Konoha Notes

Chapter 234 Turbulence
“In that case, we need to lure out the aerial ninjas before attacking and wipe them out in one wave,” Nara Shikaku said in a deep voice, staring at the arrows on the map indicating the direction of the aerial ninjas’ attack. Allowing these aerial units to hover overhead would severely restrict any ground operations.

“I have the techniques to deal with them,” Xiu Si replied calmly. “I don’t intend to reveal those sporadic attacks too early, unless I can guarantee their annihilation.”

The technique that was originally used on the monster in the Box of Bliss was just a regular D-rank ninjutsu. Its effect was to create a vortex to disrupt local airflow, serving as a counter to aerial units or projectiles.

If you have enough chakra, you can create multiple cyclones. In Sage Mode, the effect is enough to make it difficult for even a large monster like Satoru to maintain flight, let alone an air ninja relying on rudimentary mechanical wings.

During this period, the passive defense and observation at the forward outposts were not entirely fruitless. They had figured out the effective attack range of the air ninja.

Those aerial ninjas needed to dive to a low altitude of over ten meters to ensure that the explosives could be accurately thrown at the ninjas' heads—but this height was already a distance from which the Konoha ninjas, who were on high alert, could retaliate.

If the altitude is increased to between 30 and 50 meters, it is possible to barely guarantee the accuracy of the landing point while minimizing the range that can be intercepted by ninja attacks.

This distance was precisely the absolute territory that Sora Ninja thought was safe.

However, if Shuji can occupy a high enough position and use himself as a fulcrum for casting spells, this safe distance will be completely overturned.

Previously, he was the only one on the front lines with the ability to turn the tide of battle, and he dared not take any risks lest he alert the enemy. Now that Nara Shikaku has arrived, he can make some preparations.

“If that’s the case,” Shikaku said after listening to Shuuji’s description of the technique, “then our actions need to be large enough to lure out enough Sky Ninjas and eliminate as many of their forces as possible in one go.”

"Otherwise, after suffering this loss, they will never give us a second chance to gather and annihilate them on a large scale."

Shuji nodded: "The specific plans and arrangements will need to be handled by you, Mr. Shikaku."

Nara Shikaku gave a wry smile: "In the end, I still couldn't dodge it."

“Just wait a few more years for Shikamaru, Mr. Shikaku.” Shuuji’s tone was flat, making it impossible to tell whether he was joking or serious.

"Hey, this is the second time you've said that. Are you serious?"

"of course."
-
The land of rivers, the command camp of Sunagakure.

As Rasa listened to his subordinates' report on the recent progress of purchasing grain from the Land of Rivers, the tent flap was lifted, and a reconnaissance ninja appeared instantly, kneeling on one knee.

"Lord Kazekage, we have confirmed that the Konoha reinforcements have arrived at the front lines. At the same time, we have observed a sharp increase in the frequency of Konoha ninja activity, which appears to be a large-scale gathering near the border."

鏉ヤ 钖楋纻
Konoha's first counterattack.

"Order the frontline troops to raise the alert level and deploy according to the second contingency plan." Rasa stood up and picked up the straw hat placed to the side. "At the same time, notify the Sky Ninja and tell them to prepare. Once signs of a large-scale gathering of Konoha troops are detected, seize the opportunity to launch a massive air strike and severely damage their forces."

The order was quickly relayed.

As more and more Konoha figures appeared at the edge of the forest, showing a clear trend of gathering, Sunagakure's ground forces also began to advance, building a solid defensive line on the other side of the border.

Rasa, accompanied by two of his personal ANBU, personally arrived at the forefront of the battle line. Almost simultaneously, from the shadows of the forest in the direction of Konoha, Nara Shikaku's figure slowly emerged.

"It's you, Nara Shikaku."

"It's been a long time, Lord Kazekage. The last time we met was when your side stepped in to help Konoha and Iwagakure mediate," Shikaku replied.

"So, you're leading your troops to invade the Land of Rivers on behalf of Konoha?" Rasa crossed his arms, his white Kazekage robe fluttering slightly in the wind. "Unfortunately, Sunagakure has accepted the official mandate from the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers to protect its territory, and we can't let you do this."

Nara Shikaku looked puzzled: "Kage, you flatter me. We received reliable intelligence that a group of ninjas of unknown origin who are capable of flight attacked a Konoha border outpost and fled into the Land of Rivers. We are simply here to investigate and hunt down these dangerous individuals after receiving the intelligence."

"It is said that several towns in the Land of Rivers have been attacked by similar aerial units before? It seems we are facing a common threat. Konoha's trip here is also out of the spirit of the alliance, to assist our ally in completing the mission and eliminating the hidden dangers in this area."

