Chapter 124: Cold Sweat Pouring Down
Under the full-force assault of Hiruzen and Danzo, all hostile ninja within the village were completely eliminated.
The Sand Village forces also withdrew entirely to outside the Hidden Leaf Village's main gate, jointly garrisoning the area with the Hidden Mist Village forces.
On a raised platform.
Hiruzen and Danzo stood together at the foremost position, both falling into brief silence.
"Next, mobilize all our strength and finish the battle against the Hidden Mist and Hidden Sand in one decisive strike."
Danzo's voice carried a chill, yet his tone was exceptionally firm.
Hiruzen nodded lightly. Although he and Danzo differed on political matters, when facing a common enemy, their thinking was aligned.
"We do need to end this quickly. With such a massive disturbance, the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Stone Village have likely already received the news."
Hiruzen frowned slightly, a trace of concern in his voice.
Tap, tap—
Light footsteps sounded from behind as Homura and Koharu walked over, their expressions bitter.
"Hiruzen, the loss of the Hidden Leaf Village's main gate is something we are responsible for. It was the two of us who were careless."
Koharu spoke with a wry smile.
Beside her, Homura also lowered his once-proud head slightly, wearing the same bitter smile.
Hiruzen's expression remained unchanged, and he did not speak.
Seeing his silence, Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance and shifted their gaze toward Danzo.
In everyone's view, this battle had essentially reached its conclusion. Whether it was the Hidden Mist or the Hidden Sand, neither could sustain a prolonged fight.
Moreover, this was the Hidden Leaf Village's home ground, and in terms of supplies, the Leaf's ninja had nothing to worry about.
Thus, Homura and Koharu chose to come and admit fault before the war had fully ended.
"The Hidden Mist's attack was too sudden, and with the barrier destroyed, it was normal that the two advisors could not react in time."
Danzo's calm voice sounded from the side.
Hiruzen raised his head and glanced over the three of them, his voice still even. "We'll discuss this matter after the battle is over."
Danzo frowned slightly but did not continue. He understood Hiruzen's temperament, and he had already spoken on their behalf.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several sharp sounds of air being pierced rang out.
Several Leaf Village jōnin appeared behind Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama, using the Hyūga clan's Byakugan, we've already confirmed the enemy's situation. In terms of numbers, we far exceed them and are fully capable of wiping them out completely."
Asuma glanced calmly at Danzo and the others before turning his gaze back to Hiruzen, killing intent evident in his voice.
"I see. Shikaku, what do you think?"
Hiruzen nodded gently and shifted his gaze toward Shikaku.
"As Asuma said, our advantage is clear. However, the only real problem right now is the Three-Tails. If anything goes wrong, it could cause massive casualties among our forces."
Shikaku spoke softly, a trace of worry on his face.
"The Three-Tails problem can be left to us. How about that?"
A hearty voice came from the distance, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Jiraiya-sama! Tsunade-sama!"
Shikaku froze for a moment, then quickly spoke respectfully.
When Hiruzen saw Tsunade beside Jiraiya, he was likewise stunned before a smile appeared on his face.
"Sorry, old man. We were delayed by a few matters."
Jiraiya laughed loudly, glancing sideways at Tsunade. Seeing that she no longer showed any signs of hemophobia, he finally felt relieved.
Outside the Hidden Leaf Village's main gate.
Although the Hidden Mist and Hidden Sand forces were stationed together, the two ninja units were clearly separated.
Maki's expression was extremely grim. The strength of the Hidden Leaf Village had far exceeded their expectations.
In his eyes, the plan to collapse the Hidden Leaf Village had become nothing more than a ridiculous endeavor.
If not for the Hidden Mist Village, they might have already raised their hands in surrender.
At present, the entire Sand Village force was temporarily under his command. As for the Kazekage, Maki glanced in Orochimaru's direction but chose not to mention it.
Now was not the time to bring that up.
However, what surprised Maki was that Orochimaru's group had suddenly become much more obedient.
"My lord, what should we do next?"
A Sand Village ninja stood before Maki, his voice tinged with fear.
Maki glanced at him but said nothing. No matter how one looked at it, the Sand Village was currently the weakest party.
"Find two ninja and come with me to the Hidden Mist side. Given the situation, we can only cooperate with them."
The thought of surrender had crossed Maki's mind, but that would be the last resort.
Soon, Maki led two Sand Village ninja straight toward the Hidden Mist forces.
As the three of them were about to approach, a sharp sound suddenly tore through the air from the side.
The Executioner's Blade, carrying a fierce whistling roar, slammed into the ground not far in front of Maki.
Zabuza wore a cold sneer as he crouched atop the blade's hilt, looking down at Maki and the others.
"Sand ninja, what business do you have?"
Seeing the unmistakable Executioner's Blade, Maki narrowed his eyes slightly.
One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Zabuza.
But wasn't Zabuza supposed to be a rogue ninja? Why would he appear here?
"I represent the Sand Village. We have an important matter to discuss with the Hidden Mist Village."
Maki's expression remained unchanged as he spoke in a low voice.
Discuss?
Zabuza's expression did not change, but his eyes were filled with disdain as he sized up the three of them.
Sensing his gaze, anger surfaced on the faces of the two Sand Village ninja beside Maki.
Just as they were about to move, Maki turned his head and shot them a cold glance.
"Zabuza-dono, since the Hidden Mist Village has allowed our Sand Village forces to station beside you, I doubt you did so merely to mock us."
Maki spoke solemnly.
"What a pity. I was actually thinking of killing a few Sand ninja to see how different they are from Leaf ninja."
Zabuza curled his lips in disappointment, then said impatiently, "Wait here."
Before long, Haku walked over from behind, a gentle smile on his face.
"Zabuza-sama."
Haku stopped beside him and spoke softly.
Zabuza turned his head away, hoisted the Executioner's Blade, and walked off in another direction.
Watching him leave, Haku showed a hint of helplessness before turning back to Maki and the others.
"The three of you, please follow me."
After speaking, Haku turned and headed back the way he had come.
Maki paused briefly, then hurried to follow behind Haku.
After entering the Hidden Mist encampment, Maki clearly felt a chilling, murderous aura permeating the air.
So this was the Hidden Mist Village known as the Village of the Bloody Mist.
Maki's heart trembled slightly. Ordinary Sand Village troops were likely no match for this Hidden Mist force.
Under Haku's guidance, it did not take long before a massive figure slowly appeared in Maki's view.
Violent aura mixed with terrifying chakra filled the air.
Cold sweat immediately streamed down the foreheads of all three of them.
The Three-Tails.
Haku stopped there and lifted his gaze forward.
A young man wearing a blue robe, with a flute tucked at his waist, appeared before them.
Yagura flashed forward and appeared in front of Maki and the others, glancing at them indifferently.
"My lord is currently sitting atop the Three-Tails' head. If you wish to see him, you may go up directly."
On the Three-Tails' head. On the body of a Tailed Beast.
In an instant, dense cold sweat poured down Maki's forehead.
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