"Naruto: My Ninja Skills"Chapter 228: Shadow Dies Twice (Thanks to "Wind-Borne Boat, Where to Rely" for the Alliance Leader Reward)
These young ninja led by Hagūgen Aoi might appear inexperienced on the battlefield, but once they adapted to the atmosphere and rhythm of war, their growth rate proved astonishing.
More specifically, while others might overthink situations, someone with Orochimaru's temperament was perfectly suited for battlefield life. Cold and cunning as a serpent, the battlefield wasn't a warzone for him—it was his natural habitat.
Orochimaru could eliminate enemies with complete composure, and sometimes even teammates with the same expressionless demeanor.
In short, there was no reason to deploy such a squad on conventional front lines. They belonged on the flanks with maximum autonomy—whether conducting infiltration, sabotage, or assassination missions, they could achieve devastating effectiveness.
Superior strength demanded special operations; conventional deployment would waste their talents.
Indeed, this squad penetrated deep behind enemy lines, severely disrupting Kumogakure's command structure, intelligence networks, and supply chains. After sustained operations, Kumogakure faced a critical choice—either commit heavy forces to eliminate these "fleas," or deploy elite counter-squads to match them.
Though seemingly two options, reality offered only one. Kumogakure's main forces had to maintain confrontation with Konoha; they couldn't reshape strategic deployment for a handful of enemies. Even successfully eliminating such small units would constitute strategic defeat.
Therefore, Kumogakure could only dispatch elite squads against Hagūgen Aoi's team.
This approach was fundamentally sound, but operationally challenging... Expecting several or even a dozen ninja to handle Hagūgen Aoi plus the accelerated "Three Sannin"—well, thoughts are innocent, and minds can roam freely within one's skull.
Hagūgen Aoi's objective was creating major incidents. After demonstrating their destructive capacity while Kumogakure's proper countermeasures proved inadequate, opportunity finally arrived.
When they detected the "big fish" taking the bait, everyone except Hagūgen Aoi appeared excited.
"Aoi-nee, what's the problem? This is already a big fish... or rather, Kumogakure has no bigger target than this one."
Tsunade noticed Hagūgen Aoi's apparent dissatisfaction and asked curiously in lowered tones.
"Theoretically correct, but he only represents Kumogakure's aged past. The village's future actually rests with others... This target is better than nothing, but even if we successfully ambush him, the maximum effect would merely be damaging enemy morale."
Aoi indeed felt dissatisfied, though this dissatisfaction remained rational.
She actually wanted to target the future Third Raikage, but only the aged Second Raikage appeared within the squad's detection range... The Second Raikage had long passed his peak, while the "Third Raikage" was in his prime.
Certain tactics work best on first use. Once tactical methods are exposed, enemies might not fall for them again.
"I agree with this assessment. Reportedly, Kumogakure's next-generation successor is far stronger than the current Second Raikage," Orochimaru said.
"But we must act now. Plans are plans, reality is reality... We must accept reality, and frankly, current circumstances are already ideal."
Jiraiya spoke circuitously, essentially advising Hagūgen Aoi to be pragmatic.
The current situation resembled an angler hoping to catch a twenty-pound carp, but now an eighteen-pounder had bitten—you must reel it in, or risk losing everything when you spook the school.
Hagūgen Aoi was merely voicing thoughts; she naturally understood proper action... In fact, if her importance to the village hadn't drastically declined, the Second Raikage couldn't possibly participate in such dangerous operations so simply.
Currently, aside from retaining the Raikage title, he'd already transferred all power. Compared to the "Third," the Second was actually expendable.
"Battlefield operations forbid excessive greed. Though we didn't catch the biggest fish, we at least caught the nominally biggest one... Strike when striking is needed—as long as we achieve results, enemies will feel genuine pain."
"Understood."
Everyone was intelligent enough to accept Hagūgen Aoi's reasoning.
"Kumogakure still underestimates us—including the Kage, only eight people came..."
"Aoi-nee, didn't you previously require controlling battle intensity? Enemies misjudged our strength according to your design," Tsunade felt somewhat puzzled.
All their battles here had been meticulously calculated. The squad had never displayed true strength, causing enemy misjudgment... The Second Raikage's insufficient personnel was precisely Aoi's strategy taking effect.
This was simple open scheming, but executing such schemes was quite deadly... Reserving strength during infiltration missions? That bordered on courting death.
Only this exceptionally capable squad could dig traps both deep and flawless.
