A Show of Force

"Today, I have something to tell you."

Sakura Haruno stood on the stage, writing solemnly.

"I'm sure you're all well aware of the risks involved in this trip. During the previous gatherings, you conducted numerous drills to prepare for potential Kumogakure Ninja or other unforeseen circumstances," Sakura Haruno nodded, continuing, "However, I suspect there's one drill you haven't yet practiced."

The girl paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping across the faces of the people below the stage.

"What kind of exercise is it, Lady Sakura Haruno?" someone asked.

Sakura Haruno smiled slightly.

"It's an exercise where we face 'Kage' level ninjas directly," she said slowly.

The ninjas below the stage looked puzzled, and even one member of the combat team subtly revealed his indifference.

The village wouldn't send too many elite troops for this kind of mission, but the people below the stage were also battle-hardened ninjas who had experienced life-and-death ordeals.

Although they had never faced Kage Level ninja before, they didn't think they would falter when facing those powerful opponents.

Even if you've never eaten pork, haven't you at least seen a pig run?

Both have two eyes and a mouth; Kage Level ninja is simply one level stronger than Elite Jonin...

Fight as usual.

That's what everyone was thinking.

Sakura Haruno could tell that the ninjas were somewhat unconvinced by her words.

After all, Sakura rose to prominence too quickly, suddenly shining like a comet in the village within a year or two.

For Special Jōnin the Jonin circle, especially those outside the Anbu and Elite Jonin circles, their access to the girl's information is too low, so the name Sakura Haruno is still too distant.

It's inevitable that some people still have old impressions. Although they don't doubt her fighting ability, they still think that Sakura Haruno is a greenhorn and can't feel the weight of her words when they see her delicate and tender appearance.

Especially those young faces.

Sakura Haruno saw it all.

"We still have time, which is perfect for a rehearsal..." She didn't elaborate, just smiled mysteriously, "I hope you won't be too scared to move."

Someone in the combat team offstage subtly curled their lip.

Sakura Haruno jumped off the wooden platform, her smile growing even brighter.

"So today I'm going to let you experience what it's like to face a 'Shadow' level opponent directly..."

Despite his outwardly calm Sai tensed up inwardly upon hearing this, his heart pounding and alarm bells ringing.

Then, in the next moment, a surge of powerful Chakra suddenly erupted from the girl's body!

"Ha!"

A chilling aura, accompanied by an astonishing amount of Chakra, burst forth. At this moment, Sakura Haruno seemed to have suddenly transformed into a primordial behemoth that devoured the sun!

The oppressive killing intent seemed to freeze the air. The ninjas at the front felt like they couldn't breathe. Sakura Haruno's figure seemed to grow infinitely taller in their vision, transforming into a high wall that blocked out the sun and earth.

Thud! The two civilian ninjas, long out of combat, turned pale and fell to the ground in shock.

The combat team's ninjas weren't much better off; Sakura Haruno deliberately took care of them, and for a moment, the ninjas were truly unable to move under the overwhelming pressure of that aura!

--If this were during a battle, they would be dead from that momentary lapse in concentration!

"Snort."

The girl gave a soft hum, and her figure suddenly vanished from the spot.

Swoosh--

Everyone only saw a blur before their eyes, followed by a chill down their necks. Before they could react, or even feel the shiver of the sudden attack, they saw Sakura Haruno reappear on the wooden platform with a smile, holding an ice Kunai in her hand.

"Those whose napes I touched," the girl said, waving the crystalline Kunai in her hand, "Are already dead."

The ninjas below the stage looked at each other, bewildered.

The battle... it's already over after just beginning?

However, the cool touch on the back of their necks served as a stark reminder that if a battle had truly taken place... their heads would already be dead.

This exercise, which lasted less than ten seconds, left a deep impression on everyone.

"Is it that Ice Body Flicker Technique again...?"

Sai remained calm. He knew from the last battle that he couldn't dodge this move at all, so he wasn't surprised.

The other ninjas, unable to contain their shock, began whispering amongst themselves, still shaken.

"Could this be... the Fourth Lord Hokage's Body Flicker Technique Killing Technique?" "I didn't even move..." "I didn't even see a shadow!" "At least I saw an afterimage..."

Sakura Haruno claps her hands.

The ninja below the stage immediately stopped talking, looked up at her with respect in his eyes.

The show of force seems to be working well?

The girl had a faint smile on her face.

"What I just demonstrated for you was the fighting style of the Fourth Raikage A, A..."

"Based on available intelligence, the Fourth Raikage's fighting style is inherited from the Third Raikage, using Lightning Release Nintaijutsu as his primary offensive methods. After entering Lightning Release Armor Mode, A's strength and speed will be greatly enhanced, making him known as the man whose speed is second only to the Fourth Hokage."

