Chapter 740: Assassination of the Leaf Strategist!
Chapter 740: Assassination of the Leaf Strategist!
"Lord Kujaku, the Fifth Hokage has an order!"
A Leaf messenger swiftly approached the temporary command post atop the hill and loudly announced his purpose.
First, the ANBU carefully inspected the token, ensuring its authenticity before allowing the messenger to pass through the outer defense line.
Beyond the perimeter, they reached Nara Shikaku, who was continuously issuing commands and sending messenger ninjas to carry out his orders.
"An order from the Hokage?"
Hearing the messenger's words, Nara Shikaku withdrew his gaze, curious about the Hokage's command.
Although the command had fallen into his hands after several powerful warriors joined the battle, he was well aware that he was merely an executor, and the true decision-maker was Jiraiya, the Hokage. Thus, he wanted to know the nature of the order.
At this moment, he had two choices.
One option was to go all-in, even if it meant heavy casualties, and take advantage of their remaining strength to launch a desperate counterattack.
The other option was to cut their losses and abandon a portion of the ninjas, using them as a decoy while the remaining forces retreated.
After all, the defense line had already been breached, and the next target for an attack would be the Skyguard Tower, which lacked any sort of 'wall' defense, making it an easy target to conquer.
However, as his gaze fell upon the messenger before him, Nara Shikaku's exceptionally intelligent mind instantly sounded an alarm.
Because... the messenger had changed.
All messengers were personally selected by him, and he had memorized each of their appearances.
This fact, however, he had not shared with anyone.
His heart sank like it had fallen into an ice cellar.
The messenger's transformation and disguise were so convincing that even the ANBU and his two close friends had failed to see through it, which was enough to indicate how terrifying it was.
It was common knowledge among ninjas how to guard against transformation and disguise techniques.
Even under their strict vigilance, it was nearly impossible for a Kage-level warrior to approach in disguise.
Yet, this messenger had managed to do just that, leaving everyone in awe.
Nara Shikaku's expression remained 'natural' as he took a step back, as if to convey something to the ANBU nearby.
But before he could take another step, the messenger before him spoke with a numb and eerie expression on her face, "How did you discover me?"
Indeed, this messenger was Hyuga Tsukimi. At that moment, her curiosity was piqued.
After receiving Tang Ping's order, she had begun her mission.
Due to the diverse affiliations within the Allied Forces, she easily infiltrated the Leaf forces.
After observing for a while, she devised an assassination plan.
A messenger!
With her transformation technique, it was effortless for her to gather information.
She had also confirmed the token and intercepted a messenger along the way, assuming their identity to approach the Leaf forces. She planned to strike when they let their guard down.
Unexpectedly, her disguise was seen through instantly.
"It's your eyes!"
"The Hokage would never send you as a messenger; instead, they would use Hiai to convey the message!"
...
Nara Shikaku spoke while slowly retreating towards the ANBU, joining Hiai and Akado Teizo in the mountains.
Under their protection, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as they waited a little longer, the surrounding shinobi army would deal with the enemy.
Even if it were a Kage-level warrior, facing an endless number of Leaf ninjas, it was impossible to escape unscathed...
Pfft!
A crisp sound of flesh being pierced echoed.
Nara Shikaku looked down and saw a hole the size of an egg in his chest, with blood gushing out profusely.
"You sure talk a lot!"
Hyuga Tsukimi, already standing several meters behind him, retracted her index finger.
When she had questioned him earlier, she also realized he was stalling for time, so she countered with a Shadow Clone Technique, creating a clone while her real body reduced its presence and hid in the rear.
Taking advantage of his focus on the shadow clone, she launched a 'Piercing Wave' attack, instantly defeating him.
Piercing Wave! A condensed version of the Sky Strike, it was a 'point' attack with faster and more discreet execution.
A perfect assassination technique.
Especially when combined with Hyuga Tsukimi's ability to manipulate her presence and the Transmigration Eye, it made her an unstoppable assassin.
If it were Jiraiya or Asama, Kage-level or Strong Kage-level entities, they might have sensed the lethal threat.
But Nara Shikaku was far from their level.
Elite Jonin!
Although he could hold his own against some Quasi-Shadows and Kage-level opponents with his Shadow Secret Art, it didn't mean he would fare better against Hyuga Tsukimi's assassination attempt than a Kage-level warrior.
As for the ninja armor? For Piercing Wave's penetration, it's not much stronger than the foam.
Even if it wasn't Nara Shikaku, even if Hiryuko used his Steel Style Bloodline Limit, Piercing Wave could still cause damage.
Of course, this is assuming the opponent doesn't use Yin Release.
"Shikaku!"
"Quickly notify Lady Tsunade!"
...
A vague voice seemed to reach Nara Shikaku's ears, and he had already entered his final moments.
Hyuga Tsukimi was too ruthless, directly aiming for the heart.
Unless Shikaku had Elementalization or the power of the Celestial Tower, there was only one hope of survival after having his heart pierced.
Tsunade!
With the opponent's ceiling-level medical ninjutsu, even with a pierced heart, there was still a chance to save him.
Especially now that the 'Second Heart' surgery has been made public.
After all, Orochimaru's Root Blade relied on this technology, so Tsunade naturally understood it.
It wasn't impossible for her to create a new heart for Shikaku on the spot.
"Tch!"
Hyuga Tsukimi let out a light hum before retreating.
Not only were Kakashi and the ANBU present, but Might Guy and Tenzou had also rushed back.
Especially Guy!
In Tang Ping's evaluation, he was held in extremely high regard, even being called the future body technique master of the Shinobi World.
The crucial point was that he also cultivated the forbidden technique 'Eight Gates Technique'.
This technique wasn't a secret to Hyuga Tsukimi, so she naturally knew how terrifying its power was when unleashed.
Even if she wasn't afraid, she didn't have the confidence to defeat him in a short time.
However, despite retreating, she had no intention of abandoning the mission.
Intercept Tsunade!
The opponent's only hope of survival was for Tsunade to arrive in time, so she would stall for a little while.
Even a little time would be enough for Nara Shikaku to die.
Who could blame them for targeting the Skyguard Tower so intensely and strategically?
There wasn't any deep-seated grudge or vengeance involved.
That's why Tang Ping sent Hyuga Tsukimi to make a point.
When you play the game, you must be prepared to pay the price!
Did you think no one knew about your constant strategizing against the Skyguard Tower?
If there wasn't an 'inside man', Tang Ping would never have guessed that Shikaku would go so far.
Because the Nara Clan, in his heart, had always been known for their calm and wise demeanor.
But after learning of their actions, don't blame Tang Ping for disregarding martial ethics and directly sending his ace to take action.
Assassinations on the battlefield are much more challenging than usual, but with Hyuga Tsukimi, it wasn't a problem.
She was truly useful!
This ace, never exposed before, was perfect for dirty work, and no one could have predicted it.
Perhaps Konoha had already accounted for all the strong individuals in the Skyguard Tower, thinking there would be no surprises.
But Hyuga Tsukimi, this 'invisible' person, was completely outside their expectations and defenses.
If they had known her information in advance, Nara Shikaku would have definitely taken precautions, and he wouldn't have been pierced through the heart by Piercing Wave.
The reason for not going overboard was to distance this assassination attempt from the 'Shell Organization'.
Otherwise, with a 'Multi-Piercing Sky Strike', would Nara Shikaku have had the chance to leave his final words?
Just as Hyuga Tsukimi was intercepting Tsunade, a small squad arrived to provide support.
This squad's strength wasn't worth mentioning; there were two genin and one chunin, but their identities were special.
They were the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho! Yes, they were Nara Kurenai, Yamanaka Ino, and Akado Teizo.
In this Great Shinobi War, Konoha's genin naturally joined as well.
But Jiraiya wasn't part of the F4, so he wouldn't send these young boys and girls to the front lines; instead, he assigned them auxiliary tasks.
In today's decisive battle, these genin were also at the rear, responsible for monitoring the surroundings and preventing unexpected enemy squads from appearing.
Asuma's Tenth Squad happened to be nearby, and they rushed over as soon as they received the warning signal, only to witness this scene.
"..."
Nara Kurenai's eyes welled up with tears as he saw his father, Asuma, lying limp in Akado Teizo's arms, his gaze vacant.
(End of Chapter)
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