Head-On Showdown!

Jianyan stood at the front of the army, his voice booming across the battlefield through the rain of mud and drifting smoke:

"Torifu Akimichi! Your Konoha Ninja are supposed to guard the northwest of the Land of Fire. Why have you led troops into the Land of Grass without permission? Does Konoha want an all-out war?"

Torifu Akimichi laughed, his voice carrying just as far:

"Hahahaha!"

"Screw you, Jianyan, you old bastard!"

"Iwagakure was the first to station troops at Broken Cloud Gorge and threaten the Land of Fire's border. Now you're questioning me?"

"What is that short old man Ōnoki plotting?"

"The entire Shinobi World can see Iwagakure's ambitions!"

Jianyan's face darkened. He swung an arm toward Torifu Akimichi and snapped:

"Torifu Akimichi, you're asking to die!"

"You fat bastard. Have I been too nice to you?"

"When I was making my name across the Shinobi World, you were still nobody."

He ground his teeth and raised his voice, brazenly turning the truth on its head. "Lord Tsuchikage was personally invited by the Daimyo of the Land of Grass to help guide Kusagakure's defenses!"

"From start to finish, Konoha has been the one provoking trouble. You crossed the border and started a war without regard for Peace in the Shinobi World, killing countless Iwagakure comrades!"

"Today, I'll kill you with my own hands to honor their spirits!"

Torifu Akimichi's anger surged. He roared:

"Jianyan, you old dog!"

"Enough of your lies! Today, you'll see the strength of Konoha Ninja!"

He thrust an arm high and bellowed to the entire army, "All troops! Charge with me!!"

Konoha's thousand-strong formation surged forward. Chakra flared throughout its ranks as countless Ninjutsu erupted at once.

Jianyan raised an arm and roared, "Brothers of Iwagakure! Meet the enemy!!"

"Kill every last one of these Konoha Ninja who crossed the border looking for trouble!"

"Fire Release unit, advance across the line! Attack with everything you've got!" Torifu Akimichi ordered, his gaze sharp as a blade.

Dozens of Konoha Fire Release Ninja bent forward and drew breath in unison. Flames churned in their chests, sending waves of heat ahead of them.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"

Huge crimson fireballs soared into the sky, their flames scorching the air. Dense volleys of fire shot forward, while thick red fire dragons twisted through the smoke with a roar, dragging waves of heat behind them.

Fire Release Ninjutsu rained down on the Iwagakure formation like falling meteors.

"Hmph!"

At the front of the Iwagakure ranks, Jianyan scoffed. "You think ordinary flames can shake the foundations of the earth? Ridiculous!"

His eyes hardened, and he swept up a hand. "Combined Jutsu: Earth Release: Earth Flow Bullet Volley!"

Over a thousand Iwagakure Ninja channeled Chakra at once, and the ground split violently.

Earth Flow Bullets launched into the air. Massive projectiles of earth and stone, trailing gravel and sand, hurtled toward Konoha's ranks like a meteor shower. Rocks whistled through the air, blotting out half the sky.

Boom!

A deafening explosion shook the battlefield!

Flames crashed into the heavy barrage of earth and stone. Fire scattered, dirt burst apart, and waves of red, white, and gray collided, sending a blast of air across the battlefield!

Through the rolling smoke, Jianyan watched the flames break against his earth barrage. Despite the advantage, his face remained grim. He clenched his teeth and muttered, "Damn Konoha!"

Then he turned to the Iwagakure Ninja behind him and issued another order. "Combined Jutsu: Earth Release: Earth and Stone Flow!"

The Iwagakure Ninja channeled Chakra together, splitting the ground apart.

Layers of rock, soil, and boulders churned into a towering brown tide. It thundered toward the Konoha line like a tsunami, crushing the ground into pits and ruts as it passed.

"Water Release unit, spread out on both flanks!"

At Torifu Akimichi's command, the Water Release Ninja split to either side and unleashed torrents from their mouths:

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

Great streams poured forth like rivers breaking their banks, sweeping across the battlefield.

Some struck Iwagakure's oncoming torrent of earth and stone, sending muddy water bursting upward. The rest formed a curtain that caught the scattered embers. Steam rose, and white mist flooded the space between the armies.

