Chapter 103: Developing Electromagnetic Release! (Seeking Subscriptions!)
Konoha, August 5th, Year 46, Morning.
On the border of the Land of Fire, across the sea from the islands of the Land of Whirlpools, Sarutobi Asuma met up with Jiraiya and their forces.
"Lord Jiraiya, the rest is in your hands. I'm going to train."
With the mission complete, Sarutobi Asuma handed over command of the army and vanished.
Jiraiya froze, then his face fell. "That guy, slacking off again, damn it!"
"Hey, you could have at least left some Shadow Clones to help me, you bastard!"
Jiraiya yelled in frustration.
Meanwhile, Sarutobi Asuma had already reached the rocky shore.
Waves crashed against the shore with a ceaseless roar.
However, Sarutobi Asuma was completely focused.
Although he had mastered Electromagnetic Release before, the war had left him no time to develop it. As a result, during battles, besides the Electromagnetic Eye, he had hardly utilized this new Kekkei Tōta.
Yet, the potential of Electromagnetic Release was absolutely on par with Dust Release.
Furthermore, Sarutobi Asuma had already conceived of possibilities for Electromagnetic Release.
This Kekkei Tōta could form a complete combat system.
It covered energy damage, kinetic physical damage, defense, sensing, Genjutsu, and more.
Just developing Electromagnetic Release could make a person well-rounded with no weaknesses.
"One step at a time... I'll start with sensing."
Sarutobi Asuma quickly set his first goal.
He was already very proficient in developing Sensory Ninjutsu.
This was one of the reasons he chose sensory abilities as his first target.
Secondly, developing sensory ninjutsu with Electromagnetic Release was relatively straightforward.
His Electromagnetic Eye already gave him mastery over the use of electromagnetic waves.
However, he didn't just want sensory ninjutsu using electromagnetic waves, but also magnetic fields!
The planet where the Hokage resided was enveloped by a magnetic field.
Using the magnetic field for sensing could achieve an astonishing range!
"Let's begin!"
Sarutobi Asuma lowered his gaze and started with the development of electromagnetic wave sensing.
Konoha, Hokage's Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief as he read the intelligence report from Jiraiya.
The Mist Ninja had been repelled, the Stone Ninja had been hurt, Kannabi Bridge was destroyed, and with Orochimaru stationed in the Land of Rain, the Stone Ninja would need time to gather forces even if they wanted to attack again.
As for the Cloud Ninja to the north, the Third Raikage was dead, and with Minato and Sakumo dealing with the A and B combination, it was not a problem.
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt the shadow of war gradually receding.
"We must end this war as soon as possible. The losses this time have been too great."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered.
The war had begun in Year 44 of Konoha, first clashing with the Sand Ninja, then dealing with the Stone Ninja, Mist Ninja, and Cloud Ninja.
By now, the number of Konoha ninja who had died in battle exceeded three thousand.
And the number of ninja injured and withdrawn from the front lines was nearly a thousand.
This was only the current count.
Moreover, Konoha Hospital was already overflowing, with a large number of casualties still undergoing treatment.
The number of deceased ninja and those severely injured or disabled would continue to increase.
Soon, Sarutobi Hiruzen made a decision and spoke, "Shinya!"
Sarutobi Shinya, wearing a mask, appeared in the office. "Third Hokage!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a drag from his cigarette and said, "You personally go to Jiraiya. Have Asuma go to the Land of Rain to force the Stone Ninja to negotiate peace with us!"
Beneath the mask, Sarutobi Shinya's expression changed. "Asuma first severely injured the Fourth Kazekage, and now he has defeated the Third Mizukage. If he goes personally, I fear the Third Tsuchikage will also mobilize personally."
"After all, the Third Tsuchikage wields the Kekkei Tōta, Dust Release!"
"Why not have Lord Jiraiya go?"
Sarutobi Shinya suggested, "If Lord Jiraiya and Lord Orochimaru join forces, the Stone Ninja will definitely find it difficult to advance."
