Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: The Enemy That Must Be Defeated!

In the forest, Madai led three squads forward at high speed. Their mission was to scout the defenses along Konoha's borders to determine the direction of their attack.

Whether this mission was carried out by clones or by their real bodies didn't make much difference.

Thus, even though a flying ninja beast was monitoring them from above, they paid little attention to it.

This situation was actually ideal, as it could draw Konoha's forces toward them while their clones completed the mission unnoticed.

So, regardless of which side was being watched by the enemy, it worked in their favor for now.

"Captain, there are two people up ahead!"

Suddenly, a sensory ninja spoke up.

"Only two?" Madai quickly asked.

The sensory ninja nodded. "I can only detect two different chakra signatures!"

"Could it be that the ninja beast has just coincidentally locked onto our real bodies?" Madai wondered aloud.

"Prepare for battle. Make it quick!"

The Sand ninja responded in unison, "Understood!"

Kunai in hand and ninja blades drawn, they advanced with murderous intent.

Soon, two figures appeared in the distance.

Madai's pupils suddenly dilated, and his heart raced. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. "It's that guy..."

"We're in big trouble!"

He quickly ordered, "Stop!"

The squads halted, and the others looked at Madai in confusion.

With a grave expression, Madai warned, "Everyone, be cautious. That kid across from us is no ordinary opponent."

"That guy once fought against the Third Kazekage and didn't lose."

The Sand ninja were immediately stunned upon hearing this, and they quickly realized who the figure ahead was.

"Isn't that the Konoha genius, Shūichi Hoshita, who has a bounty on his head?"

"No wonder he dares to intercept all three of our squads with just two people!"

"But Madai, weren't those battles with shadow clones back then?" one Sand jonin asked.

Madai nodded. "True, but you should understand what that implies."

"Plus, both the Fourth Kazekage and Pakura are wary of him."

...

Seeing the Sand ninja halt, Shūichi smiled. "Didn't expect to run into old acquaintances."

"Out of respect for our past dealings, why don't you surrender?"

A Sand jonin snorted in response. "What an arrogant brat. While I acknowledge your strength, making such a bold statement is a bit too much!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the jonin threw a kunai, with an explosive tag attached.

What intrigued Shūichi the most, however, was that the jonin raised one hand vertically while his other hand formed a one-handed seal.

A Sand ninja who can perform one-handed seals?

Shūichi was surprised but quickly remembered that Sunagakure's average skill level was reputed to be the highest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Sunagakure had always followed the path of elite ninjas!

Boom!

The explosive tag detonated, shattering the kunai into pieces, which were set ablaze by the explosion.

It was clear that the kunai was specially crafted, as ordinary ones wouldn't have shattered so easily.

At the same time, the Sand jonin completed his ninjutsu and exhaled, unleashing a fierce gust of wind.

The wind fed the flames, creating a roaring firestorm that, along with the shards of kunai, swept toward Shūichi and Asuka.

Impressive ninjutsu!

Shūichi silently praised the attack before raising his right palm, facing it outward.

Boom!

A water pillar surged from the ground in front of him, forming a powerful stream that collided with the oncoming firestorm.

Rumble!

A massive explosion followed, and thick steam billowed out in all directions.

Shūichi then clenched his fist, and blazing white fireballs appeared in the air. They tore through the steam, hurtling toward the Sand ninja.

"Incoming!" Madai shouted.

The three prepared Sand ninja immediately released Wind Release ninjutsu.

But before their jutsu could fully form, Shūichi exhaled, sending out a violent gust of wind that caused the fireballs to explode, expanding into a fierce white firestorm. The three Sand ninja's Wind Release jutsu were quickly overwhelmed, and they were swallowed by the flames.

Two of the jonin, excluding Madai, quickly moved into position to counter with their own Wind Release jutsu.

Rumble!

The intense clash of wind created a terrifying roar, and the flames shot out to both sides, setting the forest ablaze wherever they touched.

"He's coming!"

"So fast!"

The sensory ninja quickly called out the warning.

Madai's eyes narrowed as he saw a streak of blue light rushing towards him. Without hesitation, he opened his mouth and exhaled.

Wind Release: Thousand Faces Wind!

A fierce storm of wind blades mixed with the gale, enveloping the approaching Shūichi Hoshita.

At this moment, Shūichi, who was in his Fire Release Chakra Mode, drew his Totsuka Blade. The moment the blade left its sheath, a sharp blue light shot out, slicing the Thousand Faces Wind in half, creating a clear path through the storm.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Numerous shurikens were launched towards Shūichi, but just as the Sand ninja were about to unleash more jutsu, blue flames suddenly ignited on their bodies.

Some screamed in agony, while others quickly dispelled the flames using Wind Release techniques.

What surprised Shūichi the most was that his old acquaintance, Madai, sensed the danger at the last moment and used the Body Flicker Technique to evade, causing Shūichi's flame-based jutsu to miss.

However, with the shurikens dodged, there was nothing left to obstruct Shūichi's path.

