Chapter 158: End Of The Land Of Rivers War
The battle lines of both sides intertwined and stretched long, extending nearly 2 kilometers in length.
The battle between the commanders-in-chief had no ordinary ninja daring to intervene.
The battle between jonin had fewer ordinary ninja around.
The battle between ordinary ninja was crowded and brutal.
On the battlefield, the ninja automatically avoided powerful enemies, searching for matching opponents under the captain’s command.
This tested the ninja’s judgment and experience; if a genin mistakenly entered a jonin’s battlefield, they would be killed by ninjutsu aftershocks, dying without value.
Stretching the battle line also prevented the enemy’s jonin from charging into one’s own genin group to kill freely.
Sakumo Hatake drew his White Fang Short Sword and led the charge toward Konoha’s left wing, the Sand Ninja’s right wing.
A white blade aura several meters long appeared on the battlefield, instantly killing two Sand Ninja squads in the blade aura.
Excluding Sakumo Hatake’s idealized personality, Sakumo Hatake’s combat was extremely aesthetic.
Swift Body Flicker Technique, super-fast reaction, brilliant blade aura, and invincible aura filled the surrounding ninja with a sense of security.
Many ninja’s titles were earned through abusing weak opponents.
The original Yellow Flash killed 50 Stone Ninja at once, their strength unknown, all killed by a kunai stab anyway, but the number was terrifying.
The demon Ghostman Zabuza killed even all his classmates from the same class.
Seeing Sakumo Hatake abuse weak opponents, Yoru felt itchy.
Yoru said: “Purple Cat Squad is responsible for recording, Aries Squad is responsible for protecting Purple Cat Squad, Flower Deer Squad, come with me!”
Hanashika’s entire aura changed, drew his ninja sword, and excitedly followed the Fox Squad Leader.
Yoru followed on Sakumo Hatake’s flank, widening the gap that Sakumo Hatake tore open.
Sakumo Hatake charged ahead, while Yoru intercepted Sand Ninja trying to fill the battle line gap from the flank.
Streams of Water Style: Water Severing Wave shot out, sweeping and bisecting at least one Sand Ninja squad at a time by the waist.
White Fang blade aura excelled at bisecting enemies, and Water Severing Wave also excelled at bisecting enemies.
One white and one blue, filled with violent aesthetics.
Sakumo Hatake felt the pressure on his left side suddenly lighten, and seeing it was Copper Fox, he thought, so that’s how it is.
Copper Fox’s absolute defense and Copper Fox’s highly lethal Water Style left the Sand Ninja unable to cope.
Some decently strong Sand Ninja used Substitution Jutsu before the Water Severing Wave but fell into Flower Deer Squad’s hands; Flower Deer precisely identified the target and executed them.
Yoru suddenly noticed a Sand Ninja jonin, the one who took Ye Cang away.
Yoru thought, I can’t beat Rasa, but can’t I beat you?
After hard-taking a wave of wind blades and kunai, Yoru rushed in front of this jonin.
The Sand Ninja jonin thought, who is this killing god, did I offend him before?
Why was the aura rushing toward him so angry?
One dodge and one strike, a fist exploded the Sand Ninja jonin’s head.
In just over ten minutes, the reinforcements led by Sakumo Hatake pierced through the Sand Ninja’s right wing.
The Sand Ninja right wing collapsed, unable to maintain the battle line’s stability, with large numbers of Leaf Ninja interspersing into the Sand Ninja rear.
The Sand Ninja had to face Leaf Ninja that could appear from all directions.
In the center of the battlefield, Rasa saw his own right wing pierced and that brilliant white blade aura, thinking darkly, this is bad.
It’s over, this war, Hidden Sand Village is done.
He exchanged a glance with Ebizo, knowing that preserving living forces was the wisest choice.
Rasa shouted: “Advisor Lord! I’ll cover the rear! Please Advisor Lord organize an orderly retreat!”
Ebizo thought Rasa was worth cooperating with, the village’s most outstanding young man.
Unfortunately, he and his older sister were destined to put Tuoci on the Kazekage position; even if Rasa deliberately curried favor, he wouldn’t gain his support.
Ebizo glanced toward White Fang’s direction; White Fang appearing here, he didn’t know how Tuoci was, somewhat worried.
Rasa formed hand seals with both hands, a hundred-meter-long gold dust wave surging toward Akimichi Yamashiro and Slug.
Akimichi Yamashiro and Slug were forced back for a short time.
Yoru looked toward the main battlefield; giantification wasn’t efficient in one-on-one combat, but on the battlefield, giantification techniques were all big killers.
Rasa’s desperate move killed many Leaf Ninja, especially several Leaf Ninja strategists.
Yoru saw the disheveled Nara Baika.
With her strength participating in that level of war was too powerless.
The Sand Ninja routed, leaving waves of rear-guard ninja battalions and fire squads, withdrawing deep into the desert.
