Chapter 98: The Whirlpool's Plight
Having swiftly reorganized the forces Danzō had left behind, Akatsurugi surveyed the assembled shinobi. They numbered just over four thousand, a force that now included the elite warriors of the Uchiha, Hyūga, and other major Konoha clans.
"Everyone," Akatsurugi began from the command seat, his voice cutting through the tent. "My plan is to press our advantage against Kumogakure and drive them back to the Land of Lightning. What are your thoughts?"
Uchiha Fū, the current head of the Uchiha clan, was the first to speak. "We will follow your command, my lord!"
Ninja from the other clans quickly echoed their support. No one was foolish enough to object to the Blaze God's strategy, especially not when he had just single-handedly shattered the Cloud's advance.
Satisfied, Akatsurugi was about to issue the marching orders when an intelligence ninja rushed into the tent. "Lord Akatsurugi! An urgent message from the Land of Whirlpools!"
The Land of Whirlpools? Akatsurugi's brow furrowed slightly. He was aware of the situation. Konoha and Uzushiogakure had a long-standing alliance, dating back to the Warring States Period. The current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Mito, was a testament to that bond. It was only with the Uzumaki clan's stalwart defense that Akimichi Takifū's forces had managed to keep Kirigakure bottled up at the coast.
He took the scroll, broke the seal, and scanned its contents. His frown deepened. Despite the news of his return, Kirigakure was not retreating. Instead, they were massing for a final, all-out assault aimed at the utter annihilation of Uzushiogakure.
If he left to confront them, the Cloud ninja would surely counterattack. But if he didn't... the consequences were unthinkable.
He stored the scroll away. "Dismissed," he told the messenger, who vanished in a shunshin.
Turning back to the clan heads, Akatsurugi continued as if nothing was amiss. "The immediate threat is neutralized, but we cannot be certain the Land of Fire is entirely cleansed of Cloud infiltrators. Therefore, I am dividing you into several dozen squads. Each squad will be assigned a Hyūga clansman for reconnaissance. Conduct a thorough sweep of our territory. I want it confirmed, within three days, that not a single Cloud ninja remains. I will remain here at headquarters to coordinate. You are dismissed."
A ripple of confusion passed through the assembled leaders. A full-scale sweep? Why not press the attack against the main Cloud force? But the order had been given by the Blaze God himself. They bowed and filed out to organize their teams.
Once the tent was empty, Akatsurugi formed a hand sign. A Shadow Clone materialized beside him and took his place in the command seat. The original Akatsurugi shot into the sky, a streak of crimson light hurtling towards the distant coast.
As he flew, his mind turned to the Flying Thunder God Technique. His previous attempts had been unsuccessful, but now, with his vastly strengthened soul and his unique experience traversing the Vault of Worlds, he could faintly perceive the delicate fabric of space itself. He didn't have the time to delve into it now, but after the war... it was a tantalizing prospect.
His arrival caused no small amount of confusion in the Kumogakure camp. Why wasn't the Blaze God pursuing them? Why was he wasting time on a cleanup operation?
When the Fourth Raikage received the report, he could only shake his head in bewilderment. "He's lost his mind. Does he think we'd be stupid enough to leave stragglers behind?" Still, it bought them time, and Dodai quickly began sending missives to Ōnoki, urging a coordinated strategy.
On the Iwagakure front, Ōnoki was fuming. Sunagakure's retreat had been a disaster for his plans. With the Sand threat gone, Konoha's Hatake Sakumo had reinforced the Rain front, joining Hiruzen and the Sannin. Ōnoki was now hard-pressed and slowly being pushed back.
"Lord Tsuchikage," an aide reported, "the Raikage's message. Akatsurugi has returned. He requests our joint strategy."
Ōnoki scoffed. "Strategy? What strategy? Three Kage and a small army couldn't kill him before!"
"Nevertheless, Lord Tsuchikage," the aide pressed, his voice grave. "He must be eliminated. If we do not unite, he will pick us off one by one."
Ōnoki knew the man was right. The thought had been festering in his own mind. This couldn't continue. A grim resolve hardened in his eyes.
"Send a reply," Ōnoki commanded, his voice like grinding stone. "We combine our forces. Every last shinobi. We will drown him in numbers if we must. And send a message to that coward, the Kazekage. Tell him if Sunagakure does not participate in this final strike, I will personally lead Iwagakure into their deserts and burn their village to the ground after we deal with Konoha."
It was a desperate gambit. Even if they lost the war, taking the Blaze God down with them would give the next generation a fighting chance. Akatsurugi was no longer just a powerful shinobi; he was an existential threat to the balance of power.
High above the Land of Whirlpools, Akatsurugi sensed the chakra signatures below with ease, pinpointing Akimichi Takifū's location.
In the command tent, Takifū was sinking into despair. He had received no reply to his urgent missive. Not even an acknowledgment. Had Konoha already written them off?
"Has Lord Akatsurugi also decided to abandon Uzushiogakure?" Nara Shikamine sighed, voicing the fear they all shared.
Takifū could only shake his head, his face grim. He didn't know. They could only hold on and hope.
"Lord Takifū!" a scout yelled, bursting into the tent. "The Mist are attacking! The vanguard... it's the Kaguya clan!"
The Kaguya. Known for their bloodline limit and their fanatical love of battle. This was it—the final push.
Takifū shot to his feet. "All units, to the front! Support the Uzumaki!" he roared.
The order had just left his lips when a figure descended from the sky, landing with a soft impact between him and Shikamine. The air shimmered with residual heat.
Akatsurugi had arrived.
"Senior Takifū," Akatsurugi said with a slight nod. "It's been a while."
Takifū waved his hands hurriedly, dismissing the respectful title. Akatsurugi's power and status far eclipsed his own now, despite their past connection.
"The situation is critical," Akatsurugi stated, his eyes already looking toward the sound of the distant battle. "I will go ahead. Rally your forces and follow."
Without another word, he became a blur of motion, speeding towards the roaring clash of waves and combat. Behind him, Akimichi Takifū found his voice, filled with renewed hope.
"You heard him! Move out! All forces, to the front lines!"