Chapter 377: The Gamble of Rock Village! Prisoner Exchange!
Northern Land of Rain.
While Fujiwara Tetsuya and Sakumo Hatake were waiting for the prisoner exchange with Hidden Sand Village, news of Hidden Sand Village's retreat from the western Land of Rain, after several twists and turns, reached the high-ranking officers on the Iwagakure front lines, who were currently locked in battle with Hanzo's elite forces from the Land of Rain and a portion of Konoha Ninja led by Danzo.
"Damn it, the Hidden Sand Village just retreated back to the Land of Wind? What a bunch of useless trash."
At the Iwagakure front-line camp, several Hidden Sand Village high-ranking officials, along with Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, and Kitsuchi, and other rising strong Ninja from Iwagakure, gathered to discuss the changes in the Land of Rain's war situation after Hidden Sand Village's withdrawal.
"I knew those Hidden Sand Village bastards couldn't be trusted, but… it's too late to say anything now."
"Now that Hidden Sand Village has withdrawn from the Land of Rain battlefield, Konoha will inevitably transfer reinforcements from the western front to support us here…"
"With the forces we currently have, it will be even more difficult to break through the Amegakure and Konoha defense lines."
"I suggest we urge the Village to dispatch reinforcements to the front line, and if necessary… have the Sandaime and Han go out together."
"A decisive battle. As long as we are fast enough, there won't be major turmoil in the Village."
"Have Lord Tsuchikage and Han come together…?"
Looking at the Iwagakure high-ranking officer who spoke, Roshi, Kitsuchi, and the other Iwagakure strong Ninja present narrowed their eyes… After a slight hesitation, they nodded heavily.
With the war continuing to this day, it was time to gamble… Goqiu Sand Sea.
Endless yellow sand, whipped up into sandstorms by the erratic strong winds.
During Fujiwara Tetsuya's long wait with over a hundred Konoha elite Ninja.
The Third Kazekage, Chiyo, Ebizo, Rasa, and hundreds of Hidden Sand Village Ninja escorting hundreds of captured Amegakure and Konoha Ninja, appeared in their line of sight.
"Hehe~ Is Lord Third Kazekage bringing so many people because he wants to keep all of us here after the exchange?"
Feeling the powerful and surging Chakra, Fujiwara Tetsuya's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he secretly raised his guard.
In the face of profit, so-called reputation and dignity were merely things that could be discarded at any time.
"What you say is not impossible…"
The moment the Third Kazekage's words fell, the atmosphere around them suddenly became heavy.
Many Hidden Sand Village and Konoha Ninja were already prepared for battle at any moment.
"Hmph~ Just a joke, no need to be so tense. After all… I am the Kazekage, representing the face of Hidden Sand Village."
"As long as you haven't tampered with Bunpuku, what good are these useless Ninja behind me to you?"
"If Lord Kazekage can keep his word, then that would naturally be for the best."
With a light laugh, Fujiwara Tetsuya waved his hand, and instantly two Konoha Jonin brought Bunpuku forward.
"Let's exchange…"
As he spoke, Fujiwara Tetsuya pushed Bunpuku, letting Bunpuku walk forward alone.
Seeing Fujiwara Tetsuya's actions, the Third Kazekage said nothing more. With a wave of his hand, hundreds of Hidden Sand Village Ninja quickly released the captive Amegakure Ninja and Konoha Ninja, urging them to walk towards Fujiwara Tetsuya and his group.
"Lord Tetsuya…"
"Mei Zhi Hang…"
The moment they arrived in front of Fujiwara Tetsuya, the captured Konoha Ninja could no longer suppress their emotions, and burst into tears one after another.
As for the Amegakure Ninja, they also felt as if they were dreaming… They never thought they would live to walk out of Hidden Sand Village.
"Mikoto, take them to rendezvous with Senior Sakumo. I'll be there shortly…"
Feeling the surging Chakra not far away, Fujiwara Tetsuya's eyes turned cold, and he slowly drew the katana from his waist… A chilling coldness continuously spread with the yellow sand beneath his feet, condensing countless layers of frost.
"Tetsuya-kun… Be careful!"
"I'll wait for you at Po Suo Oasis…"
Looking at Fujiwara Tetsuya's gradually broadening back, Uchiha Mikoto hesitated for a moment, then turned and led over a hundred Konoha elite Ninja, along with the recently freed Amegakure and Konoha Ninja, quickly heading east.
There, Sakumo Hatake was leading a portion of Konoha elite squads, lurking near a certain sandy beach, ready to provide support at any time.
"Kid, I don't know what gives you such confidence, but… leaving with those defeated dogs is your only way out…"
Gazing at the departing Konoha Ninja, the Third Kazekage, Chiyo, Ebizo… a group of Hidden Sand Village strong Ninja sneered and slowly approached Fujiwara Tetsuya.
Clearly, the Third Kazekage had no intention of fully honoring his promise… nor was he willing to easily give up this opportunity to kill Fujiwara Tetsuya.
Even if it was just an attempt, there was still hope… "Respected Lord Kazekage, at this moment, please don't joke with me anymore."
"Leaving with them, only to be hunted down by all of you?"
"Alright, no need for any more unnecessary talk. Now it's time for battle… Weaklings, stand back. Sandaime, Rasa, Chiyo, Ebizo… all of you, come at me!"
With a sneer, Fujiwara Tetsuya also erupted with a powerful aura, stirring up waves of Chakra that completely isolated the spreading dust in the sky from his body… "You damned brat, don't be so arrogant! You dare to challenge all four of us? Who do you think you are?"
"The Third Hokage? Or the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama…?"
"Puppet Jutsu: Puppet Manipulation!"
Fujiwara Tetsuya's arrogance deeply stung Ebizo, as if helping Ebizo recall the humiliating time in the Land of Rivers.
Amidst several furious roars, Ebizo made the first move, rushing ahead of the Third Kazekage, Chiyo, and Rasa, manipulating several new-style puppets to attack Fujiwara Tetsuya.
"Ebizo…"
Looking at the irrational Ebizo, a trace of helplessness flashed in Chiyo's eyes. With a sigh, she also summoned several puppets to attack Fujiwara Tetsuya.
"Rasa? What are you hesitating for?"
"Right now, what you need to consider is not whether you can defeat this Konoha brat, but… from the Village's perspective, how to completely eliminate the threat this brat poses to the Village."
"When you figure that out, then you… will have the qualification to inherit the position of the next Kazekage."
Watching the hesitant Rasa, the Third Kazekage frowned. After a word of reminder, he also manipulated a large amount of Iron Sand to attack Fujiwara Tetsuya.
"Eight Gates, First Gate: Opening Gate – Open!"
"Eight Gates, Third Gate: Life Gate – Open!"
"Eight Gates, Sixth Gate: View Gate – Open!"
The moment Fujiwara Tetsuya opened six gates consecutively, a powerful Chakra instantly surged out of his body, sending all of Ebizo's new-style puppets flying.
Under the Sixth Gate, whether it was Chakra, the Release of brain region restrictions, or stamina and speed… all were enhanced beyond imagination.
This power truly was unexpectedly strong!
Gripping the katana in his hand, Fujiwara Tetsuya gave a cold smile. Even if he were to lose this battle, he would leave the Third Kazekage, Chiyo, Ebizo, and the others with an unforgettable memory that would last a lifetime.