KILL… KILL…

The Kaguya clan members throw their bone spear one after another. ​​

"It's an enemy attack. Quick defend." The Kiri Patrol Guards quickly informs their comrades.

"We can't allow these maniacs to enter inside the village." One of the Kiri ninjas makes some hand signs.

"Water Release: Hiding in the Mist"

The Kiri ninja opens his mouth and releases a pearly white mist that covers the entire area.

He turns towards his teammates and makes some hand signals. His team members nod and enter inside the Mist.

"Let's stall them until our reinforcement arrives. We won't be able to hold back against their number."

The Captain directs his subordinates and all of them enter inside the mist. He makes some hand signs

"Water Release: Rising Water Slicer"

He slams his palm on the ground and releases a linear wave of water. The water wave slices through the rocks and collides with Kaguya clan members, sending them flying away.

The rest of the Kiri ninja follows his lead and throws various kunais, shurikens, and jutsus at Kaguya clan members.

"KILL… KILL THEM. Show them the power of the Kaguya clan."

The clan leader shouts at his clan members.

The Kaguya clan members fold their arms in front of their chest.

"Dance of the Larch"

Various sharp bones sprouts from their body.

Clang… clang… clang….

The bones easily block the projectiles. Kaguya clan members point their fingers towards the Kiri shinobis.

"Finger Drilling Bone Bullets"

They fire multiple bone bullets from their fingers.

"Block them. These bone bullets are lethal."

The Captain shouts at his subordinates. The Kiri ninjas make multiple hand signs and slam their palm on the ground.

"Water Release: Water Wall"

Multiple water walls block the bones and slow down their momentum.

Phew…

'We blocked them.' The Kiri Ninjas sighs in relief.

"Watch out!"

The sensor ninja yells to his teammates.

"Too Late! Kuku…"

The Kaguya clan leader slams his hand on the ground and yells.

"Dance of the Seedling Fern"

Multiple bone spear erupts from the ground and quickly engulfs the Kiri ninjas, forming a sea of bones.

Stab… Stab… Stab…

The spear pierces through various Kiri ninjas, killing them in the process.

Whoosh…

The leader jumps up and avoids bone spears.

"Water Release: Scattering Water Bullets"

He fires a volley of high-speed water bullets at Kaguya clan members.

Pew… Pew… Pew…

The bullets pierce through some Kaguya clan members, killing them in the process.

Haha…

Kaguya clan leader laughs hysterically.

"Entertain them more. Kill! Slaughter! Let Kiri bath in blood. Haha…"

"KILL… KILL… KILL…"

The Kaguya clan members continue to march forward, slaughtering Kiri Shinobis one after another.

'Shit! At this rate, we won't be able to last long. The reinforcement hasn't arrived yet.'

Kiri Captain frowns and looks at his fallen subordinates.

"Damn! I have no choice."

The leader bites his thumb and makes some hand signs.

"Summoning Jutsu: Conch King"

He summons a giant conch with many large protruding out from its spikes.

"Conch King, Go!"

He makes some more hand signs and infuses chakra in Conch King's giant shell.

"Water Release Genjutsu: Demonic Phantom Fog Prison"

The Conch king opens its giant shell and releases a pearl white mist. The mist covers the entire Kaguya clan members, putting them in a genjutsu.

Guffaw…

He pukes out a mouthful of blood and keels down.

"This jutsu takes a toll on my chakra and vitality."

"Haha… Kill…"

Kaguya clan members continue to swing their bones inside the genjutsu.

"This genjutsu won't be able to hold them for long. These maniacs are mentally unstable. So this genjutsu won't have much of an effect on them."

"Captain! We can't hold them for long. When will our reinforcement arrive?" One of the Kiri shinobi questions him.

"They must be on their way." Captain weakly replies to his subordinate before closing his eyes.

Crack… Crack…

Some cracks start to appear on Conch King's shell.

"They are about to dispel the genjutsu. Get ready to fight again."

Captain warily stands up and holds a kunai in his hand.

Crack… BOOM…

The shell of the Conch King explodes, clearing away the mist.

