Danzo's Strategic Counterattack

The spirit left Nonō's body, Taiichi didn't linger, flying directly into his own body.

The Shadow Clone disappeared, Taiichi once again flew through the sky on his own wings. He looked down at Nonō, who looked like a tiny dot below, Taiichi, and finally left.

However, he did not leave the Land of Earth. Instead, he used his flying ability to wander around the Land of Earth, while also looking for a suitable location to set up the coordinates of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

It took Taiichi four days to fly to almost every town and city in the Land of Earth of Land of Earth, setting up more than a hundred Flying Thunder God sites.

From then on, the Land of Earth was a country that Taiichi could reach in the blink of an eye.

During these past few days, Taiichi has been keeping a close eye on Nonō's movements, and just as he guessed, Danzo did not tamper with the mission.

Even so, her mission was not easy to complete. Although Taiichi did not know the specific details of the mission, he knew from the fact that five Jonin teams were chasing after Nonō that it must not be a simple mission.

At one point, Taiichi almost couldn't help but intervene, but he held back in the end. Since Nonō hadn't asked for help, he couldn't interfere with her choice without her consent; it was also out of respect for her.

After Nonō successfully completed her mission and returned to the Konoha Camp, Taiichi finally returned to where he belonged.

"Taiichi, how's it going? Have you finished taking care of everything these past few days?"

In the Central Command Tent, Orochimaru casually asked Taiichi as he approached. He didn't care where Taiichi had been these past few days; as long as Taiichi wasn't betraying Konoha, he had always been very lenient with him.

"It's all done. Cloud Village any moves these past two days?"

Having worked together for some time, Taiichi and Orochimaru have become quite familiar with each other, and their interactions are no longer as formal as they were at the beginning.

During this period, Orochimaru, although he had begun to pursue immortality, still aimed to become Hokage, so his behavior was not as unrestrained as it became later.

The relationship between the two is more of a hybrid between superior and like-minded people. Orochimaru appreciates Taiichi's strength and talent, while Taiichi admires Orochimaru's research spirit.

"Killer B is back! We received intelligence yesterday that Iwagakure Killer B. Judging by their speed, they should have arrived at Cloud Village's Camp of the Land of Moon by today. You've returned just in time!"

Orochimaru revealed a wicked smile. If Taiichi didn't know his personality, he would have thought Orochimaru was mocking him.

"Killer B is back! Does that mean the Cloud Village's advantage on the Land of Earth battlefield is no longer worth it?"

Taiichi was puzzled. The Cloud Village had gone to great lengths and finally achieved good results in the Land of Earth. Why would they call back their strongest forces? Wasn't that redundant?

Orochimaru gave Taiichi strange look, and seeing that Taiichi seemed a little puzzled, he slowly began to explain.

"Your capture Jonin the Cloud Village Jonin last time scared the Cloud Village. In order to prevent the front line here from collapsing, the Cloud Village had no choice but to recall Killer B."

As for Iwagakure, it's said that the Third Raikage has personally gone to the front lines. Cloud Village is determined to cripple Iwagakure in First Shinobi World War.

Okay, so it turns out it was all his fault after all. He shouldn't have gone to block the gate of the Cloud Village Front Camp.

This has completely disrupted Cloud Village's strategic plans.

But then again, could this be Raikage's final battle on the front lines? Should I go and witness that epic scene with tens of thousands of enemies?

Just as Taiichi was still daydreaming, Orochimaru's voice came again.

"Taiichi, there haven't been any battles lately, so let's move on to the next phase of the Soft Physique Modification —human trials."

"Wow, that fast?"

Orochimaru glanced at Taiichi, his eyes filled with a mix of regret, conflict, and admiration. It was good to conduct research and experiments with Taiichi, and everything was progressing smoothly, but there was one problem: Taiichi was too demanding in his use of the test subjects.

This often doubles the time required for experiments that could have been completed quickly, which drove Orochimaru, an efficiency-conscious person, crazy.

However, compared to the extended testing period, the lack of progress in the research was undoubtedly what gave Orochimaru a bigger headache.

Therefore, all things considered, conducting research together with Taiichi is still more cost-effective.

"It's not going to happen anytime soon. I plan to complete the human trials in the next two months. If the trials prove feasible, my next step will be to modify myself."

