Konoha's lexicon of ninjas

Chapter 69 Persuasion, the Blooming Flame! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

"Even for an S-level classified mission, we should at least be given basic information; otherwise, we won't be able to accurately carry out the rendezvous mission, right?"

Kurama Sanyo asked in confusion.

Xingxia Xiu said, "Because we are located right on the retreat route!"

Minato Namikaze nodded: "Shuichi is right."

He pondered, "Since we can't determine the timing of our retreat, we must remain vigilant at all times."

"Furthermore, although we have now attracted the attention of some Sand Ninja, we cannot allow them to keep an eye on us all the time."

"Therefore, we need to split into two groups next."

"Shuichi and I will be in Group A, responsible for drawing the attention of the Sand Village ninja. Shisui and Sanyo, you two stay behind. Shuichi, you also need to leave a shadow clone behind, and be able to notify us immediately if anything happens."

The three of them, including Hoshino, nodded in unison.

Only Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique allowed him to make this arrangement.

After tidying up and leaving behind shadow clones, Hoshino Shuichi and Namikaze Minato swaggered off.

Sure enough, not long after, Minato Namikaze sensed that the Sand Ninja were following him.

Both Yekura and Luosha are present.

Ignoring the Sand Ninja squad behind them, Hoshino Shuichi and Namikaze Minato continued forward.

"What are these two guys trying to do?"

"Is he heading in this direction to the mine guarded by the village?"

Hakura couldn't understand what Hoshino Shuichi and the others were doing.

Luo Sha was also unsure, saying, "Perhaps it's just an eye for an eye."

Ye Cang snorted coldly, "I think Konoha sent them with ill intentions; they're probably just unhappy with the outcome last time."

Luo Sha's gaze darkened: "We have already made concessions."

"If Konoha continues to press the issue, I think the Third Kazekage wouldn't mind starting a war, and the Daimyo probably wouldn't stop us either."

Yecang nodded, then snorted, "It's a pity that Hanzo backed down... The once-renowned demigod of the ninja world has become weak."

……

"Let's choose this mountain!"

Minato Namikaze stood atop the mountain, from where he could see a mine across the way, a place protected by Sunagakure.

Hoshino glanced at the mine, which was still lit up in the darkness, and then said, "Minato-sensei, I'll go find a water source."

Minato Namikaze nodded.

Hideichi Hoshino turned and left, and soon found a waterfall pool.

The two then set up camp by the waterfall pool.

Luo Sha and Ye Cang, who were watching from a distance, looked at each other in bewilderment.

The two then retreated to the mine, with Rasa staying behind while Yekura left to report the situation to Chiyo.

Silent all night.

The next morning, Hoshino Hideichi went fishing along the stream and unknowingly came to a small lake, where he saw many water lilies growing on the lake, which was very beautiful.

Hoshino Hideichi caught a few fish and was about to go back when he suddenly turned around and looked at the water lilies with overlapping petals in the lake.

"Water lily, double-petaled..."

Hoshino Hideichi's eyes lit up; he couldn't wait to try it out.

Taking a deep breath and suppressing his impulse, he led the fish back to this side of the waterfall.

While eating the fish soup, Hoshino Shuichi asked, "Minato-sensei, what do you think this mission will be?"

Minato Namikaze did not answer directly, but said, "Although the Land of Rivers and Sunagakure were forced to back down last time, it is a fact that the Land of Rivers is biased towards Sunagakure."

Hoshino nodded: "It's determined by interests."

"Konoha is stronger than Sunagakure, so in the past, after the Land of River broke away from Amegakure, it leaned towards Konoha. But now that Sunagakure is beneficial to the Land of River, it naturally leans towards Sunagakure."

The key lies in the two Magnet Release ninjas from Sunagakure.

The Third Kazekage, and Rasa.

According to Hoshino Shuichi's preconceived notion, Rasa is someone who manipulates gold dust.

However, if one can manipulate gold dust, there is no reason why one cannot manipulate iron dust.

Why did Rasa later become famous in the ninja world for manipulating gold dust, unlike the Third Kazekage who used iron sand?

Perhaps it is related to changes in its environment and its own circumstances.

Regardless, in the original story, the Fourth Kazekage used gold mining in the desert to make up for the Sunagakure village's lack of funds, so it's quite reasonable for the Third Kazekage to use Magnet Release for mineral exploration now.

The question remains: what if a full-scale war doesn't break out?

Eliminating the River Country Daimyo who is now biased towards Sunagakure seems to be the best option for Konoha.

