Gekko Chizan was still a step too late. By the time he entered the territory of the Land of Fields, Iwagakure's ninja had already taken over the entire country.
People were swarming like ants—on the ground, leaping from tree trunks—tall, short, fat, thin, all shapes and sizes, leaving Gekko Chizan dizzy just from looking.
"Damn, Chizan, looks like the Land of Fields is in big trouble."
"So many Iwagakure ninja..."
Hiding to the side using Transparent Release, Gekko Chizan nodded. Although he had known in advance that Iwagakure would deploy ten thousand ninja, seeing so many in person still left him a bit shocked.
Moreover, Iwagakure was moving incredibly fast. Judging by the situation, the whole Land of Fields was now swarming with their forces, and the battlefield's balance had completely collapsed.
Kumogakure only had two options left—retreat or be annihilated.
"Chizan, should we hit them?"
"No, we need to head to the southeastern part of the Land of Fields—right where it connects with the Land of Hot Water."
As soon as Gekko Chizan finished speaking, he dashed forward at full speed, leaving Chōmei thoroughly confused.
"Why head southeast?"
"Wouldn't it be better to hit them right here?"
Chōmei licked his lips involuntarily at the sight of all the Iwagakure ninja, making Gekko Chizan roll his eyes.
"We're here to gather intel, not pick a fight."
"There are ten thousand of them! If each one spat on us, we'd drown."
"I'm not stupid enough to go looking for trouble."
Chōmei was completely unfazed by Gekko Chizan's rant.
"Yeah right. Even if a hundred thousand people spit on me, I still wouldn't die. Hmph."
"What are you really thinking?"
Chōmei had been completely led astray by Gekko Chizan. If he didn't cause trouble or stir things up, he felt uncomfortable.
Seeing so many people ripe for the picking, and yet Gekko Chizan neither made a move nor stuck around but chose to flee—this was driving him nuts.
"Iwagakure's target is Kumogakure. You have to remember that Konoha is still at war with Kumogakure."
"The enemy of our enemy is our friend—even if that friendship is temporary. Either way, we can't act now."
"If we do want to strike, it has to be after they're done fighting Kumogakure."
"As for where I'm heading now, hmph... Kumogakure will definitely try to send a signal to their base in the Land of Hot Water."
"I'm going to intercept it. After all, that damn Lightning guy has been pushing us around for too long. No way I'm letting them leave."
"Chōmei, lend me your chakra—time to fly!"
Chōmei nodded, somewhat puzzled. He didn't really get it, but after hearing Gekko Chizan's explanation, it did sound kind of impressive.
Whatever. He'd rather not overthink these brain-burning matters. Better to just obediently start channeling chakra.
Wings appeared in an instant, and Gekko Chizan's speed surged dramatically.
...
At this moment, the eastern region of the Land of Fields had once again become a battlefield.
"Die!"
A lightning-charged punch sent an Iwagakure ninja flying. The Third Raikage, cloaked in crackling lightning, looked every bit like a war god.
"Damn Ōnoki!"
"Ambushing me like this! You really think Kumogakure is that easy to mess with?!"
The Third Raikage fought as he retreated. Behind him, hundreds of Kumogakure ninja were also pulling back.
But Iwagakure's massive forces were already closing in fast.
The far east of the Land of Fields was an open plain with no cover.
Right now, ten thousand Iwagakure ninja were pressing in toward the retreating Kumogakure forces.
The air was thick with murderous intent. The Third Raikage, staring at the wall of enemy ninja before him, suddenly calmed down, despite his earlier rage.
Then he laughed. Faced with ten thousand enemy ninja, he actually laughed.
"I'll break through the encirclement. When I do, take the chance and run."
"Raikage-sama! No! We'll fight with you! These Iwagakure bastards—"
"Shut up!"
The Third Raikage cut off his subordinate with a roar. His entire presence surged with overwhelming pressure, and his lightning armor flared brighter than ever.
"I am the Raikage! The battlefield is where I belong!"
"A mere ten thousand ninja trying to take me down? Keep dreaming, Ōnoki!"
"Everyone get ready! As soon as I open a gap, rush out immediately!"
"Has the contact team reached the Land of Hot Water?"
Suddenly, the Raikage remembered and asked urgently.
"They made it out. Although many died, a few managed to escape under cover. They'll definitely deliver the message to the Land of Hot Water."
The Raikage was relieved to hear that, then let out a thunderous shout.
"Break through!"
...
Little did they know, the so-called contact team was already lying dead at the border of the Land of Hot Water.
"Damn... Rai...kage-sa..."
The Kumogakure ninja didn't finish his words before his life ended.
Gekko Chizan slowly pulled out his wing blade, a mocking smile on his face.
"Trying to notify? Dream on!"
"Chōmei, thanks to you. If we'd been even a little later, the intel really might've reached the Land of Hot Water."
Looking at the four corpses on the ground, Gekko Chizan let out a quiet laugh, then sliced open his finger with the wing blade.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a puff of white smoke, a jet-black snake, eight meters long, appeared on the ground.
Whoa—this thing was a Black Mamba!
Well, that made sense. Black Mambas are the fastest snakes after all.
If Jinlin weren't so massive, he would've had Jinlin deliver the message instead.
But something that size would've been spotted immediately.
"Tsk tsk tsk, so you're the fastest snake, huh?"
"Hiss hiss..."
"Yes. Do you need something done?"
Gekko Chizan froze for a second, then stared intently at the snake in front of him.
"Hiss?"
"Why are you staring at me? Just say what you need."
"Holy crap! I can understand snake-speak now??"
"Hiss..."
"You're nuts..."
Gekko Chizan's face instantly darkened. He'd just been insulted... by a snake.
He quickly figured out what had changed—it was probably because Tagitsuhime had altered his contract, granting him the ability to communicate with snakes.
Tsk tsk. No wonder she's a Snake Princess of Ryūchi Cave.
Guess he should bring her more snakeberries next time to thank her for the favor.
"Help me deliver this intel to the Konoha outpost at the border of the Land of Fire. Give it to Tsunade."
"Do you know Tsunade?"
"Hiss?"
"No. Any identifying features?"
"Uh... features? Giant! Yeah, she's giant!"
"Hiss hiss..."
"Got it!"
"Get there at full speed. How long will it take? This intel is critical."
"Hiss..."
"Won't take long!"
Gekko Chizan placed the handwritten scroll on the ground. The Black Mamba clamped its jaws around it, then vanished into the distance as a streak of black light.
So fast that even Gekko Chizan was stunned.
A snake moving that fast? Good lord. Terrifying.
"Alright, the intel's been sent. Chōmei, let's go watch the show."
"Better to watch from the sky though. The ground's not safe."
Wings unfurled once more, and Gekko Chizan's figure slowly vanished into the air.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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