Chapter 78: CHAPTER 78
---
The sun rose slowly over the island nation of Uzushiogakure, its warm light veiled by dark, ominous clouds gathering on the horizon.
The salty sea breeze, once a comforting reminder of home, now carried the distant echoes of explosions and the faint metallic scent of blood.
The serene island village, known for its mastery of sealing arts, was under attack.
---
The southeastern port of Uzushiogakure was the first to fall under assault. Kirigakure's warships, their hulls painted dark to blend with the churning sea, approached with grim precision.
Water Release users cloaked the fleet in thick, unnatural mist that rolled across the waves, making it almost impossible to detect their arrival until it was too late.
As the ships docked, Kiri shinobi surged onto the piers, swift and silent.
However, as soon as their feet hit the wooden planks, explosive seals ignited, erupting in a blaze of destructive energy.
Several ships were consumed by the blasts, sending wooden shards and broken masts into the air.
"Hold the line!" bellowed Captain Daigo Uzumaki, his sword gleaming with sealing inscriptions.
He cut through wave after wave of attackers with lethal precision, his strikes imbued with sealing jutsu that paralyzed and obliterated enemies on contact.
Despite the losses inflicted by the village's traps, the Kirigakure shinobi pressed forward, relentless in their mission to secure the port and block any chance of escape.
To the north, the roaring waves carried Kumogakure's heavily armored warships.
Lightning crackled around the hulls as shinobi channeled their chakra into the waters, creating a living barrier of electrical destruction.
At the forefront was a towering man clad in steel-like armor, his booming voice cutting through the cacophony of war.
"Advance!" roared Raikage A, his thunderous command vibrating through the air. "Take the village, or die trying!"
Kumo's forces landed with crushing force, smashing through barriers with brute strength and deadly Lightning Release jutsu.
Their coordinated strikes neutralized several defenses, though many fell prey to hidden explosive seals.
Still, their momentum carried them forward, determined to conquer the port.
At the northwestern shore, Iwagakure's fleet moved with ruthless efficiency.
Their Earth Release users molded stone pathways from the sea, creating solid land for their forces to march upon.
Explosions echoed as hidden traps activated, but Iwa's shinobi countered each with practiced ease, raising walls of stone to absorb the damage.
Floating above the battlefield, Onoki of Both Scales, the Third Tsuchikage, surveyed the battlefield with a calculating eye. "Clear the path," he commanded, voice sharp as steel. "No delays."
Under his orders, Iwa's ninja pushed forward, relentless in their assault. Within hours, all three ports had fallen.
As the battle raged, Uzumaki applied hit and run tactics to deal heavy damage.
---
In the heart of Uzushiogakure, the circular council chamber was thick with tension.
The room, adorned with murals depicting the Uzumaki clan's storied history, seemed almost oppressive as village elders gathered around a central stone table.
At the head stood Ashina Uzumaki, his crimson hair flowing like a mane of fire.
His sharp eyes burned with intensity as he activated his Mind's Eye of Kagura, counting the invading forces. His face turned grim.
"Nine thousand," he muttered darkly.
Gasps echoed throughout the chamber.
"Impossible!" Elder Seiji hissed, his face pale. "We haven't faced an army this large since the Warring States Era!"
Lady Reina clutched her ceremonial staff, her voice trembling. "We... we've never been attacked with such ferocity. Not even in those dark days."
Memories of the Warring States Era swept through the room, a time when blood flowed like rivers and the world was torn apart by endless conflict.
Back then, the Uzumaki had thrived due to their alliance with the Senju Clan, their closest and most trusted allies.
With the Senju protecting them from the mainland, Uzushiogakure flourished, its sealing arts unmatched.
Even during the First Great Ninja War, when other clans were ravaged by constant fighting, the Uzumaki endured, supplying Konoha with seals, supplies, and expertise.
Their casualties were heavy, losing 500 shinobi during the war, but they had slowly recovered over the past 15 years.
Now, with three thousand active ninja, they were still formidable — though even that might not be enough.
---
Ashina's voice cut through the growing despair like a blade. "This is not the time to fear. We are the Uzumaki! We endured the Warring States Era and survived the First Great Ninja War. We will endure this too."
Kazuki Uzumaki, Ashina's son, stepped forward. His fiery eyes blazed with determination.
"Father is right. We have the power to fight. Trust in our defenses and trust in Konoha's reinforcements. They will come."
His words reignited a flicker of hope among the elders. Ashina nodded approvingly.
"Prepare the defenses. Has the women, children, and elderly moved to the underground shelters."
"Yes Uzukage-sama" Spoke elder Seiji.
