War Rekindled! Heading to the Land of Rain Frontline!

Time flew by.

For an entire year, Uchiha Linhai switched back and forth between "accompanying Tsunade to casinos" and "enduring the Second Hokage's demonic special training."

His taijutsu and genjutsu improved by leaps and bounds.

If he ran into Kakuzu again now, he at least would not be instantly defeated in a single taijutsu move.

Of course, with his current overall strength, if he truly fought to the bitter end, he would still be the one to die.

It was worth mentioning that during that year, Mito Uzumaki and Tobirama Senju had tried to teach Lin Hai sealing techniques.

Yet, to their utter despair, this genius, practically a monster when it came to ninjutsu, was a complete idiot at sealing techniques!

Forget complex sealing formulas—he could not even refine the most basic Yin- and Yang-nature chakra.

After half a year of effort, the two sealing masters finally gave up.

They abandoned sealing technique instruction and focused on polishing Lin Hai's fine chakra control, taijutsu, and genjutsu.

That day, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, summoned Lin Hai to the Hokage's Office once more.

"Get ready. You're coming with me to the Land of Rain." Tobirama's expression was icy. "We need to end the war against Sunagakure as soon as possible."

Two days later.

The Second Hokage personally led eight hundred elite troops toward the Land of Rain frontline in a grand march!

He was determined to fight a decisive battle against Sunagakure Village of the Land of Wind there and secure victory in one stroke!

Land of Rain.

As its name suggested, it was a small country shrouded in endless rain year-round.

Yet its location was highly unusual. Sandwiched between the three great nations of Fire, Wind, and Earth, it was unquestionably a "land of four wars."

To Konoha, the Land of Rain was an even more critical strategic point.

Using this place as a springboard, Konoha could launch a deadly pincer offensive against the Lands of Wind and Earth.

Conversely, if Sunagakure occupied it, Konoha's western gate would be left completely exposed!

At this time, the Land of Rain was filled with tangled minor factions. Civil war had raged for years, and the people lived in misery.

Land of Rain, Sunagakure Command Headquarters.

The First Kazekage sat at the head of the table, his face dark as water as he looked at the senior commanders below.

"Intelligence has confirmed that three days ago, Konoha's Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, led eight hundred elite troops into the Land of Rain."

The command headquarters instantly erupted into an uproar.

"The First Hokage's younger brother?!"

"That's the younger brother of the man who stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world! His strength must be unfathomable!"

"We can't beat him. We should withdraw!"

"That's right, retreat to the Land of Wind first and avoid his edge..."

Listening to the cowardly discussions around her, a young female ninja from Sunagakure could no longer endure it.

Bang!

She slammed her palm onto the table and rose to her feet, glaring furiously at everyone present as she roared:

"Look at you cowards! You've thrown away all of Sunagakure's dignity!"

"Tobirama Senju isn't Hashirama Senju, so what are you afraid of?!"

"Konoha's strongest, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, are already dead! Tobirama Senju is merely clinging to life on the fame of his father and brother!"

"Are our eight thousand Sunagakure troops really afraid of his mere eight hundred men?!"

The female ninja's words rang out with force.

A young man seated beside her also rose to his feet and calmly continued.

"My sister is right."

"As long as we capture Iwagakure's Heavenly Chasm Rock before the Second Hokage arrives, we can cut off Iwagakure's route into the Land of Rain."

A sharp glint flashed through the young man's eyes.

"Then we can use our puppet forces to hold Heavenly Chasm Rock and contain Iwagakure's offensive."

"As long as Iwagakure is out of the way, we can concentrate our superior forces and swallow the fewer than five hundred Konoha troops on the frontline!"

"Even if Tobirama Senju arrives with eight hundred reinforcements, they'll be at such a massive numerical disadvantage that we'll still have an excellent chance of winning!"

The Kazekage looked at the siblings, approval flashing in his eyes.

"Cowering before the battle has even begun—you've disappointed me greatly!" The Kazekage swept his gaze across the commanders. "Chiyo and Ebizo are right!"

"We'll proceed according to Ebizo's plan. Eliminate Iwagakure before Konoha's reinforcements arrive!"

"Who is willing to serve as the vanguard and take Heavenly Chasm Rock?"

The commanders exchanged looks and lowered their heads one after another.

Chiyo smiled disdainfully. "Lord Kazekage, I am willing to be the vanguard!"

The Kazekage sighed helplessly. Looking at these subordinates whose courage had been shattered by the Senju name, he nodded and accepted Chiyo's request.

That night, Chiyo led one thousand Sunagakure ninja toward Heavenly Chasm Rock under the cover of darkness.

Land of Hot Springs, Kumogakure and Kirigakure Joint Command Headquarters.

The Second Raikage, A, looked at the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki, who was sitting brazenly across from him, and spoke in a deep voice.

"Intelligence indicates that the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, is leading Iwagakure's main force toward the Land of Frost. It seems they intend to attack our Land of Lightning directly from the north. What do you think?"

Gengetsu Hozuki stroked his small mustache and said with a grin, "You ceded the coastal islands to Kirigakure before I agreed to help you defend against the Iwagakure and Takigakure allied forces. I've done that already."

"And you still want me to put in more effort?"

"You should know that Kirigakure is also deeply mired in the war in the Land of Whirlpools. Those Konoha flies are biting at our heels!"

