All Factions Stirred (3)

Just as Jiraiya turned the tide on the northwestern front as the "Toad Sage," the long southeastern coastline of the Land of Fire also failed to escape the flames of war. The dense sea fog became the invaders' best cover.

Ao, a Jonin of Kirigakure and a commander renowned for his calm analysis and precious Byakugan—taken from a member of the Hyūga main family—led Hidden Mist Village's elite forces ashore like phantoms. Avoiding the main ports, they landed along a rugged, remote stretch of coastline, intending to bypass Konoha's frontal defenses and strike deep into the Land of Fire for infiltration and sabotage.

Their operation was swift and deadly. Using Hidden Mist Village's adept Silent Killing Technique and Water Release ninjutsu, they swiftly eliminated several of Konoha's coastal outposts in the early stages, causing considerable losses.

When the news reached Konoha, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, looked even grimmer. The pressure of fighting on multiple fronts had nearly reached its limit. He could no longer spare any organized conventional forces and could only deploy his last elite units.

"Orders! ANBU Squads Three and Six, Root Team 'A,' proceed to the southeastern coast immediately! ANBU will take unified command. You must eliminate the invading Hidden Mist ninja and seal off the coastline!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice carried a trace of exhaustion, but his decision remained decisive. He had dispatched both the village's "shield" and "sword."

Konoha's ANBU and Root elites surged toward the southeastern coast like two shadows. Their battle against the Kirigakure ninja was not the vast, brutal positional warfare of the northwestern front, but a far more dangerous and bizarre contest of high-speed offense, defense, and special operations.

Forests, swamps, and coastal caves... became the stages for their clashes. Using the dense fog and watery terrain, the Hidden Mist ninja