The Cloud ninjas split into three forces, invading the Land of Fire from three directions. On the left, led by the A and B duo (A, the Third Raikage's son, and Killer B, the perfect jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails); in the center, led by the Raikage himself; and on the right, led by Dodai, each acting as a sharp spear thrust into the Land of Fire.
The A and B duo was a formidable combination. Both were first-rate fighters, and together, their teamwork brought them to a level that rivaled Kage-level strength.
Dodai was one of the Raikage's most trusted subordinates, known for his cool-headedness and strategic mind, making him an excellent leader.
And then there was the Third Raikage himself, hailed as the strongest Raikage in history. His body was nearly impervious, even against wind-style techniques that naturally countered lightning, and he possessed the most powerful piercing ability derived from his lightning-style techniques.
Faced with the Cloud's aggressive attack, Konoha began planning their counterstrategy. Given their dwindling forces and the few leaders who were capable of rallying the troops, Konoha had little room for error. The number of competent leaders could be counted on one hand. Uzumaki Kushina, who had just arrived as reinforcements, fit the bill perfectly.
To withstand the Cloud's invasion, the best option would have been a strategic retreat, waiting for more reinforcements from Konoha and launching a counteroffensive in one concentrated effort. However, this strategy would allow the Cloud forces to rampage across the Land of Fire, causing widespread destruction. It was both the best and worst option.
Orochimaru, as the commander, would have chosen the best option, prioritizing the preservation of Konoha's ninja, even at the expense of civilians, to retain a fighting force for future battles. But others would not make that choice. They would rather risk their lives to slow the Cloud's advance, even if it meant sacrificing many, than allow countless civilians to suffer the horrors of war.
This was their will—an unshakeable conviction, even if it cost their lives. They would hold firm to their beliefs until the very end, refusing to waver.
Although Orochimaru was the commander, the will of the many could not be easily overturned. Konoha's forces were split into three groups, tasked with slowing the Cloud's advance. Orochimaru, despite being injured in an earlier battle with the Raikage, led the forces facing the most dangerous opponent—the Raikage himself.
In their first encounter, Orochimaru had been soundly defeated by the Raikage, sustaining serious injuries. If not for the presence of Konoha's medical ninjas, he would have been unable to continue fighting.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Orochimaru, cold and unfeeling as he could be, did not shirk his responsibilities as a Konoha ninja. He might have conducted inhumane experiments on people for his own purposes, but in battle, he fought with all his might to protect the village.
The older generation of Ino-Shika-Cho (Inoichi, Shikaku, and Choza) were tasked with confronting Dodai's forces on the right flank, while Kushina led the defense against the A and B duo on the left. Even though they couldn't hope to win, they were determined to delay the enemy's advance.
The Raikage's decision to lead from the front was, in reality, a dangerous strategy, leaving him vulnerable. However, he had absolute confidence in his own strength and did not believe anyone in Konoha could stop him. Leading the largest portion of his forces, he aimed to cut a direct path through the heart of the Land of Fire.
He intended to break through Konoha's defenses with the full force of his "strongest spear."
The Land of Fire, known for its lush forests, was an environment that the Raikage disliked. He preferred open plains that would allow him to fully utilize the speed of his lightning-style techniques.
To reach such an open area, the Raikage's forces had to traverse a dense forest first. The Cloud ninja advanced in a V-formation, with the Raikage at the front, charging ahead confidently.
Summoning Jutsu!
Orochimaru, lying in wait, wasted no time, immediately casting his summoning jutsu. With a loud bang, a huge cloud of white smoke filled the forest.
The Cloud ninjas, startled by the sudden appearance of smoke, halted their advance.
Crack!
Emerging from the smoke, a massive serpent slithered forward, summoned from another realm. It was Manda, Orochimaru's giant snake summon, and its target was clear—charging straight at the Raikage with its jaws wide open.
Sizzle!
Visible arcs of chakra crackled around the Raikage's body, forming a protective layer of lightning even thicker than Ye Zi's lightning cloak.
"Orochimaru's summoning beast, huh? Scatter!" the Raikage barked.
