I Am Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 331 331 Konoha's Reinforcements

After Roshi and Han fully transformed into the Four-Tails and the Five-Tails, their bodies towered over sixty meters, like two moving small mountains. In the eyes of ordinary Ninja, these were colossal beings that needed to be looked up to, akin to natural disasters.

However, when Hikari's two-hundred-meter-tall Complete Body Susanoo rose from the ground, its red Chakra standing between the sky and land like a mountain range, the entire battlefield fell into a near-stagnant silence.

In its presence, the two Tailed Beasts seemed as small as pets gathered at the feet of a giant.

"Hey, hey, hey... you've got to be kidding me!" Inside the Four-Tails, Roshi looked up at the dark red giant that blocked part of the sky, letting out an incredulous exclamation. His magma-like Chakra momentarily wavered due to the shock. "This guy... how is he even bigger than our Tailed Beast forms! What kind of monsters are the Uchiha Clan?!"

Han, inside the Five-Tails Kokuo, didn't speak, but his pure white head was raised high, his beastly pupils filled with unprecedented gravity. He slightly turned his head to look at Onoki floating in the air between them. "Old man... when you were young, you fought against things of this size?"

Even as Iwagakure's hidden ultimate weapons, this was their first time witnessing the legendary Complete Body form of the Uchiha Clan's Susanoo with their own eyes. The visual and psychological impact was far too shocking.

In the distance, the Iwagakure army, commanded by Kitsuchi, Sekki, Monga, and others, who had originally tried to reorganize their formation to surround the core battlefield, also fell into dead silence.

When that red warrior god stood completely upon the earth, all commands, all tactics seemed to lose their meaning.

Many Iwagakure's Ninja dropped their kunai with a clatter, but no one picked them up. Some Ninja with poorer mental fortitude even went weak in the legs, collapsing to sit on the ground, the foul stench of incontinence quietly spreading.

"That... that is... the power of the Uchiha?"

"A god... it's a god..."

"How... how can we possibly defeat such a monster..."

They opened their mouths wide, staring dumbly at the unimaginable red giant. An emotion named despair spread silently. Monga's hoarse shouts were drowned in the internal stormy waves. Kitsuchi's tightly clenched fists turned white at the knuckles from excessive force. The original vigilance against Toriwari Mountain Castle now seemed so insignificant.

In contrast, atop Toriwari Mountain Castle, it was a different scene.

"Is that... the power of Hikari-sama?" A young Star Ninja's Special Jonin leaned on the castle wall, looking at the dark red giant connecting heaven and earth in the distance, his voice trembling with barely suppressed emotion, but more so with a kind of excitement born of shared glory.

Natsuhi stood at the forefront, the strong wind blowing through her red hair. She tried to remain calm, but her eyes also shone with awe. She took a deep breath, her voice carrying across the wall: "Everyone! See that! Iwagakure's army of ten thousand is nothing more than ants before Hikari-sama! Hold the line, await the order to counterattack!"

As her words fell, the oppressive atmosphere brought by the enemy's large numbers on the castle wall was swept away, replaced by high morale and fanatical belief.

"Long live Hikari-sama!"

"The Land of Stars will surely win!"

At the core of the battlefield, Hikari stood within the diamond-shaped crystal in the center of the Complete Body Susanoo's forehead, her arms leisurely crossed over her chest. Her crimson Mangekyo Sharingan held a trace of mockery and arrogance as she looked down upon the two Tailed Beasts and the floating Onoki below, who were treating the situation with the utmost seriousness.

Her clear, echoing words, transmitted through the Susanoo, spread across the battlefield:

"Well then, are you ready... to amuse me?"

Onoki's forehead was covered in cold sweat, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

…

At the same time, far away at the North Fire Station in the Star City, it was a scene of tension and order.

The special team composed of Shisui, Izumi, and Inabi had just arrived and were taking a short break at the edge of the platform.