Sarutobi Hiruzen replied, "Jiraiya will go, of course. As for Orochimaru, I will have him recalled to Konoha to take charge of Root."
Sarutobi Shinya was shocked, then he understood.
Orochimaru likely has no chance at the Fourth Hokage position.
Father isn't just aiming to end the war quickly; he's also paving the way for the Fourth Hokage.
Who could it be?
Lady Tsunade?
Or Brother Minato?
August 6th, afternoon.
Sarutobi Shinya rushed to Jiraiya's camp to deliver Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders.
Jiraiya frowned upon hearing them, "The old man is too impatient!"
Sarutobi Shinya sighed, "Konoha's losses this time are too great. Our usable forces are now less than two-thirds of our peak."
"Also, he wants to resolve the war before abdicating."
Jiraiya fell silent, then nodded, "I understand. I'll depart as soon as possible."
"As for Asuma, have Kurenai and the others take you to him!"
10 minutes later.
On a reef by the sea, Sarutobi Asuma opened his eyes. He turned to see the approaching figures with a hint of surprise, "Brother, why are you here?"
Yūhi Kurenai and Sarutobi Shinya landed nearby. The latter chuckled, "I'm here to deliver father's orders!"
Sarutobi Asuma looked up and sighed, "Can't even get a moment's rest!"
Sarutobi Shinya felt a pang of sympathy but could only offer comfort, "The capable are always burdened!"
"Father wants you to go to the Land of Rain and pressure the Stone Ninja to end the war."
Sarutobi Asuma nodded, "I figured."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was aging. The once formidable ninja hero was truly fading.
What had Konoha gained from this war, despite its continuous victories?
It seemed like nothing.
Or rather, not nothing.
Not long ago, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind had made a decision, entrusting his commissions to Konoha.
This sowed the seeds of discord in the alliance between Sunagakure and Konoha.
Now, the Land of Wind had cut off most of Sunagakure's economic sources. Coupled with the losses from this war, its decline had already begun.
Kirigakure was far overseas. Even if they lost, it wouldn't matter much; they could simply retreat.
Konoha likely wouldn't gain anything.
The Stone Ninja and Cloud Ninja were quite formidable. They wouldn't gain any advantages either.
After a great war, being ganged up on by a group of people meant taking heavy losses even in victory!
"Such a massive loss!" Sarutobi Asuma cursed inwardly.
If it weren't for the concern of Uchiha Madara, Black Zetsu, and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya looming ahead, Sarutobi Asuma would have given those ninja villages a good thrashing.
"For the sake of the bigger picture, we need to end the war quickly, then focus on development for over a decade, defeat Uchiha Madara, Black Zetsu, and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, harvest the God Tree, become the new God of Shinobi, and even unify the ninja world, venturing into the sea of stars..."
After convincing himself, Sarutobi Asuma asked, "When do I leave?"
Sarutobi Shinya replied, "Within three days!"
"Understood!"
Sarutobi Asuma nodded, then smiled, "Brother, shall we grab some seafood together?"
"No, I need to return to Konoha as soon as possible."
Sarutobi Shinya shook his head, then smiled, "Let's celebrate together after the war ends!"
With that, he instantly disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
Sarutobi Asuma chatted with Yūhi Kurenai for a while longer before resuming his training.
Two days later.
Yūhi Kurenai and most of the other Konoha ninja returned to Konoha with the wounded and prisoners, leaving only a small contingent to patrol the border.
Furthermore, more ninja would be dispatched from Konoha later to replace them.
After all, Sarutobi Asuma's group had been fighting for a long time and needed time to rest and readjust.
However.
While others could return to Konoha for rest and recuperation, Sarutobi Asuma and Jiraiya, cursed with restless spirits, headed straight for the Land of Rain without delay.
Before leaving, though, Sarutobi Asuma left behind a Shadow Clone.
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