91 Chapter 91
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Cheers echoed through the heavens and earth, marking the conclusion of the first confrontation between Konoha and the Sand Shinobi with a slight victory for the Leaf Village.
However, Orochimaru, who was being cheered on by the Leaf shinobi, showed no signs of excitement in his eyes; instead, there was only a keen interest.
"Kyomu, how much surprise can you still bring to me?" Orochimaru couldn't help but smile. "Let me wait and see, Kyomu-kun."
Turning around and waving his hand, Orochimaru led the Leaf shinobi back to the camp for rest and recovery, treating the wounded, burying the dead, replenishing supplies, and resting, all of which required his full attention.
Meanwhile, Kyomu's team, led by him, had quietly reached the rear of the Sand Shinobi.
"Captain, what's the situation?" In a rocky cave, Kyomu asked Hizashi, who had just returned from outside.
"Within a twenty-kilometer radius, there are no traces of any Sand Shinobi."
As Hizashi's words fell, everyone, including Kyomu, breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, they could rest.
However, Kyomu furrowed his brow again, "Although there are no Sand Shinobi nearby, I believe they will soon divert their attention to surround us."
The Land of Rivers is vast, but not that vast, and with the ninja's scouting methods and speed, it wouldn't be difficult to organize a large encirclement in a short time.
"If I were that old woman, Chiyo, I wouldn't allow any further issues to arise in our rear before the next face-off," Kyomu continued.
Hizashi nodded in agreement, "That's for sure. How can we win the war if our rear is not secure?"
However, faced with encirclement, we only have two options, and if we try infiltration again, it's almost impossible."
Kyomu understood Hizashi's meaning.
The Sand Shinobi's greatest advantage is their numbers. They have enough manpower to form one encirclement after another to besiege Kyomu's group.
And as time goes on, this encirclement will only tighten, making it nearly impossible to return to the base quietly relying on the Byakugan's sensory advantage.
The second way is naturally to fight their way out and create a path back to the base.
With Kyomu's current strength, it is entirely possible, but he doesn't want to do that. The reason, of course, is to take care of the Leaf shinobi who follow him.
They are the foundation of his rise, and losing even one of them would make him heartbroken for a long time.
"I have a third option." Kyomu drew out his shadow, sketching a few lines on the rock wall. "Find the rear camp of the Hidden Sand Village and give them a big surprise.
They will definitely be concerned about attacking our camp and overlook your quiet transfer."
Hizashi's face changed drastically, "Kyomu, you mean..."
"I've said it from the beginning, no matter how many people I bring with me, they will return in the same condition they came in."
With a resounding statement, the atmosphere in the cave subtly changed once again.
The most changed were the teams of Leaf shinobi outside of Kyomu's direct command. While they weren't blindly devoted to Kyomu, they saw in him a trait worth following.
Favorability increased significantly.
And the 16 ninja belonging to Kyomu's team had an even stronger sense of belonging, almost to the point of being inseparable.
Strength, intelligence, consideration for teammates, always leading from the front, and a winning streak — who wouldn't fervently follow such a person?
That's exactly what Kyomu wants.
Although with some utilitarian motives, what he does is upright and flawless, leaving no room for criticism.
What's a strategy that conquers people's hearts?
This is it!
"Captain, since you've entrusted me with the command of the team, I naturally have to take responsibility for you all."
"But..."
"No 'buts,' execute the orders!" Kyomu's face turned stern, defying his nine-year-old body with a seriousness and determination beyond his age.
"Yes!" Hizashi subconsciously agreed, feeling no embarrassment but rather a sense of inevitability.
"Good, let me explain the specific arrangements."
With a smirk on his face, brimming with confidence, Kyomu continued to sketch and write on the rock wall using Yoei, assigning tasks to each team leader.
The feeling of commanding with authority is truly fantastic!
"Next, I'll trouble Captain and Rin to take charge and arrange the next surveillance and defense tasks."
Kyomu stopped sketching and turned to look at Hizashi and Rin.
He was intentionally cultivating Rin.
Sure enough, Rin stood up excitedly, "Captain Kyomu, rest assured, nothing will go wrong with me around!"
"I believe in you." Kyomu nodded. "Well then, tonight, I'll leave it to you two."
