Naruto: All My Targets Are Ninjutsu.

The Karatachi and Terumi families were old friends. Karatachi Yagura was Terumi Mei's uncle by seniority, so he dismissed the latter's behavior as childish mischief with a laugh. Then, he put on a stern face and said seriously:

"We'll probably have to activate Plan B."

"According to intelligence from the Anbu, Konoha's reinforcements have already departed from the ninja village and will arrive here in two days at the latest. Once they complete their troop assembly, our infiltration will be pointless, and may even put us in danger."

"so……"

Yagura took a deep breath and said decisively, "Pass down the order to Kurihara Kushimaru, Murashi Jinpachi, and Tsukusano Eijin to immediately assemble their headquarters forces and launch a full-scale attack on Konoha's southeastern defense line tonight!"

"Qing, you will lead a squad of elite troops to the northwest of Zhuohua Town, use your Byakugan to observe the movements of that 'White Reaper,' and report back to the main force in a timely manner. Also, once the main battle begins, seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack from the rear."

"Yes!"

Qing, whose name was called, immediately agreed.

Mei Terumi, who was standing next to her, quickly asked, "What about me? Where should I go?"

"Your 'Molten Essence' and 'Boiling Essence' are suitable for attacking fortified positions. When the main force advances, you will be responsible for clearing the traps and fortifications along the way. How about it? Can you do it?"

Upon hearing Yagura's order, Mei Terumi smiled and loudly replied, "Mission accomplished!"

A few minutes later.

One after another, well-trained albatrosses, carrying the latest intelligence codes, soared into the sky from this valley, flying towards different fog-hidden ambush points.

One by one, messenger ninjas moved through the forest like ghosts, delivering attack orders to each squad.

Soon, the previously scattered and concealed Mist Shadow troops emerged from their hiding places and began to assemble at several designated points. Under the cover of night, the dark figures surged like an undercurrent, advancing towards their designated targets.

All of this was observed by several ninja crows circling high in the sky.

Chapter 284 Mikami Yu: A Ninja Must Know Ninjutsu! The Battle Against the "Ninja Swordsmen"! (Two-in-One)

Inside the command post of the Zhuohua Town base.

Yu Mikami spread a map on a long table, and Kakashi and the others gathered around it, unfolding seven or eight intelligence cards brought back by the ninja crows, each card marking the movements of the Hidden Mist troops.

"It seems that Kirigakure is really planning to send out all its forces this time."

"So far, four groups of Kirigakure troops have been discovered, totaling over seven hundred people, with the largest force located in the Rotten Valley area. Three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have appeared, and Yagura Karatachi has also shown up. Their target is likely not just the base in Shoka Town..."

Yu Mikami used a charcoal pencil to draw several arrows on the map and made a judgment.

"Seven hundred people... that's almost three times our number."

Kakashi and the others looked grave.

After a moment's thought, Mikami Yu said, "Here's what we'll do, Shisui. I'll make the following arrangements:"

"Notify our Konoha comrades along the entire southeastern front to abandon flat-topped strongholds and concentrate all forces at the three strongholds of 'Shuhua,' 'Aoki,' and 'Chiyan.' We must hold them for a full day and night against the Kirigakure's attack. After that time, we can withdraw when the opportunity arises."

"Huh? Give up?"

"Those strongholds have been cultivated by Konoha for several years, are we just going to abandon them like this...?"

"If we lose the land but the people, we lose both; if we lose the land but the people, we gain both. As long as we annihilate the main force of the Hidden Mist Village, we can retake those strongholds later. In any case, the reinforcements sent by the village will arrive soon, and we will have the advantage in numbers then."

Mikami paused for a moment, then added, "If there is any dispute with the village, I will bear the consequences myself."

Upon hearing this,

None of them had anything to say.

Zhi Shui stood to the side, seemingly lost in thought.

Uchiha Inahi pulled out her notebook and excitedly began writing: "'If you lose land but save people, you will save both people and land'... As expected of Captain Yu, every word is a gem! When the clan leader... Vice Captain Fugaku wakes up, I will definitely pass on your teachings to him!"

"..."

Mikami Yu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

During this time, Uchiha Inahime has practically become his personal scribe. He carries a pen and paper with him every day and takes it out to jot things down from time to time, filling his little notebook with dense writing.

