Chương 85: Golden Horn and Silver Horn Operation 4
At the designated ambush site, Sarutobi Hiruzen lay in wait, alert and focused. According to their strategy, he, Danzo, and Masaki would face the Golden Horn and Silver Horn together. His mind was linked to a member of the Yamanaka Clan, enabling instant communication. Any intelligence gathered would be relayed to him immediately.
"Sarutobi-Taichō, the Golden Horn and Silver Horn are in pursuit of Fumori-Taichō," the Yamanaka informed him, having received the update from a nearby Hyūga ninja.
"I sense it as well," Hiruzen responded in the mental link.
Though not a sensory-type ninja, Hiruzen could still detect the immense chakra of the Nine-Tails. Even though the Golden Horn and Silver Horn had only absorbed a portion of the beast's chakra, Hiruzen, who had witnessed the Nine-Tails' true power, could imagine their strength. Unlike the First Hokage, who could suppress a tailed beast with his Wood Release, or Madara Uchiha with his Mangekyō Sharingan, neither he, Masaki, nor Danzo possessed such formidable techniques. Hiruzen questioned whether they could overcome such powerful opponents.
Yet now was not the time for doubt. Feeling the approaching chakra, he steeled himself and began to gather his own chakra in preparation.
"There are subordinates trailing behind the Golden Horn and Silver Horn. We need to separate them," Hiruzen instructed the Yamanaka.
"Understood. The Golden Horn and Silver Horn are moving fast, so their followers have already fallen behind. Once I give the signal, I'll need you to execute the jutsu, Taichō," the Yamanaka replied.
Hiruzen gave a slight nod and waited patiently. The moment the signal came through, his hands flew into action, forming seals rapidly as he called out, "Doton: Doryūheki! (Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!)"
Just as the Golden Horn and Silver Horn pursued Fumori Masaki's team into the ambush zone, and before the Kumo ninjas could catch up, a massive earthen wall erupted between them. The ground trembled as the wall rose, altering the terrain and effectively cutting off the Kumo ninjas from the Golden Horn and Silver Horn.
At this time, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still a young man, brimming with chakra. This abundance allowed him to wield the Five Elements ninjutsu with ease, each technique executed at a high level. Though he lacked any bloodline limits, his mastery of various elemental techniques and combination jutsu made him a formidable opponent. Even his sensei, Tobirama, would have found it challenging to defeat him easily.
If you were to compare Hiruzen to another world's ninja, it would be like envisioning Hatake Kakashi with an abundant chakra supply, capable of freely using more powerful and diverse jutsu. Such a ninja, with a broad mastery of techniques, could find a way to counter almost any opponent.
The Kumo ninjas, now separated by the Earth-Style Wall, quickly prepared to unleash their Lightning Release to bring it down. Though the wall was impressive in scale, it remained an earth-based technique, and Lightning Release could potentially demolish it.
However, before they could act, Konoha ninjas emerged from their hiding spots. While Sarutobi Hiruzen, Fumori Masaki, and Shimura Danzo were occupied with the Golden Horn and Silver Horn, Konoha's other ninjas engaged the Kumo forces. The leaders of these Konoha units were Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Akimichi Torifu.
Meanwhile, beyond the battlefield, the Second Raikage and his forces had arrived. Both sides were poised for a decisive battle, but neither the Second Hokage nor the Second Raikage had any intention of engaging in full-scale conflict. They silently acknowledged each other's intent and chose to delay, each understanding the other's desire to end the war swiftly.
Both Kages hoped to conclude the conflict as soon as possible, so they focused their efforts on the Golden Horn and Silver Horn. Despite the Second Raikage having a larger force, he held back, only sending in Kumo ninjas loyal to or sympathetic towards the Golden Horn and Silver Horn to support them. For the Second Raikage, these ninjas were the more rebellious ones, and he was willing to let Konoha ninjas teach them a lesson. Once these forces suffered losses, the Second Raikage planned to intervene, extract the main combatants, and retreat, thereby preserving his strength and avoiding a large-scale confrontation.
This strategy would allow the Second Raikage to propose peace at the next meeting, using the defeat as leverage, leading to an end to the war—a resolution both sides desired.
After the Earth-Style Wall separated the Golden Horn and Silver Horn from their subordinates, the brothers merely glanced at it before continuing their pursuit. Confident that their forces would catch up soon, they saw no reason to stop.
As they raced along the predetermined route, Uzumaki Toru and his team, who had been lying in wait, activated their barrier. Though they couldn't match Mito's prowess in sealing, the three of them combined managed to erect a powerful barrier. While it wasn't enough to contain the full might of the Nine-Tails, it was sufficient to hold the Golden Horn and Silver Horn unless they unleashed their full power. And with Hiruzen and the others present, the brothers would not have the opportunity to do so.
"Excellent," Masaki said as he felt the barrier take hold. He quickly signaled to the others, who swiftly moved out of the main battlefield's immediate vicinity. Fumori then sped ahead, overtaking Hiruzen, who had just launched a fire dragon-shaped flame towards the Golden Horn and Silver Horn. "Katon: Karyū Endan! (Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!)"
As Hiruzen unleashed his fire jutsu, Masaki turned and added his own technique, amplifying the flames to such an extent that the very air seemed to sear with heat. The inferno was overwhelming, but the Golden Horn and Silver Horn remained unfazed.
With a flick of his fan, Ginkaku channeled the Nine-Tails' chakra through the Bashōsen, summoning a powerful Water Release that easily extinguished the combined fire jutsu.
"Water Release? Can that fan wield multiple elements?" Hiruzen thought, astonished.
"If my guess is correct, it can also use Wind and Earth Release," Masaki's voice echoed in Hiruzen's mind.
The Yamanaka's secret technique maintained the mental link, allowing Hiruzen, Masaki, and the concealed Danzo to strategize in real-time. With Hiruzen and Masaki engaging the Golden Horn and Silver Horn directly, Danzo remained hidden, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"If that's the case, this battle just became even more challenging," Hiruzen thought grimly. As the combined ninjutsu masked their movements, Hiruzen and Masaki used shadow clones and repositioned themselves, following the Golden Horn and Silver Horn closely.
They were analyzing the brothers' combat abilities and discussing their next move.
"Don't worry. Despite their strength, they're not true tailed beasts. They're still human and can be killed if their hearts are pierced or their heads removed," Danzo said through the mental link. "If you see an opening, take it and eliminate one of them first."
"No. We must take them down together or not at all," Masaki countered. "I've seen a more powerful form of the tailed beast emerge under extreme anger. These two share a deep bond, and if one dies, the other might trigger that form. Even Tobirama-sensei might struggle against it."
"Then I'll join you in the fight. I'm not confident in killing both simultaneously," Danzo conceded.
"Me neither," Hiruzen admitted.
"No, Danzo, stay hidden. We don't need to kill them yet," Masaki said, his gaze fixed on Ginkaku's Bashōsen. "Let's focus on taking that fan from Ginkaku. Its power is too dangerous to leave in their hands."
Hiruzen and Danzo silently agreed, understanding the threat posed by the Bashōsen. The three resolved to first disarm Ginkaku, aiming to turn the tide of the battle in their favor.
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