Chapter 285: Repeat It for Me
The Sulfur Canyon in the Land of Hot Water, a region famous throughout the ninja world for its steaming hot springs everywhere, had now become a veritable Shura field. The hot spring canyon that once healed travelers had long since transformed into a crucible of flesh and blood. The unique smell of sulfur from the hot springs that usually wafted through this area, mixed with the pungent smell of burnt flesh and the strong stench of blood, created a taste that could make one vomit with just a little.
The ninjas from both sides fell one after another in the blood and fire. The battle lasted from dawn until noon, until Konoha's support troops arrived. Darui, who had failed to achieve his strategic objective, could only grit his teeth and lead the remaining troops in a retreat.
The arriving reinforcement troops were just about to pursue, but the chakra armor on the bodies of the already dead Cloud ninjas in the canyon directly caused a violent explosion, blocking Konoha's pursuing troops.
After the smoke and dust from the explosion dissipated, the participating Cloud troops had already disappeared from everyone's sight.
After the enemy withdrew, Inuzuka Kaze, who had been fighting on the front lines all along, also breathed a sigh of relief. He released his secret jutsu transformation, and after separating from his dog, his face was full of fatigue. He ignored the bloodstains all over his body and sat down directly on the ground. Kuromaru on the side also released his armor, panting heavily.
Aburame Shihi came to his side, reached out to help him up, and then looked at the corpses scattered around in a disorderly manner. Inuzuka Kaze let out a heavy sigh, and after standing up with some difficulty, he then continued to issue orders, "Everyone, gather the teams, count the numbers, and rescue the wounded."
After his subordinate ninjas had all gone to work, Inuzuka Kaze, with the support of Aburame Shihi, came to a slightly cleaner place and said, "I didn't expect the Cloud to have technology similar to chakra armor. I originally thought that with our ambush set up, we should have been able to take them down with very little loss, but the result turned out like this."
"Reporting to Major Inuzuka, in this operation, 91 were killed, 33 were seriously injured, and 177 were lightly injured," a lieutenant reported after the battlefield was cleaned up.
Upon hearing this, Inuzuka Kaze's expression darkened. In this battle, although he had achieved the established strategic objective and defended the flank of the main army, such battle losses also made him lose face. This was the first hundred-man-level clash between the two sides in this war. The entire eastern front was watching this battle. He and Kuromaru, after their strength had greatly increased relying on the new equipment from the village's Scientific Ninja Tool Research Institute and had reached the level of an elite Jonin, had thought they could show their might in this battle, but they had not expected to encounter such a tough opponent.
"Don't blame yourself. That kind of chakra armor from the Cloud was an unexpected event," at this time, Aburame Shihi, who had participated in Konoha's first "Running Man" activity with Inuzuka Kaze, came to Inuzuka Kaze's side, handed him a water bottle, and at the same time said, "The top priority now is to bring the intelligence back. It's a pity their chakra armor also has a self-destruct function, otherwise we could have brought a set back for the Ninja Tool Research Institute to study."
"Send the wounded to the field hospital at the fastest speed. The rest of you, come with me, collect the remains of the fallen soldiers, compile a list, and then send their remains back to Konoha for burial," Inuzuka Kaze ordered.
"Yes!"
...
Soon, the general staff received the news that the Cloud was equipped with chakra armor that was not inferior to their Konoha's.
"Counting the chakra cannons they exposed when they sneak-attacked our garrison base in the Land of Water before, where on earth did they get these things? You must know that according to Director Katasuke, the number of scientists in the entire ninja world who are capable of researching this kind of thing is limited," Nara Shikaku's brows furrowed deeply after learning the news.
"Now is not the time to pursue this. Since we already know that the other party has such means, then our battle plan also needs to be adjusted," Kakashi said, coming to the side of the map. He stared at the map and the sand table and fell into deep thought.
"Colonel Inoichi," after a long while, Kakashi suddenly raised his head and looked at Yamanaka Inoichi, who was coordinating supplies.
Upon hearing Kakashi call him, Yamanaka Inoichi immediately put down the things in his hand, trotted to Kakashi's front, and gave a military salute.
"I will make the following deployment. You take it down," Kakashi said.
Yamanaka Inoichi took out a notebook from his ninja tool pouch and prepared to take notes. Seeing that he was ready, Kakashi looked at the map and slowly began to speak.
"The first, fourth, and seventh regiments, composed of members of the Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans, responsible for frontline reconnaissance and delaying the defensive line, will be fully integrated. They will retreat along the entire line and establish a defensive line based on the Sulfur Canyon, Drumstick Mountain, and Wentang Forest."
