Chapter 142: Squad Battle!

Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Squad Battle!

After having experienced two of the Great Ninja Wars, this was the first time Hōzuki Shingetsu witnessed someone using such a large number of shadow clones to charge into battle!

The reason he deduced they were shadow clones wasn't because of some extraordinary sensory ability or sharp vision.

It was simply because only a madman would charge into a thousand-strong army with a group of shadow clones instead of their real body.

Through the forest, over mountains, across plains, and over rivers...

One after another, Shūichi's shadow clones charged at the large Kirigakure force with reckless abandon.

And just like Sunagakure had done, the Kirigakure shinobi responded by launching group-based ninjutsu attacks, with a dozen or so shinobi unleashing Water Release together.

However, Shūichi's clones suddenly took to the air, moving at high speed, then diving down into the crowd, countering Water Release with Fire Release. Using the mist created by the water as cover, they broke into close combat.

For Shūichi, large-scale ninjutsu exchanges put him at a disadvantage.

How could one person withstand a continuous barrage of jutsu from an entire group, even if he didn't need to use hand signs to cast his techniques? Chakra depletion was still a problem.

Breaking into the Kirigakure ranks for a chaotic melee was the most advantageous option. This allowed him to fully utilize his no-hand-sign ninjutsu, high-speed reflexes, and extreme velocity.

Facing the Kirigakure forces, Shūichi also displayed, for the first time, his ability to run through the air.

This was something even Sunagakure hadn't included in their intel, as they hadn't fully grasped this capability of Shūichi's.

Watching Shūichi wreak havoc among his forces, Hōzuki Shingetsu finally understood why Hōzuki Metsuin and the others had been so utterly defeated.

He was simply too fast—not just his physical speed, but his teleportation and jutsu casting speeds were unparalleled.

Moreover, he had no apparent weaknesses. His abilities were so well-rounded that no single type of ninjutsu could effectively counter him.

Having fought in two Great Ninja Wars, Hōzuki Shingetsu had never encountered an opponent like this.

"At such a young age... it's terrifying!"

"If we can't take him down this time, this intel must be sent back to the village..."

Thinking this, Hōzuki Shingetsu rushed forward, all while continuously issuing orders, directing squad after squad to encircle and attack Shūichi.

Though Kirigakure shinobi specialize in Water Release, not all of them are water-type users. Many also know Earth Release, Lightning Release, kenjutsu (sword techniques), and other ninjutsu, though Water Release is their strongest element.

At this moment, he was deploying shinobi proficient in Earth Release, Lightning Release, and Wind Release to work together, aiming to seal off Shūichi's movement and decide the outcome with overwhelming attacks.

But the first attempt failed!

Their attack missed as Shūichi escaped using the Flying Thunder God technique, with the mark hidden on a Kirigakure shinobi that he had previously thrown away.

The second time, Hōzuki Shingetsu used a shadow clone as bait.

It failed again!

Shūichi saw through the shadow clone and didn't take the bait.

The third time, they finally succeeded. One of Shūichi's shadow clones was destroyed, but the Kirigakure shinobi acting as a close-combat bait was severely injured in the process.

With no time to assess the losses, Shingetsu immediately led his men to the other battlefronts to hunt down more of Shūichi's shadow clones.

...

At the rear, one by one, the memories of the shadow clones began returning to Shūichi. He organized these memories and analyzed the experience but also felt the fatigue steadily piling up.

This was more exhausting than fighting in person!

Moreover, when the clones were destroyed, the pain they felt was also transmitted back to him.

The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique truly was a dangerous forbidden jutsu. The fact that the clones dispelled upon injury served as a form of protection for the original body.

Shūichi concluded that next time, when using shadow clones in large battles, he would need to dispel them before unavoidable attacks landed. This would help reduce the mental strain on his real body.

As time passed, all nine shadow clones were eventually destroyed, and night had already fallen.

Half an hour later, Uchiha Shisui received feedback from his crow clone: "Shūichi, the Mist ninja have set up camp."

Now fully recovered, Shūichi, back in human form, felt somewhat tired and remarked, "The Mist ninja will probably launch a large-scale infiltration under the cover of darkness."

Uchiha Shisui smiled and reassured him, "You can rest easy, Shūichi. We'll handle things tonight."

"As much as you might want to carry the burden alone, war is not something one person can solve. You need to trust your comrades more."

Asuka nodded in agreement: "Shisui is right. Even though it's your clones doing the fighting, the fatigue and pain still get transferred back to you. You can seal away memories, but you can't seal away those sensations."

"Chakra may recover quickly, but physical and mental exhaustion takes more time," she added with a smile. "Shūichi, we're not your burden!"

Though wearing a mask, Pakura also nodded in agreement.

Shūichi paused for a moment before smiling. "Got it!"

"Then I'll leave tonight to you all!"

He truly did need the rest. His clones were still conducting harassing operations against the Sand shinobi.

However...

Looking over at Shisui and Pakura, Shūichi said, "Shisui, I've developed a nature-based curse mark called the 'Bijuu Sealing Mark.' It can enhance Fire Release using natural energy."

"Natural energy?" Shisui asked, puzzled. It was his first time hearing about it.

Not just him—Pakura looked equally intrigued.

Shūichi nodded. "Yes, natural energy is a type of energy that exists in the world, similar to chakra, like the air around us."

Shisui nodded thoughtfully, then grinned. "Then I won't be shy about using it!"

Shūichi continued, "I'll also leave a Flying Thunder God mark within the curse seal, which will help us coordinate better during battle."

Shisui nodded again. "Do I need to do anything?"

Both Chiyo and Shingetsu shared the same thought: they could take advantage of Shūichi's fatigue to locate him and surround him.

However, they temporarily abandoned that idea.

Firstly, finding Shūichi's real body wouldn't be easy.

Secondly, Shūichi himself wasn't the key to determining the outcome of this war.

At this point, he still wasn't influential enough to decide the battle's fate.

...

In a forest.

Asuka closed her eyes and focused, sensing her surroundings. "1, 2... 12 people. They're fast. They'll reach us in about three minutes."

After finishing her sensory analysis, she signaled to Shisui and Pakura, who were hidden in the darkness.

Moments later, both Shisui and Pakura noticed the movement.

They were coming!

Shisui already had several shurikens in hand.

Just then, the leading Mist Ninja abruptly stopped and raised his hands, signaling to the others behind him.

"They've realized we're here..."

Shisui was about to take the initiative to distract them, but Asuka moved even faster.

With a metallic clatter, three adamantine chains shot up from the ground, wrapping around three of the Mist Ninja who had just landed.

"Careful!"

"There are enemies!"

"Damn it, it's a sealing jutsu! I can't move!"

The Mist Ninja shouted.

Without hesitation, Shisui flung his shurikens, each one striking the necks of the Mist Ninja bound by the chains.

At the same time, Pakura also made her move, launching two fireballs.

"They're here!"

"Be careful!"

"Damn it! It's Pakura of the Scorch Release! Use the Hiding in Mist Jutsu!"

Shouts echoed as water surged up to extinguish the incoming fireballs. Others threw kunai toward Asuka, who quickly dodged.

Two Mist Ninja flanked her, swinging their blades, but in mid-air, they were pierced by the adamantine chains. Their chakra went out of control, and their bodies weakened as their swords fell to the ground.

Another Mist Ninja began weaving hand signs to activate the Hiding in Mist Jutsu, sensing danger as his neck twisted. His eyes met a pair of blood-red Sharingan.

"Sharingan..."

That thought flashed in his mind as he tried to retreat and cast his jutsu, but his body wouldn't obey.

In the next instant, his throat exploded in a spray of blood, silent in the night.

Shisui swiftly dispatched the Mist Ninja with a single strike, not pausing as he moved toward the next. His left hand flicked, sending shurikens flying toward the kunai aimed at Asuka. The explosive tags on the kunai ignited, and with a boom, the area lit up.

"Three-tomoe Sharingan!"

The leading Mist Ninja's eyes widened in horror as he yelled, "Retreat!"

But in the next moment, he found himself frozen in place.

"Damn it... a paralysis jutsu!"

The Mist Ninja trembled but couldn't break free, and firelight now illuminated him.

Boom!

A water dragon collided with a fireball, creating a cloud of steam.

One Mist Ninja dashed in, rescuing the paralyzed leader and retreating swiftly.

The remaining Mist Ninja threw kunai with explosive tags to cover their escape.

"Don't chase them!" Shisui ordered, stopping Pakura and Asuka, who were ready to pursue.

"The Mist Ninja are definitely making a large-scale move. Let's go!"

Receiving the intel from his crow clone, Shisui immediately led Pakura and Asuka to ambush another group of Mist Ninja.

At the same time, on the other side, the Sand Ninja had once again encountered Shūichi Hoshita's shadow clones.

But, just as Chiyo and Shingetsu had predicted, it was impossible for one person to lock them down entirely.

However, Shūichi's shadow clones observed the movements of the Sand and Mist Ninjas from the sky and relayed the information to the Konoha forces in the rear.

By the second half of the night, teams of Konoha Ninja, just like Shisui's, began engaging with the Sand and Mist forces along the borders of the Land of Rivers, near the Land of Fire.

(End of Chapter)

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