Saitama looked into Sagi's eyes but remained silent.
"This time, the chunin gathered here will be organized into a unit and sent into battle as a team," Sagi said, seeing that Saitama wasn't interested and changing the subject.
"Well, who's leading the unit?" Saitama asked, a bit curious. There were around fifty chunin present. None were overwhelming in strength, and without a capable leader, things could easily spiral out of control—even with orders from above.
"The captain is from your clan—Uchiha Lin," Sagi said. "I hear he's recently gained favor with the Uchiha clan head, and his strength is nothing to scoff at." He looked upward, as if trying to recall something.
"Lin?" Saitama raised an eyebrow, surprised. He had known Lin was strong, but he hadn't expected him to be appointed the commander of such an important unit.
Though dozens of shinobi stood around them, the area was unusually quiet. Even the ones talking did so in hushed tones—including Sagi and Saitama.
"You know him, right, Saitama? You're both from the Uchiha clan," Sagi asked curiously, having noticed Saitama murmur Lin's name.
"Yeah," Saitama nodded. Then, as if on cue, he turned toward a figure approaching in the distance. It was someone he knew well.
The open ground fell completely silent as the figure stepped closer.
Uchiha Lin walked up slowly and stood before the assembled shinobi, his sharp gaze sweeping across them like a seasoned commander surveying the battlefield.
"I'm your assigned captain," Lin began in a steady voice. "From this point on, we fight together—for ourselves and for Konoha."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Our assignment is to reinforce the right flank. It won't be easy, so I expect no one to slack off."
Then, with a wave of his hand, he gave the order: "Move out! The battlefield needs us—and so does Konoha."
He turned, leading the unit forward.
Similar scenes were unfolding throughout the Konoha encampment. Multiple jonin were assembling teams of chunin, preparing to deploy them as cohesive units.
The battlefield lay five miles ahead. A wide, barren stretch of sandy terrain.
At the very front, Orochimaru stood in the command tent, overseeing the frontlines. Beside him were some of Konoha's most trusted strategists—including Nara Shikaku, as well as elite jonin like Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi.
"Orochimaru-sama," Shikaku said, pointing to a map spread across the table, "this area marks our current position. Intelligence suggests this will be the primary battleground between us and Sunagakure."
The map was marked with terrain features, but its crude sketches wouldn't mean much to someone unfamiliar with the layout.
Orochimaru studied the map in silence, his golden, serpentine eyes unreadable.
"This engagement may decide the tide of the war," Shikaku continued. "Suna has concentrated most of their military strength here. Numerically, we're at a disadvantage."
"I'll pin their main forces in a direct clash," Orochimaru said, voice calm and raspy. "Draw out their elite. Make them come to me."
"Even with your strength, Orochimaru-sama," Choza said gravely, "facing so many high-level opponents… it's a risk."
"That's the reality of Konoha's situation," Orochimaru replied coolly, turning toward Shikaku.
Shikaku didn't respond, but his clenched jaw spoke volumes. Konoha was fighting on multiple fronts. This was only one of many battles. Their forces were spread thin.
"So be it. Assign the jonin guard to my side. We'll hold the center," Orochimaru ordered, his eyes narrowing as killing intent spilled from him like venom. "I've had enough of Suna's evasiveness."
"Yes, sir," the others replied, returning to battle planning despite the tense atmosphere.
---
Meanwhile, Saitama's unit had reached its designated position, advancing stealthily and concealing their presence as they waited for the signal to attack.
"Saitama," came Lin's quiet voice. He was hunkered behind a shallow crater a few meters away, mostly hidden, only the top of his head visible.
"What?" Saitama tilted his head slightly but didn't move.
"Stay alive. This isn't a duel—it's war." Lin's tone was unusually grave.
"Yeah," Saitama replied, his voice calm. "I know."
---
At the frontlines, Orochimaru stood tall before the gathered Konoha forces, facing the wind-blasted desert beyond. Across the field, hidden in the yellow haze, stood a mass of Suna shinobi.
One figure stood ahead of the rest—radiating authority.
Orochimaru squinted, his tongue flicking across his lips. His eyes narrowed.
"Orochimaru… is this all Konoha has left to offer?" The voice echoed across the battlefield, causing murmurs among Konoha's ranks.
"So the new Kazekage likes theatrics," Orochimaru replied, his raspy voice dry and unimpressed.
"I wonder if you're strong enough to bear the weight of Suna's future," Orochimaru said casually, arms crossed, showing no concern.
"Hmph! I've heard much about you, Orochimaru of the Sannin," Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, replied coldly. "Let's see if the rumors are true."
Rasa raised his right hand and pointed toward the battlefield's center.
From Orochimaru's sleeve came a biting gesture—he slammed his palm to the ground.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
A massive cloud of white smoke exploded upward—Manda, the giant purple serpent, appeared, letting out a bone-shaking roar. The very sight of it made even experienced shinobi flinch.
Rasa floated into the air atop a wave of golden sand, his control flawless.
"Ninja of Sunagakure!" Rasa called out. "Victory is within our grasp! It's time for Suna to reclaim its place on the world stage!"
From Manda's coils, a deep, feral voice boomed: "This battlefield had better be worth my time, Orochimaru…"
"Of course," Orochimaru said with a twisted smile, riding atop Manda's head. His long black hair fluttered in the wind. His eyes never left Rasa.
"Charge!"
Suna's army surged forward, kicking up a storm of sand as thousands advanced.
Orochimaru raised his voice over the chaos: "Ninja of Konoha! Now is the time to protect the village! Think of your families—your comrades! We do not retreat!"
"FOR KONOHA!"
The Konoha shinobi roared back, surging forward to meet the oncoming tide.
From above, it looked like two crashing waves—Suna's numbers easily double those of Konoha.
Rasa stayed behind on a rising platform of sand, surrounded by his personal guards. He didn't move—neither did Orochimaru.
Their battle would begin soon—and it would be one of Kage versus Sannin.
"Let's go, Manda," Orochimaru said. The serpent slithered toward the right flank, giving itself room to maneuver without trampling Konoha's own forces.
"I admire your boldness, Orochimaru," Rasa said. Though younger and newer to his role, he was no coward. Flanked by four elite jonin, he commanded with confidence.
"Attack!"
Ninjutsu of all elements lit up the battlefield as both armies clashed. Screams, explosions, and the roar of jutsu filled the air. Shinobi fell—but none stopped moving.
On Orochimaru's front, only he and Manda faced Rasa and his four elite guards.
Manda surged forward, fangs bared—an unstoppable force of destruction.
"Sand Wall!" A massive wave of golden sand rose to block the attack, Manda's jaws snapping against the dense barrier. He hissed and shook his head violently.
"ROAR!"
Orochimaru leapt down near Manda's flank, still watching silently.
This was only the beginning.
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