Or rather, the most likely choice for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

As for eliminating the daimyo, that would have too much of an impact.

Sorry, the River Country is a small country and does not enjoy the same treatment as the Five Great Nations.

Hoshino Shuichi remembers that in the original work, the Third Tsuchikage employed the Akatsuki organization to carry out coups in many small countries!

Would Sunagakure ever think that the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers was in danger?

Hideichi Hoshino felt this was inevitable.

As they are both from one of the five great ninja villages, they are naturally very familiar with these methods.

"Minato-sensei, if the mission fails, everything the village has fought for will be lost."

A beautiful scene unfolds beneath the stars.

Minato Namikaze nodded, then smiled and said, "Don't worry, the Third Hokage must have considered it carefully. The person chosen to carry out the mission must be very reliable."

Hoshino Shuichi pondered to himself, and then understood why the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had sent Sakumo Hatake to complete this task, instead of the more ruthless Orochimaru.

"It seems Chiyo is in the daimyo's residence in the Land of Rivers!"

"To deal with a powerful puppeteer, a high-speed, high-attack ninja like Hatake Sakumo is the most suitable."

……

Daimyofu, the capital of the river kingdom.

Yekura met with Chiyo and told her everything.

Chiyo frowned upon hearing this: "Yellow flash..."

A moment later, she immediately ordered, "Go back now. Minato Namikaze's target might be Rasa."

Ye Cang was startled: "Luo Sha?"

"Because of magnetic escape?"

"But the Third Kazekage... Could it be that Konoha intends to assassinate the Third Kazekage?"

Chiyo shook her head: "The Third Kazekage is in the village, there's no need to worry so much, go!"

Ye Cang nodded, then turned and hurriedly left.

After she left, Chiyo's younger brother, Ebizo, asked, "Does my sister really think Konoha would target Rasa and the Third Kazekage?"

Chiyo said, "If Rasa was attacked, then it confirms that someone attempted to assassinate the Third Kazekage."

"However, the Third Hokage probably didn't have that kind of courage."

"It hasn't been long since the last Shinobi World War ended, and the new recruits haven't even grown up yet."

Ebizo's expression hardened upon hearing this: "Therefore, the most likely target of Konoha is the Daimyo; they will definitely come."

Chiyo said calmly, "We'll find out soon enough. Besides, wasn't this something we expected? If we were in her shoes, we would have made the same decision."

"But we can't be careless with the Third Kazekage either. Send someone back to the village immediately to warn the Third Kazekage to be on high alert."

Ebizo immediately nodded and got up to make the arrangements.

……

After breakfast, Hoshino Shuichi and Namikaze Minato stood on the mountaintop and looked out at the mine opposite.

While observing, Hoshita Shuichi asked, "Minato-sensei, is it possible that Sunagakure might think we're here because we want to attack Magnet Release ninja Rasa?"

"Or even attempting to attack the Third Kazekage?"

Minato Namikaze was taken aback; he hadn't actually thought about that question.

Because the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had a very clear attitude: he was unwilling to start a large-scale war. Otherwise, after gaining the upper hand last time, he should have taken the opportunity to completely conquer the Land of Rivers and not give the daimyo of the Land of Rivers a chance to waver.

Minato Namikaze thought about it carefully and said tactfully, "That is indeed possible, but Sunagakure is probably very clear about the Third Hokage's attitude."

The implication is that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wouldn't dare to attack the Third Kazekage.

If the Kazekage of Sunagakure is killed, Sunagakure will go mad.

Especially now that the Third Kazekage is known as the strongest Kazekage and has a very high reputation.

Furthermore, the Wind Shadow is not so easy to assassinate.

There shouldn't be such a strong person in Konoha right now.

Looking at the mine across the way, Hoshino Shuichi smiled and said, "So, if we attack Rasa now, wouldn't that send a signal to Sunagakure?"

"We want to take down Rasa, and we also want to take down the Third Kazekage, so that Sunagakure will have no Magnet Release ninjas."

Minato Namikaze was startled upon hearing this, and then said solemnly, "This could easily lead to a war between the two villages."

However, he immediately realized what Hoshino Hideichi meant and said, "Hideichi, do you mean we should attack now, give Sunagakure a wrong signal, confuse the enemy, and cause them to misjudge, so as to reduce the difficulty of that mission?"

Xingxia Xiu nodded: "That's exactly right."

"However, as Minato-sensei said, there are indeed certain risks involved."

"Moreover, we did not receive authorization from the village."

Minato Namikaze fell into deep thought, but quickly made a decision, smiling and saying, "Let's do as you say, Shuichi. If any problems arise, I'll take responsibility."

