Chapter 123: Shock, Uchiha Akira Takes Down 150 Iwa-nin!?
For closer, more detailed reconnaissance, however, they relied on the Byakugan of Hyuga Hiashi, providing them with real-time updates.
From a distance, Inoichi sensed the large gathering of people in the area. In the desolate wilderness, the chakra of hundreds of ninja clustered together was as noticeable as fireflies in the dark.
As they drew nearer, Hiashi's Byakugan confirmed the situation. Uchiha Akira was being pursued by hundreds of Iwa-nin. More importantly, a quick scan revealed that the number of Iwa-nin had decreased by approximately 30%.
The reduction in numbers was significant and unmistakable.
Hiashi continued to survey the area, his Byakugan piercing through the walls of the earth shelters, where he spotted numerous Iwa-nin corpses.
"From the looks of it, about 30% of the Iwa-nin have been taken out. It seems Akira's been busy," Hiashi reported, his tone calm but his words impactful.
His statement made Kakashi and the others draw a sharp breath.
Thirty percent? That meant around 150 Iwa-nin had been eliminated by Uchiha Akira in his stealth attacks.
This was terrifying.
These weren't ordinary people who had been killed—they were all ninja, and not just any ninja, but the vanguard of the Iwa forces.
"Let's move in and help. There are still over three hundred left. That's a troublesome number, but if that brat managed to take out 30% on his own, we can't let ourselves be outdone by him," Jiraiya said after a moment of thought. He decided that they would take down the remaining Iwa-nin.
"Right!" With Akira, the team captain, currently absent, command naturally fell to Jiraiya. His decision to engage the remaining Iwa-nin was met with nods of agreement from the others.
Though their numbers were small, the morale among the Konoha group was at an all-time high.
This battle, they decided, would be fought head-on.
When the numbers are close, setting traps can be highly effective. But when outnumbered and pressed for time, setting traps against more than three hundred ninja wouldn't have much of an impact.
So, the Konoha team waited along Akira's escape route, preparing for a hard-fought battle.
Although they were determined, everyone knew that today's fight would be grueling.
No one would hold back.
Holding back would only increase the burden on their comrades and could lead to casualties. And if that happened, not only would they be blamed by their comrades, but they would also never forgive themselves.
"Is that...?"
As Uchiha Akira fled at high speed, he noticed several figures lined up ahead after running for a few minutes. A smile spread across his face.
As expected, his guess had been correct—his Konoha comrades had followed him.
In a flash, Akira used the Body Flicker Technique, his speed making him appear as though he was teleporting. Within moments, he was in front of Jiraiya and the others.
"You made it!" Akira greeted them.
Although they hadn't planned it in advance, Akira wasn't surprised by their arrival.
"Attack when the enemy is exhausted. We couldn't miss this," Jiraiya replied.
There was an unspoken understanding between them—no need for many words. That brief exchange was all they needed to be on the same page.
Seeing Akira reunite with Jiraiya and the others, Kitsuchi's group of Iwa-nin stopped as well. They tightened their formation, eyes focused intently on the Konoha lineup.
"Jiraiya of the Sannin?"
"The Copy Ninja Kakashi?"
"The Hyuga Clan leader?"
"And the Ino-Shika-Cho trio?"
"And finally..."
Kitsuchi's eyes swept over Jiraiya and his group, pausing briefly on Naruto Uzumaki and Might Guy. "Wait... These are some of Konoha's top shinobi!"
"No wonder... No wonder that night when twenty elite ninjas were sent to kill Uchiha Akira, not a single one returned," Kitsuchi thought, both shocked and suddenly enlightened.
Jiraiya's reputation alone carried weight in Kitsuchi's mind.
The only ones who didn't seem to fit were Might Guy and Naruto Uzumaki, whom Kitsuchi mentally placed in the "others" category.
"So, this is Konoha's lineup—mostly renowned shinobi from across the ninja world. But don't think you can take on my five hundred men with just a handful of elites," Kitsuchi said, addressing Jiraiya.
Despite the reputation of the others, Kitsuchi still believed Jiraiya's presence was the most significant threat.