Mikami Yu was so annoyed that he wanted to say something like, "A ninja must know ninjutsu," or "A shuriken must be able to throw," to see if Mikami Yu would still remember it...

Next.

Shisui recalled some of the ninja crows and sent orders to shrink the battle lines to other strongholds.

Meanwhile, Yu Mikami began to adjust the defensive arrangements within the base.

In this regard, he was quite experienced. After all, from the Sand Village battlefield to now, he had experienced many defensive battles and learned most of the commonly used tactics in the ninja world through Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and others. Now, he only needed to follow suit.

but……

"Yu, do you mean that Shisui and I will be in charge of the defense work within the base?"

Kakashi noticed a detail: "And what about yourself?"

"I plan to take an elite squad out to intercept this small force led by the 'Ninja Swordsmen,' scatter them, and then flank and ambush Yagura's main force."

Yu Mikami drew another stroke on the map.

As a ninja of the same type as Minato Namikaze, Yu Mikami's best battlefield is not a direct confrontation, but rather a surprise attack-style mobile warfare. Once the "Instant Hell Shadow Killing Formation" is activated, coupled with a wide-range fire release technique, he can wipe out dozens of Kirigakure ninja in minutes, reducing Kirigakure's manpower.

but……

Yu Mikami's primary purpose in adopting this strategy was to target those "Ninja Swordsmen," especially Kushimaru Kurihara and Kusanagi Yuuto, intending to use them to boost the last few points of favorability towards "Hatake Sword Technique" and max out its trait.

Secondly,

It was out of a little selfishness.

Yu Mikami plans to bring Rin Nohara into this team.

That way, if someone targets Nohara Rin, he can still save her and prevent her from being captured and used to advance the "Three-Tail Project".

Of course, playing along is also an option, since getting a tailed beast for free is pretty appealing. With Kushina Uzumaki, a master of sealing techniques, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, Konoha should be able to control the Three-Tails.

As for which of these two options to choose, that depends on the specific circumstances and requires flexibility.

……

"...A surprise attack on the main force of Kirigakure? Me?"

Nohara Rin pointed blankly at her nose, glancing casually at the medical tent behind her: "But what about the medical team here..."

"It's alright, there are other medical ninjas."

Mikami Yu smiled and said, "Besides, haven't you been quietly practicing 'Super Strength Technique' all along? You didn't have much of a chance to show it off in the previous battles, so now's the perfect time to demonstrate the results of your training."

"OK then."

Nohara Rin nodded in agreement.

For her, whether or not she could confront the Mist Ninja head-on was secondary; after all, compared to her medical skills, she didn't particularly enjoy fighting.

But since he's acting with Yu Mikami, that's a different story.

As for the remaining two members of the team, Mikami Yu chose Uchiha Inahisa and Tetsukata. As the younger generation of the Uchiha clan, these two, while not as strong as Shisui and Kakashi, were still quite capable. Taking them out meant there was no need to worry about their self-defense.

"Hey, Yu, we're in the same class, why did you bring these two guys along?!" Obito jumped out again and shouted.

In response, Mikami Yu simply patted Obito on the shoulder: "With great power comes great responsibility. Compared to launching a surprise attack, the security of the base is more important. I trust you and Kakashi, which is why I entrusted this more important task to you. You shouldn't let Rin and me down, right?"

"Huh? Is that how it is?"

Obito was taken aback, then scratched his head, a look of sudden realization on his face: "I didn't expect you to think so highly of me, Yu... Alright then, since you put it that way, I'll reluctantly join that arrogant guy in guarding this base. You and Rin must return safely as well."

"Do not worry."

Mikami Yu smiled, walked to the open space in the middle of the camp, bit his index finger, and used a summoning jutsu.

With a loud "bang",

A burst of milky white smoke revealed the silhouette of a giant eagle.

Yu Mikami patted the big guy's neck, jumped onto its back first, and then waved to Rin Nohara and the others: "Let's go, it's time to set off."

"it is good!"

A few minutes later.

The giant eagle flapped its wings and slowly rose into the air above the stronghold. Then, it took flight and disappeared into the vast night as it headed towards the target direction that Mikami Yu had chosen in advance.

Kakashi and Shisui stood on the watchtower, watching them leave before turning to the Konoha ninja below and shouting, "All personnel, level one combat readiness!"

"One last check of the explosive tag traps, inventory of ninja tools, barrier team in position... Ready for battle!"

