Chapter 416: The Suna Army
In the Land of Wind, within a vast desert, an army of over five thousand Suna ninja was gathered in a large valley, sheltering from a sandstorm.
Although sitting in the valley protected them from the sand, the sound of the wind whistling through the valley entrance was exceptionally loud.
The five thousand Suna ninja knew that they were about to participate in a life-and-death war. So, even this noisy wind sounded unusually dear to them at this moment. Listening to it, it was full of the taste of home.
Everyone remained silent. Only the intelligence ninja were constantly moving in and out of the valley entrance.
Suddenly, an intelligence officer rushed into the valley, passing through several checkpoints at top speed.
He did not go to the intelligence summary point for pre-processing like the other intelligence ninja but walked straight into the tent where the command headquarters was located.
The many Suna ninja who saw this scene felt an inexplicable tightening in their hearts. After exchanging glances, they had a feeling that what the command headquarters had been waiting for was the intelligence carried by this ninja.
As the Suna-nin had expected, not long after the intelligence ninja entered the command headquarters, the order to march was given.
Target: Iwagakure. This was the order received by the ordinary Suna ninja.
Some of the jonin received relatively more detailed intelligence: Iwagakure had stationed a three-thousand-strong army on the border to guard against them, led by the Iwagakure advisor, Saka. The target of the Suna army was to annihilate this force.
Further up were the upper echelons who had actually participated in formulating the plan. They knew even more.
They knew that the Tsuchikage had gone to Konoha, Advisor Ikura had gone to Kirigakure, and although Ōnoki's whereabouts were uncertain, there was definite intelligence that Kumo's Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was heading straight for Iwagakure. Under these circumstances, Ōnoki had to return to intercept him. Kumo's Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was a perfect Jinchuriki, and Killer Bee himself was Kage-level. Even if Ōnoki personally returned to provide support, he might not be able to stop him. As for the Jinchuriki left to guard Iwagakure, he was no match for the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki at all.
So, although they still had no trace of Ōnoki, after discussion, the command headquarters had still decided to make a move. This was because Suna was very well-prepared this time. Not only had they assembled a superior force, but they had also dispatched two Kage-level shinobi: Chiyo and Pakura. At that time, even if Ōnoki were to abandon his village to deal with them, they were confident of victory.
But there was one point: their speed had to be fast. This Great Ninja War was different from the previous ones. This time, all parties had tacitly skipped the initial probing phase and had gone straight to a decisive battle.
The reason was none other than the fact that the Kage of the Five Great Shinobi Villages were all tied up. Each side was taking advantage of the fact that the other villages' Kage were unable to free themselves to try and grab some benefits.
Suna was a typical example of this. Rasa did not want to give up his gains in Konoha, and he also wanted to take advantage of Ishiro's absence from the village to launch a surprise attack on Iwagakure.
Soon, the five thousand Suna-nin were packed and ready, leaving the valley in a mighty procession.
This valley was not far from the border of the Land of Wind and the Land of Bears. The Suna-nin soon entered the Land of Bears.
Ignoring the fearful gazes of the numerous rogue ninja and wanderers in the country, the Suna-nin marched without stopping, heading straight for the Land of Earth.
Soon, Saka, who was with the Iwa army, received the news of Suna's mobilization.
An elite jonin said to Saka with concern, "Advisor Saka, the Suna-nin are coming with great momentum. There may even be a Kage-level shinobi in their ranks. We are inferior to them in both numbers and high-end combat power. How about a tactical retreat first?"
Saka looked at him for a few seconds. "You're right. We need to act flustered. Give the order: the army is to retreat and set up defenses in the mountains."
The elite jonin was taken aback. What does that mean? What do you mean, 'act' flustered? I'm genuinely flustered.
He asked cautiously, "Advisor Saka? Do we have a backup plan?"
This elite jonin had participated in more than one Great Ninja War. He had also been in the battle where Ishiro had become a Quasi-Kage. At that time, Iwagakure had been at a complete disadvantage. Later, Ōnoki had descended like a divine soldier, wiping out the elite force composed of Konoha's ninja clans with a single blow, directly turning the tide of the battle.
So, hearing Saka say this, this elite jonin was a little expectant. But this time, the disparity in strength between the two sides was huge. Even if Ōnoki was in the shadows, their Iwa-nin seemed to have no chance of victory. If the Suna side dispatched two Kage, then even if Ōnoki made a move, it would be a certain defeat. He knew that at this time, Advisor Ikura was in Kirigakure, and Lord Tsuchikage was in Konoha. Neither of them could make it back.
Saka said, "No more questions. Just do as you're told."
"Yes." With a heart full of both expectation and apprehension, the elite jonin went to relay the order.
Soon, the news of Iwagakure's movements reached the rapidly marching Suna-nin.
"Granny Chiyo, the Iwa-nin are retreating. They probably don't have any backup plans, right?" Pakura asked.
Chiyo shook her head. "It's hard to say. Warfare is all about illusion and reality. This Saka is no simple character. Before the Fourth Tsuchikage and Ikura rose to prominence, he was Iwagakure's standing commander."
"The fact that Ōnoki could maintain the situation in the Land of Earth by himself is largely thanks to this Saka. You must not underestimate him. When we attack later, have everyone spread out a little. Be careful of Ōnoki's Dust Release, and also be careful of the Tailed Beast."
Pakura nodded. "I understand, Granny Chiyo."
Ever since being captured by Ishiro, Pakura had become much more prudent, with fewer unrealistic fantasies, and her actions were more down-to-earth. Chiyo was very gratified by her change.
