Chapter 210: Hozuki Clan... Attack Soma!

[Task Complete!] 

[Do you want to leave the instance?] 

"Yes!"

Returning to Forging Island.

Soma examined the two bull horns in front of him.

Daida had already left.

The Third Mizukage was in a state of deep sleep.

Soma took out the Blueprint.

"Thunder God's Rage… The Blueprint only contains two parts for the gauntlets."

"The core lies in these two bull horns."

"The rest of the materials will need to be provided by me."

"It's not a big problem."

"Thunder God's Rage isn't a ninja tool that requires close-range collisions."

"Moreover, the material of these bull horns is very tough."

"Additionally…"

Soma picked up one of the bull horns.

"The entire bull horn contains the power of lightning."

"The center is the most concentrated."

"But even the edge fragments have some lightning power."

"It's considered special material."

Soma's eyebrows slightly twitched.

"This is the first time there are extra materials remaining."

"Is it because of the blue Blueprint?"

For a while, Soma couldn't think of what to do with these edge fragments.

Creating a ninja tool with them would reduce its strength.

As auxiliary materials, Soma didn't have other suitable main materials for crafting ninja tools.

It wasn't needed for Thunder God's Rage.

"I'll keep them for now."

Soma took a sharp blade and began processing the bull horns.

Carefully and slowly, he started to dismantle them.

Before long, two orange-yellow round rods appeared in front of Soma.

Occasionally, they flickered with lightning.

Soma placed the edge fragments into the Garden Box.

"Begin simulation!"

Soma entered the forging room.

...

...

Danzo looked at the "unestablished" Minato with a slightly disdainful expression.

"Minato is ultimately still too inexperienced."

"Hiruzen shouldn't have given the Hokage position to Minato."

"I am still a better candidate."

"Just look at the current situation."

"Minato is unable to handle Hoshigaki Kisame and Fuguki Suikazan."

"It still relies on me."

At this moment, a figure hurriedly approached, looking flustered.

"Danzo-sama."

"What's the matter? Why are you so flustered?"

"Danzo-sama, it's bad news. The team led by Tatsuma-san has been defeated, almost completely wiped out. A member of the Shinigami Squad was hiding among the Mist Ninjas, and Tatsuma-san was killed on the spot."

Danzo's expression instantly froze.

"What did you say?"

"Danzo-sama, Tatsuma-san is dead."

The Root Ninja bowed his head.

Danzo's face turned very ugly.

Just moments ago, Danzo had been smug.

His strategy and Minato's performance had starkly contrasted.

Danzo hadn't expected any surprises from Aburame Tatsuma's actions.

After all, most of the powerful ninjas from the Mist Village were on the front lines.

Fuguki Suikazan, Kurosuki Raiga, Hoshigaki Kisame, Ameyuri Ringo...

"Is there actually a hidden ninja and Zanpakuto?"

"Who is that ninja?"

"What kind of Zanpakuto is it?"

The Root Ninja shook his head.

"We don't know. Our people haven't seen that ninja, and there was no information about them in the Hidden Mist Village reports."

"And the Zanpakuto should be an ice-type Zanpakuto, similar to the Blue Rose Sword."

Danzo's heart sank to the bottom.

Not only was it a failure of a single operation.

It was also because Aburame Tatsuma was one of Danzo's key commanders.

He was especially skilled in infiltration.

In Danzo's previous operations, Tatsuma had played a very effective role.

But now, he had been killed so suddenly.

Additionally, the appearance of Cold Dome made Danzo uncertain about how many more Zanpakuto were hidden within the Hidden Mist Village.

"That Hidden Mist Village has protected that Great Blacksmith too well."

Danzo had not only tried to obtain information on Soma, he n reality had made many attempts.

But all had ended in failure.

He only knew Soma's name.

He had no idea about Soma's appearance, strength, or the details of the nearby guard team.

"Soma!"

Two days later, Mashiro arrived at the front lines.

Danzo finally learned the name of the ninja who killed his prized commander and the abilities she possessed.

"Mashiro!"

"The Zanpakuto she wields is named Cold Dome."

"It's an Ice Blade."

Facing the attack from the Konoha Ninjas, Mashiro raised her Ninjato.

