Holding Off the Enemy Alone

The Hokage Building was brightly lit in the early morning.

Taiichi silently observed the expressions of the three Konoha High Command, feeling incredibly fortunate that he had acted quickly and decisively.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression just now, he was clearly biased towards Danzo. If Danzo were to return to Konoha smoothly, the punishment he would receive would be hard to predict.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi was also troubled by Utatane Koharu's question. At this time, where could he find another reinforcement?

"Hiruzen, why don't we send the Border Troops stationed in the Land of Grass to reinforce them first, and then reduce the number of ninjas doing missions in the village? That way we can gather at least five or six hundred people," Mitokado Homura said, offering his opinion.

With Konoha engaged in war on three fronts, each battlefield required one or two thousand people. Necessary troops also needed to be stationed on the borders of the country, and manpower was needed for daily tasks within the village.

At this time, Konoha's active ninja force was already quite strained, and the higher-ups could only rob Peter to pay Paul, reducing the number of ninjas in non-essential areas to replenish the front-line battlefield.

"Taiichi, did you go to find Danzo later?" Mitokado Homura asked Taiichi, voicing his question.

"No, when I arrived, Danzo had already escaped. After the battle ended, everyone was busy treating the wounded and transferring personnel, so there was no time to look for him." Taiichi answered decisively. He did go to look for him and even killed him, but he wouldn't tell Mitokado Homura about that.

"As subordinates, your Commander is missing, and instead of going to find him, you have evacuated without authorization. This is a serious crime!"

Mitokado Homura, with righteous indignation, directly used this as an opportunity to launch an attack, seemingly intending to erase Danzo's guilt.

Taiichi was furious. He had just been watching the show, but now his aura hardened, and he stared intently at Mitokado Homura: "What do you mean the Commander is missing? Running away is running away. Even the Rock Ninja can see that. You're just trying to make him look good."

They even made us go find him. Such a big Camp, is he an idiot? He won't come back on his own after the battle, why do we have to go find him?

The Camp was ravaged like that; of the more than a thousand ninjas, over half were killed or seriously wounded, and not a single one of the rest survived. If you send these people to defend the Camp, and they all die in battle, are you, Mitokado Homura, going to pay for it with the lives of your entire clan?

Furthermore, I am not Danzo's subordinate, and I have absolutely nothing to do with you, so stop pointing fingers at me!

Taiichi torrent of angry curses so quickly and urgently that Mitokado Homura was stunned, her chest heaving violently.

He truly hadn't expected Taiichi to be so bold, disregarding all sense of shame and directly retorting.

He pointed at Taiichi, muttering "you----you----" for a long time without being able to utter a complete sentence.

Taiichi crossed his arms and stared coldly at him, his entire aura focused and locked on Mitokado Homura, as if he would attack at the slightest move from Mitokado Homura.

"Alright, alright, Taiichi, don't get so agitated. Yan didn't mean that. Danzo still has people under his Danzo. If we can find them, wouldn't the front lines have a bit more strength?"

Utatane Koharu, playing the good cop, came over to calm Taiichi, who was about to explode. Then she turned to Mitokado Homura, saying, "Homura, can't you just talk things out? Taiichi didn't do anything wrong in this matter. He practically saved the Western Front. That's a huge achievement!"

Utatane Koharu is also a shrewd person. She openly praises Taiichi, but never mentions Danzo's escape. This is certainly due to their caution as high-ranking officials, but it also reflects their reluctance to severely punish Danzo.

However, Mitokado Homura clearly didn't appreciate Utatane Koharu's good intentions. Seeing someone restrain Taiichi, he immediately became more imposing, "You're right! You're a ninja from the Northern Front, how did you end up on the Western Front? Isn't that deserting your post?"

Taiichi was so angry at Mitokado Homura's logic that he laughed. He usually didn't want people to know that he could freely travel to various battlefields, not because he was afraid of punishment, but simply because he was afraid of trouble. Now someone was actually using that as a pretext.

"Whether it's dereliction of duty or not isn't up to you to decide; that's up to Lord Orochimaru. Besides, what rule in Konoha states that I have to stay at the Northern Camp and can't go to other Camp to provide support?"

Taiichi retorted without holding back, stating that Konoha did not have such a rule. The only similar rule was that ninjas could not leave the village without a reason, but it did not say that they could not leave the Camp.

Moreover, Taiichi was supporting a fellow villager's ninja, which wasn't even unjustified, so no one would say a bad word about Taiichi.

"Enough, Yan!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't stand it any longer. He shouted to stop Mitokado Homura, who was about to speak, and cursed him inwardly for being so reckless. Was this the time to pursue such matters?

"Taiichi, take my order and immediately go to the border to mobilize the garrison there to support the Land of Grass. Also, inform Orochimaru that you are now a free agent, traveling between battlefields as needed, and do not need to stay specifically on the Northern Battlefield."

As he spoke Hiruzen Sarutobi took out paper and pen, quickly wrote down the orders, and handed them directly to Taiichi.

Taiichi solemnly accepted the warrant and nodded emphatically, "Rest assured Hokage-sama- sama, I will definitely complete the mission."

"Good boy, hurry up, the front lines can't afford any delays," Hiruzen Sarutobi urged.

Taiichi nodded, bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Koharu Utatane to take his Utatane Koharu, and ignored Mitokado Homura completely.

After Taiichi left, Mitokado Homura finally couldn't hold back any longer and exploded, "Hiruzen, you saw it, this kid is increasingly disregarding me. It was like this last time, and it's like this again. If he continues like this, will he even disregard you in the future?"

Mitokado Homura's barbed accusations also dragged Hiruzen Sarutobi into the fray, but Hiruzen Sarutobi was no pushover either; Mitokado Homura's clearly biased questioning was simply unacceptable to him.

Moreover, at such a critical time, instead of protecting someone who has made a contribution, you're trying to exonerate a suspect. Don't even mention Taiichi, I would criticize you.

"Yan, Danzo's matter when he returns. Even if he didn't escape, he can't escape the blame for poor command. The real priority now is how to replenish the front lines."

Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored Mitokado Homura's complaints and simply let the matter slide. He might not have really wanted to severely punish Danzo, but there was no need to make it so obvious.

"Can----"

Mitokado Homura wanted to say something, but was Utatane Koharu. This old friend, perhaps influenced by Danzo, had always been unfriendly to Taiichi.

Utatane Koharu, was a little worried that the two of them might really have a falling out and start fighting one day. Judging from the current situation, Taiichi was not one to take a loss lying down. If you let him seize the opportunity, it was not impossible for him to beat you up.

Taiichi, having left, paid no heed to what happened in the Hokage's Office. He used the Flying Thunder God Technique to reach the border, then spread his wings and flew towards the garrison's Camp.

In less than an hour, he arrived at the Camp, holding the Hokage's warrant, Taiichi quickly met with the Camp's Commander.

Without wasting words, the two quickly explained the ins and outs of the matter. Taiichi then left a Shadow Clone to lead the way, while his main body Flying Thunder God back to the retreating western front troops using the Thunder God technique.

Mimura Hamaki stayed by Nonō's side the whole time. When he saw Taiichi return, he immediately noticed the commotion and went over to him.

"Taiichi, how's it going? Any plans for the village?"

"The Border Troops are advancing towards us, and the village will also reorganize a new batch of ninjas to provide support. At least for now, we should be able to hold off the Iwagakure's attack," Taiichi explained the village's decision, adding at the end, "I will stay here for the time being and fight against Iwagakure with you."

Hearing this, Mimura Hamaki breathed a long sigh of relief. It was good that the village had reinforcements coming, but the best news was that Taiichi had been left behind on the Western Front Battlefield.

I had always heard how amazing Taichi Matsushita, but I never took it seriously. However, seeing is believing, and after witnessing it firsthand, I realized that the rumors were not only not exaggerated, but rather somewhat conservative.

Given the situation yesterday, it could be said that Taiichi saved the entire Camp. Now that Taiichi has been temporarily left on the western front, Mimura Hamaki is immediately filled with boundless confidence in the future of the western front.

"That's great, Taiichi- kun. The village made the right decision to keep you here."

Listening to Mimura Hamaki's sigh, one could tell how much resentment he Danzo appointed Commander.

Taiichi just smiled when he heard this; he would never express his views on the village in front of outsiders.

Time slipped away quietly amidst the tense march. As the sun reached its zenith, a large number of Iwagakure Ninja gathered at the site of the previous night's battle, the former Camp of the western front forces.

A Scout team returned from the abandoned Camp.

"Commander, preliminary Scout indicate that the Konoha ninjas likely left around 2 AM."

Higashishinin Iwagakure, the Commander of the Iwagakure army's operation against Konoha, felt a pang of regret upon arriving at these ruins.

