Chapter 158: The Art of the Three Tasteless Sensations, and the Rise of the Fifth Kazekage!
"Lord Madara, it seems Nagato doesn't quite trust us," Aloe White Zetsu said on the way back to the Mountain's Graveyard.
Spiral Zetsu, attached to Madara, chuckled. "That woman, Konan, was watching him the whole time. Otherwise, we could have done something when we transplanted the cells."
"Nagato is just a pawn," Madara's voice was flat. "He only needs to complete the task of gathering the Tailed Beasts and then reviving me."
"That may be so, Lord Madara," Aloe White Zetsu said with a shrug, "but I'm afraid Nagato won't obediently let you have your way."
Madara naturally knew this, which was why he had not taught Nagato how to become the jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails. The power of the five great ninja villages would not disappoint him. When the time came, Nagato would still need him. Of course, this was not a guarantee.
And so, Madara asked, "How is that person?"
"Same as always," Aloe White Zetsu smiled. "Helping old ladies, training hard to surpass that Kakashi fellow. Oh, and he's been wanting to awaken his Sharingan."
"He will," Madara said with a faint smile.
"Lord Madara, how are you going to help him awaken it?" Aloe White Zetsu asked curiously. "His teacher is the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze, a very formidable guy."
"There are always many accidents in this world," Madara said.
Aloe White Zetsu nodded, then suddenly remembered something. "Lord Madara, that guy Kinoshita Genichi seems to know a bit too much, and his strength is very great. Don't we need to get rid of him?"
"Did you not make any moves?" Madara asked in return.
"As expected of you, Lord Madara," Aloe White Zetsu was immediately satisfied and laughed exaggeratedly. "Nothing escapes your eyes."
Madara thought of how he had failed to see through Genichi's shadow clone before. These eyes of his were indeed much weaker now. This aged body made him feel none of the passion or pleasure of battle. He even felt disgust for his decaying form.
But it will be soon…
Although Konoha had temporarily repelled the Mist Village and inflicted huge losses, making it difficult for them to organize another large-scale attack in the short term, Konoha's overall situation had not improved much. After the New Year, the Cloud Village, having suffered a great defeat at the hands of Iwagakure, took advantage of Konoha's increased investment in the war against the Sand and began to mass troops on the northern border, putting immense pressure on Konoha's defenses.
Jiraiya had only been on leave for a few days before he had to rush to the northern front.
However, as Konoha poured more and more forces into the Sand front, the tide of the battle gradually began to turn.
In Konoha Village, Kinoshita Genichi's days were relatively peaceful. He was now like a treasured sword in its sheath, waiting only for the critical moment to be drawn and kill. A blade in its sheath is a blade's true edge. To make himself sharper, Genichi was honing his blade every day.
Time passed in a flash, and it was the end of January.
"It's finally done!" Genichi was quite pleased as he received the memory feedback from his shadow clone. The genjutsu to deprive the sense of taste was complete. Of the four sensory deprivation illusions, this was likely the fastest to be completed. This was the benefit of accumulation. And the clone had even come up with a name for it.
Art of the Three Tasteless Sensations.
Of course, under normal circumstances, this genjutsu was actually very useless. Used alone, it would have no effect on an enemy's combat ability. But for Genichi, the five sensory deprivation illusions were just steps on the ladder to a higher realm of genjutsu. Now that all five were complete, he could integrate them into a single illusion. And so, he temporarily put aside his other research to focus on this task.
In early February, there was a major turning point on the Sand front. The Sand's rear was cut off at one point, causing the front line to lose contact with the main village. Later, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, personally led a team and managed to reopen the supply lines.
In this battle, the White Fang of the Leaf, Sakumo Hatake, was severely wounded.
Konoha Hospital.
"Teacher!"
Genichi rushed to Sakumo's hospital room as soon as he got the news. Sakumo was conscious, but his left arm was completely wrapped in bandages.
"Genichi, don't worry, I'm fine," Sakumo's mentality was very good, and he smiled, comforting him in turn.
