Chapter 73: Chapter – 71 Knife at the Enemy’s throat!
The short resting period allowed the Team-11 to recover a little bit, and now what to do next became an urgent issue before them.
The four members of the Team-11 sat on the ground spreading a map to discuss their further course of action.
While pointing at the map Shisui was the first to speak: "Cloud Village has too many spies infiltrated within the Land of Hot Water, so us staying in this territory for too long is definitely not a wise choice. I suggest we choose to leave immediately using the Unison route."
The 'Unison route' referred to by Shisui goes along the easternmost coastline of Land of Hot Water back to the Land of Fire.
Judging from the map, this route seems to be the most unsafe; as it lies in the combined area of control of Konoha Village, Cloud Village, and Mist Village. But for this very reason, this 'Unison Route' can, in fact, be considered the safest, because no village has absolute control over it.
For this reason, Unison Route has become a unique zone with many wandering and retired ninjas hiding here.
Guy immediately nodded at Shisui's proposal, "Well, I think it will a good choice."
With the current combat power of Team-11, as long as they don't get too unlucky and directly encounter the main combat force of Cloud Village or any supposed Ninjas Village, they should be able to cross any territory without much difficulty.
However, the captain of Team-11, Kakashi hasn't spoken his opinion yet, he seems to be considering something.
Kuroto guessed that Kakashi has some other plans, so he asked, "Kakashi, if you have something in mind, just say it directly. After all, we are a team, who have already experienced life and death battles, I think you should be comfortable in expressing your thoughts by now."
What Kuroto said isn't wrong, even if Kakashi concealed the details of the previous mission and led Team-11 into such a dangerous situation that almost got them killed, but nobody could blame him.
The mission was personally issued by Hokage-Sama and as the member of Anbu Black Ops, they must complete his orders, Kakashi doesn't have any right to reject or question Hokage-Sama's orders, not to mention he took the most dangerous part of the task upon himself and almost got himself killed, therefore nobody blamed him.
Listening to Kuroto's words, Kakashi sighed.
Pointing at the current location of Team-11 on the map, he slowly said, "As Shisui said, we have already completed our mission and should retreat to the Land of Fire as quickly as possible. However, everyone, think about where are we currently?
From one perspective, we are stuck between the Cloud Raid troops at the front while the Cloud Village at the rear, but from another perspective, our position is too critical!"
Kuroto understood what Kakashi is trying to say, "Well, you are right about that, indeed our current position is extremely dangerous for us, but at the same time our stay in the Land of Hot Water is like a knife at the enemy's throat that can strike any time. I am afraid that the Cloud troops wouldn't be rest assured until they eliminate us."
Not only Team-11 destroyed the secret warehouse but also eliminated more than 300 ninjas, so no matter how conceited Cloud Village maybe, they wouldn't dare to ignore such an existence hidden behind the rear of Cloud Raid Forces.
As soon as the Cloud Village discovers that Team-11 is hidden within the territory of Land of Hot Water, their frontal offensive will obviously weaken and some of it might even be directed towards chase and hunt of Team-11.
Shisui also thought a little and said, "Yes, Cloud Ninjas don't know about our injuries, they may estimate us to be a little weakened to exhausted but we can utilize this ignorance to our advantage. As long as we hide well enough and occasionally choose to strike to scare them critically, they wouldn't be able to concentrate entirely on the Konoha Front."
'Well, indeed, Team-11 is not entirely in a battle-ready state.
Kakashi has still not recovered completely.
Although Guy is fit enough to jump around, his fighting power is still not restored entirely due to several fractures.
Shisui is in a better state than two of them but he is still not at his 100% combat effectiveness. Due to using Susanoo for too long he also suffered from Chakra Overdraft; so, he is also in a weakened state, so, at most he can play at around 50% to 60% of his full combat potential.
At least, my situation is better than the others, I have already recovered about 80% of my Chakra, and there are close to no injuries as they were already healed from the Chakar of giant Tenseigan as well as because of using 'The Secret Technique of Physical Regeneration' so my combat effectiveness is almost close to 100% as my Chakra recovered' – thought Kuroto.
After some more discussion, Team-11 reached a consensus and decided to extend their stay within Land of Hot Water to harass the raid troops of Cloud Village.
Kuroto agreed because he knows that Cloud Village has no intention to expand the conflict to full-scale war. Once the situation reaches a stalemate or disadvantageous, Cloud Village should propose peace talks.
And if Team-11 is the one that caused Cloud & Konoha to sit on the negotiation table, then it would be considered a great honor. Not to mention their authority in the Anbu will also skyrocket.
Take Namikaze Minato as an example, nothing could build reputation and authority faster than the Meritorious Services in War Period.
So, this course of action is natural the best suited in Kuroto's opinion.
