On the chaotic battlefield, the Kumogakure Ninja were being thoroughly beaten.
When they hesitated to advance, they found that the terrain forced them and their companions to crowd into the same hiding spot.
The Kumogakure Ninja gathered in groups of more than fifteen, immediately drawing Yamanaka Chujiu's attention. Fire Release Ninjutsu and Wind Release Ninjutsu with sufficient range would then rain down on them.
If the Kumogakure Ninja charged forward bravely, they found themselves caught in an encirclement attacked from three sides.
It was said that Pakura, the Sand Village's hero of years past and a Kage Level Ninja renowned throughout the Shinobi World, had also been killed by a Shuriken to the back when she was ambushed from three sides.
Even a Kage Level Ninja could die, let alone an ordinary Jonin.
The Konoha Ninja didn't even use Ninjutsu. They simply threw Shuriken, Kunai, and Explosive Tags, yet that was enough to leave the Kumogakure Jonin with no place to die.
Yamanaka Chujiu watched the battlefield intently, issuing orders from time to time to adjust the Konoha army's formation.
Suddenly, he sensed three Kumogakure squads circling around the main battlefield and approaching the Konoha defensive line from the left flank.
He immediately issued an order. His tone carried not only Lord Orochimaru's authority, but also the certainty of someone whose confidence had soared after a string of successes.
"Send out the Lightning Release squad. Target the ambush point at left 30, position 42. Prepare Lightning Style: Earth Flash!"
"Additional order: once you've stopped the enemy's flank attack, withdraw immediately. Do not pursue or engage in a prolonged fight."
"Yes!"
This specially selected Lightning Release squad consisted of three Jonin, all skilled in a Lightning Release technique that stimulated their bodies and allowed for high-speed movement.
The Lightning Release Jonin received the order and immediately set out from camp. They raced to the designated ambush point, hid behind rocks, gathered Lightning Release chakra, and quietly waited for the enemy to arrive.
This was already their fifth sortie, and Yamanaka Chujiu's orders had become familiar to them.
Everyone firmly believed that "Lord Orochimaru" gave precise commands. As long as they followed his orders, they were sure to gain the upper hand in battle.
Ninja excelled at offense and destruction, but their defensive capabilities were pitifully weak. Victory, defeat, and death could all be decided in an instant.
Konoha's Jonin had no obvious weaknesses. As long as they seized the initiative, victory was practically assured.
Sure enough, just as the three Jonin finished preparing their Lightning Release Ninjutsu, nine Kumogakure Ninja appeared in their field of vision.
They were divided into three squads, advancing in a triangular formation.
The instant they entered the three Konoha Jonin's range, three Lightning Release techniques struck them. Five were hit immediately.
Three dead, two seriously wounded!
The Kumogakure Ninja who had luckily dodged the attacks were Jonin too. They immediately used the Clone Technique, the Substitution Technique, and the Clone Technique again to evade the follow-up attacks and confuse the Konoha Ninja.
The four Kumogakure Jonin went through a flurry of moves, ending up frightened, exhausted, and panting. Only then did they realize the Konoha Ninja had already withdrawn.
Faced with such a bizarre situation, the Kumogakure Ninja didn't relax. They grew even more tense.
After a brief discussion, they abandoned the mission and fled in a panic, taking their two seriously wounded companions with them.
The Konoha Jonin from the Lightning Release squad couldn't help laughing when they returned to camp. "That was great!"
One of them, a Ninja with a huge scar across his face, said with a sigh, "In the past two years, I'd only killed one Jonin from Kumogakure, and I nearly paid for it with my life."
He touched the scar on his face and continued smugly, "In the past half hour, I went out five times and took down five Kumogakure Jonin, without getting hurt at all!"
Another young Konoha Jonin laughed. "You killed one, but my record over the past two years is still zero."
The last Konoha Jonin looked weathered. He was a rare middle-aged Konoha Jonin.
He sighed. "Lord Orochimaru's gotten even better at giving orders. Maybe this old man will get to go home alive again."
The Kumogakure army was making painfully slow progress. The lower-ranking Ninja squads were even more helpless, battered until they were stunned. Many had already fallen and would never get back up.
Killer B was in an absolutely foul mood. He couldn't sing a single line anymore. "What the hell happened?"
"Why has Konoha suddenly become so hard to deal with?"
Just then, a Kumogakure Ninja from the Intelligence Department returned with a Konoha Genin.
He spoke up. "Orochimaru has arrived at the front line. He's taken over command and is directing the Konoha army himself."
"I'm a Ninja from Kumogakure's Intelligence Department. Fifteen years ago, I was ordered to infiltrate Konoha. My identity verification file number is BERCOM-1147-26!"
Killer B waved for him to be taken away. Someone would naturally verify his identity.
Only after the man had left did Killer B manage to force a smile. "Haha, I knew it. Something special must have changed."
"My big brother and I have never fought Orochimaru before. I had no idea he was this good!"
His adviser, Samos, asked, "Lord Killer B, do you believe that spy's information?"
Killer B laughed loudly. "Believe it? Of course I believe it!"
"The Konoha Ninja's tactics are so complicated I can't even understand them, yet thousands of Ninja are willing to risk their lives carrying them out. Just think about how terrifying that kind of authority is!"
"Besides Orochimaru, is there anyone in Konoha with that much influence?"
Samos hadn't expected Killer B's judgment to be based not on the style of the tactics, but on the Konoha Ninja's ability to carry them out.
Still, he had to admit that this reasoning was more convincing.
Tactics could be relayed, discussed, and even directed from a distance. But making the lower-ranking Ninja follow orders and gamble their lives could only come from the commander's personal prestige.
Don't talk about strict military law. It was fine for keeping a few Ninja in line, but using it to coerce hundreds would involve enormous risks.
If thousands of Ninja bowed their heads and followed tactics they clearly didn't understand, it could only lead to a mutiny.
The Shinobi World was a place of bloodshed, where people risked their lives with real blades and powerful Ninjutsu!
It wasn't some damned romance novel for women!
Samos was convinced. He continued, "Lord Killer B, should we withdraw now?"
Killer B laughed out loud, even happily breaking into song. "Yo, yo~~ We can't retreat, can't retreat!"
"If we can't beat them this time, we'll stand even less of a chance next time!"
"We don't understand them, and Konoha isn't used to this yet. Next time they'll be used to it, and we'll be finished!"
"Ahem. You see, we've run into a formidable enemy. It's about time Killer B and Little Eight joined the fight!"
Samos was shocked. He shouted without a second thought, "No!"
Killer B pushed his sunglasses up, revealing his fierce little eyes. "Why not?"
"Big Brother said I could only join the fight directly in the most critical moments."
"Isn't this a critical moment?"
Samos was struck dumb. "Ah... I guess... it is?"
Killer B lowered his sunglasses and declared smugly, "What do you mean, 'I guess'? It obviously is!"
"Don't stand in my way. You're keeping me from beating the Konoha Ninja!"
After driving the Kumogakure Ninja around him dozens of meters away, Killer B called out triumphantly, "Little Eight, it's our turn!"
The Eight-Tails Gyuki's deep voice came from inside Killer B. "All right. Let's kill to our hearts' content!"
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