The final battle between the forces of Kumogakure and Iwagakure in the Land of Earth had come to an end, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Despite Kumogakure's deployment of a 600-man elite unit to support their offensive from the rear, Iwagakure's robust defenses neutralized their impact.
Ultimately, both armies bled one another dry, resulting in a tactical stalemate. Neither side claimed victory, and the Kumogakure forces were forced to retreat from the Land of Earth.
Within the borders of the Land of Fire, at a Konoha field command post, Orochimaru briefed the others on this new development.
He added, "While no side emerged as the winner, the casualties were significant. Kumogakure lost the Third Raikage, and Iwagakure suffered the loss of a substantial number of shinobi."
The mention of Iwagakure's losses referred not only to the final battle but also to the earlier engagements where Kumogakure had attacked from multiple fronts. Even with preparations in place, Iwagakure took significant damage. Assigning responsibility to Kumogakure for those deaths was uncontested.
"So," Jiraiya noted, "it's likely that A and his team will shift to this front soon."
Orochimaru nodded, "Yes. A has now succeeded his father as the Fourth Raikage and will likely join the battlefield here shortly. We must prepare accordingly. Make sure to inform all Konoha shinobi when you return. The war is far from over."
Following this, Orochimaru and Jiraiya laid out specific tactical assignments for each of the present Jōnin in preparation for the upcoming waves of conflict.
Hui was present at the strategy session and received his deployment orders.
"The western coastal front?"
Hui accepted the decision without protest. Being skilled in both Suiton and Doton techniques, he recognized that Water Release would prove particularly advantageous against Lightning Release techniques favored by Kumogakure. Deployment to a coastal region was tactically sound.
He considered the merits silently. This environment plays to my strengths. I may be able to fight at near Kage-level strength without resorting to using Mokuton.
The meeting concluded.
"That's all for now. A few of you, stay back," said Jōnin Commander Jorin.
As the room cleared, fewer than ten individuals remained — Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Hui, and the current Ino-Shika-Cho trio: Nara Shikisa, Yamanaka Kaiichi, and Akimichi Dingza, along with a Sarutobi clan shinobi, a Moonlight clan member, and a highly skilled civilian Jōnin.
"All of you are vital assets," Jiraiya addressed them seriously. "As pillars of the village, it's important you remain combat-ready. During the upcoming battle, focus on strategic shock-and-awe tactics, avoid unnecessary risks, and ensure you don't suffer grave injuries."
Hearing this, Hui raised a brow. The implication was clear — these few were being earmarked for something major.
He almost smirked. So you're preparing for something bigger. Is this about that secret mission to the Land of Rivers? Why hint at it now?
Orochimaru, sensing the awkward tension, interjected. "You'll all be needed in the coming battles. Don't hesitate to ask for backup. Konoha is stretched thin across multiple fronts, and we can't afford to lose any high-level combatants."
After the meeting, Jiraiya still seemed uneasy.
"There's already conflict in the Land of Rivers… and now here too. The shinobi world knows no peace."
Orochimaru understood what weighed on his old friend's mind — Jiraiya's distaste for war and his obsession with the prophecy of the Child of Destiny. It had even led him to search for a "red-eyed sage" based on one of the Great Toad Sage's dreams — but nothing ever came of it.
Time passed — two months in the blink of an eye.
A and his elite team had now joined the battle, and the forces previously withdrawn from the Land of Earth had reentered the warzone. The pressure on Konoha increased dramatically.
To respond, Konoha established multiple supply and communication posts along the Thunder Country border, dividing the battlefield into sectors. Hui was assigned to the southern coastal theater.
"Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu!"
Running across the water's surface and evading incoming attacks, Hui formed rapid hand seals. Water surged upward and twisted into a massive serpentine dragon, hurtling toward the pursuing Kumogakure forces.
Behind him, a dense group of nearly one hundred Kumogakure shinobi pursued relentlessly.
For the past two months, Hui had inflicted devastating losses on Kumogakure's forces. Now, they had laid an elaborate trap, deploying seven Jōnin, fifteen Tokubetsu Jōnin, and dozens of Chūnin — nearly a hundred in total — to eliminate him.
"Fools."
Hui's cold laugh echoed across the waves.
Thunder-heads actually thought this would work? If I wasn't intentionally baiting them, they wouldn't even come close.
The water dragon struck with tremendous force, but was ultimately blocked by a combined defense from Kumogakure's Jōnin. Still, Hui didn't expect it to cause damage. It was meant to feign desperation and create an opening.
He tossed a dozen kunai in scattered arcs, continuing to run. Chakra flowed to his feet, keeping him balanced atop the water's surface as if it were solid ground.
The kunai, aided by the water dragon's aftermath, splashed amidst the chaos, striking several unsuspecting Chūnin.
"Damn it. Even in this position, he's taking out our men!"
The Kumogakure forces grew more cautious. Hui's reputation as one of Konoha's top-tier Jōnin was proving well-earned.
Especially here — on water — where Suiton techniques could be unleashed without restraint.
The earlier water dragon had looked simple, but it disrupted the formation of three Jōnin.
No wonder he ran into the open sea instead of returning to the main line…
The Kumogakure shinobi realized the strategic brilliance — the sea offered Hui better odds. Even if he couldn't escape, it gave him time for reinforcements to arrive.
"Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu!"
Seizing their momentary lapse, Hui performed the Great Waterfall Technique. A surge of seawater rose and collapsed between him and his pursuers, forming a cascading barricade.
"Suiton: Teppōdama!"
Dozens of high-pressure water bullets erupted from within the waterfall.
The combination, though basic, was executed with flawless timing. The attack didn't kill anyone, but five Jōnin were wounded — three severely — and more than ten Chūnin were incapacitated.
A heavy silence fell upon Kumogakure's shinobi.
This man… it was as if he had eyes on the back of his head. His awareness and timing were otherworldly.
So this… was the level of an elite Jōnin.
Before the waterfall's final collapse, Hui spread out his water bullets strategically, masking his true movement as he slipped underwater, vanishing again.
Of course, he left faint chakra signatures — decoys — to mislead his enemies.
The Kumogakure shinobi quickly realized where he went and resumed their pursuit.
Hui eventually surfaced again, skimming the water's surface, this time widening the distance between him and his pursuers by several hundred meters.
A smirk formed on his lips.
They're here.
Three chakra signatures approached from ahead — not Konoha's forces, but Kumogakure's.
Three elite Jōnin. One tall and lean, another heavily built, the last shorter and armed with a blade — clearly a swordsman, likely taijutsu and kenjutsu specialists.
Combined with the group chasing him, Kumogakure had deployed nearly twenty high-level combatants in total.
This was the danger of being a powerful shinobi during war — becoming a target worth massive mobilization.
Even though the battlefield spanned vast regions, shinobi could traverse great distances swiftly. With nearly 10,000 ninjas on each side, dispatching units to eliminate enemy elites was feasible — and deadly.
"Suiton: Suidanha!"
Hui turned and unleashed a highly pressurized water blade. The jet of water sliced through the air, injuring four Jōnin and damaging others.
The next instant, he vanished into the mist, preparing for what came next.
The real battle… had just begun.