In just one hour, over ten thousand people had gathered at the entrance of Konoha Village. Ryun looked at this scene, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "No, each clan was supposed to send fifty people. How did we end up with over ten thousand shinobi?"
Nara Luming couldn't help but laugh. "Hokage-sama, due to Konoha's rapidly developing economy and the continuously improving treatment of shinobi, many former civilian shinobi have formed clans."
"After we assessed them, we found they all met the standards. Therefore, Konoha now has over two hundred shinobi clans."
Ryun clicked his tongue. He vaguely remembered something like this. But so many newly established clans, their internal shinobi numbers just barely over a hundred, were they willing to contribute half to participate in this great war?
"Maybe we should have the shinobi from the later established clans withdraw. Their clans don't have many shinobi. Contributing these fifty shinobi might completely drain their resources." Ryun discussed with Nara Luming.
Although their voices were soft, they were overheard by the leader of a small clan. He frowned and said, "Hokage-sama, I know you are concerned about us. But with the nation in crisis, how can we stand by and do nothing?"
"That's right, Hokage-sama, we are all volunteers."
Ryun sighed and said, "I understand." He then turned and looked at Madara Uchiha.
Madara felt Ryun's gaze and smiled. "Don't worry, grandson. Grandfather will protect these people well."
Ryun nodded, watching as Madara and Izuna Uchiha led the ten thousand strong shinobi corps towards Sunagakure.
Land of Wind Border
"Report, Lord Rasa, Konoha has dispatched troops. Visual estimates indicate at least ten thousand men." The scout knelt on the ground and reported.
The current high ranking officials of Sunagakure began discussing amongst themselves, their expressions carrying a hint of pessimism.
Rasa frowned. His left hand played with a piece of gold, while his other hand was wrapped in bandages. He thought to himself, 'Black Zetsu, are you sure we can seriously injure Ryun Uchiha this time?'
"It is true, Rasa. You have witnessed my abilities. As long as you do not die, I can allow you to regenerate lost limbs infinitely. I can even lend you powerful strength." Black Zetsu's voice was sinister.
He was frustrated. Ryun's existence had disrupted his long laid plans. When he searched for pawns to manipulate, he found that apart from Rasa, others did not hold strong hatred towards Ryun. In other words, they were not easy to fool.
Only Rasa, this one armed gold digger, wanted to wipe away the shame and take revenge. So they reached an agreement. Rasa was responsible for luring Ryun out, and he was responsible for repairing Rasa's arm, lending him chakra, and helping him seize the position of Fourth Kazekage.
Rasa was also very driven. Relying on his control over the Magnet Release with Gold Dust and a portion of Black Zetsu's Otsutsuki chakra, he defeated Pakura, the user of Scorch Release. However, to ascend to the Kazekage position, he did not choose to break completely with the elder faction and kill Pakura.
He united everyone he could and finally reached the position of Fourth Kazekage.
Rasa's assumption of office was quiet. Looking at his country's income and Konoha's annual financial reports, rage rose in his heart. So he annexed the nearby small countries and plundered the Land of Wind Daimyo's warehouses.
However, accidents were bound to happen during the plundering. When he learned that Konoha spies had found out everything about him and escaped, he immediately decided to declare war on Konoha.
Black Zetsu also told him that all he needed to do was lure Ryun out. He didn't need to do anything else, just hand over his body to him. After witnessing Black Zetsu's miraculous abilities, Rasa chose to believe him.
"It's just ten thousand shinobi, mere ants. By the way, who is leading them? Did you find out?" Rasa closed his eyes, praying it must be Ryun Uchiha, it must be Ryun Uchiha.
The scout replied, "The commanding general is Madara Uchiha. The deputy commander is Izuna Uchiha. The two are leading ten thousand shinobi advancing towards our direction."
Rasa's pupils constricted. It wasn't Ryun Uchiha. He asked in his heart, 'Black Zetsu, the commander this time isn't Ryun Uchiha, it's Madara Uchiha. You...'
He didn't finish, waiting for Black Zetsu's reply. Black Zetsu pondered for a moment and said, "It's acceptable. However, it might not be as effective as against Ryun Uchiha, but it's still good."
Black Zetsu's mouth curved into a smile. He thought sinisterly, 'Madara, originally I wanted to make you my puppet. I didn't expect your hatred for this world to be so shallow, pulled back by just a brother. But, it doesn't matter. I will use the ability Mother gave me to take you as my puppet.'
Hearing Black Zetsu's words, Rasa relaxed his tense emotions and smiled. "Then, when the time comes, please help me restrain Madara Uchiha."
Rasa clenched his bandaged right hand. He had not forgotten that this arm was severed because of Danzo and Ryun Uchiha.
"By the way, is Danzo among the troops this time?" Rasa suddenly asked. His voice betrayed no emotion, but gold dust already surged from the ground around him.
The scout knelt on the ground and said, "Reportedly, no."
Rasa snorted coldly, and the gold dust fell again. The other shinobi nearby were responsible for collecting it. Although life in Sunagakure had recently become slightly better, they couldn't afford such extravagance.
