Thick black smoke billowed across the sky above the Land of Hot Water, mingling with the crimson sunset. Land of Hot Water Tobirama Senju stood atop the main city's watchtower, the cold walls sending chills down his spine. A muffled explosion echoed in the distance, making the bricks beneath his feet tremble slightly. He narrowed his eyes, watching the Land of Land of Lightning's military flag spread wildly along the border of the Land of Hot Water like a greedy serpent.
"Report! The army of the Land of Lightning has split into ten routes and has already captured three cities!" The messenger's armor was stained with blood, and his voice trembled with fear. "They are equipped with the latest weapon developed by the Land of Lightning in recent years, the Lightning God Cannon. Each team is equipped with Lightning Release ninja. The Lightning God Cannon can fire C-rank Ninjutsu Lightning Ball with a range of up to a kilometer, leaving nothing but desolation in its wake!"
Tobirama Senju's brows furrowed deeply. The Raikage's move was ruthless. Knowing that a direct confrontation with his Flying Thunder God Technique would be futile, he had instead used his main force to contain the enemy while breaking up his 100,000 elite troops into smaller units, each equipped with long-range Lightning God Cannon. This was forcing Tobirama to expend his ninja lives. If left unattended, Tobirama could overwhelm the Land of Hot Water ' weak city defenses with his superior ranged attacks. Even worse, each unit was equipped with a top-tier Lightning Ninja. Without skilled fighters to counter them, Tobirama could use the paralyzing effect of the Lightning God Cannon' lightning to suppress those on the city walls, then combine it with the ninja's assault to force a breakthrough.
" Lord Hokage, reinforcements from the Land of Fire must be dispatched immediately!" The daimyo of the Land of Hot Water of Hot Springs beside him wrung his hands anxiously. "If we don't send troops soon, the Land of Hot Water won't last three days!"
Tobirama Senju remained silent for a moment, then suddenly turned and walked down from the watchtower. His footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, startling a few bats. When he entered the operations room, his four disciples were already waiting for him— Hiruzen Sarutobi was calmly wiping his Kunai, Shimura Danzō staring sharply at the map, Kagami Uchiha had his arms crossed and seemed lost in thought, while Torifu Akimichi was munching on an oversized three-colored dumpling.
"This time, we'll give them a taste of their own medicine." Tobirama Senju slammed a map onto the table, unfolding it to reveal the strategic deployment of the Land of Hot Water. "The Land of Lightning will divide its forces, and we'll send our elite troops to devour their forces piece by piece."
"But Master, if all the elite troops are dispatched, won't it be dangerous if you and the ordinary troops are the only ones on the main battlefield...?" Hiruzen Sarutobi Teuchi by Tobirama Senju before he could finish speaking.
"With me here, there's nothing to fear. I'll give each of you ten thousand troops, and I'll also prepare 500 Senju Assassins for each of you." Tobirama Senju's voice was as cold as ice as he raised his hand and clapped twice. As the door to the operations room opened, it slowly slid open, revealing a row of ninjas clad in black, tight-fitting outfits. These people wore iron masks on their faces, and their auras were powerful, as if they could annihilate any enemy at any moment.
" The Senju Shadow Guard, my most elite force." Tobirama Senju scanned his four disciples one by one. "Each of them is proficient in at least three secret techniques, specializing in surprise attacks and Ninjutsu bombardment. You all saw our 0-30,000 victory last time. I hope you can achieve a similar result. Hiruzen Sarutobi, you will lead the First Army, responsible for supporting the northern front lines; Shimura Danzō, you will lead the Second Team, infiltrate behind enemy lines, and cut off their supply lines; Kagami Uchiha, the Third Team is yours, specializing in attacking their Lightning God Cannon units and constantly disrupting their advance; Torifu Akimichi, you will lead the Fourth Team. You are calm and good at defense, so protect the important southern stronghold of the Land of Hot Water and hold it at all costs."
The four disciples knelt on one knee simultaneously and replied in unison, "We will obey Master's teachings!"
"Remember, speed is key to this operation." Tobirama Senju took out four specially made Flying Thunder God Kunai and handed them to the four men. "In case of emergency, use these to summon me immediately. Since the Land of Lightning wants to play a game of dividing their forces, then we'll play along and make them pay."
As night deepened, the two thousand elite troops split into four groups and departed like four arrows released from a bow, followed by the 40,000-strong army, which also disappeared into the vast darkness of the Land of Hot Water. Tobirama Senju the city wall, gazing at the raging flames of war, and silently vowed, " Raikage, no matter how cunning your scheme, you won't succeed under my nose."
Meanwhile, in the military camp of the Land of Lightning, the Raikage was toying with a city defense seal from the Tobirama Senju Land of Hot Water, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Tobirama Senju has divided his forces; now it's time for the main battlefield to begin. You're just taking ten thousand Konoha soldiers and the trash from the Land of Hot Water to defend the capital? Watch me devour you in one gulp! Hahaha..."
