"Ran-kun," Orochimaru asked in his hoarse voice, "how many people can your space-time ninjutsu bring along at once?"
"Orochimaru-sensei, are you thinking of launching a surprise attack on Sunagakure through the Land of Birds?" Uchiha Ran replied calmly. "With one use, I can't take too many people. And the Mangekyō Sharingan consumes an enormous amount of ocular power—I can't use it excessively."
"Oh?" Orochimaru's interest was instantly piqued. "The consumption is… that severe?"
His research into the Mangekyō Sharingan was far from complete. Hearing that its abilities placed such a heavy burden on the eyes—possibly to a dangerous degree—only made him more curious.
"It can cause blindness, Orochimaru-sama," Uchiha Tahiko interjected with visible concern. "Please don't have Ran overuse the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Tahiko's expression was grave. If Orochimaru became too fixated on the Mangekyō's power and forced Ran to rely on it repeatedly, he would oppose it with everything he had. This was a once-in-a-generation genius of the Uchiha—he couldn't be allowed to lose his sight for the sake of a single mission.
Seeing Tahiko speak up, Lihua also stepped forward at once.
"Orochimaru-sama," she said, "although Lady Tsunade and Ran brought back a complete map of the Land of Birds, this reconnaissance confirms something important. Sunagakure's lack of interest in that region is completely understandable—the Land of Birds has extremely low strategic value for them."
Between the Land of Wind and the Land of Birds stretched a vast desert. Advancing through it would be horribly inefficient. It would take days just to reach Sunagakure's main population centers, and the open terrain made it far too easy for enemy scouts to detect any movement.
From a strategic standpoint, this reconnaissance mission had been… largely unnecessary.
Of course—for Ran and Tsunade, it had been very necessary in other ways.
Scratching her head, Lihua continued, offering her proposal.
"If we bring too many people, first, Ran's Mangekyō could suffer irreversible damage. Second, during retreat, he may not be able to protect everyone. Instead, I suggest Ran use space-time ninjutsu to take the Uchiha Special Operations Unit and Lady Tsunade directly into Sunagakure's rear."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Let them experience firsthand how terrifying space-time ninjutsu truly is. Force them toward a ceasefire. With fewer people, retreat will also be much easier."
Orochimaru considered her words carefully.
"It does sound viable," he said slowly. "But the risk to the Uchiha—and to Tsunade—will be significant. A deep strike into the enemy's core is no small matter. Still… if Sunagakure is thrown into chaos, they won't have the luxury to focus on the front lines."
He smiled faintly.
"Very well. We'll proceed with this plan. I'll be counting on you, Uchiha—and Tsunade."
Only then did Orochimaru notice something odd.
Tsunade's gaze had been fixed on Uchiha Ran the entire time.
Orochimaru paused.
Hm? What's going on with her?
Now that he paid closer attention, her eyes looked unusually soft—almost shimmering. From time to time, she glanced sideways at Ran.
What exactly happened during those two days…?
He chuckled inwardly.
Ah, whatever. As long as it doesn't interfere with my research, it has nothing to do with me.
"Since the plan is set," Ran said decisively, "why don't we depart immediately? No need to wait—let's give Sunagakure a proper shock today."
"Very well," Orochimaru replied. "I'll increase harassment on the front. You act according to the situation. Once you've inflicted enough damage, withdraw at once."
With final instructions given, Ran nodded sharply.
"Understood."
Turning to Tsunade and the members of the Uchiha Special Operations Unit, he said clearly, "Everyone, prepare to depart. Relax your bodies—don't resist."
The moment Ran activated the Mangekyō Sharingan's space-time technique—Takamagahara—a vast, surging power flooded his eyes.
Focusing intently, Tsunade and the eight members of the Uchiha Special Operations Unit were reflected within his gaze.
An invisible force wrapped around them—
And in an instant, they vanished.
Using Takamagahara, Tsunade and the Uchiha unit spent only a few brief minutes within the castle world before a violent sensation of disorientation struck them.
When everything stabilized, they found themselves standing on the outskirts of Sunagakure, deep within the Land of Wind.
They looked around.
The scenery was utterly different from the forests they'd just left—endless sand, harsh desert architecture, and unfamiliar silhouettes stretching across the horizon.
"So this is the Mangekyō Sharingan…" Tahiko muttered, stunned. "We're already at the outskirts of Sunagakure?"
He'd known Ran's space-time ability was powerful—but not this powerful.
From Konoha to the perimeter of Sunagakure. Near-instantaneous. Safe. Precise.
It was terrifying.
"Sunagakure has a barrier too?" Ran asked curiously, eyeing the faint chakra structure ahead.
"All Five Great Villages do," Tahiko replied. "But it's only a sensory barrier. It has no defense against space-time ninjutsu. Still—once we cross it, they'll immediately detect us. Even if their main forces are at the border, we'll be surrounded."
There was worry in his voice.
Tsunade stepped forward decisively.
"No time to overthink. Tahiko, you lead the Special Ops members. Ran, you, me, and—uh—Lihua, right? We'll form a separate unit."
She pointed ahead.
"We advance straight through the Kazekage Tower from the inside. Seize critical supplies and key personnel. We regroup in the Kazekage's office for extraction."
Fast strike. Fast withdrawal.
That was the only way.
"I'm counting on you, Ran," Tahiko said solemnly.
Ran nodded.
Moments later—
The Kazekage Tower was struck by the Uchiha.
Fire Release techniques detonated in rapid succession. Screams echoed. Explosions rang out.
In mere moments, not just the Kazekage Tower—but all of Sunagakure—descended into chaos.
The remaining elder council and core forces stationed within the village were swiftly overwhelmed, one by one. Secret techniques, elite shinobi, vital assets—
All were captured and herded into the Kazekage's office under Uchiha escort.
With a flash of space-time distortion, Ran transferred them all into Takamagahara.
Then—
He calmly remained seated in the Kazekage's office, waiting.
Waiting for Sunagakure's shinobi to arrive.
This—
This was presence.
Before withdrawing, it was only proper to crush morale completely.
After all, if you were taking this many hostages, you owed Sunagakure a greeting—
So they could be sure to pass the message along to the front lines.
To Rasa, the Kazekage himself.
..
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