The thick mist obscured his vision.
Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique. This technique was excellent. He had to learn it if he got the chance later; once learned, he could just lie low.
Yōkō was secretly pleased. No one could see him in the mist, so wouldn't this allow him to slack off?
Charge?
Only a fool would charge so fast in front of over a hundred Kiri-nin.
After forming hand signs, Yōkō created a Shadow Clone, while his real body sank into the reef.
He gave the clone an order: only dodge, do not counterattack, and just avoid being dispelled.
The Shadow Clone lasted a few minutes before being overwhelmed by a large-scale Water Release technique.
Taking advantage of the clone drawing the Kiri-nin's attention, Yōkō emerged from the reef and killed two Kiri-nin.
Considering his quota fulfilled, Yōkō created another Shadow Clone and hid his real body within the reef again.
Water Release techniques washed over the reefs. Staying hidden within them posed another problem.
The Earth Release: Fish in Earth Reflection Technique continuously consumed chakra. Sooner or later, he wouldn't be able to stay hidden.
Yōkō kept his attention on the center of the battlefield.
Over the sea, Battalion Commander Yellow Dog was fighting five Kiri-nin Jōnin.
Battalion Commander Yellow Dog was very strong, but the Kiri-nin had the home-field advantage, and Water Release consumed very little chakra here.
Yōkō finally received some good news.
Seeing the Uzumaki ninja had fled far enough, and fearing the Uzumaki Princess might encounter other ambushing enemies, Battalion Commander Yellow Dog ordered everyone to retreat while fighting.
The Konoha Anbu threw smoke bombs, which mixed with the water mist, making it impossible to see anything at all.
Yōkō found his direction, quickly leaped up, and jumped towards the rear.
He didn't need to be faster than the Kiri-nin, just faster than the last Anbu member.
After leaving the seaside, the pressure from the Kiri-nin lessened considerably.
Using Water Release on land consumed much more chakra.
Not far away, the other Anbu battalion also began to retreat, avoiding being pinned down by the Kumo-nin.
Bodies were left strewn across the beach – Anbu, Uzumaki ninja, Kumo-nin, and Kiri-nin.
Orders came one after another from Battalion Commander Yellow Dog.
The four squadrons would take turns serving as the rearguard.
The Black Ox Squadron was the first to take up the rearguard.
The Anbu ninja of the Black Ox Squadron stopped without hesitation.
They raised their kunai or formed hand signs, ready to face the Kiri-nin.
Or rather, ready to face death.
Yōkō, not corrupted by the Will of Fire, couldn't possibly be as resolute as them.
Half a minute later, the sound of Water Release techniques washing over the area came from behind.
In all likelihood, the Black Ox Squadron had been completely wiped out.
"Brown Bear! Your squadron will take the rearguard!"
It was the turn of Yōkō's Brown Bear Squadron.
Led by Brown Bear, everyone stopped.
Yōkō, using his momentum, kept his legs still but dragged his feet along the ground for a distance, ending up at the very back.
Damn it.
The catastrophe of the Uzumaki clan's destruction was drawing nearer, and the frequency of battles was increasing.
It was only the 22nd of the latter half of the month. If he died here, he would have to endure a long twenty-plus days before the next full moon.
Yōkō drew his ninja sword, staring seriously at the rear, unsure of what to do.
This was a certain death situation. Since he had to die, he needed to draw a better ability.
The Kiri-nin abilities were strong, but not suitable for the current Yōkō. If he drew a bunch of water-nature chakra, it would be a waste.
His eyes scanned the area, landing on Squadron Leader Brown Bear's back.
Since he had to die, maybe...
The water mist advanced like a high wall.
The Kiri-nin pursued from behind, while the Kumo-nin flanked to intercept them ahead.
Squadron Leader Brown Bear showed no intention of retreating, ready to sacrifice himself for Konoha at any moment.
The water mist enveloped everyone in the squadron.
Visibility decreased. Yōkō slowly approached Squadron Leader Brown Bear.
