Chapter 775 : The Largest Concentration of Force!

Kagero agreed, “Yes, we'll be sent on the frontlines to face Konoha in this country since we are most familiar with it. And there will be only one result: our complete annihilation. Even though Iwagakure has supported us, don't forget that they only did it to increase their influence in this country and not out of any concern for our cause.”

Ganku solemnly nodded and said. “I apologize, I didn't think clearly.”

Shizuka asked, “What do we do now?”
Kagero answered, “We change our base again.”
Both Ganku and Shizuma were surprised. Shizuma asked, “We already changed our base thrice. Shouldn't that be enough?”

Kagero suddenly chuckled and said, “Don't underestimate our enemy. They aren't as weak as Hiroshi's forces. We could change our base a thousand times and they would still find us if they have the will to do so.”

His expression became serious as he continued, “Of course, that is if they have the will. We'll leave behind countless false trails and traps. Hopefully, the losses and delays they face along with external pressures due to their recent war will force them to withdraw. Since they already destroyed a third of our forces, they can claim victory to increase their morale and destroy others even if they don't manage to find us. We can only hope…”

Silence filled the tent as Ganku and Shizuma finally realized how grave their situation was. Finally, Ganku asked, “What if they continue looking for us?”

Kagero's eyes became murderous. His students were terrified by the bloodlust they felt! Kagero answered, “Then we give them hell! I'll use my blood and life to remind every Kusagakure ninja what they could be capable of!”

Ganku and Shizuma's expressions became solemn. Both decided to follow their teacher until the very end.


Unlike the solemn atmosphere in the Rebel Camp, the Konoha camp was rather lively and in high spirits. After the first battle, Fujin had given them a day's rest since the army had rushed from the Fire Capital to Tsuchioka and engaged the enemy without a break. They were finally ready to go and were looking at Fujin, who was facing the entire army.

Fujin glanced through the army before speaking, “I know that everyone is excited due to yesterday's victory. Even though we outnumbered our enemy considerably, killing 350 ninjas and capturing their leaders without losing a single ninja is an extremely impressive achievement. It is something that rarely happened in history.

However, don't let your excitement make you careless and don't let yesterday's victory make you overconfident. We not only had an overwhelming advantage in numbers and strength but also had the element of surprise. The enemy didn't know they were facing us until the last moment.

That will no longer be the case. Our enemy will now expect us and be prepared. They'll set countless traps to target us and break our morale. Even though they are weaker than us, unlike us, they have been in constant war for a long time. So, don't underestimate our enemy.

So, always pay full attention to your surroundings and be careful. Look out for yourself and your comrades. Ensure that your enemy is dead and be on the lookout for suicidal attacks. Only then can we win as thoroughly as yesterday. When we win, I want to return to Konoha with all of you.”

The Konoha army's morale was reduced from its high as Fujin brought them down to the ground. It caused the veterans, including Renjiro, to frown. After all, morale and momentum were major aspects that could decide victory or defeat on a battlefield.

However, their frowns faded as Fujin completed his speech. Having a commander who cared for them to such an extent raised the morale of the Konoha ninjas even higher than it was before and everyone broke out into a loud cheer!

Fujin smiled. At his order, the three Konoha divisions began their march! Around the same time, Kusagakure armies began moving as well. They sent a 2,000-strong force under the command of Hoshino Ryoichi, who started establishing a perimeter around Midorino.

Meanwhile, the other villages also learnt of Konoha's sudden movement. Needless to say, Iwagakure was the first one to know, but other villages weren't too far behind.


In Iwagakure, Onoki's office was filled with the important ninjas from Iwagakure. Kitsuchi, Roshi and even Onoki's granddaughter were present as they analyzed the report sent by Kagero.

Kurotsuchi suspiciously asked, “Grandfather, are you sure that Konoha is weakened? They just fought a battle against two hidden villages and yet started another war so quickly!”

The mood in the room was solemn. Unlike her, others knew how terrifying Konoha was in the past. They didn't want to see Konoha returning to their glory days. Unfortunately, they were already getting glimpses of it.