"The speed I just demonstrated is roughly what the Raikage can achieve; his Body Flicker Technique is even slightly superior..."

At this point, Sakura Haruno paused, looked at the expressions of the crowd below, her smile fading, and said solemnly, "So, do you understand now? This is what it feels like to fight the Raikage..."

Even Special Jonin- tier ninja would be utterly helpless against such speed and power; the only outcome of a direct confrontation would be being slaughtered by the Raikage like a chicken or a dog.

The ninjas below the stage fell silent.

No matter how much the materials emphasize it, it's not as convincing as an exercise where the team was utterly defeated by Sakura Haruno without any resistance.

The gap between a Kage and Special Jōnin was thus laid bare.

The so-called "Kage" level... is far more than just "stronger than Elite Jonin".

When the gap reaches a certain level, courage alone cannot bridge it. Facing the Raikage, whether they resist or not, the process and the outcome will not change... Their only option is to split up and avoid battle, scatter in all directions, and wait for Sakura Haruno's support.

"Besides Raikage A, you also need to be wary of another person," Sakura Haruno continued, "Killer Eight-Tails Jinchuriki of the Kumogakure Ninja."

The Kumogakure has a unique custom: all those at the core of power or combat strength must abandon their real names and adopt the letters A, B, etc., as their titles. Here, A (A) represents the Raikage, B (Bee, also known as Killer B) represents the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and (Hi) is the Kumogakure Ninja's chief strategist, a position comparable to the two Hokage Advisors in Konoha...

And so on.

However, apart from the Raikage and the two Jinchūriki, there was no one else who could particularly concern Sakura Haruno.

The fighting style of Jinchūriki is roughly based on the terrifying destructive power generated by their enormous size and Tailed Beast Bomb after Tailed Beast Transformation.

Killer B is known as the Perfect Jinchuriki, and his fighting strength is considerable, second only to the Raikage A. Besides his rough fighting style, he likely possesses many more sophisticated techniques. However, this information is top secret among the Kumogakure Ninja, Konoha is currently unaware of it...

Sakura Haruno didn't demonstrate the Eight-Tails' fighting style at the village's training grounds... unless she wanted to raze the village to the ground.

Moreover, to be honest, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki an enormous amount of Chakra, which is quite difficult for even Sakura Haruno, who possesses the Yin Seal, to imitate.

"Of course, Killer B wouldn't enter Tailed Beast Mode in Kumogakure and try to take us down with his village," Sakura Haruno explained, recalling the limited information available. "In his normal state, he's very strong in Taijutsu and skilled with swords; he's a formidable opponent you can't defeat in a direct confrontation."

"These two are exceptionally skilled individuals from the Kumogakure. If you encounter them, you don't need to think twice; just run away."

"As for the others, you can try to resist them using the methods we practiced before."

After a series of drastic measures, including some violence, the results were quite good. Everyone was completely convinced of her abilities and nodded in agreement.

The following day, the delegation left Konoha Gate and embarked on their journey.

On the same day, Senri away, in a hidden secret base.

The pitcher plant-like White Zetsu emerged from the ground.

"The Konoha delegation to Kumogakure has already set off!" White Zetsu winked at the man before him. "Obito, guess who's leading the delegation?"

Obito stood up, glanced at White Zetsu with indifferent eyes, and said, "Stop keeping me in suspense... which familiar face has shown up this time?"

He put on Akatsuki's uniform, adjusted his mask, thought for a moment, and then said, "Could it be... Sakura Haruno?"

"Bing!"

White Zetsu snapped his fingers, "You guessed right! It's that thorn in our side who's always going against Xiao."

"What a coincidence." A cold smile appeared beneath Obito's mask. "Two things just happened to overlap..."

A few months ago, he had just discussed with Pain how to get rid of Sakura Haruno and disrupt the alliance of the ninja villages. (Chapter 446)

"Let's go." He slowly walked out of the secret base and said to White Zetsu behind him, "I'll take care of her... and while I'm at it, I'll burst the Utakata of alliance between the ninja villages, so they don't unite too soon!"

"Huh?"

White Zetsu remained rooted to the spot, instead asking, "Should we intercept her on the way? I think we should call Pain along... I've heard Sakura Haruno is quite strong."

"Just dealing with a mere Ice Release ninja." The Masked Man turned his head, his cold gaze landing on White Zetsu's head, and said coldly.

"Besides, I have a better way..."

Beneath the mask, the Tomoe in the Sharingan moved slowly, as if pondering some unknown thought.

[Second Update]

[There was supposed to be a third update, but a last-minute dinner engagement disrupted my writing schedule... That's all for today's update.]

[All missed updates and bonus chapters after August will be returned.]