Night fell.
In the dense forest along the Fire–Grass border, flames illuminated the darkness.
"Fire Style — One Blade Flow: Torch!"
A towering vortex of fire roared outward as Uchiha Jin's blade cleaved through the air.
Three remaining Iwa-nin screamed as they were swallowed by the inferno.
When the flames died down, silence returned.
Jin lowered his sword and looked toward Hyūga Hizashi, who was catching his breath nearby.
"Which batch was that?"
"The fifth," Hizashi replied after a brief calculation.
"Approximately one hundred and fifty enemies eliminated this round."
"Adding the previous four engagements — twenty-four, nineteen, thirty-three, and eighty-seven — we've taken out over three hundred Iwa-nin so far."
He paused.
"But from their movement patterns, the remaining Iwa forces are regrouping. Small-unit eliminations will likely be impossible from here on."
After Kikyōzan Fortress fell, Nara Shikaku had divided the pursuit into four strike teams led by:
Uchiha JinUchiha ObitoOrochimaruNamikaze Minato
Each commanded three hundred shinobi.
Their task: harass, fragment, and herd the retreating Iwa army toward the Grass Country border — toward Tenchi Bridge.
Jin's team alone had already wiped out five splinter groups.
But the easy hunting phase was ending.
The survivors were consolidating.
"Three hundred per team…" Jin murmured.
"That means roughly twelve hundred taken down."
"So about twelve hundred left."
He glanced at Hizashi again.
"Our casualties?"
Hizashi answered immediately.
"First three engagements — negligible losses."
"Fourth — two dead, four seriously wounded."
"Fifth — eleven killed, twenty-three severely wounded. Total forty casualties this round."
Given the overwhelming numerical advantage and morale dominance, the early battles had been near slaughter.
But now the Iwa remnants were fighting as cohesive units.
Losses were rising.
Jin nodded.
"Leave ten to secure the wounded and wait for reinforcements."
"The rest continue pursuit."
"Don't press too hard. Just drive them toward Tenchi Bridge."
He added:
"Contact Minato's squad. Confirm positioning. If any team fails to reach their designated zone on time, the net will have a hole."
The encirclement depended on precision.
Four teams. Four vectors.
One trap.
Miss the timing — and Iwa escapes.
Hizashi departed to relay orders.
Jin's gaze shifted toward a nearby tree.
"Anything new?"
Half a body emerged from the bark.
Obito's distorted persona — "Tobi" — spoke in exaggerated gravity.
"Very bad news~"
"Two hours ago, Kumogakure escorted the Fourth Raikage out of Fire Country."
"They've crossed into Taki no Kuni. Almost at Iron Country."
Jin raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
Tobi grinned.
"He was already severely wounded."
"When he learned Orochimaru cut off their rear, he coughed blood and collapsed."
"He hasn't regained consciousness."
"At this rate, Kumo might be selecting a Fifth Raikage soon~"
He sounded delighted.
But Jin shook his head.
"Not so simple."
"They won't stop in Taki."
"But once they reach Iron Country, pursuit becomes meaningless."
Iron Country
Iron Country was an anomaly in the shinobi world.
They cultivated samurai, not ninja.
They used chakra differently.
They were powerful.
Neutral.
Untouched by shinobi wars.
No nation dared drag conflict onto their soil.
Once A entered Iron territory, pursuit would stop.
And medical treatment could proceed safely.
"He won't die that easily," Jin concluded.
"What about Suna? And Mist?"
Tobi responded:
"Suna retreated to River Country."
"Rasa survived. Chiyo stabilized him."
"He's weak, but alive."
"As for Mist…"
"They never truly intended to invade."
"The Fourth Mizukage is busy cleaning up Madara's leftovers."
"They only staged minor harassment along Fire's southern coast."
"They've already withdrawn."
Tobi paused theatrically.
"But…"
Jin didn't humor the suspense.
"But what?"
Tobi's tone sharpened.
"While Kumo, Suna, and Mist quiet down…"
"Iwa is making a major move."
Iwagakure Reinforcements
"Two thousand fresh troops."
"Rapid advance."
"They'll cross Kannabi Bridge in five hours."
"And leading them…"
Tobi's voice lowered.
"The Third Tsuchikage."
"Ōnoki."
Silence settled between them.
Ōnoki was no ordinary reinforcement.
He was:
A veteran of two great warsMaster of Particle StyleAerial combatantStrategistAnd far more cautious than Yellow Earth
If he linked up with the retreating Iwa remnants—
The net Shikaku was weaving would tear apart.
Jin's eyes narrowed.
"So."
"The old man moves personally."
He exhaled slowly.
"Then this war isn't over yet."
It had just escalated.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> [email protected]/warewolvesTL(replace@ with a)