Chapter 71

"Master Raikage, according to the latest battle report from the Ministry of Intelligence. A has successfully defeated Konoha's frontline commander, Shimura Danzo, and our army's morale has skyrocketed," reported an assistant to the Third Raikage in another stronghold of the Cloud Shinobi Ninja Army, which was in confrontation with the Sand Shinobi and Konoha.

However, Dodai, an important assistant to the Third Raikage, had different news to share. "On the contrary, after Konoha's battle on this front, our army's morale has been greatly diminished," he revealed.

Upon hearing this, many stout Cloud Shinobi soldiers in the barracks became alert. One of the Jōnin captains immediately suggested to the Third Raikage, "Master Raikage, there's no need to continue engaging with the impoverished Sand Shinobi. We should retreat and regroup with A, Killer B, and the others, then launch a full-scale assault on the Land of Fire."

Originally, their attack on the Sand Shinobi served as a diversion. With their objective achieved, there was no reason to remain in their current location.

The Third Raikage, however, disagreed with this proposal. Dodai, a member of the Cloud Shinobi Village's military division, shook his head and explained to the puzzled Cloud Shinobi, "We are currently assisting A and the others in containing Konoha. If we retreat to meet them, Konoha's Yellow Flash and Tsunade the best medic will also regroup, and Konoha's Black Fang will be at their side."

"Now that the Yellow Flash has no chance of defeating Lord Raikage, we've already gained an advantage. We may even break through Konoha's defence line from the west. Changing our strategy now might not only jeopardize our chances of ultimate victory but also risk losing the advantages we've already gained."

Dodai's explanation found agreement with most of the Cloud Shinobi in the camp, although a few still believed they should withdraw to join A and Killer B. All eyes turned to the Third Raikage, as the final decision rested with him.

After contemplating for a moment, the Third Raikage issued his decision, "As Dodai has stated, our mission here is to breach Konoha's defence line."

He continued, "The fact that the Yellow Flash can keep pace with Raikage-sama's speed is surprising, but his offensive capabilities are sorely lacking."

Dodai chimed in, smiling, "If you manage to defeat him. You will undoubtedly bring Konoha's entire army to its knees."

The Third Raikage exuded confidence as he added, "His technique is a variation of the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God. I have read about it in my youth. At the moment, Minato can't breach my defences but next time we clash, I will pierce his heart with a Hell Thrust. It is just a matter of time."

Meanwhile, at the Konoha camp, Minato continued his attempts to infuse Nature Transformation into Rasengan, aiming to increase its power to breach the Third Raikage's lightning-style armour. However, his efforts had met repeated failure.

"Master Tsunade, Minato-sensei's attacks can't penetrate the Third Raikage's lightning-style armour," reported Kakashi, who observed from a distance. Tsunade, who was secretly gambling, looked over and remarked, "It seems futile; I'll personally join the battle next time."

The faces of those around Kakashi, Obito and Kurenai wondered if Tsunade's statement was genuine or a bluff.

...

...

The battlefield on the northern frontier of the Land of Fire featured the clash between the Konoha and Cloud Shinobi armies.

The confrontation was underway once more, differing from the previous encounter when both sides had tried his tactics to probe. This time, both sides had deployed nearly 3,000 combatants. It was evident that Cloud Shinobi intended to capitalize on this opportunity to cripple Danzo's forces and boost their morale, paving the way to advance into the territory of the Land of Fire.

Achieving this strategic goal would provide them with abundant resources to plunder.

At the forefront of Konoha's army, Sakumo, who had taken over as the commander-in-chief from Danzo, surveyed the Konoha Shinobi behind him, many of whom bore expressions that practically screamed "fear of death." Concern creased on their faces.

"The morale on our side is alarmingly low," noted Hiashi, his tone far from optimistic.

His brother, Hizashi, had managed to reclaim his life, but many of their fellow clan members had not been as fortunate, having lost dozens of lives.

"We must win this time. The battlefield is too close to the border of the Land of Fire for the comfort of Damiyo, Sakumo-san," Shikaku added with a furrowed brow.

"I understand," Sakumo nodded gravely.

"Let's put a stop to the chit-chat."

Tatsuya's voice interrupted the pessimistic chatter. Seated on the back of a large husky chair, he raised his head and directed Sakumo's attention to A and Killer B positioned in the Cloud Shinobi army's C formation. Tatsuya inquired, "The AB combination—whom do you want to take on?"

Sakumo responded with an unusual touch of humour, "Well, naturally, the elder brother should face the elder brother, and the younger brother should deal with the younger brother."

"Yeah, that elder brother was so foolish that he got himself 'delivered' to death before," Tatsuya chuckled and taunted, causing Hatake Sakumo's face to darken with annoyance.

Shikaku, Hiashi, and the others chose not to interfere. The White Fang incident was a taboo topic. Only ignorant people dare to condemn a Kage-level shinobi after all.

While Tatsuya and the Sakumo engaged in their strategy to counter the AB combination. The Cloud Shinobi were also sizing up their adversaries.

"Black Fang, White Fang? During the Second Ninja World War, many considered them the most formidable duo in the Ninja World," A remarked, his tone being icy. "But that was merely due to the last war; we Cloud Shinobi weren't part of it, were we?"

"Big brother's got a point, ain't that right? Gyuki!" chimed in Killer B, delivering an off-key rap performance, complete with his signature peculiar gestures, as he addressed Eight-Tails within the sealed space. "But be careful, ya fool; don't forget you nearly..."

Before Eight-Tails could finish speaking, two white shadows burst forth like spectral apparitions from the front of Konoha's army, about half a mile away.

When they closed in on the Cloud Shinobi army, reaching a distance of approximately 100 meters, both A and Killer B instinctively raised their right arms, wielding their katanas to defend themselves.

Simultaneously, Tatsuya and Sakumo unsheathed their swords and descended from above. The sheer force of their descent caused the ground beneath the AB group to collapse. The intense pressure from their strikes manifested as a multitude of shockwaves, gouging the earth's surface one after another.

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