The sacrifice of the White Tiger Corps was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, the ripples quickly spreading throughout the entire Shinobi World. The activation of the highest state of combat readiness instantly revealed the ferocious side of this civilization that had been developing rapidly for ten years.
The streets of Yan Nation's capital were no longer bustling with traffic; instead, squads of elite ninjas clad in standard rune armor darted about, heading towards their respective assembly points. Outside the city, massive energy shield generators hummed as they activated, their translucent light membranes, like inverted bowls, enveloping the entire city. Countless automated defensive turrets rose from building rooftops and underground, their cold muzzles pointing skyward.
The scene is even more spectacular in space.
On the lunar base, in the Mars star system, and even in the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn, docks of all sizes were operating at full capacity, swarming forth with countless warships like a honeycomb. These warships were no longer the somewhat outdated designs of ten years ago; instead, they boasted more streamlined lines, armor covered in flowing runic radiance, and bows painted with different clan emblems and serial numbers. From small, agile, high-speed assault ships to large battleships resembling moving mountains and equipped with several " Primordial Annihilation Cannon," they formed massive Interstellar Fleet, beginning to assemble and organize along the outer defensive lines.
Even more striking are the "planetary defense fortresses" that stand like interstellar giants atop key defensive nodes. These fortresses are modified from captured asteroids, their surfaces covered with layers of armor and turrets. At their core is the " Heavenly Cycle Xingchen Grand Formation," a formation maintained by thousands of ninjas. Once fully activated, it can distort space, achieving a terrifying level of both defense and attack, estimated to be capable of threatening Saint Level powerhouses.
All civilian space travel has been suspended, and the entire Solar System seems to have become a giant military fortress with its fangs bared.
The Shinobi World issued a nationwide war mobilization order and, through all channels, briefly explained the seriousness of the situation to the entire population—an invasion from the Ōtsutsuki headquarters, aimed at destroying everything, was imminent.
There was no panic, no chaos. Decades of education, decades of preparation, and the cohesion brought about by the sacrifice of the Immortal King Tsubasa decades ago were on full display at this moment. The people were engaged in orderly production, the logistics system was operating efficiently, and all factories and laboratories were turned to serve the war effort, producing weapons, ammunition, energy blocks, and medical supplies in a continuous stream.
Inside the sacred cultivation ground, the atmosphere was even more solemn and resolute.
All the summoning beast clans in the Shinobi World have long been deeply intertwined with the humans of the Shinobi World, and a large number of summoning beast clans have formed special battle groups. High-ranking summoning beasts such as the Toad Sage, White Snake Sage, Sage Enma, and Cat Sage personally oversee the battles.
In the various ninja clans, sects, and even the secret cultivation realms of Hell, thousands of Immortal Venerable and Ghost Emperor almost simultaneously ended their seclusion. Their auras were released without reservation, intertwining and resonating with each other, causing the energy environment surrounding the Shinobi World to become violent. They looked at each other, their eyes showing no fear, only a resolute determination that had long been prepared and was willing to risk their lives.
In the Uchiha Clan Compound, Sasuke gently wiped his "Amenotejikara" ( Amenotejikara: Tomoe ). Itachi and Shisui stood behind him, their three Rinnegan slowly rotating, their depths profound.
In the Uzumaki Clan's territory, Naruto donned the " Taiji Immortal Fox Robe," Kurama's clone roared within him, its immense Senjutsu Chakra shining like the sun.
At the Hyuga Clan Compound, Hinata and Neji led all the members of the main and Branch Family Main Family, arranging themselves in the Eight Trigrams Formation, and pure white light shot straight into the sky.
A Yotsuki and Killer B from the Lightning Branch Vein, Kurotsuchi from the Earth Branch, Temari from the Wind Branch... all the powerful figures whose names are known are prepared to sacrifice themselves and fight to the death.
They were well aware that, facing the approaching Ōtsutsuki Legion, which might consist of High Immortal Kings or even stronger beings, their individual strength was still at a significant disadvantage. However, they possessed their last and strongest trump card— the Xingchen Body-Tempering Art, Aperture Explosion and Blood Burning!
Imagine thousands of powerful individuals, willing to die for their cause and capable of achieving peak Immortal King Level combat strength in a short time, unleashing their power simultaneously—what a sight that would be! Enough to strike fear into the hearts of any enemy! This is the most devastating yet magnificent "welcome ceremony" the Shinobi World has prepared for its enemies!
The forbidden land of the Shikkotsu Forest All Things Life-Breathing Spirit-Warming Grand Formation.
