Chapter 141: Natural Barrier
Yuhi Kurenai had been keeping a low profile lately. She spent most of her time at home, refining her Genjutsu and Ninjutsu, avoiding unnecessary social interactions. As a result, she was completely unaware that a new massage parlor had become the latest sensation in the village.
"It's right next to BBQ Q. I heard from a friend that it's incredibly luxurious inside—everything's made of gold," said Uzuki Yugao with a gentle smile. Her expression softened, and two faint dimples appeared on her cheeks, instantly easing Gekkō Hayate's usual tension.
The three of them walked leisurely toward Asakusa Old Street...
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Meanwhile, in the Land of Lightning.
A narrow and steep valley stretched before them, with both slopes forming a sharp V-shape.
This was Yunlei Gorge, located just twenty li from the Hidden Cloud Village. Its treacherous terrain made it a natural fortress—an ideal line of defense for Kumogakure.
At that moment, a large group of shinobi stood before the canyon's entrance.
Leading them was a man with short black hair and a stern, square face. His expression was calm yet carried an unshakable sense of authority. Beneath his Hokage's robe, he wore a tight combat suit.
Behind him stood a sea of Konoha shinobi, their faces filled with anticipation and excitement.
> "Hokage-sama! This is Yunlei Gorge! Once we cross this canyon, the Hidden Cloud Village will be in sight!"
Uchiha Setsuna's voice trembled with barely contained excitement beside Uchiha Fugaku, the current Fifth Hokage.
Fugaku nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the misty valley ahead. He appeared calm, though a quiet storm brewed in his eyes.
Moments later, several swift shadows approached—the scouting team returning. At their head was Hyuga Hiashi.
"Report, Hiashi," Fugaku said simply.
Hiashi knelt slightly, his expression both respectful and eager.
> "Hokage-sama, my team has completed the reconnaissance. Enemy camps have been confirmed on both cliffs. Each side has around twenty men—ten of them Jonin-level chakra signatures, the rest Chunin and Genin."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly. As the final barrier before the Hidden Cloud Village, the enemy's deployment was indeed substantial.
"Can we strike unseen?" he asked.
Hiashi hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.
> "The cliffs are bare, with no cover to approach unnoticed. Both sides are heavily guarded—sneaking in without being spotted is nearly impossible. Perhaps we could try at night."
Fugaku glanced at the sky. It was past four in the afternoon; dusk would fall in about an hour.
Should they wait?
He pondered for a brief moment, then turned to look at the shinobi behind him. Their faces burned with determination, their morale high.
He could sense it clearly—their faith in him was absolute now.
Ever since he had summoned the Complete-Body Susanoo and crushed the Fourth Raikage, the name Uchiha Fugaku had become synonymous with power and leadership.
A brave general inspires fearless soldiers.
Fugaku's calm smile broke the silence.
> "No need to wait for nightfall."
The moment he spoke, crimson chakra erupted from his body like a torrent of flame.
In the next instant, a massive spectral skeleton rose around him—then muscle, armor, and wings took form.
Before the stunned eyes of every Konoha shinobi, a towering red giant—over a hundred meters tall—stood proudly before the gorge. The air quaked under its presence.
Complete-Body Susanoo.
Its horned tengu armor glinted under the fading sunlight, and a massive blade—Totsuka-no-Tsurugi—hung at its waist.
On the cliffs above, the Hidden Cloud sentries froze in horror.
> "What… what is that!?" one of them gasped. "It's even larger than the Eight-Tails!"
"Report to the village immediately! A colossal entity has appeared outside Yunlei Gorge!"
Panic spread among the Kumogakure outposts as they watched the impossible unfold.
Below, Fugaku raised his gaze toward the canyon and spoke quietly:
> "Everyone, board."
Susanoo extended its vast right hand, palm open like a massive platform before them.
Without hesitation, the Konoha shinobi began climbing onto it—some even faster than the Uchiha clan members themselves.
Setsuna gritted his teeth in mild annoyance but said nothing. The new Konoha under Fugaku's rule was united.
When everyone was aboard, Fugaku gave a firm command.
> "Hold on tight."
Susanoo's massive wings unfurled with a deafening roar, blocking out half the sky. For an instant, daylight vanished as the valley was plunged into shadow.
The Cloud shinobi stared upward in shock and terror.
> "The giant… it's flying!?"
With a single powerful motion, Susanoo lifted off, soaring over Yunlei Gorge.
A tremendous shadow swept across the cliffs as the giant passed overhead.
On its palm, the Konoha shinobi were shouting with exhilaration.
> "We're flying!"
"This is amazing! Look down—Yunlei Gorge looks like an ant's nest from up here!"
"Hahaha! Hokage-sama is incredible!"
Even seasoned veterans couldn't suppress their excitement.
As Susanoo's wings cut through the stormy skies toward the Hidden Cloud Village, one truth became clear—
This era now belonged to the Uchiha.
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