Chapter 20

The battle between the three major ninja villages on the continent raged on, while at sea, Kirigakure and Uzu no Kuni were on the brink of war.

In front of the fleet of Kirigakure, Hōzuki Gengetsu received a report from a Sensor Shinōbi.

"Mizukage-sama, a dozen ships under the Sunagakure flag have just departed from Uzu no Kuni. Should we intercept them?"

"Intercept? Don't bother. Everyone will get what they want," Hōzuki Gengetsu responded with a smug smile.

He was well aware of the situation, even more so than the Sensor Shinōbi. Two days ago, he had learned that Yasuke had led a group of elite Suna Shinōbi into Uzu no Kuni.

Hōzuki Gengetsu wasn't a fool. He understood the significance of Sunagakure's actions and what they were aiming for.

Issuing the order, Yuki Kuchiki swiftly set sail with a few small boats towards the port of Uzu no Kuni.

"They're acting recklessly. That Kazekage dares to challenge the legacy system left by Senju Hashirama. It's not going to end well," Hōzuki Gengetsu remarked, his smile tinged with a hint of amusement.

The bloodbath ensued as Uzu no Kuni and Kirigakure clashed with all their might. The Uzumaki Clan, fueled by their determination to protect their homeland, fought valiantly against the onslaught of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and Yuki Kuchiki.

Uzumaki Masahiko, though confined within the barrier of the Ancestral Hall, unleashed his Sealing Jutsu with precision and skill. His experience and wisdom became evident as he strategized to counter the relentless attacks of Kirigakure's shinobi.

The Uzu no Kuni shinobi, both the young and the experienced, fought side by side, pushing their limits and showcasing their unique abilities. The battlefield was a whirlwind of Chakra, blood, and the clash of powerful techniques.

In the midst of the chaos, Uzu no Kuni Daimyo stood tall, leading his clansmen with unwavering resolve. His presence ignited the fighting spirit within the Uzumaki Clan, driving them to fight with unparalleled determination.

As the battle raged on, Hitoshi, the Kazekage of Sunagakure, observed from a distance. He had strategically positioned his forces to provide support to Uzu no Kuni, ready to intervene if necessary. Hitoshi understood the significance of this battle, not only for Uzu no Kuni but for the future of the Shinobi World.

The clash between Uzu no Kuni and Kirigakure became a testament to the unyielding spirit of the Uzumaki Clan. Despite the overwhelming numbers and power of Kirigakure, the Uzu no Kuni shinobi fought with unwavering courage, defending their land and heritage.

The battle was intense, with casualties on both sides. The Uzumaki Clan, though outnumbered, showcased their resilience and resourcefulness. Their unity and determination served as a beacon of hope, inspiring those around them to fight with renewed vigor.

In the heat of the battle, the true strength of the Uzumaki Clan emerged. Their sealing techniques, combined with their indomitable spirit, turned the tides of the conflict. With each passing moment, they gained ground, pushing back Kirigakure's forces and reclaiming their territory.

The outcome of this battle would not only determine the fate of Uzu no Kuni but would also send ripples throughout the Shinobi World. It was a clash of ideologies, a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and a turning point in the history of the Uzumaki Clan.

As the sun began to set, casting an orange glow across the battlefield, the determination of the Uzumaki Clan burned brighter than ever. They fought with an unwavering resolve, knowing that their sacrifices would pave the way for a brighter future, where their legacy would endure and their clan would rise once again.

There was no rebuttal, no scolding; only a pair of eyes as the two sides engaged in direct combat.

Uzumaki Masahiko versus Yuki Kuchiki.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist against the crowd of Uzu Shinōbi.

Ice Release versus Kongō Fūsa.

Each of the seven ninja swords exhibited different abilities, each with a strange effect on various Sealing Jutsu.

Around the port, a war erupted between the two sides.

Though the number of combatants was not high, the destructive power and the atmosphere of war were overwhelming.

"Tsk tsk, these practitioners of Sealing Jutsu possess considerable strength.

Indeed, when any type of Ninjutsu is taken to the extreme, its destructive power becomes formidable."

Seated comfortably in his own home, Hitoshi sipped a drink, savored snacks, and watched a high-definition holo-screen movie, expressing amazement.