Land of Fire, Cloud Raid Camp.
Through active communication with the village, several commanders of Cloud Village including Killer B, Cloud Head Ninja, and the young, Nibi's Jinchuriki Yugito Nii, finally learned why Raikage-Sama issued the absurd order of pausing the attack against Konoha forces.
Holding the piece of paper in his hand, even Killer B's always cheerful face was gloomy.
The news from Raikage-sama mentioned that the four secret warehouses of the Cloud Village spread around different parts of the Land of Lightning were all attacked by the Anbu Black Ops of Konoha Village within a short period of 2 days.
But that wasn't it, at the location of one of the warehouses, more than 300 Cloud ninjas were found dead, with no signs of the enemy around whether injured, dead, or alive.
This new surprised all the 3 sitting around.
The youngest Yugito Nii folded her hands around the chest and said coldly: "Huh… Konoha also knows some tricks!"
Cloud Head ninja was more worried: "Konoha was able to get intelligence about the location of the secret warehouses, this isn't too surprising, because of the transportation of goods, it is indeed difficult to cover up all the tracks, but they were able to wipe out more than 300 hundred of our men, this is not something to be taken lightly."
Although Yugito Nii is a proud Kunoichi, she also knows that it is not an easy task for just some random Anbu squad to kill more than 300 shinobi, so thinking a little she asked, "Among Konoha's high-level combat personnel who hasn't made an appearance on any battlefront yet?"
The Jonin secretary on the side immediately replied: "According to the information we have gathered, so far only the Patriarch of the Uchiha, and the Hyuga, as well as the Hokage-sama himself, hasn't made an appearance on any battlefront!"
Cloud Head Ninja also gave his analysis: "The main family of the Hyuga Clan rarely shows up on the battlefield and that too when the situation is too dire, this was the case even in the 3rd Shinobi War and going so deep into the enemy territory isn't something the Hyuga Clan could afford so they can be ruled out.
There was something weird with the Uchiha this time, there is no news of any Uchiha being on any battlefield, this wasn't the case in the 3rd Shinobi war, so in my opinion, the warehouse where our 300 men died should have been attacked by the Uchiha!"
At this time Yugito Nii suggested, "It has to be the Uchiha Clan and their Patriarch, and if not them then it can only be the Sandaime Hokage himself!"
Both Killer B and the Cloud Head ninja nodded at her conclusion, they also agree that no one else in Konoha has this kind of power…
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Chapter 74: Chapter – 72 Cloud’s Headache
As one of the great Shinobi Village, Cloud Village has enough intelligence network to know of the people that might be responsible for this attack.
In Yugito Nii's view, if there is someone who could lead a shinobi team and complete such a difficult secret raid behind the enemy lines, except for the now defected Snake Sannin and the deceased Yellow Flash, there is only 'Wicked Eye' Fugaku of the Uchiha Clan and Hokage-Sama himself, so naturally, those two became the target of her suspicion.
However, before they could proceed with further countermeasure a Cloud ninja hurriedly walked into the head camp and said, "I am extremely sorry for the intrusion but an emergency transmission has been sent from the village!"
Receiving the news, Killer B, Yugito Nii, and Head Shinobi were again surprised.
According to the latest piece of news, although 3 of the 4 secret warehouses did suffer some damage, the attacking Anbu were captured alive.
After the torture, Cloud was able to extract information out of them.
And the name of Konoha Anbu Team-11 has appeared in the vision of Cloud senior officials.
However, this information is even more shocking than previously, "A four-person Anbu squad wiped away not only entire warehouse but also more than 300 hundred of our ninjas?" Yugito Nii muttered in surprise, and after a short pause she continued, "Could it be that Raikage-sama made some mistake?"
B and Head ninja were equally surprised by this information.
Even in the Cloud Village's side only Yugito Nii and Killer B have such ability because of being the Human Column Pillar of the Tailed Beast.
Being able to flatten a whole valley is not a joke, the chakra requirement to achieve something of this level is not possessed by just some 'Anbu ninjas.'
In other words, ordinary ninjas cannot do something of this degree in just one night.
So, if Team-11 could cause such damage to Cloud Village side, then there was only one thought in the minds of the senior Cloud officials.
"Konoha Anbu Team-11 must be eliminated at all cost!"
This idea took root in the hearts of everyone.
The three present here glanced at each other, and finally, Yugito Nii stood up and said, "I'll kill them!"
…
Land of Hot Water.
"Enemy Attack!"
"Be careful everyone, he is behind…"
"Hurry up and send a signal for help!"
In the chaotic atmosphere, Kuroto holding his Kusanagi Sword rushed amidst the Cloud Transport Unit.
The leader of the team, a Cloud Chunin, immediately raised his Kunai to block the enemy's incoming sword strike.
