Born in Sunagakure, dedicated to antagonizing Konoha for decades

This has led to situations where the number of support troops exceeds the number of frontline combat personnel.

When everyone saw the number of Konoha's support troops, they gasped in surprise. Konoha really is incredibly wealthy!

However, when they saw that the leader of this unit was the recovered "Half of Konoha," a voice from the depths of their souls kept telling them: Buy Kumogakure! This Kumogakure wave is a sure thing! ヾ(^Д^*)/.

285. Onoki: The Kazekage is truly a man of character!

The area between Sunagakure and Konoha was the calmest on the entire battlefield.

Having spent many years in the entertainment industry, Sunagawa was a master of acting. Unlike the exaggerated performance of a real fight, when he arrived at the front lines, the Sand Village's morale soared. In the past six months, Onoki and Hiruzen Sarutobi had only fought two or three battles, while Sunagawa had already led his Sand Village troops in at least eight. With such a high frequency of battles, even Onoki dared not say that the Sand Village was slacking off, and repeatedly exclaimed that the Kazekage was truly genuine!

Although the battles between Sunagakure and Konoha were short-lived, each engagement lasting about three days, followed by a ten- to fifteen-day truce before resuming the fighting, Sunagakure's greatest fear was that of assassins like Hatake Sakumo, who possessed agile movement, speed, and powerful attacks. However, like Onoki, Sunagakure flew high in the sky, out of Hatake Sakumo's reach, relentlessly hurling iron spikes and balls of various shapes down. He didn't care about the stats; the main thing was to create a grand spectacle, making the battle spectacular, showcasing his style and flair.

Otherwise, even after so many years without making a move, Hiruzen Sarutobi is still so formidable. If he didn't make a grand display of power, people would really think he was just some random guy...

Meanwhile, Nara, the big-headed ninja from Konoha, had already grasped Sunagawa's strategic intentions after two attacks by the Sand Ninja. Although this guy made every battle spectacular, he always threw his iron spikes and balls at empty or sparsely populated areas, leaving the battlefield riddled with craters. His destructive power was immense, but his damage output was low. The total damage he dealt to throughout the entire battle was only in the double digits. The Sand Ninja underlings also lacked fighting spirit. After each listless charge, they would listlessly play hide-and-seek with the Konoha underlings.

The current battle situation remains deadlocked after Orochimaru arrived at Iwagakure, with both sides experiencing victories and defeats. The Kazekage is waiting for the outcome from Kumogakure. However, Nara has guessed Sunagakure's strategic intentions. Given the current situation in Konoha, they have no choice but to continue their daily confrontation. In the past, they could have used their old tricks to go to Sunagakure and release the Tailed Beasts to force them to retreat.

However, that won't work now. The premise for the Second Hokage to do this back then was that his village's Nine-Tails was in a state where it could be completely suppressed. But Mito has already followed the First Hokage, and he really can't say that the current Jinchuriki, Kushina, can completely suppress the Nine-Tails inside her. Moreover, the Golden Lion of Sunagakure is no longer the greenhorn he was during the first war. He can even defeat the Seven-Tails and make it back down. If this approach is used, it is very likely that it will backfire.

They went to release the Tailed Beasts. The best-case scenario is that the Seven-Tails and the One-Tails fight Shiki in Sunagakure, and the two Tailed Beasts are beaten to a pulp and surrender. However, this battle would also cause huge losses to Sunagakure, and they might have to withdraw. Conversely, if Shiki goes to Konoha and releases the Nine-Tails…

Who will carry it?

Sakumo's fighting style was completely countered by the thick-skinned, fleshy monsters like the Tailed Beasts; otherwise, Mito wouldn't have needed to intervene when the Seven-Tails caused trouble back then.

"Lord Shikano, if all else fails, I'll go and support the Hyuga clan leader, Advisor Danzo..."