The Raikage snorted angrily. "Pick any island south of the Land of Hot Springs!"

"I want them all!" Gengetsu demanded greedily. "And after we deal with Iwagakure, you must cooperate with me in declaring war on Konoha!"

"Don't push your luck! The Land of Lightning has its limits!" the Raikage shouted angrily.

Gengetsu stood up and walked to the door, then turned around with a smile.

"I hear quite a few people inside Kumogakure Village are dissatisfied with you, Lord Raikage."

"If you lose this war, your fate will probably be quite miserable."

"The Iwagakure and Takigakure allied forces total fifteen thousand men. You should think this through carefully, my lord."

"Come find me whenever you've made up your mind. I'm staying right across from you. I specialize in solving big shots' troubles."

Gengetsu left with a burst of laughter.

Watching Gengetsu's retreating figure, the Raikage muttered a curse under his breath and fell into thought.

Land of Rain, beneath Heavenly Chasm Rock.

A vast drizzle drifted beneath the pitch-black night sky, severely obstructing visibility.

The Iwagakure defenders atop the walls had not noticed that death was already closing in.

Chiyo hid in the darkness and issued orders to the adjutant beside her.

"In three quarters of an hour, launch a direct assault on Heavenly Chasm Rock. Split off two hundred men to intercept enemy reinforcements."

"I'll personally lead a team to destroy Iwagakure's supply city in the north!"

The adjutant froze. "My lady, North City is heavily defended as well. Aren't you taking more men?"

"There's no need." Chiyo raised her head proudly. "I'll show you the true power of Sunagakure's puppet techniques!"

"I'll let you know that Sunagakure also has the confidence to defeat Konoha!"

With that, Chiyo flashed away alone, vanishing into the night rain as she headed straight for North City.

Three quarters of an hour later.

Flames soared into the sky in the direction of Heavenly Chasm Rock, and battle cries rose everywhere. Sunagakure had launched its full assault.

Chiyo stood beneath North City's walls and removed the ten scrolls from her back.

Her hands formed seals rapidly, and the complicated sequence left a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead.

White Secret Technique: Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Ten puppets of different forms, each radiating a terrifying aura, appeared around Chiyo.

"As long as I can perfectly control the masterpieces of the First Puppet Master, Monzaemon, even the Second Hokage will be a worthy opponent!"

"Today, I'll use Iwagakure to christen my blade!"

Chiyo's fingers danced, and chakra threads instantly linked the ten puppets.

Kill!

One puppet suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a massive fireball at the city gate!

Two puppets leaped up and flew directly onto the city walls!

Two puppets stood close beside Chiyo as guards!

The remaining five puppets moved like ghosts, roaming and supporting one another!

The Iwagakure ninja on the walls spotted Chiyo and immediately unleashed ninjutsu.

Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!

Dozens of mud projectiles howled through the air toward Chiyo.

The corners of Chiyo's lips lifted as her fingers twitched.

The two puppets guarding her instantly moved.

One charged into the rain of mud bullets, its fists swinging wildly like iron hammers and smashing every projectile apart!

The bullets that slipped through were firmly blocked by the other puppet, which crossed its arms before itself.

At the same time, screams rang out from atop the walls.

Of the two puppets that had climbed onto the walls, one wielded twin blades while the other swung chains.

Like meat grinders, they unleashed a massacre among the Iwagakure ninja!

Boom!

The city gate was blown apart by the fireball.

Chiyo entered North City with her remaining puppets as casually as if she were taking a stroll.

Land of Rain, Konoha Frontline Command Headquarters.

"What?!"

"Overnight, Iwagakure's Heavenly Chasm Rock and North City supply depot were both breached?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slapped the table in shock.

"And North City was captured by a single female ninja from Sunagakure?!"

The ANBU agent kneeling on one knee reported, "That female ninja is named Chiyo. It is said that she uses an extremely powerful puppet technique. Iwagakure suffered a crushing defeat and seems to intend to withdraw from the Land of Rain battlefield."

Koharu Utatane adjusted his glasses and analyzed the situation calmly.

"Iwagakure's main force was never stationed here to begin with. The biggest problem now is that Sunagakure holds both the numerical and terrain advantages."

"Before the Second Hokage's reinforcements arrive, we must stabilize the defensive line."

Homura Mitokado pondered for a moment before speaking.

"If Iwagakure withdraws, we can win over Rain Village to fill the gap."

"I heard Rain Village recently produced a poison-using genius named Hanzō."

"We can promise him some benefits and have him lead men to harass Sunagakure from the rear."

"As for us, we'll retreat across the board to defend Ninja Rock and await reinforcements!"

"A fine plan!" Hiruzen agreed loudly.

Then he edged up to Homura with a wicked grin.

"Hey, Homura, I heard that Chiyo is absurdly strong. She captured a city all by herself. Aren't you jealous?"

"She's a female ninja even stronger than you!"

"Get lost!"

Homura Mitokado flew into a rage and smashed a monstrous-strength punch into Hiruzen's face!

"I'm not jealous at all!"

"Put away that walnut-sized brain of yours and stop thinking about such pointless nonsense!"

Homura clapped his hands and stormed out of the war room.

Koharu Utatane watched Hiruzen Sarutobi roll his eyes while embedded in the floor, a huge bead of cold sweat sliding down his forehead.

"Not jealous, then not jealous... Why hit him so hard? Monkey really does have a loose tongue..."