I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 87 The Shadow Legion, Attack!

Tsunade's order seemed to give the many Konoha ninja present a shot of adrenaline.

Even Chiyo and the other Sand Village ninjas outside Kikyo Castle heard Tsunade's shout.

"That pesky slug woman!"

Chiyo, who had maintained a calm expression, suddenly changed her expression at this moment.

"She's actually in this Kikyo Castle too... Little brother!"

Hearing his sister's summons, Ebizo, holding a giant ninja fan, silently stood up, ready to cooperate with her in launching the next round of attacks.

Inside Kikyo Castle.

Nara Rinka quickly checked the newly triggered S-rank commission mission.

A gust of wind came from the sky, and the old patriarch rode his shadow eagle to his side.

"May you win the laurel wreath!"

At this critical moment, Nara Kano didn't waste any words.

"I just saw that the other side is preparing for the next round of attack."

"Now, you and I will ride the Shadow Hawk together into the sky and use our aerial advantage to suppress and strike the puppet forces of Sunagakure."

The old clan chief knew that Nara Rinka possessed a [Chakra Crystal], which, when necessary, could unleash a chakra quantity far exceeding that of ordinary ninjas.

Now is the time to use that [Chakra Crystal]!

Nara Rinka hadn't even had a chance to speak yet.

Chiyo and Ebizo, outside Kikyo Castle, have launched a new round of coordinated attacks.

Chiyo was still controlling her "Chikamatsu Ten Puppet Masters," and she summoned three more puppets to stand in front of her, forming a hand gesture to refine chakra.

"Chikamatsu Ten Puppet Masters - Infernal Hell Formation!"

Three humanoid puppets, different from the previous ones, gathered together, each forming a battle formation, and unleashed a powerful high-level fire-style ninjutsu at Kikyo Castle in front of them.

A torrent of blazing orange-red flames erupted from the point where the three puppets had gathered, instantly illuminating most of the dark night and lighting up the walls of Kikyo Castle.

Just then, Ebizo, who was standing to the side, also finished refining and condensing his chakra. He swung his ninja fan heavily and, in conjunction with Chiyo's fire ninjutsu, launched a high-level wind ninjutsu with equally powerful effects.

"Wind Release: Wind Slicing Technique!"

With the blessing of the Ninja Fan, Ebizo's wind-type chakra condensed into thin, sharp wind blades, which effortlessly merged into the scorching flames formed by the "Infernal Blaze Formation".

The fire, aided by the wind, became even more powerful.

This dazzling pillar of fire, carrying an intensely hot scorching temperature, traversed most of the battlefield and once again struck the entrance to Kikyo Castle.

Wherever the flames passed, the earth was scorched black, and even the nearest soil was melted and burned by the high temperature of the flames, turning into flowing lava.

Faced with such a powerful combination of wind and fire ninjutsu.

Nara Rinka's pupils contracted slightly, and without waiting to respond to the old clan chief's words, he took a step forward.

Another shadow clone emerged from his shadow, carrying a water-attribute mask.

Nara Rinka's true form swiftly formed hand seals, and through the resonance of the [Chakra Crystal], he used a B-rank Water Release ninjutsu modified by Senju Tobirama in the blink of an eye.

[Water Dragon Bullet Technique]!

Lifelike, menacing water dragon bullets shot out from in front of Nara Rinka, carrying a faint, ethereal dragon's roar, fearlessly meeting the oncoming torrent of flames.

boom!!

The flames and the water dragon collided fiercely in mid-air. The two sides were locked in a stalemate for only a short time before the latter was evaporated into clumps of white mist under the terrifying and astonishing flames.

Thick white mist quickly spread across the entire battlefield, then thinned out under the evaporation and burning of the "Infernal Inferno Array" until it dissipated completely.

However, taking advantage of the gap created by the Water Dragon Bullet Technique, the Shadow Clone also successfully passed through the Water-attribute Nature Mask and used another B-rank Water Release ninjutsu.

【Water Crush】!

Water-based chakra swirled around the Shadow Clone, forming an invisible vortex that drew away the wispy moisture remaining in the air, creating a towering, spiraling water tornado at the entrance to Kikyo Castle.

Compared to the [Water Dragon Bullet Technique].

The [Water Shock Wave] can create a larger defensive area and has a better defensive effect.

The combined ninjutsu of "Infernal Prison Formation" and "Wind Cutting Technique" collided with the giant water tornado formed by "Water Rush Wave," unleashing another astonishing roar.

The Shadow Clone skill generously drew upon the Water Release chakra remaining in the Nature Mask, using it all to maintain the effect of the Water Shock Wave in order to resist the attack of the combined wind and fire ninjutsu.

The Konoha ninjas who had been standing to the side also realized what was happening.

Those who had just lost their combat effectiveness in the poisonous fog were temporarily pushed aside.

Some ninjas skilled in Water Release: Nature Transformation stepped forward and used their Water Release ninjutsu to help resist the Sand Village's ninjutsu attack.

With the addition of this new force, the pressure on [Shadow Clone] was suddenly relieved.

But amidst the roar of the collision of water and fire, a slight "crackling" sound reached his ears. Looking down, he saw that the [Nature Mask] he carried with him had revealed several deep grooves, as if it would shatter at any moment.

"The energy consumption in such a short time has been too great; this water-attribute [Material Mask] is almost ruined..."

Unlike the A-rank ninja tool [Chakra Crystal], which can recharge itself.

The [Nature Mask] is far inferior to the former in terms of battery life and durability.

If too much chakra is released in a short period of time, the wooden structure of the mask itself can easily be damaged.

However, the Shadow Clone didn't seem to mind.

