The roar was accompanied by the crackling of Lightning.
On the Chunin Ninja Exams stage, Might Guy and Kakashi were locked in a fierce battle.
"As expected of my opponent, Kakashi!"
Might Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs up.
"However, the next move is a special technique that I've prepared for you for a long time. Burn, youth! Eight Gates Released Formation, Five Gates, Gate of Limit, open!"
An incredibly fierce wave of Chakra erupted from Might Guy's body.
Kakashi silently lowered his face, his expression becoming extremely serious, and his hands quickly Hand Seals.
Ugly - Mao - Shen.
Lightning Style: Chidori!
A sound like Chidori singing appeared in Kakashi's palm, accompanied by leaping lightning.
This impressive display of Lightning Style Chakra Nature Transformation and Shape Transformation surprised many of the ninjas below.
This son of White Fang has reached the standard of Jonin in almost every aspect. Even if they went up there themselves, they might not be able to defeat Kakashi.
Such strength appearing in the Chunin Ninja Exams was absolutely beyond everyone's expectations.
A blurry flash of lightning streaked across the sky, Kakashi's figure vanished from the spot in an instant.
But Might Guy's actions took everyone by surprise.
"Flying... flying?"
A Konoha Jonin was dumbfounded.
Might Guy used the levitation ability of Geppo to avoid Kakashi's Chidori, and even launched a fierce attack on Kakashi from a high position with his nunchucks.
Even the Third Hokage seemed very surprised.
In the Ninja World, flying ninjas are extremely rare.
For example, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa is currently by his side, and the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki Iwagakure.
Just as the battle between Kakashi and Might Guy reached its climax.
Mitokado Homura and Ebizo arrived together.
"It seems we are reporting on the same thing."
Mitokado Homura said, looking at Ebizo.
"Well..."
The only response to Mitokado Homura was a sigh from Ebizo.
"Ebizo, what happened?"
Hearing the noise, Rasa turned his head.
"Just now, Kirigakure declared war on both Konoha and Suna!"
Ebizo's tone was very serious.
Mitokado Homura, on the other hand, revealed even more information.
"According to the information sent by Danzo's Root spy Danzo in Kirigakure, the main reason for this war is the death of the Third Mizukage. The Fourth Mizukage is Karatachi Yagura of the Kagura Clan. He has just taken office and probably wants to use foreign wars to establish his prestige."
Currently, Karatachi Yagura has not yet appeared, but the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who appeared during the Second Shinobi World War, have already appeared on a small island nation bordering Konoha and Kirigakure.
The Third Hokage rubbed his head with a headache and reluctantly ordered the Chunin Ninja Exams to be suspended.
Even though this is the most important final round of the Chunin Ninja Exams.
The threat of war is the most pressing problem they face right now.
The Chunin Ninja Exams were forced to be interrupted.
Rasa and Ebizo had no choice but to immediately lead their men back to Suna.
The Suna is currently weakened, and Karura is pregnant. It's estimated that Chiyo alone won't be able to stop the Kirigakure Chiyo.
In Konoha, after the Third Hokage and several advisors held a brief meeting, Jonin Conference was immediately convened.
According to Konoha's rules, the Jonin Tournament, before the Hokage arrives, is arranged by the Jonin Commander team leader, including notifying the Jonin, maintaining order, and assigning seats.
However, since both the current Konoha Jonin Squad Leader, Dan Katō, and the former Jonin Squad Leader, Orochimaru, were on the front lines, this task was temporarily handed over to the senior Kiyomi Kōtō.
Due to the war with Iwagakure in the northwest and Kumogakure in the northeast, only about 40% of the total number of Jonin are still Jonin the village.
Because Dan Katō and the Konoha Sannin were absent, Meikyō and Minato were able to sit in the front row.
"I'm sure you all received the news from the attacking forces or the Anbu members when you came here. The newly appointed Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, has led the Kirigakure army and has now crossed our defenses at the old site of the Land of Whirlpools, approaching the Land of Land of Fire."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was still wearing the Hokage Robe he wore during the Chunin Ninja Exams, his aged but still sharp eyes quickly scanning the area below.
"Lu Ping, what do you think?"
Although the Third Hokage had already held a small meeting with some of his old classmates and made a preliminary decision, he still needed to listen to the opinions of the Jonin below him at this time.
Especially the former head of the Nara Family.
This person's wisdom was recognized by Third Hokage.
"My Third Hokage-sama, in my opinion, we should dispatch reserve troops as soon as possible and rely on border cities and fortresses to form the first line of Kirigakure they land."
Nara Shikahira walked to the Third Hokage's side, bowed slightly to the Third Hokage and several advisors to show his respect, and then quickly circled several points on the map hanging on the wall and connected them with a line.
"After the first line of defense is secured, there are two things we need to do. One is to prepare the second line of defense to avoid any setbacks in the war. The other is to divide up the Kirigakure army if the war goes well, because the sea is so vast that only in this way can we gradually erode the Kirigakure's strength and drive them back."
Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage nodded, but then let out a heavy sigh.
"The strategic design is very reasonable, but the village's current strength can only establish the first line of defense at most. We do not have enough troops before the battles between Iwagakure and Kumogakure are resolved."
The Third Hokage seemed somewhat worried.
He had to arrange for the Ninja Academy students to graduate early again.
"Third Hokage-sama, if that's the case, I have a suggestion!"
A young Jonin with a pineapple-shaped haircut like Nara Shikahira stood up from the crowd.
He is Nara Shikaku, the son of Nara Shikahira, and the Young Clan Head of the Nara Clan. A few years ago, he became Jonin around the same time as Inuzuka Ryo and others.
"Speak, Shikaku."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Nara Shikaku with a hint of expectation in his eyes.
"If we don't have enough troops, then we only need to gather a certain number of elite troops to protect several important nodes in the eastern part of the Land of Fire, and ensure that Kirigakure cannot launch a large-scale landing on the Land of Fire's mainland to threaten Konoha. While Kirigakure is declaring war on Suna, it will definitely not be able to concentrate its full strength to break through our blockade."
"Next, what we need to do is to concentrate our main forces and prioritize dealing with the other two battlefields. As long as we can eliminate one of them, we will be able to liberate thousands of absolute elites who have been tempered by years of the Shinobi World War, and usher in a turning point in the war!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded repeatedly as he listened.
"Let's do it this way!"
With the war underway, the entire Konoha began to spin rapidly.
Minato Namikaze will lead his Team Minato to the battlefield in Iwagakure to reunite with Dan Katō, Tsunade, and Jiraiya.
The older generation of Ino-Shika-Cho were also placed there.
When these three Elite Jonin join forces, even a Kage Level expert cannot underestimate them.
Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to gather these four powerful individuals there and prioritize dealing with the Stone Village front.
Meanwhile, Meikyō was appointed as the deputy commander, leading the three members of Team Meikyō, along with Inuzuka Ryo, Aburame Nami, and others, to the Cloud Village Front to support Orochimaru.
Actually, the Third Hokage originally wanted to assign Meikyō to the Iwagakure side as well, but considering that Orochimaru would have a very difficult time resisting the Third Raikage, he transferred Meikyō to the Cloud Village Front.
"So, we're going to the battlefield again... sigh."
In the Uchiha Clan Compound, Uchiha Yu, leaning on his cane, watched Meikyō pack up his ninja tools and couldn't help but sigh.
"Grandpa Yu, with my strength, aren't you worried? Even if I were to face the Third Raikage, it's hard to say who would win!"
Uchiha Yu shook his head.
"I'm not only worried about you, but also about Shisui. Although you've just graduated, it seems that you might end up like you ten years ago, stepping onto the cruelest battlefield in the world less than half a year after graduation."
Meikyō paused in his work of packing up his ninja tools, then took the Demon Slayer Blade from his waist as a backup weapon.
"Grandpa Yu, this Demon Slayer Blade is a replica made by a swordsmith I know after seeing the Ama-no-Ohabari. Although it is not as good as the original, its sturdiness is still top-notch in the Ninja World. Please pass it on to Shisui."
Uchiha Yu shook his head.
"You should teach it to Shisui yourself. Besides, you can take this opportunity to pass on his grandfather's Mirror Body Flicker Technique to Shisui."
Meikyō briefly considered the time and, finding that she wouldn't be late, nodded in agreement.
That night, the same thing happened not only in Meikyō's home.
Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Hayate, and Choji Akimichi also took over the position of family head from their fathers and changed their earrings.
The next day, at dawn, the army set off.
The Land of Hot Water.
This place is considered a land that has forgotten war, Yugakure is also known as the most peaceful ninja village.
However, due to the long-standing war between Konoha and Kumogakure, this place has been in constant turmoil, becoming one of the best habitats for cults and Rogue Ninja.
"Mr. Meikyō, it's been a long time."
Orochimaru sat in his tent, welcoming Meikyō's arrival.
You can clearly see that there is a bandage wrapped around his shoulder.
Seemingly noticing Meikyō's gaze, Orochimaru took the initiative to explain:
"The Third Raikage's One-Finger Nukite is known as the Strongest Spear capable of piercing any object. It is extremely powerful. If I hadn't used the Great Snake Substitute Technique in time, I probably wouldn't have just been injured, but would have died on the spot."
Orochimaru's face showed a hint of lingering fear.
Meikyō secretly curled her lip in her heart.
Who can kill you, sir?
Even if the First Hokage were resurrected, he probably couldn't do it.
In terms of raw strength, Orochimaru is outstanding, but he is still some distance from a peak Kage Level powerhouse like the Third Hokage. However, when it comes to survival ability and how difficult he is to deal with, he is absolutely in a class of his own in the Ninja World.
"It's alright, Senior Orochimaru, I can take care of your injuries."
Meikyō glanced at the location of the bandage and made a judgment within a few seconds.
"Oh? You've figured out the problem with my injuries?"
Orochimaru stuck out his long tongue and licked his lips, looking interested.
Even though Uchiha Meikyō hadn't activated his Sharingan, he could still spot the problem with him at a glance.
Orochimaru could naturally tell that the opponent must have used some kind of extremely powerful Sensory Ninjutsu.
Meikyō nodded slightly to Orochimaru.
"Senior Orochimaru must be wondering why his Medical Ninjutsu is so ineffective against this wound, right?"
"I would like to hear the details."
"If I'm not mistaken, when the Third Raikage used the One-Finger Nukite, he also attached the Black Lightning Secret Technique to his hand. This would leave a certain amount of Chakra current near the wound, disrupting the Chakra of the Medical Ninjutsu that stimulates cell regeneration."
Orochimaru chuckled.
"I sensed what Meikyō -kun was talking about on the day I was injured. However, this Chakra current is extremely subtle and mixes with the body's own bioelectricity, making it extremely difficult to remove. I wonder if Meikyō- kun has any ideas?"
"Does Senior Orochimaru know about Medical Parasitic Insects?"
Meikyō countered Orochimaru's question.
Orochimaru's face immediately showed a hint of interest.
"Is it a special Kikaichū cultivated by another of Tsunade's disciples? Yes, since it's Kikaichū, it must have the ability to devour foreign Chakra. And this kind of Medical Insect itself also has excellent healing abilities. It is indeed a very good method."
"Without further ado, I'll take Senior Orochimaru to find Nami right now."
Each profession has its own expertise.
Like the Transparent World, the special abilities of the Medical Parasitic Insects can play a specific role in certain aspects that even Tsunade cannot achieve.
In less than an hour, Orochimaru's injuries were healed. Before leaving, Orochimaru even asked Aburame Nami for some samples of Medical Parasitic Insects to use for research.
The next day.
After the newly arrived reinforcements had rested and recuperated overnight, Orochimaru decided to launch a full-scale counterattack the next day to push back the Kumogakure's position.
The Kumogakure side clearly had excellent commanders. Faced with the sudden attack from Konoha, they advanced and retreated with great skill, and the battle between the two sides was deadlocked for a time.
"Second Close Combat Squadron, proceed to support the eighth position on the east side."
"The Third Long-Range Force will maneuver around to the left flank of the battlefield and, in coordination with the First Close Combat Squadron, launch a pincer attack on the enemy's position. That should be the location of the Kumogakure's reserve forces. If we can force them into battle, we can eliminate one of their backup plans."
Orochimaru stood atop the massive head of Manda, his golden vertical pupils rapidly scanning the battlefield as he methodically gave orders.
A soft-bodied creature, no less large than the Manda, was lying next to it.
Meikyō stood atop the Katsuyu's head, healing some injured Konoha Ninja through the Katsuyu's split bodies while simultaneously taking a moment to study Orochimaru's command techniques.
I'll try to update more chapters on Twitter tomorrow and the day after.