Wisps of black smoke rose from the ruins of the Iron Wall Fortress, like the final gasps of a dying beast.
Ancor Vantian cast a shadow over the entire coastline, and the intelligent golems surrounding the fortress, like a silver-gray tide, were methodically clearing the battlefield.
From the air, this steel wall, once hailed as 'unbreakable,' is now unrecognizable.
The area around the main gun's impact point collapsed radially, and the molten Chakra Metal solidified into a bizarre coral-like structure.
Further away, the puppet engineering troops were setting up temporary defensive fortifications, the metal supports gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
"The third district has been cleared," a Sunagakure reported to Kankuro, who was hovering in mid-air. "Seventeen complete sets of the Heavenly Martial Empire armor have been discovered and sent to the analysis department."
Kankuro nodded slightly, manipulating Chakra Threads to pull a damaged puppet back to his side, his gaze sweeping over the group of puppets carrying corpses not far away.
Each one executes the preset program precisely, without a single unnecessary movement.
The command center in the center of the fortress has been completed.
On the platform temporarily constructed using Earth Release, Hoshino was gazing at a small black flag floating in his palm.
The flag, no bigger than the palm of a hand, exuded an unsettling, chilling aura, with distorted faces vaguely appearing and disappearing on its surface.
"This is the Ten Thousand Souls Banner' you spoke of?" Ōnoki floated in mid-air, his white eyebrows furrowed. "Truly evil."
Hoshino did not answer, but simply swayed the flag gently.
Wisps of translucent mist rose from all parts of the battlefield, as if drawn by invisible threads, slowly merging into the flag.
The faces on the flag became clearer, one of which was none other than Tieshan's face, filled with resentment.
Tobirama Senju stood at the edge of the platform, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
As a research ninja who developed the Impure World Reincarnation, he was very familiar with this method of manipulating souls.
Even he had to admit that the ingenuity of Hoshino's little flag far exceeded his imagination; it could collect the souls of the dead on the battlefield without offerings or complicated rituals.
"Hey, did you guys see me take down that Martial Saint?"
Raikage A's loud voice broke the silence as he Earth Flow the platform, the bronze panel still stained with traces of blood.
"So what kind of Martial Saint from the Heavenly Martial Empire? Nothing special!"
At that moment, Tsunade was reviewing the medical team's report. Upon hearing this, she looked up, her golden ponytail swaying gently behind her head.
"You're so smug about such an unfair victory?" She scoffed. "That guy first endured the aftershocks of the main cannon, then was besieged by the puppet horde for half an hour. He's long since exhausted."
Ai's face immediately darkened, and veins bulged on his forehead. "What do you mean?"
"Literal meaning." Tsunade crossed her arms. "According to the medical team's examination, over 70% of his internal energy channels are severed, and he has extensive internal bleeding."
"Even in this state, I could knock him out with one punch."
The atmosphere on the platform suddenly became subtle.
Madara Uchiha leaned against a stone pillar, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
Hashirama Senju shook his head helplessly, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two Kage.
Ai's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, but in the end he just snorted coldly, "What are all these rules on the battlefield? Victory is victory."
"No one questions your victory," Hoshino suddenly said, "I'm just reminding you not to underestimate the true strength of Martial Saint."
Ai wanted to argue, but Ōnoki interrupted her, "Alright, now is not the time to argue about this."
He floated above the sand table, his short fingers pointing to several key locations.
"According to the plan, we should immediately divide our forces and advance, taking more strongholds before the Heavenly Martial Empire can react."
The sand table clearly displays the terrain extending inland from the coastline of the Heavenly Martial Continent.
The five red lines, like sharp swords, point to different strategic locations, and each line is marked with the unit number and the estimated marching time.
"That's right. The Heavenly Martial Empire divides the continent into fifteen states, but the core consists of only five states that protect Heavenly Continent. The imperial forces in the other states are minimal, mostly consisting of garrison troops with average strength and no Martial Saint to oversee them."
" Kumogakure is in charge of the northern route." Tobirama Senju walked to the sand table and traced a winding route with his finger.
"Advance along the mountain range, control the surrounding area, and head straight for the Cold Iron Mining District, one of the core states. It's an important weapon forging center of the Heavenly Martial Empire, and there's definitely Martial Saint overseeing it."
Ai suppressed his anger, pointed his thick fingers at the location of the Cold Iron Mining District, and said through the passage, "Leave it to me!"
" Iwagakure will take the central route." Tobirama Senju pointed to the plain in the center of the sand table and continued, "The terrain here is open, suitable for using Dust Release. Our goal is to control the three provinces."