Orochimaru spoke calmly, but Taiichi could sense an urgency in his rapid speech. He didn't try to persuade him further and could only hope that Orochimaru's experiment would go smoothly.

"Okay, when shall we begin?"

"If you're up to it, we can officially start the experiment this afternoon."

What is there to hesitate about? A man can't say no.

Under Orochimaru's influence, the two spent the next few days in the laboratory.

As for the battlefield, it was entirely left to the staff officers to manage.

The Cloud Village also had a tacit understanding: since Taiichi and Orochimaru didn't go to the battlefield, A and Killer B stayed safely in the Camp.

The entire Northern Front fell into a strange tacit understanding, with constant minor skirmishes, but no real major battles occurred.

Konoha guards the Land of Hot Water, Cloud Village guards the Land of Moon. The two sides use their border as the war zone, constantly attacking and defending against each other.

When it comes to Orochimaru, Taiichi admires most is not his strength or versatile methods, but his unique scientist-like spirit and logical thinking in the Ninja World.

During his time following Orochimaru in experiments, Taiichi not only learned a large number of scientific research methods he had never encountered before, but also made great progress in Yang Release and Medical Ninjutsu.

If it weren't for concerns about not being able to explain the origin, Taiichi would have liked to bring out the White Zetsu and study it with Orochimaru.

It's worth noting that Taiichi also established a laboratory in the Land of Wind. There, a living White Zetsu is imprisoned.

Taiichi would occasionally take some time to go and check on the White Zetsu, these mysterious creatures, but so far he hadn't made any progress.

During this time, Taiichi conducted experiments behind Orochimaru, which gave him some new ideas. It is believed that soon, when these ideas are verified on White Zetsu, they will bear fruit.

While the Northern Camp and Cloud Village were playing a friendly match in perfect harmony, and the Southern Camp and Mist Village in a fierce battle...

At the Western Camp, Danzo finally used the intelligence obtained by Nonō to launch a fierce offensive while the battle between Iwagakure and Cloud Village was raging.

On the battlefield of the Land of Grass, the main battles had basically ended, but Danzo had no intention of simply giving up.

He had been preparing for this great battle for a long time, and the intelligence that Nonō brought back was the final piece of this massive plan.

As expected, reality unfolded exactly as planned. Under his leadership, the Western Front launched a surprise attack, taking advantage of the gap in Iwagakure's troop rotation, and decisively defeated Iwagakure's main force in the Land of Grass.

"Danzo, what should we do next?" A Jonin covered in blood appeared before Danzo in Body Flicker, asking for instructions on the next course of action.

Danzo glanced at the newcomer, a member of his Root, and a rare smile appeared on his face, though it had a sinister feel to it.

"Give the order: pursue with all your might! I want to ensure that not a single Rock Ninja remains in this Land of Grass."

"Yes, Danzo!" The Root Jonin was excited and went to relay Danzo's order without the slightest hesitation.

Soon, the situation on the battlefield changed. The Konoha Ninja, who had relaxed somewhat, rallied their spirits and unleashed a fierce attack on the fleeing Iwagakure Ninja.

The Iwagakure Ninja, having received orders to retreat, offered little resistance. Unless their lives were in danger, they focused solely on fleeing and were unwilling to engage the Konoha Ninja in prolonged conflict.

Thus, the pursuing Konoha Ninja quickly caught up with Iwagakure's Camp in the Land of Grass. Even there, Danzo's men did not encounter much stubborn resistance.

In just half an hour, the Konoha Ninja captured the Camp.

At this moment, the entire Camp was ablaze with Kakkou. Even in daylight, the dazzling Kakkou and thick smoke could be clearly seen from miles away.

This was a fire set by the Iwagakure Ninja as they fled. The fire destroyed all the supplies and provisions stored in the Camp, leaving only an empty shell of a Camp for Konoha.

An hour later, Danzo arrived at the now-ruined Camp, escorted by his men.

His face revealed barely suppressed joy; the destruction of this Camp meant that the war on the Land of Grass's side had achieved a phased victory.

With this victory, the negative impact of his previous removal from the position of elder will be completely offset.

After all, no sin is beyond redemption by meritorious service; if it can't be, it just means your merits are insufficient.

"Danzo, the Iwagakure used Fire Style to set all their supplies ablaze before they fled. By the time we breached the Camp, everything had been reduced to ashes."

