In the forests of the Land of Rivers, dozens of Suna shinobi moved swiftly through the undergrowth. Their brown‑beige armor blended with the dusty terrain as their metal plates clinked softly with each leap.
At the front ran a bald man with a dragon tattoo curling across his scalp. It was the Second Kazekage, Shamon. His armor was simple but functional, with short shoulder guards and three scroll‑mounts strapped across his back and shoulders.
A sensor ninja landed behind him.
"Kazekage‑sama. I sense approximately five thousand chakra signatures, fifteen kilometers ahead of us. Konoha has detected our movement."
Shamon narrowed his eyes.
"…So. Elder Tsumichu succeeded. At least one or two Kage‑level shinobi must have chased after him."
He raised a hand.
"Proceed as planned. Fortify Kikyo Pass. Deploy traps three hundred meters ahead of the chokepoint, then regroup."
Three Suna ANBU vanished to carry out the order and Chikamatsu and Yakumaru split off to oversee the defensive preparations.
***
"Acting commander," Hyūga Hiro reported, "Suna reached Kikyo Pass first. They've established a defensive line."
Fukashi's expression darkened.
"So, we lost the terrain advantage. How did we fail to detect their movement?"
Hiro swallowed.
"We lost contact with our ANBU and scouts after they reported Suna's southern deployment…"
"No one returned?"
"No. It seems Suna deliberately allowed the first report to reach us… then eliminated the rest."
Fukashi clicked his tongue.
"….. either our scouting standards are inadequate, or Suna's sensors are exceptional. Intelligence determines the fate of the battlefield. And yet here we are, already falling behind against Suna."
The jonin around him remained silent, waiting for his decision.
Fukashi exhaled.
"Then we won't walk into their traps. Fall back five kilometers east. There's open terrain and hills. We'll establish our own defensive line there. Let Suna come to us."
A jonin frowned.
"Retreat? But—"
"Suna is desperate," Fukashi cut in. "Rumors say Kumo will ally with us. Iwa is nearly out of the game. And Kiri already dropped out. Suna knows they cannot fight Konoha alone."
"With Kumo??!!! HOW is that even possible? Aren't we at war—"
"There are such thing as no eternal allies or eternal enemies," Fukashi said calmly. "This intel comes from Uchiha sources. Tobirama may allow Kumo to keep the Two‑Tails in exchange for alliance. Both sides want the war to end."
Some jonins exchanged uneasy glances, but none argued as they all agreed that they too want this war to end.
"Suna's move today is their last attempt to inflict damage before armistice. They are the ones who wants to fight us, so there's no need for us to walk into an obvious trap. Move!"
Jonins silently nodded their head in agreement. Konoha's main force shifted eastward.
***
"Kazekage-sama! Konoha is retreating East!"
Yakumaru snarled.
"Cowards! Since when did Uchiha run from battle?! They're supposed to charge head‑on!"
The middle‑aged shinobi's green‑and‑orange hair swayed as he stomped forward. His Sunagakure forehead protector was tied over his eyes like a blindfold. He was well known for his remarkable and unique sensory style.
Shamon shot him a sharp look.
"Calm yourself, Yakumaru. Your clan's extermination by the Uchiha was three generations ago. You are a shinobi of Suna now. Set aside your ancestral grudge."
Yakumaru clenched his jaw.
"…Apologies, Shamon‑sama. I lost control."
Shamon studied him for a moment.
Since the beginning of war, Yakumaru specifically targeted Uchiha clansmen and successfully slain thirty‑two Uchiha chunin and seven jonin in this war alone.
His dual Kekkei genkai abilities to control weapons with magnet release and create balls of scorch release orbs allowed him to come on top of Uchiha's shurikenjutsu and fire release. Moreover, his blindnessmade him immune to Sharingan genjutsu, making him a natural Uchiha killer.
He was a great tool of war, but a volatile one.
Shamon raised his voice.
"This is our last chance to strike Konoha under fair conditions. Make Elder Tsumichu's sacrifice count! Full speed ahead! Attack before they fortify! Taijutsu specialists form a vanguard line followed by puppeteers and ninjutsu specialists. Don't waste this opportunity!""
"""HAI!!!!"""
Suna army responded with vigor and surged eastward.
***
It didn't take long for Suna's forces to reach Konoha's incomplete defensive line.
Fukashi stood at the front with Uchiha clansmen forming a line behind him. Hyuga Hiro had already confirmed Suna's approach.
His Mangekyo sharingan quickly scanned through Suna's army and immediately spotted his target.
He glanced at Naka and Shinichi. They also spotted their own target and nodded back.
Fukashi raised his chained war sickle.
Katon Gokakyu no Jutsu !! 火遁・豪火球の術 (Fire release : Great Fireball Technique!)
A storm of giant fireballs erupted from the Uchiha line, streaking across the sky like blazing meteors.
The battle for the Suna front had begun.