Chapter 89: Chapter 89
The horrors of war are always unbelievable during times of peace. Just like Naruto, despite being the protagonist of the original story, he could never fathom the harrowing experiences of war endured by Nagato and Konan. It's even more unfathomable to predict the outcomes when one village's army invades the territory of its enemy.
Are they fighting for money? For food? These seem trivial in comparison. Even Nagato witnessed Konoha Shinobis killing his parents for food. It's just the tip of the iceberg.
Incidents like killing, looting, or even unspeakable things are not rare in the southern region of the Land of Fire. Not to mention the inherently brutal methods of training ninjas employed by the Mist Village.
When viewed from a different perspective, Konoha might employ similar methods after invading an enemy nation. No one stands on a higher moral ground than anyone else.
Tatsuya stood on the devastated battlefield in the southern part of Konoha and glimpsed the dire circumstances of his homeland. Even Konoha Shinobi, civilians among them, were overwhelmed with anger. In their bloodshot eyes, they saw nothing but their enemies, plotting their demise.
The two armies clashed fiercely. Flesh and blood sprayed, and they charged headlong.
"These guys' morale is worlds apart from the last time," Fuguki Suikazan remarked as he decapitated a Konoha Shinobi with a massive blade. Samehada.
On this battlefield, few posed a threat to him. However, the madness of Konoha Shinobi, who knew that their defeat meant the death of all their loved ones in their Konoha, left him envious.
"It's because reinforcements have arrived, and they know that if they don't persist, even Konoha might not be able to protect their family."
Yagura swung a peculiar iron rod and was soon surrounded by Nara, Yamanaka, and Akamichi clans.
"Ino-Shika-Cho, stay vigilant," Yagura reminded himself.
"Maintain your composure and don't forget our mission," Ringo, one of the Seven Ninja Swords, jumped to a branch of a massive tree near Suikazan, and warned.
Suikazan shifted his gaze to the back of the Konoha army, where a conspicuous white figure stood amidst the chaos. In a deep voice, he said, "I know."
"It's a tragedy," Rin, who stood beside Tatsuya, couldn't hide her grief. While she had witnessed the cruelty of war before, the horrors in the occupied Land of Fire area exceeded anything she'd seen on the northern battlefield. Among the lifeless bodies lay women and children. The fluids beneath them hinted at the agony they'd suffered before death.
"This is war," Tatsuya said impassively, his gaze piercing through the chaotic and blood-soaked battlefield. He looked toward a middle-aged man at the back of the Mist Shinobi army, a man with waist-length black hair but many wrinkles on his face. Though he appeared to be in his early forties, he was a few years older than the Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The enigmatic Mizukage in the original story was the Third Mizukage. Just like the future Haku, was he a ninja from the Yuki Clan, an Ice bloodline limit Ninja?
"Rin, stay alert," Tatsuya cautioned.
"Yes," Rin replied.
Rin retreated approximately 30 meters away, raising the Chakra Scalpel in her hands, ready to engage in combat. After years of experience, she had grown accustomed to staying close to Tatsuya during battles.
Tatsuya said, "The best way to end this war is by capturing the king first." He placed his right hand on the hilt of the Zanpakutō knife, exuding a terrifying Chakra that sent shivers down the spines of the weak.
Jonins dared not approach to stop him and could only watch in fear as Tatsuya slowly advanced towards the Third Mizukage. Tatsuya declared, "In this war, my goal has been achieved. It's time to end it." With those words, he drew Zanpakutō three centimeters from its sheath.
Tatsuya thought inwardly, "I should praise you for achieving such heights as Shinobi, but... you, lacking the blood of the sons of Sage of Six Paths, can only play a supporting role in this world."
Suddenly, Tatsuya unsheathed his knife. Reiatsu surged, condensing on the blade and releasing in a vertical slash, creating a vast and unparalleled force, pure and devoid of any impurities. It was unstoppable, obliterating everything in its path.
"So powerful—stronger than when he fought against the Sand Shinobi during the last Ninja War!" Nara Shikaku, who had witnessed Tatsuya's first strike during the Second Ninja World War, was astonished, along with the other spectators.
Meanwhile, Hirzuen, Danzo, and the elder duo were occupied with the Mists Seven Ninja Swordsmen offensive. Their eyes widened at the overwhelming destructive power.
"Is that the might of the [Konoha's Black Fang]?" The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, fellow swordsmen ninjas, understood the significance of this technique better than others.
"Is this truly the pinnacle of 'human' capability?"
The Third Mizukage's hands formed seals, their palms facing outwards as if to block a strike capable of cleaving mountains. "Ice style·Ice Shield!"
The nearly transparent ice crystals outlined a diamond-shaped protective shield with no blind spots, effectively halting the attack's advance.
Reiatsu's sword energy collided with the ice barrier, visibly slowing down but relentlessly attempting to devour the ice wall and the Third Mizukage within.
Tatsuya remarked inwardly, "Impressive defense, but it won't be enough to halt my strike. No ninja can withstand my slash!"
A deafening explosion echoed as the clash between attack and defense endured for about five seconds. Reiatsu's sword energy engulfed the ice shield, obliterating everything in its path.
"Success!" Yamanaka Inoichi shouted.
"Is the Third Mizukage defeated?" Akamichi Choza questioned with surprise.
Nara Shikaku frowned. "It's not that simple, after all, he has repeatedly suppressed Lord Hokage countless times in the past."
The voice of the Third Mizukage resonated like a ghost, "Ice Jutsu·Thousand Killing Needles!"
Tatsuya shifted his gaze and whispered to himself, "In that moment of clash of my strike and his shield, he escaped with an ice clone. Can an old man in his 60s do this?"
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