Ch-07 Reaching the location.

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"You haven't had the opportunity to witness Mr. Kratos in action at his peak with your own eyes, which is why you find yourself making such assertions. If we were to delve into the past, envisioning Mr. Kratos in the zenith of his prowess, one might speculate that he wouldn't have erected any form of defense against the fireball unleashed by Ika. Instead, he would have fearlessly confronted it head-on, striding up to Uchiha Ika, and effortlessly lifting him by the collar. Such was the commanding and domineering nature of Mr. Kratos in days of yore; ordinary jutsu held no sway over him. He had the uncanny ability to withstand low-level jutsu directly on his person without so much as a hint of injury. Even the commonplace Kunai, lacking Chakra attachment, failed to make an impact on his impervious body. It's essential to acknowledge that if it weren't for the Kekkei Genkai, amplifying his strength through the fervent burning of his blood, Mr. Kratos would not have succumbed to the current state of perceived weakness," expounded Hiruzen.

Koharu and Homura, already privy to the legendary feats of Kratos, were left in awe upon hearing these vivid details from Hiruzen.

"Even if Mr. Kratos is limited to a single bout, the implications for us are considerable. With his full exertion, there exists a substantial likelihood that he could rescue the beleaguered Senju clan members, or, at the very least, facilitate their escape from the battlefield. Post such an event, the probability of Mito-Sama recalling all the Senju Clan members is notably high," articulated Koharu.

Hiruzen, positioning himself by the window of the meeting room, gazed out at the bustling streets of Konoha. "There's no cause for undue concern. The unit ensnaring the Senju Clan is under the astute leadership of Chiyo, who is well-acquainted with Mr. Kratos's formidable capabilities. Notably, she presently commands the Ninja Squad, leaving limited room for Mr. Kratos to maneuver. On the contrary, if he manages to inflict substantial damage on the Suna camp, it could prove advantageous for us in Konoha."

Upon assimilating the information about Kratos's extraordinary capabilities, unanimous nods of agreement resonated throughout the occupants of the meeting room.

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Kratos was presently seated on the sturdy back of Gradungr. Unexpectedly, a fit of coughing overcame him, prompting him to reflexively cover his mouth with his hand. When the coughing fit subsided, he examined his palm, revealing faint traces of blood. Despite this disconcerting sight, his face remained stoic, and he nonchalantly wiped the blood onto his pants.

Aware that the passage of time had taken its toll on his strength due to the inevitability of aging, Kratos acknowledged that, even with his current capabilities, he could still muster enough power to liberate the beleaguered Senju Clan. Regrettably, his body resisted the demands of prolonged combat, threatening to betray him with bouts of blood coughing and an accelerated decline in physical prowess. This vulnerability was glaringly evident in his recent skirmish with Uchiha clan members – a seemingly minor confrontation that left him coughing up blood. In the present moment, Kratos felt the exhaustion as if he had engaged in a battle lasting well over an hour.

Gradungr, attuned to Kratos's state, emitted a low growl, manifesting its genuine concern for its master. In response, Kratos offered a reassuring pat on Gradungr's back and uttered, "Do not fret; I can endure. I will not succumb so easily to fate."

After a journey spanning half a day, Kratos arrived at his intended destination, a location divulged to him by the 'Death soldiers' under his command. Before him stretched an expanse of trees, seemingly an ordinary part of the forest. Yet, even without relying on sensory abilities, Kratos astutely discerned the subtle presence of multiple ninjas strategically hidden, lying in wait for an opportunity to ambush him.

Descending from the back of Gradungr, Kratos initiated the 'Area Scanning Technique.' Gradually, the spectral outlines of numerous ninjas came into focus. Expanding the reach of his search with this technique, Kratos endeavoured to pinpoint the exact location of the Senju Clan. His aim was to meticulously plan his course of action, strategically navigate his movements, and craft a methodical approach to rescuing the members of the Senju Clan from their perilous predicament.

Finally, after scanning a distance of two kilometers, Kratos sensed the subtle presence of the Senju Clan members. Until he could ascertain their precise location, his countenance remained serene and collected. However, the moment the realization dawned upon him, his facial expression underwent a stark transformation — an abrupt shift from calmness to an icy resolve, coupled with visible anger. The grim reality revealed itself as he discovered that merely 30 members of the Senju Clan were still clinging to life. Initial information had hinted at the entrapment of a total of 80 Senju clan members, signifying that less than half of their number endured.

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