Naruto's civilian cannon fodder starts with the three-body technique

Chapter 417 Things are different now
"It worked! Keep attacking and keep it occupied!"

The Third Raikage was overjoyed upon seeing this and immediately ordered the fleet to split into two groups, attempting to bypass Umibozu, who was temporarily suppressed by Lightning Release, and encircle the Konoha transport fleet from both flanks.

The morale of the Cloud Village was boosted, as if they could already see the dawn of victory. As long as the Lightning Release Squadron could hold back this sea monster, with the absolute advantage of the Cloud Village fleet, the complete annihilation of the Iron Wall Legion seemed to be just around the corner.

However, at that moment, Umino Sasuke's lips curled into a smile, and his hands formed hand seals once again.

"Psychic art!"

The next moment, a talisman resembling the Flying Thunder God Technique suddenly lit up on the massive body of the Sea Monk.

Immediately afterwards, Samehada appeared out of thin air on Umibozu's shoulder.

Just then, the second wave of attacks from the Cloud Hidden Lightning Release Squad arrived with overwhelming force.

This time, instead of using Water Release to defend, Umibozu proactively extended several water ropes made of seawater, which, like lightning rods, precisely "grabbed" those violent lightning release ninjutsu.

“Chichichichi——!!!”

Samehada opened its massive, tooth-filled maw and let out an excited roar, unleashing its terrifying chakra-devouring power at full force.

The violent lightning chakra, capable of instantly injuring or even killing top-tier summoning beasts, was effortlessly absorbed into its body, like rivers flowing into the sea.

"what?!"

"This is impossible! It...it absorbed all the ninjutsu?!"

"What kind of monster is this?!"

The Cloud Village ninjas were dumbfounded, unable to believe their eyes. How could there be a summoning beast in the ninja world capable of absorbing Lightning Release ninjutsu on such a large scale?!

The Third Raikage's expression changed drastically. He clearly sensed the chakra fluctuations emanating from the strange fish summoning beast. Instead of becoming disordered due to absorbing lightning release, the chakra became even more powerful and vast.

He hurriedly tried to give the order: "Lightning Release Squadron! Halt—"

Unfortunately, the order came a step too late.

The third wave of lightning attacks has already begun.

Samehada accepted everything without hesitation, like a bottomless pit, once again devouring a massive amount of lightning chakra, and even letting out a satisfied burp.

Immediately afterwards, a flash of blue light appeared on its body.

Samehada Chakra Transfer!

A pure and massive amount of chakra was reversed and transferred to the sea monster beneath it.

“Ouch——!!!”

Umibozu let out an extremely satisfying roar, and his body, which had shrunk due to the lightning attack, rapidly expanded like an inflating balloon.

Not only did it instantly return to its full size of over 100 meters, but it even went a step further, growing more than ten meters taller, becoming even more terrifying and awe-inspiring. The pressure it exuded made the air in the entire sea area seem to freeze.

"It's over..."

"How...how are we supposed to fight like this?"

"Ninjutsu not only proved ineffective, but actually became its tonic?!"

The Cloud Hidden Fleet was plunged into complete panic and despair.

In the marine environment, this sea monster was already difficult to deal with, but now, with the help of this strange fish that can absorb ninjutsu, it has become their nightmare.

However, what followed was something even more despairing.

Sasuke Umino hovered in the air, his hands forming a summoning jutsu seal once more.

"唳——!!!!!!"

A sharp cry, imbued with supreme power and might, suddenly echoed from the sky.

A huge shadow, obscuring the clouds.

Yun Ren subconsciously looked up; it was a giant desert falcon, its wingspan exceeding 150 meters.

The terrifying shadow cast by its outstretched wings was even more chilling than that of the sea monster below. The terrifying aura and pressure emanating from it were in no way inferior to those of the sea monster, and its soaring posture in the sky added an even more suffocating sense of oppression.

"A giant desert falcon?! How could it be so big?!"

"Another...another Kage-level summoning beast?!"

"It's a flying summoning beast! At sea, it's probably even more terrifying than a tailed beast, right? How are we supposed to fight it?!"

The Third Raikage looked at the colossal desert falcon that blotted out the sky, and then at the Umibozu in the sea, who was growing stronger with each battle in coordination with the strange fish. His heart sank to the bottom.

What was originally thought to be a sure victory in the naval encirclement battle now seems like a complete joke!
His massive Cloud Hidden Fleet appeared so fragile and laughable!

In the sea, the combination of Umibozu and Samehada is already nearly unbeatable.

Now, with the addition of this Shadow-level Desert Falcon that dominates the skies, how can they possibly fight back?!

"Retreat! All troops retreat!!"

The Third Raikage acted decisively, issuing a painful and humiliating order.

He knew that if they didn't retreat, the main force of the navy that Cloud Village had built up with countless resources would probably be completely wiped out.

In order to buy the fleet precious time to retreat, the Third Raikage burst out with dazzling lightning, activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and stepped onto the sea like a thunder god, stirring up waves. His eyes were fixed on Umino Sasuke in the air, intending to personally cover the rear.

"Umino Sasuke! If you've got the guts, come down here and fight!"

Faced with the Third Raikage's provocative and battle-ready stance, Sasuke Umino, hovering in the air, merely responded with a cold, dismissive gaze.

His primary objective for this trip was to severely damage or even annihilate the main force of the Cloud Village Navy, rather than to engage in a one-on-one duel with the Third Raikage out of pride.

"All troops, listen up! Ninjutsu battalion, cover fire! Weapon battalion, free fire! Target: Cloud Village Fleet, attack!"

Sasuke Umino's voice, amplified by his Sound Release, resonated clearly throughout the entire Iron Wall Army.

As soon as his order was given, the Iron Wall Legion, which had been poised for battle, unleashed astonishing fighting power. "Screech—!!!"

The Great White let out a cry that tore through the sky, and with a sudden flap of its wings, the violent airflow was instantly compressed and accelerated, transforming into two enormous wind pressure cannons that crashed into the Cloud Hidden Fleet on the sea surface as it attempted to turn and escape.

Boom! Boom—!
The unfortunate Cloud Shadow destroyer was directly hit by the wind pressure cannon. Its wooden deck shattered instantly, and the ship's structure groaned under the strain, beginning to disintegrate and sink in an instant.

Meanwhile, the sea monster, with Samehada continuously supplying it with chakra, grew to the size of a mountain. It raised its massive hand, which carried tons of seawater, and slammed it down on the Cloud Village warship on the other side.

boom! ! !
The Cloud Village warship was struck head-on by the giant hand, like a mosquito hit by a fly swatter, and was instantly smashed into pieces. The Cloud Ninja on board didn't even have time to scream before they sank to the bottom of the sea along with the warship.

This is only the result of the battle fought by two giant summoned beasts.

An even more devastating blow came from the Iron Wall Legion's organized ninja battalions.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Prison Burial!"

"Wind Release: Infinite Great Breakthrough!"

Fire Release: Blazing Sea of ​​Fire!

The combined ninjutsu of the three squads of Lightning Release, Wind Release, and Fire Release is no less powerful or scaled up than an S-rank ninjutsu!
The raging lightning covered a sea area like divine punishment; the rampaging torn sails and swirled up seawater; and the towering sea of ​​fire burned against all reason, spreading continuously and turning the Cloud Hidden warships into giant torches!
Furthermore, the combined ninjutsu of the Water Release Squad, amplified by the terrifying marine environment, transcends the scope of ordinary S-rank ninjutsu.

"Water Release: Infinite Water Dragon Explosion!"

Numerous giant water dragons shot into the sky from the sea, emitting deafening roars. They intertwined and tore at each other, forming a deadly water area. The Cloud Hidden warships within its range were instantly shredded into pieces and wood chips, as if they had been thrown into a blender.

Apart from the Earth Release battalion being unable to effectively use combined ninjutsu due to the marine environment, the other four ninjutsu battalions were like four mobile S-rank ninjutsu turrets, unleashing devastating attacks in turn, decimating the originally well-organized Cloud Village fleet. The sea was littered with burning wreckage, floating corpses, and desperate cries for help.

Hide in the air, looking down at the hellish scene below, Umino Sasuke laughed and said, "Old Ai, do you still think that naval battles are just about the strength of warships? It seems that in the end, battles between ninjas still come down to ninjutsu!"

The Third Raikage stared in horror at his own fleet, which had suffered heavy casualties under the relentless bombardment of the combined ninjutsu. His heart was filled with endless regret and shock.

He was aware of the existence of combined ninjutsu before; Iwagakure had a well-organized combined ninjutsu force, but in battles against them, he was often completely countered by lightning release and did not demonstrate much strategic value.

But now, witnessing the Iron Wall Legion apply this combined tactic to naval warfare, he realized how wrong he had been. He understood the power that combined ninjutsu could unleash in legion battles, given the sheer number and exquisite coordination of the techniques.

It's simply devastating!

"If we can go back this time, Kumogakure must vigorously develop this joint ninjutsu model!" The Third Raikage roared inwardly, filled with regret.

Seeing yet another batch of his subordinates reduced to ashes by the combined ninjutsu attack, the Third Raikage could no longer remain calm. His body crackled with lightning as he roared in grief and rage at the remaining fleet, "Run! Don't look back! Escape as many as you can! I'll cover the rear!"

He knew that the Cloud Hidden Fleet was doomed to defeat today, and the only thing he could do now was to use his personal strength to buy as much time as possible and buy the fleet a chance to escape.

After roaring, the Third Raikage ignored Sasuke Umino in the air and transformed into a blue lightning bolt, rushing straight towards the warship where the Konoha Water Release Squad was located, which posed the greatest threat. He had to interrupt or even destroy the Konoha Ninjutsu Squad in order to give his own fleet a chance to escape.

Sasuke Umino watched the Third Raikage resolutely cover the rear alone, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

Such spirit truly befits the name "Raikage".

But while admiration is one thing, as an enemy, the greatest respect one can show to this powerful figure is to do one's utmost to kill him.

"Daibaku, continue the pursuit, prioritize attacking large warships and fleets attempting to assemble!" Umino Sasuke gave the order to the Desert Falcon in the air, then formed hand seals.

"Flying Thunder God Technique!"

The next moment, his figure vanished into thin air and appeared on the deck of the warship where the Water Release Squad was located.

Almost the instant he landed, the lightning that the Third Raikage had transformed into had already rushed to the bow of the ship.

"Break!" the Third Raikage roared, his fist, crackling with lightning chakra, slamming into the bow of the ship, intending to sink the warship in one fell swoop.

"Old Ai! I'm your opponent!" Umino Sasuke shouted, leaping off the deck, his right fist clenched, chakra instantly gathering in his hand.

"Strange power!"

The fist, imbued with the power to shatter mountains and split rocks, collided head-on with the Third Raikage's ferocious lightning fist, without any fancy moves.

boom--! ! !
A deep, thunderous roar exploded, and a violent shockwave swept outwards from the two people, even causing the nearby sea surface to cave in.

To everyone's astonishment, the Third Raikage was sent flying backward at an even faster speed than when he arrived. He slid across the sea for dozens of meters before barely managing to regain his footing. He looked down at his right arm, which was slightly numb and even felt a bit cracked and painful, his face filled with disbelief and shock.

"How is this possible?! Your power—"

The Third Raikage stared intently at Sasuke Umino, who was slowly landing on the sea surface, utterly shocked. How much time had passed? Compared to the battlefield in the Land of Whirlpools, Sasuke Umino's power had increased by more than one or two times!

They are completely different!
Umino Sasuke, however, simply waved his hand dismissively.

Since consuming the fruit of the Divine Tree, his physical body has undergone a complete transformation. Although his physical strength is still slightly inferior to that of the Third Raikage, who specializes in physical prowess, the difference is not significant.

With the added boost of his superhuman strength, he has completely surpassed the Third Raikage in a pure clash of power.

If the Weighted Rock Technique were used to further enhance the power, that attack could have even crippled one of the Third Raikage's arms.

However, the Weighted Rock Technique would affect the speed of attack and defense, and the speed of the Third Raikage should not be underestimated. In order to deal with its subsequent changes, this earth-style secret technique was not used.

"It seems you've made quite a bit of progress lately."

The Third Raikage slowly straightened up, suppressing the shock in his heart, his fighting spirit rising once again.

As a Kage-level powerhouse, he has experienced countless fierce battles and will never be discouraged by this slight disadvantage.

"Drink!" the Third Raikage roared.

The lightning around him surged again, the blue lightning becoming more solid and dazzling, his aura soaring once more, and the seawater beneath his feet was pushed aside by the violent chakra.

"Well done!" Umino Sasuke retorted just as defiantly, "Thunder God Armor!"

A blinding white lightning burst forth from his body, instantly covering his entire body and forming a set of condensed white lightning armor. The fierce aura and chakra fluctuations emanating from it were in no way weaker than those of the Third Raikage.

"What?!" The Third Raikage's pupils constricted, and he exclaimed in shock, "You stole my Cloud Village secret technique! Without the aid of special elixirs and the lightning-rich environment of the mountains, how could you possibly have mastered Lightning Release Chakra Mode to this level?!"

Upon hearing this, Umino Sasuke vehemently denied it: "Old Ai, are you seeing things? This is clearly the 'Lightning Armor' secret technique that I created myself based on Hatake Sagumo's Lightning Release activation. What does it have to do with your Kumogakure's secret techniques?"

He certainly wouldn't admit that the Ninja War would eventually end, and that stealing the secret techniques of other villages' founding villages was ultimately a bad thing. There was no need to give the other side an excuse to argue and divide the benefits of the Ninja War later.

(End of this chapter)