A ninja in charge of logistics came to report, and Danzo's expression darkened upon hearing Danzo. Iwagakure was truly decisive; so many supplies had been burned so quickly.

"I understand, you may leave!" Danzo waved his hand with a regretful expression. He had thought that his offensive was so fierce that it would catch Iwagakure guard and that his spoils would be plentiful.

As a result, Iwagakure was indeed defeated, but they not only fled decisively, but also handled the situation swiftly. As soon as they decided to retreat, they began burning supplies, truly leaving the enemy with no spoils of war.

However, it doesn't matter. The biggest victory has already been achieved; the rest are just minor details.

Danzo, accompanied by his men, strolled through the Camp like a lion surveying its newly acquired territory.

Amidst the ruins, there were occasionally some Iwagakure corpses that hadn't been cleared away, but these did nothing to disturb Danzo's pleasant mood.

"Danzo, news has just arrived that the vanguard is about to reach the border of the Land of Earth. We request further instructions."

An intelligence ninja Body Flicker to Danzo's side, bringing him the latest battlefield situation.

"Alright, pass the word down. Tell them not to stop the pursuit. Allow them to penetrate fifty kilometers into the Land of Earth and kill as Iwagakure Ninja as possible."

Danzo said sinisterly, his abundant victory had made him lose his head, as if Iwagakure was nothing more than a bunch of chickens and dogs.

"Danzo, isn't this too aggressive? The battle lines are stretched too thin, making it difficult for the squads to coordinate with each other. Besides, once we reach the Land of Earth, the resistance and support from Iwagakure will become even stronger."

Mimura Hamaki offered his opinion, stating that as the deputy commander, this was his responsibility, and in his view, the results of this First Shinobi World War were already significant enough.

What they need now is to properly digest the benefits brought about by this war.

His attempt to persuade her backfired, rather than having any advice.

Danzo was still basking in the joy of a great victory, had no reason to listen to Mimura Hamaki's advice. "You're a former Commander who's been getting beaten down by Iwagakure all along. What right do you have to give me advice?"

Danzo ignored Mimura Hamaki and directly ordered the Root ninja beside him, "Send the logistics troops forward. We'll re-establish our Camp on the border of the Land of Earth. This time, we'll learn from Cloud Village and invade Iwagakure's homeland. Let that shorty Ōnoki know the consequences of offending Konoha."

These words were indeed inspiring; at least the lower-ranking ninjas around Danzo and those nearby who heard them all seemed incredibly excited.

At this point, it doesn't matter whether he's Root ninja or an ordinary ninja; they are all Konoha Ninja. The fact that they could beat Iwagakure, who had been suppressing them, to this extent, and now they're even going to fight into the Land of Earth, shows that their support for Danzo has undoubtedly reached its peak.

Feeling the admiration and fervor emanating from the ninjas around him, Danzo as refreshed and ecstatic as if he had eaten ice cream on a sweltering summer day.

He suppressed a laugh and continued issuing orders with a stern face, "Notify the mopping-up troops to find all the Iwagakure Ninja stranded in the Land of Grass. I need a safe rear area."

"Yes, Danzo!" The messenger ninja's voice was filled with excitement.

Mimura Hamaki wanted to persuade him further, but his sleeve was gently tugged by his subordinate behind him. He turned around angrily, only to see his subordinate shaking his head helplessly at him.

Mimura Hamaki was slightly taken aback. He couldn't help but deeply reflect on whether he had been too conservative and cautious. At times like this, he should have pressed his advantage and expanded his gains.

He looked at the excited and relieved expressions on the faces of the ninjas around him, and finally shut his mouth.

Perhaps Danzo was right in doing the right thing!

Danzo all of Mimura Hamaki's actions and curled his lip in disdain.

He never thought much of Mimura Hamaki, and he had no ambition in battle, only knowing how to defend. Of Konoha's three battlefronts, the Western Front you commanded was the worst.

Now that I've achieved a great victory, proving that my command ability is superior to yours, you're still here whining and offering your conservative opinions. You really have no sense of propriety at all.

"Come with me to the Land of Earth, and see how we Konoha Ninja slay the Iwagakure Ninja. Let everyone know that offense is the best defense."

Danzo's pointed remark caused some of the surrounding ninjas to burst into laughter, while others were left feeling extremely embarrassed.

But at this moment, no one would disobey his orders; everyone crowded around him and rushed to the front line.