Chapter 116: 112: Escaping from Konoha (3)
Running through the forest, Ayane remained at the back of the group, ready to intercept any pursuing Konoha ninja. Having lived in this village for nearly twenty years, Ayane was well aware of the village's speeed and organizational capabilities. She knew how formidable they could be when facing difficulties.
This mission had two main challenges: getting their personnel out of Konohagakure and intercepting the pursuing forces sent by the village. The first part was already complete, and now they needed to deal with the Konoha pursuers. Once they ensured the safe relocation of non-combatants to their secret hideouts, there shouldn't be any issues.
The routes, personnel arrangements, and temporary safe havens had all been meticulously prepared long before. This had involved significant manpower and resources, but those considerations would only come into play after they intercepted the Konoha pursuers.
While Ayane was contemplating these matters, her Byakugan observed a group of Konoha ninjas pursuing them from approximately ten kilometers behind. There were twenty-seven of them.
With her enhanced Byakugan, Ayane could now observe everything within a ten-kilometer radius. However, among these pursuing Konoha ninjas, there were some with sensory abilities who were tracking her without deviation.
Just as Ayane was preparing to turn and intercept this ninja team, her field of vision suddenly detected another ninja squad.
There were four individuals among them.
They were dressed in the attire of the Anbu, and their masks bore rich colors, exuding a cold and dark aura.
Root!
"Leave the Root guys to us," a voice sounded behind Ayane.
In the dark forest of the night, five individuals were upside down on tree branches, their eyes emitting a faint light.
They were the group led by Bug Man.
"Is that okay? Those four are likely elite jonin," one of them questioned.
Some of the elite jonin might also possess bloodline limits.
"It's fine. We won't leave a single one alive," Bug Man responded, and they all used Body Flicker to disappear.
"No other option," Ayane muttered to herself as she turned to face the other group of Konoha pursuers.
Though they had greater numbers on this side, the strength among them varied, and they would definitely be less formidable than the four-member Root squad.
"The target is coming our way" one of the Konoha ninja reported to the two jonin leading the twenty-seven-man pursuit team.
"Setting traps in front of a Byakugan user is pointless," one of the jonin said calmly.
A Byakugan user was a valuable strategic asset when on their side, but it became a critical problem if they turned against their own village. Now they understood the frustration and annoyance that other villages must have felt when facing Byakugan users from Konoha in the past.
Any carefully set traps were rendered meaningless, and any minor movements would be detected. The only option was a direct frontal assault.
"Here they come!" the Kinoha ninja shouted after some time had passed.
The others immediately sprang into action. Since traps and minor tactics were futile, they would engage the enemy head-on.
Kunai and shuriken were thrown, and one of the jonin even began forming hand seals, preparing to release a sharp, elongated lightning bolt that illuminated the dark forest.
However, a barrage of compressed air rushed forth from the depths of the pitch-black woods, accompanied by a terrifying, ear-piercing shriek.
The lightning was extinguished, and both kunai and shuriken were caught in the onslaught, turning into a pile of scrap metal that fell like snowflakes to the ground.
A figure swiftly entered the group. Before anyone could react, two hands gathered chakra, black hair billowed, and the body spun rapidly.
"Rotation!"
"Quick, retreat!"
The jonin at the front yelled desperately.
But it was too late.
A colossal chakra sphere, accompanied by a raging storm, instantly engulfed everything within its range. Rocks and trees within the area were sent flying, shattered to pieces, and a horrifying crimson mist diffused in the chakra sphere, spreading to the surroundings.
"The time for playing ninja games with you is over. Now it's real combat," Ayane stood up from the semi-spherical pit, smiling at the surviving Konoha ninjas.
"Damn It!"
The Konoha ninja who had narrowly avoided the attack glared at Ayane with fury.
The other jonin was also infuriated. He raised his palm, charged with gathered chakra, and swung it at Ayane. However, Ayane grabbed his wrist with even greater speed, bringing his attack to a stop.
"Is that you, Fuyuma? At a time like this, shouldn't you be by the side of our future clan leader? Why did you come out here into this mess?"
Ayane chuckled at the Konoha jonin.
It was her fellow clan member from the Hyuga clan, Fuyuma.
"Ayane, you've made an unforgivable mistake. Please don't make things worse with impulsive actions! Do you really think you can escape the village's pursuit like this?"
Fuyuma hoped that Ayane would calm down and not commit an irreparable act on a whim.
The power of the Hyuga clan and the Konoha was unimaginable.