Inside the Konoha camp on the Sunagakure battlefield, when they received news that their chief advisor had recovered from his injuries and was once again leading troops to fight against Kumogakure, the high-ranking officers in the tent felt a pang of sympathy. They were deeply moved by the chief advisor's dedication to protecting his country. He had only just recovered from his injuries and immediately led the troops to the battlefield. What could they say? Even though this "half-baked" advisor was always causing trouble, they couldn't help but give him a thumbs up for his desperate efforts in times of national crisis.

But none of that is the key point. The key point is... this "half-baked" person is really only half-baked!

Despite having 20,000 men, most of whom were elites, they still felt like they were back in the Land of Rain war. They were uncertain about their chances. If Danzo messed things up this time, Konoha would have to start all over again!

But now Konoha no longer has the two gods, the First Hokage and Madara!

Seeing Nara's furrowed brow, Hatake Sakumo assumed he was worried about Danzo messing with the Cloud Village. So he told Nara that he was fine facing the Raikage, since the Raikage's fighting style was similar to Shiki's, but without Shiki's terrifying swordsmanship. He figured it would be easier for Nara. If the Hyuga clan head could break through the Raikage's Lightning Release chakra, he might even be able to take the Raikage's head...

As for the battlefield here... to be honest, he really felt like throwing up!

In his decades-long career, Hatake Sakumo had never been this frustrated. This Kazekage was just like Onoki; every time they faced off, all he knew was to fly high. No matter how strong his explosive power was, he couldn't jump that high, and he didn't have a stick like the boss's that could grow thicker and longer.

Although Shiki can fly, he always fights head-on and never tries to kite him. Now, every time he sees the Kazekage flying around lifting weights, he gets annoyed. Since Shiki isn't here for their usual sparring, they might as well leave this to Konoha's Grand Marshal. The current Ino-Shika-Cho trio, although older, are quite disciplined and can hold their own against the Kazekage. Tsunade is also here. Although her role as a medic is more important than going up there to attack and boost stats, she can always step in if necessary. Even if Shiki comes, there's no need to panic.

"No, since the Hokage hasn't given any orders to come over, it means you still have to stay here and guard the area. Besides... it's no use if you go over there. It will only make the enemy's target shift to us, and then you'll just be running around like crazy."

Nara, rubbing his throbbing forehead, explained.

He understood what Sakumo Hatake meant. Even if Sakumo Hatake wasn't there, with Shiki coming, they still had another All-Defense First Team player, Tsunade, who could barely keep things stable. However, this was a bit of a gamble... Nara, a rational person like Tobirama Senju, would only seek stability and would never gamble, since losing would mean his whole family would become rich.

He wouldn't dare gamble on whether that eccentric Shiki would hold back his sword because of Tsunade's presence... If he were Shiki, with the village on one side and the girl on the other, he would definitely draw his sword...

"But can Danzo really make a difference if he goes there?"

At this point, Nara's friends were also worried. They remembered how Danzo had been so badly defeated with twice the number of Amegakure troops and the Uchiha clan combined. This time, they were facing the Raikage, whose fighting power was so formidable that even the combined forces of Hyuga Sora and Aburame Shikamaru couldn't handle him!

286. Handsome Scorpion is already very tenacious.

"...As long as Danzo doesn't act recklessly, more than 30,000 people are enough to defend the Cloud Ninja. The Raikage is a smart man and a qualified Kage. He wouldn't disregard the deaths of his subordinates. I think the Hokage also took this into consideration, which is why he hasn't made any moves."

Nara Shika pondered for a while, then a flash of inspiration seemed to have made him guess the boss's other intention, but he didn't say it. The Hokage probably wanted to leave Kumogakure to Orochimaru!

The Hokage has been in power for over twenty years. Although he is still in his prime, his energy is not what it used to be. Orochimaru was established as a candidate for Hokage a long time ago, but he was not mature enough at the time, so the matter of the next Hokage was delayed. Now that Orochimaru has fully developed, the Hokage wants Orochimaru to gain more experience before taking the throne in glory!

