Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 349: Sweeping Victory

The next day, before dawn, the Akatsuki Organization's army had assembled in full force.

The wheel of history had been altered slightly by Kawakaze's influence, yet some things remained unchanged.

Yahiko stood at the forefront, draped in a long black robe with a stand-up collar, devoid of any red clouds. Behind him stretched a sea of black—an imposing sight against the dim light of dawn. This was the first version of the Akatsuki Organization's uniform, though no one could quite remember when or how it had been designed.

"Set off," Yahiko commanded simply.

There was no rallying speech or pre-battle mobilization. His words alone were enough to set the disciplined army into motion. They understood what this battle meant. By the end of the day, there would be only one voice in the Land of Rain.

The wind whistled through the trees as the army marched, Yahiko and Konan walking at its center. Kakuzu led the vanguard, while Nonō and Nagato brought up the rear, each of them focused on their respective duties.

"Lord Kakuzu, we're almost there," Yūichi Nagashima said nervously, summoning the courage to approach the man. He couldn't shake the lingering fear that Kakuzu inspired—his presence was a stark reminder of the narrow escape he once had from death.

"Prepare to attack," Kakuzu replied curtly, not bothering to glance back. His sharp eyes were already locked on the distant fortifications of the wandering ninja.

"Yes, Lord Kakuzu."

A low chorus of acknowledgments rippled through the group, and Yūichi gripped the hilt of his blade tightly, staying close to Kakuzu. The man's authority was forged through bloodshed, and no one dared to falter under his command.

Minutes later, they closed in on the enemy's fortifications. At this range, discovery was inevitable—only seconds separated them from the enemy's gaze.

"Do it," Kakuzu ordered.

Without hesitation, he charged ahead, the black tendrils on his arms twisting into sharp, blade-like extensions. They lashed out, striking the two sentries perched in the trees. The razor-sharp tendrils pierced their throats before they could utter a single warning.

The two bodies crumpled silently to the ground, but the brief commotion triggered a signal flare. The wandering ninja's warning shot soared into the sky, blooming with bright light.

"Kill," Yūichi Nagashima shouted as the battle erupted.

But Kakuzu had already disappeared from his sight, moving deeper into the fray.

Farther back, Yahiko's group heard the commotion. "There's a fight ahead," Yahiko remarked, leaping into the air and landing atop a tall tree to get a better view.

"Good fortifications," Konan commented, flapping her paper wings as she joined him.

From their elevated vantage point, they could see enemies pouring out of the fortifications to counter the attack. The defenses were effective, significantly slowing their advance. But Yahiko's determination was unwavering—this battle would pave the way for their vision of the Land of Rain.

"It's only good. Watch me," Yahiko said with a mysterious smile, radiating confidence.

Konan didn't respond, instead observing silently as Yahiko calmly filled a cup with water.

"Water Release: Water Severing Wave."

Yahiko's hands moved swiftly, forming a series of intricate seals in just two seconds. As the hand seals completed, a concentrated surge of chakra gathered in his mouth. Puffing his cheeks, he unleashed a powerful, high-pressure stream of water that shot forward like a blade.

The water column tore through the air with incredible speed and precision, piercing a thick earthen wall in the wandering ninja's fortifications. As Yahiko rotated his head, the water beam swept across the battlefield, shredding the defensive structures as if they were made of paper.

The fortifications crumbled under the sheer force, reduced to rubble in moments.

"Well done, young man!" Konan said, patting Yahiko on the shoulder with a look of approval.

She had known Yahiko and Nawaki were studying Water Release, but she hadn't realized they had progressed this far. The display left her stunned, though it also saddened her. How much unseen effort had Yahiko poured into this without her noticing?

"It's all thanks to you, Lady Konan," Yahiko said, his pride evident as he played along with her teasing.

"That's right. Without me, you wouldn't be here today," Konan replied with a mockingly superior air, her nostrils flaring dramatically as she feigned arrogance.

Yahiko couldn't help himself and burst into laughter. "You're really not being polite, hahaha~"

Konan, slightly embarrassed, quickly changed her tone and became serious again. "Okay, we still need to provide support."

"Mmm, you're right," Yahiko agreed, his expression turning focused as he gazed toward the battlefield.

The sound of chaos reached them—panicked shouts and cries for help from the wandering ninja.

"Ahhh! What kind of ninjutsu is this?"

"Everyone, get down!"

"Hurry and save them!"

...

The wandering ninja were in complete disarray after Yahiko's devastating Water Severing Wave. Behind the shattered fortifications, cries of anguish filled the air, and dismembered limbs lay scattered across the blood-soaked ground, which was steadily turning crimson.

"It's Lord Yahiko who has taken action."

"Everyone, follow me."

Daiki Nakamura glanced back, admiration gleaming in his eyes. This Water Release technique was terrifying, its sheer power leaving him awestruck. He couldn't even begin to fathom what it was. Few in Konoha, if any, knew about Tobirama's forbidden techniques.

"Charge!"

The remaining Ame Ninja, emboldened by the attack, surged forward, eager to settle old grudges. With their fortifications destroyed and Kakuzu leading the charge, the Akatsuki swiftly broke into the wandering ninja's stronghold. What followed was the bloodiest close-quarters combat imaginable.

"Take the wounded away, and make sure to finish off the enemy," Nonō commanded, moving quickly with the rescue squad.

In any battle, casualties were inevitable, but the makeshift rescue squad had a critical role to play.

"Remember to stop the bleeding with bandages first," Nagato added from behind, his voice edged with concern. He worried some of the wounded might bleed to death before they could be brought back.

"Yes, Lord Nagato."

The rescue squad split into pairs, dashing across the battlefield with stretchers. They carried away their wounded comrades without hesitation. If they came across a wandering ninja still alive, they didn't stop to help. Instead, they trampled over them without a second thought.

"They're doing a pretty good job," Nonō remarked with a smile, leaning closer to Nagato. She hadn't expected they'd form a rescue team so quickly.

"No, the training time was far too short," Nagato replied, his gaze fixed on the rescue squads moving back and forth. His brow furrowed slightly.

"In the future, I'll help you. Everything will be fine," Nonō said softly. "Don't frown—it doesn't suit you."

She reached out and gently smoothed his forehead.

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"Okay," Nagato replied, glancing at her. He was about to say more when a voice interrupted him.

"Lord Nagato, this one isn't going to make it," two members of the rescue team called out from a distance.

"What's the situation? I'll take a look."

Nagato hurried over, with Nonō following closely behind.

"Weak heartbeat, weak breathing, critical condition," Nonō diagnosed after a quick examination.

"Let's go."

Nagato placed one hand on the injured man's heart and the other on the severed limb, focusing his chakra to stop the bleeding.

"Hm," Nonō murmured as she joined in, her hands glowing green as she worked on the wounds.

"Hiss~"

The injured man gasped and briefly opened his eyes before the pain caused him to lose consciousness again.

"Okay, take him back. I'll follow shortly," Nagato instructed as he withdrew his hands, having stabilized the man's condition.

"It's a pity we can't use the slugs," Nonō whispered after the rescue team left with the stretcher.

"We'll just have to work harder. It's the same," Nagato said with a bitter smile. They couldn't risk exposing themselves, so summoning Katsuyu wasn't an option. He knew the slug could have been invaluable in such a large-scale battle.

"We'll leave them here and head back," Nonō said, her voice tinged with pity for the wounded. Despite her compassion, their mission took precedence. For now, they had done all they could.

"Let's go."

Nagato cast one last lingering look at the battlefield before turning away, leaving without a glance back.