The ANBU gathered in the bluestone square — a vast sea of Kiri ninjas ready for battle.
Everyone's faces brimmed with fervent excitement, and an atmosphere of frenzy and killing intent enveloped the square. Even the surrounding air was filled with a biting chill.
At the forefront, Yūsuke looked at the large troop of three thousand people and spoke loudly.
"Yesterday, Konohagakure wanted to negotiate peace with us, but it was just their inferior tactic. Now, their purpose has been thwarted by us! But we, Kirigakure, cannot swallow this insult!"
"This time, all participating ninjas, you have only one goal! When you're on the battlefield and see Konoha ninjas, kill one if you meet one! Kill a pair if you meet two!"
"This time, we have only one purpose: crush Konoha!"
As soon as he finished speaking, all the Kiri ninjas gathered in the bluestone square below began to raise their arms and shout:
"Crush Konoha!" "Crush Konoha!"
Yūsuke handed out the chakra and stamina recovery potions he had exchanged to Mangetsu Hōzuki and others.
"Move out!"
He shouted loudly, and the morale of the troops soared!
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At the same time, on the top floor of the ANBU building, at a window in the corner.
Kushina, with her exhausted body, barely leaned on the windowsill. She saw the ninjas below, who had already assembled and were now marching grandly towards the Land of Fire. She could only helplessly bite her lip.
Watching all this unfold before her eyes, yet she was powerless to do anything. It's not that she hadn't thought about releasing the Nine-Tails seal within her.
But if she did that, she would die too.
Moreover, Kushina still had someone she cared about. Minato was still suffering in the dungeon.
Yūsuke had told her that as long as she behaved herself, he could guarantee that Minato wouldn't die.
Not dying meant there was still hope. With hope, she couldn't die.
Kushina was also struggling in her heart. She had endured the humiliation until now. Just a little more perseverance and she believed that Konohagakure would come to rescue her and Minato again.
After all, she was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
This was her only hope right now.
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On the outskirts of Kirigakure, the three thousand-strong ninja army split into three groups, each following their designated path.
Mangetsu Hōzuki and Kisame Hoshigaki led a team of one thousand. Fuguki Suikazan and Jinin Akebino commanded another thousand. The remaining Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist led the final thousand.
As for Yūsuke, he led a small group, with Mei in the squad. At that moment, she clung to his arm, her flirtatious gestures unending.
To Yūsuke's left stood Kimimaro, dressed in a white kimono.
After extensive training and using the recovery potions he had acquired, Kimimaro's hidden illness had completely vanished.
Moreover, his Kekkei Genkai had fully integrated with his body. The Shikotsumyaku had completely fused! It remained to be seen how much he could now harness it.
Yūsuke eagerly anticipated this.
The three thousand Kiri ninjas were undeniably the main force in this war. For his part, he planned to take two hundred Kaguya clan members, ready to form a spearhead on the battlefield!
He was also keen to observe how the Kaguya clan, famed as battle fanatics, would perform in combat!
"Notify the Kaguya clan. Gather two hundred elite ninjas from them," Yūsuke commanded.
The ANBU behind him promptly obeyed and headed towards the nearby Kaguya camp.
"Hehehe... Hubby~" At that moment, Mei noticed that only she, Yūsuke, and little Kimimaro were present.
Her restless heart began to stir.
"What is it?" Yūsuke asked, feigning ignorance as he noticed her cheeks turning rosy.
Mei glanced at him briefly, then bit her lip and approached Kimimaro.
"Hey, Kimimaro. When your clan members gather, start advancing along the route Captain Yūsuke mentioned, okay?"
Kimimaro frowned slightly, then looked to Yūsuke. He only took orders from him. Receiving a nod, Kimimaro responded with a simple "Mm."
Seeing this, Mei anxiously rushed to Yūsuke's side.
"There's a natural waterfall canyon behind us, you know." She blinked playfully.
Then, breathing softly, she whispered in his ear:
"Hey! Hubby. I'm wearing thigh-highs today, and they're fishnet too!"
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