Konoha's forces were now scattered across the Land of River. Allowing this weapon into the Land of River would be far too dangerous, both for the country and for Konoha's forces!
The two sides stood on the brink of battle, with fighting about to break out at any moment. Senju Genma also left the troops and came to the front lines.
When Hatake Sakumo saw him arrive at his side, he quickly smiled and said, "That monk is Bunpuku. I'll leave him to you."
Following Hatake Sakumo's gaze, Senju Genma spotted a bald old man with white eyebrows and a white beard among the Sand Ninja forces.
Senju Genma had seen his photograph and recognized him at a glance.
"I'll take care of him, then. I'll try to draw him away from the battlefield."
"You should be careful too. Don't get caught in the crossfire."
Hatake Sakumo nodded. "I understand. You don't need to hold back for our sake. Your safety is the most important thing."
Though he didn't want to say something like that, it was the truth.
To the village, Senju Genma was indeed more important than "ordinary people" like them.
"Don't worry. I value my life. I won't do anything reckless." Senju Genma grinned.
He was a selfish man. To him, not all lives were equal. The only person he would give his life for was the one he loved.
But unfortunately, the only person he loved who had come to the Land of River was Tsunade, and she was managing the logistics forces far behind the front lines.
As for everyone else, even people he could barely call friends, like Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo, Senju Genma had never considered giving his life for them. If they happened to die, he would feel sad for them at most.
Senju Genma thought for a moment, then looked at Hatake Sakumo, Orochimaru, and Shimura Danzō.
"Right, you three can take on Chiyo and Ebizo."
"Sure."
"No problem."
Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru answered at once.
Shimura Danzō fixed his uncovered eye on Senju Genma and pondered for a moment.
"I understand."
Though he saw Senju Genma as a rival on his path to becoming Hokage, now was no time for infighting.
If they lost this battle, there would be no point in thinking about becoming Hokage.
On the contrary, if they won, he could make up for his past mistakes and have a sliver of a chance.
Led by Hatake Sakumo, the Konoha Ninja charged into battle.
In an instant, shouts and cries of battle filled the air.
The normally deserted desert was suddenly alive with noise.
Beneath the pure white moonlight, the ninja clashed at close quarters or unleashed ninjutsu, and bright red blood splashed across the yellow sand.
Senju Genma charged into battle at the head of the forces. Any Sand Ninja who dared approach was knocked back, their bodies flying like kites with severed strings.
"Brat, don't get too cocky." Chiyo stepped forward and took out a scroll. "White Secret Technique: Chikamatsu Ten Puppets!"
With all ten fingers working at once, she controlled ten puppets dressed in white, sending them into a coordinated assault on Senju Genma from different angles.
Senju Genma focused and swung the Senju Greatsword in his hands.
Clang!
The female puppet wielding two greatswords was the first to be knocked back.
Five iron whips shot from the blue-faced puppet's head. The arms of the red-faced puppet and the white-faced puppet were joined together. The red-faced puppet's head transformed into a rapidly spinning four-bladed Chakra Blade, while the white-faced puppet's arms became chains that hurled the red-faced puppet toward Senju Genma.
Senju Genma threw several kunai, reversed his grip on the greatsword, and leaped high into the air, slipping through the gaps between the iron whips. The five whips scraped against his armor, sending sparks flying.
The red-faced puppet's Chakra Blade was right in front of him. Suspended in midair, Senju Genma had no way to dodge.
The next moment, white light shone on Chiyo's face, and Senju Genma appeared at her side.
"Sage Art: Chidori!"
Senju Genma gripped the powerful black-and-white current and thrust toward Chiyo at high speed.
The Ox-Head Puppet, tasked with protecting her at close range, stepped between them and raised both arms to block.
As the lightning and birdsong faded, Senju Genma appeared behind Chiyo, and the Ox-Head Puppet's arms crumbled to pieces.
"They're only puppets. How could they compare to the ninjutsu I've honed through countless battles?" Senju Genma shook his head and sighed. "I have someone else to deal with, so I won't keep playing with you."
Chiyo roared, "Damn you, White Yasha! Don't think you can escape!"
Three white-clad puppets formed a triangular formation, opened the "Buddha," "Law," and "Monk" mechanisms, and made the Tiger hand seal.
A flash of blade light, and the puppets' formation was shattered.
"Old hag Chiyo, I'm your opponent!"
Hatake Sakumo stood in the middle of the battlefield, raising the short sword White Fang, its blade gleaming coldly.
"Damn you, White Fang! Today, I'll make sure you die here."
"Then come and try," Hatake Sakumo said calmly.
When enemies met, their eyes blazed with hatred. The moment Chiyo saw Hatake Sakumo, she abandoned Senju Genma and sent her puppets after him.
Ebizo and Rasa also reached Chiyo's side.
Two more figures followed behind them: Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō.
They had already chosen their opponents. Several snakes slid from Orochimaru's sleeves and attacked Ebizo, while Shimura Danzō used Wind Release Ninjutsu to attack Rasa.
Senju Genma didn't linger in the fight. He turned and charged into the forces behind Chiyo, searching for Bunpuku.
"Found you!"
In less than a second, Senju Genma had sensed the Tailed Beast chakra.
Senju Genma approached Bunpuku, who was surrounded by four Sunagakure Jonin.
The moment they saw Senju Genma, the Sunagakure Jonin raised their kunai or drew their shuriken.
They clearly recognized Senju Genma. Faced with such a dangerous opponent, they chose not to attack recklessly.
"Lay devotee, have you come to kill me? Must we really fight?" Seeing that Senju Genma didn't attack right away, Bunpuku pressed his palms together and chanted a Buddhist prayer. He stopped the Sunagakure Jonin and spoke.
"If you don't die, do you expect me to die?" Senju Genma pursed his lips and said disdainfully, "When you entered this battlefield, you should have known this might happen, shouldn't you?"
"I understand what you mean, lay devotee. It's just that sometimes, there are things we have no choice but to do." Bunpuku lowered his eyes.
"Whatever. Now that we're here, there's nothing left to say!" Senju Genma raised his Senju Greatsword, and blue light burst from its blade.
With the Body Flicker Technique, Senju Genma was suddenly in front of them.
The greatsword swept across. Two Jonin were cut in half at the waist, and the other two were knocked back, their defensive kunai shattered.
A layer of Sand Shield formed around Bunpuku, and Senju Genma's greatsword sank into it.
"So this is the White Yasha? He really is terrifying. I couldn't even follow his movements just now," one Jonin said, still shaken.