"A Kage-level opponent?!"
Umino Yoru's face paled.
Not only was this Suna force overwhelming in numbers, but it was also led by Chiyo, a genuine Kage-level shinobi. Though she wasn't as famous as some, her strength was undeniable—otherwise, she wouldn't have been appointed commander of the Land of Rivers frontlines.
Even a weak Kage is still a Kage.
Yoru's current strength was slightly above tokubetsu jonin level. While he had an advantage against puppeteers, that meant nothing when the gap in power was this vast.
If they clashed head-on, he wouldn't last a single move.
"Huh? I've been detected?"
Yoru's heart pounded.
Chiyo seemed to have noticed his Infrasound Radar Technique probing her.
"Wind Release: Thousand Cutting Winds!"
With a swift hand seal, Chiyo unleashed a storm of razor-sharp wind blades, shredding everything within 200 meters into confetti.
Had any scouts been hiding there, they'd have been diced to pieces.
"A coincidence?"
Yoru had used his sound-based detection countless times before—no one had ever sensed it. To test, he cautiously sent another infrasound pulse toward Chiyo.
Immediate reaction.
She could perceive infrasound.
Chiyo barked an order, and nine Suna chunin formed a joint jutsu.
"Wind Release: Sandstorm Prison Formation!"
A monstrous tornado erupted, swallowing rocks, trees, and debris as it rampaged forward—800 meters of pure devastation.
And this was with the forest's natural barriers. In the open desert of Wind Country? The destruction would've been even worse.
The aftermath left nothing but a barren wasteland.
Though Yoru was safely behind the forest fire defense line, the sheer force of the wind sent searing heat rushing toward him, singeing his hair.
"Kree!"
His desert eagle, Shiro, flapped its wings in terror.
"So Chiyo really can sense infrasound."
Yoru's mind raced.
Her reaction confirmed it—she might not pinpoint the exact source, but she knew the direction.
Expected from a Kage-level puppeteer and wind master.
"Retreat!"
Yoru and Shiro bolted.
This was bad. His entire strategy relied on sound-based reconnaissance—now, that advantage was gone against Chiyo.
But he wasn't giving up.
If he couldn't scout her, he'd monitor the other Suna-nin instead. Their movements would still reveal Chiyo's plans.
As long as he kept his distance and avoided a direct ambush, he could stay safe.
And if things got dicey?
He'd just hop on Shiro and flee.
The Suna force pressed forward, unfazed by the blazing forest.
Nine chunin combined their power for a Great Breakthrough, carving a hundred-meter safe path through the flames.
Soon, they breached the first defense line, advancing into the Shinanokawa Forest's second layer.
Just as they reached the third layer, Yoru struck.
300 meters in the air—untouchable.
Even if Gaara himself were here, he'd struggle to reach that height.
No taunts. No warnings.
Yoru hurled a single shuriken—then formed a seal.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A hundred blades rained down.
Chiyo reacted instantly.
"Wind Release: Thousand Storm Net!"
A hurricane shield erupted, intercepting most of the projectiles.
But some slipped through—scattering across the Suna ranks.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Most were puppeteers, blocking with their constructs. Only a few unlucky genin fell.
Yoru didn't stick around to admire his work.
With only 0.15 "Kakashi" units of chakra left, he ran.
Over the next hours, Yoru harassed relentlessly.
Each time his chakra recovered (thanks to Gluttony Technique), he'd swoop in for another hit-and-run.
But the Suna force adapted.
By the second assault, they countered with a joint wind jutsu, nullifying his attacks.
Despite his efforts, their advance never slowed.
Within two hours, they breached the third defense line.
"Elder Chiyo, past this ridge—the path is clear. Victory is within reach."
"Full speed ahead."
Chiyo nodded.
The mission had faced a minor hiccup (being detected early), but overall, it was a success.
That pesky hawk-riding Leaf jonin was like a mosquito—annoying, but irrelevant.
Once they crossed this ridge, the Shinanokawa Forest would be behind them.
The 200+ Leaf shinobi stationed here?
Most were cannon fodder—only dangerous when hiding in the trees.
If they dared chase a 300-strong Suna puppeteer battalion into open combat?
They'd be crushed in seconds.