Shizukamaru had already circled wide, keeping low and silent. When Yuki Kiyoshi came into view, the blade shot forward like a released arrow.
Through the sheen of his ice crystal wall, Kiyoshi caught the glint of steel. His eyes flicked to the side — and his hands moved. No new jutsu this time. Instead, the wall before him shifted, an extra layer sliding out from its surface.
Two inches thick, the ice was compact and reinforced, enough to stop an explosive tag dead.
But the Kusanagi's edge was merciless. Steel bit through frost like it was paper, punching past the barrier and into his waist.
Blood splashed hot against the white ice. Agony ripped through him. His control faltered, and the towering wall of frost behind him sagged — the golden inferno on the other side surging forward, melting it away in seconds.
Kiyoshi's head turned slightly, eyes narrowing in confusion.
No clone… so how did the sword?
Shame… I still had so many techniques left unused.
Shizukamaru withdrew in a single motion, vanishing into the shifting air.
Is the sword… alive?
Realization sparked in Kiyoshi's gaze — followed immediately by rage.
One Uchiha is already trouble… but he has help?
The fire struck before the thought could finish. Golden flames slammed into him, swallowing his form. His scream tore through the clearing, then faded into silence.
Gen lowered his hand, the Kusanagi still humming faintly at his side. He pulled a small pill from his pouch, an Uchiha military ration, and swallowed it without breaking stride. The battle had been short, but the chakra drain was real.
"Shuryu. Absorb it."
"Yes, Master."
The small flame spirit uncoiled from his arm, darting into the sea of fire. In moments, the blaze shrank and twisted, drawn into Shuryu's form until nothing but blackened earth remained.
"Well done."
Shizukamaru swooped back toward him, blade gleaming faintly. Gen smiled and gave a short nod. Shizukamaru circled him once, twice, then slid back into the scabbard without a sound.
Shuryu zipped back, landing on his arm.
"You too."
The homie flickered warmly against his palm, then sank back beneath the skin, disappearing as if he'd never left.
Gen's gaze flicked to the charred corpse, then he blurred from sight, following the echoes of nearby combat.
He stopped above a clearing where Kurenai Yuhi was facing a female Kirigakure kunoichi. He stayed back — no need to intervene. The enemy was already snared in an illusion, her eyes glassy.
Kurenai's blade flashed. The kunoichi jolted awake, clutching her throat as blood poured between her fingers. She dropped to the ground, twitching once before lying still.
Kurenai exhaled sharply. "Captain."
"Well done. Still have energy?"
"Of course."
"Good. Left flank for you, right for me."
"Yes."
They moved in sync, disappearing into the forest.
On the right, Hyuga Tokuma was locked in a brutal exchange with a Kaguya clan shinobi. Tokuma's strikes were clean but relentless; the Kaguya's defense was iron-hard, even as blood trickled from his lips.
A flicker in the air — Gen's kunai with a tag spun toward the Kaguya's flank.
The Kaguya reacted instantly, fingers snapping forward to fire three bone bullets, knocking the kunai aside. The tag still detonated, smoke and fire bursting between them.
Gen appeared from the haze, Sharingan locking onto the Kaguya's eyes. The man froze mid-step, his mind caught.
Steel whispered. A thin red line bloomed on his throat.
The Kaguya blinked, realization dawning too late. Blood foamed at his mouth, and he collapsed without a sound.
Tokuma stepped forward, nodding slightly. "Thank you, Captain."
"You wouldn't have necessarily lost."
The Kusanagi slid home with a quiet click. "But you wouldn't have necessarily won, either."
Tokuma smirked faintly.
Minutes later, Kurenai and Asa rejoined them.
"All good?"
"I can still fight."
"Same."
"Then take a soldier pill. We're heading for the forest edge — that's where it's worst. Keep a tight triangle, don't break formation, and don't drift from me."
"Yes, Captain!"
They moved out, leaping branch to branch. Passing the scorched clearing where Kiyoshi had fallen, the others glanced at the devastation but kept moving.
Half a minute later, they emerged into open ground — a churned mess of mud and bodies. Konoha and Hidden Mist forces clashed in chaotic knots.
Towering over the fight, the three Sannin commanded the field from their summons: Manda's coils lashing, Gamabunta's blade flashing, and Katsuyu's healing aura pulsing as she struck.
In the blur of it all, Minato flashed between enemies and allies alike, a golden streak of death and rescue.
Gen read the field quickly — Konoha had the edge, but Hidden Mist still fought hard, the Fourth Mizukage Yagura himself holding the line. Victory would take time.
"Kill."
He surged forward, chakra flowing to his feet to glide across the mud as if it were dry stone. The Kusanagi cut through kunai, through Mist genin, leaving bodies in its wake.
Behind him, his squad slogged forward, mud splattering up their legs. Without his chakra control, they had to fight for every step.
Time stretched, battles folding into one another. Half an hour later, Yagura fired a red flare into the sky. Within moments, thick mist poured across the field, swallowing the Hidden Mist forces.
Konoha didn't give chase — not into that. The risk of an ambush in zero visibility was too great, even for the Sannin.
Yagura paused once within the fog, exhaling a frustrated sigh before vanishing into the white. Behind him, the Mist withdrew in full — leaving only the unlucky to be finished off in the haze.