Konoha's lexicon of ninjas

Chapter 166 Danzo's Attack Leads to Hiruzen Taking the Blame! (Please Subscribe and Vote)

In late August of Konoha 45, the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure personally led his troops north and once again invaded the Land of Birds.

Almost at the same time that the Sand Ninja invaded the Land of Birds again, Minato Namikaze from the Land of Fire arrived in the Land of Grass.

Meanwhile, the Iwa ninja had already withdrawn from the Land of Grass and set up defenses at one end of the destroyed Kannabi Bridge. They then used the natural barrier of the huge canyon where the Kannabi Bridge was located to defend themselves and hold off the combined forces of Konoha, Sunagakure, and Kusanagi.

It must be said that the elite Iwagakure ninja, Higashi no Shijin, is indeed not to be underestimated; their defense left Orochimaru and Chiyo helpless.

Inside the main tent, Konoha was led by Orochimaru, Sunagakure by Chiyo and Ebizo, and Kusagakure was inactive; the three parties were holding a meeting.

Minato Namikaze, who had just arrived, was also present.

"Since the defenses formed by the natural barriers of Iwagakure are difficult to break through, we should change direction and attack from the Land of Rain."

Chiyodao.

Orochimaru nodded slightly: "The direction of the Land of Rain is indeed an option, and the battlefield has now spread to the Land of Rain."

"But we must also tie down the Iwa ninja's forces here, otherwise the battle situation will not change."

Upon hearing this, Wuwei of the Grass Ninja quickly replied, "The strength of the Rock Ninja hasn't been greatly diminished yet. With the strength of our village, I'm afraid we won't be able to restrain them."

Sending them to face the Iwa ninja alone would be a disaster.

Having been dragged into this great battle, the Iwa ninja absolutely hate them.

Orochimaru and Chiyo were naturally aware of this.

Orochimaru said, "Konoha's main force will still be used to contain the main force of Iwa ninja in the Land of Grass, while another part of the force will be sent to attack from the side of the Land of Rain."

"As for Sunagakure, I think we can go directly through the Land of Rain to the Land of Earth and besiege the Iwa ninja in the direction of the Land of Birds to put pressure on them."

Chiyo nodded; that was also her idea.

What she feared most was Konoha interfering in the Land of Birds' affairs. Hearing Orochimaru's words, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Then it's decided. The Iwa ninja here will be handled by Konoha and Kusanagi!"

"The Raikage is putting immense pressure on the Iwa ninja right now, so perhaps we can take this opportunity to force the Tsuchikage to admit defeat."

Orochimaru laughed and said, "Given the Third Tsuchikage's personality, it might be difficult."

"Unless the Third Raikage forces him to mobilize the vast majority of his forces."

Ebizo said, "That Onoki guy has a terrible temper and is stubborn. He'll probably use the peace talks to buy time."

Chiyo scoffed, "Then he'll have no choice but to admit defeat!"

Orochimaru strongly agreed: "Sunagakure should take over the Land of Birds before Iwagakure deals with the Cloud Village's invasion."

Chiyo nodded solemnly: "We will!"

After the three parties reached an agreement and the meeting ended with Chiyo and the others leaving, Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze returned to their tent.

Minato Namikaze asked directly, "What's the next step?"

Orochimaru said, "Break through the Iwa ninja's defenses!"

"Force the Iwa ninja to negotiate, even if it's just to buy time."

"The Iwa ninja need to buy time, and we also need to mobilize some troops to the Kumo ninja battlefield."

"Although Shuichi is there, he can probably only restrain the AB group. If he wants to completely drive the Cloud Ninja out of the Land of Fire, or even drive them out of small countries like the Land of Rice Fields, his forces are not enough."

Minato Namikaze nodded, understanding Orochimaru's strategic intentions, and said, "Then let's launch the attack tomorrow!"

"Just have someone throw the kunai out, and leave the rest to me!"

