Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 426 Go! Li!

As Jiraiya finished speaking, a deathly silence fell over the bunker.

The air seemed to stand still, with only the faint rumble of artillery fire outside, pounding against everyone's eardrums. The lamplight cast shadows on everyone's faces.

"It's just a bit of a pity."

Mitarashi Anko was the first to break the silence, smiling as she said, "I won't have the chance to kill Orochimaru myself."

"Konoha ninjas die for Konoha, and their deaths are worthwhile." Shiki Aburame, wearing sunglasses so his eyes were obscured, spoke, while Yugao Uzuki beside him simply nodded.

"I will not bring shame to the Hyuga clan," said Hyuga Takashi, the youngest member, straightening his back earnestly.

"Although Lord Danzo has betrayed the belief of 'Root,' clearing obstacles for Konoha remains the meaning of our existence." Yamanaka Fu's tone was calm and unwavering.

Aburame Torune's expression was equally calm. For "Root," who had walked in darkness, death was merely an inevitable end, not a choice.

Although Root disbanded after the Uchiha incident, there are many members like them who continue to stay in the Anbu and uphold their beliefs.

They can be described as cruel, cold-blooded, and sinister, but if they weren't loyal to Konoha, they would never have joined Root in the first place.

Seeing that no one backed down, a heavy look appeared in Jiraiya's eyes.

As he said, this operation was almost suicidal.

Although the sensory barrier has been broken, given Nagato's Rinnegan and the fortress's tight security, even Jiraiya would have a hard time guaranteeing his survival.

This trip will most likely only result in losing my life in vain.

But someone has to do it.

"Good! Well done!" He quickly composed himself, smiled, and said, "Xiao, your eye roll is key. Once you're infiltrated, use your senses immediately."

"Understood," Hinata Takashi replied solemnly.

"Zhiwei, the swarm reconnaissance and camouflage are entrusted to you. Make sure to conceal our movements and presence."

"Feng, if you have the chance, capture a 'tongue' (referring to someone's tongue), read their memories, and obtain information about the fortress's internal structure and the target's location."

“Root removal is a powerful tool for attacking and eliminating pathogens; it is essential to control the extent and frequency of toxicity.”

"Red Bean, Evening Glory, you two are the main attackers and the ones who respond, just like me."

"Remember, whether or not the target has been spotted, once exposed, immediately retreat along the predetermined route. Never linger in battle!"

He paused slightly, glancing at Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Torune with a look that seemed both intentional and unintentional, before saying in a deep voice, "If it's discovered that evacuation is impossible..."

"Do everything in your power to create as much chaos as possible inside the fortress, destroy everything that can be destroyed, and attract all the attention you can!"

The two men, Shan Zhongfeng and Shan Zhongfeng, suddenly focused their gazes, realizing that the village had seen their previous underhanded actions, but they quickly regained their composure.

Because that's exactly what they wanted to do.

"Is everything clear?" Jiraiya asked in a deep voice.

"Understood," they all replied in unison.

"Move!" Jiraiya gave the order, and the six disappeared into the underground bunker.

------

Woo!
On the sea a few kilometers off the eastern coastline of the Land of Hot Water, several strangely shaped giant ships formed an attack formation.

The three largest ships were like moving mountains, their heavy, dark gray armor gleaming coldly in the night, positioned in the center and on the flanks of the formation.

Smaller frigates cruised among them, their bows cleaving through the dark blue seawater.

"Drivers, commence the ride! Commence the ride!"

"Drivers, commence the ride! Commence the ride!"

The air ninjas, carrying flying ninja tools, streamed through the transport channels of the giant ship and quickly entered the catapult deck at the top.

"Catapults number one to four on the port side are fully loaded! Wind speed confirmed!"

On the deck atop the warship, looking at the several air ninjas who were already prepared, the air ninja captain gave the order: "Fire!"

It's sizzling!

A blinding flash of light ignited, launching the air ninjas on the track like cannonballs, much like an aircraft carrier launching fighter jets.

"Expand!"

Amidst the sharp whooshing sound, the air ninja, launched into the air, ignored the familiar dizziness and oppression, skillfully manipulating chakra.

The wingsuit flying ninja tool behind him unfolded, and chakra formed a stable airflow above and below the wing surface, turning into surging lift and thrust.

After a few adjustments in the air, they stabilized themselves completely, their wings cutting through the sky, and they quickly joined forces with their companions who were being launched from various ships to form a formation.

Countless black dots, moving with astonishing speed and in perfect formation, swept across the turbulent sea, rushing toward the war-torn defense line along the eastern coast of the Land of Hot Water.

"Air raid! All units, be alert!"

On the coastal defense line, the desperate shouts of the Allied ninjas were almost drowned out.

Inside the hastily repaired and reinforced bunker, looking at the dark mass of Sky Ninja like a gloomy cloud, the Allied Ninja gripped their kunai tightly.

