As time passed, the cooperation between the Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Sand Village began to grow increasingly close.
The intelligence organized by Jiraiya was quickly sent to the Hidden Sand, and the two villages established a joint command center. Jiraiya, who contributed the most effort, served as the supreme commander, while Ebizo acted as the deputy commander and Tonami Nara served as the advisor.
However, despite the formal titles, all strategies were actually decided through collective consultation between the three of them.
"Based on the intelligence gathered so far, the number of so-called Divine Guards of the Jashin Religion is approximately three thousand. Most of them have strength between Genin and Chunin, and only a very small number of Second-Class Priests have reached the Jonin level, totaling about ten individuals."
"The main combat power still consists of the Three Great Priests, the Three Apostles, and those two mysterious figures."
"Among them, the Three Great Priests possess the strength of Elite Jonin. Of the two mysterious figures, one utilizes Magnet Style ninjutsu, while the other is skilled in Taijutsu and Summoning Jutsu."
At this moment, Tonami Nara was explaining the rough intelligence to all the Jonin participating in this campaign.
Regarding the more specific information on the Jashin Religion members, everyone already held a copy in their hands, so there was no need for further elaboration.
Nevertheless, when he mentioned Magnet Style ninjutsu, the Sand Jonin present exhibited strange expressions.
After all, the mysterious figure from the Jashin Religion was very similar to their long-missing Third Kazekage in both ninjutsu and usage style, suggesting there might be some connection between the two.
Regarding this point, the Leaf side had its own internal objections.
However, after a thorough analysis, they ruled out the possibility of the Sand and the Jashin Religion working together in secret.
The destruction and loss of reputation caused by the Jashin Religion to the Hidden Sand Village were substantial and real. If they were acting to this extent, the cost would be too high and simply unnecessary.
Consequently, the Leaf chose to trust the Sand and cooperate together.
Tonami Nara had long expected this situation. Ignoring the expressions of the Sand ninja, he continued: "As for the two Divine Sons mentioned by those cultists, no information regarding them has been exposed for the time being."
Immediately afterward, he pointed his baton toward the map: "Our strategy moving forward is to use our numerical advantage to reclaim the towns around the capital of the Land of Rivers one by one. Eventually, we will concentrate our forces to launch a general offensive on the Jashin Religion headquarters!"
It was a simple and clear tactic.
To put it plainly, they intended to use the overwhelming power gathered by the two great hidden villages to slowly press toward the capital, forcing the Jashin Religion into a decisive battle.
This operational plan was quite steady and received support from everyone present.
Following this, Tonami Nara began to assign personnel, scattering a large number of sensory-type ninja toward the heart of the Land of Rivers to ascertain the battlefield conditions and prepare for the upcoming attack.
The Great War was about to break out.
The Land of Rivers, on the edge of the Jashin Religion's controlled area.
A Leaf reconnaissance squad was quietly infiltrating the perimeter of a Jashin Religion outpost.
"How is it looking?"
A middle-aged Leaf ninja, who looked broad-shouldered and stout, asked in a low whisper.
The young man lying next to him had empty, white eyes, clearly a ninja from the Hyuga Clan.
He currently had his Byakugan activated, concentrating intently on observing the internal situation of the Jashin Religion outpost.
After observing for about six or seven minutes, he lowered his voice and said: "There are fifteen people inside. Based on their chakra levels, three have strength around the Chunin level, while the rest are at the Genin level."
"There are massive amounts of supplies stored inside. It should be a very important outpost."
As he spoke, another ninja nearby quickly recorded this information in a log, which would eventually be summarized for the command center.
This was the strategic role of the Byakugan.
One only needed to conduct a covert observation from over a thousand meters away to understand all of the opponent's movements, determine their numbers and strength, and map out the internal structure of the outpost.
The enemy's arrangements had no way to hide before the Byakugan!
This was also why other hidden villages had always tried to seize the Byakugan, as this Kekkei Genkai was simply too vital for the battlefield.
"Good job. If this outpost is truly of great value, you kid will definitely get a promotion!"
The middle-aged ninja, who appeared to be the squad leader, patted the Hyuga ninja's shoulder and encouraged him.
The young Hyuga ninja gave a shy smile upon hearing this and said: "Actually, I don't ask for any reward. I just want to end this war quickly so I can go back and marry Miss Longtian."
