Chapter 56: Sand Ninja's Confusion
A day later, an organization slightly larger than the current Akatsuki received unexpected intelligence: the Sand Ninja planned an alliance with Hanzo to turn against Konoha again.
The intel stated that Sand Ninja intended to help Hanzo eliminate all smaller factions within Rain. In return, Rain would publicly sever its alliance with Konoha and side with Sand.
Though the intelligence came suddenly, it wasn't entirely unbelievable. After Konoha's heavy losses at Uzushio, everyone knew Konoha was vulnerable. It made sense for Hanzo to switch allies under these circumstances.
Most importantly, the leader of this organization didn't dare ignore such alarming information. If true, they could face immediate danger.
He quickly contacted another nearby organization, only to discover they had received similar information—only with the supposed alliance being formed with Iwa instead of Sand. Everything else matched.
Now, both leaders questioned the reliability of the intel and dispatched their people to investigate. Unfortunately, both organizations were weak in intelligence gathering and soon leaked more information than they gathered.
Quickly, both reports fell into Root's hands. The Root commander immediately took it seriously, sending out elite ninja to investigate.
True to their reputation, Root swiftly traced the source of both rumors to the same area. When Root investigated further, they encountered unexpected resistance—three operatives went missing shortly after arriving.
This immediately alarmed Root's commander, who gathered reinforcements and headed straight to the suspicious location.
At the same time, the Sand Ninja were equally puzzled. According to their intel, they expected only one Anbu team—yet they kept losing operatives. Something was off.
As several Sand Ninja captains gathered to discuss the situation, one of their scouts reported urgently, "We've been surrounded. More than twenty enemy ninja encircle us."
The leading Sand Ninja frowned. "Who are they?"
The scout replied, "They're not wearing any headbands, but their movement speed clearly indicates they're from a major village. Judging by their style, I'm confident they're Konoha Anbu."
This scout had significant experience dealing with Konoha and quickly identified the attackers.
"Konoha Anbu...?" murmured the leader, confused by this sudden twist.
He couldn't understand why Konoha, rather than Iwa, appeared—and in such large numbers—but quickly regained composure. "Puppet users lead the charge, ninjutsu users in the middle, taijutsu specialists at the rear. We'll break through to the south!"
Moments later, puppet units charged toward the Root operatives encircling them. Predictably, these puppet decoys triggered an immediate ninjutsu counterattack from Root, obliterating the first wave of puppets.
Yet, Sand Ninja didn't mind sacrificing puppets at this point. Their ninjutsu team launched a fierce counterattack of Wind Release techniques immediately afterward.
Root operatives on the southern side, though prepared for resistance, weren't ready for such intense retaliation—at least three B-rank Wind Release techniques simultaneously. Two Root members were instantly shredded, and the other two barely evaded severe injuries.
But surviving one wave didn't mean safety. A second volley of puppets fired countless hidden weapons, quickly finishing off one of the injured Root operatives and seriously wounding another.
The situation was dire for Konoha, but equally difficult for Sand. Root ninja from other sides immediately closed in, unleashing consecutive waves of elemental ninjutsu.
Though most Sand Ninja, particularly taijutsu specialists at the rear, dodged expertly using Body Flicker and Substitution techniques, several were injured. Root quickly divided their retreating force, isolating four Sand Ninja. Those not trapped didn't attempt rescue, choosing instead to flee quickly.
Root split forces to finish off the encircled Sand Ninja, then continued chasing the retreating main group. During pursuit, slower Sand Ninja members were caught and killed, though they bought time with desperate counterattacks.
However, Sand Ninja underestimated Root's brutality. Under Danzo, Root ninja knew they couldn't afford retreat without sufficient victory, or face harsh punishment. Thus, after regrouping briefly, the surviving Root forces resumed their relentless pursuit, leaving only four operatives behind to clean the battlefield.
