At this moment, Tsunade was about to be held tightly by Uchiha Yoichi, biting her lip in indignation and shame as she stretched out her fair, tender foot. After enduring the embarrassment in her heart for a while, Tsunade finally withdrew her burning foot.
"You brat, I will never let you off!"
Tsunade quickly put on her sandals, then walked out with an expression that was hardly intimidating, saying fierce words. Just moments ago, she even felt a dampness below, fearing a repeat of the incident at the Konoha Gate if she didn't leave quickly.
However, Uchiha Yoichi wasn't afraid at all. If Tsunade hadn't countered with a punch this time, she definitely wouldn't do so in the future.
While Uchiha Yoichi's side was relaxed, A's side was full of a battlefield atmosphere.
He not only had to guard against possible stealth attacks at night from Uchiha Yoichi but also had to organize a large number of missions every day.
What worried A the most was that he had sent dozens of scrolls to his father in the Land of Earth, urging him to return quickly, but received not a single reply, nor did he see the Third Raikage return to the Land of Lightning.
A suspected that his communications to his father had been intercepted by the Hidden Rock Village, and that their Hidden Cloud Village's intelligence seals had been cracked.
Despite making some progress on the battlefield in the Land of Fire, the Cloud Ninja were now stuck in a stalemate and it was very difficult to expand their gains, but they were unwilling to retreat just yet.
The plan was to use this as leverage to negotiate for the return of the Two-tailed Jinchuriki... although there was a defeat in Konoha, the Cloud Ninja hadn't caused a severe blow to Uchiha Yoichi, so it was unlikely the Two-tails could be reclaimed.
Thus, the Cloud Ninja's goals were not achieved, so they had no choice but to continue the stalemate, deploying small ninja squads across the Land of Fire to gradually expand their battlefield results.
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"Kakashi, you are now appointed as the squad leader to execute a sabotage mission. I have another mission to undertake."
Namikaze Minato perceived the memories transmitted back by a Shadow Clone, and spoke to Kakashi with a serious expression: "Although you are not yet a Jonin, you already have the qualifications to be promoted to one. Once this mission is completed, you will become a Jonin."
"Obito, Rin, you must follow Kakashi's orders. This is not the time to have a tantrum like before."
Upon hearing Namikaze Minato's words, Uchiha Obito also spoke solemnly: "I understand, Teacher Minato."
Currently, Kakashi is not betting against ninja regulations, and he is very cautious when completing missions, with his skills being exceptional. Even without using the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, Namikaze Minato would find Kakashi's White Fang Saber Technique quite challenging.
Entrusting the squad to him, Namikaze Minato feels quite assured.
However, Kakashi often disapproves of Uchiha Obito's boast about being from the strongest clan, placing hopes to enhance strength on awakening the Sharingan, which often leads to bickering with Uchiha Obito, and using examples of Uchiha Yoichi to counter Uchiha Obito.
Uchiha Obito is often left speechless by Kakashi, and Rin's admiration for Kakashi makes Obito unable to bear it, leading to disagreements whether there's reason or not, causing frequent arguments between them.
"This mission is extremely critical; technically, it's not suitable for you guys, but Kakashi has the strength of a Jonin, and with Konoha lacking manpower... Head out now, Kakashi."
Namikaze Minato created three Shadow Clones, and afterward, had the clones transform into replicas of Kakashi and the two others.
Upon realizing, Kakashi understood that Namikaze Minato intended to draw away pursuing enemies, thus issued an order, and the three hurried towards the mission target.
Once the trio departed, Namikaze Minato also headed towards the approaching enemy, and according to the memories conveyed by the Shadow Clone, they happened to encounter the Third Raikage this time.
..................
After a fierce struggle, Namikaze Minato wasn't sure how many times he used short-range dodge teleportation, until finally seizing an opportunity, appeared behind the Third Raikage using his Flying Thunder God Kunai.