After speaking, Kyomu sheathed his blade and leaned against the rock wall with the others, closing his eyes to rest. Soon, he entered a state of deep sleep.
He needed to rest his mind to face tomorrow's ambush and infiltration tasks.
...
**The Headquarters of the Sand Ninja Corps.**
Chiyu and Ebizo gathered together, their eyes locking in a stare filled with thick murderous intent and resentment towards each other.
"Aragami Kyomu!" Chiyu gritted her teeth, "The next White Fang of the Leaf Village?! I refuse to acknowledge it, he must die! Sakumo died at the hands of his own, but his disciple must die by my hand, to avenge my son and daughter-in-law's tragic deaths!"
Chiyu was blinded by anger, but Ebizo remained clear-headed. "Sister, Kyomu must be killed, and we must do it ourselves. But they have already infiltrated the borders of the Land of Rivers and disappeared. I'm concerned he might cause trouble behind our lines. If he can use that forbidden technique once more, then he poses a great threat to us. So, we must handle this with caution and find Kyomu as soon as possible, along with the exact location of his team."
Chiyu nodded, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself. "I have made arrangements. I don't believe a perimeter of three thousand people can let him slip away!"
"Indeed, they can't, but he might manage to break through," Ebizo stood up, "Sister, you'll stay here at the headquarters. I'll go meet this Kyomu."
With that, Ebizo picked up a bundle of black scrolls from the table and swiftly left the tent.
Chiyu watched Ebizo's disappearing figure without any worry.
As veteran Kage-level shinobi, even though their powers had waned, dealing with a nine-year-old kid wouldn't require much effort. As for the 'forbidden technique' Kyomu used, Chiyu wasn't worried. Despite its power, forbidden techniques were named as such not only due to their difficulty in learning but also due to their dangerous nature.
"A child able to unleash such a formidable attack at such a young age. It would be strange if there wasn't a price to pay! Moreover, that technique, powerful as it may be, is a self-destructive move. Are you willing to sacrifice your comrades?" Chiyu chuckled coldly. "Kyomu, you're doomed this time!"
**The next morning.**
Not only was Kyomu alive and well, but he also seemed more spirited than before.
Glancing back at the hundred or so people following him closely, a sense of pride surged within him. These were all his future comrades.
"Let's play a little trick on the Sand Ninja who are trying to encircle us," Kyomu smirked, "They want to chase us? Then let's run. As we run, their vulnerabilities will become more and more apparent."
Kyomu spoke lightly, but Rin couldn't muster a smile.
When the Sand Ninja's encircling force revealed their vulnerabilities, it would be time for them to split up. Kyomu would lead his direct team to continue deep into enemy territory, while Duy would lead the rest to retreat to the headquarters.
Like Duy, the other team leaders and members were silent, silently acknowledging Kyomu's capabilities.
However, Kyomu wouldn't follow the same path as Sakumo. His kindness came with a price. If you wavered, Kyomu wouldn't hesitate to take your life. He never showed mercy to traitors.
Fortunately, there were no signs of treachery among the team he led.
Dodging and weaving in snake-like patterns, Kyomu and his team continued to lead the Sand Ninja's encirclement force on a wild goose chase. They even circled back in the evening, narrowly avoiding the tail of the Sand Ninja's encirclement force before circling back again.
Such evasive maneuvers made Ebizo, who was leading the pursuit, feel a headache coming on, feeling like his intelligence was being insulted.
Because Kyomu and his team weren't just engaging in hit-and-run tactics; they also wiped out two Sand Ninja squads, maximizing both their agility and destructive capabilities.
Moreover, after this operation, Kyomu's team members were jubilant and once again expressed their admiration for Kyomu's leadership skills.
Team cohesion rose again.
However, in the early hours of the next day, Kyomu ordered a split. Except for the sixteen people he led, the rest returned.
"Hurry up and go," Kyomu glared at the dozen or so members who stayed behind without permission, "You've been running circles with the Sand Ninja encirclement force all day, and now that they've shown vulnerabilities, don't delay me!"
"But we want to fight alongside Captain Kyomu!"
"I'm not leaving. I want to..."
Before the words were finished, Kyomu kicked one of them. A full-grown adult of 1.7 meters was sent tumbling by the 1.5-meter-tall Kyomu, a somewhat comical scene.