If they had been bolder last night and sent more ninjas to accompany Han, this Konoha force might have been wiped out.

"Han, you said you encountered Taichi Matsushita during last night's ambush. Is he really that powerful?"

The Higashishinin turned to look at the burly man beside him, wanting to get more information.

"Actually, I didn't really fight him last night. It was Kokuō who reminded me to retreat quickly." Han's muffled voice drifted out from behind his mask.

"Without a fight, you were scared back by a child?" Higashishinin said incredulously.

"Kokuō wouldn't lie to me, and besides, it can't be said that there wasn't any fighting at all." Han walked towards the Camp ahead, then turned back to the Higashishinin and said, "Come with me, I'll take you to see the scene."

The two, along with a group of Jonin who had followed them Jonin at the place where Taiichi had descended the previous night.

Han pointed to a deep, bottomless slash on the ground and said to the crowd, "It descended from the sky with a single strike, severing three of Kokuō's tails and killing two Jonin in the process."

Several Jonin who also wielded swords Jonin forward, gently touching the slash marks on the ground. They seemed to be able to sense the sword energy within them. Their expressions changed, and they looked up at the Higashishinin, shaking their heads to indicate that they were not at that level.

The other Jonin also imagined the scene at that time, wondering what kind of attack could have such destructive power.

But this was clearly beyond their comprehension, and that's precisely why they were even more wary.

"Higashishinin, what do we do? Should we keep chasing him?" asked Jonin named Mahiru. He was one of the people who sensed the slash marks on the ground earlier, and he was also a ninja skilled in swordsmanship.

"Pursue them! No matter what, this is the weakest time for the Konoha Ninja. We must seize this opportunity. Last night we had fewer people, so we were hesitant in the fight. Now we outnumber them, what do we have to fear?"

The Higashishinin were decisive; even if it were just Taichi Matsushita, or even if both of Konoha Twin Terrors came, they would still fight.

What do they have to fear from a half-crippled army? Do they really think one Taichi Matsushita can take on hundreds of Konoha soldiers?

Jonin hearing Higashishinin's words, the Jonin all wore excited and cruel smiles. Their goal in waging war against Konoha was to defeat the Konoha forces in First Shinobi World War, then take over the entire Land of Grass, and finally invade the Land of Fire to plunder their wealth.

Now, this goal is within reach, and only the final and most crucial step remains to obtain them—to completely defeat this Konoha force.

Thus, the vast Iwagakure force swiftly pursued the direction in which the Konoha Ninja had retreated. They were in excellent condition, and their speed was naturally unmatched by the remnants of Konoha's defeated army.

Meanwhile, in a place unseen by Iwagakure, Taiichi Shadow Clone, hidden underground, opened his eyes. Although he couldn't fully monitor Iwagakure's every move, he still saw them chasing after the Konoha Ninja.

The retreat that followed was going to be difficult; he needed to buy enough time for the troops on the western front.

White smoke rose, Shadow Clone dissipated on its own.

Among the retreating troops from Konoha, Taiichi opened them. He stood up and gazed in the direction of the Land of Earth. There, the Iwagakure forces were in pursuit.

Taiichi's actions naturally attracted the attention of Mimura Hamaki, who, seeing the direction Taiichi was looking, had his own guess.

"Are the Iwagakure Ninja chasing after us?"

Taiichi nodded, but then smiled easily, "There's nothing to worry about. You guys continue your retreat, I'm going to have some fun with them!"

Taiichi spoke lightly, but no one thought it was just a game; they were risking their lives to buy time for their evacuation.

"Taiichi, be careful!" Nonō didn't stop him, but instead straightened Taiichi's collar and gave him a careful warning.

"Don't worry, even if I can't beat them, I can still run away. They can't kill me." He smiled brightly and leaped away from the group.

Those around who knew the situation watched Taiichi's figure gradually disappear into the distance, offering their silent blessings.

Taiichi had broken away from the group, did not go far. He sat cross-legged under a large tree, silently meditating and tempering his spirit.

Last night's treatment depleted almost all of his Chakra in his Yin Seal, and he won't have that much left for the upcoming First Shinobi World War.

Time passed by, and by evening, the distance that Konoha Ninja had taken 10 hours to cover was covered by Iwagakure's pursuing force in just 5 hours.

At the edge of Taiichi's Chakra Perception, the Iwagakure Scout team had already appeared.