Kitsuchi muttered, “This is indeed strange. According to the reports, the Third Hokage is still hospitalized. Yet, they dared to send Fujin here with 3,000 ninjas. And, by targeting a faction supported by us, they are openly taunting us. Aren't they worried we would confront them and someone else could attack them while their forces are stuck here?”

Roshi added, “That would put them in a tough situation unless the Third Hokage's injury is a lie. Perhaps they want to bait us or Kumogakure into making a move that would result in huge losses for either of us.”

Onoki grumbled, “Perhaps… Or they may just be banking on my reputation and believe we won't make a move.”

The same thought was running through everyone's mind, though no one dared to voice it. Since Onoki said it himself, one of the elders immediately suggested, “Why not make a move this time? It'll catch them off guard and we could eliminate the Spectral Swordsman along with thousands of Konoha ninjas. It would be a huge blow to Konoha. And, they wouldn't even be in a position to retaliate after such a loss.”

Onoki snorted disdainfully, “And who do you propose we send to hunt down that brat? Do you want to lead?”

The elder immediately went quiet but his gaze was full of complaints. He didn't feel like his suggestion was bad enough to warrant such a response from Onoki. Not to mention, there were several stronger ninjas than him in that room.

Onoki tossed the scroll aside and said, “Read the scroll once again. Does it say anywhere that they want to retreat to the Land of Earth? It doesn't. That shows how suspicious they are of us. What's even the point of sending our ninjas to die pointlessly for their cause? Even without Konoha, they were already losing continuously.”

Onoki's outrage caused everyone to realize why he was pissed. If Kagero had caved, Iwagakure would have gained close to a thousand new ninjas who had experienced wars and given them a card to take control of Kusagakure into the future. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Iwa had nothing to gain by going to war with Konoha. On the contrary, the downside was too huge.

However, not making any move made Iwagakure look weak, which didn't sit right with several people in the room. A council member asked, “So we do nothing?”

Onoki replied, “Of course not. Konoha has not only attacked the Kusagakure rebels but also provoked us. Kitsuchi, you'll take 5,000 ninjas and go to the Kusagakure border. Roshi, you'll go with him and always stay with him. Don't make any move, just station your army at the border and let them feel the pressure.”

Onoki's words surprised everyone in the room except Kitsuchi and Roshi. Several glanced at them in confusion. Kurotsuchi asked in surprise, “Do you mean that Uncle Roshi and Father can't defeat Suzuki Fujin despite having more ninjas?”

Onoki answered, “No, they can't. However, Fujin won't be able to defeat them either as long as they are together. On the contrary, Roshi's Tailed Beast Bombs will force him to withdraw the entire army.

However, the trouble with this boy isn't just his strength. It's his ability to kill ninjas. The reports said that he killed a hundred Suna elite ninjas in the blink of an eye with just one technique twice! Perhaps that might be their intention as well. So, don't let your guard down. How they respond after we deploy our forces will give an idea about their true intentions.”

He looked at Kitsuchi and Roshi and seriously said, “If they retreat their army, you guys should retreat as well. This might just be a ploy for us to send our forces so that Fujin could run amok among our ranks and eliminate hundreds of ninjas, just like the Fourth Hokage did previously. Though it's very unlikely, a lot of strange things are happening and every one of them seems to benefit Konoha in some way.”

Kitsuchi and Roshi nodded. Unlike others in the room, neither dared to underestimate Fujin. Kitsuchi had already suffered a terrible loss at Fujin's hands while Roshi was forced to his limits as well. And, both those battles had happened years ago.

Within a day, 5,000 Iwagakure ninjas marched. Along with Konoha, Kusa and Rebel forces, nearly 11,000 ninjas would soon gather in and around the western part of Kusagakure. It would be the largest concentration of force that involved several hidden villages since the end of the Third Great Ninja War! Would tensions escalate, causing the three hidden villages to go to war? Or would things calm down? Only time would tell.