Bab 157: Chapter 157: Is the Intel Fake? [Bonus Chapter]
Konoha Village, Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he read the intelligence report from the frontlines, feeling a throbbing at his temples.
That kid, Shūichi Hoshita, was just too capable!
He single-handedly held off the Fourth Kazekage and his thousand-strong ninja force, preventing any reinforcements from reaching the Sand Ninjas at Kikyo Mountain.
This was undoubtedly a very good thing.
However, the fact that he had taken the One-Tail and sealed it inside himself was a huge problem.
It wasn't just about the Sunagakure—there were still three other major ninja villages.
Shūichi would become the target of everyone!
But returning the beast…
If the Tailed Beast was extracted, Shūichi would be dead for sure!
Putting down the report, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the map, his gaze landing on Kikyo Mountain, which was circled in red.
This war must be won quickly!
Making up his mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Shinnosuke Sarutobi to send reinforcements to the Kikyo Mountain front once again.
...
Land of Earth, Iwagakure, Tsuchikage's Office.
It had taken a full three days for the Iwa Ninjas to confirm the intel and deliver it to Ōnoki.
Reading through the report, Ōnoki found it hard to believe: "That brat who defeated Rōshi—he's holding the Kazekage and his forces trapped in the village all by himself?"
Although Kitsuchi also found it unbelievable, the intel had been repeatedly verified under his orders, so he could only nod reluctantly. "That's exactly the case."
"We don't know the full details yet, but Konoha's Blue Flash, Shūichi Hoshita, is indeed outside the Sunagakure."
"Originally, after leading his army south, the Fourth Kazekage was supposed to crush Konoha's forces on the western front of the Land of Rivers, but he suddenly returned to the village instead."
"The most important detail… The One-Tail has disappeared from the battlefield and hasn't been seen since."
Ōnoki frowned, "The One-Tail has vanished… Is there a problem with the Jinchūriki?"
"Even if that were the case, there's no reason for the Kazekage to remain in the village instead of sending reinforcements to the frontlines. Konoha has already mobilized more troops."
"It seems like this is really because of that Shūichi… that kid…"
Ōnoki looked up at his son. "Do we have any more information about this kid?"
Kitsuchi shook his head. "Aside from a few previous encounters, we haven't had any direct confrontations with him. At that time, although he was already strong, he wasn't at this outrageous level."
"If we want more detailed intel, we'll have to gather it from the Sand or Mist Ninjas."
Ōnoki immediately commanded, "Then focus all efforts on obtaining information about that kid. If necessary, negotiate directly with the Hidden Sand and Hidden Mist to exchange intel."
Kitsuchi nodded solemnly and then asked, "Konoha has already begun reinforcing Kikyo Mountain. This is the perfect opportunity for us. Shouldn't we launch an attack?"
Ōnoki remained composed. "We need to secure intelligence on Shūichi as soon as possible."
"A person like that on the battlefield could change the course of the war."
"We must gather enough intel on him to plan a proper countermeasure."
Kitsuchi nodded. "I'll do everything I can to gather information on that guy."
...
Time passed, and before long, it was August.
Shūichi had almost settled outside the Sunagakure. He left his shadow clones to keep watch while he quietly trained and studied at the outpost.
Inside him, the bored Shukaku argued and bickered with Son Gokū, the Four-Tails, every day.
Shūichi paid them no mind, instead focusing on meditating and comprehending Shukaku's power.
He had already touched upon the power of Magnet Release.
In addition, he delved deeper into the study of the seals and symbols on Shukaku's body, gradually strengthening the sealing power of his Fire Nether Chains.
It was a pity that Monk Bunpuku had died after the Tailed Beast extraction. Otherwise, Shūichi could have studied his sealing techniques to add to his own arsenal.
"The soul…"
Shūichi furrowed his brow. "I'm still lacking in my research on the soul…"
"Where else can I find ninjutsu related to souls to study?"
