The great battle erupted once more, this time as a decisive clash.
A total of sixteen thousand warriors from both sides stepped onto the battlefield, forming various units. Under the command of their respective captains, they employed specific ninjutsu to carry out designated missions.
Kaede Tsukasa did not join the assault teams, which was a stroke of luck. Nominally, he was still a medical ninja within the medical corps. After Tsunade's return, command of the medical corps automatically transferred to her, and Aburame Ryōma had no authority to interfere.
"Recently, the Sand Village's military actions have been overly conservative. I sense that a plot is brewing within," Tsunade declared with heroic poise, her voice crisp and resolute.
Kato Dan gave a gentle smile. "Leave it to me. Whatever you want to uncover, I'll find the truth. My abilities are well-suited for this environment."
Spirit Transformation!
Kato Dan's soul detached from his body, swiftly flying toward the Sand Village forces.
The Sand Village had indeed prepared in advance. They had summoned a formidable, aged ninja.
"Is that a beam of light flying this way?" Chiyo looked up at the sky, her expression changing. "Could this be Konoha's Spirit Transformation? How audacious!"
"Spirit Transformation… Konoha has mastered far too many valuable ninjutsu. Considering their massive ninja forces, they never worry about geniuses failing to learn appropriate techniques; only that the number of geniuses is too small. It's enviable," said a slow-moving elder as he lifted his head. In his presence, both Chiyo and Ebizo instinctively stepped back half a pace.
"Lord Monzaemon, the Sand Village faces its most perilous moment since its founding. We need your intervention," Ebizo said in a low voice.
"The most perilous moment? As far as I know, it was the Third Kazekage and your insistence on invading the Land of Fire. Konoha's response so far has only been defensive. Can this really be called the most dangerous moment? Wait until Konoha breaches the Land of Wind before making such claims," Monzaemon replied slowly.
"I may be old, but my mind still works," he added deliberately.
Chiyo and Ebizo maintained composed expressions, feeling no shame. The war of aggression had turned into a war of attrition, fought entirely on the territory of the Land of Fire.
Before long, Kato Dan conveyed the elder's appearance to Tsunade.
"This old man… he's still alive? Monzaemon Chikamatsu, the creator of puppet art of the Sand Village, and the creator of the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets," Tsunade said, frowning.
Although advanced in years and experiencing a decline in abilities, merely standing there made him a formidable opponent.
"I, along with Hatake Sakumo, will handle this side. The logistics department has urgently produced three thousand antidote doses based on the formula I provided—enough for this war. Dan, don't forget the mission I entrusted to you," Tsunade said.
She was a genius; by collecting reports and observing poisoned ninjas who survived in the field, she had quickly perfected her antidote formula.
Chiyo could not equip every Sand ninja with her toxin, which was primarily reserved for the puppet corps and jonin.
Kato Dan smiled. "Understood. I'll protect the village's comrades. Once I finish my side, I'll rush over to help you."
"In that case, I'll deal with Chiyo faster than expected. I might even go support you on your side," Tsunade said confidently.
As the units advanced in an orderly manner, the front-line ninjas of both sides engaged in battle—not in chaotic melee or hand-to-hand combat, but through long-range ninjutsu bombardments.
Every ninjutsu used was a common technique, allowing as many people as possible to perform it simultaneously and amplify its power.
Flames, gusts of wind, thunder, and walls of earth surged repeatedly, drastically reshaping the battlefield.
After several rounds of ninjutsu exchanges, reinforcements arrived from various directions, quickly bringing both sides into close contact and unleashing brutal slaughter.
"This is truly horrific. In a battlefield like this, someone like me barely matters. The upside is, no one is specifically targeting me," Kaede Tsukasa thought, witnessing such warfare for the first time.
He felt a strong urge to send a few zombies into the crowds to self-destruct, converting wave after wave of the energetic ninjas and fallen bodies on the battlefield into more zombies.
But sadly, he could not do this. If he tried, the consequence would be death. His limited chakra was insufficient to support rapid, reckless conversion and control of zombies.
Kaede Tsukasa needed to restrain himself—until the day he possessed enough strength.
Finally, when Tsunade's orders reached the medical corps, Kaede Tsukasa sprang into action.
"Wherever Lady Tsunade appears, Lord Aburame Ryōma is completely nowhere to be found."
Takuno Kazematsuri appeared beside Kaede Tsukasa. For this decisive battle against the Sand Village, Tsunade had gathered medical ninjas from across the land, aiming to end the war as quickly as possible.
He recalled the moment Tsunade summoned him. From her tone, it seemed she had other plans…
Kaede Tsukasa smiled. "Isn't that normal? The two of them have fundamentally different styles. It's natural not to interfere with each other's actions…"
"I'm curious. You performed so well—haven't Lord Hatake Sakumo or Lady Tsunade summoned you? Your secret techniques are incredibly powerful."
"At our level, maybe it seems strong. But they have many responsibilities and little time for a minor ninja like me," Kaede Tsukasa replied.
Takuno Kazematsuri didn't entirely believe him.
Soon, the medical ninjas received orders and began moving in groups, following different units.
Kaede Tsukasa had originally thought he wouldn't be specifically targeted. On a battlefield with over ten thousand people scattered across chaotic fighting, how could the enemy organize an elite team to single him out?
But he quickly realized he was wrong.
High above, countless hawks circled, observing the battlefield and delivering intelligence.
Then the Sand Village actually dispatched ninjas specifically to deal with him!
A swirl of sand rose from the wasteland—Araki of the Sandstorm had arrived.
His subordinates tore through Konoha's blocking forces, while he headed straight for the medical squad where Kaede Tsukasa was located. It was as if this elite jonin didn't care about the outcome of the war—his sole focus was Kaede Tsukasa.
"Placing my value above the war itself? Araki of the Sandstorm, you truly impress me. In that case, I have nothing more to say. If it's you, it might even be worth expending a massive amount of chakra to convert you into my servant…"
Kaede Tsukasa could clearly sense his own chakra virus emanating from Araki of the Sandstorm. Perhaps during the previous pursuit mission, wounds had come into contact with zombie flesh and blood, planting a hidden risk.
"Without my direct control, relying only on the zombie virus brought into this world, converting an elite jonin into a zombie is incredibly difficult. It might take months—or even years—and I'd have to ensure the target does nothing to eliminate the virus."
Kaede Tsukasa formed a hand seal with one hand. He might soon gain an elite-jonin-level zombie, but the process needed to be discreet—otherwise, it would be far too shocking and conspicuous.