Half a month later.
On the western defensive line of Konohagakure, thousands of shinobi clashed in fierce battle. A man with spiky pineapple-shaped hair stood at the front, continuously issuing commands.
"All units, form the formation I laid out earlier—Earth, Fire, and Lightning users, establish a three-pronged attack!" he bellowed to the surrounding Konoha shinobi. "Earth Release users will handle defense in teams of three, Fire Release users focus on large-scale attacks, and Lightning Release users will carry out precision strikes!"
It was hard to say whether the Hokage of past generations had truly mastered Fire Release techniques, but one thing was certain—they had at least dabbled in various jutsu. Perhaps due to this influence, most Konoha shinobi followed suit, never specializing too deeply in one element but instead learning a bit of everything. This versatility became their greatest advantage—when properly commanded, their coordinated attacks could be incredibly effective.
The man orchestrating the battle was none other than Nara Shoroku, the newly appointed commander of the western front. Nearing fifty years old, Shoroku listened to the endless clash of blades and the deafening war cries around him. Truth be told, he felt utterly exhausted.
At his age, he had already passed down the position of clan head. He never expected to step onto the battlefield again, forced to witness this blood-soaked chaos once more. The glint of steel, the spray of blood—it all served as a cruel reminder of time's merciless passage. He could feel it now: he had truly grown old, no longer possessing the ruthless decisiveness of his youth. The brutality of war unsettled him in a way it never had before.
But there was no helping it.
His eldest son had died young, leaving behind only his grandson, Nara Shikaku, who had just graduated from the Academy. A boy of fifteen or sixteen could hardly be expected to command an entire battlefield. So, the old warhorse had no choice but to ride once more.
As the Konoha forces advanced, the Iwa shinobi retaliated in kind. Coordinating their efforts, they unleashed large-scale Earth Release techniques. The ground quaked, rock formations crumbled, and deep pits formed beneath Konoha's feet. Many shinobi plummeted into these sinkholes, only to be crushed beneath falling debris. Life snuffed out in an instant.
Yet there was no time for grief.
As commander, Shoroku knew that hesitation meant more lives lost. His priority was the shinobi still standing.
"Our formation has been disrupted! Adapt immediately—form groups of three with the nearest allies and establish triangular defenses!" he commanded. "No need for reckless assaults! Remember, survival is victory!"
Pressing a hand to the head of a Yamanaka sensory ninja, Shoroku relayed his orders. The Yamanaka channeled chakra furiously, broadcasting the commands to every Konoha shinobi in range.
The scattered forces reorganized quickly. Their new defensive formations significantly bolstered their resilience, making Iwa's Earth Release techniques far less effective. And with every failed attack, Iwa shinobi were not just expending chakra—they were losing morale.
From a tactical standpoint, the tide was beginning to shift in Konoha's favor.
However, Iwa's commander was not about to let the battle slip from his grasp.
BOOM!
A section of the battlefield erupted in a violent explosion, sending Konoha shinobi flying. From the chaos emerged a figure, moving at lightning speed toward Shoroku's position.
The Konoha shinobi instinctively moved to defend their commander. But they severely underestimated their opponent.
This intruder was a whirlwind of destruction, maneuvering effortlessly through the battlefield. Any shinobi who attempted to engage him found themselves inexplicably blasted backward by sudden explosions. Wherever he passed, chaos followed—severed limbs, anguished screams, and craters of smoldering earth marked his path.
"Hahaha! Is this all Konoha's shinobi have to offer?"
The attacker, a man named Gari, let out a crazed laugh, reveling in the carnage. The sensation of cutting through enemies like wheat beneath a scythe sent a thrill through his veins. He was invincible—unstoppable.
Or so he thought.
Whoosh!
A shadow stretched from the ground, slithering toward him like a serpent. In an instant, it connected with his feet.
Just as Gari was about to trigger another explosion, he found himself frozen in place.
Shadow Imitation Jutsu—success!
Shoroku stood with his hands pressed together, maintaining the technique that bound his opponent. At his side, two elite Konoha shinobi swiftly took their positions, ready to protect him.
"You thought I'd just let you run wild?" Shoroku said, his voice steady.
Gari, despite his predicament, smirked. "Heh. So, you're Nara Shoroku, the new commander of this front? Not bad. I wonder… is your predecessor, that woman, still alive?"
Even restrained, his mocking tone remained unchanged. There was no fear in his eyes—only disdain.
Shoroku's brow furrowed as he tightened his grip. More chakra poured into the jutsu, reinforcing the shadow's hold on Gari.
"You should worry about yourself first," he retorted. "Because the next ones to fall… will be your Iwa shinobi."
Nara Shoroku's Shadow Imitation Technique shifted. The shadows on the ground stretched out like countless hands, swiftly crawling onto Gari's body. However, Shoroku knew that his shadows alone wouldn't be enough to kill him.
His two Konoha guards immediately understood his intent. One wielded a katana, the other gripped a kunai, and both sprinted toward Gari, aiming to finish him off with a decisive three-pronged attack.
Yet, despite being seemingly immobilized, Gari's expression remained calm and confident, as if victory was already in his grasp.
"Konoha shinobi… do you think too little of me?" A sly smirk curled at Gari's lips as his outstretched palm suddenly radiated a dazzling light.
"Explosion Release: Detonation!"
BOOM!!!
A violent explosion erupted from Gari's palm, sending shockwaves across the battlefield like a raging tidal wave. The sheer force of the blast engulfed Nara Shoroku and the two Konoha shinobi charging at him.
"What?!" Shoroku's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected Gari to be so reckless—to detonate himself at such close range. There was no time to react.
The impact sent Shoroku flying backward, his jutsu instantly dispelled. He crashed onto the ground in a disheveled heap, gritting his teeth as he forced himself to stand. His internal organs felt like they had been shaken into chaos, but at least he was still alive.
'I have to keep commanding the battle.'
Shoroku wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and turned his gaze toward the explosion's epicenter, where thick smoke billowed into the sky.
'If this guy is that reckless… that means Iwagakure is leaderless now. Konoha can take advantage of this—'
Just as he was strategizing the next move, his eyes suddenly widened in shock.
Through the black smoke, a figure emerged—unhurried, unfazed.
It was Gari.
His arms had been raised in defense, and now, as he lowered them, they gleamed under the sunlight, reflecting a metallic sheen.
The smirk on Gari's face deepened as he looked at Shoroku.
"Not bad… You actually got to witness my second Kekkei Genkai—Steel Release. Now you can die without regrets."
[A/N: In Shippuden, Gari's Kekkei Genkai is Explosion Release, but in the movie, it's Steel Release. I decided to combine both.]