“If that’s the case, I thank Konoha for the information,” Rasa replied calmly. “However, protecting the target of our mission is Sunagakure’s duty. We are capable of completing the mission on our own, so there’s no need for Konoha to trouble themselves.”

“Oh dear…” Shikaku retreated helplessly. “This is difficult. Unfortunately, pursuing that dangerous force is also a mission assigned to me by the village, and I can’t give up halfway. As an ally, I can’t just stand by and watch the Sand Village fight alone and bear all the risks.”

Before he finished speaking, his figure had already slowly retreated into the shadows of the forest and disappeared.

Rasa stared in the direction where Nara Shikaku had disappeared, feeling somewhat uncertain.

Does Konoha's statement mean they haven't decided to turn against Sunagakure yet? Now that Nara Shikaku is here, what about Sarutobi Hiruzen? Having retired, he can now be used as a flexible fighting force.

Did they go to Iwagakure, or is Konoha planning to make a breakthrough solely along the riverbank...?

"Order all units to organize multi-layered defensive lines, relying on the mountainous terrain ahead, and to be on high alert against any possible infiltration or strong attack by Konoha," Rasa ordered in a deep voice as he returned to the core of the Sunagakure base.

It seemed he needed to get Elder Chiyo to send a group of elite puppet troops to provide support as soon as possible, he thought to himself.

At the same time, he formed a hand seal.

The Eye of Sand, open.

Tiny grains of sand silently gathered at his feet, forming an inconspicuous eyeball that headed toward the area where the Konoha ninjas were active.

Rasa observed Konoha's cross-border actions through the shared vision of the Eye of Sand.

Did they choose a mountainous area with complex terrain and undulating elevations as the border crossing point...? Was it to use the complex terrain and vegetation for cover to avoid aerial reconnaissance and attacks by air ninja, reducing the risk of their troops being exposed to air raids...?

It's a very conventional and effective approach.

but……

Luo Sha manipulated the Eye of Sand to slowly raise the viewpoint, overlooking the entire area. His attention was quickly drawn to a relatively open valley in the mountains.

There seemed to be a natural junction where several paths converged. A large number of Konoha ninjas were converging into the valley from different directions. After regrouping briefly, they dispersed and entered the more complex mountainous area further ahead.

“Even a wise general will inevitably encounter such exploitable opportunities when deploying large-scale troops…” Luo Sha murmured.

The air ninjas, accustomed to fighting from a high vantage point, have a better overall perspective than him.

They would never let go of this seemingly perfect opportunity to attack.
-
High in the mountains, behind a secluded rock ledge with a wide view.

Shuji closed his eyes and concentrated, allowing natural energy to flow into his body, merging with his own chakra and achieving balance.

As the voice came from the sky, a celestial face appeared on his face.

High in the sky, the dark mass of air ninja finally appeared, swooping down towards the valley.

Within the air ninja group, the leader's sharp gaze swept across the terrain below.

This location... Konoha likely has ambushes positioned on the mountaintops on both sides. However, the valley below is relatively open, so it would be difficult for troops to assemble in a crowded manner.

This terrain is sufficient as long as we can guarantee the bomb's landing point! Lower the altitude a bit more to ensure the kill effect!
"Maintain altitude of fifty meters! Approximately twenty meters from the high points on both sides. Enter attack position, prepare to attack!"

Following the command of the Sky Ninja leader, the Sky Ninjas roared toward the designated bombing point, ready to unleash their gift of death.

At that very moment, Shuji, standing on the rock ledge, clasped his hands together.

Immortal Technique: Thousand Madnesses and Flowing Slaves!
Without a sound, dozens of transparent cyclones instantly formed, expanded, and churned wildly in the airspace where the air ninja cluster was located, centered on Shuji! The high-altitude airflow in the entire area instantly fell into extreme turbulence, and the originally stable airflow was torn into countless chaotic turbulent currents.

The air ninjas, who were preparing to drop their bombs, suddenly screamed in terror, feeling as if they had been thrown into an invisible, violent vortex.

The rudimentary mechanical wings groaned under the strain of the raging air currents, completely out of control. The ninjas' bodies were swept up in the turbulence, spinning and colliding wildly, like toys tossed about by an invisible giant hand.

"Stabilize! Pull up! Pull up quickly!!" The air ninja leader roared amidst the chaos, but his voice was instantly torn apart by the airflow.

The balance that maintained flight was completely broken. One by one, the airborne soldiers, like birds with broken wings, plummeted from a height of fifty meters with a desperate trajectory, crashing into the mountains and valleys below, exploding into clouds of dust and shattered mechanical parts.

Rasa, who "saw" this scene through the Eye of Sand, instantly clenched his fist hidden in his sleeve.

(End of this chapter)