Prerequisites for Becoming a Chunin

Five nights later, Tōka let out a long sigh of relief, beaming as he held three Sealing Scrolls.

"This young master isn't a one-shot wonder anymore! This time, I'll make you all cum until you can't anymore!" Tōka's eyes sparkled, a strange smile playing on his lips.

The three Sealing Scrolls stored three uses of the All-Killing Ash Bones: Earth Spear Pierce.

The bone spear pierced within a hundred-meter radius, and one release created a vacuum within that same hundred-meter range.

Sealing Scrolls had their pros and cons. The advantage was that they could theoretically store an infinite number of Ninjutsu, which could then be released in battle without consuming large amounts of Chakra.

The disadvantage was also straightforward: Sealing Scrolls were inconvenient.

Furthermore, besides people like Tōka, who were only Genin level in Chakra but possessed the ability to instantly kill anyone regardless of their level, Sealing Scrolls were useless to others.

Genin with insufficient Chakra had predictable attack power. Even if they stored some Ninjutsu beforehand, it wouldn't be very potent.

As for Jonin with sufficient Chakra, their attack power was adequate, but wouldn't a direct hand seal and attack be faster than using a Sealing Scroll?

Moreover, battles between experts were often decided in an instant.

By the time victory or defeat was determined, their Chakra wouldn't be depleted. They'd have enough time to use a Sealing Scroll Ninjutsu, but it would be better to just get close and slash their opponent.

Tōka didn't plan to use these three scrolls in combat. If he had to use them, he would hide and use them secretly.

The battlefield had an extremely high density of ninjas. Large-scale techniques like the All-Killing Ash Bones: Earth Spear Pierce could easily kill a large group if unleashed carelessly.

Screech!

Suddenly, a strange, piercing sound echoed throughout the entire camp.

"Assembly signal?" Tōka's expression shifted slightly. The Sand Ninja were attacking? Why would an assembly signal be sounded?

After a brief moment of confusion, Tōka dashed towards the center of the camp.

No matter what, he'd go and see what was happening.

After a few leaps, Tōka arrived outside Tsunade's tent.

Thousands of Konoha ninjas, shoulder to shoulder, formed a dense, dark mass.

Tōka was too short to see anything in front.

The camp was somewhat noisy, and everyone seemed confused as to why they were suddenly assembling in the middle of the night.

"It seems the past five days weren't wasted!" Tsunade nodded in satisfaction. Assembling completely within one minute could indeed be called elite.

Facing the Sunagakure head-on, everyone in the Konoha camp, except for Tōka, was a Chunin or higher.

Their reaction speed and combat awareness were naturally extremely high.

Upon hearing Tsunade's voice, everyone quieted down.

"Then, let's go!" Tsunade waved her hand and shouted.

"Go? Go where?"

"Princess Tsunade, what are we going to do?"

For a moment, everyone was baffled by Tsunade's words.

Jiraiya, standing beside her, said in a deep voice, "We're heading to Kikyo Mountain to eliminate the Sand Ninja!"

"What?!"

"Didn't you say it was in seven days?"

"Did I misremember the date?"

The crowd erupted in another commotion.

Tsunade raised her hand, signaling for quiet.

"I did say seven days back then, but that was for certain people to hear!" Tsunade paused, a cold smile appearing on her lips.

She then continued, "The actual attack time was five days from now, which is now!!"

The Sunagakure, upon accepting the challenge, had already abandoned their military fortresses and stationed their entire army on Kikyo Mountain.

In other words, the Sunagakure had occupied advantageous terrain.

However, all of this was within Shikaku Nara's calculations.

"But, isn't this a bit... improper?"

"Yeah, after all, the agreed-upon time was seven days later."

As soon as the murmurs of discussion began, a chilling aura suddenly spread out.

Orochimaru licked his lips, a disdainful cold smile on his face.

"Foolish! Battles only have victory and defeat. Do you still crave fairness?"

A pair of green, snake-like eyes swept across the field, and everyone held their breath.

Compared to Orochimaru's chilling presence, Tsunade was much gentler, at least visually pleasing.

"Lord Orochimaru is correct. If we're talking about fairness, the three great hidden villages of Sand, Mist, and Stone ganging up on us wasn't exactly fair, was it?"

Shikaku Nara stepped forward at the opportune moment to deliver his pre-battle mobilization speech.

Yes, the three great ninja villages have united. Why should we still talk about fairness with them?

Seeing the indignant expressions on everyone's faces, Shikaku Nara added fuel to the fire, shouting loudly, "How did Lord Sakumo die? Have you all forgotten?"

"How could we forget?"

"Kill those Sand Ninja bastards!"

