Chapter 267: A Leaf Shadow Guard is Here! 【57】
Chapter 267: A Leaf Shadow Guard is Here! 【57】
Kakashi Hatake's words echoed the thoughts that had just flashed through the minds of the Sunagakure ninjas, including the Fourth Kazekage, Roshi. The prospect of surrendering to Konoha, one of the five great ninja villages, and becoming its subordinate was humiliating and unacceptable. Years of conflict and animosity couldn't be set aside easily, and even if they surrendered, true integration with Konoha seemed impossible.
The Sunagakure ninjas knew they would face relentless oppression until their individual identities were erased and they were fully assimilated into Konoha.
But...
Rejecting the agreement meant all-out war. As Kakashi had pointed out, the battle would be fierce, and even if they managed to win, their chances of survival were slim.
"Your demands are too harsh," Roshi spoke up, his voice steady. "Ten years of autonomy is too short. We need at least twenty years, and while we can pay an annual sum, we cannot send all our children to your village."
Kakashi regarded the Fourth Kazekage with an indifferent gaze, the powerful might of his Sharingan reflected in his eyes. "That is the final agreement. There will be no negotiations, and you shouldn't try to stall for time. You have only two choices: resist or accept."
"One is to fight, and the other is to yield," Kakashi continued.
Roshi's expression darkened at Kakashi's words. Nearby, the other Sunagakure ninjas clenched their fists, their faces grim.
Maki took a breath and locked eyes with Kakashi. "In other words, if we don't accept your proposal, we're looking at the Fourth Great Ninja War. Even if we somehow emerge victorious, the outcome won't be favorable. So, you're saying our wise choice is to accept?"
Kakashi glanced at Maki, his gaze expressionless, and remained silent.
Maki glared at Kakashi, took a breath, and then suddenly lashed out with the kunai in his hand, slicing the air with a fierce wind blade that passed right through Kakashi's body. Maki's eyes widened as he shouted, "But I refuse! Even if it means death, we will never surrender to Konoha! Your threats are meaningless because if Konoha falls, you won't fare any better!"
Maki's defiant shout resonated with the Sunagakure ninjas nearby, their faces hardening with determination as they tightened their fists.
Yes!
They were the Sunagakure ninjas, born in the desert and forged in adversity. They had fought against nature and the world since their birth and would never easily surrender, no matter the strength of their opponent!
"It seems you've made your decision," Kakashi said, his head lowered slightly. With a powerful push from his feet, he leaped backward, exiting the broken conference room through a gap and landing on a rooftop next to the Kazekage Tower.
Maki roared in pursuit, brandishing his kunai. "Don't even think about running!"
Spurred by Maki's shout, the Sunagakure ninjas who had chosen resistance sprang into action, hurling shuriken, kunai, and wind-style jutsu at Kakashi.
Kakashi, the brother of the Fifth Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and a formidable force in his own right, was alone. If they could take him out, it would deal a severe blow to Konoha!
"They say all attacks pass through his body," Maki continued, his attacks relentless as he spoke to the nearby ninjas. "Don't stop! Keep up the assault, and get the sealing team ready! Prepare the sealing jutsu!"
Maki's relentless assault continued as he rallied his comrades.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Some of the Sunagakure ninjas reacted, and soon a group skilled in sealing jutsu rushed forward.
But just then—
BOOM!
A sudden explosion rocked the area around Kakashi. Strange tentacles sprouted from the blast, snaring three or four approaching ninjas and hoisting them into the air.
"It can't be helped," Kakashi replied calmly. "After all, they are Sunagakure ninjas with strong willpower."
The appearance of Anko Mitarashi startled Maki and the rushing Sunagakure ninjas, especially when they sensed the dark and unsettling chakra within her.
However, Maki gritted his teeth and quickly formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"
Boom!!
A ball of wind infused with wind chakra hurtled towards Kakashi and Anko.
Both Anko and Kakashi remained unperturbed, their expressions calm. Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan flickered, and a figure emerged from within its depths.
Boom!
A scaly tail lashed out, striking the wind ball and causing it to explode.
Rin, bathed in the chakra of the Three-Tails, landed in front of Kakashi, placing one hand on the ground as she gazed at the nearby Sand Ninjas. She exhaled and said, "So, it has come to this."
The arrival of Rin caused the Sunagakure ninjas, including Maki, to change their expressions.
"Another one..."
"Is that the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails?!"
Whoosh!!
Before the Sunagakure ninjas could react further, Rin formed a single hand seal and pressed her left hand against the ground. The roof shook, and a wall of water suddenly surged forth, centered around Rin, Kakashi, and Anko, spreading in all directions.
The wall of water deflected the incoming wind-style jutsu, shuriken, and kunai, obscuring the vision of the Sand Ninjas and forcing those nearby to retreat.
As the water fell and dissipated...
Seven figures stood on the roof.
"Since you have made the decision to resist..." Kakashi said, standing tall as the power of his Mangekyo Sharingan flowed from his eyes, releasing a massive wave of chakra that caused the ground beneath him to crack.
The black and white robe he wore, bearing the symbol 'One' in black and white, billowed in the surging chakra.
Buzz!!
Anko wore a sinister smile, her black and white robe fluttering in the wind to reveal the number 'Two' on the back.
Hatake Kakashi drew his short sword, and three identical figures appeared beside him, their reality uncertain. As his robe fluttered, the number 'Three' on his back swayed with the motion.
Crackle!
Rin maintained her half-crouching stance, the chakra of the Three-Tails coursing through her caused the ground beneath her feet to crack and spread outward. Her black and white robe, embroidered with the character 'Four', danced in the wind.
Whoosh!
Angel Konan floated in the air, surrounded by countless paper strips that formed two white wings. Her black and white robe, with the character 'Five', gently trembled.
Kurenai Yuhi, imbued with the chakra of the Seven-Tails, stood at the edge of the roof, her powerful chakra causing the nearby airflow to churn wildly, making her robe, embroidered with the character 'Six', flutter dramatically.
Boom!!
At the back, Might Guy clenched his fists, his surging chakra erupting from within. His black hair stood on end from the sheer force of it.
Having opened the Sixth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates, Guy's gaze fell upon the shocked Sand Ninjas nearby as he declared:
"A Leaf Shadow Guard is here!!"
Boom!!
Seven immense chakras surged from Kakashi and his companions, intertwining and filling the area with an oppressive force that left Maki and his allies struggling to breathe.
Countless Sand Ninjas revealed their dismay, involuntarily backing away under the immense pressure, their arms trembling and cold sweat forming on their brows.
Amidst the intertwining chakra that seemed poised to tear the sky and earth apart, Kakashi, standing at the forefront, slowly drew his Grass-Cutting Sword.
He faced the Sand Ninjas head-on and calmly spoke:
"Then..."
"I hereby declare..."
"The start of the Fourth Great Ninja War!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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