Chapter 214: A Tactical Home Switch

Paradise Island.

The Uchiha combat forces have assembled.

Fugaku, Itachi, Tetsuhi, Chiyoko, Kakashi, Tenzō, Guruguru, Dan, and Tsunade: nine formidable shinobi, each with at least Kage-level strength.

Additionally, a hundred Uchiha ninjas, most of whom have activated their Sharingan, have successfully integrated Hashirama's cells.

This elite force is even mightier than the Akatsuki at its peak.

They're ready to dominate the shinobi world.

"Is everything set?" Fugaku inquired, looking at Uchiha Yashiro.

Yashiro nodded, reporting, "Clan leader, as per your instructions, everything is prepared."

Previously, in preparation for battle, the Uchiha clan produced hundreds of thousands of explosive tags. They're now buried beneath Paradise Island, expertly concealed.

Even the Hyūga clan's Byakugan would struggle to detect them.

This seemingly beautiful island has been transformed into a massive powder keg.

Ready to explode.

When the Shinobi Allied Forces arrive, intending to capture the Uchihas, they're in for a massive surprise.

"Let's move," commanded Fugaku.

The Uchihas boarded their ships, leaving Paradise Island, heading full speed into the open sea.

Their next move wasn't the initially planned guerrilla warfare against the Allied Forces at sea.

Dan proposed a better tactic.

The core of this strategy was simple: switch homes.

Indeed, Fugaku and the others aimed for the main base of the Shinobi Allied Forces.

Taking advantage of the enemy's full deployment, the Uchihas seized this golden opportunity, abandoning their home to infiltrate the enemy's.

Thus, leveraging their smaller numbers and agility, Fugaku and the others navigated their ships around the vast ocean, avoiding the Allied Forces' fleet.

They then headed straight for a coastal town.

Two days later, the ninja troops from the four major villages finally arrived.

On the horizon, hundreds of warships aligned, slowly approaching Paradise Island.

On the foremost ship stood Danzō, Ōnoki, the Fourth Raikage A, and Kazekage Chiyo, all gazing at the distant island.

From afar, they could see the numerous wooden villas and facilities on Paradise Island, resembling a small village.

At the village entrance, a flag bearing the Uchiha clan's fan emblem fluttered in the wind.

However, there was no sign of any Uchihas.

"Was our plan leaked?" Ōnoki pondered, staring at the deserted village.

It seemed the Uchihas might have received intel or spotted the fleet from the four villages, prompting their early departure.

Danzō frowned, summoning a Leaf ANBU, ordering, "Send Hyūga Hizashi, Inuzuka Hana, and a few others to the island to investigate."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Ten minutes later, the Leaf's reconnaissance team leaped from the ship's deck, swiftly approaching Paradise Island across the water.

Upon reaching the island and the Uchiha village entrance, the Leaf ninjas gazed at the village and the Uchiha flag, their expressions mixed with complex emotions.

Once, they had despised the Uchihas, ostracizing them, wishing they'd leave Konoha.

However, when their "wish" came true, they realized the subsequent events weren't as pleasant as they'd imagined.

With the village's fall, all Konoha ninjas and villagers became slaves to Danzō and the four major villages.

If only the Uchihas hadn't left...

But regrets were pointless now.

Their only option was to swiftly eliminate the Uchiha clan, end the Fourth Great Ninja War, and perhaps lead a slightly peaceful life.

With that thought, Byakugan activated!

Hyūga Hizashi formed a hand seal, veins bulging around his eyes, using the Byakugan's penetrating vision to scan the village.

"Find anything?" Inuzuka Hana, with her long blonde hair tied in a ponytail, inquired.

"The village is indeed empty. It's up to you now," Hizashi replied, deactivating his Byakugan.

Hana nodded, slowly crouching down, closing her eyes, and placing her palm on the ground. She expanded her sensory range across the entire island.

Time ticked by.

Found it.

At a certain moment, a flash of insight struck Inuzuka Hana, and she abruptly opened her eyes.

"There's a significant chakra presence deep within the forest on this island. Judging by the numbers, it's the Uchiha clan," she declared with a serious tone.

Discovering the Uchiha's hideout meant that a major battle was imminent. And, unsurprisingly, the Leaf ninjas would be at the forefront of the charge.

Indeed.

Upon hearing this news, Ōnoki warned, "Be cautious. This could be a trap set by the Uchihas," his face reflecting his cunning and experience. The implication was clear: the Stone village ninjas wouldn't act rashly.

Kazekage Chiyo and Raikage A exchanged glances, echoing Ōnoki's sentiments.

"The Uchiha menace in the shinobi world will be eradicated by the Leaf," Danzō stated emotionlessly. Without hesitation, he ordered five thousand Leaf ninjas to storm the island.

He didn't care about the Leaf ninjas' casualties. If it meant maintaining peace in the shinobi world by eliminating the Uchiha clan, any price was worth paying.

And then there was the Sharingan.

That was Danzō's true motive for initiating this war.

A single three-tomoe Sharingan could allow him to use Izanagi once, escaping death.

If he could annihilate the entire Uchiha clan and collect nearly a hundred Sharingan, Danzō could recklessly wield the power of Izanagi, essentially granting him immortality.

Of course, the even more potent Mangekyō Sharingan was something he coveted.

However, Ōnoki and the others saw through Danzō's intentions. They wouldn't let the Leaf monopolize the spoils of war.

Especially the Sharingan.

The Uchiha clan's Sharingan had to be distributed among the major ninja villages. Especially the Mangekyō, capable of controlling the Tailed Beasts - the Leaf wouldn't be allowed to keep even one.

Thus, the three major ninja villages dispatched their troops, closely following the Leaf's forces, landing on Paradise Island.

They advanced deep into the island's forest.

