Tsunade and Jiraiya appeared by Orochimaru's side.
The Second Generation of Team 7 was reunited.
The three of them turned their gaze to Ōnoki, who floated above, and Hanzo, standing on the salamander below.
"Do you still think you can keep me here, Tsuchikage-dono?"
Orochimaru, though mocking, still carried a tone of respect.
After all, this was a Kage—one of the five highest-ranking shinobi in the world.
Ōnoki's expression remained unchanged, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
He could see Konoha's shinobi rapidly approaching from the distance.
However, a few hundred shinobi weren't enough to hold both him and Hanzo here.
Orochimaru understood this as well.
So, he fired a signal flare immediately.
The Konoha symbol blossomed in the sky.
The Konoha forces, who had been rushing forward, halted their advance.
"That's Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage."
Within the Konoha ranks, someone recognized the distant figure.
"The Tsuchikage?"
At the front of the group, Might Duy sighed deeply.
"Duy-sama, according to Orochimaru-sama's signal, we should retreat," Ran said, showing great respect for Duy. After all, Might Duy's strength was undeniable.
Once Duy passed the jōnin exams, he would become an elite jōnin, with authority far surpassing that of the current jōnin.
"Ran, just treat me the same as always," Might Duy said, glancing at the five figures locked in a standoff.
The battle had yet to commence.
"Let's retreat."
"That's not a fight we can participate in."
After enduring the trials of war, Might Duy had come to understand his limits.
With only the Six Gates, he wasn't strong enough to battle the top-tier shinobi of the ninja world.
"I still need to train harder."
Only by opening the Seventh Gate could he hope to participate in a battle like this.
With Duy's decision, the Konoha forces quickly began retreating to the perimeter.
If they stayed, the mere aftershocks from those five would cause significant casualties.
The five shinobi in the standoff made no move to attack.
If not for Ōnoki's presence, a fight would have already broken out.
But with Ōnoki able to fly, it was hard to deal with him.
For Konoha's shinobi, there was only one person capable of aerial combat using Soru (Moon Walk).
But mastering Soru demanded an immense amount of physical ability.
Even Orochimaru hadn't learned it.
"I'll deal with Ōnoki," Tsunade said, stepping forward.
"I've already mastered Soru."
The three of them communicated through subtle hand signals.
"His jutsu counters close combat too much," Jiraiya disagreed.
Tsunade relied on a mix of taijutsu and ninjutsu in battle, but her most lethal attacks required close combat. While her powerful medical abilities could handle most situations, Ōnoki's jutsu was too effective against close-range fighters.
"I can use Soru as well. Let me handle him," Jiraiya decided.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, suspiciously looking at his teammates.
It seemed like he was being excluded from the plan just because he couldn't use Soru.
As the three discussed their plan...
Black sand suddenly gathered in the sky, forming a dark cloud.
"I was waiting for someone. What are you waiting for?" Ōnoki asked coldly as he ascended even higher.
Another figure dared to fly above him.
The black sand cloud carried the Third Kazekage to the battlefield.
"Two Kage, huh?" Jiraiya marveled as he gazed at the two figures floating in the air.
One Kage was already troublesome enough, but now two had appeared—clearly intent on killing them.
"They aren't going to bring two more, are they?"
If that happened, it would truly be a four-village alliance against Konoha.
All three of their faces darkened.
They recalled the critical intelligence White Fang had obtained long ago: the four great villages had been showing signs of uniting.
For over a year, there had been no further developments, leading them to believe the alliance had fallen through.
But now it seemed the alliance had succeeded.
So where were the Raikage and Mizukage?
Meanwhile, the Konoha forces that were retreating...
"Why is it so cold?" one of the shinobi shivered.
"Idiot, what are you talking about? It's summer!"
They weren't in the Land of Snow—why would it be cold?
The shinobi speaking suddenly shivered as well.
The temperature around them was indeed dropping, and the raindrops falling from the sky were gradually turning into hail.
"Stop!" Might Duy shouted, leaping to the front of the group.
He had spotted a lone figure standing in the distance, waiting.
As the Konoha shinobi noticed the figure, the man also spotted them and began walking toward them.
Despite their superior numbers, the Konoha shinobi were the ones stepping back.
The man was dressed in a blue and white robe with a conical hat, the kanji for "Water" emblazoned on it.
There was only one person in the ninja world who wore that attire.
"The Third Mizukage."
Ran, standing next to Might Duy, solemnly announced the man's identity.
Might Duy wasn't very well-versed in ninja knowledge, but he understood the significance of the Mizukage's appearance.
"Are these all the shinobi you have?"
The Third Mizukage removed his conical hat.
His gaze locked onto the green-clad figure among the group.
"If I take you down, Konoha's strength will be reduced by quite a bit."
Seeing the Mizukage, Might Duy smiled.
"All of you, leave."
"Duy-sama," Ran hesitated.
"This is no longer a fight you can take part in."
Might Duy raised a hand, stopping Ran from saying anything more.
At that moment, Ran saw an unusual dignity emanating from Might Duy.
"Yes!" Ran had no choice but to follow the order. With a swift hand signal, the Konoha shinobi scattered in all directions.
"Did I say you could leave?"
The Third Mizukage opened his eyes for the first time, and the temperature around them plummeted. Droplets of water in the air began to freeze.
Just as the Mizukage was about to act...
A green figure suddenly appeared beside him, landing a kick on his abdomen and sending him flying.
"I told them to leave."
Might Duy pointed his thumb at himself.
The Third Mizukage slowly stood up and dusted off his robes.
"As expected, I can't underestimate the Green Beast of Konoha."
Time rewinds a bit...
At the Kumo front line...
Two figures boldly appeared within Konoha's defense lines.
As they moved forward...
The shinobi in the shadows hesitated.
Leading them was a dark-skinned man.
It was none other than the Raikage, A.
Behind him was a figure with half-green, half-white hair.
It seemed to be the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B.
"Hurry and inform White Fang-sama and Black Demon-sama," one of the Konoha shinobi whispered, swallowing nervously.
These two were opponents far beyond their level.
The Konoha forces on the Kumo front were the smallest in number.
"No need to inform them."
A light chuckle sounded beside the shinobi's ear.
Gin was crouched right next to him.
"We're already here."
At a higher vantage point...
Sakumo stood still.
Both their gazes were locked onto the figures standing in the distance.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For Only $5!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]