Rescue and Battle

On a secluded path hidden by a dense forest in the Land of Rivers, two groups of people are facing off.

To call it a standoff would be an understatement; one side was practically hoping the other hadn't even seen them. But reality wasn't as rosy as they imagined.

As the Kazekage and his group approached step by step, Yohei, Kakashi, and the others could only retreat. It wasn't that they lacked the determination to fight, but rather that they were all at their limit and might not even have the strength to fight to the death.

Meanwhile, Kazekage Rasa was not feeling so good either. He had initially thought it was some famous Konoha Ninja who had caused so much trouble for Sunagakure, but when he actually saw them, it turned out to be just a few young children.

The oldest guy here is only thirteen or fourteen years old. Heaven really favors Konoha. Why is it that they are always so full of talented people, with geniuses emerging one after another?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but recall the guy who had almost shaken his position as Kazekage not long ago. He was also so young, even younger than the group of people in front of him.

"Do you know Taichi Matsushita ninja from Konoha?" As expected of the Kazekage, even though he was thinking "You should die right now" in his heart, he still maintained his composure on the surface.

Yohei and the others exchanged bewildered glances, not understanding what Kazekage meant, but they remained extremely vigilant in the face of the enemy's question.

"Oh, it seems the ninjas of Konoha are nothing special, they don't even have the courage to talk to me!" the Kazekage said disdainfully.

This is clearly a provocation, and it works very well on young people, especially those inexperienced ninjas who love to show off. It's a sure thing every time.

Sure enough, Obito, who had just awakened his Obito and whose emotions were still unstable, couldn't resist the provocation and blurted out a sentence that no one around him could stop.

"Of course I know him, he's a close friend of ours, the kind of friend we'd risk our lives for!"

"Slap!" Yohei slapped Taiyi on the back of the head, but it was Taiichi late. Before Obito could even complain, Rasa had already made a move.

"Oh, that's great. If we capture you, I'm sure Taichi Matsushita will find it very interesting."

Obito realized at this point that he had said the wrong thing, not only giving the other party additional information but also potentially affecting Taiichi.

Remorseful, he could only keep his mouth shut and await Yohei's punishment.

At this moment, Kakashi and Rin were already somewhat desperate. Facing the Kazekage, even in their prime, it was unlikely they could escape unscathed, let alone now that they were both exhausted.

All they can think about now is how to die with more dignity, in a way that befits their identity as Konoha Ninja.

Yohei and Saori exchanged a glance, both understanding the meaning in each other's eyes. They had originally intended to escape the pursuit on their own, but they hadn't expected to run into the Kazekage.

It seems we have no choice but to ask Taiichi for help. Although they have been away for some time, they know how powerful Taiichi is now, having withstood the Kazekage without defeat. With the addition of the Flying Thunder God, it shouldn't be difficult to get them away from this place.

In this regard, Taiichi's two former teammates had quite a bit of confidence in him.

Just as the Kazekage his hand, signaling the Jonin beside him to Jonin, Yohei took out a uniquely shaped Kunai from his Ninja Tool Pouch. Chakra, and the runes on the Kunai's surface flashed by.

Less than two seconds later, Taiyi, dressed in a white coat and holding Short Sword, Taiichi appeared beside Yohei.

He looked around the scene and the first thing he noticed was Yohei's group, all of whom had multiple injuries. Then he saw Kazekage's group, who were already on guard not far away.

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly involuntarily. Good heavens, I have to face Kazekage as soon as I come out. Yohei, you really think highly of me!

Reaching into his Ninja Tool Pouch, Taichi took out a bottle of specially made Military Ration Pill and handed it to Yohei beside him, while keeping Taiichi eyes fixed on the Kazekage opposite him.

"Isn't it a bit like bullying the young ninja of Konoha Taiichi the Konoha to be staring at us like that?" Lord Kazekage mocked. Regardless of the situation, he wanted to seize the moral high ground first, and also annoy the Kazekage. If he could break his guard, that would be even better.

The Sunagakure members were also shocked. Taichi Matsushita, how did he get here? This is the power of Space-Time Ninjutsu!

Rasa's gaze fell on the special Kunai that Yohei had just taken out, and he already had a guess in his mind. It must be because of that Kunai that it served as a location.

"Taichi Matsushita, you've got some nerve, remaining so calm even when you see me. Do you really think things are the same as that night?" Kazekage Rasa wasn't in a hurry at all, chatting casually with Taiichi.

But where no one could see, a steady stream of Chakra was flowing down his feet into the ground, refining and transforming into Magnet Release Gold Dust.