Rasa did not stop their actions. After all, he was also someone who saved where he could. "Lucky for him. Otherwise, I would have definitely crippled his arm." His eyes were gloomy, and the root of his right arm seemed to ache with the memory of being torn off.
"Pass the order. The troops are to climb the mountain. Before the Konoha forces arrive, reach the mountain top, set up traps, and arrange patrols. Each team consists of one hundred people. Upon encountering any abnormal situation, immediately fire a signal flare. No mistakes allowed." Learning from his cheap master's lessons, Rasa's march was steady and swift.
After receiving the orders, the Jonin in the tent withdrew and began arranging the mountain ascent. Time wise, Konoha wouldn't make it in time. Ryun hadn't learned the Flying Thunder God Technique back then, and who would have thought Sunagakure would be so bold, daring to declare war first.
Therefore, Sunagakure's actions were swift and effective. They quickly occupied Kikyōzan and Mount Daigu, forming a pincer formation, constantly watching for any abnormalities at the foot of the mountains.
Madara Uchiha led the way at the front of the troops, followed closely by Izuna Uchiha. He looked at the sun in the sky and took out a water canteen, handing it to Madara.
"Big brother, have a drink first. It will still take two days to reach the border. Sunagakure has probably already set up their defenses by now. We don't need to rush so much." Izuna explained the situation logically and methodically.
Madara frowned. He glanced at the shinobi behind him. Most were young faces, with only a small portion being veterans. Although the new shinobi usually had good skills, during long distance marches, the gap in physical fitness between them and the veterans became apparent.
Madara accepted Izuna's suggestion. He took the canteen and was about to drink when he stopped and said, "Pass the order for the entire army to rest. Also, have the veterans teach the youngsters more about common sense on the battlefield. This is war, not bandit suppression, and not child's play."
Izuna nodded. He understood his brother's concern. "Big brother, you drink first. I will go arrange it now." After speaking, he walked towards the troops to issue the orders.
Seeing this, Madara raised the canteen and gulped down the water. Although he hadn't felt it before, once he started drinking, he realized he was very thirsty too.
Konoha Village
Ryun returned home, frowning. He always felt that Sunagakure couldn't be this stupid. Knowing the gap between the two sides, they still dared to declare war. He absolutely wouldn't believe it without some trump card.
Tsunade seemed to see Ryun's worry. She sat beside him, held his arm, and gently rested her head on his shoulder.
"Are you really worried about Grandfather Madara and the Konoha shinobi corps?" Tsunade murmured.
Ryun nodded. "My right eyelid has been twitching constantly. I feel like something bad is going to happen. What do you think..."
Tsunade extended her index finger and covered his mouth. "Don't say such things. Don't you know Grandfather Madara's strength? He alone can sweep through four nations. Moreover, this time it's against the weakest, Sunagakure. They will definitely return safely."
"I hope so." Ryun pondered for a moment and sighed.
"System, can you calculate the outcome of this battle for me?" Ryun thought inwardly.
"Ding. Querying for the host now." The system responded.
Then, a sound of surprise was heard. "How is this possible? Something's wrong. How can the calculation fail? This world has already been completely severed from the original world. How could this situation occur."
This time the system's voice wasn't mechanical but more human like. Hearing the system speak like this, Ryun couldn't help but frown. What's going on? The system actually can't calculate it.
His unease grew stronger. "System, what's going on?"
"I don't know either. I tried calculating Konoha, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Kirigakure. All were possible. Only things related to Sunagakure, related to Rasa, are veiled." The system gritted its teeth. Damn it.
Fear often stems from the unknown. This situation not only caused anxiety for Ryun, but even the system felt uncomfortable. Damn it, what exactly is going on.
Ryun's heart was turbulent, but his face showed a smile. "Wife, go back to the room and sleep. You just got pregnant, you need to pay more attention to rest."
Tsunade smiled sweetly. "Okay, I'll listen to my husband."
Ryun kissed her on the cheek. "So good."
Tsunade giggled and walked back to the bedroom, closing the door. Seeing this, Ryun continued asking inwardly, "Can you find out the reason?"
After a silence, the system said, "We probably need to go to the battlefield to know. As long as we get within one thousand meters of the battlefield, I can deduce it."
Ryun glanced at the closed bedroom door, closed his eyes, and thought of everyone's support in the meeting room and his own efforts over the years. He made a decision in his heart.
"System, I'll go. But..." Ryun hesitated somewhat.
"Ding. Detected host is about to undertake an SSS rank mission. Reward: 100,000 points, one Substitute Death Doll."
"Note: Substitute Death Doll, inject a trace of your soul into it. After the main body dies, the Substitute Death Doll shatters, and the main body exchanges positions with the doll."
Ryun smiled. He smiled very easily. "Thanks, System. Also, exchange for the Rinnegan."
"Ding. Exchange successful. Begin fusion now?" The system's voice sounded.
"Fuse." Ryun said calmly.
Immediately, intense pain shot through his eyes. But to keep Tsunade at ease, Ryun did not make a single sound, gritting his teeth and enduring.
Although two chapters were updated today, it's six thousand words total. Brothers, click the 'Cui Geng', click the 'Power with Love'. Next up will be high intensity battle chapters.
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