"The Hyuga detachment will use their Byakugan to see through the forests and fog, monitor the large-scale assembly of Cloud troops, chakra flow, especially high-energy reactions, be alert to the movements of Jinchuriki and small infiltration units, and establish an early warning network."
"The Aburame detachment will release special parasitic destruction insect swarms in key paths, water sources, and forests to build an invisible biological sensing network, detect invisible units, and perceive chakra abnormalities. They will set up highly poisonous or paralyzing insect swarm traps on preset retreat paths and passes."
"The Inuzuka detachment will be responsible for patrolling the preset warning lines, using their ninja hounds' sense of smell to track infiltrating Cloud elite squads, engage in small-scale skirmishes and repulsion, and provide additional early warning in foggy or nighttime conditions."
"The ninjas in the seventh regiment who are proficient in Earth Release, Water Release, and explosive tags, with the assistance of the three clans, will preset the battlefield construction and delaying combat system. In the Cloud's possible main attack directions, forest passages, and canyon entrances, they will lay large-scale composite traps, chain explosive tag arrays, camouflaged earth walls, swamps, poison gas devices, and restraining Water Release mechanisms."
"The operational objective is not annihilation, but to delay, disperse, and consume the Cloud's vanguard to the greatest extent, disrupt their offensive rhythm, and lure them into a preset 'pocket' area. In addition, I will allocate another four squadrons of sensory ninjas to the detachment to guide the triggering of the traps."
"When the time for a counter-attack arrives, the second and fifth regiments, responsible for the frontal assault, will be composed of ninjas who are skilled in defensive ninjutsu, group ninjutsu, and medium-to-long-range attacks. They will be responsible for holding key points, frontal defense, and establishing a stable defensive line based on narrow canyon exits, high ground, and reinforced hot spring fortress strongholds."
"The sixth and twelfth regiments, who are proficient in Wind Release, and the ninth and fifteenth regiments, who are specialized in taijutsu and were formed to counter the Cloud's nintaijutsu army, will surround and attack the Cloud positions from two directions. The eighth regiment, where the Sarutobi clan is located and which is skilled in combination ninjutsu, will be divided into two groups to provide them with long-range fire support."
"In addition, have the sealing squad on standby at all times. After the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki appears, the Flying Thunder God squad will be deployed for support."
"Finally, I will personally lead the tenth, thirteenth, and fourteenth regiments to launch a frontal attack on the Cloud's positions."
Kakashi made a series of deployments. The pen in Nara Shikaku's hand did not stop at all, recording at a flying speed.
After seeing that Yamanaka Inoichi had stopped writing, Kakashi looked at him and said seriously, "Repeat it for me."
After Yamanaka Inoichi repeated Kakashi's deployment word for word, Kakashi then nodded.
"Commander Kakashi, what about the time to launch the attack?" Inuzuka Tsume asked at this time.
"We will launch the attack directly after we receive good news from Sasuke, who has already infiltrated deep into the Land of Lightning," Kakashi said.
Land of Lightning, Juyun Mountain Range.
Sasuke, leading 12 elite Jonin, dodged and weaved through the dense forest under the moonlight.
"Captain Sasuke, we have currently reached the designated position," Sasuke's deputy, an elite Jonin from a Hyuga branch family who had just had his Caged Bird Seal removed, said after confirming the surrounding terrain with his Byakugan.
"We've finally arrived? Rest on the spot and set up traps," Sasuke calmly issued the order. "Kazuki, you and Enju will take turns maintaining Byakugan reconnaissance. If you find any trace of the enemy, report to me immediately."
"Yes!" Hyuga Kazuki nodded.
"Uncle Seiichi, your traps should use as few explosive tags as possible. Use more trigger traps that have sealed Wind Release ninjutsu," Sasuke looked at Nagai Seiichi and said.
"Don't worry, Captain Sasuke," the old Jonin Nagai Seiichi smiled and gave Sasuke a thumbs-up.
For this special surprise attack unit of Sasuke's, Uchiha Douhuan had specially arranged for the old Jonin Nagai Seiichi to be included. After Nagai Seiichi pondered Uchiha Douhuan's intention for a moment, he understood that Lord Hokage wanted him to protect Uchiha Sasuke, this direct disciple of the Hokage and the young clan leader of the Uchiha clan.
Therefore, when setting off, Nagai Seiichi had already prepared himself to use his life to protect Sasuke if an emergency situation arose, in order to repay Uchiha Douhuan's kindness.
