N-A-A Chapter 111 A mutually destructive strategy to slay the Toad Sage!
Chapter 111 A mutually destructive strategy to slay the Toad Sage!
Chapter 111 A mutually destructive strategy to slay the Toad Sage!
Jiraiya had given this matter considerable thought, based on his repeated encounters with Makoto Karatachi during this period.
Makoto Karatachi's bloodline limit is too abnormal. With two pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan and the existence of space-time ninjutsu like Kamui, he can have almost invincible power for a full two thousand minutes.
Within those twenty minutes, if Makoto Kuraki really wanted to do something, they couldn't stop him, nor could they even reduce his threat or minimize the damage he might cause.
There's no way around it, that's just how amazing Shenwei is!
Even after Mitokado Homura, a master of space-time ninjutsu, arrived at the front lines, he was still helpless against this power.
Therefore, after careful consideration and extensive discussions, Jiraiya put forward a suggestion that could be described as extremely cruel.
Mutual destruction!
His best friend Orochimaru has a ninjutsu called Twin Snakes Killing Each Other.
The principle behind this technique is to release two snakes to attack the enemy, entangle both the enemy and oneself, and then explode, making it an ultimate technique that results in mutual destruction.
Because of the existence of the Kamui Mangekyou Sharingan, Konoha had no way to deal with Makoto Karatachi. However, they couldn't just stand by and do nothing, otherwise, even if Makoto Karatachi could only inflict damage for two thousand minutes, the disparity in strength between them would inevitably lead to Konoha's defeat.
They didn't want to lose, so the only way to resolve the situation when Konoha was suffering unavoidable pain was to make Kirigakure also pay a heavy price!
Of course, this is a path that should only be taken when there is no other choice.
Faced with the unbridled Makoto, they had no choice but to do this!
"Sage Art: Goemon!"
The thick, scalding toad oil flames, like a river of fire surging from the depths of hell, with a terrifying power capable of burning everything, rushed toward the Hidden Mist ninjas who were trapped in the genjutsu and unable to move.
The intense heat distorted the air, the ground rapidly scorched and melted, and a desperate aura of death instantly enveloped the entire battlefield.
"stop!"
Makoto Goji's roar exploded like thunder.
His eyes were bloodshot as he watched the Mist Ninja, with whom he had spent every day and fought bloody battles, turn to ashes in the flames. An unprecedented rage and killing intent surged wildly in his chest.
That old bastard Jiraiya—he actually used this mutually destructive fighting style!
Despite his anger, Makoto's brain was working at its limit.
save!
We must save them immediately!
The Toad's Song is a super-wide-range sage illusion technique that even the Rinnegan cannot completely resist.
Although he escaped the attack because of Kamui's presence, he couldn't make the others present immune to this level of illusion.
All he could do at that moment was to stop Goemon's offensive as much as possible.
"Kamui!"
The triangular windmill spun wildly in Makoto's eyes, and the distorted spacetime swallowed up all the surging toad oil.
Jiraiya remained expressionless; he had already guessed that Makoto Karatachi would come to the rescue.
But in Makoto Goji's own words, it's like this:
Can you save him?
"Boss, Big Sister, let's join forces!"
"Immortal Technique: Thousand Needles of Hair!"
His full head of white hair instantly hardened, transforming into countless senbon needles harder than steel, which rained down on the steam-filled area, launching an indiscriminate, all-encompassing attack.
The goal is not to annihilate them all, but to inflict maximum damage on the trapped Hidden Mist ninja!
At the same time, the two toad sages also canceled the Two Lives Technique and began to fight separately. The Konoha ninjas also took the opportunity to attack the Mist Ninja who were controlled by the genjutsu.
Makoto Karatachi desperately tried to suck the surrounding Mist Ninja into the Kamui dimension to save them, but many more Mist Ninja died under the attacks of the Konoha ninja.
"You bastard—"
Goji clenched his teeth, his eyes were bloodshot, and his chakra was almost depleted after the series of rescues.
Jiraiya's move was too vicious!