The tense atmosphere outside, as if a storm was brewing, seemed to affect this tranquil sacred land as well. After a brief period of violent fluctuations, the Jūni-Grade Golden Lotus gradually stabilized under the nourishment of the Tian Yu and the mothers with their life-giving immortal Immortal Power.
At the heart of the lotus, the Immortal King Tsubasa's soul phantom, now much more solidified, no longer furrowed his brow, and the pain on his face had faded. Yet, beneath his still tightly closed eyelids, he seemed to harbor a perception of the changing world. His soul light flickered steadily, brighter and more solid than ever before.
An even more surprising change occurred underground. The Chaos Lotus Seed, which had accumulated over ten years and recently erupted violently, seemed to have established a deeper connection with Tsubasa's newly born soul after its release. It no longer passively absorbed energy as before, but began to actively emit wisps of incomparably pure chaotic energy containing the ultimate principles of life and death. Like a gentle stream, it silently merged into Tsubasa's illusory soul, nourishing and repairing it at a deeper level.
Tian Yu was waiting nearby, could clearly feel that the vitality of the point representing the origin of the Saint Level mystery at the core of her father's soul was more active than ever before, like a dormant volcano with unimaginable power surging inside.
"Father... can you sense it too? An unprecedented crisis is approaching." Tian Yu gently stroked the warm, golden lotus petals, her voice low and tender, tinged with a barely perceptible sob. "Rest assured, we will not back down. Please wait a little longer, until we win this battle... you will surely see a stronger, more united Shinobi World!"
She stood up, taking one last look at the illusory soul within the lotus heart. The last trace of vulnerability in her eyes was replaced by absolute resolve. She was the eldest daughter of the Immortal King Tsubasa, the strongest force in the Shinobi World, and the spiritual pillar for billions of lives. In this war concerning the survival of civilization, she had to stand at the forefront, facing the darkest storm!
With a single step, space distorted, and Tian Yu's figure appeared in the highest command center of the Yan Nation's capital.
The atmosphere here was tense yet highly efficient. A massive holographic star map floated in the center, with blue dots representing the Shinobi World's power densely deployed along the orbits and key nodes of the Solar System. All the core members, including Shikamaru Nara, Tenchu, Tsunade, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke Uchiha, were gathered here, their faces filled with solemnity and determination.
"Based on the last data transmitted back by the White Tiger Corps and our own detection calculations, the main fleet of the Ōtsutsuki Clan is expected to arrive in the outer region of the Solar System within seven to ten natural days." Shikamaru's voice was calm and undisturbed as he drew a red warning line on the star map with his finger.
" The Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and Kirin legions are all in position, all defense lines are at their highest level of readiness, and all combat units have reached their designated locations," Tenchu reported in a deep voice, his eyes sharp and his aura restrained.
"The logistics support system is operating at full capacity and in good condition. Strategic material reserves are sufficient, and based on current estimated consumption, they can support a high-intensity war for at least three years," Shizune, who is in charge of logistics, quickly added. Although her tone was calm, her clenched fists revealed her inner turmoil.
Tian Yu's gaze slowly swept over every resolute face present. These were her comrades who had fought alongside her for many years, the pillars of the Shinobi World. She nodded slowly, her voice clear and powerful, resounding throughout the command center and reaching every corner of the Shinobi World via a special broadcasting system:
"Everyone, fifty years ago, our father, the Immortal King Tsubasa, sacrificed himself to win us fifty precious years of development and Mirai." Her voice carried a hint of reminiscence, but even more so, a sense of inherited glory. "Fifty years later, it is now our turn to protect this homeland he loved so deeply and for which he gave everything!"
She raised her hand, pointing to the vast Solar System on the star map, her tone suddenly becoming impassioned:
"The enemy is strong, stronger than we imagined! But we are fearless!"
"United we stand, forging a star-studded city; our blood stains the Milky Way!"
"This battle is for the fallen heroes! For the homeland beneath our feet! For... our infinitely possible Mirai!"
" The Shinobi World will be victorious in every battle! Victory is certain!!"
"Victory is certain!!"
"Victory is certain!!"
"Victory is certain!!"
The earth-shattering roar, like a long-suppressed volcano, erupted from the capital, from every city, every warship, and every fortification, converging into an indomitable torrent of belief powerful enough to shake the stars!
Just as the fighting spirit reached its peak, in the forbidden area of Shikkotsu Forest, the Jūni-Grade Golden Lotus swayed slightly without any wind. At the heart of the lotus, the phantom of Tsubasa's soul, with its eyelids that had been tightly closed for ten years, trembled very subtly, unnoticed by anyone.
Like a king who has slumbered for eternity, sensing the call of the raging flames of war, he is about to awaken in the darkest hour.