With Uzumaki Mito's intervention and the conclusion of the Konoha High Command meeting, Konoha immediately began making urgent preparations to send reinforcements.
The village's ninja forces were swiftly mobilized, and supplies were rapidly assembled. Yet Uchiha Ying Yue felt a trace of unease.
Ying Yue clearly remembered how suddenly the Land of Whirlpools had fallen in the original story. The surprise attacks by the great ninja villages had left Konoha no time to aid the Uzumaki Clan.
Taking this into account, Ying Yue felt that even though Konoha had begun preparing, waiting until all the reinforcements had assembled before setting out might mean missing the best chance to help.
"Time waits for no one. By the time Konoha's reinforcements are ready, the Land of Whirlpools may already be in crisis."
Uchiha Ying Yue thought it over. "If I can reach the Land of Whirlpools ahead of time, perhaps I can support them right away."
The Uzumaki Clan of the Land of Whirlpools, like the Senju Clan, were descendants of Asura, the son of the Sage of Six Paths. They were born with powerful chakra and possessed a special constitution.
Building a friendship with the Uzumaki Clan would greatly benefit his plans for the future.
After making his decision, Uchiha Ying Yue immediately began preparing to act.
If he wanted to aid the Land of Whirlpools ahead of time, his strength alone—or that of a small squad—would not be nearly enough.
Ying Yue needed more support and strength, and Elder Senju Mufeng and Elder Uchiha Setsuna were two powerful allies he could rely on.
Uchiha Ying Yue first went to Senju Mufeng's residence.
Elder Senju Mufeng was one of the most influential figures in the Senju Clan and a staunch supporter of Ying Yue.
After hearing Ying Yue's plan, Senju Mufeng pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Ying Yue, your reasoning makes sense. The Land of Whirlpools has deep ties to our Senju Clan, and Lady Uzumaki Mito is an esteemed elder whom we all respect. Since Konoha's reinforcements may not arrive in time, you can take some Senju with you to help the Land of Whirlpools," Senju Mufeng said firmly.
Uchiha Ying Yue thanked Senju Mufeng for his support. "Thank you, Elder Mufeng. We must act quickly and reach the Land of Whirlpools before the enemy does."
Next, Uchiha Ying Yue went to the Uchiha Clan's territory to find Elder Uchiha Setsuna.
Uchiha Setsuna had inherited Uchiha Madara's will and placed great hopes in Uchiha Ying Yue, believing that he could lead the Uchiha Clan back to greatness.
After hearing Ying Yue's plan, Setsuna pondered for a moment, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"Ying Yue, your decision is the right one. The Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu is crucial to the Ninja World. We can't let it fall into enemy hands. The Uchiha Clan won't stand by and do nothing, either." Setsuna nodded in agreement, then added, "I'll send a group of elite clan members with you to ensure this mission succeeds."
Uchiha Ying Yue smiled faintly, filled with confidence. "Thank you, Elder Setsuna. With the support of the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan, we'll be able to give the Uzumaki Clan the strongest possible aid when it matters most."
With Senju Mufeng and Uchiha Setsuna's support, Uchiha Ying Yue swiftly assembled an elite squad made up of Senju and Uchiha clan members.
The squad was small, but every member was a powerful ninja, capable of delivering tremendous fighting strength in an emergency.
Uchiha Ying Yue led the squad as they rapidly gathered supplies and prepared to set out.
To minimize the time it would take to reach the Land of Whirlpools, they decided to travel in separate groups and keep out of sight, avoiding possible enemy scouts as they made their way there as quickly as possible.
"Everyone, we're short on time. We must reach the Land of Whirlpools before the enemy launches its full assault."
Before departure, Uchiha Ying Yue addressed the squad. "This battle isn't just for the Land of Whirlpools. It's also for the future of Konoha. Protecting the Uzumaki Clan means protecting ourselves."
The Senju and Uchiha clan members all nodded, their eyes burning with passion and resolve.
Uchiha Ying Yue looked at them, feeling confident.
Ying Yue knew that this advance mission was crucial. Its success or failure would directly determine whether the Land of Whirlpools survived.
Once everything was ready, Ying Yue quietly led the elite squad out toward the Land of Whirlpools.
