Chapter 119: Strike While They're Weak, Take Them Down

Manda was an absolute force of destruction on the battlefield. This massive serpent could easily throw the enemy ranks into chaos, creating numerous opportunities for a decisive victory.

"Takuya-sama, we're here to support you!!"

Several Konoha shinobi arrived from the rear. Judging by their appearances, they had already been through intense combat. Some were gasping for breath, clearly drained of chakra and stamina. Others bore injuries but still pushed forward to provide reinforcement.

"..."

Are you all crazy?

Takuya couldn't help but think. Why didn't they retreat at a time like this? Why risk their lives to support me?

Despite his outward annoyance, Takuya felt a warm surge of appreciation. These shinobi didn't know the extent of his strength, yet they risked their lives to support him without hesitation. It was impossible not to feel some gratitude.

But the truth was, Takuya didn't need their help.

"Lead the others to hold the rear. If you find an opening, strike. If not, stay put and watch."

Takuya glanced at Minato, who nodded seriously before sprinting off to relay Takuya's orders to the reinforcements. Charging in now wouldn't be helping Takuya—it would only get in his way.

"Summoning Jutsu!!"

Takuya bit his thumb, swiftly forming the necessary hand seals before slamming his palm against the ground. Without hesitation, he summoned Manda.

Since Orochimaru had claimed he didn't need Manda's assistance, Takuya decided to let Manda clear the battlefield for him. It wasn't time for Snowy to make an appearance yet.

Bang!!

A massive plume of smoke erupted, and Manda's enormous form materialized, crushing numerous trees under its weight. Thick, towering trees that would take several men to encircle were easily flattened by the colossal serpent.

Standing atop Manda's head, Takuya looked down at the Sand shinobi below, their faces twisted in shock. With a grin, he asked, "Manda, there are quite a few enemies today. Are you scared?"

Manda's long tongue flicked out, tasting the air. Then, baring its fangs, it asked, "Master, may I eat them?"

"Eat as you please."

As long as Manda didn't fear being poisoned, Takuya had no objections. Whether Manda decided to devour them or simply kill them, it didn't matter to him. The only rule was that Manda couldn't eat his comrades or their corpses. Apart from that, Takuya didn't care.

This was one of Manda's few remaining pleasures, and Takuya didn't mind indulging it.

"Worms! Are you ready to enter the belly of your lord, Manda?"

Given the green light, Manda's eyes sparkled with excitement. It didn't look at the Sand shinobi as enemies; to Manda, they were nothing more than bite-sized snacks.

With a roar, Manda launched itself like a massive spring, its colossal body hurtling toward the largest concentration of enemies, jaws wide open.

Takuya leaped off Manda's head, landing on a tall tree. From there, he watched from a distance as Manda rampaged through the ranks of the Sand shinobi, chasing them down and snapping them up.

"Follow Manda and seize the opportunity!"

Minato and Nawaki led the others in an assault, closely following behind Manda.

"Manda..."

Just two days ago, Masa had been absolutely certain that the one who could summon Manda had to be Orochimaru.

Masa, who had arrived with reinforcements, watched as Takuya performed the summoning technique and brought forth Manda. His face twisted in an expression that resembled severe constipation, his forehead beaded with a mix of sweat and rain.

He dreaded the thought of what would happen when this news reached Chiyo. What would she do to him after learning that he had brought back false information?

How could this possibly be Orochimaru?

This is clearly Yagami Takuya, the man whom Lord Kazekage despises the most!!

I'm finished, absolutely finished.

Once I return, Lady Chiyo is going to kill me.

"Masa-dono, snap out of it! Manda is coming!!"

A shinobi next to him called out, shaking Masa from his thoughts.

Finished?

No, the real trouble is just beginning!

They had brought hundreds of shinobi to attack Konoha's positions, aiming to create enough chaos to distract Orochimaru. But now, one of the three jōnin had been killed by Takuya, and Masa was one of the remaining two.

Sure, they had numbers, but when it came to facing Manda, that wouldn't be enough. The best way to deal with a massive summoned beast like Manda was through sealing techniques.

But the problem was that their squad didn't include any sealing specialists.

Sealing ninjas were treasured in every village; there was no way they would be sent on a mere diversion or harassment mission.

This left the Sand Village's forces in an awkward position.

They had numbers, but most of them were chūnin. Without a sealing expert and only two remaining jōnin, Manda had free rein to rampage, tearing through their ranks and swallowing enemies whole.

The jutsu they threw at Manda were little more than tickles.

Honestly, unless you had a sealing ninja or an elite jōnin on hand, facing off against a summoned beast like Manda was a futile endeavor.

"Roar!! Get into your lord Manda's belly, worms!"

Manda charged through the battlefield like a high-speed train. Despite its massive size, it moved with incredible agility, weaving through the chaos with ease. While its attacks were simple, they were more than sufficient for Manda's needs.

Its tail, fangs, and massive jaws were all it required to obliterate the enemy.

"Are we still going in?"

The battlefield was in total disarray, the Sand shinobi utterly helpless against Manda. Even though Masa and the other jōnin were doing their best to hold the line, they couldn't stop Manda from indulging in its feast.

"Comrades, the enemy is panicking, overwhelmed by Manda's assault. As their adversaries, what should we do?"

Seeing the hesitation in their ranks, Takuya raised his voice with a commanding shout.

"Finish them!!"

Already swayed by Takuya's influence, Minato reflexively shouted back, "Finish them!!"

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Minato froze.

What the hell am I saying? This is a battlefield! I shouldn't be saying things like that!

It's all Takuya's fault. If not for him, I wouldn't be acting like this.

Finish them...

Shouldn't I have said, 'Slay them all' instead?

But "finish them" had a certain edge to it, and the Konoha shinobi around him couldn't help but join in, looking at one another before echoing the call.

"Finish them!!"

"Finish them off!!"

Stop it, please stop saying that! That was a slip of the tongue!

The future "eternal optimist," the "Yellow Flash," desperately wanted to raise his hand to cover his already reddening face.

"Exactly! Strike while they're weak, take them down! If the Sand Village shinobi dare to attack us, then we'll hit back and finish them!!"

With that, Takuya drew his blade and was the first to charge at the enemy.

Seeing Takuya rush forward, the other shinobi quickly followed suit, drawing their weapons and charging alongside him.

"Attack!!"

"Finish them!!"

"..."

These Konoha shinobi must be insane!!

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