Chapter 22 : Retreat

Zanku suppressed his sorrow, glanced at his fallen comrade, and trailed behind the squad leader towards the western direction.

After a gradual journey, they reached the west and took cover behind rocks and trees to fend off the attacks.

The shinobi from the Uzumaki clan deliberately unleashed water jutsu against the mist shinobi.

Their ruse gave off an air of danger without causing significant casualties. The Uzumaki shinobi waited for the right moment to show their true might.

Kimura surveyed his comrades and successfully made his way to the western area.

"As one!"

With a resounding shout, the Mist Shinobi nearby stepped forward in unison.

"Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu!" (Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique)

Together, they unleashed their ninjutsu, disregarding Chakra conservation and channelling their full strength into the technique.

The waterfalls converged, forming a powerful super waterfall that surged toward the Uzumaki ninjas.

The cascading water had immense force, surpassing the standard waterfall technique in scale and power.

Trees and boulders were shattered in its path.

"Fall back!!"

Observing this sight, the Uzumaki ninjas quickly signalled for retreat.

The pursuing ninjas were well-prepared and withdrew promptly.

Meanwhile, Uzumaki Kazuhiko, the elders, and others observed the scene from a distance.

They watched in silence, questioning whether their intervention was necessary if such battles were handled effectively.

After some time, they successfully drove the Mist Shinobi into the western coastline.

Indeed, they had deliberately exposed their vulnerabilities and lured the Mist Shinobi to that location.

Seeing the flawless coordination, Kazuhiko felt a sense of relief.

After a while, a Jōnin approached – the same Jōnin from the Uzumaki who had shouted earlier.

"Kazuhiko-sama, we've executed your plan. Eight Mist Shinobi were taken out this time, and they've retreated to the western coast."

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Kazuhiko nodded. "Chosuke, you performed admirably. Were there any casualties?"

With a limited number of people, they couldn't afford any unnecessary losses.

Uzumaki Chosuke smiled contentedly. "As per your instructions, we were cautious. Many of them were using Shadow Clones. There are only five or six injuries, and a couple of days' rest will suffice. Thankfully, no one died."

"That's good! Jōnin Chosuke, see to the wounded first, and the rest should continue their intermittent harassment. They must not be allowed to rest comfortably."

Kazuhiko nodded approvingly and issued a new directive.

"Remember, utilize Shadow Clones whenever possible. Our safety takes precedence. Also, be mindful of the detonator's explosion point – it must not be neglected during the detonation!"

"Understood. There won't be any mishaps, Kazuhiko-sama. Rest assured."

With his response, Uzumaki Chosuke left the scene, where his companions were still awaiting updates.

He had to hurry to strategize anew. Moreover, he had multiple tactics in mind for gradually wearing down the Mist Shinobi through this kind of harassing approach.

"Be patient, everyone!"

As he watched Chosuke depart, Kazuhiko turned to Elder Uzumaki Hideno and inquired, "How is Elder Kazuki doing? Can he sense the Mist Shinobi's forces? By now, their main force should have reached the Land of Whirlpools's waters."

Uzumaki Kazuki closed his eyes to sense once more.

After a brief moment, he opened his eyes. "Kazuhiko-sama, I've sensed it."

"As expected, the bulk of the Mist Shinobi's forces are trailing behind. It won't be long before they enter our waters."

"Their pace suggests they'll likely arrive early tomorrow morning."

Upon hearing Elder Kazuki's assessment, a palpable tension gripped those present. They understood that the true trial was on the horizon.

"Everyone, the true battle is impending. Let us all be prepared!"

"The residents of the current Uzumaki clan have been relocated."

"The onus is now upon us!"

Having received this information the day before, they'd engaged in street battles to deter the enemy's incursion into the Land of Whirlpools.

During this time, the Uzushiogakure shinobi had remained constrained.

Thus, the people of the entire Land of Whirlpools were dispersed among various concealed shelters.

These shelters were discreet and easily concealed. More importantly, they were situated far from the battlefield, ensuring their safety.

Combatants were positioned in readiness, poised to strike at a moment's notice. They had the advantage of terrain and the power of Shadow Clones.

The ignition and detonation of the explosive devices were entrusted to the Shadow Clones, as the intense pain accompanying these actions was better suited for them.

This way, the pain wouldn't hinder their combat effectiveness during battle.

Kazuhiko gazed down at the Mist Shinobi who believed they'd escaped danger.

He studied them as they cautiously observed the distant Uzumaki clan members.

In a rotation, they dispatched shinobi to launch Suiton jutsu at the Uzumaki in the distance. They would then swap out fatigued shinobi for fresh ones.

This pattern persisted for several rounds until they observed the Mist Shinobi gradually withdrawing.

"Hu... hu... hu, Captain, why did they retreat?"

A few shinobi collapsed due to the chakra spent on those massive jutsu releases.

Only a handful remained vigilant.

"Perhaps they've realized they're ineffective. They might be waiting for reinforcement!"

"Don't be swayed by their numbers. In reality, our losses have been limited, and their high-ranking fighters are few!"

Kimura mulled over the situation and found a plausible explanation.

"So they're likely seeking more powerful shinobi, but let's not fret."

"Our main forces are arriving soon. We'll pursue and eliminate them then!"

With a smirk, Kimura added, "It's going to be quite the spectacle!"

"That's right!"

"Let's show these Uzumaki shinobi what we're made of!"

"We'll avenge Chikamasa!"

Their spirits lifted as they shared their determination.