"Bite, Cold Dome!"

An ice dragon appeared and launched an attack against the Konoha Ninjas.

Compared to her own Ice Release abilities, Mashiro found that using Chakra to activate Cold Dome resulted in higher lethality.

The ice dragon could act autonomously or under Mashiro's control.

Moreover, she didn't need to be close.

It could threaten the enemy from a distance.

Additionally, the ice dragon's attack power was very strong, like a killer with an inherent bloodthirsty instinct.

As for defense, it was also impressive.

Once a section was damaged, she could replenish it with Chakra to restore it.

Mashiro herself stood with other Mist Ninjas.

No Konoha Ninja could threaten Mashiro.

The ice dragon used by Mashiro was like a Summon Beast.

And it was an unafraid Summon Beast.

"So disgusting!"

"The ability of this Zanpakuto is just too disgusting."

"After fighting for so long, we're just battling a Puppet."

"We can't threaten that woman at all."

"It's not a turtle shell, but it's even more disgusting."

"Too cowardly."

The Konoha Ninjas glared angrily at Mashiro.

The behavior of hiding behind a safe zone and relying entirely on the ice dragon to deal damage was considered disgraceful by the Konoha Ninjas.

"Why don't you come out?"

"Dare to fight face to face?"

However, because Mashiro is a female ninja, the ninja world is more lenient towards her fighting style.

If Mashiro were a male ninja, there would be even more criticism.

Even within the Hidden Mist Village, some might find Mashiro's tactics too "sneaky."

"Mashiro, don't let them affect you."

"I understand."

Mashiro tightened her grip on Cold Dome.

Mashiro had no desire for competitiveness. The reason she volunteered to come to the front lines early was partly to repay Soma's trust in her.

Another reason was to avenge the Mist Ninjas who sacrificed their lives to protect her.

Mashiro completely ignored the Konoha Ninjas' insults.

"Mashiro, coordinate with me."

Ameyuri moved closer to Mashiro.

"What should I do?"

"Focus on control, leave the rest to me."

Ice Release is a highly practical Ninjutsu.

Not only is it extremely lethal, but it also has significant advantages in terms of control.

The chilling effect makes it harder for the opponent to move.

Once a part of the opponent's body is frozen, their mobility is severely restricted.

Previously, Ameyuri had teamed up with Juzo when facing the Sand Army.

Juzo would control the opponents.

Then Ameyuri would move in.

Once Nikkari Ao'e hit, it would be all Ameyuri's turn.

Killing opponents with superior overall strength wasn't difficult.

Since Ameyuri arrived on the more intense Konoha battlefield. Ameyuri wanted to kill more Hyuga Clan members and take revenge on the Hyuga.

There was no opportunity to coordinate with "Ice Release."

But now that Mashiro is present, she can coordinate with Ameyuri.

The ice dragon rampaged.

The Konoha Ninjas didn't want to engage with the ice dragon, as winning would be meaningless.

The cold aura spread outwards, enveloping a small area nearby.

The Konoha Ninjas' movements instantly became rigid.

Then, "Water Release, Water Whip Jutsu!"

In Ameyuri's hand, a long whip of condensed water wrapped around a Konoha Ninja.

"Lightning Release, Lightning Whip!"

The moment the Water Whip wrapped around, Ameyuri used Lightning Whip.

Immediately, lightning surged into the Konoha Ninja's body.

The Konoha Ninja froze.

Ameyuri took the opportunity to close in.

"Pfft!"

Nikkari Ao'e's blade cut a wound into the Konoha Ninja.

With this, the outcome of the battle was no longer in doubt.

After killing this Konoha Ninja, Ameyuri targeted another one.

It was like a microcosm of the entire battlefield.

Even with Minato's support, the Konoha forces still did not gain an advantage against the Mist Army.

A single Minato cannot match the combined presence of Jiraiya and Orochimaru.

Moreover, the Mist Army has grown stronger.

Unable to gain an advantage against the Mist Army, Minato shifted his position to face the Hidden Cloud Army.

"Jiraiya-sensei."

"Minato…"

Jiraiya noticed the other Konoha Ninjas nearby and changed his address.

"Hokage-sama."

"How is the situation with the Mist Army?"

Minato shook his head.

