Something's odd, Kakashi.
Jiraiya stared suspiciously at Kakashi for a while, then looked back and forth between Shuji and Yamato.
Nara Shikaku ignored this subtle atmosphere. Seeing the special squad the Third Hokage dispatched, he first examined them once around, lingering slightly on Shuji.
This hairstyle, and height... is it him?
"What degree of control can you achieve over jinchūriki?" Nara Shikaku hoped to confirm this first.
"Mori and Tenzō are both Wood Release users."
Kakashi's words made Nara Shikaku's eyes light up.
Two Wood Release users?
Jiraiya said with interest. "The old man prepared such a move. If that's the case, we definitely have a way to deal with their jinchūriki."
Shikaku bent over the sand table again, brain racing.
"The situation does not allow us to delay."
"Iwa committed a jinchūriki to tear open defensive lines and create chaos, making Cloud Village believe we lack capacity to handle the current situation."
"Therefore, we must counterattack rapidly and shatter their intent."
The jōnin commander looked at Kakashi. "Your arrival, especially Wood Release's existence, is an absolute variable outside their intelligence."
"This is our surprise force for victory. Jiraiya-sama already engaged their jinchūriki before. The enemy must have formulated tactics against him."
"In the coming offensive, Jiraiya-sama will still act as the obvious main force drawing attention..."
At the same time, Iwa position command post.
The tall and burly Kitsuchi was intently observing movements in Konoha's defensive line opposite.
"Report! Kitsuchi-sama, Konoha defensive forces' activity frequency increasing. Some areas showing personnel assembly signs!"
Kitsuchi's thick brows furrowed. "Finally counterattacking... faster than expected."
Is it because of Jiraiya, or has the Third Hokage personally arrived at the front? But they had long prepared accordingly.
"Pass orders. All units consolidate positions, raise alert levels. Focus on areas where Jiraiya may appear."
He looked at his deputy beside him. "Have Rōshi and Han prepare."
"Yes!"
—
Konoha's offensive was swift and decisive.
Fire Release and Wind Release ninjutsu wove into a dense firepower net. Explosive tag roars rang across the battlefield once more.
Home field advantage showed now. Whether terrain utilization or support speed, Konoha pressed Iwa who had penetrated deep into their territory.
Iwa forces relied on tenacious will and solid Earth Release defense to withstand this frenzied assault, but their line was still pushed back dozens of meters. Several forward outposts were forced to abandon.
Just as Konoha's offensive grew fiercer, attempting to expand results—
A violent roar erupted from behind Iwa positions. Scorching heat could be felt even from far away.
Four-Tails jinchūriki Rōshi, body wrapped in dark red tailed beast chakra, smashed into the battlefield center like a meteor!
"Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Technique!"
In an instant, several enormous lava fireballs burning with terrifying heat were spewed forth, crushing toward the area of Konoha's fiercest offensive.
Wherever they passed, ground scorched and melted, trees instantly vaporized. Earth walls hastily raised by Konoha shinobi melted and collapsed like wax upon contact.
Konoha's momentum stalled.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Two nearly overlapping shouts rang out.
From the battlefield flank, two Konoha Anbu wearing animal masks simultaneously completed hand seals.
Powerful chakra drew on sparse moisture in the atmosphere, even extracting humidity from deep soil layers, instantly transforming into two torrential waves of terrifying scale. Like rivers appearing from nothing, they boldly collided with those rampaging lava fireballs!
Hisss—!!!
Violent vaporization sounds exceeding any metal clash swallowed all battlefield noise.
Endless pure white steam exploded like substance, instantly shrouding the entire battlefield front. Visibility dropped sharply to less than a few meters. Scorching steam burned skin painfully.
"What?!"
The composure on Kitsuchi's face shattered instantly, replaced by shock.
Launching such powerful Water Release away from rivers?!
After one strike was blocked, Rōshi became more furious. Tailed beast chakra overflowed further, emitting even more dangerous roars.
His massive chakra form became a conspicuous target in the dense fog.
"Water Release: Raging Waves!" Yamato's voice rang again. Powerful water flow shot toward Rōshi like high-pressure water cannon.
"Water Release: Water Collision Wave!" Shuji acted almost synchronously. An even more surging wave formed a pincer attack.
Before Rōshi could react, several Iwa shinobi blocked in front of the jinchūriki, collectively using ninjutsu.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Several thick earth walls rumbled up, barely blocking the lethal water flow impact. However, the diverted waves spread wantonly across the battlefield.
Just as the water flow scattered—
A figure used the water surface reflection and dense fog cover to cut into the battlefield. The brilliant lightning in his hand blazed bright.
Piercing bird cries tore through fog, instantly penetrating those Iwa shinobi's defenses, precisely slicing across their vital points.
Screams drowned in thunder.
Kakashi had no pause. Using a technique copied from Yamato, he pressed toward water flowing on the ground.
"Water Release: Raging Waves!"
Just as the attack was about to succeed—
Another taller, swifter figure charged from deep in the fog like a silent train! His entire body wrapped in armor, speed shocking, target directly at Kakashi!
Five-Tails jinchūriki, Han!
Fists covered in hard armor with terrifying kinetic energy and high-temperature steam slammed viciously toward Kakashi.
White hair suddenly appeared, transforming into rope, wrapping around Kakashi's waist and carrying him away from Han's fist.
Jiraiya landed before both jinchūriki, blocking in front of Kakashi.
"Oh my, oh my, it seems all the guests have arrived."
He slowly brought his hands together.
"Then..."
Just as steam boiled again around Han's body and lava light rekindled in Rōshi's mouth—
Shuji and Yamato quietly arrived.
Next instant, ground violently shook and cracked! Countless enormously thick, vigorously alive massive tree roots broke through scorched earth and rock, strangling toward both jinchūriki from all directions!
High-temperature lava on Rōshi's body surface and violent steam Han erupted instantly burned the first surging branches. Scorched wood fragments flew everywhere.
But Wood Release was endless, wave after wave, faster, stronger, like green pythons stubbornly coiling upward.
However, just as Wood Release's binding was about to tighten further—
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears!"
Kitsuchi, who had been intently watching the battlefield, finally acted.
The large area where Rōshi and Han stood violently shook, then like being lifted by an invisible giant hand, rose hard from the battlefield, forming an isolated high stone pillar platform.
Suddenly changed terrain not only instantly broke massive coiled tree roots, but temporarily isolated both jinchūriki from Konoha's attack.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild