Main World.
Summer, Year 30 of Konoha.
Outside the Elite School in Konohagakure.
The first wave of clashes began at the Uchiha formation.
Not because they had moved first, but because they stood farthest forward, their formation drawn the tightest, like a wall being pushed ahead. Several kunai flew in from the side and struck the ground three paces in front of the Uchiha clan members, scraping a white mark along the edge of the paving stones.
There were no shouts. No one gave the order to attack. But the conflict had already begun.
The Toyotomi clan members' first counterattack poured down from the rooftops. It was not ninjutsu, but rapid volleys of senbon. Dense steel needles covered the entire area in front of the Uchiha formation, aimed not at vital points but at breaking up their ranks. The Uchiha ninja were forced to scatter to either side, widening the gaps in their formation.
The Uchiha clan members at the very front leaped up, hurling shuriken in arcs toward the rooftops. The Toyotomi clan members did not retreat; their second volley of senbon was already loaded. Before the Uchiha landed, steel needles were already sweeping in from another direction.
An Uchiha chunin was struck in the shoulder and right leg by three senbon at once. His movements slowed a fraction, and the explosive tag that followed knocked him to the ground. He struggled twice before getting back to his feet.
Uchiha Fushan stood at the rear of the formation, his gaze sweeping over the battlefield ahead. His lips moved, his voice low, as if he were speaking to himself. "How is this possible! The Senju Clan has already disappeared, so why do I see traces of the Senju Clan in people with their Sharingan activated?"
He paused, his tone changing,