Chapter 92: The Situation Is Grim!

The Iwa ninja's surprise attack halted the previously favorable situation of the Hidden Leaf.

Although they had freed up forces from the Suna front, the Kumo ninja had become far more active, as if sensing the perfect moment to strike the Hidden Leaf.

But no matter how Fujinaka Genma pondered the shifting situation, he could not yet withdraw from the Land of Rain battlefield.

On the third day after the Iwa ninja's surprise attack on the Hidden Leaf’s border defense forces, orders arrived from the Hidden Leaf.

Orochimaru was reassigned.

But not to the Land of Grass battlefield—he was ordered northward to confront the Kumo ninja.

Clearly.

The Hidden Leaf had lost all hope of peace with the Kumo ninja; a large-scale war loomed ahead.

Having endured years of continuous warfare—clashing with the Suna, Kirigakure, and Iwa ninja—the Hidden Leaf had suffered heavy losses despite Fujinaka Genma’s sudden emergence, leaving its forces so depleted that genin who had barely graduated were sent on dangerous missions.

The border of the Land of Rain.

Fujinaka Genma carried out his cultivation routines methodically.

Daily training, Spirit Transformation Technique, different chakra nature transformations… as if he had forgotten this was wartime.

But the current situation truly could not afford open conflict.

The Iwa ninja wanted to stall them, but the Hidden Leaf had no way to break the deadlock.

Unless they could drive back the old stubborn Tsuchikage.

Unfortunately, Tsuchikage could fly, and his attack range was immense.

If they truly went all out, it would only result in mutual destruction.

Better to stand off than that.

It was Danzo’s decision.

On the sixth day after the Iwa ninja’s surprise attack on the Hidden Leaf’s border defense forces, Fujinaka Genma learned from Danzo.

The Kumo ninja had officially launched a large-scale southern invasion.

This was expected!

“This means trouble for Sensei Yajōn!”

Fujinaka Genma sighed.

Originally, the Hidden Leaf could have withdrawn most forces from the former Suna front to reinforce the defense—but now, that strength would be drastically reduced.

As for the Kirigakure ninja, who were already in peace talks, new variables had emerged.

Though no intelligence had yet arrived, Fujinaka Genma could guess: the Kirigakure ninja would delay, waiting for the right moment to strike.

For instance, when the Hidden Leaf and the Iwa ninja had bled each other nearly dry.

Or once their own plans were fully prepared.

“In the original story, Uchiha Madara claimed he arranged to seal the Three-Tails inside Rin—was that just bragging?”

“At best, he merely pushed things along.”

“At that point, they were already hooked up—they could only rely on White Zetsu and Black Zetsu to execute the plan.”

Fujinaka Genma silently shook his head, then stilled his thoughts and prepared for battle.

Since Tsuchikage learned Fujinaka Genma still had enough chakra to summon Shadow Clones to assist on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass, he had begun attacking relentlessly.

No longer content with mere standoff.

Clearly, he aimed to pin Fujinaka Genma down.

Fujinaka Genma had to admit: Tsuchikage had succeeded.

Facing this seasoned, formidable Tsuchikage, he had to remain utterly vigilant.

Dust Release was deadly—if caught off guard, even his body’s resilience couldn’t withstand it.

So.

Over these past two days, clashes had grown frequent, and casualties on both sides had steadily risen.

Yet this kind of fighting had gradually become routine, almost mechanical.

Unless Fujinaka Genma fully revealed the existence of his Mangekyo Sharingan.

But he hesitated.

Time slipped away; a month passed quickly.

Before he knew it, it was Year 46 of the Hidden Leaf.

On this day.

The Iwa ninja suddenly withdrew.

Danzo feared a trap and sent out multiple reconnaissance teams.

But they discovered: the Iwa ninja had truly retreated, pulling back into the Land of Earth.

Though they hadn’t fully evacuated, their intent to avoid battle was unmistakable.

Fujinaka Genma followed Danzo to the front line, gazing from afar at the Iwa ninja’s encampment, and murmured: “Perhaps the Kumo ninja have struck!”

Danzo considered it, then nodded.

At this point, only this explanation made sense.

In the following days, the Iwa ninja’s forces continued to withdraw.

But Tsuchikage remained, holding his position and intimidating Danzo, who dared not press forward with full force.

“The Third Raikage really is reckless—he must have penetrated deep into the Land of Earth, or else Tsuchikage wouldn’t be so desperate to pull back most of his troops.”

“That’s nearly a third of his forces.”

Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help feeling a touch of schadenfreude.

During this period, Tsuchikage had thoroughly annoyed him.

“If only the Lei Shen Susano’o were complete… hmph…”

Once the Lei Shen Susano’o was finished, he could conceal his identity and openly unleash it like a giant mech.

“Too bad, the Byakugan has a range limit—especially against someone like Tsuchikage, whose willpower is too strong to be easily influenced… otherwise…”

Fujinaka Genma felt a pang of regret.

Tsuchikage was always wary, never giving him a chance to close in, constantly hovering above like a kite.

But with the situation shifting, Fujinaka Genma did not hesitate—he summoned Shadow Clones and used Flying Thunder God to rush to Yajōn’s side.

“Genma!”

Weary and exhausted, Yajōn was overjoyed to see Fujinaka Genma appear, and asked: “How is the Land of Rain battlefield?”

“Still at a standoff!”

Fujinaka Genma replied, then asked about the current situation.

“The Iwa ninja’s assault is fierce—we lack reinforcements.”

Yajōn sighed.

The situation is grim.

Due to defending the border and fighting to the death, the border defense forces have suffered catastrophic casualties.

Since the war began, over three hundred Hidden Leaf ninja have already died in battle.

For the Hidden Leaf, this is a massive number.

And the border defense forces were never particularly strong to begin with.

If this trend continues, they’ll be wiped out by the Iwa ninja in less than half a month.