Night Raid (1)

Hiugo was sent away. Since arriving at the eastern front, he had been treated like a treasure, but at this moment, he only wanted some quiet to reflect on the past.

The Senju Clan handled their own food, a mutual caution shared among them. Once the rooms were assigned and the guard rotation set, it was already afternoon, and everyone took the opportunity to rest.

Hiugo's living quarters were closest to Senju Meima, and he was also protected by Senju Xiangyang and his group of "insiders," while two Dark Ninja remained hidden somewhere outside.

No matter how brave this "genius" was on the battlefield, it could not mask his lack of combat experience.

Night fell quietly. The Fujiwara ninja began to take over guard duty, and the first thing they did was disable the copper bells responsible for warning of danger.

These eight copper bells, controlled by Chakra threads, corresponded to the eight cardinal directions. Under the operation of the Tekka Clan, they had been buried underground and connected to the front lines; as long as there was the slightest disturbance, the sensory ninja at the front could inject Chakra to shake the bells and transmit a signal.

The Fujino ninja wore complex expressions. Years of cooperation had fostered some sentiment toward the other clan ninja, but under their Clan Head's orders, there was no turning back.

The remaining Chakra threads began to sway, but it was to no avail; the intelligence transmitted by the front-line ninja with their lives had now become a joke.

Fujino Clan Head arrived at the northwest guard post and began weaving hand seals. A pale golden barrier, which had previously appeared as empty space, now opened a gap.

This was a barrier the Eastern Alliance had paid a high price to have the Uzumaki Clan construct. Because it was a commission, the barrier could not be moved once built.

Before long, black shadows appeared before them. The scarlet glow could not be hidden even in the darkness of night, and a faint scent of oil drifted through the air.

The lead ninja scanned the area, looking at Fujino Clan Head. His Three-Tomoe Sharingan revealed a hint of disdain as he said:

"Do what you are supposed to do. The Uchiha Clan will not break its word."

With that, the group scattered. Time was tight, and the mission had to be executed quickly.

Fujino Clan Head's eyes flickered. He turned to his clansmen and said:

"The future of the Fujino Clan depends on tonight. Only by proving our loyalty can we receive the protection of the Uchiha Clan and survive in these chaotic times."

"Yes."

The Fujino ninja suppressed the emotions in their hearts. They were clansmen first and comrades-in-arms second. Now, they had no choice but to execute their Clan Head's orders and swing their blades at the people around them.

The Uchiha ninja moved with great speed, carrying out constant assassinations. Patrolling ninja were struck down by Genjutsu before they could even react.

As the smell of blood grew thicker, people were startled awake, but what followed was a sky full of Ninjutsu combined with fire oil.

"Damn it! Where are the guards?"

Mizukumo Metsuen rushed out of his room only to see the Uchiha clan crest. He cursed and began to use Water Style, but the Ninjutsu mixed with fire oil could no longer be extinguished by Water Style alone.

"Clan Head Mizukumo, how is it on your end?"

Fujino Clan Head arrived, holding his katana and looking "anxious."

"Fujino Clan Head, what is going on? You were responsible for the guard duty at this hour. How did the Uchiha Clan get here without a sound? How could the Uzumaki Clan's barrier be bypassed..."

Mizukumo Metsuen tested his technique and realized the barrier was still active. He suddenly reacted, shielding his chest with his arms to mitigate the damage as he blocked a strike.

Fujino Clan Head silently sheathed his blade, revealing a wicked smile:

"Clan Head Mizukumo, you don't react slowly."

"What good does betraying the alliance do for you?"

Mizukumo Metsuen said, secretly gathering Chakra.

"Compared to a great clan like the Uchiha, our resistance is nothing more than an insignificant tactic. Instead of letting our clansmen die in vain, why not simply become one of them?"

Fujino Clan Head said calmly. After Uchiha Niji took control of Fujino Clan Head, he did not force him blindly, but guided his mind, making him believe that all of this was his own idea.

Water Style: Cloud Wave Flow

Mizukumo Metsuen quickly wove hand seals and spat out a massive torrent of water in a fan-shaped area. Under normal circumstances, this would be enough to obscure the opponent's vision and allow him to escape the area.

However, the surrounding flames had already reduced the power of this technique; Water Style Ninjutsu relied on a suitable environment to exert its full power.

Fujino Clan Head slashed through the water flow and then spat out a bolt of lightning.

Mizukumo Metsuen was knocked back several steps and began to think of a countermeasure. In the current environment, his Ninjutsu was at a disadvantage; not everyone possessed the enviable amount of Chakra that the Senju Clan had.

The other three clan heads had not appeared, likely already entangled by Uchiha ninja. The scene was in total chaos, and their strength could not be effectively concentrated.

Just as he was thinking, a mocking voice sounded in his ear:

"What are you thinking about?"

Mizukumo Metsuen wanted to move, but found his body paralyzed.

