https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-419-The-Threat-of-the-Byakugan-Wolf-/12936358/
Chapter 418: The Bait
Chapter 418: The Bait
A cave on the cliff had become a temporary command post.
Nara Kujousei was in discussion with Sarutobi Shinzo, with Akado Jinzo leaning against the wall and Kaise Yamayama tending to his wounds.
"I'm so glad you're all safe!" Nara Kujousei sighed in relief upon seeing the three of them.
He couldn't even imagine the dire situation Konoha would face if anything happened to them.
While Tsunade and Jiraiya were still away from the village, the only Shadow Level Powerhouses Konoha could currently rely on were Lord Tang Ping, the 'Purification Flame,' and Houshi, the 'Storm's Wrath.'
And then there was Danzo, the 'Shadow of the Shinobi,' whose importance was undeniable, even though he wasn't a Shadow Level powerhouse.
If they all perished, it would be a devastating blow.
Despite Kujousei's desire for Danzo's death, timing was crucial.
When things were calm, he would celebrate Danzo's death with fireworks.
But with Konoha facing the Cloud Village, and the 'Village Destruction' mission about to trigger, he couldn't afford to lose Danzo and Root Division.
Root Division was ruthless and merciless, but when it came to intelligence gathering and assassinations, they were unmatched, even by the Shadow Division.
"It seems like you're in a tough spot too!" Lord Tang Ping could tell from the numerous Konoha ninja corpses they encountered on their way and Jinzo's exhausted state.
"Yes, we suffered significant losses this time..." Kujousei forced a bitter smile.
Although the Cloud Village's elite and a thousand ninjas were held back by Lord Tang Ping's group, allowing them to escape without encountering powerful enemies, they still lost many.
The ninja army was now reduced to around six hundred.
Nearly four-tenths lost! Don't underestimate this number.
They were ninjas, not ordinary people who could be easily replaced. This loss was significant for Konoha, which had yet to recover its strength.
These dispatched forces were already considered a 'bloodletting.'
With nearly a hundred more casualties on top of their already stretched limits, it was no wonder Kujousei felt a headache.
Fortunately, Lord Tang Ping's group was safe; otherwise, he would be more than just worried; he'd be in despair.
"In this situation, I think the Hokage should recall the San Nin to take charge," Lord Tang Ping said as he sat down on a rock, appearing uninjured.
Indeed, he had no intention of treating his injuries.
Even with medical ninjas and healing potions in the team, he wouldn't seek treatment.
The reason was simple! Strong warriors' wounds weren't easily healed.
Take Jinzo, for example. After using a secret elixir to push away the Eight-Tailed Beast, he fought in a weakened state, resulting in chakra depletion.
This condition couldn't be treated.
Lord Tang Ping could claim that his meridians were damaged by lightning-style techniques, and no one would doubt him.
Unless Tsunade, the pinnacle of medical ninjas, personally examined him, no one would suspect Lord Tang Ping of feigning injury.
In truth, he had sustained severe injuries.
Kirabi's blade was imbued with lightning-style chakra, which had indeed injured him internally.
However, with his elemental transformation and Nirvana Technique, healing these injuries was a breeze.
He consumed a significant amount of chakra to restore his internal injuries, leaving only external wounds.
Even Danzo acknowledged Lord Tang Ping's severe injuries.
He had witnessed Kirabi's strike with lightning-style chakra firsthand.
With these 'injuries,' Lord Tang Ping could now relax and watch the events unfold.
He was genuinely curious about how many tricks Sarutobi Kazumi had yet to reveal.
In the anime, Konoha seemed to suffer from Orochimaru's 'Konoha Destruction Plan' and Nagato's 'Rice Towing,' appearing weak.
But upon closer inspection, it was terrifying.
The Konoha Destruction Plan hit the Sand Village the hardest, resulting in the death of the Fourth Kazekage and their subsequent reliance on Konoha for survival.
Konoha's losses were minimal, and it even paved the way for Tsunade's ascension.