Aoi pursed her lips without elaborating. Though she employed schemes, she still hoped enemies would respond with full force.
"The Second Raikage's strength may not be at its peak, but remains formidable. We must respond with full effort... We need flexibility during combat—no brute force approaches."
Jiraiya reminded them, somewhat worried about Hagūgen Aoi underestimating the enemy.
But this concern was excessive. Just consider whose blood flowed in Aoi's veins—given her lineage's inherited cunning, she would never underestimate opponents during battle... She was the type who would deliver finishing blows to corpses.
"Don't worry, I understand playing fish. Forcing it causes problems—either snap the rod or get dragged into the river... I'll handle the Raikage. You three eliminate those guards—2.33 enemies per person on average. Move quickly."
"Need our support?"
"No, playing fish requires space. After eliminating guards, you're responsible for battlefield isolation, preventing additional enemies from providing support."
With such clear orders, the other three had nothing more to say. Though the Second Raikage was strong, they trusted Aoi's capabilities.
Hagūgen Aoi never intended direct confrontation with the Raikage. One-on-one masculine combat might be thrilling, but she wasn't male... Ninja are species focused solely on final results—victory methods are irrelevant.
She thoroughly understood Raikage characteristics, therefore planned employing "kiting tactics."
"We've been discovered."
Orochimaru, who'd been monitoring enemies, suddenly spoke. Following his reminder, everyone looked toward the enemy squad forming battle formation, advancing to surround them.
"Run—lure them farther away."
Aoi immediately commanded—this was their predetermined battle strategy. Retreat wasn't cowardice; extending distance ensured trapping enemies in this auspicious location.
The Second Raikage's squad pursued, but during pursuit, they began losing members. The first to disappear was the squad's reconnaissance ninja.
"What's happening?" the Second Raikage asked.
They'd merely turned a corner in the forest, yet someone had vanished.
"Raikage-sama, I... though uncertain, I sense certain trees' positions seem to have changed."
One ninja spoke. Though claiming uncertainty, his observations were sufficiently careful.
"Trees... Konoha... Wood Release—we absolutely cannot let these enemies safely withdraw!"
Squad reduction actually strengthened the Raikage's pursuit intentions, having witnessed Wood Release.
According to Kumogakure's intelligence, Konoha's infiltration squads consisted of young ninja. Young ninja capable of Wood Release meant First Hokage descendants with limitless potential—absolutely requiring elimination before further growth.
Boldly deploying Wood Release ninja for enemy rear infiltration was Konoha's fatal mistake.
Tactical players all have dirty hearts. Hagūgen Aoi had Tsunade divide the battlefield—if undetected, they could eliminate enemies individually; if detected, no matter... She calculated enemies would pursue "Wood Release offspring" with absolute determination.
During continued pursuit, thick fog began permeating the forest.
"Raikage-sama, this is Hidden Mist Technique... this should be Kirigakure's method," someone reminded the Raikage as their senses were being disrupted.
This was merely large-scale Water Release. Hagūgen Aoi naturally mastered water attribute transformation with extraordinary Water Release talent—further evidence of being her unfilial father's biological daughter.
Currently, she employed standard Hidden Mist Technique to help teammates quickly divide the battlefield and eliminate enemy portions.
After some time, only the Raikage remained alone, yet he felt no panic—battle-hardened veterans wouldn't be confused by mere fog.
Hagūgen Aoi actively appeared before him.
At a distance, Orochimaru, emanating bloody scents, habitually extended his tongue... Who knew what he intended licking, but he prepared to begin.
However, his tongue sensed the fog undergoing changes, so he immediately restrained his expression and fled directly... Currently, he still valued his original organs.
The Raikage observed Hagūgen Aoi, then her waist-mounted sword, thinking this young person should excel at Taijutsu—carrying long weapons couldn't be purely decorative, right? Well, it actually served mostly decorative purposes.
Aoi carried this sword only because Yūshin had given it to her—highly commemorative and symbolic.
Hagūgen Aoi was about to greet the Second Raikage when, the next moment, lightning-flickering fists had reached her face.
With thunderous impact, her previous position became an explosion site.
However, Aoi wasn't struck. She almost horizontally repositioned, again distancing herself from the Raikage—azure, silent lightning also flickered around her.
"Worthy of being Raikage—very underhanded."
As Raikage, when dealing with young people, he actually ambushed without hesitation—completely lacking martial virtue. Only fitting for the leader of a village specializing in abducting women and children.
"You're not bad either... Storm Release?"