"No problem." Ōnoki squinted, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out.
" Sunagakure and Konoha will be responsible for the southwest and southeast lines respectively," Tobirama Senju continued, making his deployment.
" Tsunade, your Medical Department should focus on the southeastern front; it's densely populated there, and we expect a lot of wounded there."
Tsunade nodded. She had already prepared ample medical equipment, but the thought of the large number of civilian casualties she was about to face still cast a shadow over her heart.
" Hoshino, you'll be in charge of the southwest route. Feel free to experiment."
Hoshino nodded slightly in agreement.
"And what about me?" Madara Uchiha suddenly spoke, a hint of impatience in his voice.
Tobirama Senju and said leisurely, "You and your elder brother are responsible for the last leg of the journey, leading three thousand intelligent puppets to besiege Martial Capital."
"Block them? We can't kill them?" Madara Uchiha, dissatisfied.
"That's up to you, as long as you can swallow your pride and attack ordinary people!"
"A mere commoner dares to ask me to take action?" Madara Uchiha sneered, but it was a tacit agreement.
With the Strategic Department completed, Hoshino slowly raised the Ten Thousand Souls Banner in his hand.
The small, jet-black flag trembled slightly in his palm, writhing restlessly as if it were alive.
"Since we're going to divide our forces into five routes, then this Ten Thousand Souls Banner should also be divided into five."
He formed a strange hand seal, Ten Thousand Souls Banner suddenly trembled violently, the distorted face on the banner emitting a silent scream.
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd.
The pitch-black flag, as if torn apart by an invisible hand, slowly split into five smaller black flags.
Hoshino raised his hand and waved, sending four small flags flying toward Raikage A, Tsunade, Madara Uchiha, and Ōnoki respectively.
He then put the last piece back into his sleeve.
Ai frowned, looking at the small flag floating in front of her. "How do you use this thing?"
"It's very simple." Hoshino's hollow eyes turned to the crowd. "Throw it out before the battle begins. It will float above the battlefield on its own, and the souls of all the fallen will be automatically absorbed."
Tsunade took the black flag, a chilling sensation spreading through her palm. "Where will these souls ultimately go?"
Hoshino's lips curled into a strange smile. "Naturally, you'll return to me."
Madara Uchiha toyed with the small flag in his hand. "An interesting little toy."
As he spoke, he casually tossed the black flag into the air, where it mysteriously remained suspended, motionless.
Hashirama Senju watched this scene with a slight frown.
As a peace-loving ninja, he instinctively felt uncomfortable with this technique that toyed with souls.
"Everyone."
Tobirama Senju stepped forward, his voice steady and powerful, "Remember our strategic objectives. Do not linger in battle, do not act rashly, and proceed steadily according to the predetermined plan."
I'm repeating this one last time!
" Kumogakure Force, your primary mission is to control the Cold Iron Mining District and cut off the Heavenly Martial Empire's weapons supply."
" Iwagakure is responsible for the central plains and establishing a forward base."
" Konoha and Sunagakure will flank from the southeast and southwest respectively, while Hashirama and Madara, your task is to contain the Martial Capital force of the Taketo Hashirama."
"..."
"Clear!"
The group walked to the edge of the platform and looked down at the bustling fortress square below.
The elite Shinobi Alliance troops had already lined up, with 30,000 intelligent puppets standing neatly behind them.
"Remember our goal."
"Destroy the Heavenly Martial Empire's armed forces, but minimize civilian casualties; those who surrender will not be killed, and those who resist will not be spared."
A gentle breeze swept by, ruffling his long, gray hair.
"Operation begins."
As the order was given, the five legions, like swords drawn from their sheaths, each led three thousand puppets and departed from the Iron Wall Fortress from different directions.
Ancor Vantian hovered above the fortress, his enormous shadow casting a shadow over the entire area.
at the same time.
Naruto and Sasuke were crouching on a secluded hill, observing the direction the Konoha troops were heading from a distance.
"Hey, Sasuke, are we really going to stay at this observation point forever? Tsunade said we only need to record battle data."
"You bottom-of-the-class kid, do you think this is a picnic?"
"But..." Naruto's eyes suddenly lit up as he pointed to the cluster of buildings that were faintly visible on the distant horizon.
"Look over there! The map shows a place called ' Azure Creek Town,' and it looks like there are no troops stationed there at all!"
Sasuke looked in the direction Naruto was pointing and indeed saw wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys.