Nagato's 'Rice Towing' was an assault beyond human capabilities.
If given enough time, it wouldn't be surprising if Konoha were to develop some powerful weapons.
"I've already sent the news back, but it's not my place to question how the Hokage will respond!"
Nara Kujousei didn't directly answer Dong Ping's question, instead glancing at his wound.
His injury would significantly impact their side's elite combat strength.
After all, losing a hand greatly diminishes one's strength.
Just look at Danzo! He used to be able to face Sarutobi Kazumi, the Skyfall Hero, head-on, but after losing a hand, he fell to the level of a Quasi-Shadow, and then losing a leg demoted him to an Elite Jonin.
What a tragedy!
Injuries indeed have a significant impact on a ninja's abilities.
Now that Dong Ping is injured, the subsequent plans must exclude him, the most reliable combat power.
Indeed, calling him Konoha's most reliable top-tier fighter is no exaggeration.
Recounting his achievements since his debut, he has fought against all four of the Great Ninja Villages and even killed the Third Mizukage.
It's as if he's on a path to conquer the entire Shinobi World without a rival. Despite the higher-ups' extreme precautions, they still consider him first when war breaks out.
"I hope the Hokage can turn the tide this time!"
Dong Ping continued to jest.
Sarutobi Kazumi isn't known as the 'Strongest Hokage' for nothing.
The opportunity has arrived!
With the Cloud Village Army reaching this far, the 'Strongest Hokage' can't just sit back in Konoha, can he?
If so, he'd truly become the 'Strongest Hokage Hype-Man'.
"..."
The most dreaded silence.
Dong Ping's words carried a hint of suppressed amusement, as if they couldn't see through his act.
He was putting on a show! But no one found it surprising.
After all, he was renowned for his rebellious nature.
"Ahem!" Nara Kujousei broke the silence, reassuringly, "Rest assured, with the Cloud Village Army deep in the Land of Fire, their supply lines will surely be strained. As long as we can stall them, allowing the village to cut off their supplies, we'll undoubtedly defeat the Cloud Village Army!"
This was the suggestion he sent along with the news.
Although there hasn't been a reply yet, he's confident the village will agree.
During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha employed this strategy to force the Stone Village into retreat, securing victory.
While the Stone Village's retreat was also a factor, it proved the importance of supply lines.
"I didn't expect your 'Will of Fire' to be so strong, Kujousei!"
Dong Ping's tone carried a hint of mockery, and his eyes turned cold.
Nara Kujousei's plan indeed seemed perfect.
It could both avoid the enemy's sharp edge and force their retreat!
However, he didn't mention the danger to them, the bait, which was crucial.
After all, they had to stall the Cloud Village's main forces for the village to cut off their supplies.
In other words... they had to take the initiative!
【(ノ=Д=)ノ┻━┻】
Dong Ping's inner self flipped the table.
Damn!
Are they really treating them like disposable pawns?
Currently, they're struggling to hide from the Cloud Village Army, and now they're expected to take the initiative.
It's like a mouse being a bridesmaid for a cat, a sure path to self-destruction!
It's only because they have many hidden cards and aren't afraid of taking risks. If their strength were truly limited to what's on the surface, they might end up on the Memorial Stone during the upcoming mission.
"This plan is the village's best chance for victory with minimal losses!"
Perhaps sensing Dong Ping's dissatisfaction, Nara Kujousei responded without a hint of fear.
As he himself was also bait, he had no personal agenda.
With his commitment, it was difficult to fault him.
"Not a bad plan!"
Dong Ping stood up and left.
Since the other party had made up their mind, he naturally wouldn't interfere.
After all, he was only the Vice Commander, and his bottom line was to ensure the village's survival. No matter how terrible the plan, it wouldn't affect him.
He hoped they wouldn't regret it... Dong Ping's eyes flashed with a hint of unease.
With this Cloud Village invasion, he sensed something amiss.
(End of Chapter)
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