Orochimaru laughed and said, "Then we'll see what Minato does next."

Minato Namikaze smiled and said, "I must thank you for taking care of Shuichi before, senpai."

"I didn't take care of him."

Orochimaru spoke frankly: "Shuichi-kun's strength has probably surpassed that of your teacher."

"However, he now has two tailed beasts, so Minato, you should probably be prepared."

This statement has a profound meaning.

Minato Namikaze naturally understood and nodded solemnly: "I will pay attention."

"With me, Jiraiya-sensei, Tsunade-senpai, and you, senpai, there shouldn't be any problems."

Orochimaru chuckled knowingly, "Minato, I might not necessarily side with Shuichi-kun."

"Don't forget, I'm still at the root."

Minato Namikaze replied, "But you are the Third Hokage's disciple and one of the Legendary Sannin."

"You and Shuichi get along quite well."

After saying that, Minato Namikaze bowed slightly and said, "I'll go and make preparations."

Watching Minato Namikaze's retreating figure, Orochimaru couldn't help but chuckle: "Unbeknownst to many, Shuichi-kun has already woven a vast net in Konoha!"

"In that case, it seems that he is the only one who can be the fifth generation."

He then turned to look in the direction of Konoha Village, his gaze seemingly piercing through the tent and across the vast distance to land on the Hokage Building: "Has the old man already made a decision?"

……

The night passed in a flash.

The following day, at the site of the Kannabi Bridge, across the collapsed bridge, the combined forces of Konoha and Kusanagi confronted Iwa ninja.

At this time, the strong people gathered in Konoha were not only Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze, but also Jonin such as Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga who had rushed over from the battlefield of Kirigakure with Minato Namikaze.

The goal is to completely crush the current Iwa ninja, forcing them to swallow their pride and negotiate, thus freeing up more resources to deal with the Kumo ninja.

"Earth Escape!"

Orochimaru shouted the order.

Immediately, Konoha ninjas and Grass Ninjas who could use Earth Release techniques sprang into action, leaping into the canyon and forming hand seals in unison.

Earth Release: Multiple Earth Flow Walls!

Rumble!

One after another, earthen walls rose from the ground and continued to rise.

Meanwhile, the Iwa ninja on the opposite side of the canyon threw various ninja tools at the Konoha ninja and Kusanagi ninja who were performing ninjutsu below, launching a superior attack.

The Konoha and Kusanagi ninjas on this side also took action, either standing on the canyon bank or leaping directly into the valley to intercept and defend against the Iwa ninjas' attacks.

The existence of the earth-flowing wall serves as a springboard.

Moments later, the tactics proved effective.

Minato Namikaze immediately shouted, "Everyone, just throw as many kunai and flashbangs as possible towards the Iwa ninja, and leave the rest to me!"

Orochimaru then said, "Do as Minato says."

"Move out!"

shhhhhh!

One by one, the Konoha ninja used the Body Flicker Technique to approach the opposite bank using the Earth Flow Wall.

Moreover, it was led by Konoha Jonin such as Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi, with Orochimaru himself also personally taking action to cover for the others.

Once they got close enough, Flying Thunder God kunai and flashbangs were thrown into the Iwa ninja.

As the flashbang exploded, a dazzling golden light flashed, and Minato Namikaze's figure on the other side immediately disappeared.

"what!"

"spread!"

"It's Konoha's yellow flash!"

……

At this moment, Minato Namikaze kept flashing among the Iwa ninja, and every time he appeared, an Iwa ninja would fall down with a scream.

At this moment, the Konoha ninjas finally understood how Minato Namikaze earned the title of Yellow Flash!

In just a short while, Minato Namikaze single-handedly broke through the Iwa ninja's defenses, and a large number of Konoha ninja and Kusanagi ninja rushed to the other side.

The already understaffed Iwa ninja front quickly collapsed.

Even though the commander was unwilling, Dong Siren had no choice but to order a retreat.

