Chapter 99: Chapter 99
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"Sakumo-senpai, this really isn't an easy task."
Though his words carried a hint of complaint, Yoichi still got up to gather his ninja tools.
Hiruzen had initially planned to have the Anbu notify Yoichi, but Sakumo, having accepted this mission, took it upon himself to inform him directly at the Uchiha clan territory.
"Yoichi-kun's strength is trustworthy. However, I apologize for roping you into this mission, considering that the Third Raikage might directly engage in battle, which is why I hoped for Yoichi-kun to join."
Sakumo honestly expressed his intentions without any ulterior motives towards Yoichi, purely because of two reasons:
Yoichi is exceptionally strong, and with him, there's a chance to provoke the Third Raikage.
"It's fine. I was looking for a reason to leave the village for a bit anyway. Plus, with Sakumo-senpai part of the mission, I feel reassured."
Despite saying so, Yoichi prepared thoroughly, gathering medicines and various ninja tools.
He even wore his ninja battle uniform, something Yoichi initially hadn't planned to do, given his already formidable physical condition.
But considering the enemy was the Third Raikage, who had decades more experience with Raiton chakra mode and could battle the Eight-Tails for three days and nights, caution was warranted.
After making comprehensive preparations, Yoichi informed Kenji before departing, asking him to relay messages to the heads of various business operations, Mikoto, and his three students. He then left the clan territory with Sakumo.
Sakumo, in contrast, had little to prepare. After returning from missions and greeting Kakashi, his first action was to ready himself for the next mission.
Only after ensuring his readiness for any mission did Sakumo allow himself some relaxation.
Upon arriving at the gathering point, the ninjas arranged by Hiruzen had all assembled.
The Ino-Shika-Chō team, led by Orochimaru, was tasked with restraining and halting other Cloud ninjas.
The Hyūga, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans, along with a sensory ninja, formed a reconnaissance team, positioned at the front, center, left, and right, responsible for scouting in three directions and reporting back to the central ninjas.
Finally, the team included Sakumo, Yoichi, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Nakagawa Taki, and Yakama.
The three ninjas dispatched by Hiruzen were all highly skilled; his eldest son, although young, was already well-known within the village; Nakagawa Taki and Yakama were also elite jōnin of the village.
"Everyone should be clear about the mission. I've also organized our travel formation. If there are no objections, let's depart."
With that, the thirteen individuals immediately leaped into action to start their journey.
Even Yoichi, the youngest among them, was a jōnin experienced in over a hundred missions. The team boasted Konoha's White Fang, three of the Legendary Sannin, and this burgeoning talent, Konoha's Lightning Blade.
Although the mission was to restrain the Third Raikage, Yoichi harbored some desire to kill the opponent.
---
In a secluded forest, twelve Cloud ninjas were resting. After a while, three ninjas returned, and another three went out to keep watch.
Forests abundant within the Land of Fire offered many such hidden spots suitable for rest.
"Mabumu, has there been any intel from Killer B?"
A dark-skinned, muscular man asked a Cloud ninja beside him. He was the village's strongest ninja, the Third Raikage.
"We've been in the Land of Fire for nearly half a month, stealing their supplies twice. Has Konoha not reacted at all?"
The ninja named Mabumu shook his head, "There's no news from the Land of Earth yet. However, Konoha won't tolerate our actions for long. They're likely to have dispatched someone by now, possibly even searching for our trail."
"Raikage-sama, perhaps we should slow down. This is, after all, the Land of Fire."
Mabumu wouldn't be so concerned if they were in the Land of Fields, but here, in enemy territory, Konoha could easily mobilize a large force to encircle them.
"Don't worry. Trust in B's sensory abilities. If Konoha sends a large force, we'll leave immediately."
"Mabumu-senpai, please be assured. I'll use my sensory jutsu every ten minutes to stay vigilant."
The speaker was Kumogakure's B, the village's most potent sensor ninja, whose sensory range even surpassed Konoha's Byakugan.
Hearing B's assurance, Mabumu felt somewhat relieved but still inquired, "Raikage-sama, should we send the Amber Purifying Pot back first?"
"Let's wait another seven days to see if a third opportunity arises."
The Third Raikage said gravely, "If a third chance comes, we'll teach Konoha a lesson. If not, we'll return to the Land of Hot Water."
His temperament might be fiery, but he wasn't recklessly aggressive. The "opportunity" he mentioned included not only looting supplies but also ambushing Konoha ninjas.
Should a chance for retaliation arise, the Third Raikage wouldn't miss it. However, he wouldn't stay in the Land of Fire just for vengeance, as that wouldn't befit a Raikage.
