Chapitre 171: Chapter 171
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Kannabi Bridge is a vital bridge for Iwagakure's supply routes, the largest transportation bridge between the Land of Earth and the Land of Grass.
Danzo had previously scouted this weakness and reported it to the frontline camp.
At that time, Iwagakure's attacks were not as intense; they were merely supporting Kusagakure and Takigakure. Cutting off Kannabi Bridge then would have had little effect and only put Iwagakure on high alert, giving them time to repair the bridge.
Now, with Iwagakure committing more troops and efforts, it was the right time for Hiruzen Sarutobi to consider destroying it.
"With our forces stretched thin, Minato, I can't spare more people for you. Only your team is available. Fortunately, Kakashi has grown quickly; he even killed an Iwagakure jōnin recently."
Hiruzen said, "Let Kakashi and his team go with you. You're our best hope to accomplish this."
Minato's Flying Thunder God technique made him well-suited for such missions, providing him with excellent evasion capabilities. Combined with his formidable skills and Kakashi's potential, Hiruzen had high hopes for the mission's success.
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
Minato accepted without hesitation. He never turned down dangerous tasks, always focusing on how to complete them.
"Minato, you might encounter the Third Raikage during this mission. If you do, try to transport him to the location we discussed. Can you manage that?"
"I'll try."
Minato looked troubled. He had fought the Third Raikage before but found him nearly invulnerable.
Wind Release chakra or the Rasengan could only cause minor hindrance. To truly injure him, one had to target vital points like the eyes or temples.
However, the Third Raikage was as fast as Minato, making such attacks highly risky, potentially costing Minato his life for a minor injury.
"If I succeed, I'll notify you immediately, Third Hokage."
"Good. The Third Raikage poses a significant threat on the battlefield. We must eliminate him."
Hiruzen emphasized the importance of the mission. With their limited Earth Release users like himself and Jiraiya, and Wind Release users like Danzo and Minato, the Third Raikage's presence meant many Konoha ninjas would die unless countered.
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
With that, Minato left.
Two months of continuous war had given Konoha some advantages.
With Danzo's ruthless tactics, Takigakure had withdrawn from the conflict. Jiraiya had led the remaining Konoha ninjas back to Hiruzen, bringing their numbers to nearly two thousand.
However, intelligence reported that Iwagakure had sent over three thousand ninjas into the Land of Grass, and combined with Kusagakure's forces, the enemy numbered four thousand.
Such a large force, combined with the Third Raikage and Onoki, made Hiruzen feel quite troubled. One wrong move could lead to defeat.
In contrast, the Hidden Cloud battlefield had less pressure.
The Hidden Cloud avoided direct battles, using small, disruptive teams to distract Konoha ninjas.
Gathering their forces for a frontal assault would give Konoha an opportunity. Neither A nor Dodai would make such a foolish move.
Mitokado had been trying to get Yoichi to use his Godzilla form against the Hidden Cloud, but Yoichi refused. He cited the lack of information on the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki as his reason.
As for using Wood Release and his Mangekyō Sharingan, Yoichi simply ignored Mitokado. A battlefield commander had no authority over him.
Yoichi stuck to his usual tasks, not exceeding his responsibilities, despite his great power.
Since their last encounter, Tsunade had started avoiding Yoichi again. However, this time, Yoichi sought her out.
Tsunade had initially avoided him to calm down, but since she hadn't resisted during their last interaction, she had grown accustomed. Now, Yoichi would greet her, teasing her about foot massages until she nearly exploded before leaving.
Under the guidance of his strategy, Yoichi carefully balanced not making Tsunade truly angry while teasing her emotions.
Her affection never dropped. Even if it dipped slightly in embarrassment, it quickly rose back up once he left.
Tsunade often thought angrily about leaving for a long journey after the war, staying away from Konoha for at least ten years.
But every time Yoichi spoke to her, she couldn't handle him. Despite her nightly resolutions to remain silent, she inevitably ended up responding.
Once, Tsunade fell into Yoichi's trap again, enduring a ten-minute foot massage before realizing he was taking advantage of her under the guise of massage.
By the third time, she was so flustered that she grudgingly let him massage her feet, feeling both angry and embarrassed.
"Brat, I'll never forgive you!"
Tsunade quickly put on her sandals, speaking harshly but unconvincingly before rushing out. She felt a wet sensation beneath her and feared a repeat of the incident at Konoha's gates.
Yoichi was unafraid. If Tsunade hadn't retaliated the first time, she wouldn't now.
While Yoichi's side remained relaxed, A's camp was tense with war preparations.
A had sent dozens of urgent messages to his father in the Land of Earth, but none were answered, and the Third Raikage hadn't returned.
A suspected Iwagakure had intercepted the messages and broken their intelligence seals.
Although gaining some ground in the Land of Fire, the Hidden Cloud faced a stalemate. Expanding their gains was challenging, but retreating felt unsatisfactory.
To negotiate the return of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, they needed more leverage. The Hidden Cloud hadn't dealt a significant blow to Yoichi, so Konoha was unlikely to return the Jinchuriki.
Thus, the Hidden Cloud continued small-scale infiltrations to slowly expand their gains.
"Kakashi, you're now the team leader for the sabotage mission. I have another task to attend to."
Minato, recalling his clone's memory, spoke gravely to Kakashi, "Though you're not a jōnin yet, you have the qualifications. Once this mission is over, you'll be promoted."
"Obito, Rin, you must follow Kakashi's orders. This is no time for bickering."
Obito, solemn for once, replied, "Understood, Minato-sensei."
Kakashi no longer held grudges about ninja rules and was careful and skillful in completing tasks. Without using the Flying Thunder God technique, even Minato found Kakashi's White Fang style challenging.
Handing over the team to Kakashi, Minato felt assured.
Kakashi often clashed with Obito, who claimed Uchiha supremacy and pinned his hopes on unlocking the Sharingan, often citing Yoichi as an example, which Kakashi used to refute Obito.
Obito, often speechless, struggled with Kakashi's arguments, especially since Rin admired Kakashi, further frustrating him.
"This mission is critical. Normally, you wouldn't be assigned, but with Konoha's shortage of personnel and Kakashi's strength, it's up to you, Kakashi."
Minato created three shadow clones, transforming them into Kakashi's team members.
Kakashi understood Minato's plan to distract pursuers, giving the command to move towards the target.
After they left, Minato headed towards the enemy based on his clone's memory, which revealed they had encountered the Third Raikage.
After a fierce battle, Minato used countless short-distance teleportations to finally get behind the Third Raikage with a Flying Thunder God kunai.
Ignoring the risk of injuring his hand with Lightning Release chakra, Minato touched the Third Raikage.
Flying Thunder God Transfer! Both disappeared, reappearing in a valley within the Land of Fire.
Transporting the Third Raikage drained Minato significantly, but with a formidable enemy nearby, he quickly relocated to a hiding spot over two hundred meters away.
'Finally succeeded!'
Minato fired a signal flare, then took a military ration pill to quickly recover chakra for the upcoming battle.
The signal flare was specially made, visible for kilometers even in daylight, particularly near the Konoha camp.
"It's Minato, he did it!"
Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Danzo, and other strong Konoha ninjas recognized the signal. They knew the mission's signal meant it was time to surround and kill the Third Raikage.
A dozen ninjas immediately moved to support Minato, while another dozen jōnin gathered ninja teams skilled in hindering techniques or throwing weapons and explosive tags, forming a second line of defense.
Within minutes, Hiruzen, Danzo, and Jiraiya reached the valley, finding Minato in a dire situation.
"Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"
Jiraiya used his hair technique to save Minato, while Hiruzen and Danzo used Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere to push the Third Raikage off balance.
"His skin is tough. Even our Wind Release can't injure him."
Danzo said, surprised. Hiruzen summoned Enma, transforming him into the Adamantine Staff.
"Don't underestimate him. Even Sakumo's Wind Release barely scratches the Third Raikage."
Hiruzen said gravely. Specialists in one jutsu type were harder to deal with, especially someone like the Third Raikage.
"I see. You plan to ambush and surround me with space-time jutsu."
The Third Raikage, seeing Hiruzen and the others arriving quickly, guessed Konoha's plan. He knew he was likely in the Land of Fire and realized escape was improbable.
"Using such tricks, do you think you can defeat me?"
Resolved to die, the Third Raikage wouldn't make it easy for Konoha.
"Jiraiya-sensei, I need to rest and may need to assist Kakashi later. They're destroying Kannabi Bridge."
"Rest, we'll handle this."
Jiraiya said, charging at the Third Raikage. He wasn't skilled in Wind Release but excelled in Earth Release and hindering jutsu.
Minato took more military ration pills, retreating to recover. He had marked Kakashi with a Flying Thunder God kunai but needed enough chakra to use it. Despite the pills' side effects, he had no choice.
If they failed to destroy Kannabi Bridge, Iwagakure would become more vigilant, reducing their chances.
Soon, more Konoha jōnin arrived, following Jiraiya's commands, positioning themselves for support.
As more Konoha ninjas gathered, they nearly surrounded the valley. Hiruzen had chosen this spot for its steep slopes, limiting the Third Raikage's powerful ninjutsu.
The Third Raikage was doomed today.
(End of Chapter)
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