SLAM!!!
Shamon's palm struck the table, sending the tea cup and documents flying.
"WHAT did you just say!"
The Suna jonin knelt, trembling.
"Kazekage-sama. Our teams suffered ambush from Konoha from all fronts. It's Uchihas. They sent their elites with Fukashi, Arashi, Naka, Naori, and Eisuke to ambush our teams. There was also a new young Uchiha who singlehandedly defeated Eitsu's squad. His control over fire nature was beyond anything we've faced before."
Shamon's jaw clenched.
"THOSE DAMN UCHIHA AND THEIR SHARINGANS again..."
Shamon personally faced Uchiha Kagami. He knew how terrifying a Kage-level Sharingan user could be.
"How many casualties did we suffer?"
The jonin took a gulp and answered.
"… They targeted our puppeteers. For past four days, we lost total of eight puppeteer jonin, twenty‑six puppeteer chunin… and ten more jonin, one hundred and three chunin."
"..."
"And… there were reports about Uchiha Fukashi. His eyes had a strange pattern other than three tomoe Sharingan."
Another jonin added:
"The same was reported for Uchiha Naka and Uchiha Naori."
Shamon and the older jonin shot to their feet.
"Ma-Mangekyo... Sh-sharingan!!!"
"Three of them?!!!"
"Should we retreat?"
The younger members stared at their seniors with confusion.
"Senpais. What is going on? Why are you all panicking! Aren't you all jonins of Sunagakure? Our elders and seniors?"
A Young Jonin Kunoichi, Chiyo exclaimed in displeasure and disappointment.
But the elders did not calm down at all.
"Chiyo…... You don't understand," an old white‑haired jonin whispered with a trembling voice; His earlier confidence from the start of the war was no longer visible, only apprehension filled his face. "Those eyes… are the eyes of Uchiha Madara! The Ninja Shura!"
"They're just another special kekkei genkai!" Chiyo snapped. "If Uchiha Madara were truly that terrifying, we wouldn't even be here! You're all just cowards living in the past!"
"… YOU IGNORANT BRAT! HOW DARE YOU!"
"STOP!!!"
Shamon's voice cut through the tent.
The elders bowed in shame.
"Chiyo is right" Shamon said. "We cannot cower just because Mangekyō Sharingan appeared. But… we must acknowledge the reality. Three Mangekyō users are equivalent to another three Kage‑level shinobi. Add Kagami and the Uchiha elites… we cannot win in direct confrontation."
Small murmurs spread within the tent, each guessing a plan to resolve this predicament. However, no one voiced them out clearly; they simply lacked the the confidence.
Amidst the cloud of uncertainty and apprehension, an elder with a bandage covering his head down to neck stepped forward.
"I will be the decoy."
"??!! Elder Tsumichu?"
"This old body won't last much longer. Let me contribute one final time. I once reached the threshold of Kage‑level. With my secret technique, I can reach that level again… for at least two minutes."
Another elder with a cloth covering half of his scarred face stepped forward.
"We old bones can draw their forces in two. While we lure them, our main force will strike their camp."
Shamon frowned.
"Your courage and dedication to the village is commendable. But how will you fool Konoha's sensors? Their Byakugan and sensory corps—"
"We will use Konoha's own technique against them," Tsumichu said. "We will use shadow clones."
Shamon blinked in surprise. "Shadow clones? You can use Tobirama's jutsu?"
Tsumichu smirked.
"You, Youngsters underestimate us. Concepts like shadow clone is not that difficult to replicate. It is just that we lacked the inspiration to create such jutsu first. My version is inferior, more unstable, and costs more chakra to maintain. But it is enough to fool Byakugan at mid‑range and complete the mission."
He then pointed at the map of Land of Rivers.
"We will move south and draw their forces. Your main army will strike the real target and then retreat to Suna."
Tsumichu then took out a scroll from his sleeves and handed it over to Shamon.
"These are my life's work, Kazekage-sama. Some are still incomplete, like the shadow clone. But one jutsu… may change Suna's future."
Shamon took the scroll and read through them, and one particular jutsu caught his eyes. He immediately looked at Tsumichu as his eyes widened.
"You studied the One‑Tail's sand manipulation…"
"I only grasped the foundation that it's an earth‑wind magnet release." Tsumichu said. "With time, this jutsu will become Suna's greatest weapon. A jonin or even Kage capable of wielding this jutsu will be the greatest shield of Suna!"
"Tsumichu… Then you should"
Shamon looked up at Tsumichu with expectation. However, the old man only shook his head in shame and disappointment and cut him off mid-sentence.
"This is my limit Kazekage-sama," Tsumichu declared as he shook his head. "I could not proceed or develop any further than that for last two years. But, I found a promising youth with talents in Magnet release of both arth‑wind and lightning‑wind variants. If anyone can complete this jutsu.... It must be him."
"...Who is this youth?"