"Heh… Idiot!" Upon seeing this action Kuroto raised the corner of his mouth.
He couldn't remember how many ninjas have already tried to block his strike with an ordinary Kunai and without exception all of them…
Ding…
With a crisp metal collision sound, the chunin leader together with the Kunai in his hand was cut in half by the Kusanagi sword!
Without the lead of Chunin leader, the remaining Genin hardly pose a resistance and were one-by-one killed by him.
The last left Genin who knew he wasn't going to survive, resolutely activated the detonation symbol hidden in the transporter, making it all explode, as a result destroying it entirely.
Kuroto, who has already seen this scene happen more than a few times even during the third shinobi war wasn't surprised by the genin's actions and easily avoided the resulting explosion.
His purpose is obviously not the materials, so why take such unnecessary risks!
After taking a quick round around the battlefield and checking that all of the enemy ninjas were dead for sure, he picked up all the kunai cut in half and put it in a storage scroll.
If the Cloud ninjas, that will come to check here found out the broken Kunai remaining on the battlefield, the Cloud Village will come to know that one of the Shinobi on the enemy side is using a high-grade sword based on the smooth cut.
Once this information is known, they will naturally take countermeasures, and how can Kuroto allow himself to let go of such an advantage?
After finally confirming that there were no more traces left, Kuroto didn't stay here any longer and immediately left the site.
Not long after Kuroto left, Cloud Village's Nibi Jinchuriki led a group of Cloud ninjas and rushed here because of the help signal.
Seeing an already messy site, bloody corpses and the blown-up transporter, the faces of Cloud ninjas were ridden with anger, Yugito Nii herself couldn't hold back any longer as her pupils turned into Tailed Beast's.
At this time a Cloud Jonin came over.
Shaking his head, he reported, "No survivors!"
Although Yugito Nii was burning with anger she suppressed herself and asked, "Any signs that indicate their identity?"
Jonin again shook his head, "I am afraid no, all we know is that the enemy uses a sword damped with some kind of unknown poison; based on the method of killing, as for which sword and which poison, what is the proficiency, identity, and retreat, there are no signs!"
Gritting her teeth in frustration, she snarled viciously, "Send four-man squads in all possible routes, and find any trace, the enemy must not have gone too far!"
"Yes!"
…...Whoosh…...Whoosh…...Whoosh...
Following her order, the cloud ninjas one-after-another disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
While running along, Kuroto perceived a shinobi squad coming in his direction, he smiled slightly and immediately used the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
The main body and the clone nodded at each other and separated into two different directions.
After using the Shadow Clone to escape the chase of the enemy squad, Kuroto came to a crevice on a high cliff, which was not only well hidden but also provided him with a good field of vision. With Kuroto's insight and perception of the Tenseigan, this was the best hiding place.
While Chewing a Military Ration Pill, Kuroto re-applied the Poison on his sword and thought about his next move.
In the past week alone, Kuroto successfully attacked and destroyed three transportation units. Although no materials were obtained, neither was it too big damage for the Cloud Village compared to those more than 300 men that died, but it did bring their attention in this area.
The small movements made by the Team-11 have become a headache for the Cloud Village.
The frontline is unstable because of Jiraiya's presence, while the rear is unable to solve Team-11, as such all the momentum of Cloud Village has dropped.
Such abnormal behavior immediately attracted not only Konoha's but also other village's attention, that are watching this conflict very closely.
And everyone unanimously cast their sights on the Land of Hot Water, which is locked between the Land of Lightning and Land of Fire, as if the activities going on here will be the key to determining the direction of the conflict.
Team-11 has now become the number 1 target of the Cloud village, as a result of which more and more combat force is deployed for the siege of Team-11.
It all started with just a single Jonin squad.
And now not only the Jinchuriki was called from the front lines but even 20 Jonin squads are searching for the traces of Team-11 in the Land of Hot Water.
This level of deployment is obviously done against Kage-Class combat powers.
Suddenly Kuroto was brought of his thoughts.
Just now he sensed that his Shadow Clone disappeared, of course, this wasn't the issue.
The purpose of the Shadow Clone was to act as a decoy in his stead, but what surprised Kuroto was that it disappeared abruptly, and there was no sign of the identity of the enemy in the memory returned.
This only means that whoever was responsible, insta-killed his Shadow Clone.
Now, this is interesting.
Although, Kuroto isn't 100% proficient in the Shadow Clone Jutsu yet, and he needs to improve it, he still has some degree of confidence, not to mention the clone also had about 50% of his combat power and dojutsu insight.
And still, he couldn't find the trace of who was responsible!
This is surprising!
Leaning against the mountain wall, Kuroto looked in the direction where the Shadow Clone disappeared and smiled leisurely: "Who could be such a strong guy?"
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