Gekko Chizan wasn't in a hurry to leave the mountain.
After all, with the help of the Insect Eye, he had seen that there were quite a few Kumogakure ninja stationed around the peak.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
This time, there was only one clone. Gekko Chizan had the clone watch over Yugito Nii while leaving behind a jutsu formula.
Then, he immediately flew away from Kumogakure.
He needed to take Yugito to the seaside, and at the same time, avoid Kumogakure's guards. The Flying Thunder God Jutsu was the best option.
Thanks to his flying ability, he quickly arrived outside Kumogakure, marked the coordinates, and returned to the mountain peak. Without hesitation, he scooped up Yugito Nii and left the peak.
After leaving Kumogakure, Gekko Chizan headed east.
"Chōmei, if I hand over control to you, how long can you hold out?"
"Hmm? If we go full tailed beast mode, as long as you're willing, I can stay out indefinitely."
"Good. Once we reach the sea, I'll hand over control to you and act as your navigator."
Everything Gekko Chizan did was blowing Chōmei's mind.
With his brain, he simply couldn't figure out what Gekko Chizan was planning.
"Oh right, Chōmei, how did that sleep powder work this time?"
"Don't worry, she won't wake up for two days at least. It's just a deep sleep—won't agitate Matatabi."
"Good, I was really worried she'd go berserk on the way."
To save time, Gekko Chizan didn't dare stop for even a moment except to eat. He was afraid Kumogakure might return, and then all his plans would go up in smoke.
Actually, he was overthinking it. Whether it was the Land of Fields or the Land of Hot Springs, both were locked in fierce conflict. No one would imagine Gekko Chizan sneaking into the Land of Lightning for a home invasion.
With Chōmei's chakra supporting him, it only took half a day for Gekko Chizan to run from Kumogakure to the coast.
Gazing at the vast ocean ahead, Gekko Chizan smiled slightly.
"Chōmei, it's your turn now!"
"Alright! I have no idea what you're up to, but it feels great to be free for once."
"Here we go! Tailed Beast Transformation!"
Gekko Chizan set Yugito Nii down and shouted softly.
Six wings instantly unfurled behind him, quickly wrapping around his body. Then, a massive tentacle burst forth from the cocoon.
A green tail followed right after.
The terrifying aura of the Seven-Tails Chōmei surged rapidly. Its size grew bit by bit until, in the blink of an eye, it became a giant insect over fifty meters long.
"Wow! What an amazing feeling! Chizan! Let me out to stretch more often, alright?"
"After all these years, this feeling... Roar!"
Freed at last, Chōmei roared toward the sky. Chakra exploded with the roar, shattering the clouds above.
"No problem. Whenever there's a chance, I'll let you out."
"But for now, we've got a mission."
"Chōmei, take the girl. We're heading out to sea."
At this point, Gekko Chizan and Chōmei had switched roles entirely. Chōmei was rampaging outside, while Gekko Chizan acted as the voice in his head.
"Got it."
Chōmei wrapped Yugito Nii gently in his tail to ensure she wouldn't be hurt, then soared over the ocean.
"Chizan, you still haven't told me—what are we doing out here in the ocean?"
"Surely it's not to find Isobu, right?"
Gekko Chizan sneered.
"Of course not. Why would I be looking for the Three-Tails?"
"We're looking for an island. A Island Turtle."
Chōmei paused slightly, his voice filled with confusion.
"Island Turtle? A turtle so big it's called an island? Just how big is that thing?"
"Hmm... It's huge, that's all you need to know. But this turtle is specially raised by Kumogakure. Only they have the means to summon Island Turtle."
Gekko Chizan's target was this massive turtle.
You see, it's a moving island. If he could steal Island Turtle—tsk tsk—Kumogakure would cry their eyes out.
But stealing Island Turtle wasn't that easy. First, he had to cut off its link to Kumogakure, then make the island recognize him as its master.
All of that was difficult, but not impossible for Gekko Chizan.
He already had a plan. First step—find the Island Turtle!
And just like that, a whole day and night passed...
As the next day's sun slowly rose, Chōmei's helpless voice rang out.
"Chizan, are you messing with me? Where's this Island Turtle?"
"It's nothing but ocean!"
Gekko Chizan was helpless too, and could only comfort him:
"Come on, hang in there. Maybe we'll spot it soon."
"You got this! I believe in you!"
After all, Chōmei was doing the flying, not him. Gekko Chizan wasn't tired at all.
"Sigh, fine. Your heart really is black, tricking even your own partner."
"Nonsense, Chōmei. Once we reach Island Turtle, I'll let you rest properly."
What could Chōmei do but keep flying?
...
Meanwhile, back on the battlefield of the Land of Hot Springs, the situation changed.
"Ay! We have to retreat. Team B is back—all of them are unconscious."
"Our entire operation in the Land of Fields has fallen apart, and Raikage-sama is still fighting bitterly."
At the outpost, Dodai was covered in bandages. His entire presence was weak and feeble—clearly, he'd been badly beaten in his earlier battle with Tsunade.
A was in much better shape, but when he heard about the situation in the Land of Fields, he jolted with alarm.
"Damn it! Dad!"
"Dodai, order a full retreat. Send everyone to support Father in the Land of Fields!"
Dodai nodded, but soon his expression turned bitter.
"If we retreat now, we may never have another chance to strike at Konoha."
A understood the situation too. But his father's life was at stake—he had no choice.
"Retreat! Saving Father comes first!"
In the end, Kumogakure retreated—pulling out from the Land of Hot Springs, which they had occupied for so long.
When Tsunade received the news, she burst into laughter. And it wasn't just her—the entire Konoha outpost erupted in cheers.
But Tsunade quickly calmed down. The first person who came to her mind was that brat, Gekko Chizan.
"Damn... That little punk is still in the Land of Lightning."
"Hope he's alright. Ah, I'm probably just overthinking it. That damn brat may not have many skills, but when it comes to running away, he's unbeatable."
Shaking off her thoughts, Tsunade summoned Shirakumo and Akimichi Torifu to discuss the follow-up plans.
"Now that the Land of Hot Springs is stable, I'll be returning to report back."
"The responsibility for guarding the border falls to you two."
Shirakumo laughed heartily and clapped Torifu on the shoulder.
"Torifu and I already talked. I'm going back with you—I want to head to the Land of Rivers battlefield. I'm the type who belongs on the frontlines. I can't sit still without a fight."
Tsunade didn't object. After all, with Kumogakure's retreat, it would be hard for them to recover anytime soon.
...
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo