The helpless screams of women, the terrified cries of children, the weak pleas for help from the elderly...

In just a few short breaths, chaos engulfed every corner of the town.

Buildings that were already fragile crumbled under the impact of powerful jutsu. Razor-sharp wind blades and surging waves of water annihilated everything in their path.

The dense mist from the Hidden Mist's Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique continued to spread.

Under the command of a rampaging Fuguki Suikazan, the Kirigakure shinobi had completely unleashed their most proficient battle tactics.

At the same time, the Sunagakure shinobi, following Pakura's orders, desperately countered with Wind Release.

The force of Wind Release carried the searing heat of Scorch Release, sweeping outward in every direction.

Every single shinobi on both sides was fighting with their lives on the line.

Even those who had been lying in wait as hidden agents, meant to provide reinforcements, could no longer afford to conceal themselves—they all threw themselves into battle.

The town, already in ruins, had become a living hell as powerful ninjutsu clashed back and forth.

...

Amidst the desperate flow of people trying to escape the battlefield, two figures stood completely still.

Yamanaka Shinno and Namikaze Minato seemed out of place, unmoving in the midst of the turmoil.

"Right now, you're Sunagakure. I'm Kirigakure."

Yamanaka Shinno formed a single-handed seal, using the Transformation Technique to assume the appearance of a previously captured Mist ninja.

His chakra affinities were Yin and Water.

Though he had devoted himself to mastering his clan's secret techniques and genjutsu due to his exceptional spiritual talent, he had also studied Water Release to a certain degree.

While he couldn't match those who had inherited specialized Water Release abilities, his proficiency far surpassed his skill in Fire, Earth, Lightning, and Wind Release, which he could barely use.

"Stick to using only Wind Release?"

Minato nodded, following suit with the Transformation Technique, taking the form of a captured Sunagakure shinobi.

Their mission was a top-secret village operation. If possible, he preferred not to reveal their identities.

...

Ninja Art: Mind Body Transmission Technique!

Shinno formed a single seal, activating his clan's secret technique to establish a mental link between himself and Minato.

Now able to communicate telepathically and share their perceptions, the two simultaneously reached for the kunai in their waist pouches.

Clang!

Kunai clashed, sending sparks flying.

The two leaped onto the rooftops, engaging in a 'fierce' and 'dangerous' close-quarters battle as they swiftly approached the battlefield, which was still shrouded in mist.

"Akasaburō?!"

A Sunagakure shinobi had just forced back a Kirigakure ninja when he spotted the battered and bloodied form of Akasaburō, his clothing torn and bandages soaked in red. Relief flashed in his eyes.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward to help, preparing to intercept the 'enemy'—another Mist ninja, also covered in blood.

The 'Mist ninja' saw the reinforcements coming and, pretending to be overwhelmed, shoved Akasaburō back before swiftly forming hand seals.

Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique!

Thick mist rose again.

The Sunagakure shinobi, now beside his 'ally,' instinctively prepared to unleash a Wind Release technique.

But before he could finish forming seals—

A kunai, enveloped in cutting Wind Release chakra, slit his throat in an instant.

"Tch—such a trusting guy."

Shinno clicked his tongue in his mind.

Minato seized the opportunity, using the Transformation Technique once again to assume the identity of the shinobi he had just beheaded.

With Shinno's large-scale sensory techniques aiding them, the two moved freely within the mist, undisturbed.

Rather than dispersing the mist, they continued their method—repeating the same deception to eliminate yet another Mist shinobi.

With new disguises in place, their deception only became more convincing.

The lingering mist, not yet fully dispersed by the Scorch Release, provided just enough of a visual obstruction.

Shinno's seamless genjutsu, his feigned Water Release attacks, and Minato's flawless Wind Release techniques combined to weave an illusion of chaos.

Amidst the fierce battle, neither side had time to suspect anything.

In less than five minutes—

With their increasingly polished teamwork, the duo had silently eliminated more than ten shinobi from both sides.

...

"Fall back! Someone's using the Transformation Technique to impersonate our allies! If anyone gets close—attack immediately!"

Pakura's voice rang out across the battlefield.

Unlike the reckless Fuguki Suikazan, her wealth of combat experience allowed her to realize what was happening the moment things felt off.

As for Fuguki, a seasoned jōnin, he too quickly sensed that something was wrong upon hearing her warning.

Even though he was desperate to reclaim Samehada, his remaining rationality forced him to take a step back and issue the same command to his subordinates.

The thin veil of mist, now devoid of chakra support, began to fade rapidly into the night air.

Under the cold moonlight, the remaining Kirigakure and Sunagakure shinobi instinctively leapt onto the rooftops, standing still as they scanned their surroundings with wary eyes.

In just that short time—

Only four shinobi from Kirigakure, including Fuguki, remained.

Only five shinobi from Sunagakure, including Pakura, survived.

Among them were two individuals still maintaining their Transformation Techniques—Shinno and Minato.

"Pakura, hand over Samehada!"

Fuguki, as if finally remembering he could speak, ignored the heavy losses and immediately demanded the return of his sword.

"You idiot! Can't you see?! We never took Samehada! A third party has interfered with our fight!"

Pakura gritted her teeth, her glare burning with frustration as she stared at the fool across from her.

She cursed his stupidity over and over in her mind.

This absolute moron—despite witnessing the entire battlefield, he hadn't even realized that someone else had taken advantage of the situation.

Instead, he had blamed Sunagakure and foolishly launched an attack in the middle of a town!

She could already foresee what awaited her back in the village—

Not recognition for her efforts, but punishment for the disaster he had caused.

Fuguki—what a colossal idiot!

Even roasting him alive or slicing him into pieces wouldn't satisfy her anger!

"...Heh... Haha... Fine! Fine! Now—everyone, cut your palms open!"

Fuguki let out a low chuckle, his shark-like teeth gleaming under the moonlight as he raised his own hand.

He hadn't risen to his rank in Kirigakure solely through brute strength.

With Pakura's words confirming that they had been played for fools, he finally pieced everything together.

...

"Mind Destruction Dance Jutsu"

An unseen wave of Yin Release chakra spread out.

Other than Minato, who was already aware of Shinno's plan, everyone else was immediately overwhelmed by a chilling sensation.

They instinctively tried to move, to dodge—but it was already too late.

That eerie, overpowering Yin Release energy had latched onto their bodies, rendering them completely immobile.

"...This is... the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Destruction Dance Jutsu...?! Damn it—Konoha!"

Fuguki struggled against the powerful binding force, his immense physical strength barely allowing him to twitch his neck.

His fierce gaze locked onto the source of the chakra wave.

Mind Destruction Dance Jutsu.

An S-rank secret jutsu of Konoha's Yamanaka Clan, known for forcing enemies to turn on each other.

Rumors said it had become rare after the heavy casualties suffered by the Yamanaka during the Second Shinobi War.

"Congratulations, you guessed right."

Shinno maintained his hand seal, a bright, harmless smile spreading across his face.

His voice was light and casual, as if making small talk—

And yet, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

"...As a reward, I'll make sure you die a little more gloriously."

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