After learning from their last ambush, Kumogakure began using hit-and-run tactics, leaving Konoha's ninjas to suffer miserably.
"The enemy always retreats as soon as we arrive to reinforce the area. We come up empty every time, and we're outnumbered, too. If this keeps up, they'll wear us down! Captain!"
Namikaze Minato fell silent for a moment, then looked at Inuzuka Gaku, who had just spoken.
"You're right. We can't keep being so passive! Most of our ninjas are stationed near the defensive line, so our squad is the only one that can launch an offensive right now. If no one objects, we'll begin tonight and raid Kumogakure."
Akimichi Dōtō sat nearby and agreed. "I have no objections."
Uchiha Shisui walked into the tent and looked at everyone. "Count me in."
Beneath the solitary moon, several shadows flashed through the otherwise silent forest. They were Uchiha Shisui and the others.
"I'll provide support this time. Gaku-senpai and Dōtō-senpai will keep the enemy occupied, so the main attack is up to you, since you're Anbu!"
After speaking, Namikaze Minato took out Flying Thunder God Kunai and handed them to everyone.
"Then, move out!"
At Namikaze Minato's words, the four of them ran off in different directions.
"There it is! Kumogakure's forward camp."
Uchiha Shisui drew the Ninja Blade from his back and silently crept up to a Kumogakure sentry post.
"First one!"
After slitting the throat of the Cloud Ninja keeping watch, Uchiha Shisui began eliminating all the sentries on the perimeter.
Thud! As the last body hit the ground, Uchiha Shisui shook the blood from his blade and used Body Flicker to slip into the camp.
"Who's there?!"
"Quick! We're under attack!"
"What is that?!"
Outside a tent, a Genin from Kumogakure saw a horrifying sight, his legs trembling.
In the firelight, the shadows inside the tent were clearly visible from outside. A man stood calmly atop a pile of bodies while an arm that looked like a skeleton's crushed a Cloud Ninja into a cloud of blood.
The scattered droplets of blood drenched the tent's yellowish canvas. The gruesome sight made many Kumogakure Genin who had never killed anyone vomit on the spot.
Uchiha Shisui slashed open the tent and walked out calmly. Though he was surrounded by Kumogakure ninjas, he showed no fear.
"Tail Beast Bomb!"
Just as Uchiha Shisui stepped out of the tent, a mini Tail Beast Bomb came flying at him.
"Susanoo!"
Chakra surged through Uchiha Shisui's body, swiftly forming a half-body Susanoo. The Tail Beast Bomb detonated, leaving the surrounding terrain utterly devastated.
When the smoke cleared, the Cloud Ninjas were stunned by the sheer scale of the destruction.
"Look! He's still alive! No way!"
"Is... is he even human?"
Uchiha Shisui dispelled Susanoo. That Tail Beast Bomb had given him a little trouble.
"Lariat!"
The instant Uchiha Shisui's Susanoo vanished, the dark red Eight-Tails charged out of the crowd.
Chakra surged around him like blazing dark red flames, making his body seem even taller and more imposing.
Killer B's arm bent slightly, his muscles taut. Every bulging muscle seemed to hold enough power to destroy the world.
"Mangekyo! Ame-no-Iwato!"
The Mangekyo in Uchiha Shisui's right eye turned slowly, its dark red light gleaming in the night.
Killer B, who had been charging at him, faltered for a moment. But Lariat still struck Uchiha Shisui.
The tailed-beast-transformed Killer B smiled faintly. He was certain that this blow would take out the man who had killed the Eight-Tails.
"How naive! Eight-Tails, plunge into endless darkness!"
Uchiha Shisui smiled faintly. His body began to warp, then disappeared.
The moment Uchiha Shisui vanished, all color disappeared from around Killer B, leaving nothing but endless darkness.
"My five senses are gone! Still, at least I used a tentacle as a substitute!"
When Killer B released the Substitution Technique, only an Eight-Tails tentacle remained in the dark space.
"Did he escape? No, it looks like that wasn't his real body to begin with."
After releasing his ocular technique, Uchiha Shisui emerged from the dark space, covering his right eye as he spoke.
"The Eightfold Hell in my left eye is a flame that burns souls. But the ability in my right eye combines space-time ninjutsu and genjutsu. If I'm attacked while the ocular technique is active, it creates a dark space, and my real body merges into it. The enemy's five senses are sealed, and they're pulled into the dark space. Once they're in there, I can kill them whenever I want."
Just as Uchiha Shisui was about to continue fighting, Namikaze Minato appeared beside him.
"The enemy has retreated! The ninjas left in the camp are only Kumogakure Genin. There's no need to kill them. Keep them as prisoners."
"Right. So the fighting here has come to a temporary end, too."
Uchiha Shisui sheathed his Ninja Blade and turned to Namikaze Minato.
"Exactly. We can return to Konoha and rest for a while. I need to let the others know. See you."
After speaking, Namikaze Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique and disappeared before Uchiha Shisui's eyes.
"It's time to head back and rest for a while. There's still a long way to go in this war..."
Uchiha Shisui stretched, then used Body Flicker to head for Konoha's camp.
After driving Kumogakure out of the Land of Fields, Uchiha Shisui was given two months of leave. Afterward, he was assigned to transport supplies to the battlefield in the Land of Rivers.
During this time, the Shinobi World was thrown into turmoil as the great shinobi villages joined the war one after another. The Third Shinobi World War reached its height.
The Third Raikage of Kumogakure was renowned across the Shinobi World for his incredible strength and indomitable will. Yet, after being relentlessly besieged by ten thousand Iwagakure ninjas, he eventually died of exhaustion. The battle shook the entire Shinobi World, and Kumogakure was left severely weakened.
As for Sunagakure, although its forces suffered one defeat after another on the battlefield, their tenacity was admirable.
At Mount Kikyo, when faced with Konoha's counterattack, the Sand Ninjas refused to retreat. They fought to the death, defending Sunagakure's honor with their blood and their lives. Every inch of ground was soaked in their blood, and every stone bore witness to their resilience and defiance.
"Send word to Kirigakure. I accept their terms!"
Rasa furrowed his brow. The repeated defeats at the front were a heavy blow to resource-poor Sunagakure. He needed Kirigakure to wage war against Konoha and tie down its forces. With Konoha fighting on two fronts, he refused to believe they couldn't win.
"Lord Kazekage! Pakura's body has been sent to Kirigakure!"
A Sand Ninja spoke after kneeling on one knee.
"Hmph! I'll make Konoha pay back double for the resources I spent getting her body from them!"
As soon as Rasa finished speaking, Chiyo and Ebizo entered the tent, bringing both good news and bad news.
"The bad news is that our forces at the front have lost again. Ever since Konoha got a medical team, our puppet corps' kill rate has dropped. On top of that, the Sannin Jiraiya and Orochimaru have summoned beasts that are a real pain to deal with."
"The good news is that old Ōnoki is planning to send troops to attack Konoha, too."
Rasa's deeply furrowed brow relaxed, and he sneered. "With Konoha fighting on three fronts, this is an opportunity for us Sand Ninjas!"