Beside Hitoshi were two Sunagakure leaders, Shamon and Chiyo.

At some point, a colossal eye appeared above Uzu no Kuni. If anyone with the Yin-Yang Chakra attribute were present, they would have sensed the strange power emanating from this eye, which was somehow connected to Hitoshi from a great distance.

On the screen, Uzumaki Masahiko employed Kongō Fūsa to disrupt Yuki Kuchiki's movements amidst a barrage of Ninjutsu attacks.

One of these attacks, a Sealing Jutsu, created a void in the area, as if it had been swallowed by a black hole.

"Soon, they will all be ours. We have managed to copy all these Ninjutsu.

This time, our feast will be plentiful."

Chiyo exclaimed joyfully from beside Hitoshi.

"The craftsmen we acquired have continued to bring value to us. Now, the restrictions from Hi no Kuni have also been relaxed. We will soon have no more problems," Shamon expressed with joy.

As they observed the battlefield, witnessing the bravery of the Uzu Shinōbi led by Uzumaki Masahiko, their happiness grew. Finally, Sunagakure would have their own Kekkei Genkai clan. Being descendants of Rikudō Sennin, the allure of a thousand-year inheritance was undeniable.

"Shamon-sama, we should send the battle Ninja Tools that we have created. Uzu no Kuni Daimyo needs our support," Hitoshi suggested, shaking his head thoughtfully.

He had a broader perspective and realized that Sunagakure could not simply enjoy the rewards without consequences. Kirigakure would never let them off easily.

"Indeed, we should send them, but not as a gift. It's a sale, a business transaction. Uzu no Kuni Daimyo still possesses a significant amount of natural resources. He is waiting for us to follow suit," Shamon quickly grasped the situation.

On the screen, Uzumaki Clan members were skillfully utilizing shuriken and Explosive Tags, demonstrating their expertise without any hesitation.

Just moments ago, Hōzuki Gengetsu led a formidable force, forcefully advancing through the water to launch their attack.

Using a water cannon technique unique to the Hōzuki clan, several Jonin and Uzumaki Clan members were killed, forcing Uzumaki Clan to adapt their tactics from close combat to long-range attacks using shuriken and Explosive Tags.

"The power gap is too significant. It's only a matter of time before Uzu no Kuni is destroyed. The only question is how much longer Kirigakure is willing to prolong it," Chiyo expressed with deep emotion.

Within Uzu no Kuni, there are barely two Kage-level shinobi, both of whom are at the brink of exhaustion. From Kirigakure's side, they already have two Kage-level shinobi, with one at the peak of Kage level. It's only a matter of time before they reach the pinnacle of Kage level.

Furthermore, there are seven quasi-Kages. All of this constitutes Kirigakure's formidable battle strength.

Chiyo recalled the events from the original work, where, even during Sunagakure's darkest moments, she and Rasa had the power to unleash Gaara's full potential as a Jinchūriki.

"It doesn't matter. Our role was to provide support. We have already obtained what we wanted, and now it's time to seize the opportunity to enrich ourselves," Hitoshi said with a hint of indifference.

The truth remains unchanged, and Hitoshi is well aware of that. He knows that he is not all-powerful, and even if he were, he wouldn't save Uzu no Kuni. It's not his responsibility, and he doesn't have such a strong connection with Uzu no Kuni.

If he had a Princess named Uzumaki Mito, things might have been different. But that's not the case. He can only take in as much as he can. Whatever can't be absorbed, he'll simply let it go.

"Pakura, get ready to convene the upper echelon. I want to hold a meeting to discuss our plans for the upcoming period," Hitoshi instructed Pakura, who stood behind him, as the captivating plot on the high-definition screen was nearing its end.

"Both of you, with the additional Chakra and balanced Shinōbi reinforcements, we can proceed with our next move," Hitoshi turned his head and addressed Chiyo and Shamon.

"Understood," they both replied with equal certainty.

As Suna Shinōbi, they lacked an abundance of Water Release users, which Uzu no Kuni possessed. Even if most of the individuals from Uzu no Kuni were children, their Chakra levels were comparable to Chunin and Jonin, which was more than sufficient.

The craftsmen from Uzu no Kuni had also effectively addressed the shortage of skilled artisans in Sunagakure.