Instead of ordering a relentless pursuit, Orochimaru seized the defensive line previously built by the Iwa ninja and turned it into his own defensive position.

Meanwhile, the Grass Ninja Village quickly brought up the people and supplies they had prepared beforehand and began to rebuild the Kannabi Bridge.

Orochimaru will then station a small force, along with some Grass Ninja, at this location to prevent a counterattack from the Rock Ninja and to serve as a logistical route, as well as a retreat route for the Leaf Ninja who will enter the Land of Earth to fight against the Rock Ninja.

This would shorten the battle lines and save manpower. With the cooperation of the Root forces in the Land of Rain, at least one or two thousand troops could be saved to support the Cloud Ninja battlefield.

While Konoha and Kusagakure continued to expand their gains, Sunagakure was also making great strides.

In terms of average quality, the Sand Ninja were already superior to the Iwa Ninja, and with their numerical advantage, the Iwa Ninja suffered repeated defeats.

Of course, some of these cases involved Iwa ninja who did not have a strong will to resist.

When Onoki gave the order, he had no confidence in saving the Bird Country.

August arrived in the blink of an eye.

The Sand Ninja completely drove the Rock Ninja out of the Land of Birds and invaded the Land of Earth, even connecting the battlefield with the Leaf Village once again.

But despite this favorable situation, both Konoha and Sunagakure stopped and began to threaten each other with peace talks.

Iwagakure Village, Tsuchikage's Office.

Onoki's face turned ashen as he looked at the two peace treaties his son, Huang Tu, had brought back.

This is not peace talks, it's clearly a threat!

"These bastards... damn it!"

Ōnoki gritted his teeth.

The Sand Village ninja are taking advantage of the situation.

Huang Tu, filled with helplessness, said, "Father, given the current situation, I'm afraid we can only agree to peace talks for the time being."

"We must mobilize our forces to deal with the Cloud Ninja first, otherwise the trouble will be even greater."

The Third Raikage's personal invasion of the Land of Earth with his army has had a very negative impact, causing the Land of Earth's daimyo to waver in his support for Iwagakure.

Onoki scoffed, "Then you can represent me in the peace talks!"

"Make Konoha retreat back to the Land of Fire, and make Sunagakure withdraw from the Land of Birds!"

Huang Tian was taken aback, but then he understood.

Peace talks, after all, require some haggling to buy time.

"I see!"

Huang Tu nodded, then turned and left.

Onoki looked at the map, where the red lines represented the movements of the Third Raikage.

They were scattered haphazardly, as if they were wandering around the Land of Earth like it was their own backyard.

This also had an extremely negative impact and caused significant damage to the Land of Earth.

This is also the reason why the daimyo of the Land of Earth is dissatisfied.

"If you don't want to leave, then stay!"

Onoki's gaze was fierce.

He was going to lay a trap so that the Cloud Ninja would have no way to escape!

……

While the Iwa ninja were winning battles, on the Kumo ninja battlefield, Hoshino Shizuka, along with Uchiha Shisui and Asuka, was constantly clashing with the AB duo.

However, after suffering a loss the first time, the AB duo gained another person by their side.

Lava Release: Earth Age!

Three against three!

Tsuchishiro's shrewdness, the characteristics of Lava Release, and his rapid casting speed all made Hoshino Shuichi and Uchiha Shisui take notice, and at the same time feel a bit of a headache.

The advantage of having an extra person immediately became neutralized.

However, by containing the AB combination, Konoha's battle lines were completely stabilized.

Especially as reinforcements continued to arrive, Konoha's strength grew stronger and stronger.

Meanwhile, Hoshino Shuichi continued to challenge the AB duo every day, not only to restrain them, but also to hone his Flying Thunder God Technique.

Fighting against such masters rapidly improves one's proficiency in the Flying Thunder God Technique, far faster than defeating weaker opponents.