"Mostly renowned shinobi... It seems I'm not counted among the 'mostly,'" Might Guy thought to himself, feeling slightly overlooked but accepting it without complaint.
"Three hundred," Akira interjected before Jiraiya could respond.
This was a reminder to Kitsuchi that they no longer had five hundred men—only a little over three hundred.
Akira's words were both a sharp sting and a deeper insult.
The proud vanguard of five hundred Iwa-nin had been played by Uchiha Akira, who had single-handedly killed over a hundred of them.
If word of today's events spread, the entire Iwa Village would become a laughingstock in the ninja world.
"Today, none of you are leaving here alive!" Kitsuchi declared, his voice filled with anger.
Though Akira had embarrassed them, the group before him represented the heart of Konoha. If they could eliminate these key figures, Konoha would be left defenseless.
At that moment, Kitsuchi resolved to kill everyone present, leaving no survivors.
Regrettably, they were too far from the main base. If only they could summon reinforcements from the remaining Iwa-nin, victory would be assured.
With the exchange complete, Akira turned to Naruto and said, "Naruto, care to say a few words?"
If they wanted to engage in a battle of words, Akira knew Naruto was their secret weapon. Naruto's ability to talk his opponents into submission was unrivaled.
"Um, Akira, I'm not really good with words," Naruto replied, scratching his head sheepishly, his usual straightforward demeanor shining through.
"I'm not buying that!" Akira thought to himself, rolling his eyes internally at Naruto's response.
But with Naruto refusing to take the lead, Akira knew he had to step up himself.
Turning back to Kitsuchi, Akira spoke with confidence. "Talk is cheap. Today, all three hundred of you leftovers are staying right here!"
The term "leftovers" was like a lit match thrown into a barrel of gasoline.
After days of being harassed by Akira and losing over a hundred comrades to his stealth attacks, the remaining Iwa-nin were furious.
"Kill him! Make him suffer!" Kitsuchi roared, no longer interested in exchanging words.
In an instant, the Iwa-nin surged forward with a unified battle cry, launching a full-scale attack on Akira and his team.
"All out! Give it everything you've got!" Jiraiya shouted in response.
With such a disparity in numbers, holding back was not an option.
Jiraiya bit his thumb, slamming his hand to the ground as he performed the Summoning Jutsu. A massive purple-red toad appeared, holding a huge spiked club in one hand and a giant shield in the other—Gamaken, one of the top toads of Mount Myoboku.
At almost the same time, Naruto followed suit, summoning the mighty Gamabunta.
These two colossal toads, standing like mountains, radiated overwhelming power.
In terms of raw strength, these toads were on par with the Tailed Beasts, each possessing the destructive power of a Kage-level combatant.
Once summoned, the two toads immediately joined the battle.
Gamaken, with his weapon and shield, was clearly a close-combat specialist.
Gamabunta, with a short sword hanging from his waist, was equally formidable. Although the sword seemed small on his massive frame, to a human, it was as tall as a multi-story building.
Might Guy wasted no time either. Taking a deep breath, he opened the Sixth Gate of the Eight Gates and launched into the sky, unleashing the Morning Peacock—a wide-range attack that sent flaming projectiles raining down on the Iwa-nin like a meteor shower.
Hiashi's Gentle Fist technique flowed smoothly, each strike precise and devastating. Every time he struck an opponent, their chakra points were sealed, rendering them almost helpless. His techniques weren't flashy, but they were incredibly effective.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio worked in perfect harmony, their combination attacks devastating their enemies.
Kakashi, the Copy Ninja, effortlessly switched between Fire, Water, Earth, Lightning, and even Wind Release techniques. His mastery of all five nature transformations was on full display.
Akira, having opened the Sixth Gate, felt his already vast chakra reserves surge even higher. Like a tiger among sheep, he dove into the midst of the Iwa-nin, cutting them down with ruthless efficiency.
Though the Konoha forces were outnumbered, their morale was sky-high, and they seemed to be turning the tide against the Iwa-nin.
In terms of numbers, the Konoha forces were clearly at a disadvantage. However, in terms of sheer fighting spirit, Konoha was now pressuring the Iwa-nin.