The middle-aged captain's face immediately showed a strange expression upon hearing those words.
Before he could say anything, the Hyuga ninja's expression changed, and he made a hand signal for them to hide.
The captain hastily swallowed the words he was about to say, feeling a surge of unease in his heart.
"What's wrong?"
The captain signaled the question.
A look of surprise appeared on the Hyuga ninja's face because, within his Byakugan, a child had suddenly appeared.
Just as he wanted to see where this little brat had crawled out from, the child actually turned his head and gave a faint smile toward him.
That expression seemed to say: I caught you!
"We've been discovered, retreat!"
The Hyuga ninja immediately sounded the alarm, and the other two used the Body Flicker Jutsu to flee the instant they heard the warning.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
When he sensed the enemy's prying eyes, a mocking smile appeared on Sasuke's lips.
"Are they Leaf people?"
As the Jinchuriki of the Apostle of Hatred, Sasuke carried the hatred of the entire Uchiha Clan within him. Therefore, he had no goodwill toward the Leaf and even felt an absolute hatred.
Thus, in just an instant, he completely vanished from the outpost.
Several Divine Guards looked at the Divine Son who had suddenly disappeared from before their eyes, their gazes filled with confusion and helplessness.
After a month of training, Sasuke had completely transformed from that pampered Uchiha young master.
Currently, in his normal state, he already possessed strength no less than that of a Chunin.
After activating the Cursed Seal, he could even defeat an average Jonin.
One must remember, he was only seven years old!
"Damn it, what kind of monster brat is this!"
The Hyuga ninja couldn't help but curse, constantly adjusting his posture even as he shouted.
Because he was from the Branch House, his Byakugan had a blind spot, and that child who suddenly appeared—for better or worse—kept his pursuit route exactly within that blind spot as if he were doing it on purpose.
Every time he readjusted his angle, the opponent would enter the blind spot again at top speed.
Furthermore, this brat's speed was ridiculously fast!
The opponent's constantly closing figure placed immense psychological pressure on the Hyuga ninja.
After one last adjustment of his angle, the Hyuga finally shouted a warning: "He's caught up, watch out!"
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
The temperature in the forest suddenly rose, and a streak of red surged out from the deep cracks in the trees. The flames scorched the leaves black as they surged toward the three of them!
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
The middle-aged ninja, acting as the captain, took the lead without hesitation, using a ninjutsu to summon a wall of water to block the fireball.
Then he turned his head and said to his two teammates behind him: " I'll hold this guy back, you guys go!"
Even though it was just a child, this was the opponent's territory after all, and more enemies were heading this way.
Perhaps having been instructed beforehand, these two members decisively chose to obey the middle-aged ninja's order, turning around and running away as fast as they could.
Amidst the dispersing water mist, the young Sasuke looked on coldly.
The middle-aged ninja finally saw the enemy's face clearly.
"Sasuke Uchiha?!"
As the son of Fugaku Uchiha, Sasuke had a significant reputation in the Leaf.
Combined with the bounty subsequently issued by the Leaf, the middle-aged ninja recognized Sasuke's identity at first glance.
"You Uchiha traitor!"
The middle-aged captain stared fixedly at Sasuke. If it hadn't been for the coup launched by the Uchiha Clan together with the Jashin Religion, his son wouldn't have died!
Sensing the opponent's hatred, a pleasant smile appeared on Sasuke's face.
"That's right, this is the feeling..."
"Not just you; next, I will make the entire Leaf feel this emotion!"
"I want you to experience how the Uchiha felt in the village!"
With that, Sasuke's figure instantly vanished from the middle-aged ninja's sight.
So fast!
That was his first sensation, and then his combat experience from years of fighting made him raise the kunai in his hand as a reflex.
A crisp sound of clashing weapons rang out, and a spark ignited in front of the middle-aged ninja.
In less than a second, Sasuke's ninja blade had already appeared before him.
How is this kid's speed so fast?!
A sense of fear sprouted in the middle-aged ninja's heart, but the hatred from losing his son still allowed him to steady his resolve.
"Leaf traitor, go to hell!"
A large amount of chakra gathered in his fist, and the surface of his skin turned a rock-like gray. His fist, as large as a sandbag, smashed down toward the child like a stone hammer.
The two-tomoe Sharingan in Sasuke's eyes spun slightly.