"It's not good."

"There's no way to break through there."

Jiraiya's heart sank.

"It's probably even harder here."

Jiraiya's face was filled with fatigue.

Facing the Hidden Cloud Army, the Konoha forces are at a severe disadvantage. The fact that they are still holding on is almost entirely due to his own overexertion, and he was nearing his limit.

"What about Orochimaru?"

Jiraiya asked.

Minato shook his head again.

"Orochimaru-san's situation is the worst among the three directions. If it weren't for the deal I made with the Hidden Sand Village, causing them to distract the Hidden Rock Army, the situation would likely have collapsed entirely by now."

Jiraiya frowned.

"With Orochimaru's strength and abilities, it shouldn't be like this."

Minato remained silent.

"Never mind, let's not talk about Orochimaru."

Jiraiya said, "Since you're here, I'll fight alongside you one more time."

"We can't just lose like this."

"After all, we are Konoha!"

"Back in the day, these ninja villages were no match for us."

"And they still won't be now."

"We can win!"

Jiraiya stood up.

The two headed towards the direction of the Hidden Cloud Army.

As Jiraiya walked, he adjusted his condition to the best he could.

The crowd's gaze turned towards them.

Despite the confident smiles on Jiraiya's and Minato's faces, many Konoha Ninjas saw an air of desolation about them.

It was as if the two were heading forward, fully aware that victory was unlikely, yet proceeding with unwavering resolve.

"Kill!"

"Fight!"

"We Konoha will never admit defeat!"

Jiraiya and Minato charged forward.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

"Flying Thunder God Jutsu!"

One person plunged into the midst of thousands of troops, unyielding.

The Konoha Ninjas were inspired, their emotions becoming fervent.

Their already exhausted bodies found new strength.

"Attack together!"

"Kill all Hidden Cloud Ninjas!"

"Protect Konoha!"

"We Konoha, must win!"

A more brutal battle erupted on the battlefield, with Hidden Cloud Ninjas momentarily unprepared, not expecting that the nearly defeated Konoha Ninjas could still unleash such power.

But soon, the Hidden Cloud Ninjas realized this was merely Konoha's "last flicker of light."

"This is just Konoha's dying struggle."

"A final flurry before death!"

"Pointless resistance."

"Suppress them!"

The grand battle lasted for two days and nights.

The war ended.

In the face of overwhelming odds, Jiraiya and Minato had fought with all their might.

However, they still couldn't defy the odds.

The Konoha army was defeated.

The battlefield was left with countless casualties.

Jiraiya and Minato were in the depths of despair.

There was great unwillingness, but no way forward.

They had to retreat.

The armies on all three fronts were significantly pulling back.

A figure stood on high ground, looking towards the Hokage Rock.

"Konoha fell faster than I expected."

"From the looks of it, Konoha seems to be contemplating surrender."

"Offering compensation to exchange for peace."

"But I cannot let the Third Great Ninja War end like this."

"I'll start with Hidden Mist Village first."

An invisible vortex appeared, and Uchiha Obito's figure vanished.

Soon after, Uchiha Obito arrived at the Hidden Mist Village.

Hozuki Island.

Hozuki Kazuhiko's study.

Uchiha Obito frowned.

"Still haven't gained Soma's trust?"

"Such a waste."

"Since that's the case, let's not worry about it."

"Mobilize the elite ninjas of the Hozuki Clan and launch a surprise attack on Forging Island."

"Now is the best opportunity."

"The elite ninjas of Hidden Mist Village are all on the front lines."

"Gather the strength of the Hozuki Clan and kill Soma."

"Even though the intelligence is a bit lacking."

"Still, we should be able to kill Soma."

"The Hozuki Clan shouldn't be that useless."

Obito issued the command to Hozuki Kazuhiko.

"Yes sir."

Once Obito had left, Hozuki Kazuhiko immediately summoned the more radical members of the clan.

"Everyone!"

Hozuki Kazuhiko looked around.

"I'm about to announce a very significant decision."

"It concerns the future of our entire Hozuki Clan."

"Please listen carefully."

"I've decided to launch a surprise attack on Chief Soma at the Forging Department."

"From now on, all the members of the Hozuki Clan present will participate together."

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