Chapter 104: Outbreak, Madara's Gaze
As a ninja, Tsunade immediately understood the immense value of the nutritional supplement Kinoshita Genichi was describing. She quickly fell into deep thought, considering the feasibility of his proposal.
The plan was entirely feasible.
Next, she considered a viable formula. That wasn't difficult either; the formula for Military Rations Pills could be used directly, as their production already took into account the human body's needs.
Then, she contemplated how to manufacture such a highly concentrated nutritional liquid. That, too, didn't seem particularly hard. Separation, purification, compression…
Tsunade's mind raced. With her years of experience in creating both poisons and antidotes, she quickly formulated a general set of steps.
"The nutritional supplement you're talking about wouldn't be difficult to create," Tsunade said. "But mass production will definitely require custom machinery. It won't be something we can solve in a short amount of time."
Genichi immediately gave her a thumbs-up. "As expected of Lady Tsunade!"
"As for the timeline... half a year should be about right. The village shouldn't be drawn into any wars this year."
Tsunade nodded, then added, "This kind of supplement can't be used like Military Rations Pills."
The pills themselves needed to be processed by the digestive system, making them no different from food, just smaller and more convenient for missions. The supplement, however, would enter the bloodstream directly. Prolonged use would lead to problems with the user's digestive system.
Although Genichi's own medical skills weren't top-tier, his knowledge base was vast. He naturally knew this and smiled. "The supplement is intended to replenish stamina during battle. It won't be needed under normal circumstances."
Tsunade gave a calm nod. "I'll make the arrangements. Is there anything else?"
What's with this attitude?
Genichi glanced at Tsunade, then shook his head.
Tsunade immediately shooed him away. "Then get lost!"
Women are so heartless, Genichi grumbled internally. Use you and then toss you aside. He turned and left the office.
After watching Genichi leave, Tsunade's icy expression melted away, replaced by one full of sorrow. "Damn you, Orochimaru!" she muttered. "And that bastard Danzō!"
Kumogakure.
"The Kazekage is missing!"
"So that's why Sunagakure has been making such big moves!"
A was thrilled and excited, but also very confused. "What on earth happened to make the Kazekage disappear?"
Dodai commented, "I'm afraid the Kazekage has already been eliminated. That's the only explanation for why Sunagakure still hasn't found him. Just like what happened to Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
A snorted coldly. "Is someone hunting Kage?"
Dodai turned to the Third Raikage and said gravely, "Lord Raikage, from now on, you must have an adequate escort whenever you leave the village."
The Third Raikage waved his hand dismissively. "I know. For now, let's discuss the Suna situation. With their search for the Kazekage, Sunagakure is at its most chaotic, and its defenses are at their weakest. I've decided to personally lead a surprise attack!"
"Lord Raikage," Dodai quickly interjected, "we must be wary of Iwagakure! If they attack us from behind, they'll cut off our retreat."
A immediately spoke up. "Father, let me lead the team to Sunagakure!"
The Third Raikage frowned in thought.
Dodai promptly offered a suggestion. "Lord Raikage, why don't you remain here to command the village? A can lead a team to monitor Iwagakure. As for Sunagakure, they are without a Kage. There's no need for you to go personally. If any emergency arises, you can deploy support forces at a moment's notice. And while the chance of Konoha attacking us is small, we absolutely cannot ignore them!"
Though hot-tempered, the Third Raikage was not brainless. After considering it, he agreed that Dodai's plan was the best. "So be it!" he declared.
"A, you and Bee will monitor the Iwa-nin. If they make a move, you are to strike without hesitation."
"Yes, sir!" A responded immediately.
The Third Raikage then turned to Dodai. "Assemble a vanguard of ten jonin-led teams and launch a surprise attack on Sunagakure!"
Dodai acknowledged the order and left to make the arrangements.
Land of Rice Fields.
Standing on a tree branch, Kinoshita Genichi placed his left hand on the trunk, facing north as his perception spread out like an all-encompassing net. Akimichi Tōdō and the others were positioned on his flanks.
"They're here!" Genichi announced. "Moving out on such a large scale... looks like they're headed for Sunagakure."
Gekkō Ryūfū was confused. "Kumogakure is so far from Sunagakure. Even if they defeat them, what's the point?"
Sarutobi Mikage smiled. "If they defeat Sunagakure, the mission contracts from the Land of Wind will fall into Kumogakure's hands. Distance has nothing to do with it."
On the other side, the Cloud-nin had also noticed they were being watched.
"Captain, there are only four of them," the sensor ninja reported immediately.
The leader of the force, Hairui, made a snap decision. "Unmu, take your team and keep an eye on them. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary. They're probably Konoha scouts."
The jonin, Unmu, immediately took three subordinates and broke off from the main force, heading south.
The moment they moved, Genichi sensed it. "A Kumo squad is heading this way."
Akimichi Tōdō and the other two tensed up immediately. Soon, four Cloud-nin appeared within their line of sight. A moment later, the Kumo ninja stopped several dozen meters away, and the two groups faced off.
Seeing that the Cloud-nin had halted, Genichi knew they wouldn't attack. He spoke at once, "Tōdō, Mikage, return to the village immediately and report to the Third Hokage. The Kumo force consists of six hundred ninja in total."
"Understood!" Akimichi Tōdō nodded.
The two of them immediately began to retreat. Unmu frowned as he watched. These Konoha ninja were too arrogant, openly discussing their plan to deliver intelligence right in front of him.
