As Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki had previously observed, the offensive tactics of the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation's forces remained as monotonous and dull as ever.
Whether it was bombardments of ninjutsu, Ninja Tools Barrage, or successive waves of small-unit breakthrough assaults, everything appeared ordinary when viewed from a bird's-eye perspective.
This rigid fortification and conventional warfare approach seemed bland compared to typical ninja army tactics, bordering on rigid and inflexible.
However, with intel provided by Hyūga Byakugan users, Aburame and Inuzuka ninjas, combined with battlefield command from Nara tacticians and mental coordination by Yamanaka telepaths, this seemingly clumsy tactic had transformed entirely.
After observing for about ten minutes, Ōnoki couldn't help but be deeply impressed.
Whether it involved coverage zones for long-range ninjutsu or tool attacks, or the entry points chosen for small-unit assaults, each strike precisely targeted weak spots within the Bloodline Faction's Ninja Force—either causing large-scale casualties, directly blocking their reinforcement routes to achieve localized isolation, or covering earlier feints. The coordination flowed like clockwork, executed with perfect precision.
And this effortless familiarity that emerged through habitual repetition clearly explained why Konoha clan ninjas remained undefeated across every battlefield in the Ninja World.
Undeniably, the strategic importance of Hyūga Byakugan users was immense, just as the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan was overwhelmingly powerful. Yet beyond these two pillars supporting Hyūga Sōshū's power, every other Konoha clan fully maximized its Secret Jutsu within assigned duties and roles, collectively forming an unstoppable, victorious ninja force.
Moreover, even minor ninjas originating from smaller villages like Iwagakure, Kumo, and Rain Ninja Village played appropriate roles within this well-functioning command system.
This "carrying capability" was exactly what moved Ōnoki most profoundly.
If it merely required discipline, Iwagakure wouldn't fall far behind; if comparing individual combat strength alone, neither Kumo nor Kirigakure would significantly lag behind these Konoha clan warriors; however, once strict discipline fused completely with individual fighting prowess, the final result was no better than the mere sum of its parts.
Seeing how smoothly the Coalition Forces' advance was going, even exceeding the most optimistic initial predictions, Ōnoki began slowly descending from midair, ready to lead his assigned left-wing army into executing the next tactical phase.
Although he still hadn't figured out who the mysteriously familiar Third Mizukage actually was, Ōnoki believed that as long as they won the war, ultimate victory would inevitably reveal itself clearly enough.
At worst, after capturing the Third Mizukage, brutal interrogation would eventually expose all mysteries.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Accompanied by one red and one blue signal flare soaring skyward, Ōnoki bellowed loudly, "Full assault—Advance!"
"Hoo-ha!"
With a unified response from his main left-wing forces, they launched the largest flanking attack since the beginning of the battle!
According to the tactical deployment of this battle, the left-wing ninja force's responsibility was to initiate a flank attack once the Bloodline faction's forces started showing obvious signs of wavering, in order to pin down and shake the enemy's main camp. Then Hyuga Soushu's central army would gradually advance to apply pressure while the right-wing forces launched a lightning strike for breakthrough.
The overall tactical arrangement and frequency of attacks seemed ordinary, but precisely this seemingly loose and unremarkable offensive completely put the previously motivated Bloodline faction ninjas on the defensive.
After all, every attack from any direction appeared massive and potentially capable of breaking through instantly. If they weren't careful, it was possible that the Bloodline faction's positions might be directly breached in an instant.
When firepower didn't offer superiority, every Bloodline upper-jonin fully understood what it meant should the enemy breach their defenses and establish output strongholds.
Especially when Onoki, the famous short old man of the Ninja World, used his Light and Heavy Rock Technique to float midair for observation, the Bloodline upper-jonins had already noticed this renowned figure positioned within the left-wing formation, thereby raising their vigilance even higher.
"Third Mizukage, please reinforce our right flank further!"
A senior Bloodline ninja responsible for the right flank hurriedly came before the Third Mizukage and knelt on one knee requesting assistance: "Please dispatch no less than five hundred troops to help stabilize our frontline."
The Coalition Force's left wing was targeting the right flank of the Bloodline faction's positions.
"Denied."
The Third Mizukage spoke in a cutting, icy tone. "Regardless of what happens, the main encampment's forces will not move out without authorization!"
"This..."
The Bloodline upper-jonin was quite surprised.
"Stand your ground! Don't come groveling to me unless you've got less than a hundred men left!"
The Third Mizukage directly dismissed this officer.
Just at this moment, following Soushu Hyuga's command, the Coalition Force's central force began slowly advancing forward while intensifying its long-range bombardments, forcing the Bloodline faction's front line into complete disarray.
Though these attacks didn't cause significant casualties, judging purely by their intensity, nobody could doubt the central force's determination or its capability to break through enemy lines.
Therefore, the main encampment's forces must not move!
Just as they struggled to hold their positions under such difficult circumstances, the Coalition Force's right wing suddenly launched its assault.
At this point, small-scale cluster breakthrough tactics ended and the battle entered a fierce phase of positional struggle!
Under the leadership of the Raikage, the right wing forces displayed a distinctly different fighting style.
With their famed speed and devastating Lightning Release assaults, the Kumogakure Clan had always held unmatched advantages in breaking enemy formations. Thus, immediately after signal flares lit up the sky, within less than a minute, the right wing forces stormed onto the left flank of the Bloodline positions under cover of jutsu bombardments.
What's more, the Raikage led the charge himself, barreling into the Bloodline ninja ranks with unmatched physical power, becoming the first to breach their defenses and unleashing total carnage.
The Right-wing Ninja Force swiftly followed the Third Raikage's breakthrough, using his charge as an entry point to tear through the defensive line and rapidly expand toward both flanks, creating within a very short time a direct attack route into the Bloodline faction's main encampment.
However, rather than rushing forward immediately, the Third Raikage proceeded according to the initial tactical plan, expanding the offensive toward both sides of the battlefield in an encircling maneuver against the confused Bloodline ninja.
This strategy was meant to force the Bloodline faction's main forces and the Third Mizukage into moving. And once they moved even slightly, they would certainly trigger a thunderous strike from the Coalition Force's Central Army slowly advancing behind.
Such a dragging tactic was completely obvious. Any upper-jonin with war experience could easily see through it.
But seeing through it and having the ability to counter it effectively on the battlefield were two entirely different matters.
"Really now..."
Even the Third Mizukage, who had seen more than his share of death and carnage, couldn't help but sigh: "Things are moving too fast in the ninja world."
Compared to the Warring States era, modern ninja warfare had taken yet another step upward both in terms of scale and bloodshed—even Madara Uchiha felt somewhat unable to keep up.
As for command tactics, Madara had no better options either. After all, the Bloodline faction currently only had this many soldiers, and any slight movement might directly trigger a chain reaction.
Yet remaining completely passive wasn't Madara's style.
Although these Bloodline ninja weren't worth grieving over, even if he sent them to die, he needed these insects to inflict sufficient casualties upon the enemy coalition. Otherwise, if they lost this battle without collecting enough bodies, all his careful planning would be for nothing.
"And what about those Toads—hope they're holding up..."
Madara muttered inwardly before slowly forming hand seals, preparing to unleash a secret jutsu.
"Boom!"
At that moment, Onoki personally leading the Left-wing Ninja Force officially broke through the right flank of the Bloodline faction's positions, beginning to organize part of their ninja to concentrate ninjutsu firepower onto the enemy's central main force.
Under such circumstances, although the Third Mizukage hadn't issued direct orders, following the simple principle of not enduring blows without retaliation, several Bloodline Upper-Jonin began directing their subordinates to mount a defensive response and counterattack.
While both sides hurled ninjutsu at each other in a spectacular show, due to the smaller size of the Left-wing Ninja Force—which also needed to preserve part of its strength for driving out and clearing residual enemy forces—neither side suffered large-scale casualties. It was just an intense-looking skirmish.
Nevertheless, the Left-wing's advance successfully tied down part of the central force. With Hyuga Soushu personally leading the Central Army pressing closer continuously, the pressure on the Bloodline ninja kept increasing.
Furthermore, after the Left-wing breakthrough, the Right-wing Ninja Force led by the Third Raikage refused to fall behind. Immediately dispatching part of its elite ninja, under the personal command of the Raikage himself, they launched a probing attack toward the densely concentrated Bloodline main camp.
It was clear the "surround-three-sides-and-leave-one-open" tactic was already in place. If the battle continued, unless some miracle defied the odds, the Bloodline faction's ninja force would have no choice but to retreat.