"Sorry, but my body and soul are completely under his influence now" Ayane replied.
"What?" Fuyuma asked.
"Didn't I already mention this from the beginning? The time for ninja games is over."
Ayane's eyes turned cold, and her visible chakra surged around her.
Fuyuma winced as he was blown away by the powerful chakra, tumbling on the ground before coming to a stop.
"Such terrifying chakra... Can we really handle her?" murmured the ninja responsible for sensing, with a nervous expression.
There was a substantial gap in strength between their side and Ayane's. Even if two jonin led the way, they would likely be easily defeated by Ayane.
"Don't be intimidated by her bluster; we're elite Konohagakure ninjas!"
The other jonin outside of Fuyuma remained unfazed, forming hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Raging Wave!"
A torrent of water gushed toward Ayane.
Then, his hand seals changed within the water, and immediately, lightning emerged from it.
Seeing this, Ayane recognized it as a combination of Water Release and Lightning Release, and it would be troublesome to confront head-on. She had to evade.
"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
As Ayane stepped back, Fuyuma predicted her movements, assuming the initial stance for the Eight Trigrams Palms and waiting for Ayane to enter his attack range.
Just as his attack was about to land on Ayane, a surging chakra burst forth from Ayane's body like a rushing stream.
Boom!
Their attacks clashed explosively, and Ayane landed safely on the ground, her clothes and hair undisturbed. Fuyuma, on the other hand, was pushed back several meters, blood oozing from his trembling arm. He stared at Ayane with a serious gaze.
"It's the 'Gentle Fist Art One Blow Body'..."
The Gentle Fist Art One Blow Body released intense and forceful chakra through all the body's chakra points. Like Rotation, it was an omnidirectional offensive Soft Fist technique, one of the fundamental combat styles among many Gentle Fist techniques.
However, using this basic technique, Ayane not only broke Fuyuma's Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms but also injured his arm with a powerful counterforce.
"Just as I thought, you're an incredibly dangerous individual, Ayane" he said, filled with dread.
Not only in ideology but also in strength, she was truly formidable.
"I wanted to use that move to knock you down for good. Your strength is a bit higher than I expected, Fuyuma-senpai" Ayane lamented.
"Don't underestimate your seniors! In any case, I am an elite member of the Hyuga clan!" Fuyuma started gathering chakra again, ready to join the other Konoha ninjas in another round of attacks against Ayane.
...
Perched atop the head of the massive water python, summoned by Shiraishi through his summoning abilities, were none other than the two clones Ameyu and Raimei Maru.
Their distraction had already attracted their target's attention, successfully luring the Third Hokage to the scene, thereby avoiding the ideal period when he would be guarding the Nine Tails.
Given their abilities and those of his Water Clone, even with support from him and Ruri, taking on such a large number of Konoha ninja was a tremendous strain.
When Ameyu and Raimei Maru appeared, they briefly caused a stir among the Konoha ninja, but the formation quickly stabilized. The ninja surrounded them, forming an impenetrable barrier.
Although these two individuals added some complications, the Kinoha ninja still had the upper hand in terms of overall strength and numbers.
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage had also successfully summoned his own Summoned Animal.
It was an ape-like creature with fur-lined clothing and long white hair. Its body was larger than that of a human and bore the Konoha ninja headband. The beast bared its teeth, emitting a fierce and menacing aura.
After being summoned it inquired, "There's residual Nine Tails chakra in the air, Sarutobi. What's happening? Did something go wrong with that young girl?"
"As you can see, Enma, Kushina is currently inside that giant python" said Hiruzen succinctly.
"Is that so?" Enma the monkey glanced at the individuals on top of the python's head, narrowing his eyes. With Konoha ninja headbands and Uchiha clan members... He couldn't understand the situation fully, but he knew that these people were indeed their enemies.
On the other side, Ameyu and Raimei Maru emerged and positioned themselves on the opposite side of Shiraishi. Raimei Maru perched on top of Ameyu's shoulder, looking down in amazement.
"This little brother sure is massive" he remarked.
The deep blue water-made python opened its mouth and let out a low roar, creating vibrations in the air, as if responding to Raimei Maru.
"We can discuss your brotherly bonds later; for now, let's focus on the battle" Shiraishi replied, giving Raimei Maru a sidelong glance.
"These Konoha ninjas are quite troublesome, Father."
Raimei Maru added a sardonic comment.
