Konoha: This Uchiha is extremely sneaky

Chapter 465 The Chaotic Retreat

Hasty footsteps, heavy breathing, and a gloomy expression.

In a harbor by the sea, a large group of mist ninjas crowded together, shoulder to shoulder.

"Qing, have you finished the personnel count?"

Mei Terumi, looking somewhat exhausted, had no time to comfort her subordinate, Ao, who appeared completely drained.

"The scene was too chaotic to accurately count the number of people, but it was probably over three thousand!"

Looking at Mei Terumi in front of him, Ao greatly admired her courage, for she actually had the audacity to order the Kirigakure to retreat while the Fourth Mizukage was still alive.

While this is undoubtedly the most responsible thing to do for Kirigakure, it won't be so easy to escape once the Fourth Hokage starts investigating.

"What about the Fourth Hokage? Is there any news about him?"

Mei Terumi was certainly not a reckless person; she had known all along that these bloodline families planned to take advantage of the Fourth Hokage's presence on the battlefield.

She wanted the other party to "sacrifice themselves" for the village, which is why she made the evacuation arrangements ahead of time without hesitation.

After learning about her allies' plans and seeing the supplies brought by the Fourth Hokage, she had already made her own plans.

For this reason, she also communicated with Master Yuan, who was far away in Kirigakure, and received his support.

"The Fourth Hokage hasn't kept up with our group; something must have happened to him..."

"..."

Under normal circumstances, if the Fourth Mizukage were still alive, he would definitely come and join the main force of the Kirigakure ninja.

Since they didn't follow, it means something must have happened.

I just don't know if it was their allies who did it, or the guys from Konoha.

"Any news from Konoha's pursuers?"

After a moment of silence, Mei Terumi did not delve further into the topic of the Fourth Hokage, but instead inquired about the situation in Konoha.

"If I remember correctly, the reconnaissance team was led by Salted Peach. Hasn't she sent any news back?"

Although she managed to escape with her people, she faced a host of problems: logistics, wounded soldiers, insufficient transportation, and who would stay behind to cover the rear.

One urgent matter after another awaited her resolution.

The most serious threat was the pursuers behind them.

"The situation isn't good. It seems Konoha is also gathering nearby ships, and there are signs they're already regrouping!"

"Recruit ships... Assemble once more!!"

Upon hearing Ao's report, Mei Terumi's already tired face turned even paler.

"Could it be... that Konoha is planning to pursue them to the sea?"

Her beautiful eyes lacked their usual brilliance; instead, they were bloodshot from exhaustion.

"Based on the current intelligence analysis, that should be correct!"

Seeing Mei Terumi's wide eyes and somewhat incredulous expression, Ao reluctantly dispelled the last glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Lady Terumi, something terrible has happened!"

"Those people...those people started fighting!"

Just as Mei Terumi was lost in thought because of Ao's news, a flustered Mist Ninja interrupted her thoughts.

"This is really...making things worse!"

Rubbing her slightly throbbing forehead, Mei Terumi, only 23 or 4 years old this year, felt for the first time the hardships of a leader.

"...Where is she? Take me there!"

With a fierce look on her pink face, Mei Terumi exuded a low-pressure aura. Looking at the flustered Mist Ninja, the cold light in her green eyes chilled to the bone.

"...It's...right...right where we boarded the ship!"

Stared at by Mei Terumi, the Kirigakure who came to deliver the message felt as if he were wearing summer clothes and had returned to the coldest winter in the Land of Water.

Even his voice began to tremble, and he dared not look up and meet Mei Terumi's gaze.

brush!

When he heard the noise and looked up again, the other person was no longer there.

When Mei Terumi arrived, two groups of Mist Ninja were in a tense standoff at the dock specifically used for berthing large ships.

In the middle of them, a group of about thirty Mist Ninja were engaged in a fierce battle.

Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique

Upon seeing this, Mei Terumi's face fell.

Without caring who was right or wrong, and without asking the reason for the incident, he immediately unleashed a waterfall spell upon arriving at the scene.

The fighting ninja were scattered and destroyed.

"Stop right there! Anyone who dares to continue will be killed!"

Seeing that some of these Mist Ninjas were still planning to resist, Mei Terumi showed no mercy. She went up and with a few punches and kicks, she left these people with nothing but the strength to lie on the ground and wail.

"All those involved in the fighting, join the rearguard to buy time for the main force to retreat!"

After knocking these people down, Mei Terumi did not hesitate and immediately added them to the list of those covering the rear.

Seeing that some of the Mist Ninja were still unwilling to disperse, Mei Terumi didn't tolerate them. After yelling at the onlookers, she instructed Ao, who had followed her:

"Take these men to the rearguard!"

How could a Kirigakure force of over 3000 people be transported away all at once? Even including the ships brought by Yagura, it wouldn't be enough.

"Konoha is already gathering its forces. Would any of you be willing to stay behind and cover our retreat with me?"

Seeing these Mist Ninja still gathered here, Mei Terumi glanced at them, then smiled coldly and asked with a mocking tone.

"Hmph~"

With a cold snort, Mei Terumi continued her mockery.

"If that's the case, what are you all still doing here? Waiting for the Konoha ninjas to come and send you back to the Land of Water?"

"Now, everyone board the ship in the previously arranged order. Anyone who has objections, stay behind and bring up the rear with us!"

After dismissing the remaining Mist Ninja who were still gathered together, Mei Terumi's expression did not improve.

"Qing, study the nautical chart carefully and see if we can find a transit point."

After frowning and thinking for a while, Mei Terumi looked at Ao beside her and asked.

"Once this batch of ships is full, we won't have any extra boats. It's too dangerous to stay in the port waiting!"

Time was of the essence, and Konoha couldn't wait for these ships to return before attacking them, which is why the Mist Ninja started fighting.

Everyone wanted to get on the ship first so they could leave this dangerous port.

"Ignoring logistics and combat, this is feasible, but... it makes us vulnerable to being picked off one by one by Konoha, and the later relocation will be a problem!"

"There's no other way. Every single one of them who manages to escape is a chance!" Remembering the news Ao had just reported, Mei Terumi continued:

"Furthermore, Konoha might even pursue them to the sea, at which point we probably won't be able to spare enough troops to chase them down!"

"They just need to hold out until our post-war search team arrives. If any of them are brave enough, they might be able to find a way back to Kirigakure on their own."

It's not impossible. If these people are lucky enough and don't encounter storms or tsunamis, it's not impossible for them to row back to Kirigakure on a raft.

Of course, this requires an excellent navigator.

(End of this chapter)