The Land of the Moon's capital, palace square.
"Pass it down. The tank battalion will assign personnel to take shifts."
"Understood."
"The rocket launcher battalion will relieve the tank battalion in the second half of the night."
"Understood."
"Have the Uzushio Ninja assign personnel to patrol."
"Understood."
"Watch out for hardliners in the capital of the Land of the Moon. We need to prevent them from retaliating with a sneak attack." Shengli Uzumaki issued one order after another.
After a full month of training, they had rushed off to the Land of the Moon. This was the soldiers' first time going into battle.
"Everyone did very well today. I hope that after this war, you'll be able to return and lead new recruits, becoming outstanding role models." Shengli Uzumaki praised them.
Uzumaki Sasuke came over carrying box after box of silver. The boxes hit the ground with a heavy thud, kicking up a cloud of dust. It looked like they were full of treasure.
"Uzukage, we've finished checking everything. The Land of the Moon had 250 million ryo in treasure, as well as gold and jewelry. There was too much miscellaneous loot to record in detail, but there were 103 boxes of jewelry in total."
Hearing the enormous figure, Shengli Uzumaki's jaw dropped. He hadn't expected such a haul. The Land of Whirlpools now had ample funds for development.
He turned to Uzumaki Ashina, who looked awkward under his gaze and waved his hands repeatedly.
"Our Land of Whirlpools has no treasure. Every year, we still have to borrow quite a bit of money from Konoha."
Shengli Uzumaki could only sigh. People really were different.
"All right, everyone, get some rest. We'll talk about anything else tomorrow."
"Understood." The soldiers present acknowledged the order.
Yamagami, captain of the tank battalion, was washing up nearby. He spoke to Yamashita of the rocket launcher battalion.
"I can't believe people without chakra can go into battle and defeat all the enemy ninja."
"We have to thank the Second Uzukage. Do you think there might be a day when ordinary people like us can use chakra too?"
"That's not an unreasonable thought. The Chakra Gloves alone have completely changed the way I see things."
"All right, get some rest. There'll be plenty to do tomorrow." Yamashita spoke to Yamagami.
In the night sky, an eagle flew in from the north and entered the capital of the Land of the Moon.
A Chunin hurried to the Uzukage's tent.
"Reporting, Uzukage. A Kumogakure force has been spotted at the border between the Land of Lightning and the Land of the Moon. They're rapidly approaching the capital of the Land of the Moon."
After hearing the report, Shengli Uzumaki immediately stood up and summoned the various squad leaders.
"About how many of them are there?"
"There's something strange about it. Fewer than a hundred," the intelligence operative reported.
"Uzumaki Sasuke, arrange for a small force to be stationed on both sides of the forest."
"I'll lead the team there myself. Let's see what the Land of Lightning is up to." Shengli Uzumaki spoke with confidence.
At the Uzukage's command, the troops sprang into action, packed their things, and set off for the designated location.
The Weasel Tanks and Truck Rocket Launchers started up once more.
The Kumogakure ninja reached the border of the Land of the Moon.
They looked at the dense forest before them.
"Lord Ai, we've reached the border of the Land of the Moon. It should take us an hour at full speed to reach the capital. Should we rest for a while?" Iron Ox, a Jonin, asked.
"We can't wait any longer. Just thinking about fighting the Land of Whirlpools makes my whole body tingle with excitement." Ai, son of the Raikage.
Just then, an obstacle appeared in their path.
Shengli Uzumaki stood on a treetop, looking down at the Kumogakure ninja before him.
One of them had pale yellow hair, a powerful build, and green shuriken-shaped markings on both shoulders.
The Third Raikage had actually sent his own son, Ai.
The Sensory Ninja had detected the target in advance. Now the Kunai Machine Guns on the Weasel Tanks surrounding the forest were aimed at the Kumogakure ninja.
Although the Kumogakure ninja couldn't see the tanks hidden in the darkness, a persistent sense of danger hung over them.
Ai, son of the Raikage, looked around and clearly realized he was surrounded. He formed hand seals.
"Lightning Style: Chakra Mode!"
He gathered Lightning Release chakra and covered his entire body with it. Lightning crackled across his skin.
The activation of his body let him use Lightning Body Flicker, and greatly increased his defensive capabilities.
He charged straight at Shengli Uzumaki.