Orders were relayed throughout the stronghold.

The Konoha ninja took their positions, the sounds of ninja tools rubbing together and their soft breathing mingling as they began their final preparations for the upcoming battle.

……

The night was dark.

A cloaked unit is advancing through the mountains and forests.

Leading the group was none other than Kushimaru Kurihara, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. His towering height of over two meters, coupled with his equally long sword, Sewing Needle, made him stand out among the other Mist Ninja. A few steps behind him was Jinpachi Munashi, a robust man carrying the Exploding Blade, Flying Spray.

Following Yagura's instructions, they would arrive near Shoka Town within half an hour to serve as the first wave of surprise attacks, tearing a gap in Konoha's defenses and creating an opportunity for the main force to launch a major offensive.

suddenly.

Kurihara Kushimaru stopped and tilted his head slightly.

At that moment, a dark cloud obscured the moonlight, making the world appear somewhat dim. But in that instant of change in light, Kushimaru's eyelids twitched as he caught sight of a blurry black shadow that was almost blending into the night sky, swooping down from a thousand meters in the air at an astonishing speed!

"This is……"

Kurihara's eyelid twitched.

next moment,

A striking white glint danced faintly in the darkness.

It appeared to be a person, leaping from the back of a giant eagle with an astonishing wingspan, and brandishing a short sword. With a whoosh, intense white flames coiled along the blade, illuminating the figure like a shooting star falling from the sky, heading straight for the center of the Hidden Mist Army!

"...No!! Scatter!!!"

With a sharp shout, Kushimaru Kurihara launched himself forward like an arrow, rushing towards the "meteor's" landing area with his partner Jinpachi Murashi, who was a beat slower in reaction. Their intention was to launch a thunderous attack the moment the other landed.

but……

Before they could get close, a cold yet calm voice came from mid-air—

"Instantaneous Shadow Killing Formation... Activate!!"

In an instant.

Centered on Yu Mikami's current location, within a spherical area with a radius of eighty meters, the air rippled like water. Then, white figures appeared out of thin air like ghosts, appearing right behind or beside the Mist Ninjas in blind spots!

A dozen or so Mikami Yus, each wielding a short, tooth-pulling dagger, their blazing white flames illuminating the horrified faces of the surrounding Mist Ninja: "So fast..."

Before he could finish speaking...

The slaughter has begun.

A middle-aged ninja felt a chill on the back of his neck, followed by intense heat and pain. Before he could even turn around, his vision blurred and went dark.

The other person reacted a little faster, and the instant he felt the evil wind coming, he turned around and swung his kunai, narrowly blocking a slash that came from the side.

But before he could even feel relieved, his vision blurred, and the image flickered as if there was a bad signal. Then he saw the white-haired boy's figure split in two—before the first afterimage disappeared, the second clone appeared on his other side like a ghost, slicing him in two with a single blow.

Fast! Too fast!

Yu Mikami's reflexes have improved dramatically since he first started out. Although he hasn't activated "Overload Pulse" yet, it's already astonishing for a typical Chunin or Jonin-level Kirigakure.

At this moment, within the domain of the "Instant Shadow Assassination Formation," coupled with the nearly maxed-out "Hatake Sword Technique," theoretically superior to Konoha's White Fang from back then, and his unrestrained fire abilities, Mikami Yuu moved as if he were in an empty field. Wherever the blazing white flames passed, one after another Mist Ninja fell like stubble.

Even if a few manage to withstand the first cut, they will be killed by the second cut due to the burning pain and numbness in their bodies.

"Wow—!"

The giant eagle swooped down from low altitude, its iron-hook-like talons suddenly extending to grab the two Mist Ninjas, the sound of the sharp talons digging into their shoulder blades clearly audible.

Nohara Rin, along with two other Uchiha, jumped off the eagle's back. Upon landing, Nohara Rin raised her hands and threw dozens of kunai and shuriken, each attached to a very thin steel wire. The kunai collided and spun in mid-air before shooting towards the wrists and knees of the surrounding Mist Ninja.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Inahisa formed hand seals and released the "Phoenix Flower Fire Technique," while the other drew a short sword and rushed towards the Mist Ninja, engaging them in a fierce battle.

This series of fierce attacks stunned the group of Mist Ninja.

Within seconds, a dozen or so people fell into pools of blood and flames, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of burnt blood.

at last.