They swiftly crossed the border of the Land of Fire and entered the Ninja World's rain-lashed forests.
Meanwhile, word that Konoha was hastily assembling its forces to aid the Land of Whirlpools was, as expected, quickly passed on by spies from the great ninja villages.
These spies had been lying low in Konoha for years, waiting for intelligence this important.
Before long, the news reached the Kage of the great ninja villages through secret channels.
As soon as they received the message, the leaders of Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure realized that Konoha had discovered their plan.
The leaders of each village immediately called emergency meetings to discuss how to respond to this sudden turn of events.
In Kumogakure, Third Raikage A was handling his daily affairs.
Suddenly, an intelligence ninja rushed in and delivered an urgent message to his desk.
The Raikage furrowed his brow as he read the report, alarm bells ringing in his mind.
"Konoha has started assembling its forces. They've clearly discovered our plan," the Raikage said in a low voice, his gaze cold. "If Konoha's reinforcements reach the Land of Whirlpools, our plan will be deadlocked. We might even lose everything we've worked for."
The Raikage immediately summoned Kumogakure's leadership and decided to act quickly.
He gave his order without hesitation. "We have to attack ahead of schedule and strike the Land of Whirlpools before Konoha's reinforcements arrive. Time waits for no one. Pass the order down: all forces are to enter combat readiness at once and prepare to set out."
Kumogakure's leaders had no objections to the Raikage's decision and quickly carried out his orders.
The Raikage knew that if they occupied the Land of Whirlpools, they would gain a tremendous strategic advantage. The faster Konoha reacted, the slimmer their chances of success.
At the same time, Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki in Iwagakure received the same intelligence.
Ōnoki was one of the few veteran powerhouses in the Ninja World. A seasoned warrior, he swiftly analyzed the situation.
"Konoha's reinforcements are gathering. They've clearly discovered what we're planning," Ōnoki said calmly. "If we don't act ahead of schedule, we'll face Konoha's full counterattack."
At a meeting of Iwagakure's leadership, Ōnoki immediately made his decision. "All forces are to enter combat readiness at once. We're moving up the planned attack. We must seize the Land of Whirlpools before Konoha can react."
Iwagakure's ninjas were known for their efficiency. They quickly mobilized to carry out the Tsuchikage's orders.
Ōnoki knew that this lightning strike was a rare opportunity. They had to end the battle as quickly as possible to avoid complications.
In Kirigakure, Third Mizukage had also received word of Konoha's mobilization.
Kirigakure's operations had always been swift and ruthless, and the Third Mizukage knew there was no room for hesitation.
"Konoha has discovered our intentions. That means we have to change our plan," the Third Mizukage said coldly, a look of resolve flashing in his eyes. "We move at once. Strike the Land of Whirlpools and finish the battle before Konoha's reinforcements arrive."
The Mizukage quickly issued his orders, and Kirigakure's ninja forces began to assemble in a flurry of activity.
The Mizukage knew that the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu held tremendous strategic value for Kirigakure's future. Their only chance to win this battle was to act before Konoha had time to fully respond.
After receiving the intelligence about Konoha's mobilization, the three Kage quickly got in touch.
Third Raikage, Third Tsuchikage, and Third Mizukage reached the same conclusion almost simultaneously: they had to act at once and keep Konoha's reinforcements from disrupting their plan.
The Raikage spoke first. "Konoha is already assembling reinforcements. We have to seize the Land of Whirlpools before they do."
Ōnoki nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Only a preemptive strike can ensure victory."
The Mizukage added calmly, "Then we'll proceed with the new plan. Each of us will mobilize our forces and launch the attack as soon as possible."
The three Kage swiftly revised their plans, moving the attack date far forward.
They decided to launch their surprise attack simultaneously, seize the Land of Whirlpools as quickly as possible, and crush the Uzumaki Clan's resistance.
Following the three Kage's decision, forces from the great ninja villages began gathering rapidly and set out for the Land of Whirlpools at full speed.
The shadow of war had fallen over the Land of Whirlpools. A decisive battle was about to erupt.
Meanwhile, the advance force led by Uchiha Ying Yue was also on its way to the Land of Whirlpools.
The two sides' fates would converge on this land, and the Uzumaki Clan's future would be decided in the battle to come.
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