Free Web NovelChapter 245: Konoha’s Shinichi Battalion Was Here!
"That’s right."
Shinichi turned to face the entire team. "I know some of you have doubts about my decision not to retreat along the original route, but instead lead everyone deeper into the Land of Lightning. You followed the order without hesitation, only out of trust in me."
"Now I’ll tell you why. Because our retreat route has most likely already been guessed by the Village Hidden in the Cloud. They may have even sent people ahead to intercept us."
"And after dealing with the Eight-Tails’ rampage, the third Raikage will certainly bring heavy forces to pursue us along our original retreat direction. If we follow that path, we will likely be caught in a pincer attack by the Village Hidden in the Cloud. The information sent back by the Shadow Clones I left disguised as civilians in the village confirms this."
Shinichi’s gaze slowly swept across every face as he continued: "So I chose a path Village Hidden in the Cloud would never expect, going deeper into their territory, striking directly at the Yotsuki Clan’s ancestral land, Mount Raigu. The goal is to create greater chaos for Village Hidden in the Cloud, draw their attention here, and create space for our next actions."
Shinku Yuhi pondered. "You mean...?"
"Yes." Shinichi nodded without elaborating further and instead gave the order directly: "Everyone, move! Apply enough pressure on the Yotsuki Clan to make them send out a distress signal. Then, end it quickly and wipe them out completely!"
"Understood!"
"Move!"
As soon as his voice fell, more than four hundred figures shot forward like arrows merging into the night, racing toward the thunder-roaring black mountain.
Boom!
A violent explosion erupted halfway up Mount Raigu, sending shattered rocks and flames soaring into the sky.
"What!?"
"What’s happening!?"
The sudden attack immediately alarmed the Yotsuki Clan members stationed on the mountain. These experienced ninja instantly realized something was wrong and rushed out of their posts, only to witness a scalp-numbing scene.
Hundreds of figures surged out from the forest like a black tide, charging fiercely up the mountain!
"These are Konoha ninja!?"
"How are ninjas from Konoha here!?"
"This is bad! There are too many of them! Contact the village for reinforcements immediately!"
"Activate the barrier! Activate the defensive barrier! Hurry!!"
The leading Yotsuki Jonin roared at the top of his lungs.
As his voice fell, several massive barriers interwoven with blinding lightning rose around the mountain.
However, in the next moment, a slender crimson figure shot upward from the base of the mountain like a meteor!
Where he passed, the air was torn apart by extreme heat, leaving behind a scorching trail dozens of meters long. Endless flames surged and boiled around him, then crazily condensed and compressed into his right fist.
Crimson Heaven Purge!!
A towering wave of flame blasted from Shinichi’s fist, like a blazing meteor tearing through the sky, carrying a destructive force that could incinerate everything as it slammed into the seemingly indestructible lightning barrier!
Crack!
The Lightning Style defensive barrier that had just been raised lasted less than half a breath before shattering into fragments of dispersing lightning!
"Not good!!!"
A Yotsuki Jonin’s pupils shrank sharply as he cried out in shock: "It’s Shinichi Higashino!!!"
Even for them, clan members stationed at the ancestral land, far from the frontlines and even away from the village, this name was already as thunderous as legend.
And now, this harbinger of disaster had appeared at the Yotsuki Clan’s ancestral land!
Fifteen minutes later.
The battle was already over.
Corpses and wreckage littered the ground. The ancestral buildings of the Yotsuki Clan were twisted and shattered under flames and impact. Fire burned everywhere, black smoke rising into the sky.
Only the shrine dedicated to the ancestors had been deliberately preserved.
Shinichi stood before the burning ancestral hall, his gaze sweeping over his subordinates.
Four hundred and four people. Not a single one was seriously injured, and there were no casualties.
This was not surprising; their numbers exceeded the enemy’s by almost six times, and it had been a surprise attack.
More importantly, Shinichi himself had drawn most of the enemy’s fire and attacks from the very beginning, creating the safest possible environment for his team.
"Everyone." Shinichi suddenly said, his tone as relaxed as if they had just completed a training exercise, "Does anyone have a camera?"
The group was momentarily stunned. A camera, at a time like this?
But soon, more than half of the ninja raised their hands. Intelligence gathering was a required skill, so carrying recording equipment was a common habit.
"Very good." Shinichi nodded, then drew the Flowing Cloud Sword from his waist, its blade reflecting a cold gleam in the firelight.
He walked to the black monument beside the shrine, five meters tall, engraved with the names of successive Yotsuki Clan Heads and major historical events.
The sword edge scraped across the stone surface, sending fragments flying.
Moments later, a line of bold, flowing characters appeared: "Konoha’s Shinichi battalion was here!"
Shinichi sheathed his sword and turned to face his still somewhat stunned subordinates, a brilliant, almost arrogant smile on his face under the firelight: "Come on, everyone, let’s take a group photo!"
After a brief silence, suppressed laughter broke out among the crowd.
Soon, all four hundred and four people lined up in several rows in front of the burning ancestral hall.
Some wore serious expressions as if facing a great enemy, some were expressionless with sharp eyes, some had faint smirks tinged with amusement, and others couldn’t help but mutter quietly, "This is way too arrogant."
And standing at the very center, Shinichi’s smile and gaze remained as bright as ever.
Click.
The shutter pressed. freewēbnoveℓ.com
’I guess I’ve achieved something like sealing glory on the frontier now?’
Shinichi took the camera handed over by a subordinate, this thought flashing through his mind. He then turned to look toward the direction of the Village Hidden in the Cloud, his smile gradually fading.
"Captain, what’s next?"
"We’re going to the Village Hidden in the Cloud!"
As soon as the words fell, a wave of suppressed gasps spread through the crowd. Shinku Yuhi, however, inwardly thought, as expected.
"According to the intelligence from the Shadow Clones I left in the Village Hidden in the Cloud, the third Raikage’s son, A, is currently staying in the village," Shinichi explained. "After the attack on Mount Raigu, the request for reinforcements has already been sent. As the young Clan Head of the Yotsuki Clan, he will definitely personally lead troops to rescue."
"At that time, the Village Hidden in the Cloud will be in an unprecedented state of emptiness!"
Low murmurs began to spread among the crowd, but the same fire ignited in everyone’s eyes.
"Village Hidden in the Cloud would never expect us to be this bold. They think we are fleeing; we will attack. They think we will hide, we will appear where they least expect us."
"Everyone!" Shinichi slowly swept his gaze across the group. The murmurs ceased instantly, but the fire in their eyes burned even fiercer.
"This time, we will take another group photo, right in front of the Raikage’s building in the Village Hidden in the Cloud!"
"Yes!"
The voices of more than four hundred people merged into a loud, unified shout. The formation then surged forward like black lightning, racing toward the Village Hidden in the Cloud.
Everyone felt an intense excitement. Some even felt it would be worth it even if they died.
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