Thicker earthen walls rose up in front of the existing fortifications, with angles and firing ports sculpted by ninjas skilled in earth-based techniques to facilitate defense.

"They're coming!"

"Fire!"

The air ninjas began to dive, spitting out kunai from their kunai guns, and detonating bombs rained down on the coastal defense line.

Boom boom boom! !

Specially designed incendiary and poison gas bombs were dropped, exploding into bursts of flames and poisonous mist in the coalition positions.

"Wind Escape·Vacuum Jade!"

"Art fire escape ho fireball!"

The allied ninjas used kunai, shuriken, and ninjutsu to disrupt the aerial ninjas' flight, forcing them to increase altitude or maneuver to evade, thus slowing down their attack pace.

A figure appeared in the sky above the battlefield, at a higher altitude than all the aerial ninjas.

She wore a black robe with red clouds, her blue-purple hair fluttering in the air currents, and countless pieces of paper swirling and gathering around her.

"Shikizhi Dance!"

Xiao Nan's paper wings flapped suddenly, transforming into countless pieces of paper that covered the densest areas of the Allied forces' defenses and began to ignite.

Those are detonation tags!

"Partial Multiplication Technique!" Several members of the Akimichi clan roared, and several gigantic hands slammed towards Konan.

boom! Boom boom! !
The explosive tags blasted countless bloody holes into the gigantic palms, which continued to grab at Xiao Nan in the air. Xiao Nan flapped her wings to avoid the grasp of those giant palms.

"Water Style: Water Yinahara!"

On the other side, Izumo Shingetsu formed hand seals and spat out highly sticky syrup, seizing the opportunity to splash it onto Konan, who was forced to lower her altitude.

They had already thoroughly investigated the intelligence of the core members of the Akatsuki organization, so they naturally knew Konan's weakness of being afraid of oil.

Even without oil, sticky corn syrup will work perfectly!
Seeing the siege from the Allied Forces ninjas, Konan frowned. Just then, one of the Allied Forces ninjas cried out in alarm, "Watch out! They're those puppets!"

Beneath the sea's surface, several enormous shadows slowly rose, breaking through the waves. They were not ships, but colossal amphibious puppets created by Scorpion!
They are shaped like hermit crabs, with a multi-legged lower body suitable for underwater movement, and an upper body controlled by Amegakure ninjas using chakra cannons.

The armor was covered with seaweed and shells, indicating that it had been lying in the water for a long time.

Leading the group was Kakuzu's Water Release clone, which wore a mask similar to the Water Release Masked Monster. The mask's expression was exaggeratedly distorted, as if it were enduring immense fear.

However, its body is not human-shaped; its lower body is a huge, thick, and powerful snake tail covered in scales, which meanders and sways in the waves.

"Water Escape·Water Formation Pillar!"

"Water Release·Water Fang Bullet!"

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

A group of water-style ninjas formed hand seals and unleashed their ninjutsu, attacking the puppets and water-style clones simultaneously.

"How terrifying! So many enemies! I told you I didn't want to come!"

Seeing the surging ninjutsu, the water-style clone let out a terrified, sharp howl, its snake tail slapping the surface of the sea, its trident pointing at the allied forces' defenses.

"Water Release: Raging Sea Waves!"

It shrank its neck in fear, while the seawater beneath its feet surged back and rushed toward the Allied forces' defenses!

At the same time, the amphibious puppet in front of it lit up all the cannons on its back, and the light from the cannons converged, launching a volley at the Allied Ninjas.

"Water Escape·Water Formation Wall!"

The allied ninjas struggled to maintain their defenses, and a wide, tall wall of water rose from the ground, with waves and chakra bombarding it!
Boom! Boom!

The surging waves shattered the water wall, and artillery fire bombarded the defensive line and bunkers, sending debris and blood flying everywhere, with screams and explosions echoing incessantly.

"Ah! My legs!"

"Medical team! Quickly!"

Thick smoke billowed along the coastline, flames soared into the sky, and the ruins of destroyed fortifications and wounded soldiers who could not be evacuated were everywhere. The entire defensive line was shattered by the bombing.

The other ninjas immediately opened fire, using a barrage of ninja tools and techniques to seal the gap and prevent the air ninjas from taking advantage of the opportunity to break in.

Explosions erupted along the coastline, flames soared into the sky, and the Allied Ninjas, relying on their advantageous terrain and coordinated attacks, were on the verge of being overwhelmed by the Akatsuki's combined air and sea assault.

As the commander, Samui, with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, roared at the liaison ninja, "...Tell Tsuchishiro that we need reinforcements. We can't hold out much longer at this rate!"

Bah! Bah!
A sharp whooshing sound came from the sky again, and the air ninja, having adjusted their positions, launched another air attack.

On the sea, the puppets that had just completed their salvo were gradually cooling down, and chakra began to gather at their muzzles.

Behind the shattered bunker, the allied ninjas looked at the air ninjas and puppets, a hint of despair appearing in their eyes.

