Naruto: Maelstrom Of The Uzumaki

Konoha's headquarters on the Land of Thunder front was set up in a dense forest within the Land of Fire. Around the camp stood towering trees, their dense foliage blocking even the sun. Hidden by the forest and protected by enchantments, the camp remained well-concealed.

When Jiraiya returned to the camp with his troops, the scene before him left him stunned at the entrance.

The vast camp was filled with injured and sick ninjas. Medical personnel hurriedly moved among the wounded. The number of casualties had risen sharply, exceeding the capacity of the medical squad's area, forcing some of the injured to be relocated to the camp's open spaces.

"What happened here?!"

"Where is Shibi? Bring me Aburame Shibi!"

The sight of wounded comrades shocked Jiraiya. He recognized many of them as members of the Konoha surprise attack force, an elite team initially led by Raiden Uzumaki to attack the Land of Earth. However, with Raiden reassigned, the force had been placed under Shibi Aburame's command to provide support on the Thunder Country front.

Although Jiraiya was the overall commander of this unit, his role was limited to task allocation, leaving execution to the unit's senior officers, particularly Shibi.

Jiraiya distinctly remembered assigning the unit a security mission within the Land of Fire. He couldn't fathom how such a mission had resulted in this level of devastation.

"Report! Vice-Captain Shibi is critically injured and receiving treatment in the medical unit!"

In the open area, a lightly injured ninja stepped forward to deliver the report.

"You're from the surprise attack force. Tell me what happened. Why are there so many wounded during a security mission?!"

Jiraiya approached the ninja, his tone demanding answers.

"We encountered a powerful enemy, Lord Jiraiya," the ninja began. "At first, we followed your orders and conducted security missions with a force of nearly 500. Vice-Captain Shibi divided us into ten squadrons to patrol and guard separately."

"However, one squad requested reinforcements, and other units immediately responded. When we arrived, we discovered the squad that sent the request had already suffered heavy casualties."

"Vice-Captain Shibi realized the gravity of the situation and regrouped all available forces to track the enemy. Eventually, we located them near Yanliu Village, deep in the Land of Fire, and engaged in battle."

Jiraiya's expression grew increasingly grim. Yanliu Village was in the Fire Country's hinterlands. For the enemy to infiltrate so far and overpower Raiden's elite force was alarming.

"You fought the enemy? Who are they? How many? Who led them? What's their objective? Did you gather any intelligence?"

"The enemy is Cloud Ninja," the ninja replied. "While we don't know their exact numbers, judging from the battle, they far outnumbered us. A squadron of 300 was annihilated. Their total force likely exceeded 800."

"Their leader is a tall man in his thirties with dark skin and light yellow hair. He has a 'Thunder' tattoo on his shoulder. Accompanying him was a young man with white hair and black sunglasses who said strange things. That boy could extend octopus-like tails from his body and was incredibly strong."

"The two executed a move called 'Double Lariat.' Their combined strength overwhelmed our elite fighters, leaving many unable to put up a defense before being killed."

The ninja's voice trembled as he recalled the carnage, the terrifying sight of comrades being slain.

"Double Lariat?!" Jiraiya exclaimed. "That's a secret Cloud technique used by the so-called 'A-B Combo.' The previous 'B' is long dead... could this be the new generation?"

"Does Raikage Ai have a new partner?"

Pushing aside his thoughts, Jiraiya asked, "What about their objective? Did you figure it out?"

"We don't know for sure. After we were repelled, we quickly retreated. However, their destination appeared to be Konoha Village."

Jiraiya's mind raced. If an unknown Cloud force infiltrated the Fire Country and reached Konoha, the consequences could be catastrophic. Most of Konoha's ninja forces were deployed to the borders, leaving the village vulnerable.

"Quickly, notify Sakumo! Send him the intel and have him intercept the enemy. Include all witness accounts in the report."

"With Vice-Captain Shibi injured, Namikaze Minato will assume command of the surprise attack force. Relay my orders to Minato and have him come to the camp immediately."

"The priority is finding the Cloud force and preventing their advance. Pass this information to Lord Hokage and prepare the village defenses."

In the camp, the remaining uninjured and lightly wounded surprise attack force members gathered, totaling just over 100. Raiden Uzumaki had led over 500 elite fighters, but more than half were lost.

Jiraiya looked at the gathered troops with guilt.

"Raiden entrusted me with his elite warriors, yet we've suffered such devastating losses. How can I face him or the families of the fallen?"

His expression darkened with frustration and helplessness. The war's toll weighed heavily on Jiraiya, deepening his yearning for peace.

"Peace... when will it truly come?"

Turning to Minato, Jiraiya thought, "I believe you are the Child of Prophecy. If anyone can change this world, it's you."

Steeling himself, Jiraiya returned to his office, issuing a flurry of orders. Across the Land of Fire, Konoha's defenses began shifting rapidly.

Meanwhile, Raiden Uzumaki, having secured a peace agreement with the Stone Ninja, was en route to the Thunder Country front with Uchiha Fugaku and others. They had already passed through Konoha Village.

(End of Chapter)

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