The night passed quickly. By six in the morning, most of the ninja at Kumogakure Camp were already awake.
Several Kumogakure senior officials summoned the Battalion Commanders and had them pass orders down through the ranks.
Kumogakure Battalion Commanders and captains moved between the Tents, notifying every squad.
The sudden news caught many Cloud shinobi off guard, but they soon collected themselves.
Kumogakure and Iwagakure had long been at odds. Neither side had made a move before because both had reasons to hold back.
Now things were different. Kumogakure was going to war with Iwagakure, and they could fight without restraint.
Many returned to their Tents, packed all their supplies, and waited for the order to move.
By seven, Iwagakure was already bustling. The Third Raikage was awake.
In all of Iwagakure, only the Tsuchikage held a rank equal to the Raikage's. Everyone else fell short in both rank and strength.
At seven, the Raikage appeared outside the Tsuchikage Building. The two had agreed yesterday that he would see Iwagakure's elite forces today.
But the Raikage had another plan. In one hour, Kumogakure's forces would move. Seven thousand ninja could destroy Iwagakure's North defenses in an instant and seize the northern Land of Earth.
His main goal was to keep Ōnoki occupied. If he could kill Ōnoki outright, so much the better. Leaderless, Iwagakure would fall even faster.
"Lord Tsuchikage, I look forward to seeing what Iwagakure's forces can do today."
Ōnoki smiled. "Good. See how my Iwagakure ninja measure up against your Kumogakure forces."
The two walked side by side down a corridor in the Tsuchikage Building. The Raikage suddenly slowed. "Aruyi, I brought you here to see Iwagakure's elite. When we return, hold the village's ninja to a higher standard."
Ōnoki had wondered why the Raikage had slowed,