Konoha had brought 7 battalions this time, managing to destroy Saba Port's piers, nearly 20 large ships, and over half of the port warehouses in a short period.
Just the supplies sunk to the seabed were immensely valuable.
If they could successfully cover the retreat with just 1 battalion, Konoha's raid would be a complete and major victory.
Hearing they were to cover the retreat, Tsuchikuri grew increasingly afraid facing the approaching Suna-nin, but she stubbornly kept her kunai raised before her.
"Fujikita, don't be afraid. As your temporary squad leader, I won't let you die in front of me."
Yōkō was taken aback. Within Tsuchikuri's petite figure resided such great courage and energy.
This world was dirty and tattered, yet there were always people trying to mend it.
The village had much darkness, but there were also many pitiful people offering each other warmth.
Yōkō deliberated repeatedly. Should he continue lying low this time, or do something?
Perhaps... he could use this opportunity to display some strength and accumulate credentials for his promotion within the Anbu.
A Squadron Leader's authority was too low. He must obtain higher authority, greater freedom, and more respect.
Only then could he handle more dangers.
The small 'lurker' hides in the wilds; the great 'lurker' hides in the court.
Wouldn't lurking among the higher-ups be more comfortable?
Yōkō looked around for Hippo.
Hippo, disguised as a Genin, belonged to another battalion. Hippo noticed Yōkō's gaze and stopped midway.
Yōkō took out a scroll and swiftly wrote his observation report of this battle on it.
The scroll omitted Nara Nara's despicable actions. Yōkō would inform Hatake Sakumo separately about Nara Nara's deeds, explaining the cause of Arata's death.
He only recorded the performance of the various Konoha battalions in this battle.
Tsuchikuri, not getting a response from Fujikita behind her, turned her head and saw Fujikita rapidly writing on a scroll.
Even she, sluggish as she was, realized now that Fujikita was strange, unlike an ordinary Genin.
Why write a scroll at a time like this?
Yōkō finished the scroll and threw it towards Hippo.
Tsuchikuri was surprised to find the scroll flew so fast she could barely see it.
Was Fujikita's strength this formidable?
After receiving the scroll, Hippo nodded at Fox.
He understood Fox's meaning. Completing the observation report was an Anbu mission, but at this moment, Yōkō was also Konoha Genin Fujikita, who had to buy escape time for the 6 battalions.
Both tasks were Fox's duty.
Yōkō took a mask from his tool pouch and put it on.
Tsuchikuri discovered that Fujikita's aura underwent a dramatic transformation the moment the mask covered his face.
The previously evasive Fujikita was gone, replaced by a murderous presence.
Fujikita put on a mask... was he one of the village's Anbu?
Yōkō said to Tsuchikuri:
"Chūnin Tsuchikuri, stand behind me.
I am Konoha Anbu Special Jōnin Fox. I am now your temporary squad leader.
What was that line you just said again?
'Don't be afraid. As your temporary squad leader, I won't let you die in front of me.'"
Yōkō body-flickered to the very front, standing side-by-side with the Battalion Commander, and said:
"Anbu Squadron Leader Fox, who happens to be on a mission within your battalion, reporting for duty."
The Battalion Commander's mouth twitched, and he smiled on this difficult battlefield.
An Anbu Squadron Leader? His strength shouldn't be much worse than his own.
This way, the rear-guard battalion effectively had two high-level combatants.
"Good!" the Battalion Commander said:
"I'll take two squadrons to delay the enemy commander, Rasa! You take one squadron to protect the gliders during takeoff!"
"Received."
Yōkō nodded to Tsuchikuri's Squadron Leader, signaling him to follow, and charged towards the Suna-nin pursuing Konoha's 6 battalions.
The Squadron Leader quickly made hand signals, ordering all squads to follow him, and also to follow the Anbu Squadron Leader.
Outside the dock, Konoha shinobi opened their gliders and began moving forward, using the sea breeze to take off.
Many Suna-nin chased after them.
