Meanwhile, in Konoha, within the Land of Fire.
Two days ago, Konoha Ninja investigated the Kumogakure's base but did not find any trace of Yeyue Ziyun.
This information was like a priceless treasure to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Although the troops from Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and the Land of Rain haven't arrived yet, Hiruzen Sarutobi has already ordered the assembly of 5,000 Konoha troops, plus Bunpuku, the Bunpuku of the One-Tail Jinchuriki, and the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, preparing to teach Kumogakure a lesson first.
In addition, figures like Uchiha Grand Elder and Shimura Danzō were also in this unit.
The reason is simple: Hiruzen Sarutobi was also wary of a full-scale attack by Konoha, fearing a sneak attack from other ninja villages.
Now that Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and the Land of Rain have received their own money, they certainly won't launch a sneak attack. Konoha can confidently launch a full-scale attack.
Are you sure Yeyue Ziyun isn't in the Kumogakure Formation?
After arriving 30 kilometers away from the Kumogakure camp, Hiruzen Sarutobi once again questioned the Konoha sensory ninja.
To be honest, after the last battle, Hiruzen Sarutobi is a little afraid of Ziyun.
Even with two more Jinchūriki this time, plus two Kage Level shinobi, Uchiha Grand Elder and Shimura Danzō, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't confident he could win this battle against Kumogakure with Yeyue Ziyun in the mix.
Therefore, upon learning that Ziyun was not at the Kumogakure camp, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately sensed that this was a good opportunity to defeat the Kumogakure.
Therefore, he immediately rallied the Konoha and prepared to launch a major battle against Kumogakure.
" Lord Hokage, we are absolutely certain that Yeyue Ziyun is not at the Kumogakure Village's base. According to intelligence from the Sunagakure, Yeyue Ziyun is currently searching for Iwagakure alone."
Indeed, after the Third Kazekage was frightened by Ziyun and retreated back to the Land of Wind, he immediately sent a letter to Hiruzen Sarutobi, informing him that he had been ambushed by Yeyue Ziyun.
Moreover, after ambushing the main force of Sunagakure, Yeyue Ziyun immediately headed towards the Land of Earth, seemingly to intercept and kill the Iwagakure forces.
"One person taking on an entire ninja village... it seems we've really pushed the Kumogakure to the brink this time."
Upon receiving this news, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up.
Actually, I originally wanted Sunagakure and Iwagakure to deal with Yeyue Ziyun, so that they could die in place of the Konoha Ninja.
Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi has not yet shared the information about Ziyun with the Third Kazekage and Ōnoki.
Who knew that Ziyun would take the initiative to attack? Doesn't this mean that Sunagakure and Iwagakure have blocked Konoha Yeyue Ziyun in place of Konoha?
Even if Yeyue Ziyun incredibly strong, it would take him at least several days to take on Iwagakure alone, and he might not even win.
As far as Hiruzen Sarutobi knew, Ōnoki possessed a powerful Dust Release that could turn people into atoms.
If the sneak attack succeeds, Yeyue Ziyun might very well be killed by him.
In any case, the few days that Yeyue Ziyun was away from the Kumogakure formation presented Konoha with a perfect opportunity to defeat the Kumogakure!
"Alright, since Yeyue Ziyun isn't here, this is a perfect opportunity to defeat Kumogakure!"
"This time, we will definitely drive Kumogakure out of the Land of Fire!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi then decided to have Konoha immediately attack Kumogakure.
This was a golden opportunity, one that would never come again. Hiruzen Sarutobi, unusually, displayed remarkable decisiveness this time.
After all, his title of " Strongest Hokage " was questioned after being severely defeated by Ziyun in front of the Konoha Ninja last time, Hiruzen Sarutobi was eager to redeem himself.
" Lord Raikage, the Third Hokage is leading 5,000 Konoha troops in a surprise attack, and there are two unfamiliar faces among them."
"According to intelligence, the two extra strangers belong to Sunagakure and Iwagakure respectively Jinchūriki. It is speculated that these two are Jinchūriki of Sunagakure and Iwagakure respectively."
At the same time, the Kumogakure's sensory unit also received intelligence that the Konoha Ninja had begun to mobilize.
Moreover, there are quite a few Kage Level shinobi among the people Konoha has dispatched this time.
If we include Kage Level Jinchūriki from Sunagakure and Iwagakure, there are at least seven Kage Level shinobi in the Konoha garrison: Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, the Uchiha Clan Head, the Uchiha Grand Elder, Hatake Sakumo!
This doesn't even include Orochimaru, Tsunade, and other Quasi-Kage Level powerhouses.
This lineup is terrifying enough.
" Konoha is coming on strong this time."
Upon receiving the intelligence Third Raikage also fell into deep thought.
Now that Ziyun is deep in the enemy's front lines, this period without Ziyun is the weakest time for the Kumogakure.
