Chapter 168

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When Yoichi started his attack, Ichikishimahime let go and floated outside to hide.

Otherwise, with Yoichi's body wrapped in Lightning Release Chakra, she would be completely paralyzed by the electricity.

"Earth Release..."

With a puff, Yoichi's blade pierced the heart of an Iwagakure ninja, followed by a surge of lightning, sending the ninja straight to hell.

Another Iwagakure ninja had already started to use a jutsu, which would take time to chase.

Wood Clone!

Yoichi created four wood clones. One wood clone using Lightning Release Chakra Mode charged directly at the Iwagakure ninja, continuously killing them with speed and sharp blade techniques.

Meanwhile, Yoichi and three other wood clones used Earth Release to burrow underground, reaching the four corners around the Iwagakure camp.

The large Iwagakure camp was already in chaos. Under Kitsuchi's leadership, many Iwagakure ninjas gathered, preparing to encircle and kill Yoichi's wood clone.

This just made it easier for Yoichi's next jutsu. He and the three wood clones formed hand seals simultaneously, causing the ground to shake violently.

"Mokuton: Jukai Kōtan!"

A vast, dense forest erupted from the ground, surging towards the center of the Iwagakure camp from the four corners.

"It's Mokuton! Attack with jutsu and explosive tags to fend it off!"

Kitsuchi shouted in panic, quickly forming hand seals, "Earth Release: Earth Spears!"

He knew that Earth Release defenses couldn't withstand Mokuton. Only offensive jutsu breaking the giant trees could stop the attack.

After he used his jutsu, the ground erupted with sharp stone spears, extending nearly a hundred meters forward, clashing with Jukai Kōtan.

However, after only a few seconds, the Earth Spears were shredded by Jukai Kōtan.

"Earth Release: Rock Staff!"

"Earth Release: Rock Pillars!"

"Earth Release: Stone Dragon!"

Numerous Earth Release jutsu and explosive tags were thrown at the massive tree roots, but their counterattacks only slightly slowed the assault. Earth Release jutsu were less effective than explosive tags in halting the trees.

Soon, Jukai Kōtan forced the Iwagakure ninjas to scatter.

At this moment, Yoichi sensed a large number of Hidden Cloud ninjas approaching, especially one moving at high speed.

In the next second, Yoichi created several more wood clones to continue killing Iwagakure ninjas, while his main body wrapped in Lightning Release Chakra, sped towards the direction of the incoming threat.

However, after just a few hundred meters, Yoichi was intercepted by a group of Hidden Cloud ninjas.

"It's Konoha's Lightning Fang! He's here!"

A Hidden Cloud ninja shouted, just as the others were preparing to release their jutsu. They suddenly saw a white-haired girl appear, flying towards Yoichi and hugging him before they both vanished.

"Disappeared?"

"Where is he? Sensor ninja!"

"Moei-senpai, I've used my sensing jutsu, but I can't detect anyone ahead!"

"Damn it, bombard the area with jutsu!"

Under the command of the Hidden Cloud's Moei, numerous jutsu and a barrage of explosive tags and shuriken blanketed the area, not even sparing an ant.

After two rounds of bombardment, there was still no sign of Konoha's Lightning Fang.

"Where is he?"

Moei asked, eyes wide. The sensor ninja quickly responded, "Moei-senpai, I can't sense Lightning Fang's presence. He might have already..."

"A!"

A figure surrounded by lightning appeared, emanating a furious aura, immediately asking, "Where is Lightning Fang?"

Moei quickly reported, "A-sama, we had intercepted Lightning Fang here, but a white-haired girl suddenly appeared, hugged him, and they disappeared. I ordered a jutsu bombardment, but there was no sign of Lightning Fang."

Hearing this, A's anger grew even more intense.

In the middle of the night, this bastard infiltrated, caused havoc, and left unscathed?

"There must be someone assisting nearby. Form teams of twenty and search! Signal upon discovery!"

A ordered angrily, and the surrounding Hidden Cloud ninjas responded in unison, "Yes, A-sama."

They quickly split into three teams, dispersing in three directions to search.

Meanwhile, in the Iwagakure camp, the Mokuton forest gradually stopped as Yoichi's wood clones ran out of chakra and were defeated by the arriving Hidden Cloud ninjas.

Only the last wood clone was cornered by Kitsuchi and the Iwagakure ninjas. The clone spat fiercely and pretended to be unwilling, "Not the Eight-Tails' location, guess Killer B got lucky!"

"What did you say?"

Kitsuchi was filled with questions but had no time to react before Yoichi's wood clone turned into a wooden sculpture as its chakra depleted.

"Damn it!"

An enraged Kitsuchi kicked the wooden sculpture to pieces and quickly ordered, "Rescue the injured!"

The surrounding massive tree roots from Jukai Kōtan had forced them to scatter and escape. With Lightning Fang killing them, Kitsuchi had no choice but to first deal with Yoichi's wood clones.

Moreover, Yoichi's last words left Kitsuchi feeling uneasy.

Was Lightning Fang after the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki? It made sense since a Jinchuriki posed the greatest threat on the battlefield. Without a Jinchuriki, the war would be prolonged; Lightning Fang's strength might even drive them out of the Land of Fire.

But why was he searching the Iwagakure camp for the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki? Did he interrogate the Hidden Cloud? With his Mangekyō Sharingan, did the Hidden Cloud mislead Konoha's ninjas, saying Killer B was resting in their camp, to lure Konoha into attacking them?