He was forced to abandon his attack and return to provide assistance, but even with his best efforts, he was unable to save everyone.
In just over ten seconds of fighting, at least a hundred Kirigakure ninjas have died under Goemon's flames and needles, and countless others have been injured!
Amidst the thick fog and moisture, wails and screams echoed endlessly.
"You damn toad, I'll show you how to sing!"
"Grotomato!"
"Asura Path - Asura's Attack!"
A Limbo clone that is exactly the same as Makoto Karimoto's original body appeared silently behind the two sages, Fukasaku and Shima Gamabunta.
The Limbo clones are completely invisible; only those with the Rinnegan or the power of the Six Paths can detect them.
At that moment, the two toad immortals were completely focused on dealing damage and mowing down enemies, unaware that a deadly threat had already descended upon them.
At the same time, Makoto Gojibana's main body also moved.
He looked in the direction where Jiraiya was, and a triangular windmill spun in his eyes.
"Kamui!"
The distorted space fell on Jiraiya again. Jiraiya was startled and immediately activated his chakra to perform the Disciple Summoning Technique.
Minato Namikaze appeared instantly, narrowly managing to teleport away with Jiraiya and escape Kamui's strangulation attack.
But the next moment, two screams suddenly rang out.
The two toad immortals on one side were attacked at some point, their entire abdomens pierced by an indescribable, terrifying force, their faces filled with pain and horror!
"Boss, Big Sister!"
Jiraiya's eyes widened in fury as he tried to help, but because of his previous use of Flying Thunder God Technique, he had already distanced himself from the two toad sages.
The next moment, the violent energy erupted again, and the two toad masters didn't even have time to react before being blasted into frog fragments on the spot!
"this!"
"Boss! Big Sister!!"
Minato Namikaze stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief, while Jiraiya's heart-wrenching roar echoed across the battlefield.
He watched as Fukasaku and Shima, the two toad sages, were disemboweled and turned into a rain of blood and flesh under the sudden attack of the Limbo clones. His aura instantly became violent and chaotic.
The Toad Sage was not only his teacher during his training at Mount Myōboku, but also his companion and elder for decades, almost like family!
He was being killed so cruelly right before his eyes!
"Makoto Kurita!!"
Jiraiya's eyes were bloodshot, and his face in Sage Mode was distorted with rage. His Sage Chakra surged wildly like a raging volcano, and his only remaining severed arm was raised high.
"Immortal Technique·Super Large Jade Rasengan!"
A deep blue energy ball, over five meters in diameter and containing terrifying Sage Mode chakra, instantly condensed in his palm, radiating a destructive pressure.
He no longer cared about the other Hidden Mist ninjas on the battlefield; his eyes were only on Makoto Karatachi!
However, Makoto Koji was unusually calm at this moment.
Anger doesn't solve problems; it only cloudes one's judgment.
The Toad Sage is dead, and the illusionary effects of the Toad's Last Song are rapidly fading.
The trapped Hidden Mist ninjas gradually broke free from the genjutsu. Although the casualties were heavy, at least some of them survived.
And Jiraiya—
Without the Toad Sage's assistance, the power of his Sage Mode will be greatly reduced, the Two Lives Technique will be unsustainable, and the duration of Sage Mode will be drastically shortened.
More importantly, Jiraiya's emotions were out of control at this moment.
In a duel between masters, a confused mind leads to defeat.
He coldly watched Jiraiya charging towards him like a madman, carrying an enormous Rasengan. His Mangekyou Sharingan spun wildly as he recklessly unleashed all his remaining chakra and ocular power, throwing out a whole host of ocular techniques.
"You can die too, Jiraiya!"
"Takemikazuchi!"
"Kamui!"
"Amaterasu!"
Jiraiya's advance came to an abrupt halt, his eyes widening as his mind and body teetered on the brink of collapse under the torment of the illusion, his offensive abruptly halted.
The inextinguishable Amaterasu fire, along with the distorted spacetime, simultaneously struck Jiraiya's chest and abdomen.
"Jiraiya-sensei!"
