The logistics supply depot

The next instant, Suikazan Fuguki laughed in an odd tone. "Heh heh, has Konoha run out of people? All they have left are rookies like you?"

Hyuga Hiashi looked helpless.

In his view, Suikazan Fuguki's strength was on par with his own. Even if he was stronger, it wasn't by much. However, his ninja blade, Samehada, could absorb chakra.

And the Hyuga Clan's fighting style centered on close combat with the Gentle Fist, so after several exchanges, Samehada had absorbed over half his chakra, leaving him clearly at a disadvantage.

While keeping his guard up against Suikazan Fuguki, Hyuga Hiashi scrutinized the other battlefields.

Choza Akimichi and Shikaku Nara were locked in fierce combat with Hozuki Mangetsu.

Who could have imagined that, even fighting two opponents alone, he would still hold a clear advantage?

He truly deserved his reputation as a genius beloved by the ninja blades.

Boom, boom, boom.

Just then, with a series of thunderous booms, the sea's surface suddenly shuddered as though a depth charge had been dropped to the seabed.

Hyuga Hiashi looked over intently. It turned out that Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, had entered his Tailed Beast Transformation at that very moment.

Standing before the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Uchiha Fugaku looked so tiny.

The sight chilled the hearts of all the Konoha ninja.

The destructive power of a Jinchūriki on the battlefield far surpassed that of a Kage-level fighter of the same rank.

Who else could stop the Six-Tails Jinchuriki?

Just as everyone could do nothing but despair.

A scarlet light erupted from Uchiha Fugaku's body, forming bones, flesh, and armor.

In an instant, a red giant nearly as tall as the Six-Tails Jinchuriki rose from the ground.

The third power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, Susanoo.

At the sight, Hyuga Hiashi's pale white eyes narrowed slightly, and then he let out a long breath.

As a member of another ninja clan with a long history, Hyuga Hiashi was naturally no stranger to the Uchiha Clan.

He knew that above the Three-Tomoe Sharingan lay a supreme ocular power called the Mangekyō Sharingan.

But apart from Madara Uchiha, no one had awakened the Mangekyo in many years.

Who could have imagined that Fugaku had actually obtained the same eyes as Madara Uchiha?

He had certainly kept that well hidden.

But precisely because Fugaku was there, holding the border would be no problem.

As enemies, the Uchiha inspired fear.

But as teammates, they undoubtedly put people at ease.

Elsewhere.

After two days of running at top speed, Kakashi and the other three finally arrived at the former site of the Land of Whirlpools.

The Land of Whirlpools had once been an ally of the Land of Fire.

The Uzumaki Clan of Uzushiogakure had been a steadfast ally of Konohagakure.

That was why Konoha had access to highly detailed topographical maps of the Land of Whirlpools.

Although more than twenty years had passed, the general terrain remained unchanged.

Standing on the sea, concealed behind a reef, Kakashi poked his head out to gaze at the island and said intently:

"It's that island up ahead."

Uchiha Douyang narrowed his eyes as he studied the island, his expression grave. "Kakashi, there are large numbers of sealing formulas around the island's perimeter that interfere with perception. No wonder the Intelligence Division couldn't find out how many ninja were on the island."

Kirigakure and Konoha had fought for so many years that they knew each other's abilities inside out, so at an important stronghold like a logistics supply depot, they would deliberately guard against sensory methods such as the Byakugan.

A trace of resolve flashed through Kakashi's eyes as he said, "Then we'll have to force an opening and fight our way in. You three will draw their fire for me. I'll blow up the logistics supply depot on the island."

Douyang and the other two fell silent at his words.

No wonder Kakashi had gone to pay his respects to Obito and Rin Nohara before they left.

He had gone in prepared to die.

Seeing the three remain silent, Kakashi's dull eyes took on a sharp edge. "I'm the captain. Follow my orders."

Guy and Shisui both looked at Uchiha Douyang.

He was close to Kakashi. At a time like this, Uchiha Douyang was the only one who could talk him around.

Douyang drew a sharp kunai from the ninja tool pouch on his leg and asked calmly:

"Kakashi, the mission comes first. Don't do something you aren't confident about. Leave it to me or Shisui."

Douyang had the Kokugan.

Shisui had awakened the Mangekyo. Both were stronger than Kakashi and were undoubtedly better suited to blowing up the supply depot.

Kakashi shook his head. "Since I've made this decision, I have a certain degree of confidence. Don't worry. Once the mission is complete, I'll regroup with you soon."

"All right, then."

With Kakashi having said that much, Douyang couldn't keep trying to persuade him.

Looking up at the gloomy sky, Kakashi said, "Rest here. We'll move after dark."

Time ticked by, and the atmosphere gradually grew tense.

Late that night, the four split up and infiltrated the island from different directions.

Whoosh, whoosh.

The cold wind howled past, and the two Mist ninja stationed at the logistics supply depot instinctively pulled their clothes tighter around themselves.

"That wind is really cold."

"Yeah."

"Huh, did you hear something?"

"Isn't that just the wind howling? What else could it be?"

Barely had he finished speaking when a dark figure sprang from beneath the water and lunged at the two Mist ninja with lightning speed.

"Oh no...!"

Before the two Mist ninja could even make out their attacker, they collapsed onto the coastal rocks.

The figure stepped forward and delivered a finishing blow to each of them. After making sure both were thoroughly dead, he slowly stood up, his gaze falling on the logistics supply depot at the island's center.

Moonlight filtered through the dark clouds and shone on the figure, revealing a delicate-featured face.

It was none other than Uchiha Douyang, who was responsible for drawing enemy fire.

Only after actually setting foot on the island did Douyang discover how heavily guarded it was. The patrol teams alone numbered over a hundred, and with the sentries hidden in the shadows, the total was probably between two and three hundred.

The situation exceeded Douyang's expectations.

Their plan of action was simple and direct.

Douyang and the other two were to infiltrate the island and hunt down as many Mist ninja as possible.

Once discovered, they would withdraw from the island and lure the Mist ninja into pursuit, creating an opportunity for Kakashi.

If there were only a hundred or so enemies, Douyang believed Kakashi could complete the task of blowing up the supply depot with the three of them drawing fire.

But with two or three hundred, even if they drew away half, Kakashi couldn't possibly blow up the supply depot under the noses of the hundred or so who remained.

No, Kakashi can't complete the mission alone. He'll die here. I have to act.

Douyang took a deep breath and was just about to move,

When a commotion broke out to his left.

Shouts and the sounds of fierce fighting mingled in the noise, particularly sharp and piercing in the silent night.

Douyang's gaze sharpened slightly, and he murmured to himself, "Judging by the location, that should be Shisui."

The commotion grew louder and louder, even alerting the Mist ninja on Douyang's side, who began searching carefully with searchlights.

When the Mist ninja were about to rush over to his position, Douyang reached into the ninja tool pouch at his waist with his right hand and hurled three kunai with explosive tags attached.

Boom, boom, boom!!!

A series of explosions rang out beneath the silent night sky.