Destroying the Ten White Pine Guardians

Fugaku appeared atop a tall tent with the Body Flicker Technique and activated his Sharingan, peering through layer after layer of rain into the distance.

Even with the Sharingan's keen sight, he could make out only two faint masses drawing closer.

The two attacking forces had not joined together this time. They advanced separately, striking from both sides at once.

The move lacked the overwhelming momentum of a combined assault, but it kept the two forces' differences from erupting into conflict.

The distance between them steadily shrank. Ahead of Fugaku's unit was the Sunagakure force led by the Third Kazekage.

The Third Kazekage led the charge, with Chiyo and several Sunagakure elite close behind.

At the sight of Fugaku Uchiha among the crowd, anger flared in Chiyo's heart. Ever since the Allied Forces had encountered Konoha's reinforcements, she had clashed with him again and again. Neither could defeat the other, but each battle cost her several puppets.

The Ten White Pine Guardians were the masterpiece of Puppet Master Monzaemon. If they were damaged too badly, even Chiyo could not repair them quickly.

She still had not finished repairing the puppet blown to pieces in their last battle.

The two Ninja Corps slowly approached each other. Streams of Iron Sand swirled around the Third Kazekage, while Danzo's single eye stayed fixed on him.

Fugaku made a gesture. The shinobi behind Danzo spread out at once. Most of those in the front rank had trained in Earth Release, ready in case the Third Kazekage launched a sudden attack.

Iron Sand attacks were hard to guard against. Every strike covered a wide area.

Behind Fugaku stood Saki and Kihiko, two veterans of the Uchiha clan.

"Once the fighting starts, don't worry about me," Fugaku told them. "I'll keep Chiyo occupied. You two focus