c 39: Attack
Uchiha Gen quickly packed his gear, stepped out of the tent, and greeted the arrivals with a confident smile: "Hey, everyone. Good to see you."
Hyūga Tokuma wore a standard Konoha forehead protector and a ninja hat that partially obscured his face. His attire consisted of the typical white close-fitting Hyūga-style battle garb beneath a green chūnin flak jacket. When his Byakugan wasn't activated, his expression was calm, with sharp, symmetrical features that gave him a faint air of elegance.
Baiyun Zaomo wore his forehead protector snug across his forehead, his dark ponytail tied back in a disciplined knot. His outfit was a black close-combat suit with a green chūnin vest layered over it, and a Konoha-issued short ninja sword strapped across his back. He carried himself with pride, his face firm and focused, untouched by any visible scars.
"Good afternoon, Captain!" Hyūga Tokuma and Baiyun Zaomo greeted in unison with respectful salutes.
"Good afternoon, Captain."
Yūhi Kurenai, trailing behind the others, was a moment late in replying. Her attention had wandered, and by the time she returned to her senses, her pale cheeks flushed lightly with embarrassment. Her striking crimson irises flicked to the side, avoiding Gen's direct gaze.
Uchiha Gen nodded, his gaze settling on her. With a gentle smile, he said, "Kurenai, long time no see. You've really grown into a beauty."
Kurenai's eyes lit up momentarily at the compliment, but she quickly covered it with a dismissive scoff. "What's the use of being pretty?"
"You can't exactly eat it."
"But you're amazing, Gen. You've already become a jōnin… like Hatake Kakashi."
Hmph. Two-faced. Gen smiled modestly, but inwardly caught the way she jabbed at his promotion.
"Being a jōnin isn't anything too special," he replied. "You still have to work for your meals like everyone else."
Smug as ever. Kurenai fought the urge to roll her eyes. If you weren't wearing that smug expression, maybe I'd believe your humility…
"Haha… Alright, let's get back on topic," Gen said, sensing the tension. "We need to get to know each other better. Introductions, please. Kurenai, you go first."
Formality mattered especially on a temporary combat team. Team cohesion couldn't be built on familiarity alone.
Kurenai gave a subtle nod, regaining her composure. "My name is Yūhi Kurenai. I specialize in genjutsu. I look forward to working with you."
Next, Hyūga Tokuma stepped forward with his signature Hyūga poise. "Hyūga Tokuma. I specialize in close-quarters combat and reconnaissance using the Byakugan. Pleased to meet you."
Baiyun Zaomo, standing on the left, followed smoothly. "Baiyun Zaomo. My specialty is Wind Release ninjutsu and kenjutsu. Let's make it count."
All three were not fresh academy graduates, but proper chūnin—trained and trusted to lead missions independently. This team arrangement was ad hoc, a field assignment, so their introductions were concise and to the point.
"Well done. While we still have time, I want you three to go out, spar, and run a few coordination drills. Learn each other's habits. Build that teamwork."
"Yes, Captain!" Tokuma and Baiyun responded crisply.
"Wait a minute, Captain you haven't introduced yourself yet," Kurenai said, her lips pouting just slightly. "It's been years since we were classmates, and these two know nothing about you."
Gen gave an awkward chuckle. "Ah right. I forgot."
"My name is Uchiha Gen. I specialize in genjutsu and Fire Release, with supplementary training in Wind and Earth Release. I'm also skilled in kenjutsu and projectile weapons."
Genjutsu... He must be more advanced than me now, Kurenai thought privately. But how does his technique compare to his father's? I'll have to ask Sensei later…
"Alright then let's move."
The four left the Konoha camp together and spent the next two hours running simulations, testing formation coordination and response timing. While their individual strengths remained the same, their synergy as a team improved drastically.
---
Before they knew it, morning had turned to noon, and soon it was the next day. Thanks to excellent progress from Konoha's elite reconnaissance units, the command gave the green light for a full assault.
The first priority was to clear the vast field of traps laid by Kirigakure around their outer defenses.
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato personally led the advance squads, using kunai affixed with explosive tags to trigger and safely disable the traps from a distance. Their careful approach ensured minimal casualties and a clean path forward.
The main Konoha force, led by Tsunade, followed close behind. Her role was not just command, but also medical oversight ensuring triage and support were ready once the frontline advanced.
Kirigakure, of course, didn't plan to watch their painstakingly-laid defenses get dismantled without retaliation. They dispatched tactical shinobi teams to intercept.
But those regular squads were no match for three Sannin-tier shinobi. Orochimaru's snake summons, Jiraiya's toad-based ninjutsu, and Minato's Flying Thunder God technique ensured Konoha's forward momentum never slowed. The Kirigakure units were eliminated with brutal efficiency three moves, five strikes, done.
If Kirigakure hoped to stall the advance, they had only two viable options left:
Deploy a large force—which risked triggering their own trap network due to lack of complete layouts.
Or send Fourth Mizukage Yagura and the village's elite.
But the problem was internal: most Kirigakure shinobi only knew partial trap routes to avoid ambushes or intelligence leaks. With such fragmented knowledge, even elite squads risked friendly fire if they entered the kill zones.
Until Kirigakure committed Yagura or his elite guard, they could only watch as their frontline traps were dismantled one explosive tag at a time.
It was possible for Yagura and Kirigakure's high-ranking combat forces to attempt an interception, but they had to account for the large Konoha force advancing behind the reconnaissance unit.
It would be reckless if Tsunade one of the Legendary Sannin led a joint assault with elite jōnin, tokubetsu jōnin, and three Kage-level figures like Minato, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya from the recon team. The consequences could be disastrous for Kirigakure.
If Yagura had already achieved full control over Isobu, the Three-Tails, and become a perfect Jinchūriki, he might not have hesitated. But at this point in time, Yagura had not yet tamed the beast inside him, and with other objectives in motion, he wasn't willing to take that kind of risk.
After a brief attempt to stall the Konoha advance, Kirigakure withdrew, instead taking advantage of the delay caused by Konoha's trap dismantling to prepare the terrain for battle in their favor.
Not everyone was a Senju Tobirama, capable of unleashing advanced Suiton (Water Release) techniques in completely arid terrain without an external water source.
Kirigakure's main encampment was built around a natural lake system deep within the forest, spanning tens of thousands of square meters a strategic and intentional choice.
Chūnin-level and higher Mist-nin used Suiton techniques to agitate and weaponize the lake water, transforming the surrounding landscape into a saturated, muddy battlefield. Even if the water didn't directly drown or trap Konoha forces, the heavy humidity thickened the air, boosting the effectiveness of Kirigakure's jutsu.
By the time Konoha had cleared out all of the explosive traps, the Mist-nin had successfully created an environment highly suited to their style a battlefield cloaked in haze and brimming with water.
But the Konoha forces remained unfazed. For one, they had four internationally feared Kage-level shinobi spearheading the assault. Second, the terrain though damp—was not unlike the climate of the Land of Whirlpools, where Konoha had previously fought under similar environmental pressure.
The Land of Whirlpools was surrounded by the sea on three sides. Its high humidity year-round made it an ideal place for Water Release shinobi to operate second only to Kirigakure itself.
Unlike conventional armies that charge in formation, shinobi battles relied on coordinated bursts of initiative. Konoha's front line simultaneously hurled kunai and shuriken, breaking into strategic squads soon after.
Explosive tags weren't cheap, and genin rarely used them in opening volleys. It was typically the more experienced and well-funded chūnin and jōnin who attached tags to the first wave of projectiles.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Balls of fire and blasts echoed through the mist, while waves of steel—kunai and shuriken cut through the fog.
Aside from a few unlucky Mist-nin who stood at the very front and screamed as they fell, casualties were limited. The dense Kirigakure mist blunted the effectiveness of ranged attacks.
But Konoha quickly adapted. Without needing a direct command, Wind Release users across the army activated their jutsu. Jiraiya, Minato, and even Orochimaru—though more known for their own specialties—were all capable of performing basic Fūton techniques.
With the combined Wind Release output of Kage-level masters and dozens of wind-style shinobi, a powerful artificial gale surged forward, scattering the mist with roaring force.
The thick fog lifted and with it, the illusion of safety. Konoha forces discovered that many of the Mist-nin had already begun to flank from both sides. If the fog hadn't cleared in time, Konoha's lines might have been ambushed and split.
The trap was exposed. The moment passed. There was no room for subterfuge anymore. Now it would be open confrontation.
Unless Kirigakure wanted to abandon the territory they'd worked so hard to seize, they had to stand their ground. Going completely defensive was still risky.
If their defensive jutsu formations were properly executed, Konoha could be worn down before ever reaching the main camp. But if their tactics were poorly timed or misread like now those plans could be dismantled.
This battle was a direct example of the shinobi principle: "The best defense is a good offense."
At the forest's edge, where trees met the lake's glistening shallows, combat ignited. Whether fighting among the thick trunks or across open water, thousands of shinobi clashed with lethal force not for justice or diplomacy, but for territory, strategy, and loyalty.
---
In one quadrant of the battlefield, Team Gen was locked in skirmish with a Mist-nin team of four, engaging in one-on-one duels.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Uchiha Gen brandished his Kusanagi blade, deflecting multiple incoming shuriken with swift, clean motions. In one fluid movement, he swept forward with a diagonal slash.
The Mist-nin in midair widened his eyes as the sword extended unnaturally, its length manipulated by chakra. He barely raised his blade in time to block.
Bang! The midair ninja was knocked to the ground, unable to stabilize without leverage. Gen followed in a flash, his long sword now over ten meters in length, poised for the finishing blow.
The Mist-nin crossed his arms, gripping his sword in a defensive X above his head, and gritted his teeth.
To survive this long on such a battlefield required skill but it wouldn't be enough.
Bang! The Mist-nin's back slammed into the mud. The impact jolted his internal organs. He coughed up blood, his grip slipping.
The tip of Gen's blade forced its way past the weakened guard, pierced his defense, and plunged cleanly into his chest.
"I'm not that great at war," Gen muttered quietly to himself. "So… I just kind of make do. Heh."
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