Clash with Kumogakure

The capital of the Land of the Moon, palace square.

"Pass the word down: have the tank battalion arrange personnel for rotating shifts."

"Understood."

"The rocket launcher battalion will relieve the tank battalion in the second half of the night."

"Understood."

"Have the Uzushio Ninja arrange personnel for patrols."

"Understood."

"Be wary of hardliners within the capital of the Land of the Moon; prevent any retaliatory sneak attacks." Uzumaki Shori issued orders in quick succession.

After training for a full month, they had rushed to the Land of the Moon; this was the soldiers' first time on the battlefield.

"Everyone performed well today. I hope that after this war, you will be able to return to lead new recruits and become outstanding role models," Uzumaki Shori said, offering praise.

Uzumaki Sasuke walked over carrying crates of silver; the boxes slammed heavily onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. It seemed there was quite a lot of treasure inside.

"Lord Uzukage, the count is clear. The Land of the Moon has 250 million ryo in treasure, plus gold, jewelry, and ornaments too scattered to record in detail. There are 103 crates of jewelry in total."

Hearing this staggering figure, Uzumaki Shori's mouth hung open. He had not expected such a haul; the Land of Whirlpools now had sufficient funds for its development.

He immediately looked at Uzumaki Ashina, who felt so awkward under the gaze that he waved his hands repeatedly.

"Our Land of Whirlpools has no such treasure; every year, we still have to borrow quite a bit of money from Konoha."

Uzumaki Shori could only sigh that people are indeed different.

"Alright, everyone get some rest. We will discuss matters tomorrow."

"Understood," the soldiers present acknowledged the order.

Yamagami, the tank battalion captain, was washing up nearby and spoke to Yamashita of the rocket launcher battalion.

"To think we could head to the battlefield without chakra and even defeat enemy ninja."

"We still have to thank the Second Uzukage. Do you think it's possible that one day, we ordinary people might be able to use chakra too?"

"That's not an unreasonable thought. The Chakra Gloves alone have completely overturned my understanding of the world."

"Alright, go get some rest. There's plenty to do tomorrow," Yamashita said to Yamagami.

In the night, an eagle swept across the sky from the north and entered the capital of the Land of the Moon.

A chunin rushed hurriedly to the Uzukage's tent.

"Report, Lord Uzukage! A Kumogakure unit has been spotted at the border between the Land of Lightning and the Land of the Moon, and they are rapidly approaching the capital."

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Shori immediately stood up and called for the various captains.

"Roughly how many of them are there?"

"It's a bit strange; there are fewer than 100," the intelligence officer reported.

"Uzumaki Sasuke, arrange for personnel to station a small force on both sides of the forest."

"I will lead the team myself. I want to see what kind of tricks the Land of Lightning is playing," Uzumaki Shori said, full of confidence.

Following the Uzukage's orders, the troops began to mobilize, packing up their gear and departing for the designated location.

The Weasel Tanks and rocket launcher trucks started up once again.

The Cloud ninja arrived at the border of the Land of the Moon.

They looked at the dense forest before them.

"Lord Ai, we have arrived at the border of the Land of the Moon. It is estimated that at full speed, it will take one hour to reach the capital. Do we need to rest for a moment?" asked the jonin Iron Ox.

"We cannot wait any longer. Just thinking about the battle with the Land of Whirlpools makes my whole body tingle with excitement," said Ai, son of the Raikage.

Just then, a roadblock appeared ahead.

Uzumaki Shori stood on a treetop, looking down at the Kumogakure forces below.

Among them was a man with pale yellow hair and a very sturdy build, with a green "shuriken" emblem tattooed on both shoulders.

The Third had actually sent his own son, Ai.

The sensory ninja had detected the target in advance, and now the Kunai Machine Guns of the Weasel Tanks hidden around the forest were aimed at the Cloud ninja opposite them.

Although the Cloud ninja could not see the tanks hidden in the darkness, a dangerous aura lingered around them.

Ai, son of the Raikage, looked around and clearly sensed that he was surrounded. He formed hand seals.

"Lightning Style: Chakra Mode"

He condensed and gathered lightning chakra, covering his entire body with it as bolts of electricity erupted from his form.

The physical activation allowed for the Lightning Body Flicker, and his defensive capabilities were also greatly enhanced.

He began to sprint directly toward Uzumaki Shori.

"Da-da-da!"

Behind him, the ten Weasel Tanks began firing their Kunai Machine Guns.