With a flash of golden light, Minato Namikaze pulled Jiraiya out at the last possible moment.
But his chest had been completely torn apart by divine power, and one could even see the white bones and the beating heart.
Blood was gushing from the gruesome wound torn open by Kamui on Jiraiya's chest. Amaterasu's black flames burned fiercely in his chest and abdomen like maggots clinging to his bones, frantically devouring his flesh and chakra.
Minato Namikaze's eyes widened in fury, and he immediately disappeared from the spot with Jiraiya.
"this----"
"Retreat! Everyone retreat!"
"Abandon the current position, provide alternating cover! Withdraw to the second line of defense!"
The Konoha Jonin belatedly realized what was happening, their roars echoing across the battlefield. The surviving Konoha ninjas retreated in panic, like the receding tide.
Their faces were filled with horror, grief, and disbelief.
No one could have imagined that this war would turn out like this.
Just moments before, they held a huge advantage, and with the help of the Toad Sage, they achieved tremendous results in an instant.
But the next moment—
Gouju Cheng coldly observed all of this.
He did not pursue them.
It's not that I don't want to, but rather—I can't.
His chakra was completely depleted!
Although it only lasted a short ten minutes, within those ten minutes he successively unleashed Susanoo, Limbo: Border Jail, Kamui, Amaterasu, and Takemikazuchi —
Not to mention the chakra in his body, the chakra of the Yin Seal had also been completely drained. The mark on the back of his fingers had even disappeared without a trace. He felt waves of soreness and stinging pain in his meridians, and his brain was dizzy from the excessive consumption of mental energy.
"Kamui————"
The surrounding space distorted, and dozens of figures were released from the Divine Might Space.
The next moment, everything went black before Makoto Goji's eyes, his body swayed, and he fell forward.
"team leader!"
"Lord Cheng!"
"Acheng!"
Hozuki Mangetsu flashed and appeared in front of Makoto Karatachi with a Water Shunshin, lifting him up with his back.
At the same time, the other members of the Mist Blade squad, as well as some of the elite Mist Hidden Army who had just recovered from the Toad Song illusion, quickly surrounded him and protected him in the middle.
In the battle just now, most of them lost consciousness in the illusion, only remembering the earth-shattering flames and needle rain at the last moment, and the figure of Makoto Karimoto appearing like a god to save them.
They then appeared in the Divine Might Space, and were only released at this moment.
"I'm fine—just overused chakra."
Makoto Kujira lay weakly on the full moon's back, his eyes now a faded purple.
He glanced at the massive, churning Yellow Springs Swamp that blocked his view, then at the heavily wounded Mist Shadow troops around him, his expression complex.
Does this count as a win?
Well, he charged behind enemy lines alone, causing massive destruction. Now he has forced back Konoha's main force, killed two Toad Sages, and severely injured or even killed Jiraiya.
However, the price paid by Kirigakure was extremely heavy.
At least two hundred Kirigakure ninja died under the attack of Goemon and the Thousand Needles, and the number of wounded was several times that. In addition to those killed by other Konoha ninja, the Kirigakure ninja lost at least five or six hundred people in this war. The entire assault force was almost decimated, and its morale was severely damaged!
Moreover, Konoha did not collapse, but retreated in an orderly manner under the command of Minato Namikaze, preserving most of its fighting force.
More importantly————
Makoto Karimoto's gaze was directed towards the depths of Yomi Swamp, in the direction where Jiraiya's presence had vanished.
He wasn't sure if Jiraiya was dead or not. Kamui had shattered his body, and Amaterasu had burned his weapons. Logically speaking, someone injured to that extent would definitely be dead. However, Minato Namikaze's extreme rescue, coupled with the hidden wonders of Mount Myōboku, meant there might still be a glimmer of hope.
"Captain, what do we do now?"
Qing handed over the specially made soldier's rations and asked in a deep voice.
His Byakugan scanned his surroundings warily, guarding against any possible counterattack or ambush from Konoha.