Several kilometers away, inside an abandoned house, Team 18 carefully observed from a distance. Although they couldn't clearly see the details, Captain Shiden quickly assessed the situation based on experience.
"It was indeed Sand Ninja who planned to ambush us. Those puppets confirm it," Shiden said quietly. "Of the sixteen Sand Ninja, around half were killed or injured by Konoha. Root also suffered significant losses—probably losing at least one full squad."
Inexperienced with large-scale battles, Ishiro asked anxiously, "Captain, what should we do next?"
Shironeko and Little Stone looked towards Shiden expectantly, knowing that only a Jonin could make reliable judgments at critical moments like this.
Shiden explained calmly, "Sand Ninja still have about half their strength, but the survivors are elite and won't easily fall. Our target isn't them, but those Root ninja left behind cleaning the battlefield. They'll be collecting bodies of their own comrades and Sand Ninja—we'll steal those corpses."
Shironeko gasped softly, glancing towards the distant battlefield nervously. "Captain, Konoha still outnumbers us."
Little Stone confidently spoke up, "The strongest Root ninja chased after Sand Ninja. Those left behind must be weaker, injured, or slow. A surprise attack from us will give us a good chance at victory."
Shiden nodded, agreeing with this assessment.
Ishiro asked, "Should we attack directly now?"
Shiden turned, asking Ishiro, "Do you have another idea?"
Ishiro replied carefully, "After finishing cleanup, they'll probably regroup with their allies chasing the Sand Ninja. Shouldn't we intercept them by ambushing ahead?"
Little Stone disagreed immediately, "Not necessarily. They might head back instead. Also, if those pursuing ninja return early, we're doomed."
Shiden quickly made a decision. "He's right. We have no time to wait. Once we take out these Root ninja, we must hurry back to our village."
Understanding clearly, Ishiro and Shironeko nodded.
Decision made, Squad 18 moved silently towards the battlefield.
They approached cautiously, keeping a safe distance of about a kilometer. Then, dropping stealth, they sprinted rapidly toward the Root operatives.
Root were highly vigilant. As soon as Team 18 appeared, one ninja immediately spotted them. He dropped the corpse he'd been sealing and started rapidly weaving hand signs, simultaneously calling loudly to warn his comrades.
However, Ishiro's hand signs were even faster. Before the Root ninja could complete his jutsu, Ishiro's Water Line Technique shot forward. Shironeko and Little Stone simultaneously threw shuriken and kunai, forcing the Root operative to abandon his hand signs prematurely.
Seeing Captain Shiden rapidly approaching, the Root operative grimly realized his doom. Yet, with no hesitation, he pulled out two explosive tags, ignited them, and charged desperately towards Shiden.
Shiden was slightly startled by his ruthless suicide tactic but reacted swiftly. She sheathed her sword, rapidly executed a Body Flicker Jutsu, and evaded effortlessly. By the time the tags exploded, Shiden had already moved toward the next target.
The three remaining Root members quickly regrouped. However, their condition was obviously poor. One had a pale complexion, clearly poisoned by Sand Ninja puppets, and was possibly unable to fight.
Ishiro, learning from previous battles, didn't waste another attack on the first target. He quickly formed seals again, launching his powerful Water Pressure Line at the three remaining Root members.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!" A Root ninja quickly erected a defensive wall. Having seen Ishiro's previous attacks, he believed this would suffice. Now, they focused mainly on Shiden, whose incredible speed posed their greatest threat.
Yet, before they could plan, Ishiro's attack unexpectedly pierced straight through the earthen wall, immediately puncturing one Root operative behind it.
The three Root ninja were stunned—the Water Pressure Line effortlessly penetrated their defense, fatally injuring their comrade. Seizing the distraction, Shiden closed in swiftly, slicing off the wounded ninja's head with a single sword stroke.
Rather than pressing the attack, Shiden immediately retreated, creating distance from the enemy again, readying herself for the next move.
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