Soon after, "Found it," a Leaf ninja whispered, discovering a concealed cave entrance hidden by foliage.

The chakra fluctuations sensed by Inuzuka Hana emanated from deep within this cave.

Quickly, the Allied Shinobi Forces surrounded the cave.

Then, on Danzō's command, several Leaf ANBU entered the cave to investigate.

Navigating the dark, narrow passage, "What's this?" the leading ANBU captain exclaimed, his voice betraying his shock.

Deep within the cave, numerous wooden puppets created using Wood Release techniques were stacked. Their surfaces were covered in paper tags, each inscribed with the kanji for "explode."

"It's a trap! Retreat!" the ANBU captain shouted, but it was too late.

Boom!

A massive explosion triggered the Uchiha's trap. The blast consumed the ANBU and caused the cave to collapse.

This explosion set off a chain reaction.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions erupted across Paradise Island. Flames and thick smoke soared into the sky.

From an aerial view, the beautiful island was engulfed in a sea of fire in mere moments.

Amidst the continuous explosions, the screams and cries of the Allied Shinobi Forces echoed. Blood flowed like rivers, and limbs were scattered everywhere.

Half an hour later, the surviving Allied Forces ninjas, who managed to escape from Paradise Island, looked back with palpable relief.

After a rough count, at least three thousand ninjas perished on the island. Many more were injured, rendered incapable of fighting.

"Damn Uchihas," Danzō muttered, his eyes cold. With a mere glance, his ANBU executed the pirates who had guided the Allied Forces, regardless of whether they were pawns of the Uchiha or not.

Moreover, "Hyūga Hizashi, how did you miss this? With the Byakugan, how did you not detect the explosive tags the Uchihas buried?" Danzō interrogated, his voice sharp.

Hizashi's face paled as he quickly defended himself, "Hokage-sama, Gennō concealed explosive tags throughout the Leaf village and underground. The Leaf's ANBU and the Hyūga clan were unaware for over twenty years..."

Danzō's rise to Hokage was facilitated by those very explosive tags left by Gennō. But he hadn't expected—

The Uchiha clan had replicated Gennō's tactics on Paradise Island.

"Seize him and bring him back to the Leaf for interrogation!" Danzō ordered, not even waiting for Hyūga Hizashi's defense, and immediately commanded the ANBU to act.

Swish.

Several ANBU drew chains, moving towards Hizashi. With a look of humiliation, he was bound and taken prisoner.

Witnessing this, the other Leaf ninjas remained silent, heads bowed, none daring to speak up for Hizashi.

Whoosh.

Ōnoki descended from mid-air, landing on the deck, his brow furrowed, "If the Uchiha have already left this island, where could they have gone?"

The Fourth Raikage approached, shaking his head, "Considering the Uchiha's nature, they might not keep running... Oh no!" Realization dawned on him, and he guessed where the Uchiha might be headed.

The Allied Shinobi Forces' main base.

Thinking of this, the Fourth Raikage grew anxious.

Because...

Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki from the Cloud village, had stayed back at the base due to recent instability with her Tailed Beast.

If the Uchiha attacked the main base, Yugito's fate might mirror that of Yagura and Yugao from the Mist village.

Becoming puppets of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Retreat!" The Raikage roared, ordering all Cloud ships to turn around.

He, along with the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki Killer B and elite subordinates like Cee and Darui, set out first, hastening their return.

However...

By the time the Allied Shinobi Forces realized the Uchiha's tactical switch, it was too late.

Seaside Town.

Since its takeover, it had become the Allied Forces' camp.

To exterminate the Uchiha, almost the entire army had been deployed, but a force of three thousand remained at the camp for logistical tasks like building ships and managing supplies.

Another night.

The night sky was overcast, obscuring the moonlight, casting darkness everywhere.

Splash.

Waves crashed ashore, accompanied by a chilly sea breeze.

Tap tap tap.

Footsteps approached.

Two Stone village ninjas, one short and one bald, patrolled the camp's perimeter with lanterns.

"I wonder how the battle's going. I hope they finish off those damn Uchiha soon. I want to go home," the shorter one remarked, yawning.

"I'm different. I'll stay in the Leaf as a top-tier ninja and enjoy the company of the beautiful Leaf ladies," the bald one chuckled, daydreaming.

"Hold on, I need to pee."

The shorter one felt a sudden urge and headed towards a nearby forest with his lantern. But he soon stopped in his tracks.

The bald one, puzzled, called out, "Hey, you done?"

Seeing no response, he grew wary and drew a kunai, approaching cautiously.

Suddenly, the shorter one turned, his eyes now a glowing three-tomoe Sharingan.

He'd fallen under a genjutsu.

Damn.

The bald one's face paled. Before he could shout "Ambush!", a swift kunai pierced his heart from behind.

Whoosh.

Tetsuho withdrew his blade, and the bald ninja's body fell forward.

Soon after, hundreds of fully armed figures emerged from the forest, concealed by the night.

The Uchiha were nearing the Allied Forces' camp.

"Byakugan, activate!"

Kakashi activated his Byakugan, scanning the surroundings.

"There are about three thousand enemies. Additionally, there's a massive chakra source, likely a Jinchūriki..."

He paused, then gravely added, "We've been spotted."

Because the enemy also had the Byakugan.

In a distant watchtower, a ninja with transplanted Byakugan eyes detected the Uchiha in the darkness.

"Intruders!"

A flare shot into the sky, bursting into brilliant fireworks.

"If a sneak attack won't work, we'll face them head-on. Relish the feast of battle!" Fugaku declared, his Mangekyō Sharingan spinning.

"Yes!" The clan responded in unison.

In the next moment, nearly a hundred glowing Sharingan eyes illuminated the darkness.