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One day, two days, three days...
As the agreed-upon breakout time drew nearer, the number of Cloud Ninja squads circling them actually decreased, seemingly because they hadn't found any trace of them and had shifted their search elsewhere.
The members of the entire Konoha squad grew anxious and aggressive, even expanding their original search radius by double at Mokume Kodachi's suggestion.
But even so, they couldn't find any trace of the Third Raikage.
All indications pointed to a major problem with their intelligence; there was a high probability that their operation plan had been exposed, and the Third Raikage had very likely reached the front lines via another route.
Their mission... might have failed.
It wasn't until the afternoon of the third day, as the midday sun turned to a hazy yellow, that everyone realized this.
Only Tsunade let out a long sigh of relief.
Grandfather, great-uncle, grandmother, the elders of the Senju Clan, father, mother, Nawaki...
Too many people had died on the battlefield; people around her were constantly, suddenly, and permanently disappearing at some point.
This prolonged pain silently lurked in the deepest parts of her heart on a daily basis, seemingly invisible.
But at critical moments, it would suddenly erupt, transforming into a heavy pressure, weighing heavily on her chest.
However, it was finally over.
"Now, does anyone else have any other opinions?"
After returning to the stronghold once more, Tsunade took a deep breath and looked earnestly at her teammates, who were still unwilling to give up.
Everyone remained silent.
Even the most stubborn Ando Oyama understood that this mission had completely failed.
"Since that's the case, we'll follow the original plan: rest for one night, then break through the gap in the Kumogakure encirclement that we scouted earlier, starting at dawn tomorrow," Tsunade ordered decisively when she saw their silence.
"Yes."
Based on their probing over the past few days, they had thoroughly mapped out the Kumogakure forces' patrol routes.
Ninja warfare differs from ordinary warfare; it doesn't require finding main roads for large-scale troop movements, nor does it necessitate carrying large amounts of logistical military supplies. It is extremely difficult to block their movements by simply holding key nodes.
Therefore, almost all Ninja Villages move in small squads as their basic unit, scattering a very large number of them over a wide area. Sensor Ninja monitor and report on each section, resulting in a flexible, wave-like, loose, yet highly adaptable deployment pattern that can quickly gather personnel.
However, this wave-like deployment was naturally insignificant to the elite squad composed of Tsunade and the others.
In these three days, they had already found multiple gaps large enough for quick passage.
"It's just..."
As he was speaking, Kato Dan suddenly frowned and spoke.
He looked at the military map in front of everyone, deep in thought, and puzzled, "Our actions have been so obvious these past few days, enough for Kumogakure to figure out our general activity range."
"Why hasn't anyone of sufficient caliber come to apprehend us until now?"
This illogical behavior made him uneasy.
...
Kato Dan was not the only one with such concerns.
However, Kumogakure was also in the midst of war at the moment.
There were simply too many unexpected situations that could arise on the battlefield; no one could say for sure.
Perhaps the Raikage was already surrounded by ten thousand Rock Ninja and had died in battle?
"Don't worry so much, Kato," Mokume Kodachi's tone was noticeably more relaxed after deciding to abandon the mission. He casually said, "Maybe Iwagakure and Kumogakure have already started fighting, and the Raikage and Tsuchikage are so locked in battle that they can't spare any attention for us?"
Even Ando Oyama was not as resolute as before.
A full month, plus the final three days of waiting and searching, had been enough to wear away his last bit of patience.
He picked up the earthenware bowl, sipped the hot water inside, and said hoarsely, "We can't exchange intelligence with the Village right now; it's possible that many unknown things have happened on the front lines."
"After all, it's been a month."
In a war between nations, a month's time is enough to change the strategic situation of an entire region.
"That's true."
Hearing his teammates say this, Kato Dan also felt somewhat relieved.
Perhaps his worries were indeed unnecessary?
At the moment of making this decision, the entire narrow and warm underground stronghold felt as if a heavy dark cloud had been lifted, and everyone felt a sense of relief from within.
However, no one could say much more.
After returning to the Village, they would still have to face other grim situations.
"Crash!"
Suddenly, a muffled thunder rumbled outside, followed by drizzling rain.
The low pressure, carrying moisture, added a subtle, almost imperceptible dampness to the air, and breathing brought a slight chill.