"Very well, Let's show the world the strength of Uzushiogakure!" Ashina roar echoed in the hall.
---
An hour later, the invading forces consolidated their hold on the ports.
At the village's makeshift defensive walls, constructed hastily with Earth Release and reinforced with sealing jutsu, the leaders of the three attacking villages arrived.
Raikage A stepped forward, his massive frame crackling with latent electricity. His booming voice resonated across the battlefield.
"Uzukage, we have come to offer you a choice."
Ashina's eyes narrowed but remained composed. "What kind of choice do you speak of?"
Raikage A smirked coldly. "An alliance."
A murmur rippled through the gathered Uzumaki elders, their eyes flickering with uncertainty. Ashina's gaze never left the Raikage.
"An alliance?" Ashina repeated warily. "Under what terms?"
Raikage A's smirk widened. "Simple. You will surrender your sealing techniques, swear fealty to us, and aid us in destroying Konoha."
The last sentence hit like a thunderclap. Kazuki's eyes blazed with fury, but Ashina raised a hand, silencing him.
"Destroy Konoha?" Ashina said, his voice steady. "And why would we betray our oldest allies?"
Raikage A chuckled, his deep voice reverberating menacingly. "Do you really think Konoha cares for you anymore? They've developed bloodline seals, and their clans have begun to thrive while your people rot on this forgotten island."
Ashina's face darkened. He could feel the eyes of his council on him, their expressions etched with doubt.
"Even now," Raikage A continued, "we are here, yet Konoha is not. They're tangled in their wars with Suna, Kumo, and Amegakure. Do you truly believe they'll come to your aid? You are no longer valuable to them."
Kazuki clenched his fists. The words stung because they echoed fears many of the elders already shared.
The Third Mizukage, his sharp, predatory gaze fixed on Ashina, spoke coldly, "You have always been an obstacle. If you refuse, we will kill every man, woman, and child in this village... and take your sealing secrets by force."
The brutal declaration left no room for interpretation. The Uzumaki elders paled, their fear now undeniable.
Ashina's expression hardened. He knew there would be no true alliance — only enslavement or annihilation. His voice, calm but fierce, cut through the tense air:
"If we surrendered our sealing techniques and allied with you, would you let us live?"
The Mizukage sneered but remained silent, his bloodlust barely restrained. Onoki, hovering slightly behind, remained coldly analytical, watching every reaction carefully.
Raikage A's eyes glinted with a hint of amusement. "Yes. Surrender your sealing techniques... and we will let you live."
But in his mind, a cruel smile played at the edge of his thoughts. Once you surrender, there will be no need to let any of you live.
---
Ashina activated his Mind's Eye of Kagura, scanning the enemy's intentions. Darkness clouded every heart. He clenched his jaw.
He spoke slowly, deliberately: "There was a pact made between the First Hokage and the Uzumaki. Later, another pact was made with the Third Hokage. We will never betray Konoha."
His words were steady, but he felt the weight of doubt among his elders. He could see it in their faces.
Memories of Konoha's slow distancing from Uzushiogakure, despite the bloodline seal advancements and increased power, loomed large in their minds.
Onoki, arms crossed, floated slightly forward, his sharp gaze piercing through the tense atmosphere. "Fools," he said coldly. "You invite your own doom."
Kazuki stepped forward, meeting Onoki's gaze defiantly. "Don't try to act righteous here, you midget. We already know what you would do even if we surrendered."
"We'd rather fight to the last than surrender to you!" Kazuki declared fiercely.
Onoki's temper surged after listening the word midget. "What did you say, you fucking bastard?"
Kazuki smirked. "You heard me. Don't pretend to be something you're not. We know your kind — robbers, liars, murderers."
The Tsuchikage's temper surged as he clenched his fists.
"What did you say you little twerp? I dare you say it again, I will scatter your ashes to dust also after that I will sleep with your wife and daughter with this body and let you see what this midget body can do?"
Kazuki after thinking that he won the argument smiled, but soon hearing the last sentence his eyes went bloodshot, soon he spoke,
"you damn midget, do you even have it between your legs due to your height.... or even that was just miniscule and Dust Release erode that too?"
Onoki's face turned red with rage. "You fucking bastard brat! I'll kill you with my own hands!"
Raikage A raised a hand, stopping Onoki before he could lunge forward. "Enough."
Onoki seethed but relented, fuming silently.
Raikage A turned his gaze back to Ashina. "You've made your choice, Uzukage. Now face the consequences."
Without another word, the three Kages turned and walked back toward their respective forces. The war had officially begun.
---
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone