Trap

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"Fire Release: Impatiens Claw Red!"

Muzan combined the Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu with shuriken, using them as carriers. Under the intense heat, the shuriken exploded into fiery sparks, increasing the damage range and forcing the advancing Kumo ninja to halt.

Motoi, having just regained his composure, eyed the sparks sputtering around him. As he prepared to use Lightning Release once more, he saw Muzan rapidly forming new hand seals.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Though the sparks alone couldn't kill, they left painful burns where they landed. Some of the Kumo ninja had their clothing ignited and, in their desperation, leaped into the nearby water to douse the flames.

In the blink of an eye, Muzan vanished from the encirclement.

"Damn it, Muzan's escaped! What a bunch of failures. Move! After him, now!"

Since Muzan was part of the rear guard, most of the Kumo ninjas followed their jōnin's orders and pursued along the predetermined route.

Muzan glanced at the distant figures, calculating his next move. He had no intention of passing through the Konoha camp, knowing full well that many Kumo ninjas were converging there. A head-on collision would mean facing attacks from both the front and rear, with the added risk of the explosive tags planted within the camp.

Even though Muzan wasn't afraid of death, he had no desire to emerge from an explosion in tatters.

"Consider yourselves lucky. If the main force were pursuing us, you'd be part of today's fireworks show."

Muzan's escape route led through a trap-laden field of kunai they had prepared in advance. The traps wouldn't be life-threatening to Motoi, but they would certainly slow him down.

Muzan quickly passed through the trap, and by the time Motoi and his men arrived, Muzan was long gone.

"Curse it all! We've been duped!"

Covered in mud, Motoi surveyed the hidden weapons around him. He ordered his men to retreat and regroup with the main force.

Meanwhile, the Kumo army, led by Killer B and A, watched as Hatake Sakumo began to withdraw. They didn't give immediate chase, recognizing the risk in attempting to kill Konoha's White Fang, especially with the support of the Ino–Shika–Chō formation. Even with their combined strength, taking them down was nearly impossible.

Following Dodai's guidance, they chose to regroup with the main force, aiming to overwhelm and annihilate Konoha's retreating troops.

Their goal was to wipe out Konoha's active forces entirely.

Some Konoha ninjas, lagging behind the main retreat, were caught and killed. Although taking prisoners would have been preferable, the rapidly changing battlefield left little room for such luxuries. To avoid risking the larger objective, the Kumo forces executed any captured Konoha ninja on the spot.

The slower runners were effectively abandoned, and Konoha's main forces aimed to retreat through the camp, where they planned to clash with the Kumo forces on the outskirts, throwing off their enemy's judgment.

After layers of strategic deception, the overconfident Kumo ninja were blinded by their impending victory. Each one was eager to claim glory and reap the rewards of war.

"Kill! The Konoha camp is right ahead, slaughter every last one of them!"

"These lands will be ours from now on! Charge and take them all!"

"Quickly, follow us! We've breached their defenses, and the rest is ours! Everything inside belongs to us now!"

To make the scene more convincing, Konoha had left most of their supplies in the camp, taking only the rations they needed. Following Muzan's strategy, they were prepared to sacrifice both land and people if it meant minimizing Konoha's losses in this war. If they could deliver a significant blow to the Kumo forces, Kumogakure would no longer be a threat.

Aburame Koji, who was in charge of the camp, watched as his comrades fell one after another. He clenched his fists in frustration.

"Everyone, abandon the Konoha camp! Evacuate immediately!"

To ensure the message reached everyone, Aburame Koji used his insects to transmit vibrations. Though the signal was slightly distorted, it carried far enough to alert the others. Konoha seemed to be on the verge of collapse, leaving many in disbelief.

"Secret Technique: Insect Tornado!"

A massive swarm of insects engulfed the camp, temporarily halting the Kumo ninja's advance.

Konoha's defeat seemed inevitable. The facts were undeniable.

"Everyone, follow me and retreat!"

Many Konoha ninjas gritted their teeth as they looked at the advancing Kumo forces. But orders were orders, and they had to be followed.

Regardless of the supplies or injured comrades left behind, anyone who could move was ordered to evacuate immediately.

More than a dozen elite jōnin surrounded Aburame Koji, coordinating their efforts to slow the enemy's progress.

As long as Muzan's plan succeeded, the Konoha camp would become a tomb for the Kumo forces. Muzan's name would be etched into Konoha's history for his role in the Third Great Ninja War.

The camp was a chaotic battlefield, with death everywhere. Sacrifices were inevitable.

As the mastermind behind the plan, Muzan had already left the camp. He reunited with a unit and encountered his father.

Hatake Sakumo was also wounded, and upon seeing Muzan's muddy state, he knew his son had been through fierce combat.

"We ran into some trouble on the way out and didn't stick to the main force during the retreat."

"You're just in time to witness history!"

Despite his exhaustion, Muzan's spirits remained high. From their vantage point, they could see the battle unfolding below. The decision was now in Sakumo's hands. Once the last of their forces had withdrawn, a grand display of fireworks would bloom over the Konoha camp.

"Yes, we will witness history."

Even Sakumo's hands trembled slightly, knowing that this moment would shape Konoha's future.

"Koji-senpai's retreat seems a bit slow."

Muzan squinted at the battlefield below. With so many explosive tags planted in the camp, the longer the battle dragged on, the greater the risk of discovery. Muzan was concerned.

"Don't worry. Aburame Koji is always cautious. They're already pulling out."

As soon as Sakumo spoke, all the ninjas on Aburame Koji's side had successfully evacuated, leaving only Koji himself. He unleashed the last of his insects to cover his retreat, slipping out of the camp unnoticed.

"We've finally taken this place."

A was drenched in blood, though none of it was his own—it belonged to the countless Konoha ninjas he had slain.

"Once we secure this position, we can regroup and launch a direct assault on Konoha!"

Just as A was about to plunder the supplies, a panicked scream rang out.

"Lord A! Lord A! It's a trap! There are explosive tags everywhere!"

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