Sakumo Hatake led elites in a reverse charge, piercing the Sand Ninja right wing again.
The Sand Ninja left wing and central main force might retreat, but the right wing had to stay here.
The battle lasted half an hour, and Yoru finally withdrew his fist.
The plasma on the fist was abnormally sticky.
Yoru was gasping for breath; prolonged combat had depleted his chakra.
The battle stretched from the Border of the Land of Rivers’ Gobi Desert deep into the Land of Wind’s desert.
Countless Sand Ninja corpses lay along the way.
Until Chiyo brought reinforcements, the Konoha army unaccustomed to the desert environment and without enough freshwater, no longer pursued deeply.
Only one negotiation remained until the war’s end.
The Konoha Side’s commanders gathered by an oasis.
Nara Shikaku was silent, not looking at anyone, pondering at the water surface.
Sakumo Hatake’s ninjutsu review system was abolished, completely breaking ties with Nara Shikaku.
As for Tsunade, even if she saw something, she didn’t want to get involved.
Yoru came to Kiiroinu’s side and whispered: “Captain, should we spread the news of Hidden Sand Village Advisor Chiyo’s son and daughter-in-law being killed to the Sand Ninja?”
Kiiroinu, upon hearing, had no intention of keeping it secret and said directly in front of several commanders:
“Fox, you go spread it. Spread that Deputy Commander Sakumo killed Chiyo’s son, and you killed Chiyo’s daughter-in-law.
The White Wild River battlefield is farther away; maybe the Sand Ninja still hold hope for the White Wild River battlefield.”
Yoru couldn’t help glancing at Sakumo Hatake.
Kiiroinu was trying to steal credit; Anbu killing Chiyo’s daughter-in-law made Sakumo Hatake’s war merits seem less prominent.
Fortunately Sakumo Hatake was a good person; if it were other high-ranking officials, wouldn’t Yoru be deeply resented?
Yoru hurriedly left to arrange spreading the news.
Tsunade looked more at Sakumo Hatake and Copper Fox.
The Tuoci couple actually died in this war, Konoha achieving a thorough great victory.
Sakumo Hatake showed no joy, not because Copper Fox shared his war merits—he didn’t care about that.
Nara Shikaku’s attitude made him very uncomfortable.
The rumor of the Nara Clan manipulating companions wasn’t spread by him.
This matter was only known to him, Nara Shikaku, Tsunade, and Anbu; even the assistant didn’t know.
Nara Shikaku had Anbu ruthlessly assassinate problematic Nara Ninja, yet now Sakumo Hatake became the one not following rules.
The news of the Tuoci couple being killed spread back to the Sand Ninja troops first through ‘lucky’ escaped Sand Ninja prisoners.
Chiyo, leading the reinforcements, incredulously listened to the Sand Ninja’s report.
“Evidence! I want evidence!”
Soon, Konoha Side sent news, willing to exchange the Tuoci couple’s corpses for several Konoha jonin corpses.
Chiyo looked terrified at Ebizo, who lowered his head.
Nearby, Rasa’s expression was sorrowful, but a flash of… relief in his eyes?
Inside Hidden Sand Village, the puppeteer and secret jutsu ninja factions had always openly and covertly fought.
With Tuoci dead, secret jutsu ninja side’s Rasa lost his biggest rival.
After several days of confirmation and fermentation, the Sand Ninja finally agreed to negotiation.
The Konoha Unit orderly retreated, leaving the desert.
Upon returning from the desert, Kiiroinu Captain found Fox.
He carefully looked at the battlefield record scroll and asked: “Are the details of Sakumo Hatake’s abilities all in the scroll?”
A flash of confusion appeared in Kiiroinu’s eyes—not disbelief in Sakumo Hatake’s strength, but imagining how he would kill Tuoci if it were him.
The imagined result was, almost impossible.
Yoru said: “Captain, Sakumo Hatake is too strong; with chakra short sword sword technique, he tore apart all puppets, and no matter how exquisite, puppets turned to parts are useless.”
Kiiroinu nodded; Sakumo Hatake was indeed formidable:
“On the flank battlefield, Sakumo Hatake killed Hidden Sand Village elite jonin Tuoci.
On the front battlefield, Sakumo Hatake played a decisive role.
He is the primary contributor to the Land of Rivers War.
Before Sakumo Hatake brought reinforcements, Konoha and Sand Ninja exchanged heavy casualties.
On the front battlefield, at least 500 ninja died in battle for Konoha.
Without Sakumo Hatake, this number would only be more tragic.
Fortunately you killed Tuoci’s wife, otherwise all the war merits would be Sakumo Hatake’s alone.”
After the unit returned to the camp, the headquarters was very busy, but Fox Squad was idle.
Yoru gathered the three squad leaders.
“The Land of Rivers War is about to end; I’ll apply for a short rotation leave for you.
Don’t slack off during this leave.