His eyesight allowed him to clearly see the peaceful scenes of daily life in the town: vendors hawking their wares on the streets, children chasing and playing in the alleys—it was nothing like a state of war preparedness.
"An ordinary town on the border of the Empire..." Sasuke mused, "It's certainly worth investigating."
Naruto jumped up excitedly, "Let's sneak over and take a look! We've got the intelligent puppets protecting us, what's there to be afraid of!"
Sasuke stood up and dusted off his clothes.
Actually, he had wanted to go out for a long time, and since Naruto brought it up himself, he naturally agreed.
"Let's go, don't hold us back."
Protected by twenty intelligent puppets, the two left the observation point and stealthily made their way towards Azure Creek Town.
In the fields along the way, farmers were bent over working, completely unaware of the impending war.
"These people..." Naruto frowned slightly, "They seem to have no idea that war is coming."
Sasuke rolled his eyes and said irritably, "The Shinobi Alliance took down the Iron Wall Fortress in just an hour or two. It's normal that we don't know about it since we're so far away."
After crossing a wheat field, the two arrived at the edge of town.
The architectural style here is completely different from that of the Land of Fire.
Neat rows of gray-white stone houses, their roofs covered with dark blue tiles, and streets paved with cobblestones that gleamed warmly in the sunlight.
"Wow!" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes widening. "This place is even more beautiful than it looks in the photos!"
Sasuke quickly covered his mouth, glancing warily around. "Idiot, keep your voice down."
The two changed into the imperial civilian clothes they had prepared beforehand: coarse cloth shirts and linen trousers. Naruto even used his Transformation Technique to change his hair color so that he wouldn't stand out too much.
As for those puppets that didn't look human, they were given cloaks, making them look somewhat mysterious.
Walking on the streets of Azure Creek Town, a variety of unfamiliar smells hit you.
The roadside stalls were filled with food that Naruto had never seen before.
The golden-brown fried pastries emitted an enticing aroma, the meat broth simmering in the earthenware pot bubbled and gurgled, and there were also various pickled fruits and wild vegetables.
" Sasuke, let's try this!" Naruto pointed to a stall selling grilled meat skewers, his stomach rumbling at the opportune moment.
Sasuke sighed helplessly, but still took out a few Imperial copper coins and handed them over.
The Shinobi Alliance had long anticipated that these talented young ninjas would be restless, so they prepared many things in advance.
Clothes and money are among them.
The stall owner, an elderly man with a wrinkled face, smiled and took the money, saying, "Young men, you must be from out of town! Try Old Li's secret-recipe roasted meat, I guarantee you won't forget it!"
The moment Naruto took a bite of the grilled meat, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Delicious! I've never tasted anything like this before!"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow slightly.
The Empire's seasoning method is truly unique, blending a spicy spice with a sweet sauce to create a wonderful flavor.
The old man stroked his beard proudly, "This is a family recipe passed down through generations, using thirteen kinds of spices..."
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose at the end of the street, and a group of armored taxi drivers rode up on horseback.
The leading officer shouted, "By order of the Martial Capital! Starting today, all men aged sixteen and above are to be conscripted into the army! All households, come and register immediately!"
The townspeople immediately became agitated.
The women frantically pulled their children and ran home, while the men huddled together, their faces grave, whispering amongst themselves.
" Sasuke, what you're saying is different!" Naruto muttered under his breath.
"It's only been three or four hours since the Battle of Iron Wall ended, Martial Capital not only knows about it now, but they've even issued conscription orders!"
Sasuke frowned but remained silent.
The Empire's communication methods are indeed quite impressive. Although their speed certainly can't compare to the Shinobi Alliance Network, they still have their merits.
At that moment, a young man was roughly dragged out of the crowd by soldiers.
"May I have your name?"
"My A Qing. I have an elderly mother at home to take care of..."
"Stop talking nonsense!"
The officer lashed the young man's back with a whip, shouting, "In times of national crisis, everyone has a responsibility!"
Naruto clenched his fist instantly, but Sasuke grabbed it and pressed it down.
Don't be impulsive.
Just then, screams suddenly came from the other end of the town. Several soldiers smashed open the door of a shop, and the shop owner pleaded desperately.
"Sir, please have mercy! My son is only fifteen years old!"
"Get out of the way!" The soldier kicked the shop owner aside. " The Martial Capital said that age restrictions can be relaxed in special circumstances!"
Naruto couldn't hold back any longer and rushed forward, shouting, "Stop!"
Sasuke cursed under his breath but had no choice but to follow. He surveyed his surroundings and saw that the six ordinary soldiers and the Genin- level officer posed no threat.