Chapter 93: Attack, Kaguya Clan! (Seeking Subscriptions, Monthly Passes, Recommendation Tickets)
Konohagakure, Hokage's Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen read the letter Jiraiya had sent back, his brow furrowed.
A counterattack! Jiraiya intended to counterattack!
However, they were short on troops and needed reinforcements. Specifically, they needed a large number of sensory ninjas, especially from the Hyuga Clan, to pinpoint the widely dispersed Mist Ninjas and eliminate them.
After a long period of deliberation, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to discuss the matter.
Mitokado Homura, however, having just suffered a major defeat, appeared somewhat dejected and remained silent.
Utatane Koharu spoke first, "With Jiraiya and Asuma there, I believe in their strength, especially Asuma. He has surpassed his master." She continued, "Now that the war against the Stone Ninjas has been lost, defeating the Mist Ninjas first is indeed a viable strategy. By defeating the Mist Ninjas, even if peace talks are not possible in the short term, we can withdraw some troops from the Mist Ninja battlefield to deal with the Stone Ninjas."
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Mitokado Homura, "Homura, what do you think?"
"I agree with Koharu!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and made his decision.
May, Konoha Year 46.
Sarutobi Hiruzen began to mobilize troops to the Mist Ninja battlefield, primarily the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan.
The Mist Ninja battlefield, which had been in a stalemate for one to two months, suddenly began to heat up. With the substantial reinforcement of troops, especially the Hyuga Clan ninjas, their Byakugan activated, providing a clear view of the entire battlefield.
May 12th.
All preparations were complete. In front of the main camp, elite squads, twelve in total, each consisting of three members, began to gather. These squads were either entirely Jonin or led by a Jonin, supported by Special Jonin and experienced Chunin.
A significant portion of these ninjas were from the Uchiha Clan. For instance, Uchiha Shisui, who would later become famous, was among them. Now only nine years old, he was already a Chunin with considerable strength and had been specifically selected by Sarutobi Asuma to participate in this surprise counterattack against the Mist Ninjas.
Glancing at Uchiha Shisui and the others, Sarutobi Asuma immediately released his Yin Seal. His immense chakra combined with Natural Energy, transforming into Sage Mode chakra. This vast amount of chakra materialized, resembling a dragon and enveloping Sarutobi Asuma.
"What astonishing chakra!"
Everyone present was awestruck. Compared to Sarutobi Asuma's colossal chakra reserves, theirs seemed like mere puddles, while his was a vast lake – a difference of hundreds of times!
Without forming any hand seals, Sarutobi Asuma instantly created twelve Shadow Clones on either side, completely depleting his recently released chakra.
Scorch Release – White-Eyed Blue Dragon!
Scorch Release dragons emerged from each of the Shadow Clones, baring their fangs and claws.
"Let's go!" Sarutobi Asuma shouted.
The twelve Shadow Clones leaped onto the Scorch Release dragons, leading the way. The other twelve squads also set off, and the Scorch Release dragons soared into the sky.
"Lord Jiraiya, I'm off!" Sarutobi Asuma said, looking at Jiraiya.
"Mm, be careful!" Jiraiya nodded.
Sarutobi Asuma then released his own Scorch Release dragon, carrying Yūhi Kurenai, Shizune, Might Duy, and Hizashi Hyuga into the high skies as they rapidly departed.
Jiraiya retracted his gaze and then ordered his own troops to advance. While Sarutobi Asuma and his team would launch an aerial assault, Jiraiya would lead the Konoha army forward on the ground. This was a coordinated land-and-air operation.
High in the sky.
Sarutobi Asuma stood with his head bowed. Behind him, Hizashi Hyuga had activated his Byakugan and was observing the situation at a Mist Ninja stronghold below.
"A total of thirteen individuals, consistent with the previously gathered intelligence!"
Hizashi Hyuga stated, then added with slight concern, "Captain Asuma, the Mist Ninja have set up observation posts on the treetops. Will we be discovered?"
The observation posts on the treetops were specifically to guard against aerial surprise attacks from Sarutobi Asuma.
The Mist Ninja had suffered losses several times before.
Unfortunately, even with these precautions, what was meant to be blocked still couldn't be.
Now, when the Mist Ninja encountered Sarutobi Asuma, unless they had their own strong ninja or a hundred or more ninja gathered, their only option was to retreat immediately.
"Under normal circumstances, we won't be discovered."
Sarutobi Asuma said with a confident smile.