"I hate this the most. I told you to leave, leave. Say one more word, and you won't be following me anymore. I can't afford to babysit you!" Kyomu's face turned cold, "Get lost, don't hold me back. Anyone else who speaks, next time when it's time to die, you'll go first!"
"Captain Kyomu, this is what you said, I remember it." One of the team leaders, with red eyes, stubbornly retorted.
"Get out, get out, get out. I'm going to continue leading the Sand Ninja around in circles. Next time means next time."
Waving his hand, Kyomu drove away those who wanted to stay behind to drag him down and didn't linger any longer. He disappeared into the night with his team members in the opposite direction.
As Kyomu and his team continued to lead the Sand Ninja's encirclement force around in circles, Rin suddenly brightened.
"Captain Kyomu, there's a hidden supply line for the Sand Ninja ahead."
"What are we waiting for then? Let's go grab it!"
Leading the charge with Shadow Clone Jutsu, Kyomu rushed forward, slashing at anyone in his path without hesitation.
The battle ended quickly, but bad news followed.
The Sand Ninja's encirclement force had already figured out Kyomu and his team's evasive patterns and anticipated them, forming an iron bucket formation.
But Kyomu wasn't worried at all. Through the movement route of the Sand Ninja's encirclement force, he had already guessed where the Sand Ninja Corps' headquarters was.
"Follow me quickly, I'll show you something big!" Kyomu called out to his team members. "I can guarantee that the direction of ten o'clock is where the Sand Ninja headquarters is located."
Duy nodded, "Kyomu is right. Judging from the speed of their assembly and coordination, the faster and more orderly, and the larger in number, the closer to the Sand Ninja headquarters."
The others pondered for a moment, their eyes suddenly lighting up. How did they not think of that! And looking at Duy's expression changing, this Leaf Village's perennial Chunin had something indeed.
Kyomu gave Duy a thumbs up, "Uncle Duy, your experience is invaluable. Let's go together."
Duy scratched his head embarrassedly, "I only have this little experience left, and I've been a drag on everyone else..."
Kyomu shook his head, "Uncle Duy, when I threaten their headquarters later, they'll definitely reinforce it. So, I'm leaving the team members to you."
"I..." Duy shook his head repeatedly. "Actually, I've been perfecting a new move recently, which can be used in the front. There shouldn't be any problems if I go with you."
Kyomu instantly understood what Duy meant to express. He shook his head again, refusing, "Uncle Duy, this is an order."
Duy fell silent, following quietly behind Kyomu, his head bowed, lost in thought.
Kyomu was worried that Duy might do something foolish, so he added, "I can handle it myself. Don't forget, I have the move I used before. Following me will only make things difficult for me. And you can always trust me, trust your Captain."
As if a shot of adrenaline, those words dispelled the heavy feeling among the team members and replaced it with fanaticism and utmost trust.
If...
There were no ifs. Captain Kyomu would surely succeed!
"Captain, the Sand Ninja encirclement force ahead has spotted us. They're a large squad, estimated to engage in two minutes."
Rin diligently served as Kyomu's 'eyes', "They've notified their companions on the left and right and are rapidly approaching, expecting to converge in about three minutes. But the encirclement forces on the other two sides haven't been informed in time, causing a brief gap. It's estimated to last about a minute and a half."
Kyomu nodded, "It's time. Uncle Duy, take them and go first. You'll lead, Rin will assist you, and move quickly!"
With that, Kyomu drew Yoei and rushed forward at full speed, instantly creating a considerable distance between him and his team members.
"Let's go!" Duy made the right choice.
And as they began to retreat, the night sky behind them suddenly lit up, a strong wind carrying a wave of heat that warmed their backs.
Guy, Genma, and Ebisu clenched their fists, not turning back.
But in their hearts, they were determined.
Next time, they would never let Kyomu fight alone, they would accompany him to the end!
At the same time, Ebizo, who had been chasing Kyomu for a day and night, regained his vigor. The black scroll in his hand bore visible creases from his grip.
"Aragami Kyomu, you can't escape today!"
He shouted, charging forward, unfurling the scroll in his hand.
Puppet Secret Technique: Ten Blackguards!
In an instant, ten jet-black puppets emerged from the scroll, resembling pines, rushing towards Kyomu from multiple directions.
(End of chapter)