"As for the others, set up traps mainly with explosive tags on the periphery. I may not be able to wipe out the opponent's logistical troops in the first instance, and I will need everyone's help to finish them off. It's best not to let a single one escape," Sasuke said.
"Uh, Captain Sasuke, if we all go to scout and set up traps, what about the front?" at this time, Nagai Seiichi also noticed a small problem in Sasuke's arrangement and hurriedly asked.
"As for the front, just leave it to me," Sasuke said with a light laugh. "If you guys are too close to me, I won't be able to fight freely."
"Uh, Captain Sasuke, why don't we be a little more cautious? This is your first time on the battlefield. I understand your desire to achieve merits, but the opponent's logistical troops will definitely be heavily guarded. With just us few, if we fight head-on, isn't it a bit too arrogant?" Nagai Seiichi organized his words at this time, wanting to make Sasuke calm down a little.
"Uncle Seiichi, just trust me," Sasuke smiled and then said without allowing for refusal.
"Alright..." seeing this, Nagai Seiichi could only nod. And the others naturally had no objections.
Soon, everyone set up an ambush according to Sasuke's orders.
Three hours later, one heavy supply cart after another, covered with waterproof tarpaulins, was being pushed by sturdy Cloud ninjas. The wheels rolled over the gravel and shallow puddles, making a monotonous and dull rolling sound.
The ninjas were dressed in dark armor, their expressions as hard as rock. Their sharp eyes scanned the dense forest around them, their hands tightly gripping their lightning-wreathed ninja swords.
A tense and oppressive atmosphere permeated the team. Every rustle of the wind and grass made their muscles tense a little more.
At the very front of the team, Mabui walked with a steady pace. Her Cloud forehead protector reflected a cold, hard light in the dim light. Her dark long hair was tied into a neat ponytail, swinging gently behind her shoulders with her steps. She looked forward calmly, but deep within her sharp eyes was the vigilance of a hawk, not letting go of any slight fluctuation of chakra. The large and old scroll on her back, wrapped in a special dark brown leather, pressed heavily on her shoulders.
Just at this moment, an extreme, bone-chilling silence descended without any warning.
The sound of wheels rolling over gravel, the sound of samurai armor rubbing, and even the suppressed breathing of the people were instantly sucked away. The entire canyon fell into a deathly stillness.
A cold, destructive chakra fluctuation pressed down from above without any concealment, as heavy as a tangible block of lead, smashing hard into the heart of every Cloud ninja.
"Enemy attack! Above!" a sensory-type ninja screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice changed by extreme horror.
All eyes instinctively looked up, towards the top of the giant trees above.
A dazzling point of purple lightning abruptly lit up. Immediately after, a purple thunderbolt, like a giant python, shot down from the top of the cliff! It carried a terrifyingly high temperature that could destroy everything and let out a dull roar. Its target was aimed directly at the heaviest several supply carts in the very center of the team!
"Lightning Release: Azure Dragon!"
Mabui's pupils instantly contracted to the size of a needle. Her hands, almost instinctively, began to form seals, her speed so fast that it left afterimages. In an instant, she completed several complex and precise seals. The giant scroll on her back seemed to come to life, automatically unfurling in mid-air in front of her with a "swish." On the ancient, yellowed paper, dense black sealing runes, like countless crawling ants, were instantly lit up by the injected chakra.
"Sealing Art: Absorption Seal!"
That purple lightning dragon, which was powerful enough to swallow everything, swooped down with a world-destroying momentum. But just before it was about to swallow its target, it was as if it had been bitten by an invisible giant mouth and suddenly paused! All the lightning, all the violent chakra, was forcefully pulled by a powerful suction force, frantically surging towards the center of the unfurled scroll.
The runes on the scroll flared up with light, like a greedy black hole, swallowing the entire massive Lightning Release ninjutsu. The surface of the scroll bulged slightly, then immediately returned to calm, as if that destructive lightning dragon was just an illusion.
"Hmm?" Sasuke, who had descended from the sky, frowned slightly. This move from the other party had indeed exceeded his expectations. Logically, the Cloud shouldn't have such sealing techniques.
After Sasuke landed, the corner of his clothes fluttered slightly in the residual heat wave.
A pair of Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan slowly rotated in his eyes, coldly looking down at the team in front of him, as if examining a group of ants.
"Who are you?" Mabui asked coldly.
"Konoha Genin, Uchiha Sasuke," Sasuke said unhurriedly.
That's right, a Genin. Because he had blown up the Valley of the End once again, in order to teach him a lesson and not to continue destroying the village's property, Uchiha Douhuan had directly revoked the Jonin rank that Sasuke had already obtained.
(End of chapter)
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