S-rank mission

White Fang actually sliced the Tailed Beast Bomb apart with his blade as it flew through the air.

One stream of concentrated chakra rose into the sky while the other fell to the ground, and endless explosions and light engulfed the entire battlefield.

Amid the thunderous explosions, a short figure high overhead sneered at White Fang, who had yet to recover from that strike. "Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique."

Anyo was utterly astonished at the sight of this ninjutsu. It was a technique he had never heard of. Could it be a Kekkei Genkai?

A transparent cube rapidly expanded in midair, enclosing White Fang.

White Fang showed no fear inside the Dust Release. Looking at the short man above him, he said, "Doesn't a dignified Tsuchikage like you think hiding in the shadows to launch a sneak attack is beneath you?"

The short man laughed. "One must be prudent, and even more importantly, keep a low profile. As long as we win the war, I can lead my villagers to fertile land where they can settle, raise families, and live good lives. What's a sneak attack compared to that?"

Trapped inside the Dust Release, White Fang felt his chakra draining rapidly. He slashed at the seemingly thin barrier, but it remained completely undamaged.

"I originally intended to save this move for that fellow Hiruzen Sarutobi. But since you're here, using it on you will do."

The Tsuchikage pressed his palms together, his expression solemn, and prepared to form hand seals to detonate the technique.

Just then, a voice drew nearer from the distance. "Lava Release: Flame Impact."

A ninja covered in flames slammed straight into the transparent cube, and cracks appeared in the Dust Release that had trapped White Fang.

Seeing this, White Fang's chakra short sword flashed with lightning, and he swiftly escaped.

The sight nearly made the Tsuchikage's jaw drop. He roared, "Roshi, have you lost your mind?"

The man shrouded in chakra retorted, "Even in war, we should fight openly and fairly. Sneak attacks aren't real skill."

"You pigheaded idiot!" The Tsuchikage overhead was practically steaming with rage.

As the two argued, White Fang, who had escaped, barked, "Retreat!"

The Konoha ninja on the battlefield withdrew like an ebbing tide. White Fang gave the Tsuchikage a long look, then turned and left.

Anyo hurried over to meet him. "Teacher, are you hurt?"

White Fang swayed, his expression grave. "I'm all right. I've just used up too much chakra and feel a little weak. That Dust Release the Tsuchikage used was terrifying. I almost didn't make it back."

Anyo asked curiously, "What is Dust Release? A Kekkei Genkai?"

"No. Lord Hokage once said it was a Kekkei Tōta developed by the previous Tsuchikage, something that surpasses a Kekkei Genkai. I didn't expect it could be passed down, too. This was my first time seeing it. I let my guard down." White Fang felt how difficult this war would be.

The Tsuchikage, two Tailed Beast Jinchūriki, and Iwagakure fighting on home ground-although both sides had suffered roughly equal casualties in today's battle, judging by the situation, Konoha was already at an overwhelming disadvantage.

Anyo asked, "Has Lord Hokage already left?"

"Yes." White Fang sighed. "Lord Hokage has more than just this battlefield to consider. Hanzō of Amegakure has gone to war with Sunagakure. Once that conflict is decided, Konoha will inevitably face another round of fighting. As for Kirigakure, it's known as the Village of the Bloody Mist. They're involved in every war, so we can't leave ourselves unguarded against them. Finally, there's Kumogakure. Their Raikage may well be the strongest ninja in the Five Great Nations right now, and their village has preserved its strength the best. Tell me, do you think they'll be tempted to come out and take a share?"

Anyo sucked in a breath. So relations among the Five Great Nations were this complicated during wartime. No wonder the Third had aged so quickly. He must have had plenty to worry about.

But unless they dealt with the Tsuchikage's Dust Release, Konoha would surely lose if this stalemate continued. Anyo asked, "What should we do now?"

"That's why I called you here." White Fang spoke meaningfully. "I'm giving you an S-rank mission. Lead the team you brought here into Iwagakure and cause chaos. Preferably using Lightning Release."

Anyo understood instantly and chuckled. "Teacher, you're so devious."

White Fang said expressionlessly, "All's fair in war. Besides, there are already conflicts between the nations. Stir them up a little, and sparks will fly. There's no need for us to fight them to the death here."

There was nothing wrong with that reasoning. The course of a war changed constantly, but strengthening oneself and weakening the enemy was an unchanging truth. Even if Konoha won its battle against Iwagakure here, it would be a pyrrhic victory. The gains would not make up for the losses.

Anyo readily agreed. "All right. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow. I'll challenge Iwagakure to a battle. Their attention will be focused on that fight, so find an opportunity to sneak in."

Anyo asked in surprise, "Don't you need time to recover? You're challenging them again so soon? Or have you found a weakness in Dust Release?"

White Fang smiled mysteriously. "The person I'm challenging isn't the Tsuchikage. It's the Jinchūriki who saved me today."

Anyo understood White Fang's plan, but the Tsuchikage would surely understand it, too. He asked, "What if the Tsuchikage won't let him fight?"

White Fang replied confidently, "It's an open stratagem. Whether he fights or not, the result will be the same. Problems are bound to arise within their ranks."

Anyo couldn't help giving White Fang a thumbs-up. Clearly, this plan had taken shape in his mind right after he was rescued. As expected of a blade wielder, he was excellent at seizing opportunities. That Tsuchikage fellow was in for a rough time.

After parting with White Fang, Anyo found his three teammates and told them about the mission White Fang had assigned. None of them showed the slightest fear. Their eyes were filled with eagerness.

Anyo quickly laid out a plan. "Minato, you'll take the other two and sneak in first. Then, Kushina, you'll set up a Sealing Array to hide everyone."

Dan Katō asked, "What about you?"

Anyo slowly took a Kumogakure ninja forehead protector from inside his clothes and put it on, grinning. "Me? I'll face them head-on and test their strength. The rest is up to you. In short, the bigger a commotion you cause, the better."

Minato disagreed. "Let me draw their fire head-on. I'm confident I can get away."

Anyo thought seriously for a while, then shook his head. "I'd better do it. After all, this mission is meant to divert both sides' attention, and my Lightning Release is better suited to that. Besides, your blond hair stands out too much. One look into it, and they'll know which village you're from."

The three agreed that he had a point and began resting up, preparing for the great battle tomorrow.