"Lightning Release unit! Get ready!" Torifu Akimichi ordered.

Dozens of Konoha Lightning Release Ninja stepped forward and slammed their palms into the mud and water.

"Lightning Release: Earth Flow!"

Hiss—crackle, crackle!!

Wild blue-violet currents raced across the muddy ground like countless electric serpents, burrowing into the surging Earth and Stone Flow.

Electricity snapped through the mud and gravel. The soil blackened and smoked beneath it.

Iwagakure Ninja caught in the flow suddenly felt the current strike through their feet. Their hair stood on end, their bodies convulsed, and their movements froze. Many fell where they stood as screams rose one after another!

From the distant front line, Jianyan watched his Ninja fall in droves and his attack falter. The killing intent in his eyes deepened, but he showed no panic. He gave a cold order:

"Damn it. Prepare for close combat."

"Remember! As long as we stand on the earth, we're invincible!"

"Kill them!"

"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"

Large numbers of Iwagakure Ninja activated Earth Release: Earth Spear. Their bodies hardened into black rock, stone covering them like armor. They charged through the lightning and flames without fear.

"Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique!" With Earth Spear protecting them, the Iwagakure Ninja sheathed their fists in heavy rock and charged the Konoha Ninja.

"Hmph! Iwagakure isn't the only one that can fight up close."

"Brothers, kill them!" Torifu Akimichi gripped his Kunai and led the charge. Behind him, Konoha Ninja rushed forward with Ninja Blades and Kunai in hand.

In an instant, the two human tides collided at the center of the gorge!

Boom!!

At the moment of impact, figures vanished beneath the crush, and the entire ground shook.

The sharp clash of weapons, the thud of fists and feet, dying screams, and cries of pain merged into one deafening roar.

Thousands of Ninja Blades and Kunai flashed through the air, their edges striking sparks from one another.

Iwagakure's rock-covered fists crashed down, scattering stone. Bones cracked beneath their blows. Heavy stone bodies sent Konoha Ninja flying into the mud.

The Konoha Ninja gave no ground. Blades swept forward in waves, ringing against hardened stone bodies and throwing sparks. Steel stabbed into gaps at the joints, and blood mixed with muddy water as it ran down the cracks in the armor.

The fighters became one tangled mass. There were no clear front lines anymore; the Ninja could tell friend from foe only by their clothes.

Everywhere they looked, people were fighting. Squads cut into squads, while individuals grappled and rolled through the mud.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Orochimaru formed Hand Seals amid the chaos. A violent gale swept out and sent the charging Iwagakure Ninja stumbling.

Not far away, Tsunade's eyes sharpened. Pale green Chakra surged around her feet, and she sprang forward, slamming head-on into several Iwagakure Ninja whose bodies had hardened into stone!

"Heavenly Foot of Pain!"

Bang!! A deafening impact rang across the battlefield!

Though her opponents were hardened from head to toe and solid as bedrock, the monstrous force of her kick cracked their stone bodies and shattered the rock covering them!

The shockwave spread outward, splitting the ground beneath her feet in a fine web of cracks!

"Gamabunta, use oil!" Jiraiya shouted at the dense ranks of approaching Iwagakure Ninja.

"Got it!" Gamabunta swung his giant sword and leaped. His massive body landed firmly on the battlefield, and he opened his mouth to spew a vast flood of thick oil over the Iwagakure Ninja ahead!

"Perfect! Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!" Jiraiya's eyes lit up. He formed Hand Seals, and scorching flames burst forth!

The crimson fire struck the oil spread through the air!

Boom!

Flames spread in an instant. Burning oil surged across the field, engulfing a wide swath of Iwagakure Ninja!

Boom!

"Ah!"

"What is this?"

"It burns..."

Screams, startled cries, and wails rose from every direction!

Amid the mass of fighters, Hatake Sakumo moved like a swift shadow, weaving through the melee.

He wielded the White Fang Short Sword. Lightning Release Chakra streamed along its blade, pale blue arcs crackling around the steel. Each slash left a fleeting trail of light.

With his masterful Body Flicker Technique, he slipped through gaps in the fighting like an assassin stalking the battlefield.