With a scoff, the Raikage ordered his subordinates to disperse, leaping into the air as Manda lunged. In a flash, he descended, his fist slamming into the snake's head.
Boom!
To his surprise, the snake dissipated into smoke—it was only a clone.
"Huh? A fake…?"
The Raikage raised an eyebrow, sensing something was wrong.
Whoosh!
A sudden sound cut through the air from behind.
The Raikage barely had time to turn his head before he saw Orochimaru lunging at him with a sword, aiming for his right shoulder. However, the sword couldn't pierce the Raikage's lightning armor.
"Truly… a monster," Orochimaru muttered as he swiftly retreated.
The Raikage lashed out with a speed that caused a flash of lightning, decapitating Orochimaru. But instead of blood, the severed head melted into a puddle of mud.
"Retreating so quickly… seems like he's learned from last time," the Raikage commented coldly, watching as the mud dripped away.
Surveying the battlefield, the Raikage saw that his subordinates were now engaged in close-quarters combat with the hidden Konoha forces.
"Do you think this ambush will limit my power? You really believe I can be contained by the environment?"
The lightning around the Raikage intensified, the power coursing through his body unhindered by the voltage. His monstrous physique was perfectly suited for his lightning-style armor.
The Raikage became a streak of lightning, tearing through the trees. Nothing slowed him down, not even the thick trunks that toppled in his wake. He barreled through the Konoha ranks, using sheer physical power to rip apart anyone in his path.
Watching this, Orochimaru's face darkened.
"Stop him!" he ordered Manda.
"Don't expect me to fight that monster," Manda hissed, refusing Orochimaru's command.
Orochimaru's expression grew cold. "Then go after the Cloud ninja. Kill as many as you can."
"Hmph," Manda flicked his forked tongue, agreeing. "That's more like it. But I can't promise I won't hit a few of yours by accident."
With that, the giant snake slithered through the underbrush, launching itself into the fray.
Orochimaru clenched his teeth slightly, his cold eyes focused on the Raikage as he moved to intercept him again.
The key to slowing the enemy advance was still to stop the Raikage himself.
.....
Meanwhile the older generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio led Konoha forces into a trap-laden area, where they confronted Dodai's Cloud forces, while Kushina and her Konoha troops directly faced the A and B duo.
Regardless of which route, Konoha's forces were outnumbered ten to one by the Cloud forces. From the very beginning, this was a battle where the odds were clearly stacked against Konoha.
The battleground was Mushroom Forest, where Kushina and the A and B duo encountered each other. The trees in this area were spaced far apart, each one towering and massive. Large yellow mushrooms with red spots grew along the trunks, giving the forest its name.
Due to the sparse tree cover and the lack of undergrowth, this terrain was unsuitable for laying traps. Konoha had no choice but to face the Cloud forces head-on.
Outnumbered ten to one, a frontal assault was the worst option. But to slow the Cloud's advance, Konoha had no other choice.
Kushina, with her striking red hair, was immediately recognized by the A and B duo as soon as the two sides came to a halt.
"Yo, yo! Big bro, it's the Nine-Tails jinchūriki! Yeah! Ah!" Killer B exclaimed excitedly, making his usual bizarre hand gestures as he focused his gaze on Kushina.
A glanced at the number of Konoha ninja and then locked eyes with Kushina, a sneer forming on his face. "Well, this couldn't be easier. We failed to capture you last time, but now you've walked right into our hands. Change of plans! Our target is now the Nine-Tails jinchūriki!"
Without the slightest hint of secrecy, A spoke loud enough for all the Konoha ninja to hear.
Kushina's expression shifted slightly, and she couldn't help but recall the night she was nearly abducted. It was on that night that someone had entered her heart. Slowly, a fierce determination began to form on her face. Raising her head, the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead became even more prominent.
"I won't... let you take even one more step forward from here!"
With eyes full of resolve and words spoken with unshakable conviction, Kushina stood firm, making her stance clear to both the Konoha ninja and the Cloud forces.
As a member of Konoha, this was the will she had chosen to fight for.
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Currently on Chapter 250 - The Plan Begins... Capturing the Jinchūriki