Having guessed her boss's intentions, Nara Shika calmed down. To be honest, although the Raikage was powerful, he outnumbered the Cloud Ninja by a full twofold. As long as Danzo played it safe and steady, and didn't act recklessly like he did in the Rain Country incident, defense wouldn't be a problem. The Raikage could indeed rack up impressive stats, but if his individual stats were godlike while his subordinates were being crushed, his godlike performance wouldn't matter!

.....

Nara Shika thought so, and so did Sarutobi Hiruzen!

When Hiruzen Sarutobi received information from his two comrades, they were praising Danzo effusively. Danzo had even gone so far as to wear a banner on his forehead to demonstrate his determination to protect his country. They argued that one defeat wasn't enough to define success or failure, especially since it was Danzo's first time on the front lines; losing was normal. He should learn from his mistakes; failure is the mother-in-law of success, after all...

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought about it and realized that his two friends made a lot of sense. Everyone has their ups and downs in life. Danzo lost the first time because he lacked experience and learned a very profound lesson. This time, he was sure there wouldn't be any more problems!

Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't have high expectations of him; he just needed to protect the Cloud Ninja until they finished here, and then Orochimaru could leave.

So, on the battlefield between Iwagakure and Konoha, after seeing his comrade's information, Hiruzen Sarutobi said to his beloved disciple with a look of satisfaction, "Danzo has improved!"

Snake, who had already seen through everything, looked at his teacher without saying a word, only chuckling twice to express his feelings.

With your best friend's brain, I hope you don't have another stroke. This place isn't close to the village, and Tsunade isn't here...

...

"Bang....!"

"Oh dear, young man, you're already done after less than half an hour? You call yourself a super genius? If you can't handle it, then so be it. Don't push yourself too hard. You know you're the hope of our whole village, and you have a huge responsibility. If you really can't take it, just go home, take a bath, and let Li Hui give you a massage to relax. Well, with your looks and abilities, you don't need to work hard at all! Just stay home and be the third generation head. After your father and I pass away, the Gong Lie family's business will fall into your hands, and you can live a carefree life for generations! Hey! Don't blame me. The more you hate me now, the more you'll thank me later."

"Come!"

"boom!"

In Sunagakure, a desolate place, Masato looked at Sasori, who was lying on the ground with his tongue lolling out like a dead dog. He kept nagging Sasori with a worried expression. Sasori was a proud person by nature. If you cheered him on, his sarcastic and mean face would immediately show. So Masato did the opposite. The more you mocked him, the more motivated he became. He would grit his teeth and persevere. So you could say that geniuses in the Naruto world are born to be masochistic.

To improve the brat's defenses, Shinto studied relentlessly, reading far more books than he had in his two lifetimes combined. Amidst the astonished gazes of his entire family—the only illiterate member in the family had suddenly become literate—he stayed up for several nights in a row, finally devising a comprehensive plan that should be effective in enhancing the handsome scorpion's physical defenses...

First of all, improving one's physical defense and training in physical techniques are two completely different concepts. Handsome Scorpion's situation is also different from his father's. Although his father is a genius, he is not a super genius. His upper limit is limited. Even if he studies for another 10 or 20 years, his achievements will be limited. That's why Shinto suggested that he spend some time training in physical techniques so that he wouldn't panic when someone fights him in close combat. Handsome Scorpion's father did as he was told, but he spent less time on physical techniques than he did on dating.

But Handsome Scorpion is different. This kid is a super genius who can make puppets at the age of four. The difference between a super genius and an ordinary genius is that a super genius has unlimited potential, while an ordinary genius, no matter how hard they try, can't change the world...

His father could waste time on girls... ugh! Taijutsu, but Sasori didn't have that kind of energy or time. Both Taijutsu and Puppet Technique require a lot of energy and time to hone, so in order not to affect Sasori's future achievement as an S-rank rogue ninja, and also to prevent Sasori from really becoming a muscle man, Taijutsu was out of the question.

As the old saying goes, learn to take a beating before you learn to fight. If you develop resilience and become strong enough, you won't die even if you're stabbed a few times...

