"Hehe, brat, you're still too inexperienced."
At some point, Chiyo had switched places with one of the puppets. She lifted the cloak on her head, revealing her true face, and said, "This is the lack of combat experience. A puppet master will never let the opponent get close. If they do, it's to lure the enemy in."
Seeing that Seisuke was caught, Shinnosuke's shadow clone immediately used a ninjutsu without hesitation.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
The ground beneath their feet turned into a life - swallowing swamp. Seisuke's feet sank, barely dodging a long knife that was slashing towards his head. Chiyo also quickly jumped away with the puppet in time, losing the puppet that was using the sealing technique.
Seisuke felt lucky. Being short had its advantages. Fortunately, Shinnosuke was there; otherwise, he would have lost his life here.
This old hag Chiyo was really something. She managed to deceive him without anyone noticing, not even Shinnosuke.
Shinnosuke used his long staff to lift Seisuke's clothes and pulled him out of the range of the sealing technique. Once out of that range, the sealing technique lost its effect, and Seisuke regained his mobility. He let out a long breath and said, "Thanks, Captain Shinnosuke. I was careless and almost got killed."
"Be careful. Chiyo is not like those Sunagakure ninjas we killed before. She's very difficult to deal with." Shinnosuke reminded Seisuke to prevent him from suffering another setback.
It could be said that all those old - timers who had experienced two Shinobi World Wars were tough nuts to crack, especially those who had reached the high - level of the village. Their strength was there, and with the terrifying combat experience accumulated from two wars, it was extremely difficult to defeat even one of them.
"I know. This is a battlefield, and there are too many people. Otherwise, I'd use a large - scale clearing move and level this place." Seisuke said something terrifying.
Shinnosuke: "..."
Just stop it!
Having carried out many missions with Seisuke, they usually just burned everything in their path.
Moreover, this guy often used large - scale moves to clear the field when he got desperate.
"Stop thinking about it. The most important thing is to deal with this old witch."
Shinnosuke didn't waste time chatting with Seisuke. Now was not the time for idle talk.
Nine puppets surrounded Chiyo, protecting her. In this state, even if Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, came in person, it would take some time to defeat her, let alone Seisuke and Shinnosuke.
"Go!"
A large number of poisoned needles shot out from one of the puppets. Shinnosuke quickly waved the Adamantine Staff in his hand, creating an impenetrable wall.
Unlike Seisuke, he had a flesh - and - blood body and couldn't ignore physical attacks.
"Earth Release: Earth Spike Wall!"
A large number of earth spikes suddenly rose up. The puppets took action one after another, breaking the stone spikes. Chiyo said, "It'll take you a long time to surprise me. You two brats have good abilities, but that's all."
"Yes, that's all."
Seisuke and Shinnosuke suddenly relaxed and said, "You've already lost."
"Do you think I'll fall for it? Konoha brats!"
"You see, Teacher Orochimaru has already won."
Seisuke looked at the battlefield behind Chiyo. Orochimaru was holding the Kusanagi sword and had stabbed Rasa, who was protected by Gold Dust.
Feeling the pain in his shoulder, Rasa grunted, "Orochimaru, we Sunagakure ninjas will never be defeated!"
"No, you've already lost."
Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth and said, "Chiyo was held back by my disciple and Shinnosuke. Ebizo attacked Konoha from the rear but got himself restricted. And you were held back by me. Konoha has more than one commander."
Rasa's face turned ugly. A large amount of Gold Dust rose up, blocking the space between him and Orochimaru. When the Gold Dust dispersed, Rasa had disappeared.
Orochimaru's snake - like eyes swept indifferently towards Chiyo's side. As if sensing something, Chiyo looked back and met his gaze.
Obviously, Rasa had failed!
They were still too young...
In this battle, Sunagakure was defeated.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Signal flares shot up into the sky one after another. The signal of retreat appeared in the sky above the battlefield.
The Sunagakure ninjas, who had been on the verge of collapse, began to retreat in an orderly manner.
Chiyo let out a long sigh. Compared to the powerful Konoha, Sunagakure was still a bit weaker. Their foundation was insufficient, and with this desolate place, how many capable ninjas could there be?
Sunagakure's foundation no longer allowed for further attacks.
Damn it. If their logistical reserves were doubled, she could have stopped Konoha within the Land of Rivers. Unfortunately, it was not possible.
She was unwilling in her heart but had no choice. She glanced at Seisuke. There was no chance to kill him now. In another ten years, Konoha would have another figure at the level of White Fang of Konoha.
Originally... Sasori could have led the village to prosperity, but...
Thinking of this, she cursed White Fang of Konoha again. That son - of - a - bitch who couldn't even have a proper son!
"..." Kakashi.
The Sunagakure ninjas started to retreat, and Chiyo also chose to leave. Orochimaru came to Shinnosuke and Seisuke and said, "Well done. You held Chiyo back and prevented her from commanding the battlefield. Good job. After we get back, tell me about the battle situation. Shinnosuke, arrange for people not to pursue. Don't push a cornered enemy too hard."
"Yes."
"Count the casualties."
"Yes."
This battle came and went quickly, but the losses on both sides were significant. Everyone had fought with all their might, and in the all - out attack, both sides suffered.
The Konoha army returned to the camp. In this battle, they lost 15% of their troops. In Orochimaru's opinion, the loss was acceptable, considering it was a frontal battle. He said, "Arrange people to monitor the movements of the Sunagakure ninjas from a distance."
Determining the movements of the Sunagakure ninjas now could help determine the next strategy earlier. He wanted to see if they could deal a heavy blow to Sunagakure.
Only by hurting Sunagakure could they prevent this from happening again. Of course, he knew this couldn't last long, but during this war, as long as Sunagakure didn't move, it was enough.
"Call the three members of Akahiro Yuhi's team here."
Soon, Seisuke and the other two entered the tent.
Seeing their arrival, Orochimaru said, "Kirigakure has launched a sudden attack, and the war situation in the Land of Water is critical. Konoha needs to send reinforcements. Seisuke, your ability has been exposed. Go to the Land of Water."
"..." Seisuke.
"But there are a lot of Water Release ninjas over there. My biggest advantage won't be able to be utilized."
"Then you're no different from an ordinary ninja. Don't rely too much on this ability. Go. I'll appoint a reliable temporary leader to take care of you." Orochimaru made a decision, deciding to let his disciple go there to train. Relying on elementalization all the time would lead to problems.
It was better to adapt first. Water Release would only prevent his elementalization from working, not kill him. Moreover, he didn't believe Seisuke would die there.