Tengen's words gave Hyuga Hizashi pause, but in the end, he concurred with Tengen's plan.
It wasn't just a matter of trusting Tengen; more crucially, even if they attempted a breakout, being intercepted on one side would allow the other three flanks to close in swiftly. They'd be surrounded either way. Better to prepare now and face the Iwagakure ninjas head-on.
A failed breakout would cost Konoha dearly, with many of its ninjas perishing. Perhaps only the strongest, like Hyuga Hizashi and Tengen, could escape successfully. But that would be a devastating loss for Konoha, especially with so many elite reconnaissance ninjas gathered here.
Even if they were outmatched, Hizashi and his team could fight while retreating, bolstered by the numerous Jonin among them. And Tengen, rumor had it, possessed Kage-level strength.
Konoha's ninjas dispersed, preparing to meet the enemy. Staying clustered would make them easy prey, vulnerable to being wiped out in one fell swoop.
Fifteen minutes later, Iwagakure ninjas converged from all directions, led by a figure clad in purple, adorned with armor, his reddish-purple hair and beard unmistakable. This was Rōshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki of Iwagakure.
"Surprising, Hizashi. You didn't try to break out. That's not like you." Rōshi said, eyeing Hyuga Hizashi. It seemed the two had crossed paths in battle before.
"Rōshi, I didn't expect you to lead the assault on us." Hizashi replied calmly.
"You're no ordinary ninja, Hyuga Hizashi. It's only fitting." Rōshi said, his voice low.
"I'm flattered, truly." Hizashi responded.
"Rōshi-san, it's been a while." Tengen interjected, drawing the Jinchuriki's attention.
"Tengen." Rōshi said, his gaze sharpening. As the leader, he had attended the Chunin Exams in Konoha, witnessing Tengen's strength firsthand, a Jonin's prowess. Without that, Tengen wouldn't have so easily defeated Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki from Kumogakure.
"When we first met, you were still with Orochimaru. To think, in the blink of an eye, your power has grown so much." Rōshi said slowly. "My men back then… I suspect you were the one who killed them."
"You're not wrong. That was a hell of a challenge. I nearly died." Tengen said with a grin.
"I don't know why you're here, but one more Jonin won't tip the scales of this battlefield." Rōshi said grimly.
Clearly, the Iwagakure ninjas hadn't received news from the Kikyo Mountain front. No one had informed them, though Onoki, on the other side, might already know.
"Your intel's a bit outdated, Rōshi." Hizashi said with a faint smile.
"Outdated?" Rōshi frowned, puzzled, but his tone turned cold. "No matter. This time, you're staying here. If Konoha's genius and a Hyuga Jonin fall, it'll be a painful blow for your village."
A stifled laugh escaped Kushina nearby. To her, Rōshi's threat to kill Tengen was almost comical. Did this Jinchuriki really think he stood a chance? Even the One-Tail, Shukaku, in its full form, had been utterly dominated and sealed by Tengen. What made the Four-Tails Jinchuriki think he could do better?
"Konoha's Kushina." Rōshi said, turning to the red-haired woman, his voice heavy. "What's so funny?"
Clearly, he recognized her. Kushina was no ordinary Jonin in Konoha.
"I'm just amused, Rōshi. You're overthinking this." Kushina said.
"Overthinking?" Rōshi's brow furrowed. Why did both Hizashi and Kushina seem so oddly confident?
"Konoha's at a disadvantage right now, no doubt." Tengen said, stepping forward. "So let's level the playing field."
A kunai appeared in Tengen's hand.
"Kunai Shadow Clone Technique!" The kunai shot toward a cluster of dozens of Iwagakure ninjas.
"Attack!" Rōshi bellowed simultaneously.
Countless kunai rained down on the Iwagakure ninjas, who drew their own kunai, sneering. Killing them with mere kunai? Impossible.
But as they prepared to counter, Tengen's figure flickered, appearing beside them. His kunai sliced through the throats of the ninjas, Chunin and Genin alike, who could only widen their eyes in horror. Clutching their necks, they collapsed to the ground. In an instant, Tengen was back where he started.
Dozens of Iwagakure ninjas lay dead, blood pooling around them. In mere seconds, the scene had turned gruesome, stunning Rōshi and the others mid-charge.
"That's… the Flying Thunder God Technique." Rōshi said, his voice dry.
"Exactly. The Flying Thunder God Technique." Tengen confirmed slowly.
"I never imagined you'd mastered it." Rōshi said, his eyes glinting with icy resolve.
As a space-time ninjutsu, the Flying Thunder God Technique was nearly impossible to counter. It was as if dozens of Tengens had appeared, striking down the ninjas in unison.
"But using such a space-time technique must drain you immensely." Rōshi said.
Even knowing Tengen wielded the Flying Thunder God, stopping it was no easy feat.
"Maybe." Tengen said with a faint smile. With his Uzumaki physique, vast chakra reserves, and an optimized Flying Thunder God Technique, this was barely a strain.
"Your opponent is me." Rōshi said, taking a deep breath. He now understood that this Konoha genius was the true threat.
"Then I'll hold off on the Flying Thunder God for now." Tengen said, drawing his long blade.
Wind chakra swirled around the blade, enveloping Tengen's form.
"Sword Technique: Instant Wind Slash!"
Rōshi's expression shifted. "Not good, Lava Release: Chakra Mode!"
***
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