"Yeah, destroy Sunagakure!!"

These simple words instantly ignited the anger in everyone's hearts.

Sakumo Hatake's death was a taboo existence in Konoha, at least before defeating Sunagakure, it was definitely the fuse of a powder keg.

One spark... and it explodes!

In terms of combat power, Shikaku Nara wouldn't last ten moves against the Sannin, and might even be killed in one.

However, when it came to strategy, the Sannin combined were no match for Shikaku Nara.

"Let's go together to welcome back Konoha's hero!" Shikaku Nara shouted, raising his hands.

Hearing this, everyone puffed out their cheeks, holding their breath.

There are only victories and defeats on the battlefield. Believing the enemy easily is just blaming yourself for being stupid!

This is the art of war!

"Then, let's depart now!" Tsunade roared, and the Konoha army officially set off.

To maintain the secrecy of the battle plan, Shikaku Nara only informed everyone of the plan through Inoichi Yamanaka's Secret Technique when they were about to depart.

It was eight simple characters.

Night raid, build momentum, encircle, annihilate!

Everyone was assigned detailed tasks down to the squad level. Shikaku Nara believed this battle would definitely hurt the Sand Ninja badly!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!

Countless dark figures left the Konoha camp. The Byakugan of the Hyuga clan served as the eyes of the Konoha army.

Perfectly evading the Sand Ninja's reconnaissance, Kikyo Mountain was within reach...

Tear!

Tōka tore open the secret letter Orochimaru had given him. There were two pages, one of which was to fulfill a previous promise.

"The fundamental methods to solve the problem of insufficient Chakra are, first, the Curse Mark, and second, the Yin Seal." Tōka scanned through it at lightning speed. Orochimaru seemed to have guessed Tōka's choice.

The letter only contained the cultivation method for the Yin Seal, while the Curse Mark only roughly explained the principle to Tōka.

Moreover, the Curse Mark at this stage was not perfect and belonged to the Earth Curse Mark.

For a long time, the best method to increase Chakra reserves was the Yin Seal, making it the preferred choice.

"The Yin Seal, huh?" Tōka pursed his lips, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

When Chakra is accumulated on the forehead, a diamond-shaped mark appears when the technique is successful.

The Yin Seal can fine-tune Chakra, achieving instant healing, enhanced attacks, and increased speed.

Skilled users can even use the low output and fine-tuning of Chakra within the Hundred Healings Mark to maintain youth, enhance physical functions, and keep the body in its peak condition.

The Yin Seal is a sealing jutsu, an auxiliary type, S-rank.

"Forget it, I'll take it for now." Tōka was somewhat disappointed, as the Yin Seal was not suitable for him to cultivate at the moment.

He already lacked sufficient Chakra, so where would he get extra Chakra to store?

As for what conditions Orochimaru had exchanged the Yin Seal with Tsunade for, it had nothing to do with Tōka.

After memorizing the cultivation method of the Yin Seal, Tōka burned the letter and took out the second page.

The second page of the letter was about this mission...

"Survive, and you'll be a Chunin!"

Nine short words, containing profound meaning.

Tōka stared at it expressionlessly. Survive...

"I wonder whose intention this is?"

First, he ruled out Orochimaru. The Snake Sannin wouldn't do such a boring thing. Then Jiraiya? Even less likely. Perhaps if they were researching and collecting materials together.

"Tsunade, or the Third Hokage?" Tōka pondered, tapping his chin...

The Konoha army consisted of only eight thousand people, facing nearly twice their number of Sand Ninja, putting them at a significant disadvantage in terms of numbers.

However, the weakest among the Konoha ninja were the Chunin, and a large number of Genin were not sent as cannon fodder in this battle.

In other words, all of Konoha's four-person teams were elite teams, configured with one Jonin and three Chunin.

Meanwhile, the Sand Ninja had a numerical advantage, and their four-person team configurations were far from comparable.

The standard teams, consisting of one Jonin and three Genin, were the majority, with some regular teams having one Chunin and three Genin.

A regular squad on the battlefield is nothing more than cannon fodder!

For this decisive battle against Sunagakure, Konoha secretly recalled Orochimaru from the Land of Water battlefield in the eastern part of the Land of Fire.

The objective was to swiftly capture the Sand Ninja and then move on to the other two countries.

Tsunade held the rear, using her Slug to heal the wounded while also gathering intelligence.

Shikaku Nara served as strategist, Inoichi Yamanaka transmitted messages using his Secret Technique, and Choza Akimichi was the commander's bodyguard. Aside from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and two elite squads providing escort, all other teams were deployed.

Konoha's forces had already infiltrated their planned positions under the cover of night...

Whoosh!!