In mid-air, dodging the Akimichi clan's enlarged palms and avoiding the splashing of Shingetsu Izumo's water candy, Konan's face showed neither sorrow nor joy; she simply raised her hand.

The swirling pieces of paper around him converged once more, transforming into several sharp, enormous paper spears, their tips aimed at the allied forces below...

On the other side, the water-style clone raised the trident in his hand, and frantically poured the massive water-style chakra into the sea beneath his feet.

"Water Release: Big Explosive Water Wave!"

Centered on it, the sea surface within a radius of several hundred meters suddenly sank downwards, and the tsunami crashed down on the crumbling Allied defenses with overwhelming force!
But, that's it.

"Jing Gate! Open!" ×2
A roar, like a thunderclap in dry land, exploded from behind the Allied forces' defensive line!
Two figures engulfed in blazing green steam tore through the air and charged into the battlefield with terrifying speed beyond visual perception.

Might Guy almost transformed into a green shooting star, with Rock Lee, who was also enveloped in green steam, behind him.

"Drink!!"

The massive tsunami was violently dented where Might Guy's kick struck, and water burst in all directions, as if it had been blasted through by this kick!

In the center of the scattering waves, Might Guy paused slightly before passing through the tsunami, while Rock Lee behind him continued his momentum and passed by.

Almost simultaneously, Might Guy's arm grabbed Lee Rock's foot, and his muscles tensed and exploded like a catapult!

"Go, Li!"

Rock Lee, thrown off by Might Guy with all his might, was moving at an even more terrifying speed than when he arrived, his face contorted and grotesque by the speed.

"Crushing Fist!" Rock Lee's roar and fist arrived at the same time, without any fancy techniques, only the explosive power of speed and strength condensed to the extreme.

The water-style clone's eyes showed fear, and it instinctively held the trident horizontally in front of it.

Thud! Crack!
Rock Lee's fist clashed with the trident, and the trident was bent and flew out of his hand by the punch, while the two arms of the water clone holding the trident shattered instantly.

"Ah!!" With a shrill scream, the water-style clone was sent flying like a kite with a broken string.

At the same time, a loud shout came from the other side.

"Si Dong!"

Akimichi Tsutomu, who had just forced Konan back, turned around sharply upon hearing the sound and saw Yamanaka Santen and Nara Shizuku, who had come to support him along with Might Guy.

Without a word, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio instantly connected, and Akimichi Tsutomu unhesitatingly stuffed the "yellow curry ball" into his mouth.

"The art of super doubling!"

With his roar, the chakra that was so powerful it almost burst his body exploded, causing his body to expand wildly and transform into a giant in the blink of an eye.

This technique is an upgraded version of the Multiplying Technique. Although powerful, the excessive deformation of the body can cause astonishing damage to the user's body.

Previously, Qiu Daosi Dong dared not use it, but now that the three races of Ino-Shika-Cho have gathered, there is no need to worry about it anymore.

boom!
Akimichi Tsutomu swung his equally enormous club with both hands, smashing it down on Konan and the air ninjas in the air with the force of a sweeping army.

Even before the giant club arrived, the wind pressure was already causing the air to groan in agony, as if it were about to burst into unbearable agony.

Konan and the Sky Ninja were about to dodge when they felt a binding force coming from beneath their feet, rendering them unable to move. Their expressions immediately changed: "What?"

"Shadow Stitching Technique: Black Spider Lily".

Suddenly, Yamanaka Santen and Nara Shizuku formed hand seals, and the shadows beneath their feet split and extended, connecting with the shadows of Konan and dozens of other Sky Ninjas around them.

From above, the two figures resemble flower stamens, while the dozens of dark tentacles connecting to the enemy's shadows are like spider lilies blooming on the battlefield.

Bang! !

Paper scraps, flying ninja tools, and human remains exploded in the air into several clouds of blood mist, while the hurricane stirred up by Akimichi Tsutomu scattered the other air ninjas in all directions.

Akimichi Tsutomu leaned on his stick, breathing heavily. The terrifying burden brought by the Hyper-Expansion Technique made his muscles tremble uncontrollably, and even beads of blood seeped from his pores.

In the distance, the countless pieces of paper that were falling from the sky seemed to be drawn together, rapidly converging in a place far from the center of the battlefield. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Nan's figure reformed.

Her face was paler than before, and a striking red mark clung to the corner of her mouth.

Looking down at the Allied forces below, whose morale had been boosted by the arrival of reinforcements and who were now organizing a counterattack, and glancing at the clearly panicked air ninja, Konan's brows furrowed tightly.

The delay is not enough.

The time left for the Akatsuki was ultimately too short.

If Akatsuki were given another year to develop, given their current rate of troop expansion, she was confident they could defeat the combined forces of the five great nations.

Unfortunately, Hinata Kumokawa, that guy, was too decisive.

(End of this chapter)