After resting for a while, the Cloud ninjas gradually regained their chakra and stamina.
However, when B used his sensory jutsu again, he suddenly frowned deeply, then quickly alerted the Third Raikage, "Raikage-sama, ninjas are approaching. However, there are only three of them, one of whom is a sensor ninja, likely Konoha ninjas looking for us!"
Sensory jutsu can be mutually detected, so when B noticed the Konoha ninjas, they also detected him.
"Only three ninjas?"
"Don't rule out the possibility of more following. Raikage-sama, they are getting closer, and now there are not just three, but ten more ninjas have appeared!"
Within B's sensory range, ten additional ninjas suddenly materialized.
"Have the guards return."
After speaking, the Third Raikage further inquired of B, "Is that all? It seems they are unaware that I am leading the team, thinking instead that it's just a regular elite squad."
If they knew of his presence, they likely would have sent more ninjas. However, after looting the supplies, they killed all Konoha ninjas they encountered, making it difficult to gather useful intelligence.
"How's their chakra?"
After carefully sensing, B reported, "Two have substantial chakra, but not close to Raikage-sama's level. One has more chakra than Mabumu-senpai, but the remaining ten are similar."
"It doesn't seem to be the Third Hokage or the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. Prepare for battle; let's teach these Konoha fools a lesson!"
"Yes, Raikage-sama!"
Armed with this intelligence, the Third Raikage confirmed his suspicions that Konoha was unaware of his presence, mistakenly sending an elite ninja squad to eliminate them.
Unfortunately, the Third Hokage miscalculated!
"Move to the plains we passed earlier!"
The Third Raikage ordered a move, and all Cloud ninjas followed; most required open, flat terrain for combat. If the terrain was heavily obstructed, the Third Raikage's strength would be the first to be affected.
Upon reaching an open field, the Third Raikage looked to B, who again employed his sensory jutsu, then pointed ahead, "They're here."
Several ninjas appeared within the Third Raikage's sight. With both sides having sensory ninjas, any tactics like encirclement were futile.
"The white-haired ninja, and there's Orochimaru, that Uchiha bastard!"
Upon spotting Yoichi, the Third Raikage's anger instantly surged.
This Uchiha, who had stolen the secret technique for controlling Tailed Beasts from Kumogakure, destroyed Kumogakure's Ninja Technique Building, used genjutsu to hypnotize him, and nearly killed him!
Seeing him, the Third Raikage's fury became uncontrollable.
"Mabumu, watch out for that Uchiha bastard's genjutsu. Today, I'll slaughter him."
On the other side, upon spotting the Cloud ninja squad, Sakumo also noticed the Third Raikage's rage, turning to Yoichi,
"Yoichi-kun, it seems our plan might just work."
Before their departure, the plan, proposed by Yoichi and agreed upon by Orochimaru, Sakumo consulted the team, with Shikaku responsible for planning.
Killing the Third Raikage might be difficult, but they decided to eliminate the Cloud ninjas around him as a lesson.
The plan had two crucial objectives: effectively restrain the Third Raikage and swiftly eliminate the other Cloud ninjas.
The former was assigned to Yoichi and Sakumo , and the latter to Orochimaru, Ino-Shika-Chō, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Nakagawa Taki, and Yakama.
Restraining the Third Raikage was risky, so they aimed to quickly eliminate the other Cloud ninjas.
Otherwise, even Konoha's White Fang and Lightning Blade would be hard-pressed against the Third Raikage.
"Yoichi-kun, it's up to you."
"I understand."
Yoichi chewed on his soldier pill, preparing to restore his chakra, then swiftly charged at the Cloud ninjas.
Orochimaru followed closely, with other Konoha ninjas executing the prearranged plan, distinctly moving to either side.
"Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku!"
Gathering chakra and just before reaching the Cloud ninjas, Yoichi unleashed a sea of flames from his mouth.
Long-term absorption of natural energy altered Yoichi's chakra, combined with Godzilla's heat release, making his Fire Release surpass all Uchiha.
"The Fire Release is too wide, retreat!"
Without needing the Third Raikage's order, the other Cloud ninjas immediately knew to withdraw, forming a squad formation to retreat and avoid the Fire Release technique.
"Doton: Doryū Jōheki."
Orochimaru followed with a jutsu, but deliberately controlled it, creating continuous earth walls that divided the battlefield into two areas, with the most dangerous Third Raikage on the left.
"It's a success, Sakumo-senpai, Yoichi-kun."
Hearing Orochimaru's signal, Sakumo and Yoichi, without hesitation, wrapped themselves in lightning, dashing towards the Third Raikage's direction.
(End of Chapter)
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