An Iwagakure Ninja had just swung a Rock Fist at a Konoha Ninja beside him when Sakumo flashed to his side.

Slash!

The lightning-wreathed short sword pierced beneath his ribs. Electricity surged through the wound, and the Iwagakure Ninja jerked. Before he could finish a scream, he toppled into the mud.

Sakumo was moving toward his next target before the body hit the ground.

Another Iwagakure Ninja had activated Earth Release: Earth Spear, hardening his entire body into black stone, and was about to punch a Konoha Ninja. Sakumo slipped behind him and slashed at a gap around a joint with his Chakra-charged blade.

Clang!

Lightning burst outward. The hard stone shell split open, and blood sprayed among the fragments. The Iwagakure Jonin turned in pain, but before he could strike back, the short sword pierced his throat.

The blade flashed, and another man fell.

Several nearby Iwagakure Ninja noticed the deadly threat and closed in around him.

Sakumo did not stay to fight. He tapped the ground and blurred through a gap in their encirclement. Lightning danced around him as he evaded every attack.

In the chaos of thousands locked in combat, he was an assassin's blade cutting through flesh.

He kept weaving, lunging, and striking. As one enemy fell, the next target came into view.

The sounds of battle and clashing weapons never ceased, but whenever lightning flashed, another Iwagakure Ninja fell.

From a distance, Jianyan watched the young Konoha Ninja slaughtering his men, anxiety rising in his chest.

He fixed his gaze on Hatake Sakumo as he cut through the Iwagakure Ninja.

The brat was too quick to catch easily. Then Jianyan spotted Tsunade and the other two fighting in the open.

His gaze swept across the battlefield and settled on Jiraiya, whose techniques were still rough but powerful. Killing intent flared in Jianyan's eyes!

Before he even reached him, his hands flew through Hand Seals. "Earth Release: Yellow Spring Swamp!"

The ground beneath Gamabunta suddenly softened and collapsed!

Solid earth turned into thick black swamp!

Gamabunta's huge body sank at once. The mire gripped his weight and dragged him deeper. He struggled with all four limbs, but each movement only pulled him farther down, leaving him no room to maneuver!

"Gamabunta!" Standing atop his head, Jiraiya saw what was happening, and his expression changed sharply.

"Damn it! The suction's too strong. I can't move!" Gamabunta growled, struggling in vain.

"Hmph. Brat, you're first!" Jianyan's icy voice sounded in front of Jiraiya, thick with killing intent!

He slammed both palms to the ground and roared, "Earth Release: Mountain Earth Technique!"

Boom!!

The earth shook. Rock layers on either side surged upward!

Two enormous hemispheres of earth rose from the ground, their jagged faces shedding loose stones. Like mountains, they slowly closed around the swamp.

The massive walls of rock drew closer, sealing off every escape. Jiraiya and Gamabunta were trapped!

"No! Jiraiya!"

Orochimaru, racing toward them from afar, saw the trap and went pale. He turned to the Summoning Beast beside him and shouted, "Manda! Go save him!"

"Hmph! I'm busy. Do it yourself!" Manda refused without looking back.

"If anything happens to Jiraiya, I'll never forgive you," Orochimaru said, his voice ice-cold.

Then he broke into a sprint, racing toward the swamp at full speed!

"Jiraiya, get out of here! If you release the Summoning Technique, I can escape!" Gamabunta shouted to Jiraiya on his back.

"Right! I'll do it now..." Without another thought, Jiraiya raised his hands to form the seals.

"Heh. Did you think I'd let you escape my killing move that easily?" Jianyan's lips curled into a cruel smile.

His hands flew through Hand Seals again, and he slammed his palms against the ground. "Earth Release: Opening Earth Rising Excavation Technique!"

Rumble!!

A vast stretch of bedrock rose in one piece! Massive slabs of heavy stone thrust up from beneath Gamabunta's feet.

The sudden, violent shaking threw Jiraiya off balance, breaking his Hand Seals just before he could complete them!

The two enormous hemispheres of earth were about to close together.

In the distance, Orochimaru and Tsunade rushed toward them. The sight of the fatal trap drained the color from their faces, and they screamed:

"Jiraiya!!"