Clang.
That was the sound of a kunai dropped by one of the stationed shinobi.
The squad members from the Iwagakure front, who had already grown used to Hoshiyomi's action, didn't find it surprising.
But for the original stationed squad members, this was their very first time witnessing such ferocity from him.
When they saw Hoshiyomi charging into the crowd, they initially thought he might be in danger. However, to their surprise, with an unwavering expression, he drew his sword in a single motion and wiped out the patrol squad, which consisted of one Special Jonin and fifteen Chunin.
The visual impact of that strike was far greater than even watching an S-rank ninjutsu wipe out enemies.
Seeing the stunned original stationed squad members, he squad members from the Iwagakure front smiled inwardly. One of them, with a calm expression, patted the shoulder of one of the original stationed squad members and said:
"This is nothing. It's just a patrol squad. You're all this scared? If you had seen how Hoshiyomi-sama fought the Four-Tails, you'd probably be scared out of your wits."
Looking at Hoshiyomi-sama, who was signaling for them to follow, the original stationed squad member couldn't help but quietly ask the person who had just patted his shoulder:
"So the rumors were true? Hoshiyomi-sama really defeated the Four-Tails by himself? I thought it was just a rumor."
The talkative squad member, who liked to exaggerate, became enthusiastic at the question. He eagerly started explaining to the surrounding members about Hoshiyomi's performance that night:
"How do I even describe Hoshiyomi-sama's performance that night... He was like a war god.
"I'll tell you, do you know how big the Four-Tails is? We could see it clearly from a hillside ten miles away. I estimate the Four-Tails was at least twenty meters tall, and its two fangs were probably longer than your entire body."
"Now, here's the best part: That massive Four-Tails, you know what happened? Hoshiyomi-sama used his swordsmanship to create a water dragon that sliced it directly from its head to its feet, and blood flowed all over the ground."
Hearing this, the previously stunned original stationed member instinctively glanced at his feet and skeptically asked:
"You're kidding, right? A tailed beast that huge was cut down by Lord Hoshiyomi in one strike?"
The talkative squad member laughed:
"It's impossible to cut it down in one strike, of course. You have to consider how thick a tailed beast's skin is. It's not like you can just cut it to death. But he did seriously injure it, which made it so angry that it immediately gathered a giant black ball on the spot.
You remember the bright light that night, right? That was caused by that black ball exploding."
Recalling the flash that had lit up the night like daylight, the original stationed squad members, who had been listening intently, looked uneasy. One of them, not waiting for the others to ask, spoke up:
"Wait... Hoshiyomi-sama was able to withstand such a massive attack?"
Just as the talkative squad member was about to respond, his old teammate pulled at him. He turned back with a slight frown:
"What is it? I'm busy."
His teammate rolled his eyes:
"If you want to die, keep talking. The Sunagakure shinobi have gathered ahead."
Hearing this, the talkative squad member looked forward and saw a group of around sixty to seventy Sunagakure shinobi ahead. He immediately shrank his head and said to the original stationed squad members:
"Alright, let's talk after we've finished fighting."
Upon hearing that the enemy had arrived, the rest of the squad quickly got into a combat stance. However, some of them clicked their tongues in regret that the talkative squad member had stopped speaking.
As they clicked their tongues, they looked at Hoshiyomi, who stood ahead, holding his sword, and then glanced down at the kunai in their hands, feeling they were rather lackluster in comparison.
As expected, a true man should wield a ninja sword. After this battle, they knew they had to get one for themselves, no matter what.
Hoshiyomi fanboys +15.
Seeing that the enemy had already formed their formation, Hoshiyomi didn't rush in immediately. Instead, he turned around and said:
"Everyone, prepare your Fire Release and Wind Release ninjutsu. No need for defense. We're going for a quick strike."
The original stationed squad members, hearing this, were somewhat puzzled. It's true that Fire Release counters Wind Release, but preparing only offensive ninjutsu and not any defense seemed a bit excessive, didn't it?
However, since Hoshiyomi was their commander and his earlier actions had completely won them over, they chose to follow his orders without question.
...
On the other side, the Sunagakure shinobi, confident in their numbers and formation, and not seeing Konoha's leader, Hatake Sakumo, in the opposing ranks, were not afraid. Instead, they took the initiative and launched an attack.
With a command from the leading elite jonin, the Sunagakure shinobi quickly formed hand seals, and the puppeteers released their puppets.
In an instant, a barrage of Wind Release jutsu mixed with poisonous, purple-colored Senbon whistled toward the Konoha squad.
The original stationed squad members' faces turned pale. Since Hoshiyomi hadn't given the command to attack yet, they felt a bit uncertain.
Just as they were about to react, Hoshiyomi suddenly shouted:
"Release!"
"Upon hearing the command, the original stationed ninjas wasted no time. They immediately began performing their ninjutsu and started scrambling for cover.
Just as they were scrambling, they suddenly heard the excited shout of the Iwagakure front members behind Hoshiyomi:
"Hasaki~!"
What was that?
The squad, previously scrambling for cover, instinctively looked up and saw that Hoshiyomi, drawing his sword, released a small tornado wreathed in ghostly blue flames.
The tornado, originally about seven or eight meters in size, moved incredibly fast. Halfway through, it absorbed the Wind Release and Fire Release jutsu they had unleashed.
After absorbing their chakra, the tornado grew, reaching over ten meters in size, roaring as it collided with the Senbon and Wind Release jutsu launched by the Sunagakure shinobi.
The result was obvious: the Sunagakure shinobi' jutsu and Senbon were shattered to pieces by the fire tornado, which was almost as powerful as an S-rank jutsu.
The unstoppable tornado tore into the Sunagakure ranks, and screams echoed through the air.
Only a few quick-thinking Sunagakure shinobi managed to escape in time, but the rest, without exception, were engulfed by the fire tornado and burned to ashes in the violent winds.
In just a few moments, more than half of the original sixty or seventy-man Sunagakure squad had been wiped out."
"Take them all down!"
After giving the final command, Hoshiyomi activated his Shunpo, and in the next moment, he activated Transparent Escape, instantly disappearing from sight.
In the midst of the confused gazes of the original stationed squad members, Hoshiyomi appeared instantly behind the leader of the Sunagakure squad. The Mikazuki Munechika in his hand pierced through the leader's chest, taking the life of a jonin in the blink of an eye.
With a flick of his wrist, he sent out a wave of sword energy, and two more Sunagakure Chunin who were trying to sneak attack him died instantly.
The moment the first body fell, Hoshiyomi's figure disappeared again. A faint afterimage flashed before their eyes, and Hoshiyomi had already appeared in front of another Sunagakure Jonin.
With a quick strike, Hoshiyomi sliced through the Jonin's kunai, saving one of his squad members. Before the Jonin could retreat, Hoshiyomi kicked his hands, interrupting his hand seals, and followed up with a strike that severed the Jonin's head
Another Sunagakure Jonin was killed, all within five seconds.
The original stationed shinobi watched as Hoshiyomi slaughtered his way through the chaos, moving as if unchallenged. They could feel their entire bodies shaking with excitement.
Gekkō Hoshiyomi, a god forever!