Deidara was the first to strike.
Countless clay spiders scattered across the ground, skittering rapidly toward the Kirigakure ninja.
"Ha!"
The clay spiders detonated one after another. In an instant, dust and debris filled the air, and the ninja at the front of the charge suffered devastating casualties.
However, the Kirigakure ninja positioned in the rear had already completed their hand seals. An overwhelming barrage of ninjutsu surged toward Yōsuke's group of five.
Itachi brushed aside the hair covering his eyes. The Mangekyō Sharingan spun rapidly within his gaze.
"Susanoo!"
A massive crimson skeletal structure erupted from the ground. Red chakra veins and flesh rapidly covered the bones, forming a complete humanoid giant.
All of the Kirigakure ninja's ninjutsu slammed into Itachi's Susanoo—yet not even a ripple appeared.
With a single casual swing of its arm, Susanoo sent large numbers of ninja flying high into the air.
Faced with the terrifying combat power displayed by Itachi and Deidara, the Kirigakure ninja were utterly horrified.
"What… what kind of power is this?!"
Mei Terumi suddenly realized something.
"You are… a survivor of the Uchiha clan?!"
Itachi did not answer her.
His response was Amaterasu.
Black flames spread relentlessly across the battlefield.
Seeing that the black fire could not be extinguished with Water Release, Mei immediately issued orders.
"Sealing Team! Seal those black flames immediately!"
As the sealing team began their work, Mei herself entered the battlefield.
Her hands flew through hand seals.
"Lava Release: Dissolving Monster Technique!"
She spat a sticky, highly corrosive acid from her mouth. The acid splashed across Itachi's Susanoo, clinging tightly to its surface.
Under the corrosion, Susanoo actually began to melt.
Mei was greatly encouraged and immediately formed seals again, preparing to unleash the technique once more.
"Scorch Release: Over Kill!"
Pakura activated her jutsu, manipulating a blazing fire sphere created by Scorch Release and sending it crashing into Mei's acid.
The intense heat instantly evaporated all moisture in the acid, rendering Mei's technique ineffective.
Meanwhile, Gyutaro had found Chōjūrō.
He asked,
"That sword of yours… is it one of the Seven Ninja Swords?"
Chōjūrō, timid by nature, nodded despite them being enemies.
Gyutaro scratched his cheek.
"Such good luck. That kid will probably be really happy about this."
Sensing Gyutaro's killing intent, Chōjūrō attacked first.
"Water Style: Water Compression Bullet!"
He fired a high-pressure, rotating mass of compressed water toward Gyutaro.
Having learned many jutsu himself, Gyutaro had grown fond of countering attacks with ninjutsu.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
A wall of earth rose from the ground, completely blocking the Water Compression Bullet.
Chōjūrō unwrapped the bandages from the twin swords on his back.
He shouted,
"Hiramekarei—Release!"
The twin blades' circular holes vented chakra as the entire weapon glowed, forming a dense chakra mass. With a powerful swing, Chōjūrō launched a chakra sphere straight at Gyutaro.
The earth wall shattered instantly, and the chakra sphere continued forward without losing momentum, heading straight for Gyutaro.
"Blood Demon Art: Leaping Arc Rampage!"
Gyutaro surrounded his body with blood-shaped slashes, canceling out the chakra sphere.
Feeling the power behind the attack, Gyutaro praised it.
"No wonder that kid wants these swords so badly. Turns out they're pretty fun toys."
Hearing Hiramekarei called a "toy," Chōjūrō's expression hardened.
"Don't you dare insult Hiramekarei!"
He leapt into the air and separated the twin blades.
"Fresh Butterfly—Blood Mist Sword Technique: Bone Extraction!"
Multiple light spikes shot out from the separated blades, pinning Gyutaro's joints and immobilizing him.
Taking advantage of the opening, Chōjūrō swung Hiramekarei toward Gyutaro's chest.
But when the blade struck, it was blocked by Gyutaro's bones.
With a slight exertion of force, Gyutaro shattered all the light spikes restraining his joints. He then reached out and grabbed Hiramekarei's blade.
"I'll be taking this sword now. Blood Demon Art: Flying Blood Sickles!"
The blood swirling around Gyutaro transformed into razor-thin blades and fired toward Chōjūrō.
Forced to retreat, Chōjūrō released Hiramekarei and narrowly avoided the blood blades.
Gyutaro waved the twin swords experimentally, only to realize he couldn't fire chakra spheres like Chōjūrō.
He looked puzzled.
"Huh? I can't use it?"
Chōjūrō had been defeated. Mei and Pakura were locked in a fierce stalemate. The remaining Kirigakure ninja, even when combining their strength, could not break through Itachi's Susanoo. Meanwhile, Deidara soared above the village on a clay bird, gleefully dropping explosive clay bombs.
Smoke and flames engulfed Kirigakure. Cries of agony echoed endlessly.
Mei was filled with bitterness she couldn't express. Although she possessed two kekkei genkai—Lava Release and Boil Release—both were fundamentally water-based chakra transformations.
Pakura's Scorch Release perfectly countered them, evaporating their moisture and rendering them useless.
Mei looked gravely toward Yōsuke, who had yet to make a move. Just four of them had already caused catastrophic damage—how terrifying must the strength of their apparent leader be?
Kirigakure's casualties mounted rapidly. Yōsuke showed no sympathy.
"Gyutaro, Itachi, Deidara, Pakura—return."
One by one, they regrouped behind him.
Blood swirled around Yōsuke as he unfurled blood-red wings and ascended into the sky.
Hovering above, he slowly drew the katana at his waist.
The moment the blade left its scabbard, everyone present felt an overwhelming pressure, so oppressive it made breathing difficult.
Yōsuke spoke calmly.
"This was Kirigakure's choice. Since you refused to withdraw from the war through negotiation, I can only ensure that Kirigakure will no longer be able to participate in the war."
Mei's right eyelid twitched violently as a terrible premonition surged within her.
"Wait!" she shouted urgently. "We're willing to negotiate!"
Yōsuke replied coldly,
"It's too late. We already gave you a chance. And besides, Mizukage—Kirigakure is not yours alone to decide. Negotiating with you has no meaning."
Mei desperately gave orders.
"All ninja still capable of fighting—release all ninjutsu! Stop him at all costs!"
Countless techniques surged toward Yōsuke in midair.
But the blood surrounding him moved of its own accord, intercepting every attack.
Yōsuke raised his katana high above his head.
"Breath of Blood, Sixth Form—Crimson Sun Prison Slash!"
A scarlet slash tore free, transforming into a massive blood-red dragon.
The dragon blotted out the sun, casting the Land of Water beneath a crimson veil, as if the earth itself were drenched in blood.
With a furious roar, the blood dragon twisted its enormous body and charged toward Kirigakure.