Ambush

Nara Shikaku controlled the Shadow Whips, making them dance like the wind and weave an impenetrable black net through the air. They lashed precisely at the Explosive Tags flying toward Akimichi Choza, knocking them away before they could detonate.

The flashes of explosions kept blooming around the edge of the shadow net like festival fireworks.

But under the relentless bombardment of Explosive Tags, Nara Shikaku would not be able to hold out for long.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead as his Chakra rapidly drained away.

The Shadow Whips began to move more slowly, and tiny gaps appeared in the defensive net. Occasionally, an Explosive Tag pierced the line of defense and burst into a small spray of sparks against Akimichi Choza's body.

Moreover, once Konan flew high into the clouds, the enlarged body served no crucial purpose beyond providing shadows for the Shadow Secret Technique. It had now become more of a burden than an asset.

Nara Shikaku's mind raced, and he swiftly changed tactics.

"We can't hold on! Shrink down!"

At his command, Akimichi Choza immediately canceled the Expansion Jutsu. His Giant Body rapidly deflated and contracted, and in the blink of an eye, the mountain-like giant had returned to being a burly Ninja.

Without such a massive target, the Explosive Tags all missed, crackling and exploding in midair.

The chain of explosions formed a sea of fire in the sky. The scorching Shockwaves spread in every direction, making it look like a spectacular fireworks display.

Konan did not care about such minor losses. Still suspended high above the heavens, she pointed with one hand, and the tens of thousands of Explosive Tags became a roaring torrent pouring down from the clouds. Like a white waterfall, they covered the entire battlefield and began a carpet-bombing assault.

"Protect Naruto and fall back! The number of Explosive Tags is limited—she can't keep bombing us forever!"

At Nara Shikaku's Single command, everyone answered in unison. They immediately formed a defensive formation around the unconscious Naruto and began an orderly retreat.

These people were battle-hardened elites among Ninja. They needed no special assignments; each naturally took up their role.

The Ninja covering the rear split into two groups with Tacit Understanding, taking turns unleashing all manner of wide-range destructive Ninjutsu to stop the descending Explosive Tags.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

"Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!"

The Phoenix Sage Fire transformed into dozens of small fireballs that shot precisely toward the swarm of Explosive Tags, while the Vacuum Wave formed sharp Wind Blades that sliced through the sky.

The two Ninjutsu alternated in coordination, weaving a dense interception net of firepower through the air.

They did not seek to harm the enemy. They only needed to detonate the Explosive Tags ahead of time.

Though the Explosive Tags filling the sky were numerous, they did not need to intercept every one of them. Detonating just one would trigger a chain explosion, sweeping away all the tags in that area.

Massive fireballs kept blossoming in the sky. The blast waves from the explosions made the ground tremble, while Sand and Stones and splintered wood flew everywhere.

Although they could detonate the Explosive Tags in advance, the Shockwaves created by the explosions could still injure people.

Given enough of them, even minor damage could be fatal.

Every explosion made the Ninja at the rear stagger, and some had already begun bleeding from their noses and ears.

Amid the thunderous explosions, Ninja were constantly swallowed by the blasts, their screams unceasing. Yet the others still pressed forward one after another, staying behind to cover the retreat and protect the group as it withdrew.

But after being Hunt Down for such a long distance, Nara Shikaku realized that the Explosive Tags falling from the sky showed no sign of decreasing, and his heart sank.

Had the Land of Rain become this wealthy?

They were throwing Explosive Tags around as if they cost nothing!

Or had the Land of Rain developed some technology that allowed them to mass-produce Explosive Tags?

A terrifying speculation surfaced in his mind.

If the Land of Rain truly possessed the technology to rapidly manufacture Explosive Tags, then the balance of power across the entire Ninja World would be shattered.

That discovery was even more unsettling than the crisis before them.

Looking at the team, which had already suffered severe losses, Nara Shikaku knew they could not keep fighting like this. Before the enemy ran out of Explosive Tags, their own Comrades would likely all be dead.

His gaze swept around swiftly. Raising one hand, he pointed ahead and shouted:

"Change direction! Target: Uchiha Itachi!"

After saying that, he Turned Head and rushed toward Uchiha An.

He did not believe Konan would treat "Uchiha Itachi" any differently. Most likely, the bombardment would sweep him up as well.

His goal was merely to kill the rogue ninja, "Uchiha Itachi." As for whether he did it personally, he did not care all that much.

Besides, based on what he knew of Elder Shimura Danzō, how could Root possibly be absent at such a critical moment?

Perhaps Root's people had arrived long ago and were hiding in some corner, preparing to strike from the shadows.

If possible, he would have preferred to rely entirely on the three Ino-Shika-Cho teams to complete this mission.

But this flying Kekkei Genkai was simply too overpowered. They had no way to threaten it at all. Rather than return with only the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki while letting "Uchiha Itachi" escape, it would be better to cooperate with Root and eliminate this potential threat to the village in one stroke.

When Uchiha An noticed Nara Shikaku and the others charging in his direction, he quickly understood what Nara Shikaku was thinking.

"Heh heh, a flying Konan is just an unbeatable cheat."

"If Nagato hadn't been killed off by the plot, those six hundred billion Explosive Tags alone could have easily leveled Konoha!"

"We'll still be colleagues in the future. I have no interest in clashing with her!"

He curled his lip, rose from the tree branch, and prepared to use the Body Flicker Technique to leave this area that was about to become the center of attention. He would find another spot and continue watching the show.

Konan had already made her move, and Pain had shown himself earlier. What came next did not require him to personally step in.

The tiny Land of Rain had inexplicably produced two Kekkei Genkai ninja. Given his understanding of Konoha, there was no way they would turn a blind eye. Even without today's conflict, Konoha would certainly send people to investigate in the future.

All he needed to do then was add a little fuel to the fire, and the two sides would inevitably fight to the death.

But the moment he showed any intention of changing positions, Aburame Torune, who had been hiding behind them all along, could no longer hold back.

Concealed in the shadows, he rapidly formed Hand Seals with both hands.

"Secret Technique: Phosphorus Corrosive Insect Technique!"

As he activated his Chakra, the Nanobugs that had nearly crawled to the treetops immediately seemed to have been pumped full of stimulants, their speed surging. In an instant, they darted to Uchiha An's feet and tightly coiled around his calves.

They ignored Chakra defenses, passed directly through his clothing, and clung to his skin. The instant they made contact, they began releasing a special Neurotoxin.

"Nani?" Uchiha An felt his legs go numb, and his body immediately slipped beyond his control. He plunged headfirst from the tree.

While his body was still in midair, a Root Ninja appeared beside him. A cold glint flashed, and a blade slashed toward his neck.