shadow hokage dark moon

Chapter 43: The Three Nations' Retreat

A brutal battle raged on in the capital of Uzushiogakure.

Standing on the highest vantage point of the battlefield, the Third Raikage, A, coldly observed the unfolding situation.

His Lightning Release Chakra Armor flickered with blinding intensity, radiating an overwhelming presence across the battlefield.

However, the current state of the battle made him furrow his brows.

For days, the combined forces of Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure had launched a fierce assault, successfully breaching the capital of Uzushiogakure and seizing a vast amount of the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques.

But now, the tides of battle had subtly shifted.

The arrival of Konoha's reinforcements, led by Sakumo Hatake, Tsunade Senju, and other elite ninja, had turned the battlefield into a fierce counteroffensive against the coalition forces.

The Third Raikage was well aware of Konoha's strength. Though he had confidence in his own ability to rival Konoha's elite, prolonging the fight would only result in unnecessary casualties for Kumogakure's forces.

Moreover, they had already acquired a substantial amount of sealing techniques, enough to advance Kumogakure's fuinjutsu research and aid in controlling the power of the tailed beasts.

"The elite forces of the Uzumaki clan have already been nearly wiped out. The only ones left are scattered remnants," the Raikage thought to himself. "Even though the Uzumaki clan hasn't been completely eradicated, they are no longer a threat to us."

Having reached a decision, he knew the best course of action was to withdraw—prolonging the fight would only deplete their strength.

With that in mind, the Third Raikage immediately issued the order to retreat.

His deep, commanding voice rang out to the Kumogakure commanders by his side:

"Send the order—prepare for retreat. We have already achieved our objective. There is no need to continue clashing with Konoha."

Though some of the Kumogakure commanders were surprised, they knew that the Third Raikage never made decisions lightly. Since he had determined that retreating was the wisest choice, they had no objections.

At the same time, the Third Raikage relayed the retreat order to Iwagakure and Kirigakure's commanders.

Upon receiving the news, the Third Tsuchikage and the Third Mizukage contemplated the situation.

"We have already secured the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques. Continuing to fight Konoha will only increase our losses," the Tsuchikage stated calmly. He had never been eager for direct conflict with Konoha, and seeing the overwhelming strength of Konoha's reinforcements, he had already been considering a withdrawal.

The Mizukage nodded in agreement.

"Konoha remains as strong as ever. If we keep fighting, our village will suffer unnecessary losses. We retreat—this battle is no longer worth our time."

With that, Iwagakure and Kirigakure's commanders also gave the order to retreat, and the coalition forces began an organized withdrawal from Uzushiogakure.

---

As the retreat order spread through the enemy ranks, the battlefield dynamics began to shift.

The allied forces ceased their assault on the capital, choosing instead to fall back in an orderly fashion.

Though they had successfully stolen a wealth of sealing techniques, they knew that continuing the fight against Konoha's elite would only lead to further losses.

---

At the front lines, Uchiha Tsukiko keenly noticed the enemy's movements.

His sharingan flickered with a sharp gleam as he observed the shifting tides of battle.

Seeing the clear signs of retreat from the three-nation coalition, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"They're retreating," he thought.

However, Tsukiko knew better than to lower his guard—this could be a tactical feint.

"They must not be allowed to escape so easily."

Tsukiko quickly relayed the information to Sakumo Hatake and the other Konoha forces.

Upon analyzing the situation, Sakumo made a swift and decisive order:

"We cannot let them withdraw unscathed! Pursue them and inflict as much damage as possible!"

At his command, Konoha's ninja quickly reorganized their formation and launched a pursuit.

---

Uchiha Tsukiko led the vanguard, his heart burning with the flames of vengeance.

"We cannot let them take the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques without consequence!"

Gritting his teeth, Tsukiko channeled his chakra, unleashing a devastating combination of Fire Release and Wood Release techniques in an attempt to cut off the enemy's retreat route.

Under his lead, Konoha's forces pursued the fleeing coalition forces with relentless fury.

A deadly maelstrom of fire and giant trees engulfed the battlefield, turning the retreat into a bloodbath.

Though the enemy desperately tried to withdraw, Konoha's overwhelming assault exacted a heavy toll on their forces.

In the end, the coalition suffered severe casualties before successfully retreating from Uzushiogakure's territory.

Although they had accomplished their strategic goal, they knew that this battle had only deepened their enmity with Konoha.

---

Standing amidst the ruins of the battlefield, Uchiha Tsukiko coldly watched as the enemy forces disappeared into the distance.

Though his fury remained, he understood that his priority now was to protect the remaining Uzumaki survivors.

"The battle for Uzushiogakure is over for now… but the consequences of this war are far from settled."

Looking over the devastated landscape, Tsukiko knew that the conflict between Konoha and the other great villages would only intensify.

"I must become even stronger."

---

The Battle of Uzushiogakure had ended, but the price paid was devastating.

The once-prosperous Uzushiogakure now lay in ruins, its land scarred by war and destruction.

The once-mighty Uzumaki clan had suffered a near-catastrophic blow, their numbers reduced by nearly 80%.

The survivors were mostly elderly, children, and civilians with no combat strength.

The elite warriors who had once stood at the forefront of the Uzumaki clan's defense were now buried in the soil of their homeland.

Worst of all, Uzumaki Jinjin, along with the Uzumaki nobility and leadership, had been completely wiped out.

With the death of their leaders, the Uzumaki clan had lost its strongest pillar.

Now, even if some survivors remained, the Uzumaki clan could no longer sustain a nation of their own.

"Uzushiogakure's name will likely disappear from history…" Tsukiko thought as he stood among the ruins of the fallen capital.

He knew that without a powerful leader and without military strength, the Uzumaki clan could no longer hold onto their homeland.

However, not all hope was lost.

Among Konoha's reinforcements, several members of the Senju clan had arrived.

As distant relatives of the Uzumaki, some Senju clansmen chose to remain behind, pledging to protect the remnants of the Uzumaki clan.

Even in its dying embers, the Uzumaki bloodline would not fade away entirely.

And so, the war over Uzushiogakure had ended, but its aftershocks would reverberate for years to come.

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