Konoha Notes

Chapter 280 Temptation
An invisible noose seems to be secretly being woven into shape.

Even though those who were clearly tracking Akatsuki had temporarily retreated, Obito still felt the growing sense of oppression during this time.

The organization continued to develop in an orderly manner, but the situation in the ninja world had undergone incomprehensible changes.

"change……"

"Even under the new circumstances, it does not mean that the five great ninja villages will be at peace. The only difference is that in the past, the direct way to resolve conflicts was through war."

"When new conflicts arise among the five great ninja villages in the future, they will be more inclined to use other methods."

"This is the opportunity that the organization can seek."

The above is the information Zetsu obtained from Orochimaru.

He still couldn't figure this person out, but he had to admit some of the other person's views.

Therefore, Obito adopted some of the other party's suggestions, but he did not intend for Konoha to develop so smoothly.

"Could it be that such a stone army once conquered the entire world in ancient legends?" Obito looked at the stone statues that were blocked by earth-style techniques.

“After all, it is a power that has appeared before,” Zetsu replied. “As long as the demons act carefully, Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure will continue to have a large amount of power tied up.”

"After all, in Konoha's hands, only a little priestess was able to enter the shrine for sealing."

"Given her current age and her still-unawakened power, she is simply not up to the task of resealing."

"Be careful..." Obito felt he couldn't expect too much from this rampant monster, after all, even though Rasa was already careful, he still died hastily.
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Even assuming the worst-case scenario, if the demon has successfully devoured the priestess, then it has no intention of making a move yet.

Are they planning to use those stone statue soldiers to deplete the power of the ninja world?
After all, ninjas, being made of flesh and blood, would definitely suffer in a prolonged battle against such a thing.

Currently, no single automatic weapon can deal with these stone statue legions on its own. If this continues for a long time, it is impossible to know how the situation will change.

"I'm preparing to launch a surprise attack."

"A tactic of luring the enemy?" Kakashi immediately understood the intention. "The reason why the demon has not appeared for so long is probably because it is looking for a suitable opportunity and target, so that it can establish its authority and also deal a substantial and heavy blow to the Allied Shinobi Forces."

Xiu Si said calmly, "A person capable of destroying the stone statue army on a large scale is going deep into enemy territory alone. Such a provocation might be enough to tempt it."

"Isn't it too high a price to personally act as bait?" This was the only thing Kakashi felt was problematic. "The opponent is a monster with unknown abilities. Even you can't guarantee its safety."

The stone statues alone are fine; after all, these things are stiff and inflexible, so moving around among them isn't difficult.

The greatest threat these things pose to the world lies in their devastating destruction of ordinary people's settlements and production systems, thereby shaking the very foundation of the ninja world's stability.

But once they ventured deep into enemy territory, it became clear that there would be more than just these rocks...

When he went to the Dragon Vein Land, Xiu Si had already fought with Sunagakure a few times and figured out their strengths and weaknesses.

Now we face an enemy whose trump cards are unknown, whose existence is only legendary.

Kakashi said in a deep voice, "If it's just a powerful, provocative charge to attract the opponent's attention, I can do it just as well."

"I will prepare contingency plans for an emergency withdrawal from the battlefield." Shuji's reply did not indicate any intention to change the plan.

The next day, Shuji informed Maki of his decision. The Sand Village Jonin couldn't help but smile wryly: "Mr. Shuji... such tactics, you... I..."

As a ninja from Sunagakure, he shouldn't have had any opinion on this, after all, the people from Konoha chose this risk themselves, and the other party was someone of that status.

However, Maki's feelings towards Shuji were somewhat complicated. Shuji had once severely damaged Sunagakure, yet he seemed to be giving Sunagakure a different choice.

If this current adventure successfully lures out the monster's true form or reveals its movements, Sunagakure will be a more direct beneficiary than Konoha.

Logically, he should have gone in to show the Sand Village's stance, but whether he could come out was another matter, not to mention the responsibility of command...

"During this period, Kakashi will temporarily assume my duties."

"Kakashi Hatake... He's already arrived at the front lines..." Maki was slightly shocked, but this news was nothing compared to Shuuji's decision to personally act as bait.

He tried to make a final attempt to persuade her: "The priestess we entrusted to Konoha might be able to help. Isn't it too risky for you to personally intrude?"

But facing those emotionless eyes, Maki took a deep breath and nodded: "I understand. Sunagakure will cooperate with your actions."

Once an agreement is reached, there is no need for further hesitation.

Shuji walked alone toward the defensive line that the Allied forces had painstakingly maintained. He came to a high point formed by earthen walls.

Below, a dense army of stone statues surged like a gray tide.

The heavy thud of thousands of stones pounding the ground merged into a continuous, suffocating roar.

Under the gazes of Konoha and Sunagakure ninjas, a mixture of astonishment, worry, and disbelief, Shuji leaped from the height.

The instant his feet touched the rubble-strewn ground below—

The thick, gnarled trees, the incredibly tough vines, and the twisted trunks roared forward from where he landed.

The once orderly array of gray-white stone statues was turned upside down by this suddenly appearing forest.

The stone statues were crushed and broken.

As far as the eye can see, the once imposing tide of stone statues is now swallowed and covered by the surging greenery.

Standing atop the defensive line, witnessing the once unstoppable stone statue army being destroyed by an even more unshakeable force, the Sand Village ninjas felt their breath catch in their throats, their emotions a complex mix of feelings.

Maki subconsciously turned his head to look at Kakashi, who was also intently watching the battlefield. His voice was dry and he didn't even realize it because he was so shocked: "Such power... when faced with an enemy, it only makes people feel genuine fear."

His gaze returned to the lush forest growing wildly among the stone statues, and to the figure, with steady steps, continuing to advance deeper into the enemy-controlled territory, hidden beneath that green cover.

"But now... witnessing all of this gives one a... indescribable sense of peace."

Kakashi didn't turn around; his exposed right eye continued to follow Shuuji's fleeting, almost imperceptible, trajectory amidst the green tide.

He responded with a faint reply, his words almost instantly drowned out by the roar of trees growing and rocks crumbling from ahead.

"Ah... So, the one who can stand in this position, make this choice, and take action... is him..."

(End of this chapter)