Time flew by and it was already mid-September.

Konoha launched its first counterattack, forcing the Cloud Ninja to retreat once again.

at the same time.

As negotiations between Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure entered a new phase, Minato Namikaze, along with Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara, returned to Konoha for a short rest.

Not only them, but also many Konoha ninja who initially fought against Sunagakure and Kirigakure returned to Konoha to rest and prepare to support the Kumogakure battlefield.

……

Inside the Hokage Building conference room.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane are all present.

Danzo's expression was grim. He said firmly, "Even if we are to negotiate with the Iwa ninja, we absolutely cannot give up the benefits we have already gained. Otherwise, the deaths of the village ninjas will have been meaningless."

"We have the upper hand now, and there is no need for us to back down to the Iwa ninja."

"I absolutely refuse to return the Four-Tails to Iwagakure!"

Koharu Utatane also said, "Hiruzen, shouldn't you consider it?"

"We agreed to return the One-Tailed Beast in order to gain the support of the Sand Village, but this time we really don't need to compromise with the Iwa Village."

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could speak, Danzo said, "In my opinion, even the One-Tailed Beast should not be returned to the Sand Village."

"While Hoshino Shuichi claims he's confident he can extract the Tailed Beast without dying in three years, what if something unexpected happens?"

"Hiruzen, such a talented individual, must he be sacrificed like this?"

At this moment, he had completely forgotten that he had once called Hoshino Shuichi "a born evil brat" in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"And if Hoshino Shuichi does it, then the tailed beasts should not be returned."

Danzo looked at the silent Hiruzen Sarutobi and said with spittle flying, "With the One-Tailed and the Four-Tailed in our hands, we can use these two tailed beasts to conduct experiments and create the perfect Jinchuriki."

"Then the village will have two more powerful fighters, so even if we encounter the same situation again, it won't be as critical."

The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, disagreed with distributing the Tailed Beasts, and Danzo, a big fan of Tobirama, also agreed with this choice.

Danzo believed that such powerful forces were safest only if they were in his own hands.

If all nine tailed beasts are in Konoha, what can happen even if they are besieged by the four great ninja villages?

Hearing Danzo's words, both Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were deeply moved.

Even setting aside the perfect Jinchūriki, someone like Roshi is incredibly powerful.

Although Konoha has the strongest Nine-Tails, it is too powerful to control and cannot unleash its full potential.

One-tailed and four-tailed are actually more suitable.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sensed the excitement in his two old friends and sighed inwardly. He didn't reveal that returning the One-Tail was Hoshino Shuichi's suggestion, but silently took the blame, yet remained resolute: "Having too many tailed beasts will only make the village vulnerable to attack from others. Even if we control the One-Tail and the Four-Tail, we still can't withstand the siege of the other four great ninja villages."

"Even the Hidden Takigakure village might feel threatened and join them."

"Even if we can withstand their siege, how many village ninjas will we have to sacrifice?"

"How many children will we have to send to the battlefield?"

"That kind of war is completely meaningless."

Danzo glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi. He knew that once the decision was made, his old friend wouldn't change it, but he still said, "Hoshita Shuichi is also someone the daimyo values. If he were to sacrifice himself because of this..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "I, as the Hokage, will bear all the consequences."

"Furthermore, once we defeat the Cloud Ninja, I will resign from my position as Hokage to take responsibility!"

Danzo was secretly delighted, but his expression remained unchanged.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were shocked to hear this.

Koharu Utatane quickly said, "Hiruzen, you don't have to go this far!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "We're getting old; it's time for the younger generation to step aside."

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mito both fell silent after hearing this.

Yes, they have indeed grown old.

This war has clearly shown its true colors, and it is indeed time to back down.

"Since you've made up your mind, Hiruzen, then so be it."

Mitokado Homura said, "However, we probably need to carefully consider the selection of the Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded: "Don't worry, I've already considered this."

(End of this chapter)