With the enhancement of the Sharingan, his reaction speed was clearly superior.
A second before the enemy's fist was about to land, a surging electric current erupted from his body. Using the clashing ninja blade and kunai as a bridge, it successfully transferred to the opponent!
The current immediately made the middle-aged ninja's entire body go numb, falling into a state of paralysis, and his rock-like fist stopped moving.
Seizing this opportunity, the Cursed Seal on Sasuke's neck spread rapidly, mutating one of his arms. His sharp palm thrust directly into the opponent's chest, and then...
"Bang!"
The heart exploded like a firework.
Warm blood inevitably splashed onto Sasuke's face.
Killing someone for the first time while being fully conscious caused his chest to heave violently, and his breathing became rapid.
However, upon thinking of the tragic state of the Uchiha Clan and Itachi Uchiha's cold gaze, Sasuke's body miraculously adapted to the slaughter and death.
His eyes once again became calm and filled with killing intent.
The moment that Hyuga ninja turned back again to confirm the enemy's position, Sasuke descended from the sky, and terrifying lightning instantly swallowed both of them.
By the time the many Divine Guards of the Jashin Religion arrived, the only things left for them were two charred corpses and a shattered heart.
Sasuke took the handkerchief handed over by a cultist and gently wiped the bloodstains off his palms.
Looking at such an elegant Divine Son, the cultist's eyes were filled with adoration.
"I'll leave this place to you."
Sasuke spoke coldly, and then his entire being vanished from the spot.
It wasn't until Sasuke left that those cultists sighed with emotion as if waking from a dream: "As expected of the Divine Son."
"You did quite well, Divine Son."
Shana's cold voice rang out as her emerald-green figure landed beside Sasuke.
Sasuke dipped his palms into the river, letting the cold flowing water wash the blood off his body.
"Are you still not used to the smell of blood, Divine Son?" Shana asked, seeing this scene.
Sasuke lowered his head to clean himself, explaining: "I just don't want that filthy Leaf blood to defile my body."
He turned back, looking directly into Shana's dark green eyes: "Also, don't call me Divine Son."
Shana gave a light laugh: "Understood, Divine Son."
Sasuke took a deep breath, and the Sharingan in his eyes grew even redder.
Before they could say another word, countless tiny black spikes rose from the distant forest, followed by heart-wrenching screams.
Hearing this, Shana explained briefly: "That is Divine Son Gaara. Lord Simu also sent him to the front lines for training."
Listening to the screams that could be clearly heard even from so far away, Sasuke's expression darkened. Ignoring the bloodstains he hadn't fully cleaned off, he picked up his ninja blade and looked sideways at Shana.
"Take me to the nearest Leaf ninja."
Shana gave a charming smile.
"As you wish, Divine Son."
On the other side, Gaara was manipulating a sky full of iron sand to slaughter the Sand ninja who had infiltrated this area.
Before him, several Sand ninja were fleeing in a panic, their mouths constantly complaining: "Why is Gaara appearing here? Has he joined the Jashin Religion as well?"
"Also, when did this kid learn Magnet Style? Why is he so strong!"
Halfway through his complaint, a streak of iron sand drilled out from the ground, wrapping around his ankle like a tentacle.
Then, a spear made of iron sand fell from high above, piercing through his chest with unerring accuracy. The powerful impact caused his entire body to explode like a cannonball!
The other two were terrified; the fear of Shukaku still lingered in their minds.
But soon, they no longer had the chance to be afraid.
Because a large amount of flowing iron sand drilled out from the ground, skewering the two of them and hanging them in the air like a withered tree trunk.
A black cloud of iron sand landed on the ground, and Gaara's eyes were filled with coldness and indifference.
"Truly clean and efficient."
Jugo's voice rang out, expressing admiration for Gaara's performance just now.
Gaara looked on with disdain: "Just a few ants. My target is Rasa."
Jugo gave a faint smile: "That kid Sasuke seems to be chasing your footsteps; he probably wants to surpass you during this training."
Gaara's expression remained unchanged: "As he wishes."
Although he was only a year older than Sasuke, Gaara, who had lived in darkness since childhood, was clearly more mature and calm.
Floating beside Jugo was a pale eyeball. Relying on this eyeball, he could take in everything happening several kilometers away.
"The opposite side seems unable to sit still; it's time to retreat, Gaara."
"Mhm."