The war between Konoha and Sunagakure continued without end. Each day, as he watched the endless flow of wounded soldiers and black body bags, Saitama felt himself change more and more. In everyday life, ninjas fulfilled many different roles, but here on the battlefield, they were reduced to little more than instruments of death.
Saitama neatly folded his own quilt, properly fastened all his gear, and prepared to leave the tent. He had rested here for quite some time, and his injuries were mostly healed. It was time to return to battle.
Pushing aside the curtain, Saitama saw an eager group of excited ninja, their eyes no longer filled with the numbness toward war that he'd seen before. Today, the Konoha ninjas—especially the regulars—showed clear expectations in their gazes, anticipation for the upcoming major battle.
Turning right upon exiting, Saitama made his way toward his designated assembly point. Due to his two outstanding performances and formidable strength, Saitama had been urgently promoted by the Hokage in Konoha to the rank of Chunin. This recognition was a formal commendation for outstanding service in wartime. Along with Saitama, many other ninja also received promotions. But there was no denying that Saitama stood out—he was the youngest by far. According to those who had worked with him, his power rivaled Jonins. However, promotion to Jonin required many complex procedures, so Saitama had not officially advanced to that rank this time. Therefore, among many ninja who knew certain details about him, Saitama was already regarded as equal to a Jonin—at least in terms of destructive capability.
"Saitama, you're here already." As Saitama approached the gathering spot, he met Soma.
"Hn." Saitama smiled slightly while nodding. It wasn't arrogance; he simply wasn't one for words. Still, they were comrades who had faced life-and-death situations together. Deep down, he still held Soma in genuine regard.
"Heard you've been promoted to Chunin. Congratulations!" Soma didn't mind Saitama's brief response. He knew Saitama generally kept quiet yet carried great passion inside, always treating allies well despite appearing cold on the surface—a dependable comrade who might seem indifferent but actually had a warm heart.
"Yeah, the promotion notice was issued just a couple of days ago." Saitama hadn't changed into the special Chunin combat uniform provided with the promotion notice. Instead, he wore his usual outfit. He preferred its loose and comfortable fit over the tight-fitting uniforms, which were cluttered with too many pockets.
"It won't be long before you qualify for Jonin status," Soma said casually, scratching his head.
Saitama met Soma's gaze but remained silent.
"All the Chunin here will be grouped into the same unit, fighting together as teammates in the upcoming battles," Soma remarked, noticing Saitama's low interest.
"Hn. Who's the squad leader?" Saitama showed slight curiosity. With at least fifty Chunin gathered here, only someone with undeniable strength could command true respect—even an official scroll from a high-ranking leader wouldn't be enough to sway them otherwise.
"The team leader? He's from your clan too—Uchiha Hayashi. Rumor says he's currently one of the clan head's favorites within the Uchiha Clan, and he's extremely powerful!" Soma tilted his gaze upward slightly as he recalled the details.
"Hayashi?"
Saitama was slightly surprised. He had underestimated Uchiha Hayashi's strength. Although he knew Hayashi was powerful, he hadn't expected the higher-ups to appoint him as the captain of such a unit.
Although many ninjas stood here, the crowd remained quiet. Even those who spoke did so in hushed tones, including Saitama and Soma.
"Do you know him, Saitama? Makes sense since you're both from the Uchiha Clan," Soma remarked curiously, misunderstanding the relationship between Saitama and Uchiha Hayashi after hearing Saitama quietly muttering Hayashi's name.
"Yeah," Saitama nodded, then turned his gaze toward a direction where a familiar figure approached.
As this person neared, the entire open space fell into complete silence.
Uchiha Hayashi walked forward slowly, stopping at the front of the unit. His eyes swept across all the ninja before him like a lord inspecting his domain.
"I will be everyone's captain for this mission. I hope we can rely on each other on the battlefield—both for ourselves and for Konoha!" Hayashi paused momentarily, delivering this cliché line with a serious expression.
"We are responsible for the critical task of attacking the enemy's right flank next. Everyone must stay focused."
"Move out! The battlefield needs us, and so does Konoha!" Hayashi waved his hand to signal advance, leading the group forward from the front.
Such scenes were unfolding throughout Konoha's camp. In many areas, one or more Jonin led teams of Chunin forming specialized assault units.
The battlefield lay about five li beyond the camp, across a stretch of sandy terrain.
Orochimaru, Konoha's top commander, had been stationed here at the frontline for quite some time to keep Sunagakure in check. Around him gathered Konoha's elite ninja forces, along with a brain trust that included Shikaku Nara.
"Commander Orochimaru, this is our current location," Shikaku Nara explained, pointing at the map spread across the table. The simple sketches of terrain features upon it would mean little to anyone unfamiliar. "This area here has become the unofficial main battleground between us and Sunagakure."
Orochimaru stared silently at the map, his eyes betraying emotions no one could decipher.
"This battle might determine the future course of the war," Shikaku continued grimly. "Sunagakure has already assembled most of their forces to confront us head-on. As the intelligence reports indicated, we are outnumbered."
"I will hold the main enemy force on the frontlines," came Orochimaru's raspy voice, golden serpentine pupils constricting. He spoke with ease, as though there were no pressure on his shoulders at all.
"Even as one of the Sannin, Commander Orochimaru may struggle against so many powerful adversaries," Choza Akimichi muttered gravely from his seat below Shikaku. As part of the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, he had earned the right to sit here and discuss military matters with Orochimaru.
"That truly reflects Konoha's current situation, doesn't it?" Orochimaru responded indifferently, fixing his gaze on Shikaku.