Previously, he and his sister, Ameyu, had almost faced difficulties at the hands of these Konoha ninjas, and Raimei Maru had nearly revealed his full Sage Mode state.
Just after Raimei Maru finished speaking, he suddenly felt a tremendous surge of chakra entering his and Ameyu's bodies from below, emanating from the python's massive form underneath.
The python was absorbing chakra from the Jinchuriki and the Nine Tails and channeling the excess chakra to them.
"It seems that this little brother is more than just a giant" Raimei Maru said happily. Having such an abundant source of chakra would be a significant advantage in battle.
"Well then, let's begin!" Shiraishi urged the python.
The water-made python understood and began to spiral its body. It spun like a whirligig, creating a fierce tornado as it rapidly closed in on the numerous Kinoha ninjas.
At this moment, Ruri performed hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
A massive dragon head made of flames emerged from her mouth and entered the violent storm created by the python's rotation. The flames mixed with the storm, quickly expanding into a tornado of fire.
"Water Release: Water Surge!"
Over a dozen Konoha ninjas immediately utilized their Water Release jutsu. However, the spinning tornado of flames showed no sign of stopping.
The flames scattered in all directions, igniting the forest, and the fire illuminated the night.
Hiruzen charged forward fearlessly.
Enma supported him by running alongside Hiruzen on all fours, preventing the enemy from advancing.
"Enma, transform into the Adamntine Staff!"
"I understand!"
Upon hearing Hiruzen's command, Enma immediately transformed into a long staff. It flipped through the air, and Hiruzen caught it, gripping the staff firmly in his hand.
With a powerful swing, Hiruzen struck the python's body as it spun, causing it to slide and crash into many trees before coming to a stop.
"This is quite extraordinary" Shiraishi said, his face showing signs of sweat. Although they were safe standing on the python's head, the fact that Hiruzen could halt the python's advance with a single blow...
Honestly, the strength of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, exceeded his expectations.
"Charge!"
Numerous Konoha ninjas rushed forward, some using kunai, others wielding swords, and some using jutsus.
Ameyu clasped her hands together, and the area around her began to glow with a dazzling white light.
"Ugh... Ahhh!"
Countless Wind Blades radiated out, cutting through the Konoha ninjas' bodies, causing them to fall to the ground.
Some of the Konoha ninjas who managed to break through the Wind Blades and land on the python's body soon found themselves entangled in whip-like streams of water, immobilizing them.
"Don't approach this creature casually" Shiraishi warned them, although it was too late for this well-intentioned advice.
From his shadow, a multitude of Shadow Blades emerged, swinging towards the restrained Konoha ninjas.
Clang,
A few sounds echoed as they were deflected.
It was a streak of golden light as Minato Namikaze wielded the tri-pronged kunai to deflect the Shadow Blades. He then turned and waved his hand, severing the water streams that had entangled the Konoha ninjas, allowing them to regain their freedom.
The Konoha ninjas, now free, didn't immediately engage in combat but rather swiftly jumped away from the python's body, fearing that something terrible might happen.
Observing the now empty space, Minato also used Space-Time Ninjutsu to leave the area.
Shiraishi's expression immediately turned grim.
This sporadic use that Ninjutsu was truly vexing.
"That should be the Flying Raijin Jutsu created by the Second Hokage. I didn't expect someone in this era to learn such a jutsu" Ruri said, not entirely certain.
"It's that Second Hokage again..." Shiraishi's expression turned even darker. Previously, it was Tokukaze Akimichi who had stopped the Nine Tails; he was the disciple of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Without him, the Nine Tails might have caused trouble for Konoha for a while longer.
Now, considering Minato's use of the Flying Raijin Jutsu... a single misstep could result in decapitation.
"Hmm?" On the other side, Hiruzen suddenly realized something was amiss.
Observing the mostly injured but not fatally wounded Konoha ninjas, he understood that these were injuries inflicted by Ameyu's Wind Release technique. Most of the injured were chunin who had accidentally become involved in the attacks; the jonin had safeguards to avoid injury.
It was as if this was deliberately arranged.
Because of this situation, they would now have to allocate a portion of their fighting force to care for these injured.
The question arose: what was more important, the current mission or the well-being of comrades? Was this a way to exact revenge on Konoha?
Hiruzen gazed at Shiraishi, who remained calm amidst the chaos, with a heavy heart.
It must be related to Sakumo...
"Jonin, stay behind, and chunin, evacuate with the injured!" Hiruzen gave this order. Although it puzzled some Konoha ninjas, they still obeyed the command and rapidly withdrew from the battlefield with their wounded comrades.