Even if he was confident he could survive the attack from so many Kage Level experts, the Kumogakure would suffer heavy losses.
The Third Raikage realized that he had unknowingly begun to rely on Ziyun.
With Ziyun absent from the formation, facing the overwhelming force of the Konoha, he lacked the confidence to fight them.
" Lord Raikage, what should we do? Should we fight or not?"
The high-ranking members of the Kumogakure gathered together to ask for the Third Raikage's opinion.
Ziyun wasn't there this time, the Third Raikage had to ask everyone for their opinions.
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Everyone was surprisingly in agreement: let's retreat.
Without Ziyun, Kumogakure has no chance of winning against Konoha's lineup.
"Alright, since everyone has decided this, let's prepare to retreat."
Just as the Third Raikage ordered a retreat, a bolt of lightning appeared in the Kumogakure camp, Ziyun appeared carrying Roshi.
" Ziyun is back!"
" Ziyun is back!"
Upon seeing Ziyun, the Kumogakure ninjas, who had been extremely tense, cheered loudly.
Ziyun has now become the spiritual pillar of Kumogakure.
" Ziyun, you're back so soon? You've come at just the right time."
The Third Raikage was also shaken when he saw Ziyun. With Ziyun back, they no longer feared an attack from Konoha.
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The Third Raikage then discovered that Ziyun had brought someone back with him. The person was on the verge of death and was wearing Forehead Protector from Iwagakure, so he appeared to be a prisoner.
However, the Third Raikage had no time to deal with these matters right now, Konoha was right in front of him.
" Ziyun, Konoha is preparing to attack us. What are your ideas?"
Ziyun is back, Third Raikage suddenly feels more at ease. However, seeing that Ziyun seems a bit tired, the Third Raikage decides to ask Ziyun first and not rush into a direct confrontation with Konoha.
"Hmm? Konoha's here? Hiruzen Sarutobi's got some nerve. Let's retreat for a bit while I recover."
Ziyun was also a little surprised; he hadn't expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to dare attack Kumogakure so soon.
However, after continuous battles with Sunagakure and Iwagakure, Ziyun was quite exhausted and urgently needed to recover.
"Alright, let's retreat then!"
The Third Raikage decisively issued the order, but before he could finish speaking, another voice rang out.
" Lord Raikage, for some reason, just now, the Konoha... the Konoha retreated!"
A ninja tasked with gathering intelligence rushed over.
Upon hearing this, the high-ranking Kumogakure of Cloud Village exchanged bewildered glances, wondering what had happened.
Weren't Konoha all that aggressive just now? Why did they suddenly retreat?
Little did they know, just moments before, the Konoha Ninja had detected Ziyun's return to the Kumogakure camp and reported it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi decisively gave the order to retreat, running faster than a rabbit.
"Damn it, since when has Konoha become so terrified of someone?"
Upon hearing the news of the retreat, Jiraiya felt somewhat indignant.
He originally thought that with so many powerful individuals in Konoha this time, they could easily crush the Kumogakure forces and avenge their previous defeat.
Who could have imagined that after Yeyue Ziyun suddenly returned, her teacher's attitude would undergo a complete 180-degree change, and he would suddenly order a retreat?
Although he was unhappy, Jiraiya dared not say anything openly, and could only grumble in his heart.
Orochimaru, the Uchiha Clan Head, and others shared Jiraiya's dissatisfaction.
However, they didn't dare to utter many complaints; at most, they felt a little more contempt for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He used to call himself "[ Shinobi Hero ]" Tenten, but now it seems he's more like "Shinobi Hero" than "[Renxiong]".
Danzo, on the other hand, was quite pleased. Sarutobi Sarutobi's order had caused many people to complain, which had significantly damaged his reputation.
"Hiruzen, just keep acting like this. One day the Hokage position will be mine, "Danzo sneered from the side.
"Retreating so quickly, it seems you've left quite a psychological scar on the Third Hokage, Ziyun."
The Third Raikage burst into laughter; the surprise was so sudden that he didn't know what to say.
"It seems that even in his prime, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still a coward at heart."
Ziyun chuckled. He was exhausted and ready to retreat, but Konoha suddenly came to an abrupt halt. It was quite amusing.
It's estimated that the title of " Strongest Hokage " bestowed upon Hiruzen Sarutobi last time left a considerable scar on his heart.
However, this incident also reminded Ziyun that the core strength of Kumogakure was still insufficient.
In terms of top-tier power, Kumogakure boasts two Peak Kage Level ninja, making it stand out among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
With power comparable to Kage Level Quasi-Kage Level, the Kumogakure could only be described as desolate.
Aside from Ziyun and the Third Raikage, Kumogakure only has one Jinchūriki, Kage Level, and Blue B, who just obtained the Mangekyō Mikoto, which is far too few.