The enemy could perceive and communicate with both inside and outside the city, while their team couldn't... Shisui's meaning couldn't be simpler: this team was already at a disadvantage with information and support imbalance.
"So our actions must be careful. Once discovered, endless enemies will surround us, and we'll have no support." Kakashi said gravely.
The others... even Obito, their expressions became very serious.
Kakashi nodded and ordered, "Chukichi, find the route to the control system. The shortest and most concealed one."
"Understood."
Chukichi nodded slightly, then formed hand seals, closing his eyes to perceive. The area within a ten-kilometer radius continuously shrank, finally becoming like a sandbox existing in his mind.
Chukichi looked down with a god's-eye view, searching for paths towards the target through the complex network of alleys.
Although the control system wasn't within his range of perception, through the map provided by spies, he knew the direction towards the target... then searched for the best route towards that direction within the perceivable range...
"Found it!"
Seeing Chukichi open his eyes, Kakashi didn't ask more and directly ordered, "Sneak."
"Roger." Chukichi nodded slightly, changing his hand seal. [Ninja Art: Frost Concealment Technique]!
Instantly, the temperature plummeted, frost forming, turning the entire area completely white.
And Kakashi and the others' figures vanished within the white frost.
...
The Sunagakure's forces looked at each other, then looked towards the Third Kazekage floating in the air.
The Third Kazekage's expression was grave, his gaze firmly fixed on the First Hokage. After a good while, he spoke, "Ganging up against us, then demanding we surrender without resistance and hand over our core leadership when the war is stalemated... you are also a Kage. To actually make such a demand."
"Although this is excessive, it is also the choice resulting in the least losses for you."
"Losses?" Looking at the First Hokage trying to persuade him, the Third Kazekage couldn't help but sneer coldly. "No person or organization's path to becoming stronger is smooth sailing. If we abandoned halfway, I wouldn't have chosen this path in the first place."
Because Hashirama back then distributed the Tailed Beasts to balance the Shinobi World's power, although the Five Great Shinobi Villages had varying strengths, they were generally on the same level.
But Sunagakure's actions broke this balance, far exceeding the scope of the Five Great Villages... this behavior was bound to attract the wariness of other forces in the Shinobi World, leading to encirclement and suppression... The Third Kazekage had foreseen this from the beginning.
Although he hadn't anticipated Sunagakure developing this quickly, he still chose this path.
As the leader, leading the organization to grow and strengthen was his responsibility, even if the path wasn't smooth sailing.
"I understand the desire for the village to grow stronger. But the scales of victory have already tipped towards the Allied Shinobi Forces. Continuing to fight won't change the result at all; it will only add casualties on both sides."
"The result won't change?"
A mocking voice came from the left side of the battlefield.
Everyone looked towards the sound and saw a man with red hair, black eyes, a refined, handsome face like Ryuji slowly walking over.
No, not just like Ryuji; it was Ryuji.
Seeing this newcomer, the faces of the Allied Shinobi Forces all showed apprehension.
Especially the high-level experts; their faces were filled with gravity.
Sunagakure, on the other hand, showed joy and relief, as if nothing was worth worrying about anymore.
Sensing the change in atmosphere, the First Hokage, Second Hokage, and others also became serious.
"Senki Ryuji..."
"What you said isn't wrong either."
The First Hokage, about to say something, was cut off by the other party's words, and the content of his words left them even more stunned.
Ryuji chuckled lightly and continued, "That's right. No matter what, the outcome of the war won't change. You, the Allied Shinobi Forces, will inevitably fail!"
As he spoke, he raised his right hand towards his side.
Thud!
Accompanied by the sound of impact, a shockwave rippled out from Ryuji's right palm.
"To resort to such petty tricks as a Kage... truly shameful!" Ryuji clenched his right palm and threw it forward.
Instantly, the air churned. A figure entirely wrapped in bandages, sent flying backwards, became visible.
It was the Second Tsuchikage, Mu.
After catching the sniped Onoki and falling into the forest, he hadn't reappeared in public view. Instead, he used his ability to carefully conceal himself, planning to wait for Sunagakure's leader to appear and then kill with a single surprise attack to avenge Onoki.
But the sneak attack failed.
"No, it didn't fail!"
Mu adjusted his posture mid-flight, clasping his hands together towards Ryuji. [Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique]!