However, changes in the natural environment were not enough to affect a Ninja's mood.
In the long war, everyone had long been mentally exhausted by the heavy mission pressure and high-intensity physical labor; even with the sound of rain, they could easily sink into a shallow state of rest.
It's just...
Just as the four of them were leaning against the stone wall, resting with their eyes closed.
"Pop."
One of the warning runes placed in the center of the four suddenly exploded.
In an instant, everyone opened their eyes almost simultaneously, springing up and straightening their bodies abruptly.
"Whoosh!"
In the distance, a red signal flare exploded in the cloud-covered sky.
That was the secondary confirmation signal from the Anbu member on alert.
Enemy attack.
Tsunade immediately turned her head and ordered:
"Ando!"
Even before her captain gave the order, Ando Oyama, responsible for sensing, had already knelt down, placing both hands flat on the ground. His Chakra spread out in waves in all directions, then reflected back into his mind.
However, the harder Ando tried to sense, the more solemn his expression became.
"West four, South three, a total of seven squads."
"The closest group is already within five kilometers."
"Total number unknown, at least thirty, with four Chakra signatures of Jonin level or higher within sensing range."
His speaking speed grew faster and faster until, finally, he abruptly opened his eyes: "We've been exposed! These people are fast and moving in a clear direction."
Ando Oyama's unspoken implication was...
This stronghold was probably discovered a long time ago.
"Damn it!"
Mokume Kodachi slammed his fist on the ground.
It was clear.
These past few days, they had been played for fools.
At this moment, only Tsunade remained calm.
Perhaps due to her extremely pessimistic assessment of the situation, she had prepared several escape plans even before the attack.
Now was the perfect time to use them.
"Ando, send a signal outside, tell them to break off on their own, and regroup with us after breaking through," Tsunade said, turning to the other side, "Mokume Kodachi, use Earth Release to take us to reserve exit number four, three kilometers away, then prepare to force our way through the southern encirclement."
"They're trying to push us northeast; don't let them have their way."
"Yes!"
Upon receiving the order, Mokume Kodachi did not hesitate and immediately formed hand signs.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
The next moment, the four people present were immediately swallowed by the soil beneath their feet.
The softened earth, like a mudslide, receded rapidly in their vision; even moving underground, their speed was no slower than a galloping horse.
However, for a Ninja, this speed was still far too slow.
Ando, who maintained his sensing Ninjutsu even underground, kept his eyes tightly shut.
Suddenly, he shouted, "They're right above us!"
"Boom!"
Earth and stone flew back.
Four figures burst out from underground, one after another.
The Cloud Ninja, still maintaining their tree-running posture, seemed completely unprepared for this scene; their bodies in mid-air even paused for a moment due to this brief shock.
That was enough.
"Chakra Enhanced Strength!"
The Chakra, imbued with explosive power, maintained the most ordinary Chakra glow until the fist was thrown.
However, almost the instant it touched a human body, it immediately transformed into an unimaginable impact, suddenly, with a terrifying unidirectional repulsion, turning a strong body, honed over decades, into a burst of shattered flesh in the blink of an eye.
"Bang!"
The entire person exploded like an imploding rag doll, scattering fine, dark red debris in all directions.
This impactful scene caused all the Cloud Ninja present to let out cries of anger or sorrow.
However, the several figures who rushed out with her, with equally swift movements, swung their blades and charged at the surrounding individuals.
The dense metallic clashing sounds echoed continuously throughout the wide forest, and sparks of metal scattered in all directions.
Unfortunately, intense emotional fluctuations could not further compensate for a lack of ability.
After just two or three moves, the two Cloud Chunin who charged at them were mercilessly torn to shreds.
Conversely, the strongest Cloud Jonin, almost the moment he saw them, turned and fled without any hesitation, regrouping with his comrades further behind.
"Don't chase, keep running!"
Noticing Mokume Kodachi's eager demeanor, Tsunade immediately reprimanded him and took the lead, charging forward.
The rain poured down, pelting them like beans, making even their cloth armor slightly heavy and their clothes sticky against their skin.
The escape lasted for a full twenty minutes.
Of the three Anbu who scattered and fled from the stronghold, only one Jonin, covered in blood, successfully regrouped with them.
The other two, clearly, would not be coming back.
