"What is that?"
Tsunade and her group, rushing toward Gensou, suddenly sensed an intense chakra wave from the sky. Looking up, their faces filled with shock.
A white, arrow-shaped light streaked past them at an astonishing speed.
Onoki immediately recognized it, his expression grim.
"Dust Release!"
Mū, standing beside him, remarked in awe,
"Gensou's Dust Release... To reach such a distant target, it's unimaginable!"
Tobirama's gaze followed the light as it vanished into the horizon.
"That's the direction of the headquarters. A decapitation strike?"
"Can it be stopped?"
Minato quickly turned to Onoki and Mū, both of whom also wielded Dust Release.
The two shook their heads.
"It's too late."
Even with their Dust Release, they couldn't intercept it in time.
Tsunade immediately issued orders:
"Minato, Tobirama, notify everyone at the headquarters to evacuate immediately!"
Without hesitation, Minato and Tobirama, both of whom had Flying Thunder God markers at the headquarters, vanished in an instant.
"Evacuate the headquarters! Quickly!"
At the headquarters, Shikaku's eyes snapped open, urgency etched on his face. Without wasting a moment, he shouted at Inoichi:
"Use the Mind Transmission technique and order everyone to abandon the headquarters immediately!"
This was the first time Inoichi had seen his usually composed friend so panicked.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Inoichi decisively relayed the command to everyone at the headquarters:
"Abandon everything! Evacuate the headquarters immediately!"
The headquarters was occupied by the intelligence team, led by Inoichi and Ao, and the strategy team, led by Shikaku and Mabui. There were also Edo Tensei Kage, including Hiruzen, stationed there, along with other defense units positioned around the perimeter.
The evacuation order was directed at those inside the headquarters.
Upon hearing the command, the ninjas, though confused, executed their training and began evacuating swiftly.
Still, as they retreated, someone couldn't help but ask:
"What's happening?"
The headquarters was the command and communication center of the alliance; halting its operations would have severe consequences.
Before Shikaku could explain, Ao, already using his Byakugan, spotted the massive white light a kilometer away, radiating a chakra intensity rivaling a Tailed Beast Bomb.
His face turned pale as he grabbed the two slowest ninjas and dashed out at full speed.
"A Tailed Beast Bomb-level attack is incoming! Run!"
At that moment, Minato and Tobirama returned, flashing in and out as they evacuated groups of ninjas.
The Edo Tensei Kage who had stayed behind also sprang into action.
The Third Raikage transformed into lightning, carrying one lagging ninja after another to safety.
The other Kage used their unique methods to accelerate the evacuation of everyone in the headquarters.
With their immortal Edo Tensei bodies, they didn't concern themselves with their own safety.
Within seconds, the headquarters was completely emptied of personnel.
No sooner had they left than the arrow-shaped Dust Release reached its target.
As the white, transparent barrier descended upon the headquarters...
The ninjas who had evacuated turned to look back.
In an instant!
A dazzling light engulfed their vision, overwhelming them completely.
There was no explosion, no sound.
Everything was eerily silent.
When the light finally dissipated and their vision returned, Shikaku, Inoichi, and the others looked back to see...
The headquarters was gone. In its place was a massive, barren crater, devoid of anything.
Rustle... rustle...
The faint sound of paper fluttering came from the crater.
Several Kage had stayed behind, hoping to intercept the attack, but the result was what they now saw.
At that moment, the remaining ninjas felt a mix of fear and despair.
Not only did they, stationed in the rear, personally experience Gensou's overwhelming power for the first time, but the destruction of the headquarters also meant they could no longer observe or communicate with the rest of their forces.
The Allied Ninja Force was in danger.
"They're quick to run."
Gensou, watching the distant glow of the white light fading, remarked indifferently.
While Dust Release boasted immense destructive power, it wasn't as fast as a Tailed Beast Bomb.
Still, the attack achieved its goal.
Though the personnel had evacuated, the chakra-powered special equipment at the headquarters had been left behind.
Without these amplifying devices, the headquarters could no longer coordinate the battlefield remotely.
Scanning the surrounding ninjas, Gensou noted their expressions of confusion and disarray.
Though there were still commanders among them, they couldn't compare to Shikaku's strategic prowess.
As the ninja forces charged again, their movements stiffer and less coordinated than before, Gensou calmly picked up an abandoned ninja sword from the ground.
After twirling the blade casually, he began walking slowly toward the shouting ninjas who were trying to boost their morale.
The war machine that had briefly come together began to crumble once more.
If not now, then when?
Outside the battlefield, in a hidden area enclosed by a barrier.
Hearing the distant sounds of explosions and battle, Deidara paced impatiently, muttering to himself.
"Why hasn't the order come yet?"
He had been itching for a fight for too long, wishing he could replace Gensou and face the Allied Ninja Force alone.
To take on the entire ninja world single-handedly—that was the ultimate art, wasn't it?
But alas, the opportunity was monopolized by Gensou.
Deidara could only sigh in frustration, though he dared not complain loudly.
Aside from Gensou's authority, he also feared the intimidating presence of the ancient warriors standing silently nearby.
These predecessors, many of whom were chatting quietly with the likes of Hanare, Kei, Izumi, and Zeng, exuded an aura of absolute power and seniority that Deidara couldn't afford to provoke.
The other Akatsuki members were just as subdued. None had expected Gensou to summon such a formidable group of allies.
But their presence would undoubtedly tip the scales in the upcoming battles.
As Deidara continued pacing, Kakuzu finally spoke up, unable to bear it any longer.
"Deidara, stop pacing. Cherish this moment of peace. The coming battles will be far harsher than you can imagine."
As an elder who had lived through the Warring States Period, Kakuzu understood the true brutality of war.
"Harsh? I love it!" Deidara retorted enthusiastically, just as he was about to continue speaking.
Suddenly, his senses sharpened.
It wasn't just him. Everyone present felt it.
The clash of armor resounded as Mure stepped forward, his commanding presence sweeping over the group. With a sharp glance at everyone, he raised his hand and declared:
"Move out!"
Without hesitation, the group sprang into action, rushing out of the barrier.
The Fourth Great Ninja War had now fully erupted!
(End of Chapter)
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