At three in the morning, while the Sand Ninja were fast asleep.

A signal flare shot into the sky.

Bang!

The flare exploded, its light painting half the sky red.

"Go!"

Swish swish swish!!

From all directions of Kikyo Mountain, countless shadowy figures ghosted upwards.

Puff puff puff!!

The sentry posts of the Sand Ninja encampment fell in response, and the battle began at this very moment!

Tōka was part of the assault force, but strangely, he wasn't assigned to any four-man squad.

Four-man squads had limited impact on the battlefield but allowed for mutual support.

However, these were not Tōka's current concerns.

His concern was how to survive!

After much thought, Tōka couldn't come up with a good plan.

"This is giving me a headache. Old man Ebizo has been eyeing me for a long time!" Tōka glanced at the figures around him. Konoha's brothers were too straightforward.

Calling it an assault force was more like a suicide squad.

Wouldn't it be better to let others charge in and deplete the enemy's strength, then follow up and pick off the kills?

Tōka gradually slowed his pace. Charge in and deal damage first, then let others get the kills?

What a joke. Tōka would never be such a good person!

Moreover, in the eyes of the Sand Ninja, Tōka was like a tasty morsel, anyone who saw him wanted a bite.

The hundred million Ryo bounty on the black market wasn't for nothing. Tōka was ninety percent sure that Ebizo, that immortal old geezer, had posted the bounty!

Therefore, Tōka decided...

Whoosh!

He drew the scroll tied to his pant leg, quickly unrolled it, and before he made contact with the Sand Ninja army, while his companions provided cover.

"Let's start with a big move!"

Tōka unrolled the scroll in his hand, formed hand seals to activate the sealing technique, and then threw it like a grenade towards the Sand Ninja camp.

An aura of decay and deathly silence instantly spread.

"All-Killing Ash Bones: Earth Spear Pierce!!"

Puff puff puff...

Within a hundred-meter radius, grayish bones as thick as an arm erupted from the ground like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Time seemed to stand still. Wherever the ash bones passed, life decayed.

Hundreds of Sand Ninja were caught in the attack, turning into piles of shredded paper that were blown away by the wind.

The Konoha assault force paused for a moment, then their morale surged, and they charged forward even more recklessly.

It was precisely because of Tōka's ultimate move that the Konoha assault force was discovered when they were still more than thirty paces away from the Sand Ninja garrison camp.

The first phase of the stealth assassination plan was only half successful!

"Tsk, my apologies!~" Tōka said with an apology, but there was no remorse on his face.

Better them than me. After throwing one sealing scroll, Tōka immediately dodged to the side, preparing to act when the opportunity arose.

However, several powerful auras had locked onto him the moment he threw the sealing scroll.

Swish swish swish!!

Konoha and Sand Ninja clashed. Three Sand Ninja Jonin abandoned their nearby Konoha opponents and rushed directly towards Tōka.

"What the hell!" Tōka was on the verge of a breakdown. He really wanted to slap himself.

Why did he have to be the one to stick his neck out?

My brain must have short-circuited just now!

Tōka's speed increased, as free-for-alls were the most deadly.

You could never know who, where, or when someone might stab you in the back.

"Should I use another one?" Tōka pinched the Sealing Scroll tied to his pant leg, considering whether it was worth it to deal with three Jonin.

The thought had barely crossed his mind before he abandoned the idea.

Activating a Sealing Scroll took longer than using Ninjutsu himself; it wasn't just inconvenient, but the movements were too obvious.

The Sand Ninja Jonin were still hot on his heels, and Tōka wasn't sure he could take them down.

"In that case, let's change tactics!" Tōka gritted his teeth and flicked his wrist, firing off several Bone Bullets in quick succession.

His goal wasn't to hit them, but to force them back and buy himself time.

With a whoosh, Tōka took advantage of the three dodging the Bone Bullets and plunged deep into the forest.

Suddenly!!

A thick, long, yet soft thing fell from above, landing right on Tōka's shoulder, scaring him so badly he almost unleashed his Hedgehog Style.

Upon closer inspection, Tōka realized it was a Slug Clone!

"Has Lady Tsunade activated her Hundred Healings Mark?"

Tōka noticed that the other Konoha ninja also had a Slug Clone on them. After silently lamenting the waste, he wore a look of sudden realization.

Tsunade had Hemophobia. This was different from the infiltration to burn supplies before.

In a chaotic battle filled with so much bloodshed, she couldn't possibly be on the front lines. Leaving her Chakra unused was a waste; it was best to utilize her strengths from the rear.

Feeling a warmth spread through his body, Tōka narrowed his eyes.

With the Slugs here, his combat options had increased! (To be continued)