Land of Fire, Northwest direction.
Thousands of Iwa ninjas cooperated, using joint Earth Release Ninjutsu with great momentum, constructing a massive earthen wall in the forest.
The Konoha ninjas were like mice targeted by a cat, scurrying and dodging everywhere.
There were only three famous powerhouses in Iwagakure: the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, Kitsuchi, and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han.
Their strength was comparable to Shisui and the others.
In fact, they also had a Four-Tails Jinchuriki, but because Roshi did not get along with Onoki, he left the village years ago to become a wandering monk. Although he had left the village, he still maintained contact with it.
Onoki had already sent a letter. At most in two weeks, even if Roshi didn't want to come, he would have to.
As for the Konoha ninjas, besides Yamato, who possessed Wood Release and the Sharingan, and Choza, there were no other powerful ninjas.
With their numbers suppressed and their combat power suppressed, Konoha retreated again and again but they retreated very slowly.
This was mainly due to Shikaku's strategies. He could quickly communicate tactics through Inoichi, making Onoki very wary, fearing that he might accidentally fall into his traps.
Some Iwa ninjas felt that Onoki was too cautious, believing that Iwagakure should just press forward with full force.
Consequently, a team of thirty Iwa ninjas chased after three Konoha ninjas, ignoring Onoki's prior warnings, and charged up in a fit of hot-headedness. As a result, they were blown to pieces by explosive tags on the spot.
After this happened several times, Iwagakure learned their lesson.
'Drag it out then. You Konoha are fighting on three fronts, let's see who can't hold on.' They thought.
The Konoha ninjas were more pessimistic.
Although Shikaku said that dragging it out was fine and they didn't need to fight to the death, who likes fighting an uphill battle where no dawn is in sight?
Even some Jonin who had attended the meeting and knew that Uchiha would help after making a move didn't know if they would help the Iwagakure front or the Kirigakure front. And they were a bit skeptical.
"Do you think Uchiha can really defeat Kumogakure?"
"Even if you don't trust Uchiha, you should at least trust Captain Shikaku."
"Sigh, I just don't dare to believe it. If the Uchiha win, that's fine, but if they lose, we're done for."
"Rest assured, Captain Shikaku said we can trust Hiromi's words, he is a man who keeps his promises."
"Sigh, I hope so."
—
Land of Fire, East.
On the Kirigakure here, Konoha was still at a disadvantage. Although the number of Kiri ninjas was only about a thousand, which wasn't many, the gap in high-end power was significant.
For example, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, and Terumī Mei, who possessed Lava Release and Boil Release, were very troublesome opponents.
And they didn't have a commander like Shikaku.
The Aburame and Hyuga Clans were there, preventing Kirigakure's forces from getting close to them. Kakashi and Guy could barely hold off Mei and Yagura if they pushed themselves.
But the situation was still not very optimistic.
The front line was constantly being pushed back, even faster than in the Iwagakure direction.
The Konoha ninjas were very discouraged.
"I hope the Uchiha don't collapse worse than we do."
"Sigh, if no one comes to support us, we'll be fighting at our doorstep again."
"Why do you think they let the Mitokado and Utatane clans guard the village? If they joined the war, even if they didn't win, they could at least drag it out."
"They have to protect Konoha, obviously."
"..."
"Why is your Hyuga Clan in such high spirits?"
"Huh?"
A Hyuga Jonin touched his face, feeling that if he went to take a bath now, he could definitely scrub off two pounds of dirt.
Is this high spirits?
But seeing the worried faces of others, he realized and said, "Trust Hiromi."
The Hyuga Clan had the most say regarding Hiromi's destructive power.
"..."
Everyone was speechless.
Suddenly, a shout rang out.
"The Fourth Mizukage is coming again!"
Everyone put away their laziness, their expressions extremely grave.
They prepared to put up a fight, and then move the camp back again.
—
Land of Fire, Northeast direction.
A large charred patch of land stood out in the middle of the lush, green forest.
Uchiha Clan Members stood in the middle of it, surrounding Matatabi and Gyuki, clicking their tongues in wonder.
These two Tailed Beasts were still under Hiromi's genjutsu control. Before leaving, Hiromi had ordered them to stay here.
And now, even if these two Tailed Beasts broke free from the genjutsu, they would be powerless to resist in the face of Shisui, Fugaku, and Itachi.
Therefore, the Uchiha Clan Members, already happy about winning the battle, were even happier to see these two Tailed Beasts as war trophies.
Suddenly, a golden light appeared high above their heads.
The clan members looked up.
"It's Hiromi!"
"Hiromi is back!"
The Uchiha Clan Members cheered endlessly.
Just as he was about to land, Hiromi withdrew the golden flames on his body, hovered for a moment, and then landed calmly on the ground.
As soon as he landed, all the Uchiha Clan Members surrounded him, their faces flushed with excitement.
"How was it, Hiromi?"
"Did you catch up?"
"The Fourth Raikage is fast, it doesn't matter if you didn't catch him."
"Yeah, thanks to you, we were able to defeat Kumogakure so easily."
Hiromi glanced at them and said, "Save your joy for when this so-called Fourth Great Ninja War is over."
Uchiha Clan Members: "..."
It was as if someone had suddenly stuffed their mouths with socks, and for a moment, they didn't know what to say.
***
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