Taiichi's senses were incredibly sharp; he noticed the movement the moment Kazekage Rasa made a move. "It seems Kazekage Fengying isn't so confident after all! Otherwise, why would he resort to such underhanded tactics?"

As he spoke, he slashed at the ground between the two sides with his sword. A flash of fiery sword energy appeared, and under Taiichi's control, it blasted a crater about half a meter deep into the ground, from which a large amount of golden sand splashed out.

His action startled both sides, who thought he was about to make a move. But after seeing the Magnet Release Gold Dust that had been blasted out, they realized what he meant.

Rasa's expression was naturally not good. His little scheme had been discovered, which contrasted sharply with his words just now. It was as if Taiyi had slapped his face Taiichi.

But Rasa, being a seasoned politician, quickly mastered his composure, leaving no trace of his true feelings.

"Of course, we must go all out in battle, what else is there to say?" Kazekage appeared nonchalant, not taking the recent minor setback to heart at all. "But you, Taichi Matsushita, have you thought about how you want to die?"

"Who can say for sure who will live and who will die?" Taiichi his sword, his words sharp and assertive. "Who knows, Sunagakure might start selecting the Fifth Kazekage!"

"You sharp-tongued brat, it seems the Underworld is the most suitable place for you!" After saying this, Rasa stopped waiting, clearly having already finished accumulating the Magnet Release Gold Dust.

Taiichi stopped arguing. Rasa was stalling for time, and so was he. Although Yohei and Kakashi had been replenished with Taiichi's Military Ration Pill, they still needed time to recover. Otherwise, they would have no way to protect themselves against the four people from Sunagakure due to their lack of Chakra.

From underground, massive amounts of Magnet Release Gold Dust shot into the sky, forming a Magnet Release Gold Dust curtain that blotted out the sun. Taiichi, watching from the ground, was sweating profusely. He himself wasn't afraid, but the range of this attack was simply too wide.

Taiichi One-Handed Seal and created two Shadow Clones to protect Yohei and Kakashi.

However, his actions clearly provoked Rasa, reminding him of that unpleasant past incident.

With a wave of his hands, he sent Senbon Magnet Release Gold Dust particles flying down towards the crowd behind Taiichi.

"You guys retreat first!"

Taiichi gave an order, without Hand Seals, and simply took a deep breath and exhaled.

A Bright Gold golden Fireball went straight at it, instantly burning a huge hole in the sky full of gold Magnet Release Gold Dust.

"Haha, it seems you haven't learned your lesson, Kazekage. That trick won't work on me."

Taiichi provoked with his words, but he was not slow at all. He kept rushing forward with his Body Flicker, wanting to launch a close-range attack. He wasn't stupid. He wouldn't even think of exchanging blows with Magnet Release from a distance unless his Earth Style had also reached Level 11.

"Arrogant brat, you managed to get close last time, and now you really think you're my match!"

Rasa scoffed, watching Taiichi approach relentlessly. He quickly Hand Seals and Magnet Release: Gold Dust Waves.

Instantly, the scattered Magnet Release Gold Dust gathered in large quantities, like waves crashing against Taiichi in layers, seemingly forcing Taiichi away and forcing him to circle around Rasa Taiichi.

With this distance between them, the four Sand Village Ninja began launching ranged attacks on Taiichi.

In an instant, Wind Blade, flames, and Lightning Ball all hurtled towards Taiichi.

Taiichi, however, was quite disdainful of this. "You want to gang up on me? You must still be dreaming!"

He took out four Kunai with his left hand and casually threw them towards the four Jonin. Then he took out four more Kunai and threw them towards the Kazekage.

When Rasa saw Taiichi take out that unusual Kunai, he became extremely vigilant. Just as he was about to warn his subordinates, Taiichi, who was surrounded by Ninjutsu, suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind a Sunagakure Jonin.

He thrust his Short Sword downwards, feeling the blade pierce his flesh. But Taiichi sighed inwardly. He was not Minato after all. The Flying Thunder God was something he had never been able to wield as smoothly as Minato before.

The Sunagakure Ninja was only stabbed in the left arm, failing to achieve a fatal blow. This was not only because his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Minato was inferior to Minato's, but also because his reaction speed was not as fast as Minato's.

But Taiichi was not discouraged. The Flying Thunder God was Minato's most important technique, but it was only one of his many techniques.

The Short Sword pierced the opponent's arm and slashed outwards, almost severing the Jonin's entire left arm. That wasn't all; with Taiichi breath, balls of Phoenix Sage Fire rushed towards the Jonin.

Already injured, and with the distance so close, the Jonin didn't even have time to dodge before being Phoenix Sage Fire. In the blink of an eye, the Bright Gold flames took his breath away.