Without hesitation, Hoshino Shuichi replied, "Of course I'll share the burden with you, Sensei! We're one now!"

Minato Namikaze's smile widened upon hearing this, but he quickly composed himself and said, "Leave Rasa to me, Sensei. The other Sand Ninja are yours to handle!"

Hoshita Shuichi nodded solemnly: "Understood!"

Then he smiled and said, "It's a good opportunity for the teacher to take a look at the new technique I've developed."

Minato Namikaze smiled and said, "We'll see!"

After saying that, the person disappeared.

Hoshino Hideichi's figure also disappeared, darting through the mountains and forests, heading straight for the mine where the Sand Ninja were located.

The moment the movement occurred, the Sand Ninja, who had been on high alert, immediately reacted.

With shouts, Luo Sha and Ma Tai led a small team to meet them.

Seeing Minato Namikaze charging towards him, Rasa immediately shouted, "Minato Namikaze, leave him to me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the iron sand transformed into thousands of densely packed Asanami Kazeminori spells, enveloping him.

Minato Namikaze flicked his wrist, unleashing a barrage of Flying Thunder God kunai.

Matai immediately warned, "Don't go near these kunai!"

"spread!"

Before he could finish speaking, Minato Namikaze had already disappeared, dodging Rasa's attack, while a Sand Ninja was kicked away by Minato before he could even react.

Rasa's attack arrived, but Minato Namikaze disappeared again.

The other Sand Shinobi scattered, while Matai supported Rasa in an attempt to capture Minato Namikaze.

Just then, Hoshinoichi arrived.

Standing on the tree trunk, Xingxia Xiu finished forming a hand seal and then snapped her hands together with a "snap".

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

Wind Release: Gale Palm!

The one with hand seals is Wind Release; the one without hand seals is Great Fireball Technique.

As Xingxia Xiu inhaled, her chest and cheeks puffed out, and then she exhaled.

First came a line of fire, but then, accompanied by a roar, flames surged and formed a terrifying firestorm that swept forward.

Wind Release and Fire Release combined ninjutsu!

The three Sand Ninja had been on guard against Hoshinobi Shuichi. Although they lost the initiative, they still managed to complete their ninjutsu swiftly and simultaneously.

Wind Release - Great Breakthrough!

Boom!

The friction of air currents creates a storm, which then collides to produce an even more astonishing roar, destroying the surrounding vegetation and kicking up billowing dust.

Hoshinoichi immediately formed hand seals again and unleashed the Crescent Moon Dance, sending his two clones into the billowing dust with their swords drawn.

Unlike the original, he didn't create shadow clones, but two fire-style clones.

Moments later, when the dust settled, the three Sand Ninja were being driven back by Hoshinobi Shuichi's two clones.

Luo Sha immediately shouted, "Matai, I'm enough for you here!"

Matai immediately lunged at Hoshino Shuichi.

If he stays here, the other side will likely be wiped out.

That kid named Hoshino Shuichi has amazing close-combat skills; he's definitely at the level of a special Jonin.

As Matai galloped, he formed hand seals.

But Hoshino Shuichi wouldn't let him use a large-scale wind-style ninjutsu. He interrupted Matai's ninjutsu with a simple burn technique, forcing him to unleash wind-style chakra to blow away the flames burning on his body.

Matai abandoned his plan to use wind jutsu at mid-to-long range and rushed forward to fight Hoshino Shuichi's two clones.

With four against two, and including a seasoned Jonin, Hoshino Shuichi's two clones were immediately at a disadvantage.

Soon, one of Hoshino Shizuka's fire-style clones found itself in a situation where it was impossible to avoid being hit.

Just as Matai's attack was about to land, Hoshino Shuichi's fire-style clone suddenly transformed into a fiery flower bud.

Matai's pupils dilated; his ninja instincts told him the danger was extreme. Without hesitation, he used his Body Flicker Technique to retreat, shouting, "Disperse!"

Before the words were even finished, the orange-red flame buds burst open, like a magnificent flower in full bloom.

boom!

With a loud explosion, three Sand Ninja screamed as they were thrown into the air by the terrifying flames.

Even Matai, who retreated at top speed, was thrown by the shockwave. After landing in a sorry state, he rolled over and looked down at the large burns on his arms, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

If it weren't for his quick reaction, I'm afraid...

Matai looked at his three companions and saw that they were bleeding profusely from their mouths and noses, and had large areas of burns on their bodies. They could no longer hear any screams.

(End of this chapter)