West Blue.
Centered on the Orute Kingdom.
The Empire's army spread in every direction across the West Blue like an invisible giant net.
Anbu ninja slipped into the shadows.
The sensory units occupied the high ground.
The combat units became streaks of afterimages, crossing the sea and closing in on the surrounding islands and small kingdoms.
Sarutobi Hiruzen charged at the very front.
Every swing of his staff carried the power to split mountains and shatter rocks.
The Sarutobi Clan's ninja followed closely behind their elderly clan head.
Every pair of eyes radiated an unyielding ferocity.
They fought harder than any other clan.
Because the Sarutobi Clan's position within the Empire was extremely awkward.
Ever since the Parallel Ninja World had merged into the Empire.
Those memories concerning Sarutobi Hiruzen's counterpart had utterly destroyed what little reputation the Sarutobi Clan had possessed.
Greedy for power, scheming, weak, and indulgent toward Danzo.
Those memories were far too heavy.
Now, even when the Sarutobi Clan walked the streets of the Imperial Capital, they had to endure the strange looks of other clans.
Although His Majesty Chiba had not punished them, that silent pressure made Sarutobi Hiruzen unable to sleep at night.
If they wanted to wash away their humiliation and preserve the clan's future.
They could only earn merit.
They had to achieve immense merit that could never be erased!
"Move!"
"Don't waste Chakra on these rabble!"
"Secure their leaders! Seize their armories! Confiscate all intelligence!"
In just one day.
The Sarutobi Clan became like crazed beasts, conquering three medium-sized islands in succession.
The local mafia and royal guards of the West Blue were as fragile as paper toys before ninja at the level of a regular army.
The central town of the third island.
The once magnificent lord's manor had already