Genjutsu! How is this possible! This guy's Genjutsu shouldn't be this powerful.

Under the moonlight, a pair of scarlet eyes suddenly appeared in Fujino Clan Head's shadow.

Uchiha Niji slowly stepped out from it and sneered:

"A low-class clan is a low-class clan. Without preparation, the only fate before these eyes is death."

Mizukumo Metsuen gritted his teeth. In ordinary battles, they would coordinate with each other to guard against Sharingan Genjutsu, but now he was alone, isolated and helpless.

One-on-one, run away if you encounter an Uchiha was a common saying during the Warring States period. Although not absolute, it was mostly effective.

Fujino Clan Head walked over with his blade. In these final moments of his life, Mizukumo Metsuen only felt glad that he had argued with his daughter earlier, which had put her in a mood to stay further away from his living quarters, so she wouldn't be discovered by the enemy immediately...

The Senju Clan's location was arranged in a more remote area. Out of respect for their arch-rival, the Uchiha ninja did not approach rashly. Their main task was to deal with these "low-class ninja," and the hard nut to crack that was the Senju could be pushed back for later.

By the time the firelight flared up and the Senju wanted to help, the Fujino Clan ninja arrived to block them.

"Honorable Senju ninja, this was merely a fire caused by a failed forging attempt by the Tekka Clan Head. The Eastern Alliance can handle it; there is no issue here, so please rest easy."

Fujino Yuichi spoke calmly. As a direct subordinate of the Fujino Clan Head, he hid his emotions well.

"What are you all so nervous about?"

Senju Meima's indifferent remark immediately provoked Fujino Yuichi into attacking, and the Fujino ninja behind him threw kunai and shuriken from their ninja pouches.

Water Style: Sevenfold Water Dragon Bullet

The Senju ninja positioned behind Meima had already prepared their jutsu. In an instant, seven water dragons appeared, not only sweeping away the incoming ninja tools but also killing several men outright.

"Sevenfold Water Dragon... your Chakra control is truly impressive."

Hiugo noted their appearances and channeled his Wood Style:

"Wood Style: Diamond Summon Wood"

Stalks of wood erupted from the ground, each possessing the hardness of steel, striking the Fujino ninja with precision under his sensory perception.

The Senju ninja began weaving hand seals one after another, unleashing a barrage of Water Style jutsu.

"Water Style: Water Shockwave"

"Water Style: Exploding Water Impact"

"Water Style: Water Formation Pillar"

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet"

"This unreasonable amount of Chakra..."

Fujino Yuichi could no longer distinguish between the sweat and water on his face. He released his jutsu with all his might to resist, and the clansmen behind him followed suit.

They felt a pressure entirely different from when they fought the Uchiha.

The Senju had no elusive shuriken, no difficult-to-guard genjutsu, only that enigmatic Chakra and overwhelming area-of-effect jutsu.

It was a sense of powerlessness where you knew exactly what they were going to do, yet you could not stop it.

Facing such a situation, only the Uchiha Clan, with their Fire Style that surpassed ordinary ninja and the techniques displayed through the Sharingan, could hope to cope.

After a wave of jutsu bombardment, the Fujino ninja were scattered. Some Senju ninja remained to finish off the survivors, while the rest headed into the sea of fire.

"Does this feel like it's mixed with lamp oil?"

Senju Liuyun looked around and wove hand seals.

"Earth Style: Covering Quicksand"

A gap appeared above the sea of fire, and then a massive amount of sand and earth poured down like flowing water, bringing the flames under control through the sheer volume of soil.

The Senju ninja moved into action, keeping a wary eye on their surroundings while they began to extinguish the fire.

At that moment, a blood-soaked Mizukumo Metsuen appeared before the Senju ninja, gasping for air as he said:

"Quick, the Fujino Clan Head has betrayed us! They are the ones who brought the Uchiha Clan inside!"

The Fujino Clan Head flickered into view in the distance, shaking the blood from his blade as he shouted sternly: "Senju ninja, this is none of your business!"

Senju Xiangyang, standing beside Hiugo, was eager to jump into the fray. Although he was only an elite jonin—one rank lower than his opponent—he believed that with his own Sage Body and the cooperation of Mizukumo Metsuen, taking down the Fujino Clan Head would be quite easy.

Hiugo frowned slightly and reached out to stop Senju Xiangyang. Ever since Mizukumo Metsuen had appeared, his already-activated two-tomoe Sharingan had felt a sense of unease. It would be safer to test them first.

"Clan Head Mizukumo, have you considered the deal the elders proposed last time?"

Mizukumo Metsuen was stunned for a moment before immediately replying:

"Of course! As long as the Senju ninja help us survive this crisis, everything is negotiable."

"Oh? But there was no such deal at all..."

A vast forest of trees surged from the ground, rushing toward the two men before him.

"Wood Style: Forest Birth"