They unscrewed their canteens to replenish water, swallowed special high-energy soldier pills, and quickly recovered the stamina and Chakra consumed from their forced march back from the western front.

Footsteps approached. Kanon and Minato personally came to the platform.

"Shisui, Izumi, Inabi, thank you for your hard work." Kanon was concise: "The next express military train to Toriwari Mountain Castle is ready and can depart at any time."

"You can board the train and continue resting. Rail transport will save a lot of energy compared to simply traveling on foot. It's not too late to advance at full speed after arriving in the border area."

The Land of Stars had now established five main railway lines covering major cities and strategic locations. Toriwari Mountain Castle, as an important eastern border town and the location of the Toriwari Dam, was naturally a key node in the railway network.

Under wartime conditions, all railway lines implemented strict military control. Kanon was mobilizing all administrative power to efficiently deploy the nation's logistical supplies and garrisoned troops, continuously supporting the eastern front.

"Thank you, Kanon-sama." Shisui thanked politely. He still had that gentle and steady demeanor, but there was a trace of fatigue from the long journey between his brows.

Minato stepped forward, his eyes full of concern: "The battle report from the western front came via telegram, but the content is brief. We only know that the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was captured, and the Sunagakure's main force was routed. What is the specific situation?"

Shisui put down his canteen, organized his thoughts, and explained in detail: "Minato-sama, the two elite surprise attack forces sent by Sunagakure, totaling over 400 people, were successfully intercepted and completely annihilated by Kimimaro Kaguya's squad and Hotarubi's squad on the east and west sides of the Sea of Death respectively. This greatly damaged their morale and disrupted their strategic deployment."

"Afterwards, Hikari-sama commanded the main force of the Star Ninja Army to actively launch a general attack against the remaining 1,700 or so Sunagakure's Ninjas."

He paused, a hint of pride in his tone: "In this battle, Hikari-sama didn't even personally take action. The Star Ninja Army, relying on equipment and tactical advantages, routed head-on an enemy several times their size. It can be said that the individual combat power of the current Star Ninja is already on a completely different level compared to the average level of Ninja from various countries during the past few Great Ninja Wars."

Izumi, her eyes wide, looked at this Edo Tensei Fourth Hokage and added in a clear voice: "Shisui-nii is right. The Chakra Kinetic Armor provides strong defense and mobility. The Kunai Guns have doubled the efficiency of medium and long-range firepower projection. More importantly, our logistical support system is very complete. All standard ninja tools, explosive tags, soldier pills, emergency medicines, etc., for participating Ninjas are uniformly distributed by the state. Standardized equipment ensures the stable exertion of combat power."

Izumi hadn't participated in the Third Great Ninja War, but Inabi and Shisui were both Jonin who made their names during the Third Great Ninja War. They knew how great the advantage of the Star Ninja's military supply system was compared to the personal equipment self-procurement system of other Ninja Villages.

It was only because the Land of Stars had developed sufficient technology and industrial capacity, shifting ninja tool production, soldier pill production, etc., from family workshops to assembly line production in factories, achieving preliminary industrialization.

Minato listened to their descriptions, his heart also filled with emotion.

He deeply understood that the Land of Stars had its own set of Ninja Training Systems, and those who could become official Ninjas were all elites.

But he hadn't expected the gap to have widened to such an extent.

Four hundred Star Ninjas not only withstood the attack of Sunagakure's main force of over two thousand but completely annihilated them!

This wasn't just a gap in Ninja quality… it was a comprehensive overwhelming in national overall strength, technological level, and logistical support systems.

Shisui seemed to remember something and added: "By the way, Sunagakure's Chiyo... is dead."

Hearing this, Minato was startled, a complex expression appearing on his face: "Elder Chiyo? How did she..."

The smoke of the Third Great Ninja War seemed to reappear before his eyes. That Sunagakure's elder who controlled the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu and used poison with god-like skill had left a deep impression on him.