The reason Luffy in One Piece can't die no matter what he does, besides the protagonist's halo, is because he was beaten up by Garp since he was a child, right?

Don't be fooled by the ancients! A child raised with a stick is a model of filial piety!

and so!

The day after devising a seemingly effective plan, he excitedly stormed into Handsome Scorpion's room before dawn and dragged him away. To prevent Chiyo from intervening and seeing her grandson being brutally abused, he deliberately found a secluded spot and proceeded to beat Handsome Scorpion mercilessly, ostensibly to make him more resilient. He started by punching him, then used a knife...

In just six months, Handsome Scorpion has made rapid progress. From getting dizzy from just a flick of his head on the first day, he can now withstand at least half an hour of intense fighting without getting dizzy from a big, black fist.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the protagonist of One Piece can jump around and survive under his grandfather's fists. That's because One Piece eats seafood every day, and everyone in the world is like a superhuman. Their physiques are incomparable to normal people in the Naruto world. Even a top-tier fighter with Armament Haki wouldn't dare use their full strength, afraid of smashing this kid to pieces, only to have him kept as a pig by Chiyo...

Even though he didn't use much force, his punches weren't so easy to withstand. Even though the Seven-Tails cried out for its parents and sought help from the Six Paths after being swung at by him for less than half an hour, the handsome Sasori, apart from lying on the ground like a dead dog, didn't utter a sound.

It's clear that in just six months, Handsome Scorpion has become incredibly resilient! ヾ(^?^)?

287. The Raikage might be able to turn the tide.

"Asshole....(▼ヘ▼#)"

Lying on the ground, Handsome Scorpion looked at the bastard's despicable face and gritted his teeth, but he really didn't have the strength to get up because the bastard's fist hurt too much, and it was the kind of pain that was unforgettable.

He could endure the pain if it was always the same amount of force, since he would eventually get used to it. But he didn't know if the old bastard was doing it on purpose, as the force kept changing, sometimes light and sometimes heavy. He was going crazy. He strongly suspected that the bastard was just looking for an excuse to beat him up openly.

What the hell is that defense...?

"Sigh! I know you hate me, but there's nothing I can do. If your parents hadn't responded to your grandmother's two-child policy, you would be the only heir in our Gong Lie clan. Your father is lucky; he survived a stab wound, but as you've seen, he's become like a consumptive, coughing and acting all high and mighty all the time. Who knows if you'll have your father's good fortune? Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're a genius. The ninja world is too complicated; you're too young to handle it!"

"Come on! Let's continue..."

"boom!"

“Damn it….(「▼皿▼)”

Seeing that Handsome Scorpion looked like he wanted to eat someone alive, and after saying a bunch of touching words, Handsome Scorpion almost believed him. Then, he raised his big, dark fist and delivered another big punch to the head...

......

"Oh! That's rare. The Minister of Military Affairs of Sunagakure actually left work on time. Could it be that his salary wasn't being paid properly, so he's silently protesting?"

When it was lunchtime, when Shinto and the handsome Sasori, with his face bruised and swollen, returned home amidst Chiyo's murderous intent and the red-haired girl's distressed gaze, Ebizo, who had been missing ever since Sunagawa went to the battlefield, finally appeared, sitting in a chair with a frown and a melancholy expression.

"Sigh...! I don't know if it's him or me who suffers after the Kazekage goes to the battlefield. In the past six months, the Hyuga and Aburame clans couldn't hold on any longer. The Raikage went berserk after being provoked by you. In just six months, the Hyuga and Aburame clans have almost retreated to the Land of Fire. But Konoha has sent more than 20,000 ninjas this time, which is wrong. Danzo was sent to provide support. At a time like this, you can still bully a child at home..."

Ebizo looked at his nephew, whose face was bruised and swollen, and ignored the bastard's teasing, and said sullenly.