The fastest-reacting jonin charged forward, drawing his blade, which buzzed with Wind Release chakra.

In an instant, the two figures crossed paths. There was no sound of clashing metal. The intense heat surrounding Shūichi distorted the light, combined with his high-speed movement, creating afterimages that caused the Sand jonin to miscalculate.

His blade hit nothing but air.

Boom!

Shūichi's left hand seized the jonin's neck, slamming him into the scorched ground.

The ground cracked and sank, and the jonin's agonized screams turned into muffled groans.

At that moment, two more Sand ninja rushed forward. Shūichi swung his left arm, hurling the burned jonin toward the oncoming ninjas.

"Watch out!" one of them warned, catching his comrade while the other swung his sword, releasing a flurry of wind blades toward Shūichi.

However, Shūichi's figure disappeared from his sight.

A moment later, screams erupted from behind.

The Sand ninja looked back in shock to find both of his companions already down.

Shūichi didn't bother with the remaining Sand ninja behind him, nor did he concern himself with the two who had bypassed him to target Asuka. His figure moved at lightning speed, heading straight for Madai.

Madai was the only one left unscathed among the Sand ninja.

At this moment, Madai stood in front of his burned comrades, forming hand seals as he shouted, "Retreat now!"

Shūichi's flames were terrifying. In such a short time, they had inflicted severe burns.

The remaining Sand ninja gritted their teeth through the pain and retreated, while Madai completed his jutsu, exhaling a violent storm.

Having witnessed Shūichi's techniques, Madai knew he couldn't afford to engage in close combat.

Meanwhile, the Sand ninja behind Shūichi also completed his own jutsu, creating a two-pronged windstorm attack from the front and back.

Rumble!

However, the Shūichi caught in the storm exploded into a puff of smoke.

A clone!

Where is the real one?

Madai was shocked and immediately searched for Shūichi's location. Just then, his comrade opposite him let out a groan, and his body was pulled into the ground, leaving only his head above the surface.

Shūichi, who had deactivated his Fire Release Chakra Mode, emerged from the ground, electricity crackling across his body.

Lightning Release: Earth Walk!

As his comrade screamed in pain, watching the fast-approaching electric current, and with two others already bound by chains in the distance, Madai had no choice but to retreat.

Shūichi, who had activated his Chidori Body Flicker Technique, moved at lightning speed, resembling a flickering bolt of electricity.

Simultaneously, blue sword lights shot out in all directions.

Boom! Boom!

Trees toppled one after another.

Madai dodged frantically, unable to even form a jutsu to stop Shūichi's advance. He couldn't afford a single lapse in concentration, as failure to complete his jutsu in time would result in him being sliced apart by Shūichi's deadly sword light.

"This guy is far stronger than when he fought the Third Kazekage," Madai thought, cold sweat running down his back.

He had a sinking feeling—today, he wouldn't make it out alive.

"Forgive me, Maki..."

His daughter's face flashed through his mind, and Madai's eyes suddenly steeled with resolve. He stopped retreating, drew a kunai, and charged toward Shūichi.

He couldn't run any longer. If he kept retreating, the comrades who had escaped earlier would surely die.

Seeing Madai charge at him, Shūichi raised an eyebrow slightly: Trading injury for injury, or life for life?

Instead of indulging Madai's desperate charge, Shūichi suddenly inhaled and exhaled sharply, firing compressed air bullets.

Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!

The attack came so unexpectedly that, despite Madai's quick reflexes, he couldn't avoid being hit. The Sphere tore through his left arm.

Although not fatal, the injury was quickly followed by several razor-sharp air currents.

Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!

Madai, lying on the ground, scrambled to his feet.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The ground was carved with deep gashes, and Madai let out a pained scream as his left leg was sliced in two.

Lying on the ground, Madai used his head to support himself, swiftly forming hand seals.

But Shūichi had already stopped in his tracks.

Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!

A swirling mire appeared beneath Madai, slowly swallowing him up.

Originally, Madai had planned to use a final deadly strike when Shūichi approached, but he was now forced to twist his body and unleash his last attack.

Wind Release: Great Cast Net!

Sharp, net-like winds burst forth.

But Shūichi raised wall after wall of earth in front of him, one after another, deflecting the net of wind.

He then leaped onto the walls and gazed at Madai, whose body had been almost entirely consumed by the swamp, leaving only his eyes visible.

"A shame you're an enemy," Shūichi said.

The swamp engulfed Madai, and Shūichi vanished from sight.

...

Next to Asuka, Shūichi reappeared, turning his gaze toward the two Sand ninja who were bound by Adamantine Sealing Chains.

Asuka asked, "Shūichi, what should we do with them?"

Shūichi created a shadow clone and said, "Have the clone escort them to the rear. We'll keep pursuing the remaining Sand ninja."

Asuka nodded, handed the prisoners over to the clone, and then set off with Shūichi to continue their hunt for the fleeing Sand ninja.

...

In the forest, a few burned Sand ninjas were still fleeing.

Suddenly, one of the Sand ninja, a sensory type, glanced back and gritted his teeth, shouting, "They're catching up!"

