The entire shinobi world was in an uproar over Mochizuki Hui, and all anyone could talk about was the Battle of Moonfall Mountain.
The news had gripped everyone who heard it, sending ripples of astonishment through shinobi and civilians alike.
Even deep within the Land of Lightning, Konoha's special ops under Sakumo Hatake had just intercepted a critical supply line for Kumogakure when they heard the news, and a wave of excitement surged among them.
"While our Commander keeps Kumogakure's attention fixed on him at the front, it's our turn to strike hard from behind," Sakumo Hatake, their team leader, addressed his comrades.
He was usually calm, but even he couldn't hide his eagerness.
"Let's move out!" someone called, eager to act.
"With the Commander holding them back at Moonfall Mountain, once we cut off Kumogakure's supply line, their defeat is guaranteed!" another added, glancing at the approaching supply convoy.
Sakumo held up a hand, signaling them to stay hidden. He turned to a member of the team with sensor abilities. "Hawk, what can you sense about their strength?"
"Forty shinobi," Hawk replied without hesitation. "Ten squads, including one elite jōnin, three jōnin, and the rest are experienced chūnin."
Sakumo nodded thoughtfully. "Looks like Kumogakure committed their forces to the front, leaving their supply lines barely guarded."
"Still," one of his comrades said, "an elite jōnin is no small threat. Kumogakure would never have guessed that our Commander would assign someone of your caliber, Vice Commander, to this task, given Konoha's limited high-level manpower."
Another added, "And they'd never expect that Commander Hui alone could keep their entire force trapped on Moonfall Mountain. That's why they don't see the need to heavily guard their supply lines."
"That's right," someone else chimed in. "Under normal circumstances, Kumogakure would rely on sheer numbers to overwhelm the Land of Fire and seize its villages, using what they capture to sustain their forces. But Commander Hui has proven far stronger than they anticipated."
Sakumo's gaze hardened as the convoy drew nearer. "Then let's teach them a lesson for underestimating us. Commander Hui has halted their advance at Moonfall Mountain, and now we'll make sure Kumogakure faces total defeat."
With a flicker of deadly intent in his eyes, Sakumo whispered, "Move out!"
At his command, Sakumo led the charge, his speed unmatched as he moved swiftly toward the convoy. Though not as fast as the Second or Third Raikage, his speed was formidable, far exceeding that of an average shinobi.
"Enemy attack!" one of the Kumogakure shinobi called out as Sakumo's team emerged from their concealed positions, catching sight of him.
The warning barely left his lips before a flash of white sliced through the air like a crescent moon or a razor-sharp fang.
It was the last thing he saw as the white light struck, ending his life instantly.
Seeing this, the elite jōnin shouted in shock, "Konoha's White Fang?!"
He recognized Sakumo Hatake immediately. During the time when Mochizuki Hui was less active, Sakumo had risen to prominence on the battlefield, earning a terrifying reputation.
Intelligence reports on him were well-circulated among the villages, alerting them to his presence.
Sakumo didn't react to being recognized. White Fang's blade gleamed in his hand as he closed in on the elite jōnin, his predatory gaze locking onto him like a wolf tracking its prey.
The Kumogakure jōnin felt a chill down his spine. He knew this was no ordinary opponent; White Fang was a Kage-level combatant, known for his lethal precision.
Numerous high-ranking shinobi from the Five Great Nations had fallen to his blade, cementing his reputation as the White Fang of Konoha.
He wasted no time hurling shuriken at Sakumo as he unsheathed his own blade, channeling lightning chakra through it. His eyes followed Sakumo's every movement, his entire body tensed, prepared to defend or counterattack.
As their blades met with a clash, silver lightning clashed with the pale gleam of White Fang's chakra, sparks scattering around them. Their movements blurred, each swing and parry too fast for most to follow.
"Damn it… I can't keep up!" the elite jōnin thought, realizing he was falling into a defensive position. Sakumo's attacks were relentless, forcing him back step by step, his timing precise and deadly.
Gritting his teeth, he decided to risk it all, going for a wound-for-wound exchange. They were forty against a mere ten Konoha shinobi. If he could injure White Fang and buy time for his allies, he might yet stand a chance.
As he let his guard down, aiming a strike at Sakumo's left side, he noticed Sakumo wasn't dodging.
Instead, a cold smirk crossed Sakumo's face. As a seasoned warrior, he immediately understood the jōnin's strategy, but he didn't bother evading.
It wasn't because of any special endurance—Sakumo was as mortal as anyone. But he had a move, one he had perfected over the past year and a half under Hui's guidance: a new, seal-less jutsu.
Chidori Current!
In an instant, a layer of silver lightning surged across Sakumo's body, forming a protective armor as the sound of a thousand chirping birds echoed across the battlefield.
As the jutsu activated, lightning shot from Sakumo into the elite jōnin's unprotected body, paralyzing him on the spot.
In the next breath, Sakumo's blade plunged into his opponent's heart.
He withdrew it in one fluid motion, moving on to his next target.
The elite jōnin looked at Sakumo's retreating figure in shock, his eyes dimming as he fell to the ground, lifeless. Meanwhile, Sakumo's assault continued with unrelenting ferocity.
Like a glinting flash of white, he cut through his enemies.
His blade left brilliant arcs in its wake, each one as deadly as a fang, cleaving through the ranks of Kumogakure's forces. None could withstand his onslaught.
When the slaughter finally ended, Sakumo methodically wiped the blood from his blade, his cold gaze unwavering.
This was the White Fang of Konoha, Sakumo Hatake, the lethal shadow that haunted every battlefield.
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