Inabi interjected, his tone carrying a coldness after battle: "After Rasa was heavily injured by me and Izumi, Chiyo had Baki take Rasa and retreat while she stayed behind to cover their escape. She released all her treasured puppets and potent poisons, trying to block our pursuit. However, we were prepared and wore gas masks. In the end, she died by Shisui-nii's blade."

Hearing that this influential figure who had experienced three Great Ninja Wars had fallen, Minato was silent for a moment, finally turning into a soft sigh.

For a Ninja, especially a Sunagakure's elder who had participated in three Great Ninja Wars, dying on the battlefield defending her village could perhaps be considered a kind of fate and honor.

"Sunagakure's main force is completely wiped out. Hizashi is leading troops approaching Sunagakure's homeland," Minato analyzed the situation. "Logically, this is the perfect opportunity to annex Sunagakure and the Land of Wind. But... Konoha over there probably won't just sit back and do nothing." He frowned slightly, wondering if Hiruzen had already dispatched reinforcements.

After the short rest, Shisui and the other two delayed no longer and boarded the military train that was already fired up and ready to depart.

The train whistle blew long, speeding along the tracks towards the north.

Their mission this time carried Menma's direct order.

As a dagger squad to reinforce the eastern front, and to leave an indelible 'painful memory' in whatever remained of Onoki's life, in a way that Iwagakure, especially Onoki, absolutely could not forget.

At almost the same time, Sunagakure in the Land of Wind had completely fallen into an abyss of chaos and panic.

The news of the disastrous defeat at the front line spread like a plague-carrying wind with those dispirited Sunagakure's Ninjas who luckily escaped from the Sea of Death, quickly spreading throughout the entire village.

The Star Ninja Army's numbers were limited, unable to form a watertight encirclement, so there were always some who slipped through the net and managed to return.

However, the defeated soldiers returning with news brought the most fatal blow.

The Fourth Kazekage captured, Chiyo also killed following Ebizo's death, the vast majority of the village's Jonins and elite Ninjas either dead or captured...

The garrisoned force in the current Sunagakure was unprecedentedly weak, with less than three Jonins able to take charge of the overall situation.

Having lost its core leadership, the village was like a body with its spine removed. Various rumors arose, people were panicked, and public order was nearly collapsed.

It was against this background that a Konoha's reinforcement force led personally by Danzo passed through the narrow passage in the cliffs outside Sunagakure and entered this chaotic place.

Surprisingly, those who came to greet them were not Sunagakure's Jonin, but merely a Chunin named Yarato.

Danzo leaned on his cane, his single eye scanning the chaotic scene before him, his brow furrowed.

Behind him followed twelve elite Root's members, including Aburame Tatsuma, and twelve elite Anbu's members led by Kakashi, including Tenzo.

Additionally, there were several experienced Jonin and Special Jonin such as Guy, Inuzuka Tsume, Mitarashi Anko, Hyuga Iroha, and Nara Shikihiro, as well as one hundred Chunin and Genin who had all experienced the trials of the Third Great Ninja War and were rich in practical combat experience.

This mixed force could be considered Konoha's currently available elite power that could be mobilized quickly.

"Where are your village's elders and Jonins?" Danzo's voice carried dissatisfaction and inquiry. "Why is the village in such a state of disorder?"

Yarato's face showed fatigue and alarm. He quickly explained: "Danzo-sama, the front line... the front line has collapsed! Right now, only Nishi Asai-sama is barely organizing defenses and countermeasures in the village..."

"The front line collapsed?" Danzo's single eye widened sharply. Kakashi and the others behind him also showed astonished expressions.

No matter how weak Sunagakure was, it was one of the Five Great Ninja Countries, with a standing force of over two thousand Ninja. This time, they had gone all out.

The Land of Stars had only risen for a few years, and its Ninja numbers were definitely at a disadvantage. How could they possibly rout Sunagakure's main force so quickly?