He truly hadn't expected Konoha to be so well-off. The war had been going on for almost two years now, and every village had suffered losses, but Konoha's losses should have been the greatest. Yet, Konoha was still able to send out more than 20,000 troops. This certainly wasn't their full strength, since they could mobilize the entire nation's resources. As the defending side, Konoha certainly couldn't do that; they had to leave people to guard their homes. Now, besides those guarding their homes, Konoha actually had more than 20,000 troops left. Ebizo felt a headache just thinking about it.

Over 20,000 people! If you include the 20,000 or so that White Fang brought to defend Sunagakure, plus Hiruzen Sarutobi's 15,000 or so, and the forces that Hyuga and Aburame brought earlier, that's about 20,000 too, plus the people defending their base...

Ebizo was shocked by the numbers he had calculated. His village, Sunagakure, had only managed a mere 20,000 to 30,000 ninja at its peak, despite years of stealthy development. Even Iwagakure, known as a military powerhouse, had a maximum of around 40,000 ninja. Kumogakure was probably in a similar situation, not much more powerful. Kirigakure... he didn't know, but it was probably around 30,000 to 40,000. But so far, aside from Kirigakure who hadn't participated, all three clans had suffered significant losses. Yet Konoha could still muster 20,000 troops. Ebizo felt like he was going insane.

"puff!"

"Who? Who did you say? Danzo has recovered from his injuries? That guy's vitality is really tenacious! I'd be so happy if you could be half as good as him someday! You were beaten to a pulp by your grandfather and his gang, and you've already recovered in just six months..."

Shinto spat out a mouthful of tea, and Ebizo, looking surprised, pinched Sasori's chubby face and sighed.

Danzo's vitality is almost on par with Hashirama Senju!

But he probably hasn't received Hashirama Senju's cells yet, right? He's already this powerful without receiving Hashirama Senju's cells. When he saw Danzo being beaten up by Yusaori's father and his gang of old men, he thought it was because of his little butterfly that the most famous villain's friend in history had died. After all, even if such injuries could be cured, he would have to stay in bed for at least two or three years before he could get out of bed.

As a result, this half of Konoha's heroine recovered from her injury and made a comeback in just six months!

Is Danzo also cheating? Σ(⊙▽⊙a

"Hiss....!(▼へ▼メ)"

Handsome Scorpion gritted his teeth in pain from being pinched, and habitually reached into the ninja tool pouch he was holding on his lap.

Hmm...the guys are all in the room, I'll spare his life today...

"Stop sighing! Do you know that the Cloud Ninja are facing 30,000 Konoha ninja? The war is not far from over..."

Seeing Masato's carefree attitude, Ebizo said irritably.

They should have been the big winners of this war, but last time this bastard went crazy and killed a lot of his own people. It seems that this didn't get out, otherwise the villagers would have blocked his door with rotten eggs. Although they had complained about many benefits in the middle of the war, this bastard lost everything in the last battle with Konoha. If the war ends now, regardless of how the negotiations with Konoha go, they will have suffered a huge loss.

"Relax and try to think positively. I don't think the war will end anytime soon. If Konoha's reinforcements were led by someone else, I wouldn't dare say anything, but with Danzo leading the way, I think Kumogakure is in the bag! You may be better than me in theoretical knowledge, but when it comes to judging people, you're no match. Danzo—triangular eyes, hooked nose, high cheekbones, protruding ears, wide jaw, protruding teeth—he's got a naturally rebellious look. Every time I see 'ambition' in his eyes, but he's got nothing to offer, completely unable to support his ambition. If it were anyone else, 30,000 against 10,000, even my grandma leading the team could win with a steady, methodical approach. But Danzo, this ambitious guy, is a different story. Didn't he ruin the Land of Rain last time? So my manly intuition tells me that the Raikage might just pull off another comeback this time..."

Seeing Ebizo's resentful look, Masato offered a speechless but comforting words.

How can you blame me for this? If it weren't for me, your precious grand-nephew would be an orphan...

288. The Five-Tails' rampage? I didn't do it.