Jinghang looked around and saw more than a dozen Konoha ninja forming hand seals, gritting their teeth as they held on. The shadows on the ground were as black as ink, completely immobilizing Jinghang—he couldn't even move a finger.
No doubt about it—they were all Nara clan ninja.
"Shadow Sewing Jutsu!"
The shadows on the ground seemed to come alive, turning into jet-black spears that shot toward Jinghang.
But it was completely useless.
With Sage Mode active, Jinghang's Lightning Release: Armor was as hard as steel and stone.
"Just as I expected."
At some point, Hiruzen Sarutobi had appeared on the battlefield.
"Minato, holding up alright?"
Minato Namikaze wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Still hanging in there."
"Take a break for now."
Hiruzen handed him a bottle of medicine. Jinghang glanced at it—it was actually a first-generation chakra enhancement potion produced by Ginsha Pharmaceuticals.
"The Lightning Release: Armor is said to combine offense and defense. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation."
Hiruzen smiled.
Jinghang remained silent, his mind racing through possible countermeasures.
"Don't bother thinking. I've had ninja set up visual barriers in this area—your subordinates can't see what's happening here. And..."
Hiruzen pointed into the distance.
"I've already sent over a dozen Akimichi jōnin to block off the battlefield. Your ninja can't get through for now. Oh, sorry—you can't turn your head to look."
"You're that confident you can take me down?"
As Jinghang spoke, several iron sand projectiles suddenly shot toward Hiruzen, only to be incinerated into sparks by the Four Violet Flames Formation's fire wall.
"Of course."
Hiruzen nodded confidently.
"We spent quite a while planning this operation."
"You think this measly Four Violet Flames Formation and these few scrubs' Shadow Imitation Jutsu can trap me?"
Jinghang suddenly struggled with tremendous force. The power of Sage Mode nearly broke free from the restraints.
The Nara clan ninja were sweating profusely, almost losing their grip.
"Sigh, can't waste more time. Yamanaka Inoichi, he's yours."
Hiruzen said.
A group of blond-haired ninja approached, each placing their hand on a young man's shoulder.
The Yamanaka clan!
Mind Transfer Jutsu! Jinghang's heart leaped in alarm.
With so many Yamanaka clan ninja simultaneously casting their jutsu, his mind would inevitably be controlled. Once controlled, wouldn't he be at their mercy?
Black iron sand quickly gathered in front of Jinghang, finally forming two arms. The hand seals they formed were...
"Not good! It's the Flying Thunder God Technique! Inoichi, quickly!"
"Mind Transfer—"
Poof!
Jinghang vanished instantly in a puff of white smoke.
...
"Godfather, why are you back?"
Sasori tilted his head, looking at Jinghang who was now perched on his shoulders.
At this moment, Sasori was wearing his adamantine puppet armor, looking quite comical.
"It's nothing. Almost got outplayed. Let's withdraw—we're done here."
Jinghang wiped the sweat from his forehead.
The marking on the adamantine puppet was something Jinghang had doodled on a whim when the puppet was first completed. He never expected it would come in handy today.
A shrill horn immediately echoed across the entire battlefield.
Two long blasts and one short—the retreat signal.
The Sunagakure army withdrew in an orderly fashion, providing covering fire as they slowly pulled back.
The Konoha ninja, seeing Sunagakure retreat, launched a pursuit.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and all the Konoha ninja were dumbfounded.
"He actually knows the Flying Thunder God Technique too."
The long-prepared Second-Generation Beast Cage plan had turned to nothing.
"Sir, morale can be built but not broken. Let's continue the attack... We have time on our side."
Minato said.
Hiruzen nodded helplessly.
From noon until dusk, the Konoha army fiercely attacked the Sunagakure camp. Only after paying a considerable price did the Sand ninja barely manage to hold their forward defenses.
For a moment, the Konoha ninja completely reversed their decline, their morale soaring. At this rate, it felt like they could kick down Sunagakure's main camp in no time.
"Shimura Danzo, you've really caused us endless trouble. The battles ahead won't be easy to fight."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply.
In the central command tent, the Konoha commanders all seemed rather downcast.
Seeing the gloomy atmosphere, the ever-optimistic Choza Akimichi tried to encourage everyone:
"Hiruzen, don't be disheartened. Although today's plan to eliminate Jinghang didn't succeed, we still achieved victory today. Our momentum is strong now—I believe victory will ultimately belong to Konoha Village. It'll just take a bit longer."
"Lord Choza, you misunderstand. The Hokage isn't frustrated about this operation's failure."
Minato said.
"Huh? Then what is it..."
Choza Akimichi was puzzled.
"Sigh, the Hokage is worried that Jinghang has mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Minato explained patiently.
"You were also a disciple of the Second Hokage Tobirama-sama—you should know best how formidable the Flying Thunder God Technique is. I also practice the Flying Thunder God Technique—it ignores distance and speed. Moreover, Jinghang is also proficient in Sage Arts. Konoha Village may already have... no ninja capable of defeating him.
After this battle, Jinghang will definitely be more cautious. Future wars may become incredibly prolonged. Victory may be... far, far away."
Such pessimistic words coming from the usually confident Minato greatly surprised everyone.
"The key problem is that time isn't on our side."
Hiruzen pulled out his pipe, packed it with tobacco, and tamped it down—not too tight, not too loose—but didn't rush to light it.
"The war funds loaned to us by the Fire Eight Pillars Company are nearly exhausted. We... can't afford to drag this out. The western army can't set out, the northern army still has no news. To end this war quickly... it's difficult!"
Whoosh!
The match ignited. Hiruzen took a few gentle puffs and blew out several smoke rings.
"Minato, I may have to apologize to you."
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Minato shot up from his seat.
"Lord Hokage, you're not planning to... No, you can't!"
Hiruzen said nothing, just smoked silently. The tent became incredibly quiet for a moment.
"Hiruzen, think it over again. Kushina is still just a child."
Choza Akimichi pleaded.
The Nine-Tails! Konoha's ultimate weapon, the world's strongest tailed beast—an existence that could completely turn the tide of battle.
"Hmm? What's that sound?"
Hiruzen looked alertly toward the direction of Konoha's camp entrance.
Everyone listened carefully. From the distance came a faint sound like a well pulley turning, growing closer, louder, and more chaotic.
"It's puppets! So many puppets!"
Choza Akimichi was the first to react. He had fought Chiyo in Amegakure Village before—he was all too familiar with this sound.
But wooden puppets had long been obsolete!
"Let's go! Chief Strategist Shikaku! Notify the entire army—prepare for battle!"
Hiruzen was the first to rush out of the tent, with the Konoha ninja following close behind.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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