The expression under Kakashi's mask was unreadable, but his exposed eye also became grave.

He had just returned from performing that unspeakable 'framing' mission within the Land of Earth and, without even catching his breath, was assigned a new task.

Nominally, he was the leader, going with Danzo and his Root to support Sunagakure.

Hiruzen had not restored Danzo's authority, so Kakashi was the nominal commander, with Root's Tatsuma as his deputy.

But Danzo, relying on the intelligence network he had cultivated in Sunagakure over the years, and by providing key intelligence about the One-Tail's Jinchuriki, the suspected appearance of the Nine-Tails and an unknown Ten-Tails in the Sea of Death, forced Hiruzen to let him participate in this operation.

Kakashi's other secret mission was to verify the true situation of the two Tailed Beasts in the Sea of Death.

Guy stood to Kakashi's left. Even with his thick nerves, he could feel the unease and despair permeating the surroundings. He nudged Kakashi's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Kakashi, the situation seems very bad."

Tenzo stood to the right, more sensitive. He said in a low voice, "Kakashi-senpai, I have a very bad premonition."

Just then, Yarato, who was discussing matters with his subordinates, suddenly realized one person was missing from the team. He looked around puzzled and asked loudly, "Hey! Have any of you seen where Yakushi went?"

"Yakushi?"

This name instantly touched Danzo's sensitive nerves.

His single eye suddenly contracted. An extremely ominous premonition poured over him like ice water!

Kabuto who had disappeared during the Uchiha Clan Downfall Night… After being questioned by the Konoha's higher-ups, dismissed from his position by Hiruzen, Danzo recently had no energy to pay attention to the disappearance of a mere pawn.

But hearing this name again still stirred Danzo's nerves, though a moment later he frowned slightly, thinking it might just be the same name, after all, that guy...

Boom-!!!

Before he could think further, a deafening explosive roar came from the north of Sunagakure!

"What's going on?!"

"Enemy attack?! Have the Star Ninja come?!"

The violent explosion even made the ground tremble slightly. Sunagakure's already chaotic crowd immediately erupted into an uproar. Cries and screams sounded everywhere.

Danzo and Kakashi and the others quickly leaped onto nearby higher buildings, looking towards the north.

Yarato also jumped up. When he saw the direction of the explosion, his face instantly turned deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down. "That... that's the Northern Passage! One of the only two passages that can enter the village!"

"Everyone! Prepare for battle!" Danzo ordered without hesitation.

He realized the Star Ninja's attack was far more swift and decisive than they had anticipated!

Kakashi quickly made hand signals. The well-trained Konoha's Ninjas took out kunai and shuriken and moved into action. Kakashi drew the short sword from his back. Anbu and Root dispersed and occupied advantageous positions. The other Jonin also led their teams to spread out, vigilantly looking north.

They saw that at the entrance of the northern passage to Sunagakure, smoke and dust billowed, sand permeating the air.

And within the permeating sand and dust, figures wearing dark blue Star Ninja's uniforms charged out one after another!

Their movements were swift, their coordination tacit. The Kunai Guns in their hands spat tongues of fire, precisely picking off the sporadic Sunagakure's Ninjas trying to organize resistance.

The few people charging at the front were particularly conspicuous.

At the lead was Hizashi, his Byakugan wide open, veins bulging, wearing a Star Ninja's forehead protector.

Beside him, several Ninja wearing Star Ninja' uniforms, with the Uchiha Clan's fan emblem embroidered on their collars, shot kunai or formed hand seals to spit Fire Release Ninjutsu.

They formed a sharp dagger, thrusting directly into the chaotic heart of Sunagakure.

And behind them, a large number of Star Ninja in dark blue uniforms poured into Sunagakure!

"Hyuga... and... Uchiha!" The Konoha's Ninjas couldn't remain calm.

Former comrades-in-arms, now crossing blades with them, were killing their way over!