Battles between evenly matched ninja were the best way for both sides to improve. These Security Force members formed the backbone of the Uchiha.
There would be no shortage of wars in the Shinobi World. Fugaku could not step in personally every time; he would have to rely on the clan's ordinary ninja.
The Cloud shinobi had been operating in secret. Running into the Uchiha was unexpected enough, but they had never imagined Fugaku Uchiha would arrive so quickly.
"Fugaku Uchiha is here. Prepare to retreat. We'll find another chance," one Cloud shinobi said quietly.
The Cloud shinobi abruptly intensified their assault. Within moments, several of them had gathered together and begun forming hand seals.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Storm!"
Crackle!
A piercing crackle rang out as bolts of Lightning Release spread in every direction, scorching the ground black. Several Uchiha retreated and surrounded the Cloud shinobi, forming hand seals of their own.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
The temperature soared. Flames engulfed the Cloud shinobi from every side, and blue lightning collided with red fire.
The clash of lightning and flame was ultimately a clash of energy—a contest of Chakra reserves.
Large stretches of ground turned black. Leaves on the surrounding trees curled in the heat and caught fire.
In moments, dust and flames filled the area. As the techniques' collision ended, Smoke Bombs struck the ground one after another.
Purple smoke rapidly spread in every direction.
"Retreat!" a Cloud shinobi shouted from within the smoke.
"The Cloud shinobi are escaping! Widen the perimeter!"
Several Uchiha fell back at once, while one of them formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Breakthrough!"
A gale sprang up, swiftly dispersing the purple smoke that had filled a vast stretch of forest.
Moments later, the smoke had cleared. The Cloud shinobi were surrounded once more.