บท 165: Chapter 165
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For $5][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[Thank You For Your Support!]
====
"Rōshi and Han are dead?"
A was taken aback by the news, smashing the conference table in front of him in shock. He quickly asked, "What about my brother Bee?"
"I don't know. He might be in trouble too."
Before Kitsuchi could finish, a Kumogakure ninja ran in to report, "Lord A, we found Lord Bee. He's severely injured and unconscious, and the medical team is treating him with all their might."
"Is Killer Bee found? What about Rōshi and Han?"
Kitsuchi asked immediately upon hearing this. He had seen the Yonbi and Gobi being cut in half and then lost track of Rōshi and Han's chakra signatures as Orochimaru approached.
Given that Killer Bee wasn't dead, could Rōshi and Han still be alive?
The Kumogakure ninja shook his head, "Not sure. So far, we have only found Lord Bee and your two jōnin."
"Search immediately! Double the ninja squads and search the battlefield and its surrounding ten kilometers!"
A ordered. Dodai tried to comfort him, "Don't worry, they might be found soon. Once Bee wakes up, we can ask him."
Kitsuchi nodded, but his face remained grim. He had a bad feeling about this.
Kumogakure began to tally the casualties and exchange information. They also suffered significant losses, with 573 dead, over 300 of whom were killed by that sudden purple beam.
A and Dodai also learned from Kitsuchi that the purple beam was caused by Konoha's Lightning Fang, which made them hate Yoichi even more.
Kitsuchi also shared information about the beast that Yoichi transformed into. It was like a bijuu sealed within him, but unlike any of the nine known bijuu. They concluded that Yoichi must have found and sealed an unknown monster within himself, gaining its power.
They also learned that the technique that broke the Third Raikage's arm was a power from that monster.
In addition, Kumogakure had nearly a hundred ninjas severely and lightly injured. Although they lost many, they fared better than Konoha.
Iwagakure's ninjas had minimal losses. Their elites were focused on continuous jutsu attacks, recovering chakra with food pills before resuming their attacks. After Konoha's frontlines were breached, Kumogakure handled the assaults.
Before coming to report, Kitsuchi had inquired and found that only their chakra was overly depleted, requiring a couple of days of rest.
In contrast, Konoha's casualties were far worse. Kumogakure had collected over 600 Konoha ninja corpses, and they had taken a camp. Even Sakumo was severely injured by A and several Kumogakure jōnin.
A was now uncertain whether to continue the attack. There was a chance to wipe out the remaining Konoha ninjas, but Kitsuchi had told him that the Lightning Fang wasn't injured.
This news was like a sudden chasm before him, making A hesitant to attack.
If the Lightning Fang was uninjured and still had chakra, attacking now would mean facing that terrifying monster Kitsuchi described.
"Wait a bit longer. Let's wait for Bee to wake up. We need more information."
A decided, "In the meantime, Dodai, have our men retaliate."
"Understood."
Dodai acknowledged and went to make the arrangements.
Back in Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen received a message from Orochimaru, almost simultaneously with another returning ninja.
Sarutobi called in Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado to listen to Orochimaru's report. Hearing about Konoha's defeat, he nearly blacked out.
But the good news prevented him from fully collapsing!
Out of over 1,200 ninjas, only 300 were still able to fight, with even Sakumo severely injured while covering the retreat. This loss was unprecedented in Konoha's history.
The worst part was that they had no prior information about Iwagakure's elite forces moving to the Land of Hot Water. A little forewarning could have mitigated the damage.
However, there was some good news. Orochimaru reported that Iwagakure's Yonbi and Gobi jinchuriki were dead, and the Hachibi jinchuriki was likely severely injured.
In the upcoming battles, Iwagakure was down two significant forces, as jinchuriki were more menacing on the battlefield than any village's kage.
After hearing the detailed battle report, Sarutobi felt regretful. If he hadn't pulled 200 ninjas from the Land of Hot Water, the situation might have been slightly better.
At least, there would have been fewer casualties, and Orochimaru might have been able to hold the second camp, reducing the need for further retreat.
"What now, Hiruzen?"
Homura asked, "We don't have many ninjas left in the village, but Orochimaru's side needs at least another ninja unit to stabilize the situation."
"The Third Raikage hasn't appeared. I suspect he's in the Land of Grass."
Sarutobi grimly puffed on his pipe. If Iwagakure could help Kumogakure, why couldn't Kumogakure help Iwagakure? If the Third Raikage were still in the Land of Hot Water, he would have shown up in such a major conflict.
"Homura, take a ninja unit to support Orochimaru. I might have to prepare for the Land of Grass battlefield."
Homura agreed, "That makes sense. But Hiruzen, there's no need for you to go. Let Danzo assist Namikaze Minato instead."
Koharu added, "Orochimaru reported that Yoichi killed the Yonbi and Gobi jinchuriki using Mokuton. What do you think, Hiruzen?"
"Orochimaru didn't tell me the whole truth back then!"
Sarutobi looked sullen. He was disappointed in his disciple.
Orochimaru had said he developed Mokuton with someone else's help, implying it wasn't solely his work. But Sarutobi hadn't grasped the full meaning back then.
Now, knowing this information, Sarutobi recalled Orochimaru's cryptic words.