Behind them, blue flashes of lightning occasionally lit up.

They're too fast!

"You guys go ahead, I'll stay behind to cover our retreat!"

One of the Sand ninja suddenly halted.

Another immediately stopped as well. "We'll do this together!"

"No, it's not your turn yet!"

...

Five Sand ninja continued their retreat, with one staying behind to cover them.

However, the one who stayed behind couldn't even delay Shūichi for a second.

Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!

Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!

Two genjutsu were cast simultaneously from a distance. Shūichi followed up with a slash, and the combined Fire and Wind Release-enhanced blade effortlessly cut the still-ensnared Sand ninja in half.

One after another, the Sand ninja stayed behind to cover their comrades, and one by one, they were forever left in the forest.

Under such sacrifice, the sensory ninja finally managed to break out of the forest and dashed into the river, gliding swiftly across its surface.

He was, after all, a Sand ninja proficient in Water Release!

On the riverbank, Shūichi stopped and chose not to pursue further.

It's important to let the Sand ninja know that Shūichi is here!

Meanwhile...

On the other side, Uchiha Shisui wiped the neck of the last Mist ninja and then turned his gaze toward where Pakura was.

Boom!

Explosions echoed, and flames surged into the sky.

Uchiha Shisui's figure flickered, and moments later, he arrived at the battlefield.

What he saw were withered trees and the corpses of desiccated enemies.

"So this is Scorch Release... truly terrifying," Uchiha Shisui thought in shock.

In the center of the battlefield, Pakura, panting slightly, turned around and asked, "Are you finished on your side?"

Uchiha Shisui nodded and then gently advised, "It's best not to use chakra-draining techniques too often. The Mist will likely send more elite squads soon."

Pakura hesitated for a moment, then sincerely thanked him, "Thanks for the reminder. I'll be careful."

...

Sand Ninja Frontline Base.

Upon receiving the news, Chiyo rushed to the medical camp as fast as she could, where she saw her subordinate wrapped up like a mummy, only his eyes visible.

"How is he?" Chiyo asked the nearby medical ninja.

The medic's expression was grave. "Lady Chiyo, 80% of his skin has suffered severe burns. He probably won't be able to expose his skin to the air ever again."

Chiyo's face darkened. "Was he the only one who made it back?"

Jonin Feilian responded with a grim look, "Madai was covering the rear. Originally, there were five of them, but the enemy caught up... it seems he really was the only one to return."

"That guy," Feilian added, "Yūsha said it's the same Konoha genius, Shūichi Hoshita, who once fought the Third Kazekage."

(T/N: Yūsha is the name of that man that Shūichi did not kill.)

"They were only two people—no, just one, really. Yūsha said only Shūichi made a move."

Chiyo was astonished. "Just one man nearly wiped out three of our elite squads?"

"Even with someone like Madai, an elite jonin among them!" Feilian nodded. "Though it's hard to believe, Yūsha has no reason to lie."

"Lady Chiyo, according to Yūsha, this Shūichi is an extremely dangerous individual, much like Konoha's White Fang in the past. If we don't eliminate him, we won't be able to safely gather intel on Konoha's positions near the Fire Country's border."

Chiyo nodded. "Only two of them... it seems the Third Hokage has great trust in his abilities."

"Then we'll need to increase our forces."

"No matter how powerful two people are, they can't cover the entire Land of Rivers."

"Use large-scale forces to protect our elite squads during infiltration. If Shūichi doesn't retreat, we'll ensure he never leaves."

Feilian nodded immediately. "Understood, I'll lead the team personally!"

...

Neither the Mist nor the Sand ninja kept Shūichi and his team waiting for long.

In just one hour, both sides sent out reinforcements, with numbers reaching over a hundred.

Behind these large forces were elite infiltration squads.

Shūichi, monitoring from the sky, observed everything.

Boom!

A hawk exploded into a puff of smoke, while another flew into the forest, landing in front of Uchiha Shisui and Pakura before reverting to human form.

"The Mist are mobilizing in large numbers!" Shūichi quickly reported. "There's a hundred-strong force ahead, sent specifically to deal with us."

"Behind them are four squads, likely responsible for infiltration."

Uchiha Shisui and Pakura's expressions immediately became grave.

Shūichi continued, "Shisui, Scorch, you two fall back and relay this intel to the rear. Prepare to ambush the Mist's infiltration squads."

"As for that hundred-strong unit, I can hold off a portion of them temporarily. The rest will likely split off to protect the infiltration squads and engage with you."

Uchiha Shisui and Pakura both nodded in agreement.

Shisui then asked, "Have the Sand ninja sent out a similar number of troops?"

Shūichi nodded. "A similar configuration. Don't worry, the strategy this time is to intercept layer by layer, gradually wearing down their forces."

"Understood!"

With that, Uchiha Shisui and Pakura retreated immediately.

Shūichi watched them leave, then transformed into his Four-Tails form to begin recovering his chakra.

His shadow clone would need to stall the Mist for quite some time.

(End of Chapter)

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