April, Year 29 of Konoha.
It had now been three months since the Second Great Ninja War began.
Out on the vast sea of the shinobi world, directly south of the Land of Whirlpools, lay the Land of Bears — another small island nation.
This country had very few shinobi. Dense forests and the poisonous mists of the Hell Valley made it nearly impossible for outsiders to invade. Their borders were wrapped in toxic ravines that served as natural fortifications.
Because of this terrain, the Land of Bears was rarely attacked.
But now, the coastline at their back was crowded with countless outsiders. These people wore forehead protectors from different villages; though they occasionally argued, no major conflicts broke out. Something larger — a shared interest — forced them to hold their tempers.
From above, one would see a terrifying sight:
Nearly twenty thousand shinobi gathered on the shore.
A sprawling sea of tents stretched endlessly across the coast — an army large enough to shake nations.
At the center command tent, the atmosphere was electric.
Everyone seated here was among the strongest their countries could offer — even the weakest were elite jōnin.
And among them sat five Kage-level powerhouses.
At the head of the assembly sat two men:
One was a long-haired shinobi wearing a Kirigakure forehead protector. His eyes remained closed as though blind. This man was the Third Mizukage, the mastermind and initiator of this entire alliance.
Beside him sat the Third Raikage, the leader of Kumogakure.
After months of effort, the Raikage had successfully recaptured the Eight-Tails, and once again seized the brief window of stability to come to the Land of Bears.
His purpose was simple —
the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques.
Though he had subdued the Eight-Tails, he desperately needed Uzumaki sealing arts to maintain long-term control. Without them, a jinchūriki could lose control at any time.
Only the Uzumaki clan's sealing jutsu could prevent a jinchūriki's rampage, and even allow them to transform fully without harm.
The Third Raikage had already recovered to peak Kage-level strength. Compared to him, even the Mizukage was slightly inferior in raw power.
Besides the two Kage, the leaders of the Land of Hot Water, the Land of Craftsmen, and the Land of Rivers were present — all Kage-level fighters.
The rest were small-nation leaders, most of them elite jōnin.
Once the last representatives arrived, the explosive-tempered Raikage spoke first:
"Everyone's here. Then we attack.
This time, we erase the arrogant Uzumaki clan!"
Excitement rippled through the commanders.
The Uzumaki's sealing arts had long been coveted, and their proud behavior had earned resentment from many nations.
The Mizukage rose and spoke in a low voice:
"If we destroy the Land of Whirlpools, how will the spoils be divided?"
The mood instantly tightened.
Everyone had come for the same treasure.
The sealing arts.
But there was only one copy —
If one country took it, the others would get nothing.
Even those who didn't care much about the sealing scrolls themselves were harboring a different desire:
capturing Uzumaki women to improve their bloodlines.
When the Mizukage mentioned resources, even these small nations grew eager. Uzumaki talent was legendary — anyone who could abduct a few women would strengthen their country for generations.
The Raikage opened his mouth, ready to speak bluntly — but Mabui immediately pressed a hand onto his arm.
If left unchecked, the Raikage would probably bark something like "The sealing arts belong to the Land of Lightning!"
And instantly become the target of everyone present.
Remembering his promise to listen to Mabui's advice, he reluctantly kept quiet.
Seeing all eyes on him, the Mizukage smiled faintly:
"Since everyone contributed forces, we divide the general resources evenly. As for… capturing Uzumaki survivors — whoever can take them may keep them."
The tension eased immediately.
The Raikage, however, didn't understand why a great nation like theirs should share spoils with small countries. But Mabui clearly saw the Mizukage's intent:
He was saving the true prize — the sealing arts — for himself.
The Mizukage continued:
"As for the sealing techniques, we can make multiple copies. Enough for everyone."
Cheers and murmurs of approval spread across the room.
Of course, the Mizukage had no desire to truly divide such a treasure — but before the war began, he needed allies. Even with intel from Hiruzen Sarutobi about the Uzumaki defenses, the Uzumaki clan on their home island could still devastate attackers.
If Kirigakure attacked alone, even as a great ninja village, they would suffer immense losses.
That was why he had leaked the invasion plan in the first place — to draw more nations into the assault.
And once the war began, whoever survived would be the ones eligible to claim their "promised rewards."
When no objections remained, the Mizukage concluded:
"Then we proceed as planned.
At dawn tomorrow, we attack."
....
The Land of Whirlpools was tiny — even smaller than the Land of Bears — but it was rich in resources and idyllic in its beauty.
Normally a perfect, peaceful country.
But today, not a single Uzumaki could smile.
Their scouts had returned with terrifying news:
Nearly twenty thousand shinobi were coming.
Inside the Uzumaki Clan Council Hall, the atmosphere was grim.
"Clan Chief, what do we do now? Over twenty thousand enemies, five Kage among them — we can't stand against that!"
The current clan head, the 60-year-old Uzumaki Suikyō, replied heavily:
"What about Konoha? Didn't we already send messengers asking for aid?"
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