"Have they found out? Charge over!" Shiraishi realized that his intentions were exposed. Originally, he intended to create more injured ninjas to drain the fighting strength of Konoha. After all, the living and the dead were two different matters.
The gigantic python writhed and attacked the Konoha ninjas who were preparing to retreat.
Boom!
A massive giant, formidable fists in tow, smashed into the python's body, causing it to sway and collide with several trees before coming to a halt.
"Don't take another step!" Akimichi Tokukaze's face was serious, exuding a deadly intent.
"This is troublesome." Shiraishi furrowed his brow.
Just as he was about to take action, another colossal figure appeared on the other side.
It was a gigantic summoning beast with thick, yellow limbs, red fur on its back, and a trunk-like nose exhaling white smoke. It glared menacingly at the python.
Several figures stood on the summoning beast's head, with Danzo Shimura at the forefront.
Beside him were four Root ninjas.
"Are you planning to hold a high-level Konoha meeting here?" Shiraishi quipped indifferently.
"The Dream-Eating Baku, Danzo... This guy..." Hiruzen observed Danzo's arrival and summoning of his summoning beast and couldn't help but smile knowingly.
"You have nowhere to run now." Akimichi Tokukaze, seeing Danzo joining the battle, couldn't help but recall the days when they fought side by side. His solemn voice reverberated in the air.
"What should we do? This situation seems to be getting complicated," Ruri asked Shiraishi.
Faced with such a multitude of Konoha ninjas, let alone the Hokage, both Akimichi Tokukaze and Danzo Shimura were formidable opponents.
"This also means that our battle plan is a success; they've all been drawn here by the Nine Tails," Shiraishi said, paying no attention to these words.
At this moment, the Baku's nostrils emitted a gray mist, and its mouth suddenly opened wide, creating a powerful suction force. Shiraishi felt the influence of this suction force on his body, causing his position on the python's head to become unstable.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!" Danzo immediately formed hand seals, and a dazzling white gust of wind blades sliced through the air, heading toward the python.
The python's eyes turned even bloodier.
Danzo's eyes widened slightly. When his Ninjutsu reached the python's side, it immediately turned into a small breeze, gently rustling the clothing and hair of Shiraishi and others.
"Danzo-sama, that water python is absorbing Ninjutsu and converting it into Chakra for consumption" a Root ninja reported to Danzo.
Danzo nodded and abandoned the idea of continuing the attack. Instead, he commanded the tapir beneath him to charge at the python.
Since Ninjutsu was ineffective, they would use a summoning beast to deal with the opponent – a summoning beast against a summoning beast.
Boom!
The python's tail entwined around the beasts's body, knocking down a large number of trees.
On the other side, Akimichi Tokukaze used his enlarged body to take advantage of the situation and smashed his fist down.
Accompanied by the sharp roar of the python, the atmosphere in the forest became even more oppressive, sending shivers down the spine.
At this moment, Minato Namikaze also arrived with numerous Anbu and Jonin.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire jutsu!" Ruri formed hand seals, and several fire dragons were exhaled in one breath.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" Several layers of water walls were stacked, blocking the fire dragons, but the forest along the way caught fire.
The air grew hot, and the sky was covered in thick clouds, casting a shadow over the forest and the northeastern edge of Konoha. Thunder and lightning danced.l around.
Rain poured down without warning, drenching everyone and bringing a chilling sensation that cleared the mind.
The python's mouth tore open to the limit, releasing a torrent of water that submerged the land in front.
Minato raced across the water's surface, his movements unshaken, and the Anbu and jonin accompanying him were not deterred by the flood.
The earth turned into a flood, and the python created a massive spherical water pit at its head, sending Shiraishi and the others inside, where it was a vacuum-sealed area.
Its crimson eyes gleamed as it submerged into the water, disappearing from view.
Akimichi Tokukaze was momentarily taken aback, then his expression changed. Although he stood on the water's surface in his giant form, a gigantic and grotesque figure suddenly emerged from the water with a swishing sound, coiling around his body, attempting to crush his bones.
Boom!
Without hesitation, Tokukaze released the Expansion Jutsu, returning to his normal size and sprinting across the water's surface to escape.
The python didn't give up; its swimming speed increased in the water. While its head hadn't fully surfaced, its crimson eyes glowed dimly beneath the water, exuding a terrifying sense of oppression.
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