Genichi sat down by the bed and looked at his teacher's left arm. "With your strength, Teacher, the only one who could injure you this badly is the Fourth Kazekage, right?"
"It was the Kazekage," Sakumo nodded. "He controls Gold Dust. A powerful ninja. If you face him, Genichi, you must be very careful. His Gold Dust is very fast, has a very wide range, and its defense is strong. Be especially careful of what's beneath your feet. He also possesses powerful sensory abilities."
His arm had been bound by the Gold Dust, which had resulted in a terrifying comminuted fracture. The bones in his entire arm had been practically shattered like glass. Even with Tsunade on the front line, she couldn't save the arm.
"In addition, you must also be careful of the Sand's Granny Chiyo," Sakumo warned. "She is not only skilled in using poison, but also a very powerful puppet master." This time, he had been ambushed by both the Fourth Kazekage and Chiyo.
Genichi frowned. Granny Chiyo and the Fourth Kazekage were indeed not to be underestimated. If it were just the puppeteer Chiyo, he believed his teacher could have won completely. But with the addition of the Fourth Kazekage, who was skilled at controlling the battlefield with his Gold Dust, it was indeed very dangerous.
Just as he was about to speak, an Anbu ninja appeared at the door. "Lord Genichi, the Hokage summons you."
"Go," Sakumo smiled. "I've only lost an arm."
Genichi nodded, stood up, and left, but his mind was already thinking about getting a new arm for his teacher. At that time, the White Fang of the Leaf might become even stronger.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen got straight to the point. "The Fourth Kazekage has appeared on the front line. I am now asking for your opinion. Should we change the plan, and instead of a covert assassination, kill the Kazekage on the main battlefield? If we change the plan, how confident are you?"
"Lord Hokage," Genichi said solemnly, "I will definitely take care of the Fourth Kazekage."
Hiruzen looked at him, and after a two-second silence, he nodded. "In that case, let's change the plan. Begin the execution."
"Yes, sir," Genichi nodded.
"Do you have any requests?" Hiruzen asked.
"Chiyo is a threat," Genichi said after a moment's thought. "I would like Orochimaru-senpai to hold her off." Against a puppeteer like Chiyo, Tsunade was at a bit of a disadvantage. And on a personal level, he didn't want to let Tsunade take that risk.
"Alright," Hiruzen nodded directly. "I will immediately order Orochimaru to the Kikyō Mountain front."
After leaving the Hokage's tower, Genichi went home to find Pakura.
"The time has come," he said, getting straight to the point. "The Fourth Kazekage has appeared on the battlefield. I will head there immediately. You can return to the Sand Village."
Pakura was both surprised and happy, but then a trace of apprehension appeared. "Are you… are you confident?"
Genichi reached out and pinched her chin, his voice dominant. "From now on, you cannot question me in that tone. Also, I will place a seal on you. It will contain a jutsu. If you are in mortal danger, it will send you to Konoha. This is a precaution."
He performed the Transcription Seal, sealing the Flying Thunder God into her body. "Do not underestimate the leaders of the Sand."
"I understand," she nodded.
"After I deal with the Fourth Kazekage," he continued, "the Sand will surely lose this war. At that time, you will represent them in negotiations with Konoha. As long as you secure good enough terms, you will once again become a hero of the Sand, and the undisputed Fifth Kazekage. Don't worry, the Third Hokage will make concessions during the negotiations."
Pakura nodded. The original plan was to assassinate the Fourth Kazekage. But to openly defeat him on the battlefield would be ten times more effective. This was also why Genichi had agreed to change the plan without hesitation.
After sending Pakura off, he did not leave immediately. It would take time for Orochimaru to get to the battlefield, but he could get there very quickly. There was no rush.
He continued his previous training, completely unaffected by his teacher's injury or the upcoming battle with the Fourth Kazekage.
At the same time, in Iwagakure, in the Tsuchikage's office, Onoki immediately knew that the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived when he received the news that the Fourth Kazekage was on the front line. He ordered, without any hesitation, to dispatch troops to the Land of Grass, and then, to attack the Land of Fire's border.
The next day, Genichi set out, using the Flying Thunder God to arrive near Kikyō Mountain on the Land of Fire's border. At the same time, Iwagakure's forces, who had marched through the night, had crossed the Land of Grass and launched a surprise attack on the border, clashing with Mokume Kuno's border defense force.
That same day, Hiruzen received the intel from the front.
"So they've made their move. Onoki…" Hiruzen's face was grim, although this was expected. The front line could hold for now. As long as they dealt with the Sand Village, the two of them could join forces and naturally deal with Iwa.
After a moment of thought, he ordered the few remaining forces in the Anbu to conduct intelligence gathering in the Land of Grass, in preparation for a future counter-attack.
On the Kikyō Mountain front, in the medical camp.
Genichi appeared directly beside Tsunade, who was frowning and trying to figure out an antidote. She was startled, but not surprised to see him. "I thought you would have arrived yesterday."
"I was waiting for Orochimaru-senpai," Genichi said. "Has he arrived?"
"He arrived late last night," she nodded.
"What's the specific situation on the front?"
Tsunade pointed to a map hanging nearby. "Currently, the Sand is using Kikyō Mountain as a base, with their forces radiating outward. The nearby Kikyō Castle has also become a battlefield. We have gradually compressed their forces to the mountain and the castle. We had them completely surrounded at one point, but the Fourth Kazekage personally led reinforcements and broke our plan."
"Homura and Koharu couldn't even stop one Chiyo?" Genichi was displeased.
"Homura is in charge of command," Tsunade said. "Koharu is in the medical camp."
"Gather them," Genichi snorted.
"They should already be waiting for you," she said, standing up. "Let's go. And watch your tone. Although I don't like them either, you should at least show some respect on the surface to these seniors who have served the village."
Genichi followed her out of the tent, suppressing a bit of his anger. He smiled. "I have always respected the old and cherished the young. I just think their reaction was too slow. When the Fourth Kazekage appeared, they should have known that the Sand forces on the mountain would gather their most elite forces to open a channel. If you no longer dare to charge on the front line, you should give the opportunity to the younger generation."
In his opinion, Tsunade should have been the commander on this front. While managing the medical corps could also earn merit and was very important, a direct battle record was more conspicuous and would better support her candidacy for Fourth Hokage.
Sigh. I still have to do everything myself. Genichi felt he was worrying too much. He had to be the man behind the Fifth Kazekage, and now the man behind the Fourth Hokage.
When they arrived at the command tent, Orochimaru and Koharu were indeed there.
Genichi didn't waste any time. "Orochimaru-senpai, I need you all to hold off Chiyo and the others. I don't want anyone interfering with my battle with the Fourth Kazekage."
"No problem," Orochimaru chuckled. The order he had received was to cooperate with Genichi's actions. And he was very curious to see if Genichi could actually defeat the Kazekage. This was different from an assassination.
However, Homura and Koharu were a bit displeased with his commanding tone.
"Shouldn't we first discuss a specific strategy?" Koharu asked. "What if you can't defeat the Kazekage?"
"There will be no 'what if'," Genichi said sharply. "This is a decisive battle. The appearance of the Fourth Kazekage on the battlefield is an extremely dangerous signal. Both Iwa and Kumo will simultaneously increase the intensity of their attacks on the Land of Fire. Even Kirigakure will stir up trouble again. So we don't have any more time to waste. Too many of our forces are gathered here."
Although he didn't yet know that Iwa had already dispatched troops from the Land of Grass, with his nine years of compulsory education, he could make such a judgment with his eyes closed. Unless Onoki was a fool.
Koharu was left speechless. This young man had no respect for the rules of engagement. And wasn't he said to be very gentle? Why was he so domineering?
