Wood Release had vanished for decades. When it reappeared on stage, even Kitsuchi could not immediately recognize what technique this was.
He relied solely on his own experience to make a judgment. Sever the battlefield, elevate both jinchūriki's positions, interrupt Wood Release's attack.
"Earth Release: Rock Gun Technique!"
Dozens of Iwa shinobi spat stone blocks from their mouths. During flight they rapidly expanded and hardened in midair, transforming into shells that smashed toward those massive roots still twisting and spreading.
The collision of stone bullets and tree roots slowed Wood Release's offensive, buying breathing space for the two on the elevated platform.
Rōshi and Han exchanged glances. When entangled by those massive roots, the chakra in their bodies had uncontrollably drained away. The sensation of forcibly extracted chakra left both Rōshi and Han shaken.
Without understanding the enemy's secret technique, both jinchūriki planned to first withdraw from the battlefield.
However, their opponents did not intend to give them that chance.
"Can't let you leave just like that!"
Jiraiya clapped his hands. A summoning formula rapidly expanded on the ground. Accompanied by massive white smoke, a giant toad wearing a deep red vest and carrying a huge blade at its waist made a bold entrance.
"Hey! Jiraiya... jinchūriki again..." Gamabunta held a pipe in his mouth, massive pupils sweeping the chaotic battlefield. "Endless trouble!"
He spat in dissatisfaction but his movements showed no hesitation.
"Water Release: Water Bullet!"
A massive water sphere shot from Bunta's mouth like a cannonball, firing straight at the two attempting to retreat. Rōshi roared. Lava rolled around his body. A giant lava ball met it head on.
Water and fire violently collided. Large amounts of high-temperature steam spread once again.
In the steam, Han's figure suddenly blurred. High-pressure steam jetted from his entire body. Like a shell leaving the chamber, he charged toward Bunta at terrifying speed!
Bunta snorted coldly and drew his giant short sword, slashing down backhanded. But Han's monstrous strength shook his form staggering, nearly losing grip on the blade.
"Tch, this kind of strength is a pain! Jiraiya!"
"Don't get angry, Bunta. Isn't this interesting?"
Jiraiya cheerfully placated him.
On another side, Kakashi observed the battle through gradually thinning steam. Iwa's rock guns continued unabated, severely interfering with Wood Release's regeneration and extension.
"Tenzō, you use Earth Release to block Iwa's attacks. Mori, you support Jiraiya-sama."
"Understood!" Tenzō answered in a deep voice, stepping forward and slamming both hands on the ground.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Rumble—!
A massive earth wall far exceeding normal scale rose from the ground. Not standing vertically, but leaning forward to form a solid sloped barrier, precisely intercepting the path of Iwa's bombardment.
Rock guns bombarded the thick earthen slope, blasting countless craters, yet unable to penetrate. It effectively protected the forest root systems below.
Almost simultaneously, Nara Shikaku commanding from the rear also made his judgment.
"Cover Jiraiya-sama and the Anbu squad."
Konoha shinobi moved on command. Their offensive suddenly became even sharper, desperately forcing back Iwa shinobi trying to close in, carving out a separation zone around the three areas centered on top-level combat power.
Shuji's figure had already quietly vanished from his original position when Tenzō launched Earth Release.
Using steam not yet dispersed on the battlefield and rock pillars and tree debris as cover, he circled at high speed to approach Han's position.
Though Rōshi's Lava Release had greater lethality and range than Han's, he was countered by Shuji and Tenzō.
Both could launch powerful Water Release in waterless environments.
The one who most needed solving first was actually the physically powerful Han.
Having just repelled Gamabunta, Han suddenly felt crisis rise in his heart. Without much thought, he twisted and kicked out.
However, the expected collision sensation did not come. Instead his foot was tightly bound by something extremely tenacious.
Looking again, three deep brown wooden strips had already coiled around his leg, moving upward along the momentum.
"This... damn wood!"
Rōshi discovered Han caught by Wood Release and was about to support.
"Don't get distracted!"
Jiraiya's voice came from above. Gamabunta's giant blade again swept down carrying wind pressure, forcing Rōshi to prioritize dealing with the immediate threat.
Shuji maintained control with one hand while launching Wood Release. More thick roots broke through earth, coiling toward Han's torso and arms, attempting to completely imprison him.
Blood red rose in the Five-Tails jinchūriki's eyes. He wanted to fully transform into his tailed beast. However, Wood Release's binding grew tighter and tighter. The chakra absorption grew stronger and stronger. Just as he was about to lose resisting power—
A fist wrapped in hard rock descended from the sky. Sensing danger, Shuji had no choice but to withdraw.
Kitsuchi's figure landed beside Han. He smashed open the Wood Release binding Han.
"Han, retreat! This is the First Hokage's Wood Release!"
Iwa's commander finally understood the foundation of Nara Shikaku's offensive confidence.
"Konoha actually still hid this move!"
He stared gravely at Shuji, faintly visible through the steam.
—
In Kumogakure Village, the Fourth Raikage A stood before a wide floor-to-ceiling window, arms crossed over his chest, gaze passing through glass to fall on the distant south.
He was waiting for news.
The office door opened. His secretary placed a classified report on the desk.
The Raikage turned and picked up the document.
"Finally launched the attack, Ōnoki."
"Mabui!"
"Immediately order frontline forces! Open passage and allow Konoha's envoy through Frost Country's border!"
Akai's death was infuriating. That was a subordinate he trusted who died so carelessly in Konoha Village.
But everything afterward was too strange.
Assuming, with one in ten thousand probability, that Konoha had not lied.
Then why would Akai appear in the Hyūga clan compound?
If he had skills to infiltrate that even A did not know about, why could he not escape?
The Raikage knew clearly he had not ordered Akai to steal Byakugan in Konoha. That would be no different from sending a loyal subordinate to pointless death.
So had Akai acted on his own initiative, desiring war to continue? He would not misjudge his own subordinate. He was not that kind of person.
Even more suspicious was the aftermath.
Akai died in Konoha. Why could his two escorts escape heavy blockades?
Using just one night to travel from Fire Country to Frost Country and report Akai's death.
And now, those two escorts had disappeared without a trace.
Too many illogical points. Too much deliberateness. All this forced the Raikage to calm down.
One hand, perhaps more than one hand, was trying to drag Kumogakure back into the quagmire of war.
First point: this battle must absolutely not begin as the designer intended.
Second: Akai could not die in vain. He could not tolerate subordinates dying so inexplicably.
And now, the initiative had fallen into his hands.
Iwagakure's full-scale offensive represented two things:
First, the so-called Konoha-Suna alliance was ultimately just a joke. Otherwise Iwa would not have the capacity to launch an attack of this degree.
Therefore, the Raikage reached his conclusion.
Konoha would be more anxious than him.
"Since my subordinate's death cannot be changed, then use this to exchange for greater benefits for Kumogakure."
"Akai... whoever killed you will pay the price."
"That incompetent Konoha will also pay the price."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild