"This is it."
Hizashi Hyuga looked at the impressive waterfall in front of him and said.
To reach this waterfall, Meikyō and the others had to evade countless Suna sentries and patrols along the way. Those they couldn't avoid were controlled by their combined strength, and then Meikyō used Genjutsu to hypnotize them without them noticing, thus sneaking to this place.
"Both the mountain and the waterfall are sealed with protective barriers to shield them from external perception and possess strong vigilance capabilities."
Dan Katō's voice entered Meikyō's mind once again.
"However, the Sealing Technique of Sunagakure are clearly not sophisticated enough. Meikyō, use your Sharingan to carefully observe the Chakra flow here. Change the Chakra nodes here as I say, and then use the Reverse Sealing Method to create a loophole in the sealing barrier, causing it to fail in a short time."
"I understand, Master Dan." Meikyō opened his Sharingan and carefully observed the flow of Chakra in his surroundings.
"Senior Shiguro, there, there and there, use your Kikaichū to absorb the Chakra there, causing uneven Chakra flow in the sealing barrier for a short time, and then I will use the Sealing Technique to break it in reverse."
Aburame Shikuroo nodded silently, then raised his hand and released tiny insects that flew around him.
"Very good."
Seeing through his Sharingan that the seals and warnings hidden inside the mountain were beginning to show signs of instability, Meikyō quickly created two Shadow Clones and moved with his main body to the edge of the waterfall, rapidly Hand Seals.
"Seal·Triple Reverse Sealing Method!"
The Reverse Sealing Method was a unique Sealing Technique of the Uzumaki Clan in the past. It requires extremely subtle perception to find the nodes of Chakra flow in the enemy's seal and disrupt them, and then use the Reverse Sealing Method to block the nodes, causing the opponent's seal to become ineffective for a short time.
This is a somewhat unorthodox Sealing Technique with very strict conditions for its use. Konoha after the Uzumaki Clan was wiped out, but not many people know it. Meikyō believed that this Sealing Technique was very compatible with the Sharingan's ability to observe Chakra flow, which is why he obtained the training method for this Sealing Technique from Kushina.
"Now!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Meikyō formed a hand seal and rushed into the waterfall first. Hizashi Hyuga and Aburame Shikuroo followed closely behind, entering the waterfall in less than a second. As for Inuzuka Gaku, he and Kibamaru were lying in ambush outside to provide backup.
After Aburame Shikuroo entered the waterfall, they saw several Suna ninjas standing there blankly, their eyes reflecting the pattern of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
These Suna were actually quite strong, but under the Genjutsu activated by the Mangekyo Sharingan-level eye power, they were already trapped in illusions before they could even react. Unless the Meikyō actively dispelled it, they would remain in this state for nearly an hour.
The people present were somewhat taken aback.
They'd dealt Jonin Uchiha with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan genjutsu Genjutsu, but they'd never seen anything this outrageous.
This is a fundamental difference in pupil power.
Meikyo's Meikyō, flashing with crimson light, Sharingan at Hizashi Hyuga and gestured to him.
Hizashi Hyuga immediately nodded and continued to observe his surroundings with his Byakugan.
The sealing barrier outside weakened his Byakugan's vision, but it was a different story once inside.
With the accurate location provided by Dan Katō, and the reconnaissance abilities of Hizashi Hyuga and Aburame Shikuroo to avoid pedestrians in the base, and with Meikyō's Sharingan Genjutsu to cover any unexpected situations, the group successfully infiltrated their destination.
After that, Meikyō was responsible for screening these documents, Aburame Shikuroo made copies, and Hizashi Hyuga was responsible for keeping watch.
Aburame Shikuroo controlled tiny insects to crawl onto a small strip of paper, quickly arranging them into tiny characters that could only be seen with a magnifying glass, with an efficiency comparable to a printer.
Of all the Aburame Clan, only he could control such a small insect to perform such an operation.
[Mission complete, prepare to leave!]
Meikyō silently made two hand gestures, and led the two of them to sneak out quietly. The whole process was not discovered by any Sand Ninja.
The team sent on this mission is quite impressive, with Elite Jonin and the Meikyō the Body Flicker. They might even have a chance of succeeding in assassinating the Fourth Kazekage —even if the team will suffer heavy casualties in the end.
Although the four of them did not engage in any actual combat with any of the Suna throughout the entire process, in reality, if it weren't for their extremely high level of expertise in their respective fields, they would not have been able to complete such a task so easily.
"Chiyo's new poison preparation plan... I didn't expect this guy to change direction this time, choosing to extract natural substances from minerals and then chemically configure them. The toxicity of this poison is not comparable to the last one."
Tsunade picked up a test tube, flicked it, looked at the grayish-white liquid inside, and said in a deep voice.
The test tube contained a highly toxic concoction prepared based on the information brought back by Meikyō and others.
"It's alright. According to the information brought back by the Walking Miko of Root, Rasa's injuries haven't fully healed yet. It will take at least another week. Chiyo is also still upgrading her puppet arm. This time is more than enough for us to decipher the toxin and produce a sufficient amount of antidote."
Dan Katō, who was standing to the other side, put down the documents in his hand, rubbed his shoulders, and said with a smile.
He had complete faith in Tsunade's medical abilities.
On the other side, Uchiha Meikyō was recording the live reactions of mice tested with drugs, with Aburame Nami and Inuzuka Ryo.
Meanwhile, at the Suna camp.
"Elder Chiyo, how is the preparation of this new toxin progressing?"
The Fourth Kazekage Rasa shoulder was still wrapped in bandages, stopped what he was doing and asked Chiyo had just entered the tent.
As the Kazekage, even though he was injured, he still had many things to deal with. Fortunately, Karura was there to share a lot of the trouble.
"The production line for the new toxin was completed two days ago. Moreover, the location of the toxin preparation base has been moved to a more concealed location, with a sealing barrier personally set up by me as a precaution. It is safe enough. Furthermore, this toxin is completely different from the last one. Its effects take effect extremely quickly. As long as Konoha does not obtain our toxin samples again and Tsunade deciphers them in advance, we will definitely be able to gain the upper hand in the war this time with this toxin!"
Chiyo said with a hint of confidence on her face.
She had no idea that this intelligence had already been passed on by the Wandering Miko. Although the samples of the toxin were not obtained by Konoha as they had been last time, the most crucial preparation data had been brought back by Meikyō's team that infiltrated the area.
Rasa nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.
Chiyo is actually a very well-rounded talent. She is the number one puppeteer in the Ninja World, possessing strength at the level of a Kage. She is also skilled in the research and preparation of poisons, and is quite proficient in Medical Ninjutsu and Sealing Technique.
At the very least, Chiyo's Medical Ninjutsu was absolutely top-notch in the Ninja World, and she established a Medical Ninja training system in Sunagakure Suna, modeled after Tsunade; she was also the first person in Sunagakure to Sealing Technique.
Although he was worried that the elder would usurp his power, Rasa was still very clear that during the war, he still needed to rely on Chiyo and had a high degree of recognition of her abilities.
"That's great! My injuries should be fully healed within a week. I hope to complete the production and stockpiling of the toxin before then, and then go all out to defeat Konoha!"
Rasa's face showed a hint of excitement.
The last time the Sand Ninja suffered a major defeat, their momentum was completely shattered by Konoha. Due to their own injuries and the minor injuries of Karura and Chiyo, the Suna has been suppressed by the Konoha forces under the command of Dan Katō in recent times.
Now it's finally almost their turn to launch a counterattack and turn the tide!
Rasa had already envisioned himself leading the Suna to defeat the Konoha forces, conquering vast swathes of the Land of Fire's rich territory a week later, replacing his teacher, the Third Kazekage, as the new "Strongest Kazekage," and then marrying Karura and having a child together.
"I understand. Fourth Hokage, you can rest assured."
Chiyo touched her cold puppet arm, feeling the temperature and texture that were completely different from the past few decades, and a dangerous glint flashed in her eyes.
"I also have a grudge against the one who lost an arm, and I want to settle the score with Konoha's Meikyō the Body Flicker."
With Konoha White Fang is dead, Chiyo's hatred for White Fang has unknowingly shifted to Uchiha Meikyō, who shares White Fang's expertise in swordsmanship and the ability to use the Body Flicker Technique, and whose fighting style is remarkably similar.
Four days later.
"Just now, Root's intelligence agents delivered another message from the Wandering Miko: Sunagakure has decided to launch another attack on us in three days."
Dan Katō sat in the main seat of the Command Room and said with a smile.
"Oh? Then let them come at me. The Medical Corps has produced enough antidote to supply every Konoha Ninja twice. I'm really looking forward to seeing Chiyo's expression three days from now when she sees that her poison has been neutralized again."
Tsunade crossed, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Three days later? Tsunade, don't you think that's too late? I'd love to see that scene right now, and we don't need to wait until Rasa's injuries are fully healed before we can fight passively."
Dan Katō put down his teacup, his eyes gleaming.
"Are you planning to leave now?"
"Yes, I've already instructed Meikyō to spread the word and begin troop preparations for battle. Konoha's counterattack begins now!"
The ninjas were highly efficient and well-organized. From the moment Dan Katō gave the message, it wasn't long before all three thousand ninjas in the Konoha camp had assembled and were marching in a mighty procession toward the Suna base.
Sunagakure had no idea that Konoha would launch a large-scale attack on them at this time. It wasn't until the Sensor Ninja in the patrol force deployed around the base detected the huge Chakra mass not far away that Rasa and the others received the news.
"Konoha is planning to attack our camp directly?"
Rasa was taken aback.
"Did they receive reinforcements before launching their attack? No, there's been no intelligence on that at all recently. And even if they did receive reinforcements, they certainly wouldn't come to the Land of Rivers; they would go to the Land of Hot Water, which is at a disadvantage!"
Rasa was completely baffled.
The strength of Konoha and Suna in the Land of Rivers was actually quite equal, with Suna even holding some advantages.
The combat strength at the top level is roughly the same, but the number of ninjas at the bottom level is much smaller. Konoha only has more than 3,000, while Suna has sent out as many as possible after ensuring that there is enough defense in the village. Although Suna itself is not as numerous as Konoha, the number of its troops is actually greater than that of Konoha. This is why Suna dared to launch a direct attack on Konoha's camp.
"Fourth Hokage, the key now is to hold off these Konoha Ninja. Fortunately, the Puppet Force have already been equipped with those poisons, and they were also distributed to a large number of Sand Ninja this morning. They can be used in this battle!"
Chiyo reminded Rasa from the side.
"I see."
Rasa stood up from his seat, took off his Kazekage uniform, and put on his combat gear.
His injuries had actually mostly healed. The remaining minor injuries would affect his combat ability, but for Ninjutsu-type ninja like him, this impact wouldn't reduce his fighting power too much.
The sound of Ninja Blade slicing through the air rang out.
Meikyō looked at a Sand Ninja charging towards him and opened his Sharingan.
"Magic Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique!"
The moment their eyes met, the Suna fell into Genjutsu, felt a sharp pain in his back, and collapsed to the ground.
Meikyō pulled out the Ama-no-Ohabari with a backhand, stretched out his left hand, grabbed the neck of another Suna, crushed him, and then quickly turned around and swung his sword upwards, using the Third Form of Sun Breathing, Azure Sky, to cut down another Sand Ninja.
The Sharingan with its Three Tomoe and the katana wreathed in flames were distinctive features that allowed Suna to immediately identify Uchiha Meikyō.
"Oh no, it's Konoha's Meikyō the Body Flicker! Have the nearby Jonin team up to hold him off first, then call the Lord Kazekage and Elder Chiyo to come and deal with him!"
A Suna Jonin near the Meikyō decisively shouted instructions to those around him.
This also drew Meikyō's attention.
"Sun Breathing - Eighth Form - Spinning Sun Shimmer!"
"Wind Style: Vacuum Blade!"
The two blades, wreathed in flames and coated with wind blades, collided.
The result was that the Sand Village Ama-no-Ohabari's Jonin Ninja Blade was cut in half by the Suna Obi, and a deep wound was slashed into his chest.