Everything tonight felt so irritating.
However, what irritated Tsunade the most was the ominous premonition in her heart.
Their stronghold had been discovered.
But when was it discovered?
Why did the patrol teams they encountered over these three days inexplicably contract their search radius, only to launch an operation tonight?
All these phenomena pointed to the most worrying direction.
That is—
A major figure, powerful enough to be the linchpin, had appeared in this Kumogakure defense force.
"Stop—!"
Suddenly, Ando Oyama roared, his voice even turning somewhat shrill.
He closed his eyes, hands pressed to the ground, and said rapidly:
"An abnormally huge Chakra signature!"
"Jinchuriki... No! Such fast movement!"
"Ten kilometers! Nine, eight, seven..."
Ando Oyama, his face covered in rain, suddenly turned his head to the east and yelled at everyone:
"It's the Third Raikage!"
At this moment, it wasn't just him.
Everyone present had already turned their heads towards the rain curtain in the east.
Damn it, how could this be!?
Tsunade's beautiful eyes widened.
The originally planned ambush turned into a counter-ambush; although the enemy was still only the target, all preparations, contingency plans, and advantages had vanished into thin air.
The situation was extremely unfavorable.
In the distance, even this torrential rain could not stop the continuous collapse of giant trees from afar. The incredibly high speed and supe physical strength made the Third Raikage himself like a Tailed Beast, charging in a sharp straight line across the uneven terrain.
What came rushing towards them was the man's formidable aura, like that of an unparalleled fierce beast.
His rough voice suddenly resounded from far away.
"Lightning Release—"
Almost the instant this violent voice pierced through the heavy curtain and reached their ears.
"Scatter!"
Tsunade's voice was utterly urgent.
But the next second, the figure, completely enveloped in thick lightning, abruptly entered their sight with almost instantaneous speed.
"—Lightning Release Chakra Mode!"
At that moment, the still bewildered group only had time to instinctively dodge the attack under Tsunade's command.
During this process, the unlucky Anbu member on the easternmost side of the squad had just managed to turn his body when his central vision was completely swallowed by dazzling lightning.
"Screech—!"
Ninja sandals scraped against the rain-soaked ground, emitting a harsh, steaming sound like hot melt glue meeting water; the smell of burning rubber was even clearly discernible at the tip of their noses.
Two deep marks were ploughed into the ground beneath his feet.
A head flew, its severed end charred black.
"Thud."
The headless corpse fell to the ground.
Just one encounter.
That Anbu Jonin, who possessed considerable skill, was instantly killed by the enemy.
He didn't even have time to react.
The thick, tall, hairy man stood there, his body over two meters tall and as strong as a grizzly bear, yet his speed was incredibly fast. His cold gaze, like a knife, pierced through the rain curtain, sweeping over these Konoha insects, and a disdainful smile slowly curled at the corner of his mouth.
An immense, suffocating pressure, even greater than that of a Tailed Beast, instantly enveloped everyone's hearts.
"Only a few of you?"
Seeing this, Tsunade had no time to think further. As she charged forward, she revealed the trump card hidden beneath her forehead protector:
"Strength of a Hundred Seal: Release!"
Suddenly, complex patterns rapidly extended from her forehead across her entire body.
Ando Oyama was even more decisive; the instant the Third Raikage appeared in his sight, he immediately took out a sealing scroll from his Ninja pouch, bit it, ready to tear it open, and gripped his blades with both hands.
On the seal of that scroll, the words "Reverse Eight Trigrams Sealing Style" were written.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!"
At the same time, Mokume Kodachi's eyes were already bloodshot, and his life and spiritual energy were refined into Chakra to the greatest extent possible, aiming to maximize the range of this Jutsu instantly.
Such a massive consumption was only to create a sufficiently large and complex terrain to impede the man's speed.
But...
"Too slow!"
The moment the terrain began to shift, the lightning wrapped around the Third Raikage's body erupted again, and he charged forward at an even faster speed.
The ground within tens of meters beneath his feet collapsed, yet he moved like lightning, traversing through the air by stepping on the crumbling stones.
His extreme speed even left blurry, linear afterimages in their vision.
His target was directly Tsunade.
The man's extremely violent roar pierced through the rain curtain:
"Hell Stab: One-Finger Nukite!"
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