Despite the risk of having his palm injured by Lightning Release Chakra, he immediately touched the Third Raikage.
Flying Thunder God Transfer!
The two suddenly vanished from where they stood, and in the next moment, reappeared in a valley within the Land of Fire.
After bringing the Third Raikage there, Namikaze Minato had depleted a substantial amount of chakra. With the formidable foe nearby, he couldn't spare a moment for anything else and swiftly transferred, hiding at a location over 200 meters away.
'Finally succeeded!'
Namikaze Minato promptly took out a Signal Flare, firing it into the sky, followed by consuming a Soldier Pill, as he needed to quickly restore his chakra and prepare for the ensuing battle.
The Signal Flare was specially crafted and visible even during daytime from kilometers away, especially since Konoha Camp was nearby.
"It's Minato, he's succeeded!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Danzo, formidable Konoha ninjas on the battlefield, immediately recognized that upon seeing the Signal Flare, it signaled the moment to besiege and kill the Third Raikage.
Thus, over a dozen individuals took action promptly, preparing to support Namikaze Minato, with over ten Jonin gathering the Ninja Corps, consisting mostly of those adept at obstructing with ninjutsu or responsible for throwing hidden weapons and explosive tags, forming the second line of defense against the Third Raikage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, and Jiraiya quickly arrived at the valley, although less than two minutes had passed, Namikaze Minato was already in precarious conditions.
"Ninpo: Chaotic Lion's Mane Jutsu!"
Jiraiya urgently used hair ninjutsu to rescue Namikaze Minato, followed by Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo simultaneously employing Wind Release: Vacuum Orb Ninjutsu to knock the Third Raikage with Two-Finger Nukite off balance.
"He's really tough-skinned, Hiruzen, our wind release couldn't cause injuries on him..."
Danzo expressed surprise, while nearby Sarutobi Hiruzen had already summoned the Ape Demon and turned it into a Golden Cudgel.
"Don't underestimate him just because he fell into a trap; even Sakumo's wind release struggles to inflict damage upon the Third Raikage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen replied with seriousness, as those who specialize in a particular jutsu to its peak are much harder to deal with than other types of ninjas.
Additionally, Sakumo's Wind Release Cutting could be considered the pinnacle in Konoha.
"So you intended to use space-time ninjutsu to bring me here for an ambush and surround me..."
The Third Raikage discerned Konoha's intentions upon witnessing Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others arrive quickly, realizing that likely they were within the Land of Fire, and it seemed escaping would be challenging.
"Thinking such tactics can defeat me!"
The Third Raikage harbored a resolve to die by this point but would never let Konoha ninjas triumph easily over his demise!
"Jiraiya sensei, I need to rest for a while; soon I may need to assist Kakashi — they're destroying Shinobi Bridge."
"Then rest well; leave this to us."
Jiraiya urged, charging ahead, though Wind Release was not his forte, Earth Release and other interception ninjutsu were Jiraiya's strengths.
Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato consumed more Soldier Pills, retreating to a side to recuperate.
He had left a Flying Thunder God Kunai on Kakashi, yet the distance was a bit far, necessitating sufficient chakra recovery; consumed more Soldier Pills than ideal may be detrimental to health, but he couldn't afford to prioritize it now.
If Shinobi Bridge didn't get destroyed this time, subsequent Hidden Rock would be even more cautious, and opportunities would dwindle further.
Soon, another batch of over a dozen Konoha Jonin arrived, and upon arrival, they adhered to Jiraiya's instructions, providing support on the perimeter per Ninja Squad allocation.
After a while, the number of incoming Konoha ninjas increased, essentially enclosing around the area, notably selected by Sarutobi Hiruzen for the Third Raikage, featuring hundreds of meters of steep terrain on both sides.
Though ninjas could climb up, the terrain greatly restricted the Third Raikage's optimal Nin-Taijutsu performance.
The Third Raikage was surely doomed today.