Countless pitch-black insects covered the purple sealing barrier.
Bright blue light connected each insect to the others, forming a blue curtain that layered itself over the purple sealing barrier.
Inside the barrier, the Rain Hidden shinobi were trapped.
"What is this thing?"
"I'm not going to die, right? I'm still so young!"
"Damn it! We walked straight into their trap! Those despicable Konoha bastards!"
"Brother, I'm scared…"
"Don't be afraid, little brother. Hanzo-sama will definitely come save us."
...
The Rain ninja commander leading the squad also sensed that something was wrong.
But at a time like this, the only thing he could do was stabilize everyone's morale.
Damn it. Since when did Konoha possess a barrier technique of this scale? So this is a sealing barrier…
"Everyone assemble! Ninjutsu squad, prepare! Focus your attacks on a single point! A barrier this large can't possibly last long!"
"Yes! Ninjutsu squad ready! Three, two, one—release!"
"Ninja Art: Thousand Needles Like Rain!"
"Ninja Art: Thousand Needles Like Rain!"
"Water Release: Black Water Technique!"
"Water Release: Black Water Technique!"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Lightning Release!"
"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"
...
Dozens of ninjutsu slammed into the barrier.
The barrier didn't move in the slightest.
It's actually this sturdy?
The Rain ninja commander frowned at the realization.
"Explosive tag squad, prepare."
"Earth Release users, burrow underground and check if there's a weakness."
...
While the Rain ninja inside the barrier were desperately trying to save themselves, Aburame Shiken outside wasn't idle either.
He turned toward Senju Hideki, who was currently channeling chakra into the barrier beside him.
"How is it? With the cooperation of our three hundred Aburame clan shinobi, how long can this barrier last at most?"
Hideki analyzed for a moment.
"Judging from the current energy consumption rate, at least one hour won't be a problem. But considering the desperate struggle of the more than two thousand people inside, it would be best to begin the operation within thirty minutes."
"Mm. Then we'll start in fifteen minutes. Shikuro, any problems on your side?"
"We can activate it at any time."
"Good. I'll go deal with the remaining two thousand outside. Unfortunately, this time we don't have such a convenient method."
As he spoke, Shiken prepared to leave.
"Shiken."
"What is it, Hideki?"
"The people following me… please take care of them."
"Leave it to me."
"Thank you."
"No big deal."
...
At this moment, the remaining Rain ninja were extremely anxious.
"Harada-sama, we should charge already! All our comrades are trapped inside that blue-purple barrier. They're in great danger!"
"That's right, Harada-sama! Just give the order! I can lead the charge!"
Harada gently pushed up his glasses.
"Calm down. Right now we must remain calm. How do you know there isn't another barrier waiting for us?"
"Everyone split into three waves and attack in rotation. A barrier technique of this magnitude must require at least a thousand Konoha shinobi to maintain it."
"The numerical advantage is on our side. Advance slowly—this battle will belong to the Rain ninja."
(Hehe… actually, the barrier is only being maintained by me, Senju Hideki, nearly three hundred Aburame clan shinobi, and countless insects. Bet you didn't expect that. In reality, the side with the numbers advantage is Konoha.)
"Yes, sir."
However, when the subordinates accepted the order, many of them looked slightly dissatisfied.
Unfortunately for them, Harada—already fantasizing about personally leading the Rain ninja to ultimate victory and receiving praise from Hanzo-sama—didn't notice this at all.
But Hyūga Hiyasu, who had been keeping his Byakugan activated the entire time, noticed it clearly.
Soon after, he went to find Nara Shikaku.
"Shikaku, just now the Rain ninja leadership said something roughly like this…"
With ultra-long-range vision plus x-ray sight, it would be a complete waste not to learn lip reading.
Hiyasu also informed Shikaku about the possible internal discord among their leadership.
"Hiyasu, capture a tongue for us. At the very least, we need to know the name of that glasses-wearing commander."
"I'll go right now."
...
After Hiyasu left—
"Inoichi, go find our clan elders. I've got a new idea."
"Ah—okay."
Nara Shikaku brought Yamanaka Inoichi to find Yamanaka Meirin and Nara Shikakaku, who were currently preparing for battle.
After Shikaku shared his plan with them, Meirin gave Shikakaku a strange look.
See? That's the kind of kid your Nara clan raises.
Ahem.
Shikakaku coughed twice to compose himself.
The method was a good one.
It was just… unbelievably underhanded.
What the hell…
This kid…
Right, he's the clan head's son.
The clan head really raised him well.
"Shikaku, we'll do it your way. But we still need to inform the others. Otherwise the moment the Yamanaka transfer their consciousness over, they might get chopped down immediately—that would be a huge loss."
"I'll go find Shiken. He'll definitely have a solution."
"Alright. We'll start preparing on our side."
...
Just as Shiken came out of that mountain cave, he was arranging how the small ninja clans under Senju Hideki could officially participate in the battle and earn some credit.
But honestly… it was a headache.
Some were skilled in ninjutsu.
Some specialized in genjutsu.
Some were masters of swordsmanship.
They had every skill imaginable.
Which made them extremely difficult to organize.
Damn it, Hideki. No wonder you thanked me earlier.
Damn… I got moved too early.
"Shiken! Shiken!"
"Shikaku? Why are you here?"
"I've got an idea."
"Acting?"
"Exactly. Like this."
"You're so wicked. I love it."
"Ugh. Shiken, that's disgusting."
"Forget what I just said. Let's discuss it again."
After two minutes of quiet scheming between Aburame Shiken and Nara Shikaku, the plan was officially formed.
[Thirteen minutes remain before the Poison Technique activates.]
Inside the barrier, the Rain ninja were still desperately trying to break free.
Outside, the Rain ninja continued their staged offensive.
And in front of the barrier—
Only three hundred Hyūga clan shinobi and five hundred shinobi from the Ino–Shika–Chō clans were struggling to hold back the attacks of two thousand Rain ninja.
Konoha appeared to be running dangerously short on manpower.
...
On another battlefield—
"Summoning Technique: Rashōmon!"
A massive demonic gate rose up, blocking the poisonous blast from the salamander.
"Hanzo, your subordinates have already fallen into our encirclement. Why not surrender? That way more of your Rain Village people might survive."
Orochimaru's hoarse voice echoed.
"Hmph. Orochimaru brat, your chakra probably won't last much longer either. If I kill you three rising stars, Konoha will surely feel the pain."
Hanzo showed no weakness.
"Hmph! Hanzo, I've got plenty of chakra left! Monster Strength: Heavenly Foot of Pain!"
Tsunade slammed her foot heavily onto the ground.
The earth instantly split open with a massive crack.
Hanzo spun away and dodged the attack.
"Tsunade, no matter how powerful your moves are, they're useless if they can't hit anyone."
"Cut the crap!"
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
The ground instantly liquefied into a swamp, trapping Hanzo's feet.
"Great! We got him!"
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
More than a dozen snakes shot out from Orochimaru's sleeves, lunging toward Hanzo.
Bang!
Hanzo turned into a chunk of wood.
"Damn it—a Substitute Technique!"
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizō!"
But before Jiraiya's hair had fully hardened—
Hanzo suddenly appeared and kicked him.
Jiraiya was sent flying straight toward Tsunade.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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