But here was the real problem—even if they somehow escaped the Coalition Force's relentless chase, the path back to their base had already been completely blocked off by the interception unit led by Sanshouo Hanzo. Although these interceptors were currently engaged in battle against unexpectedly arriving Mount Myoboku ninja frogs, breaking through wouldn't happen quickly. What hope did they have of escaping with the entire Coalition Force on their tails?
[Put yourself in mortal danger to find true life!]
The Third Mizukage roared powerfully and performed a ninjutsu technique.
[Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique!]
Instantly, an extremely thick mist infused with chakra surged into the skies, spreading at an astonishing speed!
"It's actually this technique!"
Both the Coalition Forces and the Bloodline faction's ninja force erupted in shock. They had thought that the Third Mizukage must have cooked up something big after charging up for so long!
Who would've thought it was just the ordinary Hidden Mist Technique!
Although the Hidden Mist Technique was commonly used by Hidden Mist ninja as battlefield camouflage, during large-scale clashes between opposing ninja armies, it usually proved ineffective; after all, flying techniques and even ninja tools wrapped with explosive tags could neutralize such chakra-infused fog, so the Bloodline faction ninja hadn't considered using this technique for concealment under current circumstances.
But then things started to feel... wrong.
Both Bloodline faction and Coalition ninja suddenly realized this seemingly normal mist contained an unusual pulse of chakra. This force subtly seeped into every inch of space around them, forming an invisible barrier that quietly restricted the smooth flow of chakra within their bodies and hampered their ability to freely use jutsu.
This feeling was eerily similar to the chakra-infused mist the Third Mizukage often used—it carried that same crushing authority, like being hunted by nature itself.
Soon, the thick mist completely enveloped the Bloodline faction's positions—not even the positions on both flanks, already overrun, were spared—the mist swallowed everything whole.
Before this dense fog arrived, both Onoki and the Third Raikage had quickly commanded their subordinates to attempt various means to dispel it. Yet none proved effective.
Especially once the fog fully covered their positions, bloodcurdling screams echoed from within the fog, as if strange monstrous creatures hiding inside were devouring people alive!
"Retreat! Full retreat!"
Both the Third Raikage and Onoki issued the order simultaneously, unleashing their strongest techniques toward what they assumed was forward direction. Even Kage-level experts could barely see more than a few feet ahead in this mist!
Yet when the Third Raikage and Onoki finally escaped the shroud along with their remaining forces, they were horrified to find nearly a third of their men lost within less than a minute after entering the fog!
Moreover, even after their escape, the terrifying sounds of anguish continued echoing from within the fog, sending chills down the spines of those who heard them!
"What the heck is going on?!"
Onoki always thought he'd seen every trick in the book, but this technique was unlike anything he'd ever encountered before!
Even in his memories, the [Wood Release] wielded by Hashirama Senju—the revered Ninja God who ended the warring eras—was not more impressive than this!
Moreover, from what he remembered, [Wood Release] shouldn't produce such eerie chakra fluctuations.
"Stop!"
Hyuga Soushu barked an immediate order.
Even with his Byakugan, at this moment he could only see about five meters into the mist, unable to discern what exactly lurked within that foggy abyss.
But based on his prior experience and memory, Soushu was certain of at least one thing—if they entered the mist directly, it would be a deadly risk to their lives.
At that moment, the left and right wing ninja forces began withdrawing to reorganize. Quickly, the strategist ninjas collected firsthand reports from the coalition shinobi caught in the mist and relayed the findings back to Hyuga Soushu.
"All units, cease all jutsu bombardment! Switch to [Ninja Tools Barrage]!"
Soushu wasn't taking risks—he swiftly adjusted the combat orders.
"Roger!"
The entire ninja force shouted in unison before launching a torrential shower of ninja tools into the mist.
Since the mist could suppress chakra-based techniques, why not switch to good-old physical attacks using traditional ninja tools combined with explosive tags? Doing so would at least help gauge what dangers lay hidden inside.
After nearly half an hour of relentless barrages using ninja tools, that eerie mist finally began to slowly dissipate.
What appeared before everyone's eyes was a land left in utter devastation. As far as the eye could see, craters scarred the earth like gateways to the underworld haunted by demons. Aside from pools of blood and broken ninja tools scattered everywhere, not a single body could be found on either flank—as if both the coalition ninjas caught in the Hidden Mist and the remaining Bloodline faction members had vanished into thin air!
"What the heck is going on?!"
Onoki and the Third Raikage both gasped in horror, their spines tingling with dread.
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