Based on Aoi's reaction speed, the Raikage felt she was also preparing ambush—he'd merely struck first.
Facing such questions, Aoi naturally smiled without speaking.
The Raikage's most characteristic attack was high-speed Lightning Release Ninjutsu. Having long known this intelligence, how could she not prepare?
"With your Lightning Release or Storm Release level, you absolutely cannot break my defense."
"Perhaps."
While speaking, the Second Raikage again attempted ambush, yet this attack naturally missed again.
Now he finally sensed something wrong. Storm Release ninja should share his combat type—everyone should excel at Ninjutsu attacks. But why did enemies only dodge without counterattacking?
He could only continue probing.
Thus, within the fog, the Raikage was led farther and farther by Aoi.
"Wrong! The fog has problems!"
As soon as Aoi began her tricks, the Raikage immediately detected them... Kage-level powerhouses possessed necessary vigilance and reaction speed.
"Hey, Raikage, you don't know Wind Release, do you?"
When the opponent stopped, Aoi also stopped. Now one could see only her immediate surroundings lacked fog.
Besides Storm Release, she could also use Boil Release.
This battle plan involved using Storm Release to control positioning while employing Boil Release's acid fog for gradual, soft damage.
Kiting? This represented standard soft-overcoming-hard tactics.
The Raikage held his breath, sensing his chakra cloak dissolving... Even Susanoo could be dissolved by acid fog—this so-called Lightning Release Chakra Mode was nothing.
Tragically, Aoi was correct—the Raikage indeed didn't know Wind Release, even particularly detesting Wind Release ninja.
He couldn't remain here long. If a village Kage suffocated to death, that reputation would be ruined.
The fog's range was vast; escaping from surrounding areas would be extremely difficult. The Raikage instantly conceived the most correct retreat route—upward.
The Raikage stomped, raising dust clouds while using recoil force to leap high-speed upward.
But upon breaking through fog and reaching midair, he discovered a massive, verdant palm pressing down toward him... For current Tsunade, Wood Golem and Wood Dragon were certainly challenging, but condensing tree hands and feet was definitely manageable.
More importantly, above the fog seemed filled with certain pollen.
Endless complications—acid and poison.
The Raikage glimpsed what appeared to be a massive, dark red flower in the distance.
Break through it!
The Raikage decided to smash this hand with one punch.
But just then, a water blade slashed from diagonally below. The Raikage had to change body direction for evasion.
"Second Hokage's technique?"
The Second Raikage had fought the Second Hokage, therefore knowing this move's power.
Evading Water Severing Wave meant he couldn't dodge the "giant slap," so he was smacked back into the fog.
The fog grew thicker with increasingly stronger corrosive properties.
After returning to original position, the Raikage immediately realized only Hagūgen Aoi's vicinity was safe—or rather, eliminating Hagūgen Aoi would resolve the crisis.
But whenever he charged forward, Aoi retreated. Everyone used lightning—who could be faster than whom?
If the Raikage chose distant escape, Aoi would pursue from behind. So who could be faster than whom?
Inadvertently, Hagūgen Aoi invented a new Shinobi World combat method called "non-contact warfare."
Also directly called torture tactics.
She truly respected elders, fearing opponent insurance fraud, therefore avoiding all contact.
Outdoor acid fog's corrosive effects were insufficient, so her torture lasted almost a full day and night... Inherited patience, inherited meticulous execution of established battle plans.
When the Second Raikage finally collapsed unwillingly, half his torso had been melted away.
Aoi reduced fog range while maintaining corpse coverage. After another hour, she approached.
But just then, the supposedly dead Raikage suddenly erupted, Lightning Release armor blazing again, finger-blade stabbing toward Hagūgen Aoi's throat.
But Aoi seemed to have anticipated this. Her right hand drew the sword, blocking the enemy's remaining arm. While steam swirled around her entire body, her left arm wrapped in the strongest Storm Release since battle began—far exceeding her previous Storm Release intensity... Yūshin's childhood treatments weren't wasted; her chakra strength differed from ordinary people.
Subsequently, her palm pierced the Raikage's lightning armor, chest cavity, and heart.
"When nearly unable to persist, you continuously exposed your right side while desperately protecting your left side—was this to let your heart beat longer?"
"Facts prove you succeeded."
"Facts also prove you were wrong earlier—I can break through your defense."
Facts further proved that even adopting frontal combat, she had high probability of directly defeating the aged, weakened Second Raikage.
But she wouldn't do this.
The reason was simple, because...
A scheming father breeds a ruthless daughter.
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