The Squadron Leader's figure instantly vanished, startling Yōkō.
He quickly rolled to the side.
A powerful jet of water shot towards where he had been, strong enough to shatter the coconut tree behind him.
As Yōkō rolled on the ground, he saw a black shadow rapidly descending from above – it was Squadron Leader Brown Bear, who had just jumped.
The Squadron Leader's Body Flicker Technique was very strong.
"For Konoha! Do not retreat!"
Squadron Leader Brown Bear charged forward and used Fire Release against 3 Kiri-nin.
A Blazing Shot surged out, evaporating the nearby mist.
The three Kiri-nin jointly used Water Release: Water Formation Wall. The water wall blocked the Blazing Shot, creating even more mist.
A faint sound of something cutting through the air came from behind. Yōkō quickly crouched.
A kunai whizzed over his head.
A Kiri-nin had silently appeared behind him. Yōkō supported himself with one hand on the ground and kicked out diagonally upwards, sending the Kiri-nin flying.
There were simply too many Kiri-nin around. For every one he kicked away, three more appeared in his field of vision.
From the side, Squadron Leader Brown Bear suddenly came flying back; he had been hit by a Water Release technique.
Yōkō quickly sidestepped and caught Squadron Leader Brown Bear.
Brown Bear coughed up blood, turned his head, saw it was Yōkō, and relaxed.
Then his eyes widened in horror and shock as he stared at Yōkō.
A ninja sword stabbed into his back, piercing his internal organs.
"A spy?"
Squadron Leader Brown Bear never imagined, even in death, that he would be killed by his own Anbu subordinate.
"Which village's spy are..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a large sword came slashing down fiercely.
Yōkō saw the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!
Momochi Zabuza, wielding the Executioner's Blade!
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist – each one was a ninja starting at the level of an Elite Jōnin.
It was actually the Seven Ninja Swordsmen pursuing the Uzumaki Princess.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were the elite trusted agents of the Third Mizukage, equivalent to seven Elite Jōnin.
It seemed Uzushiogakure's attempt to seal the Tailed Beast at sea had thoroughly enraged Kirigakure, and the two sides were now locked in a fight to the death.
The large sword was long and hard. With one swing, the heads of Yōkō and Squadron Leader Brown Bear were cleanly chopped off.
It's said that after being decapitated, one retains consciousness for a few seconds.
The surrounding scenery spun and changed rapidly. Yōkō's head hit the ground, his final sight meeting the furious eyes of Squadron Leader Brown Bear before both their pupils dilated and fixed.
—
His vision blurred, and Yōkō resurrected.
He had resurrected to the night after capturing the Kumo-nin squad leader.
The Kumo-nin squad leader, already with broken arms and legs, was roughly thrown to the ground, groaning in pain.
He looked up at Fox, only to find Fox standing still in a daze, his eyes vacant.
Yōkō felt uneasy inside. Being sent by the Anbu to serve as the rearguard was a certain death sentence.
He had been killed instantly by the Kiri-nin.
Even if he escaped the battlefield, he would encounter the Kumo-nin patrolling the periphery – death either way.
Even in the most perfect scenario, if he miraculously escaped the Kumo-nin's blades, he would be pursued by the Anbu as a Rogue Ninja.
A dead end either way.
Trapped from both sides.
What should he do?
Following the plot development from his previous life would mean certain death.
Just Momochi Zabuza alone, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, could instantly kill him and Squadron Leader Brown Bear. There was no possibility of survival.
What should he do? Where was the solution to break this deadlock?
The system sound rang out.
Forget it, he'd choose the reward first to enhance his strength.
[Mochizuki's Arc activated!
The host has one resurrection opportunity per month. Upon death, they will resurrect on the previous full moon night.
Reward: One draw opportunity:
1- Fire Nature Chakra;
2- Chūnin-level Chakra Reserve (stackable);
3- Taijutsu: Body Flicker Technique (Beginner).]
Not bad, not bad. He was very satisfied with this round of rewards.
(End of Chapter)