Shikaku remained silent, his face darkened with concern as he continued staring at the map.
Konoha's forces are currently engaged in conflicts on multiple fronts, with Sunagakure being the first to initiate hostilities. Konoha's military strength has been overly dispersed during this war, and consequently, the situation looks bleak for them.
"Then it's settled. Jonin Guards, stay by my side — we'll be leading the frontal assault." Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. His murderous aura filled the air, chilling the atmosphere. He had grown impatient with Suna's evasive behavior long ago.
"Understood!" The other ninjas in the tent replied in unison, resuming their grim preparations for battle.
Saitama's squad moved along the prearranged path to their assigned position. Everyone did their best to conceal their presence, waiting for the signal to launch the attack.
"Saitama." Uchiha Hayashi's voice reached Saitama's ears. He was lying near a pit about twenty feet away, hiding most of his body while only half his head remained visible as he spoke.
"What's up?" Saitama tilted his head slightly without moving his body.
"Watch yourself. This is real warfare, not some one-on-one match." Hayashi's tone was more serious than ever before.
"Yeah, I know." Saitama didn't loosen his guard. He understood the importance of individual strength in warfare, as well as the consequences of getting surrounded alone.
...
This was the main battlefield, where Orochimaru stood at the front of the ninja troops facing toward Sunagakure.
In the distance where the yellow sand swirled, Konoha ninjas spotted a dense cluster of enemies.
Orochimaru fixed his gaze on a prominent figure at the forefront of the Suna forces.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, licking his lips and staring intently.
"Orochimaru, is this really all the strength remaining within Konoha?" A voice from across the field stirred slight commotion among Konoha's side.
"Do you Suna ninja think your new Kazekage is all talk and no action?" Orochimaru disdainfully dismissed these tactics, responding with a raspy voice.
"Can this newly appointed Kazekage truly carry the weight of Sunagakure's future?" Orochimaru folded his arms, maintaining a relaxed posture.
"Hmph! I wonder if even the legendary Sannin Orochimaru can carry the day in this war alone. I'm greatly looking forward to it!" Unfazed by Orochimaru's contemptuous tone, Rasa signaled toward the center of the battlefield with his right hand.
In Rasa's opinion, Sunagakure already held the key to victory. It was never wise for Konoha to simultaneously engage in conflict against multiple forces.
"Boom!" Biting his right hand open, Orochimaru formed the hand seals for the Summoning Jutsu. Amid a large cloud of white smoke, a figure appeared on Konoha's battlefield!
Meanwhile, Fourth Kazekage Rasa stepped onto the sand, lifting his body into the air until reaching midair.
"Roar!" Manda roared as he made his entrance, the twisted shape of the enormous summon casting psychological shadows over every shinobi present—even those who weren't seeing such a massive boss summon for the first time.
"Shinobi of Sunagakure Village, victory is within our grasp! It's now our Sand Village's time to ascend onto the grand stage of Shinobi World!" With both hands raised before his chest, Rasa's voice—though not particularly loud—spread across the battlefield.
"Orochimaru, this time we're doubling the stakes!"
A chilling growl echoed in the minds of the Konoha ninja. Manda assessed the battlefield and opened his mouth wide like a lion.
"No problem." A magnetic voice responded. Orochimaru stood atop Manda's head, his pitch-black hair flowing dramatically in the wind. His gaze remained fixed on Rasa, his pupils continuously constricting.
"Kill!" The Suna forces struck first. Thousands of ninja surged forward, kicking up endless clouds of sand.
"Konoha ninja, now is the time to defend your village. Think about your loved ones behind you. Fight! We have no reason to retreat!" Standing atop Manda, Orochimaru's cold words rang through the minds of the Konoha ninja.
"Roar!" "Kill!" "For Konoha!"
Konoha refused to be outdone and charged forward with bold strides. War was a test of teamwork, not raw power — unless you were a one-man army!
The two opposing forces were on the verge of collision. Viewed from above, the number of Suna ninja was at least double that of Konoha's.
Rasa stood motionless atop the sand, surrounded by the newly formed Kazekage Guards.
Orochimaru and Manda remained still as well, arms crossed. He wasn't watching the battlefield below; he knew his target was the enemy Kage! The Jonin guards encircling him had already been dispatched after he assessed the enemy's strength. He would face a Kage and his elite guards alone!
"Let's go, Manda!" Orochimaru stomped his foot, signaling the serpent toward the right flank of the Suna forces where there would be enough space to maneuver without harming their own troops.
"I truly admire your courage, Orochimaru!" Rasa had only just assumed the title of The Fourth Kazekage and was significantly younger than Orochimaru. He held little reverence for the elder ninja and believed he wouldn't lose to someone like Orochi, especially with four Jonin guards at his side. As Orochimaru moved, Rasa also manipulated the sand beneath him to shift sideways.
"Kill!" Various-colored Ninjutsu burst across the battlefield as Konoha and Suna ninja clashed in deadly combat. Casualties fell instantly, but no one stopped to check on fallen comrades. Everyone kept charging forward, releasing techniques, and the battle became increasingly chaotic.
No other fighters could interfere with the clash between Orochimaru and Rasa. On one side were a man and a serpent; on the other, one Kage and four Jonin.
With a stomp of his foot, Manda — long accustomed to fighting alongside Orochimaru — understood immediately. It lunged at Rasa, fangs bared, its head crashing forward with thunderous force.
"Boom!" A wall of sand rose before Rasa, intercepting Manda's charge. The serpent bit down on the barrier and shook its head.
"Roar!" Manda roared. Orochimaru leapt onto the serpent's midsection, still holding back, waiting for the right moment to strike.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>