The Suna-nin shouted, wanting to stop the Konoha shinobi before they flew away.
Yōkō's figure landed behind the Konoha shinobi, and in front of the Suna-nin.
Hand seals.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Rising Spears!"
Yōkō had used Water Cutting Wave in front of Rasa before. To protect Pakura for as long as possible, he decided to only use Earth-Style Rising Spears now.
In a fan-shaped area over two hundred square meters in front of him, earth spears bloomed on the battlefield like thorns.
Over a dozen Suna-nin were pierced and hung on the earth spears like locusts.
Tsuchikuri, at the rear of the squadron, was shocked seeing that fearsome Earth Release ninjutsu.
Was this the power of an Anbu shinobi? Killing over a dozen enemies with a single jutsu?
Yōkō continued forming hand seals, preparing a second Earth-Style Rising Spears.
Two Suna-nin suddenly emerged from the ground beneath his feet, thrusting their kunai at Yōkō's calves.
After two sharp ringing sounds, the kunai tips shattered.
The two Suna-nin stared in disbelief at the broken kunai.
What the?
Is the Equipment Division taking fucking kickbacks?
The hell is this, kunai or glass?!
Ignoring the two Suna-nin on the ground, Yōkō used the second Earth-Style Rising Spears.
Another dozen or so Suna-nin were hung in the air.
Only after using the jutsu did Yōkō raise his feet, kicking left and right at the Suna-nin.
The two Suna-nin drew new kunai. However, before they died, they cursed the Equipment Division again.
With an Equipment Division like this, Sunagakure is doomed sooner or later!
Their kunai were kicked and broken again, like dry twigs.
As for their chest cavities, they fared about as well as soft cloth bags.
Seeing the Fox Anbu's ninjutsu was so powerful, more and more Suna-nin infiltrated from underground to Yōkō's side.
Not just Suna-nin, but also many puppets emerged from the ground and charged at Yōkō.
Yōkō faced at least 4 Suna-nin squadrons – a large number.
However, no matter how formidable the puppets were, they were as fragile as paper before Yōkō.
Yōkō's palms gleamed with copper light as he used hand-chops to smash the puppets.
The puppet blades, coated with poison, couldn't cut Yōkō's skin.
Seeing that kunai and puppets were ineffective, some Suna-nin formed hand seals not far away.
Gusts of violent wind assailed, carrying wind blades sharp enough to slice through large trees.
However, the wind blades could only tear Yōkō's clothes, shattering into chaotic winds upon meeting his skin.
Yōkō looked disheveled, his clothes full of holes and tatters, but he was actually completely unharmed.
More and more of his reddish-copper skin was exposed.
Yōkō saw several Suna-nin circling towards his rear and suddenly clenched his buttocks.
Surely they didn't think the weakness of his Absolute Defense was his posterior again?
How did they arrive at that conclusion? Are they sick?
The sudden 'inspiration' of foolish people was truly a headache.
The Suna-nin behind him took advantage of the chaos and launched their attacks.
The attacks hit his back, only shredding his clothes.
Yōkō endured the kunai and Wind Release ninjutsu, forming hand seals again to use Earth-Style Rising Spears.
The earth spears not only killed Suna-nin but also altered the terrain, obstructing the Suna-nin's pursuit.
In this brief engagement, Yōkō had already crippled half a battalion.
The other Suna-nin no longer dared to surround the Fox Anbu. Unwilling to abandon their mission, they bypassed the Fox Anbu and continued charging towards the Konoha shinobi.
As for their backs, they paid them no mind.
Too terrifying! This Anbu shinobi can ignore all physical attacks? How are we supposed to fight that?
No physical attacks worked. The Suna-nin's specialties, Wind Release and puppets, were useless.
Wanting to bypass Yōkō was impossible.
Yōkō used wave after wave of Earth-Style Rising Spears, creating earth-style thorns.
Yōkō shouted to the following Squadron Leader: "Buy me time, hold them back!"
***
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(End of Chapter)