https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-112-The-Fire-Shadow-and-the-Lightning-Shadow-1020-/12559161/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-114-Unforeseen-Detector-Tsunade-1220-/12559163/
Chapter 113: Stalemate [1120]
Chapter 113: Stalemate [1120]
Once Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he added, "In any case, you've heard how dire the situation is. We will greatly need your strength on this battlefield..."
Just as Fengye was about to respond, Tsunade, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up. "Don't use Fengye's power lightly. Don't let him get involved in troublesome battles."
"His forbidden jutsu shouldn't be used casually. There will be severe side effects, and even if I can cure him, it will reduce his lifespan."
Hmm.
Hiruzen turned to look at Tsunade. Although this wasn't unexpected, her level of concern for Fengye surprised him. It seemed that Tsunade cared even more about Fengye than Orochimaru.
"I understand," Hiruzen nodded.
Tsunade stood up, took a couple of steps out of the tent, then turned back to look at Hiruzen. With a profound gaze, she said, "Fengye is my disciple. I will not let him be in danger."
Leaving those words behind, she departed from the tent.
Hiruzen and Fengye's conversation had an underlying tone that Tsunade had picked up on.
While she didn't care about the power struggles within the village and wouldn't involve herself, if either side were to treat Fengye as a tool, she would never accept it! Fengye was her acknowledged disciple!
The last few words were a statement of her position and a warning to Hiruzen. She would not tolerate something like the Byakuya incident happening again!
Hiruzen understood Tsunade's meaning—she was telling him not to use Fengye as a pawn in the power play, or she wouldn't stand idly by.
This gave him a headache. Why did Fengye have to become Tsunade's disciple as well? Tsunade, who cared nothing for power, was the most difficult to deal with.
At least during this critical period, no problems could arise.
"You can go now too," Hiruzen said, rubbing his temples and waving Fengye away as he watched Tsunade's retreating back.
Fengye quietly left.
Hiruzen looked up at the top of the command tent, his gaze seeming to penetrate the canvas and settle on the cloudy sky beyond.
Testing Fengye's attitude was necessary. As the Hokage, he had to pay close attention to any extremely powerful ninja that appeared in the village and keep them close.
The current Fengye was different from before. He was no longer just a genius ninja but had attained a certain level of status. Even though he was young, he couldn't be treated the same way as before.
However, now wasn't the time to dwell on such thoughts.
The most crucial issue at hand was how to respond to this war. Everything else had to take a back seat for now, and his testing of Fengye's attitude would remain just that—a test.
Even without Tsunade's firm stance, it wouldn't be possible to do anything else during this period.
...
After leaving the command tent, Fengye returned to his own tent.
It wasn't located in the central area of the camp but rather on the southern side. This positioning was intentional, allowing him to respond quickly to any unexpected situations that might arise on the south side of the camp.
As for Tsunade's tent, it had been set up on the north side.
Once he settled into his tent, Fengye began his cultivation. He didn't remain in the camp, though; instead, he left the camp and cultivated in the canyon south of the camp.
After Tsunade's reminder, Hiruzen also refrained from treating Fengye as a readily available combat asset, especially since the current phase of the war mostly involved intelligence operations.
The intelligence division's ninja were active on the battlefield.
After about half a month of clashes...
Both sides had a rough understanding of each other's battle strength.
The Cloud ninja had learned that the Konoha side was personally led by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and included Tsunade, one of the Sannin, as well as the Silver Flash, who had recently killed Chiyo, an elder of the Sand Village, and gained fame throughout the ninja world.
The Konoha side, in turn, knew that the Cloud side was led by the Third Raikage and included his son, as well as Killer B, the jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails, both of whom were powerful combatants.
As time passed...
The Cloud ninja became increasingly active, repeatedly launching small-scale attacks in an attempt to inflict casualties on the Konoha forces.
Upon learning of this, Fengye couldn't help but marvel at Hiruzen's strength. In the original story, this Hokage rarely displayed his prowess in peak condition, but at this point in time, he was indeed a pinnacle of Kage-level power. The immature Fourth Raikage and Killer B were no match for Hiruzen in his current state.
As Fengye had anticipated, the situation soon reached a stalemate.
...
In the Cloud ninja's camp, the Third Raikage sat in the center, his right hand clenched into a fist and resting on his cheek as he pondered the situation. Beside him stood his son, Yae Aya, the heir apparent to the Fourth Raikage, who spoke in a low voice:
"In any case, this stalemate is unfavorable for us. Konoha's forces are spread across three battlefields, but their resources are more abundant. If we continue with these minor skirmishes, we'll have to retreat soon."
During wartime, ninjas couldn't undertake missions to earn rewards, and the resources consumed by a force of nearly six to seven thousand people were substantial. It was a test of their foundations.
Konoha, being the victor of the Second Great Ninja War, had accumulated wealth beyond estimation. If the battle dragged on like this, even the three great ninja villages might not be able to maintain their advantage.
"What do you plan to do?" The Third Raikage asked his son gravely.
Stepping forward, Yae Aya clenched his fist and said, "Let's attack! With Konoha's current strength, they won't be a match for us!"
"I agree with Big Brother," Killer B chimed in, raising two fingers and speaking in his peculiar tone.
The Third Raikage fell into deep thought. "I can handle the Hokage, and we're not sure about the Silver Flash's true strength, but our numbers do surpass Konoha's."
"Leave the Silver Flash and Tsunade to me and Bee," Yae Aya said confidently, his arms folded across his chest. "They won't be our match."
Previously, Yae Aya and Killer B had faced Hiruzen, and although they were suppressed, they managed to cover their subordinates' retreat and escape unscathed.
If they could hold their own against the Hokage, how could they fear the Silver Flash, who was just a speedy brat?
When it came to speed, Yae Aya feared no one!
The Third Raikage pondered his son's words. He had absolute confidence in Yae Aya, and the AB combination's tacit understanding made them a formidable duo capable of taking on Konoha's Silver Flash and Tsunade. However, if they charged head-on, even victory would come at a cost. This wasn't a one-on-one battle between Cloud and Konoha but a three-way confrontation.
As the Third Raikage contemplated, one of his trusted aides, Tsuchidai, spoke up with a gleam in his eye. "Raikage-sama, I have a plan."
"Oh?" The Third Raikage turned to him.
Tsuchidai was one of his most trusted subordinates, holding the position of a senior official, akin to an assistant kage. He was exceptional in strategy and possessed formidable strength, mastering the Lava Style bloodline limit.
"The plan is like this..." Tsuchidai explained in a low voice, outlining his strategy. The Third Raikage, Killer B, and the others listened intently.
After hearing the plan, the Third Raikage's eyes flickered, and he turned to Yae Aya and Killer B. "What do you two think?"
"I have no objections," Yae Aya replied solemnly.
Killer B wiggled his fingers and said, "Brother Tsuchidai never makes mistakes. With this plan, Konoha is doomed."
The Third Raikage nodded. "Very well, let's execute this plan."
Tsuchidai took a deep breath and said resolutely, "Once the plan succeeds, we can take the opportunity to launch a large-scale offensive and crush Konoha!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
