Passing Through the Battlefield (End)

What is an Elite Jonin?

Although Elite Jonin are merely a sub-classification for fans of Hokage, the original work has long subtly hinted at their importance.

Taking Konoha as an example, below the Hokage are the regular forces and the Anbu.

Elite Jonin are the pinnacle of the regular forces, the cornerstone of every ninja village, and their influence permeates all aspects.

For instance, in actual administration, there's the Jonin vote during major decision-making.

To most people, the Hokage are figures of ultimate authority, so how do regular Jonin judge the Hokage's decisions?

They seek a reference, and that reference is usually a familiar and reliable senior, meaning the stance of the Elite Jonin.

Furthermore, you see the teams led by Elite Jonin. Elite Jonin generally lead teams composed of talented commoners and disciples from ninja clans with backgrounds.

The network of relationships of Elite Jonin is so extensive that it's hard for regular Jonin to imagine.

The official definition of Jonin is actually the definition of Elite Jonin.

(They can display sharp taijutsu, genjutsu, and advanced ninjutsu that makes the atmosphere tremble and blood run cold on the battlefield. In addition to leadership abilities, they are also required to excel in ninjutsu, analytical skills, and other areas, making them all-around ninjas. They can handle A-rank or even S-rank missions alone.)

To the audience, Elite Jonin represent that they are not fodder. No matter how cool a Kage-level ninja is, they cannot quickly defeat an Elite Jonin.

This is also the reason for the current stalemate.

Over thirty Elite Jonin from both sides are engaged in a battle of gods, and the remaining individuals dare not interfere.

Sarutobi Hiro said that those arriving were mostly Chunin, and he wasn't wrong; in the eyes of Elite Jonin, regular Jonin are like Chunin.

"The numbers on both sides are similar, why haven't they fought?" Hyuga Ao asked.

"That's because the people who arrived at first didn't fight, and later, when more people arrived without a commander, they also didn't fight."

"Oh." Hyuga Ao scanned the Konoha contingent and indeed found no prominent figures.

But she felt a sense of strangeness. If Konoha wasn't in a hurry because they could afford to wait, why weren't the Sand Ninja in a hurry?

Did the Sand Ninja also lack a commander? No, the Sand Ninja had a quasi-military structure with stricter ranks; a commander could definitely be found.

Therefore, their lack of urgency must mean they were waiting for something.

Hyuga Ao activated her Byakugan, searching for the opportunity the Sand Ninja were waiting for.

Her Byakugan looked forward; the Sand Ninja's chakra showed no abnormalities. Looking back, there were no ambushes behind them.

Then the answer must be underground.

Hyuga Ao's Byakugan peered downwards, discovering that the underground earth seemed to be trembling slightly.

"Hm?" Hyuga Ao was filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Continuing downwards, she found that the underground rocks and soil were being transformed into sand by a group of Sand Ninja.

"This is bad!" Hyuga Ao's expression changed drastically, and she warned, "Everyone! Leave immediately!"

Seeing others looking at her in confusion, Hyuga Ao's expression darkened.

She had overlooked her own speaking weight.

"I am Orochimaru's disciple, and Lady Tsunade taught me a secret technique. As the future wife of the Hyuga Clan head, please believe me and go first. I guarantee it with these Byakugan."

Although very reluctant, Hyuga Ao still brought out all her titles to add weight to her words.

Even though Hyuga Ao felt that the lives of these people had nothing to do with her, there were so many lives involved. Secondly, her current status did not allow her to turn around and leave.

Hyuga Ao's status played a role, and with Sarutobi Hiro also speaking in support, the gathered Konoha ninja prepared to evacuate.

Within the Sand Ninja ranks, a brown-haired youth let out a cold laugh:

"Is this Konoha? Only realizing something is wrong now, hah, too late!"

The brown-haired youth placed his hands on the ground.

"Flowing Sand Burial! Rise!"

The ground caved in and cracked, spewing forth countless golden fine sands. The battle of the Elite Jonin was instantly interrupted. The Sand Ninja were at ease in this environment of erupting quicksand.

Konoha, however, was in a panic, and suffered several fierce attacks from the Sand Ninja.

As the commotion subsided, Hyuga Ao discovered that the terrain had changed dramatically, almost reaching Tsunade's location.

"Attack!" A Sand Ninja gave the order, launching a full-scale assault.

The Konoha ninja's hearts sank. Fighting on sand created by others was truly terrible.

The brown-haired youth, Rasa, clenched his hands.

"Sand Binding Coffin!"

The sand moved, capturing Konoha ninja in the desert. The Konoha ninja, while facing the Sand Ninja, also had to dodge the sand's onslaught.

And once caught by the sand, the consequences were even more dire.

Minor injuries resulted in broken bones, severe ones in death. But in this desert, a broken bone meant death.

"Ah, ahhhh!"

Konoha ninja were continuously caught by the sand. As Konoha's numbers dwindled, the sand's capture speed increased, making it even harder to dodge. Konoha's lines quickly collapsed.

"Retreat!"

The Konoha ninja quickly reached a consensus and began to retreat towards Tsunade's barrier.

"Hahahaha, chase us slowly!"

Seeing the plight of the Konoha forces, the Sand Ninja let out hearty laughter. They had been disgusted by Konoha's healing before.

They would get injured, and then heal themselves after a while. If this group of Sand Ninja weren't elites, others would have collapsed long ago.

This small desert was like a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers for the Konoha forces. The Konoha ninja went through fire and water all the way, and after paying many sacrifices, they finally emerged from the desert.

The Konoha ninja who escaped stood firm at the barrier, and looking back, they despaired even more.

This desert could move!

"Ahhhhh!" Rasa's veins bulged, pushing the sea of sand forward with all his might.

The sea of sand formed a giant wave, slowly crashing towards the Konoha forces.

Tsunade walked out of the barrier and couldn't help but cry out when she saw the scene before her.

Tsunade had just finished healing under the constant warnings from the outside.

The diamond-shaped mark on her head had long since disappeared. The high-intensity Chakra consumption made Tsunade a little dizzy. Seeing the sea of sand rushing towards her, Tsunade muttered, "No way!"

With a jolt, Tsunade turned around and roared, "Konoha ninja, defend!!!"

The giant wave of sand seemed slow but was actually fast. The Konoha ninja had just escaped, and it was about to arrive right behind them.

Several Elite Jonin stepped forward, "Water Style ninja, follow me!"

Under the command of the Elite Jonin, a row of Konoha ninja stepped forward, forming hand seals.

"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!" xn

Water walls were painstakingly condensed one after another, converging to block the giant wave.

The water walls were swallowed by the giant wave in an instant, but the Konoha ninja achieved their goal. The gathered water successfully slowed down the speed of the sand wave.

However, Rasa was also decisive. He directly abandoned the sand bogged down by the water. The sand wave continued to crash forward, and with subsequent replenishment, it slowly returned to its previous size.

But the speed of the sand wave had been weakened somewhat.

"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"

A giant wall rose, barely reaching the height of the sand wave.

"Boom boom boom!"

A huge impact sound came. The Konoha ninja using the Earth Flow Wall gritted their teeth and held on, their faces flushed, veins bulging on their temples, and they poured Chakra into it desperately.

Although difficult, they still held on. The momentum of the sand wave was blocked, and it could only seep through bit by bit.

But from above, the Sand Ninja, using the momentum of the sand wave.

Carrying yellow sand all over the sky, they descended from the heavens!