After all, his Transformation Technique was nearly level 7, and his Chakra Control was astonishing, further enhanced by Sage Mode.
To outsiders, they currently appeared as nothing more than a cloud.
"And besides, if we are discovered, then we'll just attack early!"
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled.
If it weren't for coordinating with Jiraiya's side, he wouldn't need to wait.
Hizashi Hyuga nodded and said no more.
A moment later, both Sarutobi Asuma and Hizashi Hyuga felt something and turned to look behind them.
Hizashi Hyuga activated his Byakugan, his vision continuously stretching, and soon he saw Jiraiya and the others already engaging the first line of defense of the Mist Ninja.
"Captain Asuma, it's started!"
Hizashi Hyuga quickly said.
"Then let's begin!"
Sarutobi Asuma's expression turned solemn as he rapidly descended, enveloped by Scorch Release.
When they were less than two hundred meters from the ground, Sarutobi Asuma dispelled the ninjutsu, and five figures plummeted from the sky.
Meanwhile, the Mist Ninja below had already received signals from the front lines. Three consecutive signals meant this was the most dangerous situation, an alarm for a large-scale counterattack by Konoha.
However, these Mist Ninja did not move to reinforce them.
In such a situation, even if they went, it would undoubtedly be too late, and they would likely run into the main Konoha force.
Their response was to alert their comrades further behind for reinforcements, and then set up more traps.
This oversight allowed them to ignore the presence of Sarutobi Asuma and his group.
The distance of two hundred meters took less than a second for Sarutobi Asuma.
A purple electrical current tore through the leaves, flashing within the forest.
A Mist Ninja Jonin was still setting up an Explosive Tag. Just as he became alert, his head had already been severed.
Immediately after, Might Duy, having opened the Sixth Gate and enveloped in green light, also descended from the sky. With a boom, he stomped a Mist Ninja into the ground, causing bones to shatter and blood mist to spray.
"Enemy attack!"
"It's Konoha's Purple Flash!"
"Sound the alarm!"
Mist Ninja cried out in alarm, but were then promptly cut down by Sarutobi Asuma.
His speed was too great, and his blade too sharp.
However, there were still some fearless Mist Ninja among them.
Two of them manifested sharp white bones, like spikes.
Instead of fear or panic, they looked excited and eager, charging towards Kurenai Yuhi and the others with bloodlust.
If they couldn't defeat Konoha's Purple Flash, they'd take some weaklings down with them!
And there was even someone from the Hyuga Clan!
Kurenai Yuhi immediately locked onto one of them and cast a genjutsu.
The charging ninja stiffened, then fell to the ground with a thud, sliding a short distance before stopping.
Shizune appeared instantly, her kunai slicing towards the Mist Ninja's neck.
"Be careful, he's from the Kaguya Clan, he has the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai!"
Hizashi Hyuga, who had just repelled another Kaguya Clan ninja with a rotation, shouted a warning.
At that very moment, dense bone spikes erupted from the ninja who was under the genjutsu's control.
Pfft!
Blood splattered, and Shizune grunted, pushing off the ground and retreating.
At this point, the Mist Ninja on the ground had broken free from Kurenai Yuhi's genjutsu and leaped up.
"Shizune!"
Yūhi Kurenai exclaimed, throwing two kunai with a whistling sound.
However, the Mist Ninja in mid-air skillfully blocked the kunai with bone spurs growing from his body, and continued to kick towards Shizune.
"Watch out!"
Shizune's expression changed, and she crossed her arms, only to see bone spurs growing from the Mist Ninja's feet as well.
"Yaha!"
Suddenly, a blue figure appeared and kicked the Mist Ninja away. After crashing through two large trees consecutively, he stuck to a tree trunk with a snap.
It was Might Duy, who had opened the Seventh Gate, saving Shizune's life at the critical moment.
"Senior Duy, thank you!"
Shizune said gratefully, still shaken.
"No need to thank me, we are comrades who entrust our backs to each other."
Might Duy revealed his signature white teeth, then flashed forward and, with a boom, stomped the last Mist Ninja to death.
The battle was over.
Sarutobi Asuma appeared beside Shizune. "How are your injuries?"
"I'm fine, just superficial wounds!"
Shizune replied, then used the Mystical Palm Technique with her right hand to heal herself.
She had reacted quickly earlier, which was why she only sustained minor injuries. Otherwise, she probably would have had her hand bones pierced by the bone spurs.
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