Purple Cat, Aries, Flower Deer, after returning, each make a squad strength improvement plan.
Last time I applied for several ninjutsu for you, but far from enough.
Taking advantage of this great victory, our squad performed excellently; I’ll apply for another round of ninjutsu for you.
Each person, based on their abilities, complete one offensive and one defensive ninjutsu.
Or teach ninjutsu internally among yourselves; after completing one offensive and one defensive, you can apply for some powerful B-rank ninjutsu or even A-rank ninjutsu.
Purple Cat, Aries, you two each have your own secret jutsu.
Think about how to enhance your secret jutsu; as long as you speak, I’ll apply to Anbu for it.”
The three squad leaders left.
Yoru thought, I’ve even earned a title now; in Anbu, I’m somewhat of a figure, fighting for some ninjutsu for my subordinates, Kiiroinu Captain shouldn’t refuse.
The camp was somewhat desolate.
About 2000 Leaf Ninja entered the Land of Rivers Battlefield; after nearly half a year of fierce fighting, over 900 died in battle.
In this battlefield, Hidden Sand Village suffered heavy losses, and Konoha Side wasn’t easy either.
At night, a figure entered Yoru’s tent.
Yoru was at the table looking at the recent Fox Squad mission reports.
“Purple Cat, have you figured out your squad’s reinforcement plan so quickly?”
“Um… uh…”
Seeing Purple Cat’s coy appearance, Yoru asked: “What’s wrong?”
“I just took a bath.”
“What?” Yoru glanced at the tent’s door curtain; Purple Cat had lowered it.
War victory, everyone relaxed.
“Then I’ll go take a quick bath too.”
Purple Cat said: “Can’t wait, I don’t mind you.”
“Hm? Nothing on inside? Looks like really can’t wai…”
Half an hour later, Purple Cat was panting roughly, stuck in Yoru’s chest; she said: “Right, Captain, I have some strength enhancement plans, can you give reference?”
“Then I need to deeply explore you before I can reference for you, right?”
Another half hour, Purple Cat begging for mercy while dazed.
“Purple Cat, now talk about your strength improvement ideas; this time really give you reference.”
“Captain, I’m from Yamanaka Clan, originally specializing in Yamanaka Clan Secret Jutsu.
Much of Yamanaka Secret Jutsu’s power comes from Ino-Shika-Cho coordination.
Entering Anbu alone, without Ino-Shika-Cho formation,
without suitable teammates, I have to make some changes.
The foundation of Yamanaka Secret Jutsu is powerful mental power, which is my strength.
Captain, do you think learning some genjutsu can compensate for the lack of Ino-Shika-Cho teammates?
Genjutsu-type ninja are also very strong, very suitable for Anbu’s combat style.”
Yoru nodded repeatedly; the original Yuhi Red was a genjutsu-type ninja, relatively rare in Konoha. He said:
“This is a good idea. With strong mental power, try learning genjutsu and see the effect; maybe you’re a genjutsu genius.
Genjutsu ninja are relatively rare, and genjutsu often has miraculous effects in ninja battles.
I’ll apply for a genjutsu for you to fully develop your potential.”
Yoru teased Purple Cat for a while, then got up to continue looking at the scrolls.
The next day, all three squads submitted their reinforcement plans.
Yoru went to find Kiiroinu Captain.
Kiiroinu Captain glanced at the ninjutsu reward application and quickly signed it. He said:
“Some techniques are in the Anbu Base, not available on the front line.
Especially genjutsu, which is relatively precious. When we return to the village, I’ll give these ninjutsu to your squad.
Fox, come with me first to carry out a mission.
Hidden Sand Village is about to negotiate with us; the negotiation team has few people to avoid triggering a big war.
You and I will go as the Hokage’s eyes to witness the negotiation process and results.”
“Okay.”
Yoru had become Kiiroinu’s first subordinate.
The 7 ninjutsu he applied for, Kiiroinu Captain gave without hesitation.
Should have applied for more; anyway, Kiiroinu signed without looking closely.
Kiiroinu trusted Yoru very much, and Yoru carefully maintained this trust.
In the short term, he wouldn’t break this trust; this trust could bring him continuous resources.
These 7 ninjutsu, Yoru could also learn; this was the squad leader’s benefit.
If he could become a captain, the benefits would be more.
As for Kiiroinu once using izakaya Qiao Yi to warn him, he kept it deep in his heart; as long as Kiiroinu took no real action, he wouldn’t do anything out of line.
At the camp entrance, Yoru saw the negotiation team.
Commander-in-Chief Nara Shikaku, two strategists, Kiiroinu, and Yoru.
Tsunade was busy in the medical bay tent; except for the final decisive battle, Tsunade generally wouldn’t go to the battlefield.
Negotiation requires basic sincerity; with few people, there shouldn’t be combat.
Even if there was combat, these five could hardly be dealt with by Hidden Sand Village, whether attacking or escaping.