A dazzling beam of light suddenly shot forth. The Kekkei Tota combining barrier and three Nature Transformations, capable of decomposing matter to the atomic level, approached.
But Ryuji merely casually raised his hand. The light beam struck, only to be completely absorbed as if a lamb entering a tiger's mouth.
However, although the Ninjutsu had no effect, Mu smiled.
Because two figures had appeared behind Ryuji.
Namikaze Minato and Senju Tobirama!
While everyone's attention was drawn to the frontal assault, the two used their superior Body Flicker Techniques to appear behind Ryuji, then launched a lethal strike.
"Just die here!"
The Second Hokage said, his sword striking down first.
Minato was even faster, a Rasengan already pressing forward.
But Ryuji seemed to have eyes on his back. He crouched, dodging the two's lethal strikes. As the two passed overhead due to momentum, he suddenly raised both hands, grabbing their wrists.
Then, pulled down.
Boom! Boom!!
The two crashed heavily onto the metal wall.
Not waiting for the dust to clear, Ryuji quickly stood, spun once while holding their wrists, then threw them away.
"Attack!"
At the Third Hokage's order, the Allied Shinobi Forces launched their assault again. The Sunagakure's Shinobi, not to be outdone, picking up their weapons and charging at the enemy.
"I'll deal with him!"
The First Hokage controlled the Wood Human to grab towards Ryuji.
But as the hand reached halfway, a red beam of light descended from the sky, dragging the Wood Human's hand and slamming it hard against the wall.
The First Hokage was momentarily stunned, looking towards the figure in the rising dust. A red silhouette sprinted along the Wood Human's arm towards him, fast as a beam of light.
"So this is Aka?"
Although the other moved fast as a beam of light, the First Hokage still easily made out the newcomer.
It was a woman.
Regular features, a gentle, graceful appearance, with wine-red shoulder-length curly hair… the people from Sunagakure he needed to pay attention to had all been informed to him beforehand. Therefore, the First Hokage also recognized her at a glance.
Moreover, he noticed the flame-pattern-like mark around her eyes… that was Sage Mode.
As these thoughts passed, Aka had already jumped onto the Wood Human's head, her right arm metallized, following through with a lunge as she struck towards the First Hokage.
The First Hokage wasn't flustered at all, similarly meeting it with a fist.
When it came to strength, he had never feared anyone.
Boom!
Fists collided, bursting forth a violent hurricane. People within a hundred meters, whether Allied or Sunagakure's shinobi, were all blown away.
And the First Hokage was locked in a stalemate with Aka, neither gaining an advantage.
"Truly impressive!"
Aka praised.
She had used a monstrous strength punch with her Steel Release-hardened arm, yet the other blocked it using just a monstrous strength punch, sufficient to show a gap in Chakra between them.
"Using one technique while employing another Kekkei Genkai... you are also very impressive." The First Hokage also praised Aka.
At the same time, he shouted towards the surroundings, "If you don't want to die, don't approach this fight!"
After speaking, he formed a hand seal with his free hand.
Branches instantly grew from beneath Aka's feet, trying to entangle her.
But Aka turned into an afterimage and dodged.
"Swift Release..." The First Hokage stared at Aka, muttering. "Does the world really have someone who simultaneously masters seven Kekkei Genkai?"
"Not seven; thirteen!" Aka responded while forming hand seals. "Over these years, I've mastered several more Nature Transformations. Let me show you something not in your intelligence!"
[Ice Release: World of Ice and Snow]!
A chilling air erupted from Aka, then swept outward. The area within ten miles was instantly frozen by frost, becoming a world of ice and snow. The sky also began to snow.
"The Yuki Clan's Ice Release!?"
The First Hokage was greatly shocked.
Although Kekkei Genkai could be fused and used with just two natures, some Kekkei Genkai required some external factors to fuse.
For example, Wood Release… he needed the God Tree's power to use it.
Otherwise, even successfully fusing Earth and Water Nature Chakra would only produce some other Kekkei Genkai.
Ice Release was similar.
He didn't know what exactly was needed besides fusing Wind and Water Nature Chakra, but only the Yuki Clan possessed it in the entire Shinobi World.
Although the Land of Snow had something similar, that wasn't a Kekkei Genkai but a Ninjutsu used relying on environment and tool assistance.
But Aka had successfully fused it. What did this mean?