Poof…

The Conch King disappears in a large puff of white smoke. Another round of fight starts between them.

----------------------

Inside a small Mansion In Kirigakure,

A middle-aged man with auburn hairs and green eyes is sitting on the floor in Seiza position with his eyes closed. A ninja flickers in front of him and places a scroll in front of him.

"Fuji-sama! This is a message from Mizukage-sama. The Kaguya clan members have attacked Kiri at borders. Our Patrol team won't be able to hold them for long."

Huh!...

Fuji opens his eyes and looks at the shinobi.

"So, the Mizukage wants my faction to handle this matter."

He picks up the scroll and reads it.

"One hundred Kaguya clan members. Things aren't looking good." He frowns and folds the scroll.

"Tell to Mizukage Yagura, we won't participate in this war. We don't have enough people on our side to participate in this war."

The elder closes his eyes.

"Fuji-sama! You don't have a choice. This is the decision made by the rest of the elders of the village council and the Mizukage-sama. If you don't participate in this war, then Terumi clan together with its subsidiary clan will be kicked out of the Kirigakure."

"WHAT!! Are you threatening me?" The elder opens his eyes and riles up his chakra, pressuring the shinobi.

"Tell them, their tricks won't work on Fuji Terumi. We will participate in this war if the elder council reserves another seat for my faction or else we are ready to leave Kirigakure for another village." Fuji Terumi threatens the shinobi.

"Yes, Fuji-sama!" The Kiri shinobi bows before Fuji before retreating.

'Damn! Those crafty noble foxes. All they do is sit in their luxurious mansion and scheme.'

Cough… Cough…

Fuji coughs out a mouthful of blood. He quickly wipes the blood.

'My old injuries flared up again, and this disease is silently killing me. Sigh…'

He sighs and looks out of the window.

'I can't allow Mei to see me in such a condition. She will unnecessarily worry about me. I don't even know how long will I live? I have to at least make things easier for Mei.

Her mother died when she was still a child. Paired with all the struggles and brutal training she went through as a child, I don't want to live in constant suffering. Sigh…'

Fuji sighs and affectionately looks at the picture of a woman.

'Miko, our Mei has grown into quite a beauty. She has taken your looks. Hopefully, I will be able to see our grandchildren before I die.'

A teardrop drips from his eyes.

"Father!... Father! You called for me... Father?"

A sweet voice enters Fuji's ears. He quickly wipes his tears and puts on a stern expression.

"You are here, Mei. I have a mission for you."

A tall, slender girl with fair skin enters the room. She has green eyes, ankle-length, auburn hair styled into a herringbone pattern at the back, a top-knot tied with a dark blue band with four bangs at the front.

Two bangs are short, with one covering her right eye, and the other two long crosses each other on her chest, just below her chin.

Flutter…

A breeze of wind enters through the window, fluttering her long hairs.

Mei has a smile on her face as she approaches Fuji. She bows in front of Fuji and flashes a smile.

"You looking for me... Father!"

Fuji nods his head. A gentle expression replacing his frown.

"Yes, Mei. I have a mission for you. The Kiri is under attack from the Kaguya clan. The village has asked our Terumi clan to handle the situation.

I want you to take care of this situation as an experience for the incoming power struggle. After I pass away, you will become the next leader of the Terumi clan and thus our faction. I don't want the prestige of Terumi clan to fade away after my death."

Shh…

Mei places a finger on Fuji's lips.

"Don't speak such words, Father. Nothing will happen to you. You will continue to lead the Terumi clan in the future."

Hah… Sniff…

Fuji's eyes tear up. He gently hugs Mei and pats her back.

"Yes, don't worry. Nothing will happen to Father. after all, I have such a loving daughter taking care of me.

Now, all I want is to find a suitable candidate for you and marry you off. I just want to play with my grandkids in my old age."

"Ma… Ma... Marriage… It is still soon for that." Mei flusters and her face turns red in embarrassment.

"No… no, I won't leave you, alone. I will take care of your father." She tightly hugs Fuji.

Sigh…

Fuji hugs Mei and pats her back.

'Can you see Miko? Our Mei has grown up.'