"When I get back, I'll have to search thoroughly, maybe check the Scroll of Seals. Or perhaps I should study the Edo Tensei…"
"The technique that summons the souls of the dead from the Pure Land—it not only involves space-time, but also the soul."
With his current achievements, even Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't have the nerve to refuse him access to the Edo Tensei.
Besides, Shūichi had always maintained a good reputation, and his research was always transparent.
While Shūichi continued his training, back in the Sunagakure, Rasa convened yet another meeting.
Kikyo Mountain was in a dire situation.
Konoha's reinforcements were arriving in waves, and the Sand Ninjas were now surrounded by Konoha's forces.
In fact, this was just one of many high-level meetings held recently, all aimed at finding a solution to the massive problem outside their village.
Unfortunately, despite the heated debates, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had yet to come up with any good strategies.
"If only Pakura were still here…"
Someone suddenly sighed.
Immediately, another person retorted, "There's no point in bringing that up. Even Pakura wouldn't be able to handle that guy."
"And according to intel from the Mist Ninjas, it's very likely that Pakura was saved by Shūichi himself."
…
The well-ordered meeting quickly devolved into a chaotic marketplace.
Rasa frowned and glanced at the silent Chiyo.
Chiyo, sensing Rasa's gaze, lowered her head and then opened her eyes to speak, "The Kazekage has no choice but to compromise for the sake of the village. Since that's the case, why not collaborate with forces outside the village?"
The room instantly fell silent, and someone soon asked, "Does Lady Chiyo mean we should join forces with the Mist Ninjas to take down Shūichi Hoshita?"
"But even the Mist Ninjas would need the Third Mizukage himself to come, wouldn't they?"
"The Hidden Mist doesn't have a Jinchūriki controlling a Tailed Beast."
Someone else chimed in, "And with Shūichi's Body Flicker Technique, we have no way to deal with him."
Chiyo calmly replied, "Not the Hidden Mist. The Iwa Ninjas."
"We will trade Shūichi's intel with Iwa… They've waited long enough; the Iwa Ninjas should be growing restless."
"If Iwa deploys their forces, the pressure at Kikyo Mountain will greatly lessen."
"Also, Iwa's Four-Tails Jinchūriki is capable of controlling the Tailed Beast's power. While it's said he lost to Shūichi once, a Jinchūriki is still a major threat to Konoha."
"In that case, Shūichi will likely be drawn away to deal with Iwa's Jinchūriki."
Rasa scanned the room and asked, "Does anyone have a better idea?"
The room remained silent. Rasa immediately made the decision, "Then it's settled!"
"Iwa is our enemy, and so is Konoha, but Konoha is in a more desperate position."
"Moreover, sending Shūichi to fight Iwa will weaken them as well."
"The best scenario is for both sides to suffer heavy losses."
This reasoning eased the discomfort some of the Sunagakure high-ups were feeling, and they all nodded in agreement.
That same night.
In the Tsuchikage's office, Ōnoki frowned as he reviewed the intelligence on Shūichi Hoshita.
A powerful combination of Wind and Fire Release techniques, comparable to a Tailed Beast Bomb.
Flight capabilities.
A Shunshin no Jutsu inherited from the Yellow Flash of Konoha.
Powerful sealing techniques!
Strong genjutsu, even surpassing the Uchiha Clan's Three-Tomoe Sharingan, capable of controlling both a Tailed Beast and a Jinchūriki for a period of time.
Lava Release Kekkei Genkai.
Extremely fast jutsu execution.
Mastery of Wind, Lightning, Fire, Water, Earth Release, genjutsu, and medical ninjutsu.
This… this intel has to be fake, right?
Ōnoki looked up at his son, Kitsuchi, his eyes full of doubt: "You're telling me this kid is 12 years old?"
"Isn't this the combined power of the Third Hokage and Minato Namikaze?"
Kitsuchi sighed at his father's expression. "As unbelievable as it seems, it's true."