Ai, son of the Raikage, swung his arms directly, using his steel bracers to defend.

"Clang, clang."

With his body activated to its peak, the speed of Ai, son of the Raikage, increased significantly.

Even though the Kunai Machine Gun was dense and fast, none of the projectiles managed to strike his body.

Facing the net-like barrage of kunai, he had no choice but to retreat back to the Kumogakure ranks.

Uzumaki Shori watched this scene, his expression turning solemn; he had not expected the Kunai Machine Gun to be ineffective against Kumogakure's Lightning Style: Chakra Mode.

"You must be Ai, son of the Third Raikage. I did not expect Kumogakure to send you here."

"Enough talk. Why is the Land of Whirlpools here? What about the people from the Land of the Moon?" Ai, son of the Raikage, said indignantly.

"Ninjas of Kumogakure, you are a step too late. The Land of the Moon has already surrendered to the Land of Whirlpools."

"You may return the way you came," Uzumaki Shori stated.

As soon as these words were spoken, the Kumogakure ninjas began to murmur among themselves.

"How could the Land of the Moon be so useless?"

"It seems the elite soldiers we usually see are just for show."

"So, what do we do now?"

Ai, son of the Raikage, grew even angrier; it was as if they had made the trip for nothing.

"Even without the Land of the Moon, we can still fight. Attack!"

Uzumaki Shori had not expected Ai, son of the Raikage, to be so impulsive; it seemed a battle between the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Lightning was unavoidable.

"Uzushio Ninja, prepare to engage! Tank gunners, stand by!"

Ai, son of the Raikage, charged forward with a group of Kumogakure ninjas, only to be met with a barrage of fire from the Weasel Tanks.

"Fire!"

The tank gunners immediately adjusted their aim.

"Boom!"

Shells flew toward the Kumogakure ninjas, who, upon seeing the incoming projectiles, began forming hand seals.

"Lightning Style: Sandamuruto!"

Chakra condensed, and they formed spheres of lightning in their hands, striking the shells mid-air.

"Lightning Style: Thunder Ball!"

They condensed spherical lightning and hurled it toward the tanks.

"Boom!"

The collision between the artillery fire and the ninjutsu filled the air with smoke and debris.

Ai, son of the Raikage, took the lead, forming hand seals.

"Strongest Lightning Release Armor!"

His golden hair stood on end, his lightning power surged to its maximum, and his movement speed was supercharged.

"Polishing Ball!" He attacked with his left foot.

Uzumaki Shori erupted with chakra, activating Body Control; his muscles expanded, his chakra was precisely controlled, and a chakra armor formed!

Chakra flooded his entire body, and his crimson hair fluttered upward.

He concentrated chakra into his right foot.

The two sides collided.

"Boom!"

A loud impact echoed out, with neither side gaining an advantage.

Truly worthy of the Strongest Lightning Release Armor; despite the immense chakra reserves of the Uzumaki Clan, he had failed to gain the upper hand. He formed hand seals.

"Sealing Technique: Adamantine Chains!"

He reached out with both hands to firmly grip his opponent's arms, and the Adamantine Chains immediately shot toward his opponent's vitals.

Seeing this, Ai, son of the Raikage, immediately used his Strongest Lightning Release Armor to discharge electricity from his body in retaliation.

Uzumaki Shori was forced to release his grip, dodging to the side while swinging the Adamantine Chains like a whip.

Ai, son of the Raikage, said furiously.

"Let me show you the strongest secret technique of Kumogakure's Lightning Style." He formed hand seals.

"Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite!"

Chakra condensed, focusing a massive amount of lightning into four fingers as he charged directly at Uzumaki Shori.

A voice rang out from not far away.

"Stop! Both sides, cease fire at once."

Jonin Dodai shouted as he moved to prevent the two sides from escalating the fight further.

Seeing that it was Jonin Dodai, Ai, the son of the Raikage, retracted his Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite and approached him, shouting.

"Stop fighting for now and gather around me."

Seeing the other side cease their attack, Uzumaki Shori was pleased with the development, despite not knowing their true intentions, and spoke up.

"Uzushio Ninjas, rally to me and form up."

It was evident that the ninjas on both sides were carrying at least some minor injuries.

Fortunately, no members had been killed.

Jonin Dodai stepped forward and spoke.

"Uzukage, I have come as an envoy from Kirigakure in the Land of Lightning to conduct negotiations. I did not expect our vanguard to have a friction with your people, and I offer you my apologies."