their repairs at sea much faster than anticipated.

"This is Island B. Notify the warships stationed at Island B to fire the rocket artillery. Keep the launch crews at Island A, and have everyone else gather at the command camp."

"Lord Uzukage, the enemy chose only one route to attack; why not fire everything to crush the enemy?"

"Kirigakure is already prepared. Firing the rocket artillery will only drain the enemy's chakra and lighten our pressure."

There were two hundred rockets left, reserved for dealing with him; it would be best if they didn't need to be used.

The communication ninja hurriedly formed hand seals.

"Ninja Art: Telepathy Technique"

Uzumaki Shiro, captain of the second division of ninjas deployed on the warships, could not hide his anger upon hearing that Kirigakure was attacking. He looked at his brothers and relayed the order.

He grabbed the fuse, channeled fire-attribute chakra into it, and adjusted the orientation.

The captain let out a roar.

"Ready, countdown: 3, 2, 1, fire!"

The rocket artillery stood tall upon the warships.

Twenty-four I-beam launch rails were arranged in two staggered rows, top and bottom.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

A series of roars erupted in succession.

The rockets rose into the sky in unison.

They reached the air and initiated their second-stage propulsion.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

This time, six hundred rockets were fired in rapid succession.

The smoke from the mid-air explosions blanketed the sky over Group A.

Group A followed the smoke toward the command camp, preparing to withstand the enemy's assault.

The numerous Kirigakure ninjas pressed forward rapidly, when suddenly, a "thundering" explosion echoed from the front. Was this some kind of special ninjutsu?

Immense pressure swept over them, causing their movement speed to slow.

Before long, arrows that could detonate appeared in the sky, attacking the Kirigakure warships.

"Lord Mizukage, the Land of Whirlpools is using that technique again."

The Mizukage's blood grew even hotter as he watched the overwhelming barrage of rockets descending.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet"

Ten water dragons soared from the sea, charging toward the rockets.

The two forces collided.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

The ten water dragons consumed a full two hundred rockets.

The Kirigakure ninjas watched this scene in disbelief; Lord Mizukage's ninjutsu was unable to fully withstand the onslaught of the rockets.

Hozuki Gengetsu stared ahead. It seems I underestimated these rockets.

A single rocket possessed power equivalent to a B-rank ninjutsu, but when fired in a swarm, their destructive force multiplied exponentially.

"Everyone, use techniques with high piercing power, low chakra consumption, and high projectile counts. A single rocket is nothing to worry about."

Minazuki Junhyo, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Kaguya Majen, and the numerous Kirigakure ninja formed hand seals in unison.

"Ice Style: Swallow Snowstorm!" "Water Style: Water Bullet Barrage!"

"Water Style: Water Gun Technique!" "Multiple Senbon Technique!"

Techniques possessing piercing capabilities and vast numbers shot toward the incoming rockets.

The rockets were struck down in mid-air, detonating in succession.

The Kirigakure ninja gazed at the sky as the heat from the explosions swept over them, drying the air entirely. The heat itself caused no harm, but the metal shrapnel that followed was another matter.

After being pierced by the ninjutsu, the rockets exploded, scattering metal fragments in all directions. The Kirigakure ninja below pulled out shuriken to deflect the shrapnel.

The genin, lacking sufficient strength, could not block all the fragments; they were struck one after another, collapsing to the ground and wailing in pain.

Hozuki Gengetsu watched the wailing men, his body growing increasingly excited. The joy brought by battle was truly magnificent.

"Those who cannot walk, stay where you are. The rest of you, continue the advance."

With approximately three hundred casualties on the field, the Mizukage led the remaining seventeen hundred ninja forward.

"Report, Lord Uzukage! The rocket barrage targeted two thousand enemies, resulting in three hundred casualties. The Kirigakure ninja are continuing their advance toward the camp."

A sensory ninja among the Uzushio forces reported.

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Shori's expression shifted slightly. The effectiveness of this assault had diminished significantly; the opponents had clearly devised more adequate ninjutsu to counter the rockets.

As the cry of "Enemy attack!" spread through the camp, the Uzushio ninja gathered from all directions in front of the command center.

"The battle is upon us. Move out."

Having said this, he took the lead and turned to walk outside, followed closely by the others as they exited the command center.

Uzumaki Shori looked at the assembled Uzushio ninja and issued the pre-battle mobilization.

"The enemy has broken through the rocket barrage and is prepared to reach our camp. The heat generated by the massed rockets has stripped the moisture from the island."

"This has made the island dry, meaning their Water Style techniques will consume more of their chakra."

"We of the Uzumaki Clan will find our Fire Style techniques enhanced against the Kirigakure ninja. Our final defensive barrier has made its ultimate contribution; now, follow me to face the enemy."

The sky, its moisture absorbed by the intense thermal energy, turned a clear, azure blue.

Forming their ranks, Uzumaki Shori stood at the front, flanked by Senju Tsunade, Uzumaki Ashina, himself, and the six captains of the Land of Whirlpools guard: Longchang, Gongjing, Jiro, Muto, Sasuke, and Elder Uzumaki Keimei.

Beneath a sky stained black and red from the rocket bombardment.

Hozuki Gensei stood 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 locked eyes with the Mizukage.

"Mizukage, this is our first meeting. You have maliciously invaded the Land of Whirlpools, and you will pay the price."

The Mizukage replied with utter indifference.

"Where is the First Uzukage of the Land of Whirlpools? Did he pass the title of Second to you just because he saw our Kirigakure invading?"

"You brat, I'm getting excited. Just thinking about the Land of Whirlpools being destroyed in a moment makes my whole body tremble."

The Uzukage and the Mizukage commanded simultaneously:

"Launch the attack!"