In fact, Chiyo supported Rasa's actions over the years. Under his policies, Suna's strength was indeed growing, not just in terms of high-end combat power, but also in the overall strength of the village. Rasa had not only seized power from the original high command but had also broken the monopoly that the great ninja clans in the village had on some ninjutsu and secret techniques. Now, the opportunities for civilian-born and lower-class ninja families to obtain ninjutsu were much greater than before.
Rasa indeed had the boldness to match his ambition.
But Chiyo was still very worried about this surprise attack on the Iwa army.
Before long, the Suna-nin arrived in front of Iwagakure's new defensive line.
Looking at this mountainous area, Chiyo thought for a moment. "Pakura, use a large-scale ninjutsu directly. Don't let the army go in."
Pakura was a bit surprised. "Why?"
Chiyo's action was indeed abnormal. Under normal circumstances, the role of a Kage was certainly greater than that of an army of two or three thousand. So, in a great battle like this, it was very necessary to conserve the chakra of the Kage-level experts. Because if the battle went unfavorably and the army wanted to retreat, they would have to rely on the Kage's large-scale ninjutsu to cover the rear. Moreover, if Iwagakure really did have a backup plan and Ōnoki suddenly appeared, it would be up to her and Pakura to deal with him. In a battle of this level, it was definitely good to save some chakra.
Chiyo did not explain. "Let's do it this way for now. I'll explain after the battle."
Pakura nodded, walked to the front of the army, and began to form hand seals to cast her jutsu.
On the Iwa side, they naturally also saw her movements and quickly began to respond.
"Scorch Release: Fire Sea!" As Pakura formed the seals, a vast sea of scorch-style flames covered the area where the Iwa army was located.
On the Iwa side, they used a group ninjutsu. Rows of earth walls rose from the ground, and one water jutsu after another covered the sea of flames. The first wave of Pakura's attack was smoothly blocked by the combined efforts of the Iwa-nin.
Pakura wanted to form seals again for another wave. This time, she was confident she could break directly into the Iwa army. Because from the last wave, she had already determined the layout of their ninjutsu users. With her Kage-level strength and the power of her Scorch Release, once she had found the right position, it would be impossible for the Iwa-nin to stop her.
But just at that moment, Chiyo suddenly called out to her, "Pakura, come back."
Pakura was taken aback but obediently returned to the Suna army.
When she came back, she was still a bit puzzled, but she soon knew the reason. Because in the sky behind the Iwa army, a very small figure had appeared: Ōnoki.
Chiyo sighed. Iwagakure had indeed focused its defenses on the Suna side.
She asked a sensory ninja beside her, "Have you detected the location of the Iwa reinforcements?"
The sensory ninja replied, "There are no reinforcements. The Third Tsuchikage seems to have only brought a few people with him."
Chiyo frowned. A very bad feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.
Iwagakure had exceeded her expectations again and again, making her sense of crisis stronger and stronger. Ōnoki's strength was above hers and Pakura's. It was possible for him to hold off the two of them alone. As long as they mobilized some more troops, they could block Suna. It was impossible that Iwagakure, which had developed so quickly in the past two years, couldn't even mobilize two or three thousand ninja. But they hadn't done so.
Could it be that Ōnoki thought he alone could make up for the gap of two Kage and a three-thousand-strong ninja army?
The situation had exceeded her expectations, and Chiyo, on the contrary, did not dare to advance. She said to a messenger ninja beside her, "Notify them. The army is to retreat."
Ōnoki's face was also not good. He had been waiting here, wanting to launch a wave of attacks on Suna just as he had done to Konoha back then. But he had not expected Suna to be so cautious.
Under a situation of complete advantage, not only did they not attack, but they even had Pakura come over to put pressure on the Iwa-nin, and now they were even retreating.
Taking a deep breath, Ōnoki, on the contrary, gave the order to attack.
At the same time, in the Suna army, Rōshi, calling upon the power of the Four-Tails, Son Gokū, directly entered a partial Tailed Beast state. And Kawakita, beside him, also launched a charge towards Suna along with Rōshi.
Iwagakure, led by three Kage-level combatants, launched their attack.
Behind the retreating Suna army, Chiyo's face changed drastically.
She was not looking at Rōshi; she knew the Four-Tails Jinchuriki. She was not surprised. He was just a Jinchuriki; his usefulness was limited.
What made her face change was Kawakita beside him.
Kage-level. There's no mistake. He might have just been promoted, but he is definitely Kage-level.
Iwagakure has produced another Kage.
So this was Iwagakure's backup plan. How they dealt with the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Chiyo did not know. But for them to arrange three Kage-level combatants on this side, they were planning to directly annihilate this army of Suna.
Pakura, while retreating, asked Chiyo, "Granny Chiyo, do we have a chance of winning?"
Chiyo shook her head. "If Ōnoki were replaced with Ikura, then there would still be a certain chance."
"But Dust Release is indestructible. Apart from the Kazekage's absolute defense, we simply cannot block it. Two against three, we have no chance of winning."
Pakura gritted her teeth. "I will go into the Iwa army and release a large-scale Scorch Release. Otherwise, if we just retreat like this, we will definitely suffer heavy losses."
This was the truth. Among the five thousand Suna-nin, there were many chunin and genin. Could these ninja outrun an Iwa army led by three Kage? At that time, the number of dead would be at least two or three thousand.
Chiyo roared, "Foolish! Your life is not your own! To sacrifice yourself for some chunin and genin, it may seem like a heroic act, but you are undoubtedly disregarding the safety of Sunagakure!"
Pakura gritted her teeth but said no more, silently choosing to retreat with Chiyo.
(End of Chapter)
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