Konoha Notes

Chapter 366 Nanao
"Wait! Please believe me, I really am a ninja from Takigakure! My name is Ozaki, and I'm here to provide backup on orders from the Jonin of the Demon Wolf..."

Just after Shuji and Genma expressed their opinions, Raido Namishi subdued the Takigakure ninja.

At this point, Ozaki did not resist, but continued to argue: "What...what are you doing? The enemy may still be nearby, time is of the essence! Lord Shibuki and your companions are still waiting!"

The next moment, several branches wrapped around the limbs and torso of the Takigakure ninja.

He didn't finish his sentence. Taking advantage of his restraints, Namiashi Raido began a swift and professional search of his entire body.

From the ninja tool pouch, the inside of the collar, the hidden pockets in the cuffs to the soles of the shoes, no corner that might conceal dangerous items or information was overlooked.

After a moment, Lei Tong stopped what he was doing and shook his head slightly at Xiu Si and Genma: "There are no explosive tags or other obvious traces of triggering techniques, several regular ninja tools, identification...it looks like a Chunin from Takigakure."

Shuuji nodded: "Take him away."

Deivashi stepped forward and took Ozaki, who was bound by Wood Release and whose eyes could still move.

The four-person team moved even faster toward the roaring waterfall.

As they moved at high speed, the shadows of the trees rushed past them. Genma Shiranui said, "Listen, whether you're real or not, there are a few things you need to understand."

"First of all, as reinforcements sent out after discovering that the advance elite team has chosen to retreat and that the enemy may have the advantage of terrain or even intelligence, the top priority is never to plunge headlong into an area where the situation is completely unknown."

"It's about ensuring the continuity of the intelligence chain."

"If a team that might get itself into trouble doesn't leave clues about 'why it got into trouble' and 'what might be inside' before entering, then reinforcements lose at least half their meaning and just turn themselves into expendable supplies that need to be rescued."

"Secondly, if the first batch of reinforcements does indeed fall into crisis, we, as the second batch of reinforcements, must first assess whether we have the ability to break the deadlock."

"If we cannot confirm it, the first thing to do is not to send reinforcements, but to bring the intelligence back, inform the rear and the front lines of the situation, and prepare forces that can truly solve the problem."

“So,” Genma glanced at Ozaki one last time.

"Your words, your identity, and the path you provide will not be the main factors influencing our decision-making until we have completed our initial reconnaissance and assessment."

"You just need to follow quietly, or pray that you're really okay."

Ozaki fell silent, his expression obscured by the rapidly passing shadows cast by the trees.

Soon, they arrived at the designated rendezvous point, where the ground was a mess.

The signs of battle were fresh and intense. However, there were no corpses, neither enemy nor Konoha or Takigakure's. There weren't even any large pieces of remains, only some torn cloth and fragments of ninja tools.

“It seems the battle is over… perhaps the enemy has already retreated?” The bound Ozaki immediately spoke up, “Please let me go, I know the safe route into the village! The situation is unclear right now, it’s the fastest way for me to lead the way!”

Shuji didn't respond to him. After scanning the battlefield, he walked straight behind the waterfall.

“Wait! Konoha ninjas.” Ozaki’s voice rose a little, “The entrance isn’t outside the waterfall! You need to dive into a specific pool in the cave behind the waterfall and follow the hidden waterway to reach the village! You won’t find the entrance if you just go in directly.”

The other members of the team completely ignored what the man in Deivashi's hands was saying, and instead followed Xiu Si into the great waterfall.

After passing through the water curtain and walking further in, just as Ozaki had said, there were indeed dozens of deep pools of varying sizes scattered on the ground.

“This is it.” Ozaki seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “On the left, the third pool from the left! That’s the correct waterway entrance! Hurry up, untie me, and I’ll take you in.”

In his voice, Shuji formed a simple hand seal.

Dozens of shadow clones identical to Shuuji appeared, densely packed in the cave.

The next moment, all the shadow clones simultaneously plunged into the pools of water of varying sizes.
-
At the same time, behind the waterfall, hidden in the center of a huge lake, lies the headquarters of Takigakure Village.

The former peace and tranquility have long been shattered, and the air is filled with the smell of blood and burning.

About twenty Takigakure ninjas stood there dumbfounded, while the remaining hundreds were surrounded by them and dared not move.

Outside the encirclement, a man sat leisurely in a wicker chair. This man, with light blond hair and a meticulously trimmed mustache, who looked like a kind businessman, said, "Where would people go? I'm just a businessman, I really don't want to do this kind of thing."

However, none of them spoke.

Miyajo En snapped his fingers, and a controlled Takigakure ninja staggered out.

Then, it exploded with a loud bang.

"It's like this."

"If you're waiting for reinforcements, there's no need for that; they're already dead."

"As for the people from Konoha who will follow, they probably won't be able to come."

"At least until you die."
-
An explosion was heard in the distance.

The muffled sound, muffled by the rock and soil, sounded like a distant rumble, but everyone knew what it was.

Asma did not speak.

There are only two enemies, or rather, only two threatening enemies. As for the defecting Takigakure ninjas, they are not a problem.

One of them was a blond man. Asma had no information about him, but after inflicting wounds, he could quickly control those he injured and turn them into bombs.

The other is the pitcher plant monster, who is identified by intelligence as a member of the Akatsuki organization.

After the situation spiraled completely out of control, Asuma had no choice but to retreat with his men.

Takigakure leader Shibuki leaned against the opposite wall, his face as pale as paper.

The young leader was gritting his teeth, trying hard not to let his hands tremble.

A little girl was squatting next to Shibuki.

Fu, the Jinchūriki of the Seven-Tails.

She hugged her knees and buried her face in her arms.

“Listen, Fu,” Asuma said in a low voice, “Konoha’s reinforcements are on their way. If we can hold out for a little longer, we will definitely be able to launch a counterattack.”

Fu's lips trembled.

Just then, another explosion rang out.

Fu stood up.

Her body began to glow, and red chakra seeped out from under her skin.

"Fu! No!" Shibuki tried to pull her back.

Just at this time.

Several white, humanoid protrusions suddenly grew on the surface of Fu's tailed beast chakra cloak. They grew rapidly, transforming into complete "people"—pale skin, short green hair, and a face without complete features.

White Zetsu's clones.

They clung to Fu like parasites, frantically absorbing the overflowing tailed beast chakra.

"Finally, the time has come."

The white Zetsu chuckled.

(End of this chapter)