Kapitel 143: Chapter 143 : In the Battelfield
Nightingale had secured Takeshi's promise and was eager to depart. Within Takeshi's lead box lay a fragment of Gelel's stone, containing the most potent remnant of Senjutsu Chakra from the original divine tree. It was a magical substance that could awaken the latent power within their blood, thus fortifying her Wood Release abilities.
Regarding Takeshi's Gelel Stone, there were still some remaining. However, Nightingale had already awakened her Wood Release. If they were to awaken Tsunade, the cost would likely be quite high. The outcome was uncertain, and Takeshi winced at the mere thought of it.
As for Takeshi himself, obtaining Wood Release was undoubtedly a steep price. Nonetheless, the significance of Wood Release techniques was substantial, especially in its capability to suppress and control tailed beasts. This was of utmost importance!
In truth, there were distinctions between Wood Release and other bloodline limits, as they were cultivated through each cell. By cultivating these cells and implanting them successfully, one could acquire it's inherent abilities.
Even Takeshi, using his innate abilities, could absorb these cultivated cells and constantly enhance his Wood Release.
However, power drawn from others' bloodline limits could never surpass one's innate capabilities. No matter how much Takeshi absorbed, he would only reach the level of Yamato at most.
Therefore, Takeshi had his own plans.
The Senjutsu Chakra would aid his cultivation and greatly facilitate his human experiments. Presently, he couldn't extract such pure energy on his own. Thus, he had to use it more frugally.
However, he couldn't bear to allow the wolf to catch the child. Wood Release held immense significance for the Senju clan. If Nightingale's Wood Release could achieve the level of Yamato and efficiently suppress tailed beast chakra, it would surely earn her substantial support from the Senju clan, further solidifying Takeshi's hold over her. After all, 'Dragon' possessed vast resources and connections.
Joining Konoha's chunin ranks, Takeshi's team didn't draw much attention. Their appearances were quite deceiving due to their age.
On the subsequent day, Nightingale's gaze toward Takeshi was a bit different.
Takeshi could sense a slight increase in her strength, one suffused with vitality.
"Congratulations, but don't forget our agreement."
Takeshi wouldn't immediately provide more Gelel Stones. Simultaneously, he needed to establish complete control over Nightingale and employ more reliable methods. Thus, it wasn't suitable to use them just yet.
Without saying more, Takeshi received a summons from Tsushima.
Within the strategy room, Koharu and Homura were both present. The two were seated, observing Commander Senju, Tsushima, and other high-ranking ninjas discussing battle strategies.
"Today, I will lead the assault on Sand Ninja once more, probing their strength and paralyzing them as usual. At night, the Anbu operatives will make a direct strike on their base," Commander Senju Fumio proclaimed.
"It seems feasible to me. Eliminating the nuisances of the Sand Shinobi swiftly and compelling them to retreat will enhance Konoha's security," someone quickly agreed.
"I'm on board." Tsushima and the two Anbu squads all wore masks, their aspirations high. They too sought to accomplish the mission promptly.
Voices chimed in with their opinions. Seeing unanimity, Homura, unexpectedly, voiced his dissent. "I believe this isn't the right course of action."
As everyone's gaze fixed on him, he spoke deliberately, "Sand Ninja aren't pushovers. We only have one shot at assassinating Chiyo. We must be thoroughly prepared and possess accurate intelligence. Let's undertake this in three days."
The room fell into a brief silence. Nonetheless, Tsushima's heart sank. The Sand Ninja ambush unit had two Jōnin, an excessive force for a mere supply unit. Sand Ninja might grow wary, and perhaps immediate action was necessary.
"Homura is correct, and I concur with her perspective," Koharu added, turning to his seat.
Tsushima hesitated briefly but didn't voice his thoughts. Perhaps, with time, the Sand Shinobi would relax their vigilance?
"Hmph, what an attention seeker!" Takeshi held disdain for such theatrics, but he dismissed it. Chiyo wasn't dead, and the outcome of the mission was somewhat inconsequential to him.
After all, he was merely a team captain, and as long as he played his role, it sufficed. Sand Ninjas had better not prove too feeble, giving him an opportunity to exploit. Takeshi remained confident in his own abilities.
The meeting concluded, the leaders departed with their thoughts. They then resumed the customary confrontations with Sand Shinobi.
"Lord Tsushima, I wish to participate in the battle as well," Takeshi suddenly stated.
"Oh?" Senju Fumio raised an eyebrow, somewhat taken aback. Wasn't it time for Anbu to recover?
