Within the Iwagakure outpost, Qingming was treating the injuries of the allied ninjas when suddenly, a series of explosions echoed from a distance—first one, then a second, and a third. Qingming recognized that sound all too well; it was the noise of explosive tags being detonated.
"Here they come again," he muttered, finishing the treatment at a leisurely pace before stepping out of the infirmary.
Peering out the window, he saw dozens of Konoha ninjas rushing from various buildings, all heading towards the source of the explosions. There was no doubt they were going to provide support.
As for the enemy, it was undoubtedly the Iwagakure ninjas.
Today marked the seventh day since they occupied this outpost, and during the past week, the Iwa ninjas had not ceased their harassment. Aside from sporadic skirmishes, there had been four major battles involving over a hundred ninjas each.
While these engagements had provided Qingming ample opportunities to practice his medical ninjutsu, they had also stretched their forces to the breaking point, leaving them barely able to hold their ground.
However, the Iwa ninjas had not fared much better. After several large-scale confrontations, their losses were nearly equal to those of Konoha. In fact, due to their inferior average combat power, they had suffered a higher number of casualties.
Consequently, the Iwa ninjas could no longer organize large-scale assaults as they had done earlier; their tactics had shifted to smaller unit harassment.
Overall, both sides found themselves locked in a stalemate.
You might wonder why Iwagakure didn't send more ninjas to reinforce. The answer is simple: they didn't have enough personnel.
This attack was not just the responsibility of a single unit; it involved Konoha ninjas along the entire frontline who were pushing back. Currently, nearly two-thirds of Iwagakure's frontline positions had been captured by Konoha, and their forces were continuing to advance toward the second defensive line.
In comparison, these locations desperately needed manpower.
It would be one thing if the Iwa ninjas could draw upon their large numbers and send reinforcements, but the situation was exacerbated by the fact that Konoha's sudden counteroffensive had prompted Sunagakure and Kumogakure to see an opportunity, making them restless.
The former was already attempting to assault the neighboring Iwagakure outposts, while the latter, despite some internal chaos following the death of the Third Raikage, had a unified desire for revenge since he had perished at the hands of the Iwa ninjas.
As a result, the Kumogakure forces were attacking the Iwa ninjas stationed at their borders.
With three fronts in play, Iwagakure could not spare extra manpower to deal with Qingming and his group.
Even the strongest among them, Han, had been reassigned.
One could say they had stabilized their position and no longer needed to consider further retreat.
Moreover, it was foreseeable that they would remain here for quite some time.
Given this situation, Qingming decided to resume his old profession.
What was that, you ask?
Of course, it was secretly capturing enemy ninjas to serve as "chakra batteries." Earning twenty-one thousand chakra points daily was insufficient for his training.
Only by capturing enough external chakra could he maintain his rapid growth in strength.
Thus, capturing prisoners was imperative.
Qingming glanced at the distant battlefield and thought that today might present a good opportunity.
As for where to hide these captives, he had already scouted locations over the past few days; now, he just needed to get his people in position.
With these thoughts in mind, Qingming left the temporary hospital and quietly made his way toward the battlefield.
In the dense forest, on the edge of the battlefield, two Iwagakure chunin had just teamed up to kill a Konoha chunin and were preparing to rest and tend to their wounds.
At that moment, they suddenly heard footsteps approaching from nearby.
"Who's there?" one of the Iwa chunin exclaimed, startled, and looked up towards the source of the sound.
However, the next moment, he froze in place, unable to move.
His companion noticed and quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
As he spoke, he also turned to see where the sound had come from, and his eyes widened as he recognized Qingming.
The signature Sharingan, the short sword at his waist, and his small stature allowed him to identify Qingming immediately. He gasped, "Ghost Blade Qingming!"
Without a moment's hesitation, he averted his gaze and heightened his senses, remaining vigilant of his surroundings, especially the blind spots.
Clearly, after Qingming's increasing notoriety, Iwagakure had begun studying him and informed their lower-ranked ninjas about his fighting style and habits.
This was how he had earned the nickname "Ghost Blade."
Qingming didn't react to this at all.
If his tactics were so easily countered, he wouldn't have caused so many jounin to suffer losses.
Observing the alert Iwagakure chunin before him, Qingming chose not to throw shurikens or perform ninjutsu, nor did he draw his sword. Instead, he executed a Body Flicker Technique, appearing right in front of him.
He quickly formed the hand seals for 'Xin-Chou-Yin-Zi-Wu-Shen-Wei,' casting the technique—Chakra Surgical Blade.
In the next moment, a faint chakra enveloped his right hand, and as he swung his palm, it penetrated the other's body.
Despite not physically touching him, the Iwagakure chunin lost control of his right arm.
This was one of the effects of the Chakra Surgical Blade—it severed the opponent's muscles and chakra pathways, rendering them unable to control parts of their body.
"Ah! What did you do?" the Iwa chunin screamed, realizing he could no longer control his right arm.
However, Qingming ignored his cries. He swiftly moved to the other side of his body and delivered another palm strike.
The Iwa chunin managed to dodge just in time, avoiding direct contact, but it was of no use.
As the chakra infiltrated his body, another part of him lost control, causing his defensive movements to falter.
Seizing the opportunity, Qingming faced him directly and unleashed a Hypnosis Technique, putting him into a deep sleep.
With that, both Iwagakure chunin had been subdued.
This was a clear demonstration of Qingming's current strength; he hadn't yet reached the jounin level, and they didn't even qualify as a serious challenge for him.
Generally, it was rare for a chunin to last even ten moves against him.
Unless they were those on the verge of advancing to jounin, they would likely end up like the two Iwa chunin before him—easily taken down.
Qingming glanced at the two of them and swiftly knocked them out with a couple of blows.
Next, he activated the Chakra Surgical Blade once more, severing their muscles and nerves in their limbs, ensuring they had no hope of escape.
After completing these tasks, he formed hand seals again, casting the Shadow Clone Technique, creating a shadow clone.
He instructed it to take the two captives away while he began searching for new targets.
Indeed, he had no intention of stopping here. This was nothing like before; he was fully capable of capturing more prisoners while he had the chance.
By doing so, he could focus on his training for the foreseeable future.
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