"The Sand Ninjas need us to send troops to relieve their pressure."
"And this guy… he actually took the One-Tail from the Sand Ninjas. They've revealed that their Jinchūriki had already mastered the Tailed Beast's full power."
"Dad, you know what that means. Even Rōshi couldn't manage that. It's the same as the perfect Jinchūriki from the Hidden Cloud."
"Dad, should we still deploy our forces?"
Ōnoki's expression grew serious. "That kid…"
"It seems the Hidden Sand wants us to deal with this troublesome opponent for them!"
"But… he's neither Hashirama Senju nor Madara Uchiha!"
Ōnoki's expression returned to normal. "Deploy the troops."
"But Rōshi will need a team with him."
"And make sure there's a ninja proficient in genjutsu!"
As one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, how could they be scared off by a single kid?
Besides, that kid is still stuck over at the Sunagakure!
The Sunagakure wants to use Iwagakure to lure Shūichi away, but Ōnoki knew the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, too well.
With Konoha already gaining the upper hand at Kikyo Mountain, there was no way they'd let their efforts go to waste.
And that was Iwagakure's chance!
Even if they had to draw Shūichi away, it would only happen after they had thoroughly defeated the Hidden Sand.
...
With Ōnoki's command, Iwagakure's war machine roared into action that night, orders rapidly passed down through the ranks.
The Iwa ninja, who had been prepared for this moment, moved with remarkable speed.
That very night, troops were dispatched from the village to rendezvous with the border forces.
All of this was seen by Shūichi's flying ninja beast, which was actually one of his shadow clones.
In August of Konoha Year 45, Iwa finally made their move!
Outside Sunagakure, Shūichi received the memories from his clone and let out a breath of relief.
Finally, they've come!
He couldn't remember the exact timing of Iwa's original offensive, but he knew that the Battle of Kannabi Bridge was the year Kakashi became a jōnin, and Uchiha Obito finally became a chūnin.
It had to be after September of Konoha Year 45 because Kakashi's birthday was in September.
But now, with his presence, everything had changed.
"Kakashi should be about to become a jōnin by now, right?" Shūichi mused.
His teacher, Minato Namikaze's team, was still involved in various missions, especially in intelligence exchanges with the smaller ninja villages.
This was another front in the ongoing war.
"Kannabi Bridge… heh!" Shūichi chuckled coldly.
Let them send their forces! I'll blow them to pieces!
He placed his hand on the ground, spreading a sealing formula. A toad appeared.
It wasn't Gamabunta, but a messenger toad.
After passing the intel to the toad, Shūichi created another shadow clone, transforming it into a hawk and sending it off toward the Land of Grass.
He then glanced at the shadowed Sunagakure, contemplating for a moment before creating yet another clone to head toward the village.
As he approached, a piercing alarm sounded from within Sunagakure, and numerous figures appeared on the rooftops, watching Shūichi warily.
At the same time, large crossbows were rolled out.
At that moment, Shūichi felt like a villain.
"Relax, I'm just a clone," he said with a light laugh as he hovered in the air.
A Suna jōnin frowned and asked, "Shūichi Hoshita, what do you want?"
Shūichi replied seriously, "I came to have tea with your Kazekage. What, I'm not welcome?"
"Should I leave?"
"Haven't you lifted the curse mark on Chiyo yet?"
"If that curse mark explodes, it will be quite a spectacle."
"Like fireworks—an explosion of pure art."
Hearing this, the Suna ninja gritted their teeth in frustration.
This bastard spoke of such a deadly matter with ease and amusement, as if it were nothing!
"Stand down!"
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, appeared.
Most of the Suna ninjas withdrew, though several jōnin remained behind.
Shūichi grinned, "Lord Kazekage, what I have to say is confidential. Isn't it inappropriate to discuss it here?"
"Besides, this is just a clone; I doubt I could harm you, Lord Kazekage."