The main battlefield, usually quiet, was suddenly filled with the silent encirclement of the Land of Land of Lightning's Land of Lightning. Like a group of mute gourds with their mouths tied, the army circled the city, ready to attack at any moment. With the Raikage's command, the Lightning ninja surged towards the capital of the Land of Hot Water like a tidal wave. Tobirama Senju sneered, his sleeve already concealing his newly crafted weapon of mass destruction— the Impure World Reincarnation. Coupled with a dense barrage of Explosive Tag, the Land of Land of Lightning's army was blown to bits as soon as they charged, like a hornet's nest had been stirred up. The situation was even more bizarre on the Land of Land of Hot Water's side. Immortal Corps of the Jashin Cult appeared out of nowhere, these guys like mad dogs, relentlessly attacking any enemy that drew blood, willing to die along with them. The Land of Land of Lightning's wounded soldiers' camps were overflowing Tenten, their cries of agony carrying for miles.
The Raikage slammed his fist on the table in fury. The Land of Fire was playing a cruel game; their invincible ninjas were too abnormal. Seeing that a war of attrition was not going to work, he gritted his teeth and turned his attention to the Senju Clan were busy on the front lines. The Raikage's younger brother, Yotsuki Araki, led an army of 50,000, a dark mass rushing towards Bath City. Bath City was a vital passage between the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Fire, and it was being held back by 30,000 men led by Kagura, the vice-commander of the Land of Fire. After the battle began, the city walls were almost riddled with holes by the Lightning Release techniques.
Shimura Danzō had been infiltrating behind enemy lines, inflicting heavy losses on the Land of Lightning's army. When he received the plea for help, his eyebrows shot up. He led his remaining 7,000 troops and the Senju Shadow Guard, taking a shortcut to the Bath City, their speed raising a cloud of dust. Little did they know, this journey would lead to their Gate of Hell. The Land of Lightning's vice-commander Senrai, had already figured out their route and laid a trap in the valley.
"Ambush! Scatter!" Danzo's shout had barely faded when bursts of lightning erupted from both sides of the mountainside. Purple Lightning Release rained down relentlessly. The Senju Clan reacted quickly, their Earth Release defenses barely forming a barrier before being shattered into pieces by the Lightning Release of the assault team led by Senrai. The Senju Clan were thrown into disarray by the surprise attack, Senju Might was sent flying backward by a single blow from Senrai, half a lightning blade embedded in his chest, blood gushing from the corner of his mouth.
Shimura Danzō an even worse state, clutching his bleeding left shoulder, his pupils reflecting the blood-red light filling the sky. He watched as his army was blasted to pieces by Lightning Release, the ground beneath his feet like a boiling cauldron, charred rocks mixed with bits of flesh bubbling and churning.
"Form ranks!" he roared, hurling Explosive Tag. Lightning blades, leaping from the Kakkō, precisely sliced through the throats of the Konoha Ninja. Lightning Ball rained down relentlessly from the sky, even striking their own assault team. However, these lightning-wielding warriors were clearly elite among elites; they were completely unfazed by the bombardment, seemingly accustomed to the damage from this Lightning Ball Lightning Release technique. The Konoha Ninja, on the other hand, were caught in a different situation. They had to confront these powerful fighters head-on while simultaneously guarding against the overwhelming barrage of lightning from the sky. In a short time, their casualties were heavy.
In the group, Senju Tenpuku was suddenly pushed behind Senju Might. When the poisoned lightning blade pierced through Might's chest, warm blood splattered on his face, pungent and foul-smelling.
Senrai's laughter, crackling with lightning, exploded. " The Senju Clan is nothing special!" He raised his hand, and a purple Lightning Ball condensed in his palm. Senju Shinichi roared and charged forward, his arms transforming into massive rocky arms, only to be torn into countless fragments by the Lightning Ball. The Setsuna Shiranui threw her Shuriken, three lightning bolts simultaneously pierced his shoulder and knee, sending him crashing heavily into Orochi Senju's arms.
" Tenpuku, run!" Orochi shoved the last Nine Revolutions Life-Saving Pill into Tenpuku's hand, drew his Kunai, and turned to face the swarming Lightning Ninja. Danzo tried to rush over to help, but was forced back by three Lightning Release ninja, leaping onto a tree trunk and watching helplessly as Orochi Senju was pierced by more than a dozen Ninja Blade. Tenpuku cried out and tried to turn back, but was thrown into the forest by Might's remaining strength. He opened the Seventh Gate of the Eight Gates Released Formation, charged into the Lightning Ninja army, and slaughtered them, finally being beheaded by Senrai.
When the smoke cleared, only seventy-odd broken bodies remained of the seven thousand-strong force. Danzo trembled as he picked up his Forehead Protector, his fingertips brushing against the blood-stained Konoha emblem. Suddenly, he vomited black blood and fainted. Senju Tenpuku, covered in wounds, carried Shimura Danzō on his back and led the seventy or so survivors back to the capital of the Land of Land of Hot Water.
In the distance, Senrai was tallying up the spoils of war. He stood with half of Senju Might's charred face on his feet, and the tip of his blade lifted the Senju Clan emblem on Orochi Senju's neck, which shone brightly in the setting sun.