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More and more Ninjas gathered in the square.
Finally, Namikaze Minato appeared and stood in front of the many teams.
"I am the commander-in-chief of this mission. You will learn the specific mission content on the way."
Sweeping through the crowd, Namikaze Minato's tone was quite serious.
"Now, each team is to replenish Ninja tools. We will gather at the entrance of the village in one hour."
After speaking, the many teams left one after another.
Taking advantage of this gap, Akira Tsubaki approached Danzō to secure the fifth member for Team Minato.
"Akira Tsubaki, you are very capable."
Hearing that Akira Tsubaki wanted Mitarashi Anko to join Team Minato, Danzō praised him and agreed directly.
"Remember, if Namikaze Minato behaves strangely…"
"Don't worry, Lord Danzō, I will inform you truthfully." Akira Tsubaki looked sincere.
After one hour, the nine teams gathered at the entrance of Konohagakure and headed toward the Land of Hot Water (Tang Country).
Along the way, scrolls were passed around.
[Kumogakure's vanguard is gathering at the Tanghuo border.]
Seeing this information, Akira Tsubaki knew this mission meant stationing themselves opposite the Kumogakure vanguard, at the border river.
Noon. During a short break, Akira Tsubaki joined Namikaze Minato.
"Sensei, what happened to the Daimyō of the Land of Hot Water?"
"What, worried?" Namikaze Minato chewed on his Dango and asked with a smile.
"Uh, I was just asking."
"She's fine. She fled to the village last night and is with Kushina."
"I see~~"
In the afternoon, the nine teams continued their journey. Akira Tsubaki noticed that the teams were very quiet, with a joyless atmosphere.
"Aren't they just going to the battlefield? Can't these people be happier?"
Into the Night. Several clusters of fires were raised, and various teams huddled together, whispering.
Akira Tsubaki leaned over to Obito and found him writing a suicide note.
[If I die in battle, there is 80,000 Ryo in the box under my bed, of which 10,000 Ryo is to be given to Akira Tsubaki, and the other 70,000 Ryo is to be donated to the school...]
Akira Tsubaki: "???"
This guy really has a heart.
Standing up, Akira Tsubaki decided to take a stroll. Kakashi was looking up at the night sky from a tree, Rin was staring blankly into the fire, and Anko was lying down, seemingly asleep.
Akira Tsubaki approached Namikaze Minato.
"You came just in time. I was just going to find you," Namikaze Minato blurted out.
"Find me?"
"Come."
The two sat in front of the fire.
"This time, the Kumogakure vanguard is roughly 300 people."
Namikaze Minato spread out a map, marking the east side of the border river.
"Wait a minute, isn't this location leading to the Daimyō's Manor?" Akira Tsubaki recognized the spot from the Minako escort mission.
"That's right! Kumogakure chose this place because most other locations in the Land of Hot Water are high alpine forests."
Namikaze Minato drew a line connecting the Kumogakure position directly to the Land of Lightning.
"This line is most likely the route that Kumogakure's vanguard troops passed through, and it is also the route for their follow-up large forces."
Akira Tsubaki agreed. The straight line was the quickest path, and there was already a road. Detouring through the alpine forest would be inefficient.
Next, the critical question.
"Sensei, is the mission of our nine teams only to guard the border for defense?" Akira Tsubaki asked.
"Yes!" Namikaze Minato nodded.
Hearing this, Akira Tsubaki frowned.
30 Genin defending against more than 300 enemy Ninjas, while facing a potential large reinforcement arriving at any moment?
What is the point of a defense here? Can this actually be defended?
Akira Tsubaki knew Kumogakure wasn't full of nameless Ninjas; they were powerful Lightning Style users. Konoha attempting defense with nine Genin squads was ludicrous.
Seeing Akira Tsubaki frowning, Namikaze Minato smiled wryly.
"You see the problem, too."
"Sensei, this is a huge problem~~" Akira Tsubaki said bluntly.
"This is the death order given to me by the Third Hokage: use all means to hold back the Kumogakure army."
Akira Tsubaki was speechless.
Before leaving, Namikaze Minato reminded him again.
"Akira Tsubaki, I know you are fast. However, don't be too confident in your speed."
"Some Cloud Shinobi can use Lightning Style to instantly increase their speed to Kage-level."
Early the next morning.
Akira Tsubaki washed his hands once, calming himself down.
Then, he opened the properties panel.
Name:Akira Tsubaki
Age:12 years old
Strength:458[Super · Kage-level]
Physique:1152 [Time · Immortal level]
Agility:186
Spirit:640
Chakra Amount:2436
Skills:None
Ninjutsu:Planetary Devastation (Chibaku Tensei) (Class S)
Comprehensive Strength Evaluation:Genin
"Ninjutsu doubled?"
"Planetary Devastation?"
Seeing this Ninjutsu, Akira Tsubaki couldn't calm down.
The system had gone from Rasengan to Gravity Orb to Planetary Devastation (Chibaku Tensei) with two doublings.
After closing the panel, Akira Tsubaki thought for a moment.
"That explains it."
"The previous Gravity Orb was actually the incomplete version of Planetary Devastation!"
"The Gravity Orb required continuous Chakra delivery. Planetary Devastation does not."
Noon. Arriving at the border river, all the teams were tense.
Unfortunately, accidents still happened.
Boom~Boom~
A sudden, massive explosion killed three teams (nine Ninjas) instantly.
"Back!!"
Namikaze Minato yelled, and the remaining teams retreated quickly.
"This is a Detonating Tag trap set up on the road close to the border?"
Looking at the large hole blown out in the road, Akira Tsubaki realized Kumogakure was treacherous.
They had crossed the border to lay traps, which were difficult to spot because the Detonating Tags were buried in the soil and exploded when stepped on.
"No wonder many Ninjas prefer to travel on trees."