Half an hour earlier.
With an earth-shattering explosion, the barrier overhead vanished rapidly into the heavens and earth like remnant snow beneath the blazing sun.
"The barrier has been broken! The enemy is coming!"
"Yes, Young Clan Leader, what should we do?"
"Let's fight them! We can't just sit here and wait to die!"
"But what about the elderly and children?"
"Maybe we should hide instead!"
The noisy, chaotic voices filled Ise Uzumaki's ears, making his head buzz. At last, he could not help roaring, "Enough! Everyone, quiet down!"
Swish—
In an instant, the surrounding noise came to an abrupt halt. Everyone looked at him eagerly, hoping their young clan leader could lead them out of this encirclement.
"Huff—"
Ise took a deep breath. "Calm down. I have to stay calm. What would Father do at a time like this?"
Though Ise was not as skilled at command as Ashina, he had still been raised in a great clan and was no true fool. After thinking for several seconds, he began issuing orders. "Xuan Shui, Fei Huo, you two take the elderly and children somewhere safe to hide. Everyone else will draw the enemy's attention with me. Once we lure them away, leave Whirlpool Country immediately!"
The two young men who had been called exchanged glances, then answered loudly, "Yes!"
As the clan's elderly and young gradually departed, Ise's tone turned solemn. "Everyone, things have come to this. I have nothing more to say. The enemy is upon us. For the future of the Uzumaki Clan, please fight your way out with me!"
"Kill!"
"They're here."
In the distance, the vast Funato Clan surged forward like a tidal wave. When Uchiha Hono saw the Uzumaki Clan members waiting in battle formation ahead, he could not help sighing inwardly. *Worthy