"Mm! I understand!"
Inoichi could naturally see just how terrifying these puppets were. Setting everything else aside, if they did not take the necessary measures and simply continued fighting head-on, then even if Konoha ultimately won and killed all the Iwagakure Ninja before them, they would inevitably pay an incomparably devastating price!
More importantly, this was absolutely not something that could be accomplished in a short time.
And time was precisely what Konoha lacked most in this clash.
The terrifying posture displayed by Shōji's enormous Susanoo was enough to make Shikaku tremble. If their battlefield below still had not been decided before Shōji defeated Lord Third and Lord Jiraiya—
Then this battlefield plan would have completely failed.
That was an outcome Konoha could never accept.
Shikaku's judgment had been exceptionally swift. After receiving the orders through Inoichi, Kakashi, Aburame Shibi, and the other Elite Jōnin also chose the most forceful method of attack, seeking a path that would let them break through completely!
And at that moment—
On the central battlefield.
Seeing his puppet army appear and effortlessly suppress Konoha's forces, a faint smile appeared in Shōji's eyes. His hands came together in a clap.
Clap!
Buzz!
Enormous Chakra surged forth.
As a gleam of Thunder Marsh bloomed within those eyes—
"Not good!?"
"That technique!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya, who had already been somewhat shocked by Iwagakure's deployment of its special automated puppet army, were likewise drawn to Shōji's movements.
This incomparably familiar sight.
The terrifying thunderous might surging from Susanoo.
That unmistakable technique!
"Stop him!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed drastically. The scene from years ago was still vivid in his mind as he shouted sharply.
Whoosh!
He immediately raised his Adamantine Staff high.
The staff whirled violently through the air.
"Two Great Sages!"
"Mm!"
Jiraiya formed hand seals at