Genichi ignored her and looked at Homura. "Lord Homura, Lady Tsunade and I will lead an elite squad to deal with the Fourth Kazekage. But on Kikyō Mountain, I don't want a single Sand-nin to appear on my battlefield. Can you do that? You should have been briefed on the Fifth Kazekage plan, right?"
Homura also disliked his domineering attitude, but he also knew the importance of the plan. He nodded with a grim face. "I understand. You have my word. If any Sand-nin cross the battle line, I will personally ask the Hokage for punishment." He had his own sense of responsibility and didn't want to be looked down upon by a younger man.
"Then let's prepare," Genichi nodded.
"Genichi," Homura added, "do not underestimate the power of a Kage."
"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Homura," he said with a smile. "I know very well how strong a Kage is. I have never underestimated anyone, whether it was the Third Mizukage or the Fourth Kazekage." This was the first time he had publicly admitted to assassinating the Third Mizukage. And regardless of the outcome of this battle, the news would soon spread throughout the ninja world.
With that, he turned and left. Homura was helpless. Young people were so arrogant. But his strength was right there, and he couldn't bring himself to lecture him like an old man. After all, he knew about the time Danzō had been beaten up. He couldn't help but grumble to himself: Hiruzen, this is the polite and gentle young man you were talking about? He's probably only like that in front of you, the Hokage.
Tsunade quickly selected an eighteen-person elite squad. Besides Uzumaki Ina, all of them were elites from Konoha's various ninja clans: Hyūga Hizashi from the branch family, the Uchiha clan's genius jonin and three-tomoe Sharingan wielder, Uchiha Tekka. There were also elites from the Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Aburame, and Sarutobi clans. In addition, there was one person who slightly surprised Genichi: Kosuke. Tsunade knew how to pick people. Genichi was very satisfied.
At the same time, Orochimaru and the others also moved out, first blocking the channel that the Sand had opened, once again completely surrounding Kikyō Mountain.
This move immediately prompted a reaction from Chiyo and the other Sand-nin on the mountain, as well as the Fourth Kazekage in Kikyō Castle. Yes, the Kazekage was in the castle, not on the mountain. Because once he was on the mountain, faced with Konoha's heavy encirclement, even he might not be able to break out. Now, the mountain and the castle were supporting each other, which made things difficult for Konoha.
A full-scale battle had just begun. And with Genichi's intervention, neither side had much time to prepare.
At the foot of Kikyō Mountain, Chiyo personally led an elite force to break through Konoha's line, and then she saw Orochimaru. She immediately had a bad feeling. "Orochimaru, I didn't expect it to be you."
Orochimaru directly used the Summoning Jutsu, summoning Manda. "Sorry, you're not getting out today." He didn't want to break his promise to Genichi.
But Manda was a bit uncooperative. "Hey, Orochimaru, I want twenty living people this time."
"No problem," Orochimaru smiled. "I'll give you fifty." They were Sand-nin anyway.
Chiyo's expression was grave as she took out a scroll. To her, the Orochimaru before her was even more dangerous than the White Fang of the Leaf. After all, this was a guy who was immune to poison.
On the other side, outside Kikyō Castle.
Genichi, Tsunade, and the others had intercepted the Fourth Kazekage. He didn't have many men with him, about thirty, also elites. The two sides met on a barren plain.
The Fourth Kazekage was not wearing his Kage robes or armor, just simple black ninja clothes. His gaze first fell on Tsunade. "Princess Tsunade, one of the Sannin of Konoha. And…" Rasa's gaze fixed on Genichi.
Long black hair, a Sharingan in his right eye, a large scroll on his back, a black, half-sleeved divine robe over a black undershirt, and black pants. He looked mysterious and cold.
"The one called Kinoshita Genichi, the genjutsu prodigy who surpasses the Uchiha?" Rasa asked.
Genichi nodded slightly. "That's me, Lord Kazekage."
Rasa could see that this young man seemed to be in charge. "Do you intend to fight me?"
"That's right, Lord Kazekage," Genichi said frankly. "I came here today with the intention of killing you. This war has gone on for too long. It's time for it to end."
(End of Chapter)
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