The Hidden Cloud might not know if Konoha's ninjas would infiltrate, but they could have given false information to reduce the Eight-Tails' risk. If Konoha's ninjas didn't come, nothing would happen. 'Is this the Hidden Cloud's strategy?'

Kitsuchi clenched his fists in fury; this was only his personal speculation, but Yoichi's expression and their newly built camp, with their own patrols outside, raised doubts.

"Kitsuchi-sama..."

An Iwagakure ninja approached, solemnly reporting, "Three patrol teams lost one, and we have fifteen survivors."

"How many?"

Kitsuchi nearly fainted hearing this.

They had sixty-six people in total, now only fifteen were left. This one attack had cost them nearly fifty lives?

"Konoha's Lightning Fang!"

Kitsuchi's anger almost made him bite his tongue off. Bringing Iwagakure's elite to aid the Hidden Cloud, with Han and Roshi dead on the battlefield, and now losing so many elite ninjas to Lightning Fang.

The losses were severe.

And the Hidden Cloud's actions, with such heavy casualties, they were still in the Hidden Cloud's territory. Kitsuchi couldn't investigate. Soon, A returned after the fruitless pursuit, feeling uneasy seeing only a dozen Iwagakure ninjas, he quickly asked, "Kitsuchi-san, what about the other Iwagakure friends?"

"We will return to the Land of Earth tomorrow. This operation ends here."

Kitsuchi said, ordering the remaining Iwagakure ninjas to gather the bodies and take them back. Ninja corpses were valuable, containing chakra pathways and residual chakra, useful for studying jutsu.

Those capable would always retrieve their village's ninja corpses. Only in situations like Konoha's earlier defeat, where they couldn't take the bodies, would they be left behind.

"Kitsuchi..."

A wanted to call out but didn't know what to say. Iwagakure had already sacrificed a lot for this war, with over sixty ninjas reduced to so few.

If he forced Kitsuchi to stay, they would fall out with Iwagakure. If Kitsuchi returned, what would his father do? 'Must inform Father to find a way to return quickly!'

A felt a hostility from Kitsuchi. Though Lightning Fang attacked Iwagakure, it had nothing to do with the Hidden Cloud.

On the other side.

Yoichi, held by Ichikishimahime, flew out of the Hidden Cloud camp, avoiding the Hidden Cloud's jutsu.

Yamanaka Kenji and Hyuga Shinichi had burrowed into the summoning snake's belly, escaping underground.

"See, human, our Ryuchi Cave's power? Walking boldly before humans, undetected..."

"I saw clearly, your Sage Jutsu is useless against dojutsu."

Yoichi's words choked Ichikishimahime, who glared at him and continued, "You promised to owe me a favor. I want it now."

"Wait until we're safe. I won't go back on my word. Why rush?"

Yoichi cut her off. This little snake girl clung too tightly, with a soft pressure against him, and wrapped around him like a snake.

Moreover, she smelled nice, oddly enough. After Ichikishimahime dropped him by Orochimaru, she floated triumphantly beside Yoichi, "Now, my favor. I want to suck your... wait, why are you forming seals?"

"I'll repay next time. Contract dismissed!"

Yoichi ended the summoning, sending Ichikishimahime back, avoiding repaying a summoning beast in front of others, which would be embarrassing.

Orochimaru asked, "Yoichi-kun, how did it go?"

"Smoothly. Only a fifth of the Iwagakure ninjas survived. I subtly sowed discord between Iwagakure and the Hidden Cloud before my clone dissipated. Let's see if they believe it."

"The mission's a success. Iwagakure won't be seen on this battlefield. Whether they distrust the Hidden Cloud is up to luck."

Orochimaru smiled, acknowledging that human nature was unpredictable. This outcome exceeded expectations.

Truly, Lightning Fang hadn't failed a mission!

The four returned to the Konoha camp, arriving at dawn.

Tsunade, Sakumo, and Homura had waited all night. Sakumo was ready for battle, supported by Tsunade, but opposed by Homura.

"The mission was a success. Iwagakure ninjas won't be seen here again."

Yoichi reported, shocking everyone, especially Homura.

Infiltrating nearly three thousand strong camp, killing dozens of Iwagakure ninjas, and returning unscathed.

All this, accomplished solo by Yoichi! Ichikishimahime was considered part of his strength, being summoned meant part of his power.

Homura couldn't comprehend Yoichi's growing power. Even during Konoha's defeat, Yoichi hadn't lost, killing two perfect Jinchuriki before leaving.

Infiltrating a thousand-strong camp, killing dozens, and escaping unharmed.

No failed missions, scaring Hidden Cloud ninjas into fleeing at his sight. If he competed for Hokage, what would Hiruzen do? Homura pondered the village's internal situation, as battlefield conditions improved; Yoichi's youth was his only weakness.

He needed to discuss this with Hiruzen, as letting a militaristic Uchiha become Hokage would betray Tobirama-sensei's will.

Sakumo, oblivious to Homura's thoughts, said, "Good work, Yoichi-kun, Orochimaru. Rest now, I'll handle the rest."

Despite handing command to Homura due to injuries, Sakumo couldn't relax, burdened with concerns.

"Leave it to you, Sakumo-senpai."

Yoichi smiled at Tsunade before leaving, making her slightly annoyed, excusing herself to rest.

Orochimaru watched her leave, guessing Jiraiya wouldn't stand a chance. Mixed with toads, if he heard, he'd drink himself silly.

(End of Chapter)