It sounds like a long story, but it actually happened in the blink of an eye. By the time the Kazekage and the other ninjas wanted to come to the rescue, Taiichi had already completed the kill.

"Damn it, Taichi Matsushita, you truly deserve to die!" Kazekage Rasa was furious. The Kazekage, surrounded by four subordinates attacking a Konoha Ninja, had one of his subordinates killed in the process. This was a blatant humiliation.

"You all go and hunt down the escaped Konoha Ninja. I'll handle Taichi Matsushita!"

The remaining three ninjas exchanged glances, nodded in agreement, and vanished from the scene in Body Flicker.

Taiichi didn't try to stop them at all; instead, a mocking smile appeared on his lips. "Go on, go on, go after Yohei and the others!"

Taiichi's self-light re-locked onto Rasa, and before he could speak again, he flashed and appeared only 3 meters away from Rasa.

With a swift slash of his Short Sword, a Flame Blade Qi shot out and struck the Fourth Kazekage.

But Kazekage was clearly prepared; a thick Magnet Release Gold Dust shield blocked his way, and at the same time, Magnet Release Gold Dust rose again, surrounding Taiichi from all directions.

Taiichi was not to be outdone, unleashing sword techniques and Fire Style in turn. When he was truly trapped, he simply threw out Flying Thunder God Kunai, and then a brand new round of battle began.

Gradually, both sides realized that they couldn't really do anything to each other. In this one-on-one battle, Taiichi lacked a sure-kill move against Magnet Release, and the Kazekage also lacked a way to surround and kill Taiichi.

However, the two sides had completely different attitudes towards this result. Taiichi is still so young. If he is given more time to develop, Kazekage will definitely not be his match.

But in the eyes of the Kazekage, this was an utter disgrace. As the Kage of a village and the symbol of Sunagakure's highest fighting strength, he couldn't even defeat an eleven or twelve-year-old child. This was beyond disgrace; if word got out, even Sunagakure's reputation would be affected.

When employers who wanted to place missions in Sunagakure heard that the Kazekage couldn't even beat a child, they didn't consider Taiichi talented Taichi was; they only thought, based on their own understanding, that the Kazekage's strength was nothing special.

If even the Kazekage is this strong, then his other ninjas must be even weaker.

At that time, the number of mission requests from Sunagakure will definitely drop precipitously, which will make the already poor finances even worse.

Thinking of this, even in the summer heat, Kazekage couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

His killing intent surged even more as he looked at Taiichi not far away.

At this moment, he regretted it. He shouldn't have assigned all his men to others. Even if it meant the annihilation of his men, as long as he could keep Taichi Matsushita here, all the sacrifices would be worthwhile.

But there's no going back.

At this moment, the two were still facing off against each other, while simultaneously recovering their depleted Chakra.

The battle has been going on for half an hour now. Apart from some hidden tactics, both sides have been giving it their all. The stalemate is just waiting for an opportunity to break out.

And at that moment, the commotion coming from afar might just be the key to this opportunity.

Don't forget, Taiichi came to rescue Yohei and the others who were being chased. At this moment, a large number of Sand Village Ninja are rushing towards their location from all directions.

The intense commotion caused by Taiichi and the Kazekage's battle naturally attracted the attention of the Sunagakure pursuers. This half-hour or so was enough time for the Sunagakure Ninja who were already trailing behind Yohei and the others to arrive.

Sensing the commotion around him, Kazekage immediately launched another attack on Taiichi. His objective was clear: not to kill, but simply to prevent Taiichi from Flying Thunder God Technique to escape.

He had also noticed that, perhaps because Taichi Matsushita was not yet proficient, there was a brief pre-cast animation before he could use Flying Thunder God Technique. If he could seize this opening and use relentless attacks, he could force Taichi to be unable to use Flying Thunder God Technique.

Seemingly seeing a glimmer of hope for victory, Rasa couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Taiichi.

"Taichi Matsushita, what do you say? Surrender! You're so young, you have such a bright future ahead of you. It would be such a waste to die like this. If you surrender, what Konoha can give you, Sunagakure can give you too, and even more!"

Taiichi stared speechlessly at Kazekage, who was still babbling on and on. Did he really think Taiyi was a fool? Even a three-year-old could see clearly what kind of end a traitor could have.

Besides, he really thought he could have me cornered.

Glancing at the five teams of ninjas who had already arrived, Taiichi mocked without restraint, "The Kazekage underestimates me, Taichi Matsushita. You think you can keep me here with these rotten potatoes and rotten eggs? The Kazekage should go back and train for another hundred years!"