One of his subordinates couldn't hold back. "Captain, aren't we going to do anything? What if they give the intel to Sunagakure and put them on alert?"
This was Unmu's concern as well. After only three seconds of hesitation, he made his decision. "Stop them!"
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Two Cloud-nin immediately flanked around to intercept Akimichi Tōdō and Sarutobi Mikage. But just as they leapt into the air, they fell silently from the sky, hitting the ground with a thud.
What? Unmu was startled, then realized what it was. "Careful, it's genjutsu!"
The next moment, he found himself staring into a single crimson eye, filled with an evil aura. "That's... the Sharingan..."
He subconsciously tried to look away, but he quickly found that he had lost control of his body. Looking down, he saw that he was bound tightly to a large cross.
Magen: Bakushin no Jutsu!
"A Sharingan genjutsu... damn it!" Unmu realized he was caught but couldn't break free.
His subordinate behind him noticed something was wrong with his captain, but before he could form a hand seal, shuriken were already hurtling toward him. He could only leap away to dodge Gekkō Ryūfū's attack, but Ryūfū was already closing in for the kill. There was no time to release the genjutsu.
Meanwhile, Kinoshita Genichi strolled casually toward Unmu.
Unmu strained to move his eyes, catching Genichi in his peripheral vision. He saw Genichi raise his hand, a bead of water condensing on his index finger.
The Hozuki clan's...
The thought had barely formed when his skull was pierced, and his consciousness instantly faded.
The Cloud-nin fighting Gekkō Ryūfū suddenly found that the surrounding trees had come to life. Branches whipped toward him from all directions. He dodged frantically but couldn't escape and was quickly bound by the branches.
Pfft!
Gekkō Ryūfū slashed with his sword. The Cloud-nin, caught in the Tree Binding Death, spurted blood as the light in his eyes rapidly dimmed before he collapsed.
"Ryūfū, leave one alive," Genichi instructed.
"Yes, Captain!" Ryūfū nodded. He went over to the two Cloud-nin on the ground, dispatched one with a single stroke, knocked the other one out, and retreated with the prisoner.
Genichi left a shadow clone behind, which used the Transformation Technique to take on the appearance of the captured ninja and lay on the ground. His real body followed the others in retreat.
On the other side, Hairui frowned. "Unmu's team hasn't caught up yet?"
"Not yet," a ninja replied.
An uneasy feeling crept over Hairui. "Have Shū sense their situation," he ordered.
Shū was a sensor jonin with a much larger range; this distance shouldn't be a problem. The ninja who received the order immediately turned to notify Shū at the rear of the column.
After hearing the command, Shū stopped, held up one hand, and lowered his eyes. A moment later, they snapped open. "It's him!"
Shū closed his eyes again to sense for another moment, then opened them. "Report back immediately! I can no longer sense Unmu's team's chakra. Our opponent is Konoha's genjutsu prodigy, Kinoshita Genichi!"
While retreating, Genichi suddenly paused and glanced back with a smile. "So, it's an acquaintance."
He had detected the Kumo-nin's sensing technique the moment it was used. The chakra felt familiar, so it wasn't hard to guess the person's identity.
Back with the main Kumo force, Hairui was furious when he received the report. He quickly suppressed his anger and gave a cold command. "You, return to the border at once and report the situation here. Everyone else, pick up the pace!"
He couldn't stop, nor could he spare more troops to deal with Genichi. He had to leave vengeance to others.
Genichi was a little disappointed that the Cloud-nin didn't send another squad after them. But no matter. There was no need to recall the shadow clone. He would just leave it there in ambush. The Cloud-nin would pass by sooner or later. A shadow clone could last for several days without any issue.
Mountain's Graveyard.
Underground.
Uchiha Madara, tubes connected to his body, was resting with his eyes closed when Aloe White Zetsu emerged from the ground. "Lord Madara, I have good news!"
Madara opened his eyes.
White Zetsu smiled. "The Cloud-nin have deployed troops to attack Sunagakure!"
"As expected," Madara said flatly. "Those people are always so brainless."
Spiral White Zetsu (Tobi) sidled up with a grin. "Isn't this just what you wanted, Lord Madara? Now that Kumogakure has made a move, the other ninja villages should erupt into war soon, right?"
Madara didn't comment, instead asking, "How are things with Nagato?"
Aloe White Zetsu replied, "The Akatsuki has grown quite a bit recently. But they keep insisting on resolving conflict through peaceful means. I'm afraid they'll have a hard time accepting your philosophy!"
"War and hatred will change him," Madara stated calmly.
Spiral Zetsu asked curiously, "What do you plan to do, Lord Madara?"
"Just watch," Madara said serenely. "Their ideals are incompatible with this world. The Five Great Ninja Villages will not allow them to exist."
He then asked, "And how is that Uchiha brat?"
Aloe White Zetsu threw up his hands. "Same as ever. So stupid, even I can't stand to look at him. I really don't know why you're paying attention to such a dead-last."
Spiral Zetsu thought for a moment, then raised a finger with a gasp. "I know! It must be because when you were a kid, Lord Madara, you were a dead-last just like this Obito!"
Madara's eyelids drooped. "I didn't create you to make fun of your master."
"Keep your eyes on him. Report any developments immediately."
Spiral Zetsu nodded. "Of course, Lord Madara, rest assured. We don't need to eat, poop, or sleep. We won't miss a single detail!"
(End of Chapter)
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