Rasa's eyes narrowed, and he turned, "Follow me."
The remaining Suna jōnin were startled, but they had no choice but to follow as well.
Soon, Shūichi and Rasa arrived in the Kazekage's office.
Shūichi looked around before casually taking a seat.
Rasa, seated across from him, said, "Speak."
Shūichi nonchalantly began, "Iwa has deployed its forces. Do you think I'll be reassigned?"
Rasa remained expressionless.
Shūichi continued, "It seems, Lord Kazekage, that you don't fully understand the Third Hokage."
"While the glory of his past may have dimmed, he's still the Third Hokage. Konoha is on the verge of victory over Sunagakure—do you really think he'll let that slip away?"
"As for Iwa, I believe you've forgotten who my teacher is!"
Rasa responded flatly, "At the very least, Konoha's forces will be stretched thin due to Iwa's involvement."
"Moreover, with Iwa making a move, the Cloud Ninjas won't be far behind."
"You may have the One-Tail, but the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails aren't in your hands."
"And I've heard that the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki is a perfect Jinchūriki."
Shūichi nodded, "That's true."
"But that won't change Sunagakure's fate."
"Lord Kazekage, if Sunagakure loses this war, will the Daimyō of the Land of Wind be pleased?"
"Sunagakure's position will only grow more precarious. After all, you've lost the benefits of the Land of Rivers, and that's a serious blow to the Daimyō."
"In the past, Sunagakure was considered the second-strongest among the Five Great Ninja Villages. But after this war, starting with you, Lord Kazekage, it will be the weakest."
"With declining finances and resources, you won't be able to train more elite ninja. Sunagakure will only grow weaker, and the weaker it becomes, the less support it will receive."
"Do you really want Sunagakure to become the worst under your leadership?"
"The worst Kazekage in history?"
Rasa's eye twitched, and he suddenly asked, "Were you the one who killed the Third Kazekage?"
Shūichi nodded, "Yes."
"So, Lord Kazekage, you should thank me."
Rasa was surprised at how easily Shūichi admitted it.
Shūichi smiled, "The Third Kazekage and Sasori of the Red Sand teamed up to kill Sakumo-senpai. I killed them both to avenge him. It's only natural."
"Just as Sasori wanted to kill Sakumo-senpai and assassinate the Third Kazekage to avenge his parents."
Rasa was shocked. "Sasori of the Red Sand…"
Shūichi nodded, "Yes, it was Sasori who assassinated the Third Kazekage. But their strength wasn't enough, so I killed them."
Rasa stared at Shūichi, "Aren't you afraid that Sunagakure will continue to target Konoha for revenge over the Third Kazekage?"
Shūichi laughed and shook his head, "You're the Fourth, not the Third."
"The Third is dead, and the time for revenge has passed. Sending thousands to die for one person is foolish."
"Unless Sunagakure can kill me!"
"But looking at the current state of the ninja world, Sunagakure doesn't have many options."
"Right now is actually a great opportunity to invade the Land of Birds."
Shūichi persuaded, "Lord Kazekage, the Land of Rivers was the achievement of the Third Kazekage, but the Land of Birds could be yours."
He stood up to leave but then paused and turned back, speaking meaningfully, "The battle at Kikyo Mountain should be wrapping up soon."
"The decisions you make before and after that result will make a big difference."
"Also, I suspect the Cloud Ninjas will invade the Land of Earth. Opportunities like this are fleeting."
As Shūichi left, Rasa fell into deep thought.
He wasn't sure whether Shūichi's words were his own or came from the Third Hokage.
But even if it was just the former, Shūichi's strength was undeniable and influential within Konoha.
Most importantly, the benefits Shūichi had mentioned were compelling.
(End of Chapter)
T/N: If there are any mistakes in the upcoming 3-4 Chapters, Please do Tell and I will Fix it.
I'm not feeling well but I wanted to give you guys some extra chapters on the weekend.
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