Danzo Shimura and his Root operatives advanced swiftly toward the Kumogakure forces still stationed at the site of the Kirigakure Ninja Army's shattered base. On the other side, the siblings Chiyo and Ebizo immediately understood the deeper meaning behind Ding Yi's intelligence: Konoha intended to let Kumogakure take the brunt of the fighting and then swoop in afterward.
"How revolting," Chiyo spat with open disdain. Her wrinkled face twisted in disgust.
"I rather enjoy opponents like these," Ebizo replied with a wry grin, clearly amused by the underhanded tactics.
"You're disgusting too," Chiyo retorted, casting a withering glance at her brother before issuing commands in a cold, sharp voice: "All units, prepare to launch once Konoha engages the Cloud forces. We strike Uzushiogakure immediately. First priority: obtain their sealing arts."
All available intelligence indicated that Kumogakure was serious this time. Not only had they mobilized elite troops, but even the Third Raikage, renowned as the strongest Raikage in history, had entered the battlefield. His monstrous physical power and chakra made him a nightmare even for the elite of the Five Great Nations.
Konoha's team was limited in number, and although they were elite, they could not endure prolonged battle. Sunagakure would strike swiftly and retreat with what they needed. If they had the opportunity, they would erase the Uzumaki clan to prevent any lingering threat.
Rasa was brimming with anticipation—the decisive battle had finally arrived. Unfortunately, he wouldn't be facing the Cloud Ninja directly. Otherwise, he'd have taken the chance to personally eliminate Tamura Hao. That young man's mind was a greater threat than any technique. A future enemy like him should be killed while still possible.
Standing beside him, Karura and Ye Cang wore complex expressions. They had grown to admire the boy's character and innovations during their diplomatic mission. Honestly, they hoped he might survive this war.
Meanwhile, in the stony outposts of Iwagakure, the Stone Army received Ding Yi's transmission. The army commander, Nishishito, came to the same tactical conclusion as the Sand siblings. He immediately ordered an assault on Uzushiogakure, eager to exploit the opportunity while the Whirlpool clan's chakra reserves were likely depleted after their joint operation with Kumogakure against the Hidden Mist.
As chakra flared from several advancing armies, multiple elders in Uzushio who had just returned from the battlefield quickly sensed it.
"That's Danzo Shimura's chakra—he brought over a hundred with him, most at jōnin-level. They're moving toward the Kumogakure encampment." Whirlpool Aloe muttered, face pale as he downed another soldier pill to keep himself functional. His eyes turned to the clan head—his nephew, Uzumaki Masahiko.
The other four elders were seething. Konoha's duplicity was blatant. They had hidden their presence for days, only to appear now—just in time to ambush their supposed allies from Kumogakure. There was no longer any pretense of neutrality or friendship.
"Begin evacuation through the tunnels. Prioritize all children, and all women under thirty-five, regardless of marital status," Masahiko ordered grimly. This outcome—the one he dreaded the most—had finally come.
Even if this betrayal did not represent the will of the entire Konoha leadership, nor the Senju clan, nor his sister Mito's legacy—it was fatal for the Uzumaki people.
After a moment of silence, he steadied his emotions, exhaled, and stood tall. His gaze swept over the gathered leaders.
"The village's fate will be decided in this battle. May fortune favor us all."
"Victory to Uzushio!" Aloe and the others responded with steely resolve.
This land was their home. They would not surrender it. With the young ones having a path of escape, they could commit fully to the fight. They would make the enemy pay dearly, even if it cost their lives.
At the same time, Kumogakure's ninja army—stationed at what had once been the Mist's forward base—moved quickly into battle formation. Though they had just engaged in fierce combat with the Mist-nin, they remained vigilant. Konoha's forces were not numerous—likely Danzo's Root—but dangerous nonetheless. Defending against them was necessary.
Elsewhere, on a mist-covered beach, Dodai and a shadow clone of Whirlpool Aloe handed a scroll to a squad leader of Kirigakure's Anbu.
This man served directly under the Third Mizukage and had been embedded within the army to monitor the major ninja clans. He was already aware of the bloody internal rift that plagued Kirigakure—the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki, had been overthrown in a violent coup led by the current Third Mizukage, whose authority remained contested by powerful clans like the Hōzuki and Yuki.
The Third Mizukage had retaliated by launching the infamous Blood Mist policy, a brutal strategy designed to suppress the clan system by fostering mistrust, assassinations, and forced student-on-student combat in the Academy.
Now, this internal conflict had created a fault line Dodai and Aloe sought to exploit.
"As agreed with your Mizukage, this scroll contains sealing methods suitable for the Three-Tails and Six-Tails," Aloe's clone said with a courteous tone, masking the intense hostility he had shown on the battlefield. "We hope this alliance between Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Uzushiogakure can be deepened in the upcoming war."
Dodai added with a friendly smile, "We believe the Mizukage will appreciate the result of this cooperation."
The Anbu captain blinked, caught off guard. Was this truly the Mizukage's plan?
Gaining tailed beast sealing techniques while using Uzushio and Kumogakure to wipe out troublesome ninja clans? It was ruthless—but effective. Typical of the Third Mizukage's reputation for cold efficiency.
The surviving Anbu behind him also looked shaken, yet impressed.
No wonder he survived the civil struggle. High-level move.
"For the sake of Kirigakure, we will stand with our new allies," the captain declared, despite lingering doubts. His battalion commander had died in the earlier battle, so he now bore responsibility for fulfilling the mission.
Though uncertain about the details, the sealing techniques were real—and if the Mizukage did sanction this alliance, then his return with the scroll would be a success.
"We'll take our leave now. Please send our regards to the Mizukage-sama," Dodai said warmly.
Everything had gone exactly as planned. Kirigakure's internal chaos could now be attributed to the Mizukage himself, sowing seeds of suspicion among his remaining loyalists and the clans he had once opposed.
Even if the Mizukage later denied it, the sealed scroll itself was genuine—proof enough to create a scandal.
"Please give our thanks to the Third Raikage and the Uzumaki patriarch as well," the Anbu captain replied firmly before ordering his men to raise sail and depart swiftly.
As the sails caught the sea breeze, Whirlpool Aloe's clone exhaled. "The Third Mizukage truly is merciless."
"The Ghost Lanterns' Water Release techniques are hard to track underwater, but Uzumaki sensory abilities aren't so easy to deceive," he added, glancing at the dark waves.
"He was once ousted by Gengetsu for being too soft. After that humiliation, he would stop at nothing to retain power. This time, he'll eliminate the clans that once defied him." Dodai nodded grimly. "Let's blame it all on him."
The two watched the departing vessel vanish over the horizon before departing.
Moments later, a head emerged from the water—its features unmistakably belonging to the Hōzuki clan. One of their scouts, embedded in the fleet, had jumped ship the moment he sensed something was off.
"Third Mizukage…" he growled under his breath.
Without delay, he submerged again, speeding toward the Hidden Mist Village. The elders had to be warned immediately. Their clan members were being sacrificed in some grand betrayal, and if they did nothing, they would all be next.
The Third Mizukage would pay dearly.