Gouju Cheng swallowed the soldier's ration pills whole, took a deep breath, and suppressed the fatigue and surging blood in his chest.
"Where's Yagura?"
"Lord Yagura is engaged in a fierce battle with Danzo and his group. Another high-ranking official from Konoha has arrived, putting them under great pressure. Lord Juzo and Lord Raiga are both seriously injured."
Gouju's heart sank.
Both Juzo and Raiga are seriously injured. If even two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are in this state, it shows that the battle situation on Yagura's side is definitely more tragic than expected.
That old bastard Danzo really did have a backup plan!
"Tell me the details!"
Ao quickly reported, "Lord Yagura's situation involves more than just Danzo and Root; Mitokado Homura, a member of the Konoha Elders, has also led an elite force that suddenly appeared on his flank and launched a surprise attack!"
"Mitomon Homura is extremely powerful, and he brought with him elites from various Konoha clans. Combined with Danzo's Root's ruthless methods, Lord Yagura and his men are in a tough fight!"
Gouju Cheng's face was ashen.
Mitokado Homura, that mascot-like guy, has actually appeared on the front lines!
It seems that Konoha is determined to achieve a decisive victory on the eastern front this time, with even these old guys who have been stationed in the rear for many years going to the front lines.
"Pass on the order!"
Gouju Cheng took a deep breath, suppressing the dizziness in his head and the weakness in his body, and spoke with a firm and resolute voice.
"All Kirigakure ninja who are still mobile, immediately move towards the Yagura command post!"
"Abandon cleaning up the battlefield, abandon pursuing the routed Konoha soldiers, abandon all unnecessary actions!"
"Ao, use your Byakugan to lead the way, choosing the safest route. If you spot any Konoha pursuers or suspicious activity, alert them immediately!"
"Furthermore, notify the rear medical units to immediately converge on the front lines, and prepare a large quantity of first-aid supplies and stretchers!"
"Captain, then you—"
Minazuki Yuki looked at Makoto Karatachi's pale face with concern.
"I'm fine, I can hold on." Makoto Koji waved his hand, a sharp glint in his eyes. "The most urgent task now is to protect my cousin Yagura and the remaining manpower!"
"Although Konoha has retreated, Minato Namikaze and Danzo are still here! If they realize our true strength or Yagura's side can't hold out, they could launch a surprise attack at any time!"
"We must rendezvous with Yagura as soon as possible, and then—we must consolidate our defenses and hold our ground!"
The crowd's expressions hardened, and they responded in unison, "Yes!"
The order was quickly relayed.
The remaining Kirigakure troops began to painstakingly regroup, supporting each other as the wounded retreated towards the Yagura command post.
The atmosphere was oppressive and heavy.
Everywhere there were the painful groans of the wounded, the uncollected corpses of fallen comrades, and the lingering smell of blood and burnt flesh in the air.
This was a Pyrrhic victory, or perhaps it wasn't even a victory at all.
Makoto was still clinging to Hozuki Mangetsu's back. And you know what? Mangetsu was quite sensible; he immediately activated the Great Water Arm Technique, causing his muscles to bulge and his back to become very broad.
Then the water-transforming technique was used.
Although he was crawling on top of someone, Makoto Karatachi felt as if he were lying on a waterbed.
Meanwhile, Konoha's retreat direction.
After Minato Namikaze moved the last group of wounded to safety, he immediately appeared with Jiraiya at a relatively intact medical camp in the rear.
However, Jiraiya had already fallen into a coma. Although he had used the Fire Sealing Technique to remove the Amaterasu Fire from his internal organs, the wound on his chest torn open by Kamui was truly shocking, and the bleeding could not be stopped.
It could be said that at this moment, Jiraiya's vitality was like a candle flickering in the wind.
Upon seeing Minato Namikaze arrive with Jiraiya, the surrounding medical ninjas were shocked and immediately rushed forward to do their utmost to treat Jiraiya.
But seeing the horrific wound on Jiraiya's chest, all the medical ninjas looked extremely grim.
This kind of injury—
[Actually, he's already dead, don't worry.]