"Rat-tat-tat!"
The Kunai Machine Guns on ten Weasel Tanks behind him opened fire.
Ai, son of the Raikage, swung both arms, using his steel bracers to defend himself.
"Clang! Clang!"
His body activated, greatly increasing Ai, son of the Raikage's, speed.
Even though the kunai came thick and fast, not one struck his body.
Facing a barrage of kunai like a fishing net, he had no choice but to retreat to the Kumogakure ranks.
Watching what had happened, Shengli Uzumaki's expression turned serious. The Kunai Machine Guns had been ineffective against Kumogakure's Lightning Style: Chakra Mode.
"You must be Ai, son of the Third Raikage. I didn't expect Kumogakure to send you here."
"Cut the nonsense. Why is the Land of Whirlpools here? Where are the people of the Land of the Moon?" Ai, son of the Raikage, asked angrily.
"Kumogakure ninja, you're a step too late. The Land of the Moon has already surrendered to the Land of Whirlpools."
"You can go back where you came from." Shengli Uzumaki spoke up.
At his words, the Kumogakure ninja began murmuring among themselves.
"How can the Land of the Moon be so useless?"
"Looks like those elite soldiers we usually see are all show."
"So what do we do now?"
Ai, son of the Raikage, grew even angrier. They had come all this way for nothing.
"Even without the Land of the Moon, we can still fight. Attack!"
Shengli Uzumaki hadn't 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, led a group of Kumogakure ninja in a charge, only to face a barrage from the Weasel Tanks opposite them.
"Fire!"
The tank gunners immediately adjusted their aim.
"Boom!"
Shells flew toward the Kumogakure ninja. Seeing the incoming fire, they began forming hand seals.
"Lightning Style: Sandamuruto!"
They gathered chakra and formed two balls of lightning in their hands, striking the shells in midair.
"Lightning Style: Thunder Ball!"
They formed spheres of lightning and hurled them toward the tanks.
"Rumble!"
The shells and ninjutsu collided in midair, and smoke billowed across the battlefield.
Ai, son of the Raikage, charged ahead of the others and formed hand seals.
"Strongest Lightning Release Armor!"
His blond hair stood on end as his Lightning Release surged to its maximum power, dramatically boosting his speed.
"Polishing Ball!" He attacked his opponent with his left foot.
Shengli Uzumaki unleashed his chakra. Body Control activated, his muscles swelled, and he controlled his chakra with precision, forming Chakra Armor!
Chakra surged through his body, and his fiery red hair fluttered.
He concentrated chakra in his right foot.
The two collided.
"Boom!"
A loud impact rang out, and neither side gained the advantage.
As expected of the Strongest Lightning Release Armor. Even with the Uzumaki Clan's immense chakra reserves, Shengli Uzumaki couldn't gain the upper hand. He formed hand seals.
"Sealing Technique: Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
He thrust out both hands and seized his opponent's arms. The Adamantine Chains immediately shot toward his vital points.
Seeing this, Ai, son of the Raikage, activated the Strongest Lightning Release Armor at once, releasing the lightning around his body to counterattack.
Shengli Uzumaki had no choice but to let go, sidestep to dodge, and lash out with the Adamantine Chains.
Ai, son of the Raikage, said furiously,
"Let me show you Kumogakure's ultimate Lightning Release technique." He formed hand seals.
"Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite!"
He gathered chakra, concentrating a massive amount of lightning in four fingers, then charged straight at Shengli Uzumaki.
A voice rang out from not far away.
"Stop! Both sides, stand down!"
Dodai, a Jonin, shouted as he tried to prevent the two sides from continuing to fight.
Ai, son of the Raikage, saw Dodai, a Jonin, and withdrew his "Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite." He went over to him and called out,
"Hold your fire. Gather around me."
Seeing the other side stop, Shengli Uzumaki didn't know what they were planning, but he welcomed the turn of events and called out,
"Uzushio Ninja, gather around me!"
The ninja on both sides had all sustained at least a few injuries.
Fortunately, no one had died.
Dodai, a Jonin, stepped forward and spoke.
"Uzukage, I'm here as an envoy from the Land of Lightning's Kirigakure to negotiate. I didn't expect our people up front to have a bit of a clash with yours. I'm here to apologize."
Before you continue