Three days later.
At the Canyon Defense Line.
The Iwagakure Army arrived on schedule.
Ōnoki hovered in the air, looking down at Kumogakure's battle-ready defensive line with a slight frown.
Kumogakure's will to resist was stronger than he had imagined.
After three days of relentless pursuit, Kumogakure had retreated again and again, but never collapsed. Instead, its troops had gradually tightened their formation with each retreat.
Now, using the canyon terrain, they had established a solid defensive line.
"Lord Tsuchikage, the Reconnaissance Unit reports a large number of chakra signatures on both sides of the canyon. They suspect an ambush."
Kitsuchi delivered his report.
Ōnoki nodded.
"As expected. Pass the order: the troops are to camp outside the canyon. No attack for now."
"No attack?" Kitsuchi froze.
"Mm."
Ōnoki said evenly, "Kumogakure is fighting like a cornered beast now. A frontal assault would cost too many lives. And besides..."
He looked into the depths of the canyon.
"I keep feeling that Kumogakure still has a trump card."
As it turned out, Ōnoki's instincts were right.
That evening, while the Iwagakure Forces were setting up camp, three dazzling flashes of purple light suddenly lit up deep in the canyon.
"What is that?!"
An Iwagakure ninja cried out in alarm.
Ōnoki's pupils contracted sharply, and he immediately realized what was happening. "Oh no! Chakra Cannons! Scatter-!"
But it was already too late.
Boom! Boom! Boom-!!!
Three Purple Chakra Beam Cannons, each over two meters in diameter, blasted out of the canyon, shooting toward the Iwagakure camp at astonishing speed!
One headed straight for Ōnoki!
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
Ōnoki reacted with incredible speed, thrusting both hands forward and sending a transparent cube toward the chakra beam.
The two forces collided in midair-
Rumble-!!!
A terrifying explosion swept across