He should have realized that the police force, which helped Orochimaru with death row inmates, was also involved in researching Mokuton with him. Orochimaru's easy agreement not to create many Mokuton users had made him careless.
Sarutobi now hoped to repel the invaders but didn't want Yoichi, strengthened by Mokuton, to be the one to do it.
The two powers that once quelled the chaotic times were now in one person's hands. He had to find a way.
"We'll discuss this after the war. Homura, Koharu, both battlefronts are precarious. As discussed, Homura, take a ninja unit to support Orochimaru and gather intelligence on Yoichi."
Sarutobi ordered, "I'll prepare to head to the Land of Grass. If the Third Raikage is alone, Danzo can handle it. But if Ōnoki appears, the Land of Grass battlefield will be in trouble."
Ōnoki's experience and battle spirit made him formidable. If he appeared, even Namikaze Minato and Jiraiya would struggle against him, according to Sarutobi's judgment.
The alliance of two powerful military villages had put Konoha in a tough spot. Sarutobi, the Hokage, was preparing to enter the battlefield himself.
"Understood. We'll proceed as you instructed, but we can't send more medical ninjas."
Koharu was angry about this. The previous strongest medical ninja had left due to hemophobia. Fortunately, Uzumaki Mina, with her special constitution and chakra, was seen as a potential medical prodigy.
But she became pregnant just before the war and was the wife of the Uchiha clan leader, carrying the next clan heir.
Now, the village's top medical ninja couldn't go to the battlefield, straining medical resources.
"Send a few more. Have the villagers manage."
Sarutobi instructed. Sending more would mean villagers would have to wait longer for treatment, leaving only one or two medical ninjas in the village, essentially halting the Konoha Hospital.
But they had no choice; the frontline took precedence. If it collapsed, Konoha could be invaded.
"I understand."
Koharu nodded. She would arrange it shortly.
After their discussion, they quickly formulated a reinforcement plan. Sarutobi also summoned the clan heads. With the Uchiha absent, the remaining sub-leaders attended the meeting.
"Tsunade, why are you here?"
Orochimaru, making summoning scrolls, was interrupted and frowned upon seeing the visitor.
Despite her cloak, Tsunade's trembling body was evident. The Konoha camp was full of wounded, with bloodied ninjas everywhere.
Tsunade, suffering from hemophobia, needed constant care here.
"I... I can help too."
Tsunade stuttered, her face pale, almost fainting from seeing the blood earlier. Fortunately, Shizune supported her.
The guiding ninja, unaware of Tsunade's condition, was happy to lead her to Orochimaru, thinking she came to help.
"Don't push yourself. I know your Katsuyu technique, but this camp isn't safe. You need time to recover. I'll have someone escort you out."
After considering, Orochimaru realized he couldn't ensure Tsunade's safety, especially with potential Kumogakure attacks.
If Kumogakure attacked and Tsunade hadn't started treatment, she'd be a burden.
"Take this. After the treatment, I'll leave."
Tsunade closed her eyes, avoiding the sight of blood, and continued, "Take me to that Uchiha kid. Once I recover, I'll use Katsuyu to heal the wounded."
"Let the current medical ninjas conserve their strength. I'll provide chakra for their medical jutsu."
"The Uchiha kid? You mean Yoichi? It's not surprising you know him, but Tsunade, consider the situation."
Orochimaru reminded, thinking Tsunade wanted to confront Yoichi about Mokuton. He didn't want them to argue in the frontline camp.
He summoned a ninja to guide Tsunade and Shizune to Yoichi and continued making the summoning scroll. This scroll could grant a genin squad a powerful summoning beast, costing Orochimaru much blood.
"How strange..."
Tsunade thought, not understanding Orochimaru's words.
Guided to Yoichi, Tsunade closed her eyes, letting Shizune lead her.
She barely managed to stop trembling. Seeing more blood would render her immobile.
"Lady Tsunade, this is Lord Yoichi's tent."
Before the ninja could finish, the tent opened.
Yoichi stepped out, telling the Konoha ninja, "I'll handle this. You may go."
"Yes, Lord Yoichi."
The ninja, admiring the battlefield hero, left eagerly.
"Come in. There are many injured Konoha ninjas nearby."
Yoichi said, taking Tsunade's hand and leading her inside.
"Hey, you brat..."
Even bold Tsunade knew holding hands implied a special relationship, but before she could object, Yoichi said, "You're closing your eyes and trembling a bit because of hemophobia, right?"
"...Not really."
"Warmth dispels fear. I'll help you. But weren't you supposed to be in the Land of Tea? Why are you here?"
Distracted by Yoichi, Tsunade momentarily forgot they were holding hands.
Recalling being tricked by a kid and realizing her own concern, Tsunade opened her eyes, staring at Yoichi, "Kid, don't underestimate my ninja resolve. How could I ignore a war? Besides, your trick was too clumsy. Learn to lie better next time."
"So I got caught... But you should understand I meant well. This battlefield is too dangerous. We just suffered a defeat, and Kumogakure might attack any moment."
"That's why I'm here. Even with hemophobia, I can still help. Don't underestimate me, you presumptuous brat."
Shizune, ignoring their bickering, was curious about how long they'd hold hands.
(End of Chapter)
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง