Chapter 172: Kirigakure's Counterattack
"Lady Tsunade, how is my sensei doing now?"
Hyūga Kamon asked immediately when he saw Tsunade finish the surgery.
"He's fine. It was just excessive blood loss that caused him to pass out," Tsunade shook her head, explaining, "Jūzō Biwa's Executioner's Blade has a blood-sucking function."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
Hyūga Kamon immediately breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that.
"Sensei, are we going to continue the mission?"
Hoshikawa asked after they finished talking.
"We've already alerted the enemy. Kirigakure's camp will most likely relocate, so there's no point in continuing."
Tsunade's tone shifted, and she smiled. "Besides, eliminating Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga is far more valuable than that exploration mission."
"That's true."
Hoshikawa paused slightly, then understood.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were frontline commanders, their status equivalent to Tsunade's.
Losing two of them meant a loss for Kirigakure that far outweighed the destruction of a supply point or outpost.
After all, such elite Jōnin were rare even among the Five Great Villages.
Though, in Hoshikawa 's view, these particular Ninja Swordsmen were somewhat weak.
"Kamon, you and your squad take charge of Hyūga Saku. We'll return to the camp," Tsunade commanded.
"Yes."
Hyūga Kamon and another teammate lifted the unconscious Hyūga Saku.
The group retraced their steps.
Two hours later, they returned to the camp.
"Lady Tsunade, what happened?"
Nara Suzaku, who was left guarding the camp, quickly rushed over.
He saw Hyūga Saku and couldn't help but look surprised.
In his opinion, with two Jōnin, one of them being a Legendary Sannin, there was no way they should have been injured to this extent.
"We ran into Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga."
Tsunade smiled and said, "Send word out: they are dead."
Although she disliked being boastful, taking the lives of enemy leaders in wartime was an excellent way to boost morale.
Making sure every shinobi knew would effectively increase their motivation.
"Yes!"
Nara Suzaku took a few seconds to process the news, then said excitedly.
This was a massive battle achievement!
Although he wasn't directly involved, if they won against Kirigakure, all participating shinobi would receive some reward.
"Have the Hyūga clan shinobi monitor Kirigakure's movements," Tsunade said pensively. "With Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga dead, they are bound to make a move."
"Understood."
Nara Suzaku took the order and turned to leave.
"The rest of you go rest."
Tsunade waved her hand and said, "Even if you didn't fight much, you still spent several hours running."
"Yes."
Kurenai and Rin immediately responded.
Hyūga Kamon's squad carried Hyūga Saku back to their tent.
"Brat."
Tsunade looked at Hoshikawa and reached out her hand.
"…?"
Hoshikawa blinked and instinctively took her hand.
"What are you doing?"
Tsunade glared at him, slapped his hand away, and said, "What about the two ninja swords you picked up?"
"Oh, you mean those."
Hoshikawa cleared his throat and said, "Since I picked them up, they're naturally mine."
"I'll let you keep them, but those two blades aren't suitable for you. Don't use them in combat; they'll only drag you down," Tsunade withdrew her hand, speaking in a serious tone.
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow.
She's giving them to me just like that?
He thought he was going to be asked to hand them over, but she was just worried he'd misuse them.
"I'll give you the Kubikiribōchō," Hoshikawa thought for a moment, pulled out a scroll, and said, "As for the Lightning Blades Kiba, I plan to reforge them with my Lightning… with my sword."
He almost slipped up and said the name 'Thunderfire Blade'.
Each of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's blades had its own unique properties.
The Kubikiribōchō would absorb blood from the enemy's wounds.
The Lightning Blades Kiba could generate and conduct lightning.
Furthermore, reforging them with his Thunderfire Blade would sever their connection to the summoning scroll.
If Uchiha Sasuke had these blades, he wouldn't have needed to go to so much trouble creating cumulonimbus clouds just to release the Lightning Release: Kirin.
"That's not a bad idea."
Tsunade took the scroll and complimented him.
Having a sword that can conduct lightning not only increases the power of Lightning Release Ninjutsu but also saves chakra.
"Here's a tip," Tsunade said with a playful smile. "When we get back, have the Old Man arrange it. That way, the reforging won't cost you a thing."
"Sensei, you're so wicked!"
Hoshikawa 's eyes lit up, and he said with a laugh.
"What did you say?"
Tsunade raised her hand and flicked his forehead.
"Sensei is brilliant!"
Hoshikawa quickly corrected himself.
Just then, Tsunade pulled him close.
A rich aroma enveloped him, and Hoshikawa 's gaze instinctively drifted toward the abyss.
"Brat."
Tsunade leaned into his ear and whispered, "I'm hungry. I want to eat your cooking."
She hadn't eaten enough for breakfast and had been out all morning, leaving her stomach growling.
With so many shinobi in the camp, it wouldn't be proper to cook a special meal for herself, so she had to be discreet.
"I understand."
Hoshikawa smiled knowingly and said, "Let's head back to the tent."
"Let's go!"
Tsunade nodded in satisfaction. She let go of him and walked toward her tent.
Hoshikawa followed closely, making sure to lock the tent flap.
While the teacher and student were enjoying their meal, the Kirigakure camp was in complete silence.
When the bodies of Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga appeared, everyone wore expressions of disbelief.
How could the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, whom they considered invincible, die?
"Terumi Mei, who killed them?"
A burly young man with orange hair walked out of the main tent. It was Fuguki Suikazan.
Although the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were nominally equal in status, there had to be one supreme commander during wartime, and he was it.
This was because Fuguki Suikazan had long been running underground missions for Kirigakure, similar to Danzō Shimura and his Root.
He was strong, resourceful, and deeply cunning, which is why he became the overall commander.
"It was Tsunade."
Terumi Mei said gravely.
"How did you run into her?"
Fuguki Suikazan frowned deeply.
Terumi Mei recounted the situation.
In short, Hyūga Saku fell into their trap, and they chased him out, only to run into Tsunade.
"Those two fools!"
Fuguki Suikazan said with dissatisfaction.
Compared to the ignorant Kurozuchi Raiga, he was well aware of Tsunade's strength.
It could only be said that the two Swordsmen had grown too arrogant, being accustomed to invincibility in Kirigakure.
"The camp you are at must be relocated immediately!"
Fuguki Suikazan said firmly.
The camp where Terumi Mei, Kurozuchi Raiga, and Jūzō Biwa were stationed was not the main base, but Kirigakure's largest supply point.
It was essential because of its proximity to the Land of Rivers.
But now that Tsunade had discovered it, it could no longer be used.
"I've already arranged for their transfer. They'll be leaving soon," Terumi Mei quickly said.
"Good."
Fuguki Suikazan nodded, then asked, "What about their ninja swords?"
"Tsunade took them."
Terumi Mei replied.
In reality, Hoshikawa had taken them, but she said Tsunade had to prevent the remaining Seven Ninja Swordsmen from targeting him.
I only did it to repay that pervert for saving my life, Terumi Mei thought to herself.
"Troublesome."
Fuguki Suikazan was silent for a few seconds.
The most iconic possessions of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were undoubtedly the seven blades.
New members could be found, but it was difficult to replace the blades.
"We must find a way to retrieve them."
Fuguki Suikazan paused, then commanded, "Gather all the Jōnin for a meeting in the main tent."
"Yes."
Terumi Mei turned and left.
Soon, all the Jōnin of Kirigakure were assembled in the main tent.
Standing at the front were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, though now only five remained.
"Is Tsunade really that strong?"
Jinpachi Munashi, who was carrying a large, scroll-like sword on his back, asked.
His ninja sword was the Blastsword Shibuki, essentially a large scroll wrapped in explosion tags, possessing terrifying destructive power.
"She is one of the Legendary Sannin, after all. Not long ago, she even killed Hanzō, who was known as the 'Demigod'," Fuguki Suikazan said sternly. "If any of you encounter her, do not fight her alone!"
"Lord Fuguki."
A Kirigakure Jōnin reported, "We just received word that our five outposts in the Land of Rivers have been destroyed."
"As expected."
Fuguki Suikazan was not surprised. "It seems we need to change our strategy."
"What do we do?"
Jinpachi Munashi asked calmly. "Don't forget to avenge the two of them."
While he had no deep feelings for Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga, failing to avenge a fellow member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen would bring ridicule from the outside world.
"I know."
Fuguki Suikazan nodded and continued, "The loss of the outposts works perfectly for my new strategy: a harassment campaign."
Kirigakure shinobi excelled at Water Release and the Hiding in Mist Technique. They could use the sea and the dense fog to constantly harass Konoha and Sunagakure.
Simply put, they would use small ninja teams to operate with high mobility, hunting down enemy targets.
If they succeeded, great. If not, they would retreat to the sea.
In fact, this was their original plan.
After all, their total numbers were barely a thousand; large-scale battles were out of the question.
They just hadn't expected Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga to rush in and get themselves killed.
"One final thing."
Fuguki Suikazan warned, "Konoha has many Hyūga clan shinobi here. Be careful of them."
Kirigakure shinobi were experts at Silent Killing.
The prerequisite for this was the Hiding in Mist Technique, but the Byakugan completely countered them.
"Go prepare."
Fuguki Suikazan waved his hand and said, "Meeting adjourned!"
Terumi Mei left the main tent, looked out at the vast ocean, and let out a sigh.
She looked down at the pair of long boots she had changed into and gritted her teeth.
That damn pervert! Next time, she absolutely wouldn't let him get away with it!
But then she quickly remembered one thing, and her eyes glazed over: She couldn't beat him.
A new day began.
The spirits of the Konoha and Sunagakure forces, which had been high due to the deaths of Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga, now ran into new trouble.
Kirigakure's harassment campaign was highly effective.
"Today, nine shinobi died, and over twenty were injured," Nara Suzaku reported with a heavy expression in the main tent.
"What about the enemy?"
Tsunade frowned and asked.
"Only four shinobi died."
Nara Suzaku replied.
"We can't let this continue!"
Baki said, annoyed, "Their Hiding in Mist Technique is too bothersome!"
Since this was a joint operation between Konoha and Sunagakure, the Suna Jōnin were also attending the meeting.
"Build more outposts."
Tsunade pondered for a moment and said, "Equip every outpost with Hyūga clan shinobi and Wind Release users."
The Byakugan could see through the mist, and Wind Release could blow it away.
Fortunately, Sunagakure had a relatively large number of Wind Release users.
"The Hyūga clan Jōnin will form special search squads, focusing all efforts on finding Kirigakure's main base," Tsunade continued. "Only by destroying their main base can we effectively stop their harassment tactics!"
"Yes!"
Hyūga Saku quickly answered.
Thanks to Tsunade's treatment and subsequent blood transfusions from Medical-nin, he had mostly recovered.
He had failed his sea exploration mission by getting caught in a trap.
However, Tsunade's sheer power had saved the day by killing Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga, preventing a major disaster.
Still, for the Hyūga clan, it was a failure.
This was undoubtedly a chance to redeem himself.
When the meeting ended, Hoshikawa 's ninja squad also received a mission.
But they were neither building outposts nor searching for the main base; instead, they were assigned to counter-harassment duties.
Simply put, they were to act as the "fire brigade."
After all, their squad was led by Tsunade and possessed immense strength.
Hokage's Office.
A knock sounded on the door.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane walked in.
"I called you here to share some good—"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile suddenly froze.
An uninvited guest had appeared: Danzō Shimura.
"Why wasn't I called?"
Danzō asked with some displeasure. "I am the Hokage's Advisor. I also have the right to information and deliberation."
In the past, he wouldn't have needed to attend meetings so frequently.
But now, he had to constantly monitor all intelligence to relay information to Orochimaru.
All his hopes were currently staked on Orochimaru, so he had to be vigilant.
"How did you know we were holding a meeting?"
Hiruzen's face darkened, and he asked.
He suspected that some Root members who had joined the Anbu were still working for Danzō Shimura.
"It's nothing."
Danzō's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a straight face. "I simply saw the two of them, so I knew something important was happening."
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances, remaining silent, choosing to tacitly accept the situation.
The four of them had always maintained a delicate balance.
If Danzō was excluded, problems would inevitably arise.
"Hiruzen, let's just get to the point," Homura changed the subject.
"I just received intelligence from Nara Suzaku."
A smile returned to Hiruzen's face. "Tsunade and Hyūga Saku's squad killed Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga."
"That is indeed wonderful news!"
Homura said, smiling. "To achieve such a record in just two days fully demonstrates the capabilities of our Konoha Village!"
The Ninja World War was essentially a demonstration of military might.
The victor would receive more missions and resources from the Daimyō, allowing the ninja village to prosper.
Danzō's heart immediately tightened.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were not minor figures; they were famous personalities in the ninja world.
Tsunade killing them would inevitably raise her prestige further.
This won't do!
He had to remind Orochimaru to produce results as soon as possible.
(End of this chapter)
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