Mastering the [Nature Mask Forging Method] allows one to view the [Nature Mask] as a type of "consumable ninja tool".

Nara Rinka had already categorized and stored a large number of "Nature Masks" according to their own chakra nature, mainly for the purpose of being prepared for any eventuality.

If one mask is broken, there are still thousands upon thousands of masks to choose from.

Masks cannot be completely destroyed.

With the combined help of numerous Water Release techniques, the scorching flames released by the Sunagakure puppet army finally dissipated completely.

This time, however, the white mist and water vapor that permeated the battlefield did not immediately dissipate completely.

"Let's seize this opportunity—"

The old clan chief was about to speak and extend another invitation to Nara Rangsuke.

"Chief, let me go alone."

Nara Rinka interrupted the other person.

"We are still short-staffed in Kikyo Castle."

Nara Kano frowned, but ultimately nodded in agreement to Nara Rangsuke's request.

The reason is none other than this.

He knows everything Nara Rangsuke knows.

And what he can't do, Nara Rinka can.

Even the [Shadow Beast Imitation Painting] was something Nara Ranke shared with the clan on his own initiative.

To put it bluntly...

Even if Nara Kano uses the Shadow Hawk to carry Nara Rin to the battlefield, aside from serving as a "vehicle," he can make almost no other contribution in the battle.

The old clan chief also lacked [Chakra Crystals], making it impossible for him to provide long-range firepower suppression.

Acting alongside Nara Rinka might actually hinder the opponent's performance.

"To pluck the laurel..."

Nara Kano looked at the younger generation of his family with satisfaction, concealing the worry in his eyes.

Be careful in everything you do.

Nara Rinka nodded slightly, and a bird formed of shadow grew and expanded beneath his feet, flapping its wings and taking flight, carrying him into the sky.

Standing on the back of the Shadow Creature, Nara Rinka looked down at the entire battlefield. His Lacquer Eyes opened instantly, and an invisible power of perception spread through the water mist, covering the entire battlefield.

Under the gaze of [Lacquer Eye], one target after another clearly emerged in the thick mist, revealing their respective locations, shapes, and forms.

Previously, the [Lacquer Eye] did not possess such refined perception and insight.

This effect can only be achieved by incorporating the [Perception] secret technique of the mountain tribe.

At the same time, the intricate chakra lines connecting each target were clearly reflected in the [Lacquer Eyes].

Nara Ranka quickly scanned the battlefield, his mind racing, trying to pinpoint the "focus" of each chakra line.

Puppeteers manipulate and control puppets using their own chakra threads.

In other words.

The source of all the chakra threads is the puppeteer himself who controls the puppet!

Nara Rinka stood on the back of the [Shadow Creature], his gaze fixed on the Sand Village puppeteer closest to Kikyo Castle. He quietly raised his finger, and a ball of Yin Release chakra condensed at his fingertip.

[Rank A Spell: Spiral Shadow Projectile]

[Spell Description: Self-developed spell, ultra-advanced shadow magic]

[Technique Effect: Infuses one's own Yin Release chakra into the shadow, and materializes the shadow into a condensed and sturdy high-speed spinning projectile with an initial velocity exceeding the speed of sound.]

Upon striking the enemy, the Yin Release chakra contained within the [Spiral Shadow Bullet] will instantly erupt, transforming into [Shadow Clones], allowing the user to unleash all Yin Release techniques they possess.

[Technique Evaluation: Use ninjas to defeat ninjas!]

boom--

The Spiral Shadow Bullet instantly pierced through the air, leaving behind visible ring-shaped air currents in mid-air, and shot towards the vicinity of the Sand Village Puppet Master in the blink of an eye.

Perhaps it was an unseen sense of danger that saved the life of this Sand Village puppeteer.

Even though he hadn't discovered the attack path of the [Spiral Shadow Projectile], he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and took a step to the side, avoiding the direct attack of the [Spiral Shadow Projectile].

However, such "luck" is not a common occurrence.

【Spiral Shadow Projectile】Although it did not hit the target directly, it struck his shadow.

A shadow clone grows directly from the point of impact, and through the overlapping of shadows, the shadow binding spell tightly restricts the opponent's ability to move.

"Why can't I move...?"

Even now, the Sand Village puppeteer was still unaware of the existence of the [Shadow Clone], only somewhat alarmed by the inexplicable suppression of his own mobility.

[Shadow Clone] doesn't have the habit of chatting with enemies; after controlling the enemy, he directly launches the next round of attacks.

[Shadow Piercing Bullet]!

A jet-black bullet shot from behind, piercing the Sunagakure puppeteer's brain and killing him instantly.

Nara Rinkei, still flying in the sky, paid no attention to the actions of this [Shadow Clone]. He simply looked down at the Sand Village puppet troops below and fired one [Spiral Shadow Phantom Bullet] after another.

One by one, the Spiral Shadow Bullets transformed into Shadow Clones, landing beside the numerous puppet ninja units of Sunagakure.

Under the cover of fog.

These "Shadow Legion" members, organized by shadow clones, swiftly reap the lives of the Sunagakure puppet army's ninjas.

In the thick fog, the screams and wails of the Sand Village ninja rose and fell, never ceasing.

"Wind Release: Chaotic Airflow!"

Having already sensed something was wrong, Ebizo vigorously waved his ninja fan, summoning a gust of wind that directly dispersed the cold, damp mist that enveloped the battlefield.

The fog dissipated.

The puppet troops, symbolizing the elite strength of Sunagakure, lay scattered across the battlefield.

Most of the Sand Village ninja who manipulated the puppets have now, like their puppets, completely lost their voices.

Nara Lan Gui's indifferent voice came from the sky.

"Mere sand and gravel, nothing special."

(End of this chapter)