"...Be cautious, young one." Recognizing Takeshi's strength, Tsushima agreed, a thick smile creasing his face.
With the captain's participation, Tiger and Falcon also enlisted, the former bubbling with enthusiasm.
"Should I... maybe not?" Nightingale felt a bit embarrassed.
Concern for her Wood Release's potential to be leaked and targeted refrained her from her own questioning.
"Fantastic, a chance to gain experience at last!"
Takeshi unsheathed the Kusanagi sword, his eyes aglow with a bloodthirsty fervour!
Under the blazing sun, amidst the surging heatwaves, Konoha and Sand Shinobi confronted each other, a chilling tension filling the air.
Konoha fielded a force of 500, led by Senju Fumio, an elite Jōnin, projecting strength and unity.
In contrast, the formation of Sand Shinobi appeared haphazard, their attire dishevelled, and many concealing their faces with scarves.
Seeming lacklustre, their numbers equaled Konoha's—around 500. However, when a quarter of their ranks summoned puppets, Konoha's ninja wore expressions of concern.
The puppet masters among them were practically half Jōnin in strength. They fought with peculiar tactics and the need to overcome their troublesome puppets before defeating them. This was indeed an advanced ninjutsu.
"Wind Country's riffraff, surrender now and you might escape death!"
Trash talk was customary at the commencement of such confrontations.
"The arrogant vermin of the Fire Country, your recklessness will bring you pain today!"
Sand's commander, a man with a bandaged face and dark eyes, was of similar strength to Fumio, according to Takeshi's observation.
"Attack!"
The ninjas charged forth, with the vanguard composed of passionate or anxious Jōnin, unaware that they were mere cannon fodder, expendable in war.
Chunin squads followed, many with chakra primed for ninjutsu.
The few Jōnin locked onto each other, hiding within the teams yet refraining from attacking outright. Instead, they burst into action, clashed in an instant, then disappeared once more under the cover of their comrades, engaged in an intricate dance of containment.
"Kenjutsu : Phantom Sword Technique!"
A subtle black light surged from Takeshi's Kusanagi sword, piercing the chest of a lesser Jōnin before him.
It was somewhat audacious for a Jōnin to participate in the "low-stakes game," but Takeshi was young and his tactics elusive. No one paid him any mind.
Takeshi continued to clash with the chunin. Their exchanges were intense, with neither gaining the upper hand. However, when Sand Ninja believed the skirmish to be evenly matched, he launched Wind Release: Wind Blade, aiming to cut Takeshi down. With a cold smile, lightning crackled in Takeshi's hand, and Chidori retaliated with a fierce strike!
"Ah!"
Startled by the crackling thunder, Sand Ninja managed to avoid Chidori, but witnessing Takeshi's unrelenting assault, he gritted his teeth and counterattacked.
"Slash!"
Chidori impaled Sand Ninja's abdomen, while Wind Blade created a gash on Takeshi's chest.
"Cough!"
Fear and anger flickered in Sand Ninja's eyes, but blood trickled from his mouth, and he fell lifeless.
Wind Blade barely grazed Takeshi, its effect negligible for his robust constitution. Chidori's overwhelming chakra carbonized the foe's internal organs, sealing his fate.
"What kind of ninjutsu was that? It's incredibly potent!" Several onlookers from both sides took note of Takeshi's move.
"Cough, cough!"
Takeshi pretended to be injured, feigning his condition and retreating under the cover of Konoha's ninja.
Sand Ninja's eyes narrowed, and he eventually ceased paying attention to him.
Ninja combat was more about strategy than brute force, where mutual restraint prevented fatalities. High-level jutsu were sparingly employed due to the dispersed nature of ninja warfare. Close-quarters combat dominated.
Nevertheless, the battle wasn't a fight to the death, as the Jōnin exercised caution. Sand Shinobi, akin to adhesive, lacked Konoha's resilience, keeping a vigilant stance. Konoha's aim was to assassinate Chiyo, not to battle to the death.
The battlefield filled with smoke, the aftermath of exploding tags, shuriken, and a multitude of poisoned weapons littering the sky.
Positions remained scattered, rarely invoking large-scale ninjutsu. Close combat prevailed.
Still, both sides refrained from utter annihilation. Jōnin exercised self-control, forgoing their full power. A solitary strike from a kage-level ninja could wipe out multitude of ninjas.
Takeshi used this chance to garner attention. He realized that defeating weaker opponents wouldn't significantly increase his strength. Even absorbing the chakra of chunin provided minimal growth.
For true growth, he had to confront opponents stronger than mere Chunin.
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