"His name is Tetsusa"
"Tetsusa… Iron sand?" Shamon nodded. "Do not worry Tsumichu. I will ensure that Tetsusa inherits your legacy."
Tsumichu gave a rare, peaceful smile.
"Then I can die with content Shamon-sama."
He left the tent and group of elders followed to learn his 'shadow clone' jutsu.
***
May 25th
"Commander! Suna forces split into two. Fifteen hundred are rapidly descending south! We sense maximum four hundred jonin‑level signatures! At this pace they will soon breach through our border!"
Kagami frowned in confusion.
"Four hundred jonin? Did they send their entire elite corps? What is their goal?"
Naka slammed his fist into his palm.
"Then their camp must be left vulnerable. We should strike now and end this!"
Koharu snapped:
"And let those 400 jonins infiltrate Land of Fire? Are you crazy Uchiha Naka?"
"Hng? What you can't do, we Uchiha can accomplish. Don't worry about them just one of our divisions and I can easily take care of them!"
"YOU!" Koharu pointed at Naka with a agitated face.
"Enough!" Fukashi's voice cut through the argument. "Don't argue over small details, Naka! And you too, Utatane Koharu."
As Naka and Koharu backed down, Fukashi turned to Kagami.
"Kagami. You are the commander. Decide."
"... We cannot allow them to enter the Land of Fire. Koharu, Naori, and I will lead the 7th Division and thirteen hundred shinobi South to intercept. Fukashi-sama, I will leave rest of Suna camp to you."
Fukashi nodded.
"Very well. Protect yourself well."
Kagami saluted and left with his detachment.
As soon as he was gone, Fukashi summoned another meeting.
"It is likely the southern force is a decoy."
Hyuga Hiro frowned as he retorted with a hint of pride mixed in his voice.
"Fukashi-dono, with all due respect, this intel, was obtained through OUR Byakugan."
"But Byakugan cannot distinguish shadow clones."
"!!! Are you saying Suna stole our jutsu?!"
"Why assume they stole it?" Fukashi replied calmly. "Shadow clones are not impossible to replicate. Especially without nature transformation or fuinjutsu."
Hyūga Hiro flushed as several jonin nodded.
Hyuga clan, for few centuries, have distanced themselves from practicing ninjutsu and focused solely on studying and training their Gentle Fist and taijutsu. The idea that Suna can replicate Konoha's own technique never crossed his mind.
"Anyways," Fuksahi continued. "Assuming they are decoys. Kazekage will most likely attack us with full force…. or choose to retreat back to Suna. But my bet is on the former."
Fukashi took a quick glance at others and continued.
"There are three known Kage level ninjas in Suna camp.
First, Shamon, the Second Kazekage, his abilities in wind release are well known as best in ninja world right now and he is also a puppet master.
Then there is Monzaemon Chikamatsu, the first puppet master… his full capabilities are still a mystery. So far, we only know that he is capable of controlling ten puppets at once and perhaps more. Effectively he alone has the strength to face off two or even three Kage level expert.
Then there is Yakumaru, the scorch release and magnet release... dual kekkai genkai shinobi."
Fuksahi tapped on the map for a moment.
"I will take on Shamon. Naka, Arashi, and Eisuke and 1st division take on Chikamatsu. As for Yakumaru, if he is still here, then…. Shinichi and 2nd Division will hold him down."
"Fukashi‑sama, Shamon is like fighting two Kage—"
"I can handle him." Fukashi revealed his Mangekyo sharingan, filling the tent with crushing pressure. "I trust that with these three held down. You guys should be able to handle the rest."
Gulp!
Hyuga Hiro, Aburame Shun, and few other minor ninja clans' clan heads swallowed hard and nodded their heads.
"Good. Then, prepare for battle. We move in fifteen minutes. This may be the last battle for this front. Make it count. Dismissed."
Jonin squad leaders assembled within the commander's tent exited and moved quickly to rally their subordinates for the incoming battle.
In the tent, only Fukashi and Naka remained.
"Is there something you want to say Naka?"
"Fukashi-sama. Why did you allow Kagami to take Naori with him?"
Fukashi's expression darkened.
"If Yakumaru went South, they can defeat him together. And… It is to our best interest that our Mangekyō abilities are not revealed to Tobirama's disciples."
Naka's eyes widened.
"Fukashi-sama Are you finaly!"
"Konoha is essential to our survival," Fukashi said quietly. "But Tobirama… is our clan's nemesis. We cannot hide our secrets forever — but we can delay it. After all, if it he didn't kill Izuna-sama... perhaps sensei…. "
Fukashi shook his head and placed a hand on Naka's shoulder.
"Never mind that. Naka, I won't tell you to not use your Mangekyo, but do not use them recklessly. As I have said before, do not let its power consume you."
"?" Naka tilted his head in confusion.
"You will understand what I meant when the time comes. Don't forget! Do not lose yourself in moment of excitement."
Fukashi then exited the tent and prepared for the next battle.