Yoko was undergoing a transformation in his tactical system.
Possessing Chūnin-level chakra reserves allowed him to pursue a ninjutsu-focused path.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A wall of water blocked three Suna-nin.
With rainwater everywhere, the chakra consumption for Water Release was minimal.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Rising Spears!"
The three Suna-nin, forced back by the water wall, leaped backward.
However, while still in mid-air, several Earth-Style Rising Spears emerged, piercing through their lower backs.
Two other Suna-nin, seizing the gap between jutsu, charged at Yōkō from left and right.
Kunai tipped with black-purple poison shot towards him.
"Earth Release: Earth Clone!"
The poisoned kunai only struck a patch of soft mud.
Underground, Yōkō traveled using the Earth Release: Fish in Earth Reflection Technique, emerging from another location.
One attack, one defense, one substitution, one infiltration – Yōkō cycled through these four techniques, continuously harvesting Suna-nin lives.
The rest of the squadron, bolstered by their captain's support, fought with renewed vigor.
Parasitic Destruction Insects, kunai, explosive tags – all sorts of attacks assailed the Suna-nin.
The battlefield shifted due to the Fox Squadron's overwhelming advantage, forcing the Suna-nin into a retreat.
Matsu suddenly felt one side of his vision clear – an entire Suna-nin battalion had actually been defeated.
He turned his head and saw that Anbu squadron leader he hadn't instantly killed earlier.
This is what's so troublesome about Konoha. Vast resources, always producing these genius figures.
Logically, with his strength, one Wind Release technique should kill three Konoha squadron leaders. This Fox Squadron Leader was unexpectedly strong, having actually killed a Suna-nin Battalion Commander.
Battalion Commander Yellow Dog shouted, "Well done, Fox! Support Yak Squadron!"
Although Yellow Dog couldn't defeat Matsu, Matsu couldn't overcome Yellow Dog quickly either.
Yōkō looked towards the Kikō Mountain Range, from where a rumbling sound emanated.
"Team Kika, stay behind and hold off the remnants of the Suna-nin battalion! Purple Cat and White Ram, follow me!"
Leaving one team to deal with the few remaining Suna-nin, Yōkō led the others charging towards the base of the mountains.
Below the mountains, Yak Squadron was simultaneously fighting the Suna-nin guarding the cave entrance and sabotaging the caves.
Squadron Leader Yak stood horizontally on the cliff face, continuously releasing jutsu.
"Earth Release: Splitting Earth Palm!"
Each jutsu release caused a large section of rock to fall into the cave entrance.
If they could completely collapse the upper part of the mountain, the hundreds-of-meters-high rocks tumbling down would surely block the cave.
Besides Yak, two other team leaders were also using Earth Release to destroy the mountain rock.
Yōkō didn't know the Splitting Earth Palm. He charged at the Suna-nin, dealing with the enemies here.
Before long, Yōkō saw the other Suna-nin battalion break through Hippo Squadron's blockade and charge towards the cave entrance.
He called Kika over and whispered something in her ear.
Kika nodded and disappeared with a Body Flicker Technique.
Yōkō had no choice but to intercept the other Suna-nin battalion first.
After fighting for a few minutes, Yōkō shouted to Purple Cat, "Fire the signal flare!"
A red signal flare shot into the night sky, illuminating the tall, sheer rock face.
Soon after, signal flares lit up one after another in the distance.
Yōkō yelled, "Hold on! Our reinforcements are coming!"
Matsu and the Suna-nin Battalion Commander also saw the two distant signal flares.
Large numbers of Konoha ninja in the vicinity had seen the distress signal and were rushing here.
Matsu decisively gave the order to retreat.
After forcing Yellow Dog back with a massive Wind Release: Wind Cutter, he led the remaining Suna-nin up the rock face, heading for the mountain peak.
Mission failed.
Matsu thought, The Konoha ninja can at most destroy this cave near the Land of Rain.
Once we free up resources and mobilize more Earth Release ninja, this cave passage can be fully reactivated.
Upon reaching the mountain peak, the rain lessened considerably.
Halfway across the Kikō Mountain Range, the rain stopped completely.
By the time they reached the southern side of the range, the dry, hot wind irritated Matsu.
Descending the Kikō Mountain Range, Matsu saw Suna-nin waiting at the southern base.
The person at the head was Sunagakure Elder Ebizō.
Matsu hurriedly reported to Ebizō:
"Elder, the covert operation failed. The Amegakure didn't notice us, but Konoha Anbu appeared inexplicably."
Disappointment flashed across Ebizō's face.
This cave passage was the Land of Wind's hope, capable of bringing the most precious resource – fresh water – to the nation.
Ebizō had thought an oasis was about to appear north of the Land of Wind. Ebizō said:
"Young people of Sunagakure, do not despair. The war between Konoha, Amegakure, and Iwagakure is not over yet.
After I return to the village, I will persuade the Kazekage to declare war on Konoha.
With our puppet techniques and Wind Release, we can surely crush Konoha while it is weak. Even with twenty thousand ninja, Konoha cannot fight a war on all fronts.
Once we defeat Konoha, there will be no more obstacles. We can divert the water into the Land of Wind without worry."
North side of the Kikō Mountain Range.
Battalion Commander Yellow Dog and Yōkō watched together as Yak Squadron destroyed the cave.
Squadron Leader Hippo had just died in battle, killed by a Suna-nin Battalion Commander.
That Suna-nin Battalion Commander was very strong.
Faced with the collapse of an entire squadron, Yellow Dog was utterly indifferent. He turned to Yōkō and said:
"Fox, you did well. Not only did you defeat a Suna-nin Battalion Commander head-on, but you also used signal flares to fake reinforcements and scare off Matsu.
Coupled with the fact that you were the first to discover the Suna-nin's trace, I will assign you the primary credit for this operation in the mission report."
Yōkō had killed the Suna-nin Battalion Commander using an ability that couldn't see the light of day – the Self-Cursing Body Binding Seal.
Wanting to gain more authority and more 'presentable' abilities, he asked:
"Battalion Commander Yellow Dog, what are the conditions for an Anbu ninja's promotion to Tokubetsu Jōnin?
Battalion Commander, does my strength and mission record qualify me to become a Tokubetsu Jōnin?"
"Qualified? Of course, you're qualified." Battalion Commander Yellow Dog liked capable subordinates, not those who died frequently, forcing squadrons to be constantly rebuilt.
Last time, in front of the Third Hokage, the Third had said he should cultivate some capable right-hand men, building a talent reserve for eventually taking over as Anbu Chief.
Yellow Dog said:
"After we return, I will take you to see the Hokage. The conferment of Tokubetsu Jōnin is personally assessed by the Hokage.
With your mission record, the Hokage will not be stingy."
"Thank you for your mentorship, Battalion Commander Yellow Dog, and for the Hokage's trust."
Yellow Dog was very satisfied.
After four hours of busy work, Yak Squadron finally collapsed the mountainside, filling the cave with rubble.
Yellow Dog said:
"Let's go. We need to reach Amegakure quickly and secretly contact Hanzo's people. By thwarting the Suna-nin's plot, we've shown our sincerity. I wonder if Hanzo is willing to cease hostilities with Konoha."
By the time they returned to Tsutamidani Town, it was early morning. Yōkō saw Xiao Lan from a distance, untying the River Patrol Uncle.
Xiao Lan, unaware of what had happened, was frantically crying and tugging at the knots, but couldn't undo them.
A kunai suddenly flew through the air, embedding itself in the ground at Xiao Lan's feet.
Xiao Lan looked around in fright, then boldly picked up the sharp kunai and cut the rope.
For the first time, Yōkō felt that his system might have some use.
Some people's fates had been changed by Mochizuki's Arc.
Having been a villain for over a year since transmigrating, occasionally having a pang of
conscience and doing a good deed felt somewhat unfamiliar to him.
Young people, still a bit impulsive, huh.
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(End of Chapter)