Was she from the Yuki Clan?
No, absolutely not.
Although the Yuki Clan didn't have distinctive features like the Byakugan or Sharingan, that clan possessed a serene, snow-like temperament. Even mixed-bloods were like this.
Aka clearly didn't have that.
Since she wasn't from the Yuki Clan yet fused the Yuki Clan's unique Ice Release, it meant Aka wasn't simply talented.
"I was wondering. No matter how gifted, simultaneously mastering seven... no, thirteen Kekkei Genkai was impossible." The First Hokage said. "You must hide other secrets. This secret allowed you to master so many Kekkei Genkai!"
"You're right." Aka said calmly. "I can freely adjust genetic chains, thereby changing my talents. As long as it's a talent humans can possess, I can possess it. Although due to self-perception issues, I haven't acquired all desirable human talents yet, it's only a matter of time. Therefore, Master calls me the Perfect Human."
"Hiss~"
After hearing Aka's answer, the First Hokage couldn't help but suck in a cold breath.
Freely adjusting genetic chains, possessing all talents humans can have... with such an abnormal ability, given time to grow, she would be invincible.
However, he didn't quite understand...
"If you are the Perfect Human, possessing such potential and power, why serve another as master?"
"That is Master, not just 'another'!" Aka looked coldly at the First Hokage, warning. "Everything I have was given by Master. My reason for existing is also to serve Master. Don't attempt to sow discord between Master and me!"
"Given by Master..."
The First Hokage repeated a certain phrase Aka had said, seeming to think of something, his expression turning ugly.
"It seems you understood!"
Accompanied by the voice, Ryuji slowly walked over from behind Aka.
"Aka has said similar things before. But everyone always thought there was some past between Aka and me, never considering that I created her."
"So that's how it is!" The First Hokage gritted his teeth. "Senki Ryuji, you are far too dangerous. Your mere existence plunges the Shinobi World into endless turmoil. I will seal you!"
"Seal, not kill me?" Ryuji couldn't help but scoff. "Having gone this far, yet still wanting to play the whore and set up a memorial archway?"
"Hah..."
The First Hokage took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, his gaze sharp as he stared at Ryuji. "No matter what you say, I will eliminate the source of the Shinobi World's calamity."
"I feel the same!"
"Blame me if you must!"
After speaking, the First Hokage clapped his hands together. [Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique]!
…
Time shifts back slightly.
Just as Aka appeared and confronted the First Hokage, the Jinchuriki outside the city also began to act.
Their first thought was to help the First Hokage defeat Aka or capture Ryuji to end the war with minimal losses.
But worried about friendly fire, they didn't use Bijudama, instead preparing to charge up and help.
But at that moment, a voice entered their ears.
[Wood Release: Great Forest Technique]!
Thud, thud, thud, thud...
Thick vines burst from the ground, tightly binding the seven Jinchuriki.
"What's going on!?"
"Why is Wood Release binding us!?"
"Isn't the First Hokage fighting on the wall?"
Just as the seven Jinchuriki were panic-stricken, a youth with black hair and eyes, an ordinary, even featureless face, slowly approached them.
Seeing this youth, Kushina couldn't help but exclaim, "Yomatsuya!?"
Yomatsuya glanced at Kushina, then looked at the other Jinchuriki, said calmly. "You will wait obediently until the war ends here."
"Hey, what do you mean?"
B withdrew from his Tailed Beast Transformation back to human form, but the vines also tightened with his shrinking size, giving no gap for escape.
He looked at the Konoha's forehead protector on Yomatsuya's forehead and asked, "You're a Konoha's Shinobi, right? Why stop us?"
"Yeah, Yomatsuya, why?" Kushina also couldn't help but press.
"All of this is for Master, Senki Ryuji-sama!"
"Master?"
"Senki Ryuji?"
Several of them couldn't help but widen their eyes, expressions of disbelief.
Especially Kushina.
Ever since Yomatsuya awakened Wood Release, the Third Hokage personally instructed him, even having the village's famous experts take turns tutoring him.
During this process, everyone treated him with kindness, showing Konoha's best side to Yomatsuya.
And Yomatsuya... that once withdrawn, introverted little boy gradually stepped out of his past shadows, becoming cheerful.
But...
"Why are you calling that bastard master!?" Kushina screamed as if mad.