Konoha Notes

Chapter 85 Yunyin
When Wood Release disappeared for decades and reappeared, even Huang Tu didn't recognize it at first.

He simply made a judgment based on his own experience, splitting the battlefield, raising the position of the two Jinchuriki, and interrupting the Wood Release attack.

"Earth Release: Rock Iron Cannon Technique!"

Dozens of Iwagakure ninjas spat out stones, which rapidly expanded and hardened in mid-air, transforming into cannonballs that slammed into the massive, still twisting and spreading root system.

The collision between the stone projectiles and the tree roots halted the Wood Release attack, giving the two on the high platform some breathing room.

Old Purple and Han exchanged a glance. When they were entangled by those huge roots, their chakra was flowing out of their bodies uncontrollably. The feeling of their chakra being forcibly extracted left Old Purple and Han with lingering fear.

Without knowing the enemy's secret techniques, the two Jinchūriki decided to retreat from the battlefield first.

However, their opponents were not going to give them that opportunity.

"We can't just leave like this!"

Jiraiya clapped his hands together, and the summoning jutsu rapidly unfolded on the ground. Accompanied by a huge plume of white smoke, a giant toad wearing a dark red short jacket and carrying a massive blade at its waist made a fierce appearance.

"Hey! Jiraiya... another Jinchūriki..." Gamabunta, pipe dangling from his lips, swept his enormous eyes across the chaotic battlefield. "This is just endless trouble!"

It spat in dissatisfaction, but its actions were swift and decisive.

"Water Release: Iron Pao Jade!"

A massive water sphere shot out of Gamabunta's mouth like a cannonball, hurtling towards the two who were trying to retreat. Old Purple roared, his body churning with lava, as the enormous lava sphere met the attack head-on.

The violent collision of water and fire generated a large amount of high-temperature steam that once again spread out.

Amidst the steam, Han's figure suddenly blurred, high-pressure steam erupting from his body, and he charged straight toward Wen Tai at terrifying speed like a cannonball!
Wen Tai snorted coldly, drew his giant short sword, and swung it down with a backhand. However, he was shaken by the Han's monstrous strength and staggered, almost dropping the short sword from his hand.

"Tch, this kind of power is incredibly troublesome! Jiraiya!"

"Don't be angry, Bunta, isn't this interesting?"

Jiraiya cheerfully reassured him.

On the other side, Kakashi observed the battle through the thinning steam. The Rock Cannons from Iwagakure continued relentlessly, severely disrupting the regeneration and extension of Wood Release.

"Tenzo, use Earth Release to block Iwagakure's attack. Mori, go and support Jiraiya-sama."

"Understood!" Tianzang replied in a deep voice, took a step forward, and slammed his hands onto the ground.

"Earth Escape: Earth Current City Wall!"

Rumble——!
A massive earthen wall, far exceeding the usual size, rose from the ground. It did not stand vertically, but leaned forward, forming a sturdy sloping barrier that precisely blocked the path of the Hidden Rock's artillery fire.

The rock-iron cannons bombarded the thick earthen slope, blasting countless craters, but they were difficult to penetrate, effectively protecting the root system of the trees below.

At almost the same time, Nara Shikaku, who was in command at the rear, also made a judgment.

"Protect Jiraiya-sama and the Anbu squad."

The Konoha ninjas moved at the command, their offensive suddenly becoming even more ferocious. They desperately forced back the Iwagakure ninjas who were trying to get closer, creating a barrier around the area centered on the three top combatants.

Xiu Si's figure had already quietly disappeared from the spot when Tian Zang activated Earth Escape.

Using the lingering steam, rock pillars, and tree debris as cover, they made a high-speed detour to approach Han's location.

Although Lao Zi's Lava Release technique is more powerful and has a wider range than Han's, it is countered by him and Tianzang.

Both of them are capable of unleashing powerful water-based techniques even in the absence of water.

The most pressing issue to address now is the powerful Han.

Having just repelled Gamabunta, Han suddenly felt a sense of crisis. Without thinking twice, he turned and kicked out.

However, the expected impact did not come; instead, my foot was tightly bound by something extremely tough.

Upon closer inspection, they saw three dark brown wooden strips already wrapped around the legs and rising upwards.

"This... damn blockhead!"

Old Purple noticed that Han was entangled by Wood Release and was about to provide assistance.

Don't get distracted!

Jiraiya's voice came from above, and Gamabunta's giant blade, carrying wind pressure, slashed down again, forcing Roshi to prioritize dealing with the threat in front of him. Shuji maintained control with one hand while activating Wood Release, causing more thick roots to burst from the ground, wrapping around Han's torso and arms, attempting to completely imprison him.

The Five-Tails Jinchuriki's eyes turned blood red as he tried to fully transform into a tailed beast. However, the Wood Release bindings tightened, and the absorption of chakra intensified. Just as he was about to lose all power to resist—

A fist encased in hard rock descended from the sky. Sensing the danger, Shuji had no choice but to retreat.

Huang Tu landed beside Han and smashed the wooden trap that was binding Han.

"Han, retreat! This is the First Hokage's Wood Release!"

The commander of Iwagakure finally understood the source of Nara Shikaku's confidence in attacking.

"Konoha, they actually had this trick up their sleeve!"

He stared intently at Shuji, who was faintly visible in the steam.
-
In the Hidden Cloud Village, the Fourth Raikage, A, stood before a large floor-to-ceiling window, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the distant south through the glass.

He was waiting for news.

The office door was pushed open, and the secretary placed a confidential report on the desk.

Raikage turned around and picked up the document.

"Finally, the attack has begun, Onoki."

"Mabui!"

"Immediately issue orders to the frontline troops! Open the passage and allow the Konoha envoy to cross the Frost Country border!"

Akai's death was infuriating; he was a trusted subordinate who died so hastily in Konoha.

But everything that followed was too strange.

Let's assume there's a one in ten thousand chance that Konoha isn't lying.

So why did Akai appear in the Hyuga clan's territory?

If he has the ability to sneak in without even knowing it, why can't he escape?

The Raikage knew very well that if he didn't order Akai to steal Byakugan in Konoha, it would be tantamount to sending his loyal subordinate to his death in vain.

So, did Akai act on his own initiative, hoping the war would continue? He wouldn't misjudge his subordinates; he's not that kind of person.

What followed was even stranger.

Akai died in Konoha, so why were his two guards able to escape the heavy blockade?

In just one night, he traveled from the Land of Fire to the Land of Frost to report Akai's death.

Now, those two guards have vanished.

Too much illogicality, too much contrivedness. All of this forced the Raikage to calm down.

There is one, or even more than one, hand trying to drag Kumogakure back into the quagmire of war.

First and foremost, this battle must not begin the way the designers envisioned it.

Secondly, Akai could not die in vain, nor could he tolerate his subordinates dying so inexplicably.

Now, the initiative has fallen into his hands.

The all-out attack by Iwagakure signifies two things:
First, the so-called Konoha-Sunagakure alliance is ultimately a joke. Otherwise, Iwagakure would not have the ability to launch an attack of this magnitude.
Second, the pressure Konoha is under at this moment is unprecedented, and their desire to resolve the trouble as soon as possible will be stronger than ever.

Therefore, the Raikage came to a conclusion.

Konoha would be more anxious than he was.

"Since the deaths of our subordinates are irreversible, let's use them to bring greater benefits to the Hidden Cloud Village."

“Akai…the person who kills you will pay the price.”

"The incompetent Konoha will also pay the price."

(End of this chapter)