With the combined pursuit of Uya and Hatake Sakumo, the Stone Ninja suffered heavy casualties.
Although Tsuchikage Ōnoki was trying his best to delay the Konoha Ninja's advance, and his Dust Release was extremely powerful, with Uya and Hatake Sakumo present, he found it difficult to stop the Konoha ninja forces with it.
This battle can be said to have laid the foundation for Konoha. Although Stone Ninja still had more ninjas waiting in Iwagakure, they could not easily move out, otherwise they would be finished if they were ambushed by Kumogakure.
It's important to understand that the defeat of Tsuchikage Ōnoki was a huge blow to the morale of Iwagakure. Moreover, even Tsuchikage's assistant, Ōnowa, died on the battlefield!
It can be said that Iwagakure has almost lost its chance to continue competing in Second Shinobi World War.
In this battlefield of the Land of Rain, only Konoha, Sunagakure, and Amegakure remain.
The Land of Fire, Konoha.
At the village entrance, a group of ninjas were gathering, including more than ten elite Anbu ninjas, all of whom were at least squad leaders, and more than ten Jonin.
As for the Chunin and Genin, they were not included because this was an emergency support mission. Chunin and Genin would have difficulty keeping up with these elite Anbu and Jonin, and would instead be a burden. Therefore, they were not in the same formation as the Jonin troops.
Such a magnificent display of power undoubtedly belongs to the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi!
" Lord Hokage, let's hurry up and leave!"
Beside Hiruzen Sarutobi was a Jonin, none other than Might Duy.
During that year's war, Might Duy had been promoted from Special Jōnin to Regular Jonin, and was even almost qualified to become Elite Jonin.
Upon hearing that the Tsuchikage Ōnoki had appeared at the front lines and seemed to be heading straight for Uya, Might Duy felt a sense of urgency.
Might Duy's situation in the village was similar to Uya's; he didn't have many friends, only Uya, with whom he could be considered both a mentor and a friend.
It was thanks to his guidance and explanations, along with Uya's detailed analysis, that the True Eight Gates Released Formation was created, and that the now Shinobi World Konoha Shura became.
By this time, Might Guy had already been born.
The only people Might Duy truly cared about, besides his wife and son Might Guy, were Uya.
"Dai, there's no use in being anxious. If we rush over now, we'll only be able to clean up the mess."
The Third Hokage spoke calmly, but a chilling glint of anger could be seen in his eyes.
The Tsuchikage Ōnoki, has disregarded his status and suddenly appeared on the battlefield. He can't be blamed for being ruthless next!
In a one-on-one fight, Konoha is definitely the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. In fact, if Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't been constantly on guard against Kirigakure and Kumogakure, Konoha could have easily defeated Iwagakure and Sunagakure even if they joined forces.
This is the strength of Konohagakure, the greatest ninja village in the Shinobi World!
"Damn it... those bastards from Iwagakure!"
Might Duy gritted his teeth, his face contorted with anger, but after a long pause, he sighed and said, " Uya is extremely skilled in speed; even if he loses, he might still be able to escape."
Even Might Duy himself wasn't confident after hearing that. Uya was fast, but the person he was facing was, after all, a Kage, the Tsuchikage who stood at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World!
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned upon hearing Might Duy's words. If they had truly been defeated, the Konoha Ninja on the front lines might already be almost completely wiped out.
Most importantly, will Hatake Sakumo survive?
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Hiruzen Sarutobi Tsuchikage Ōnoki would be so decisive in sending Stone Ninja back into the Land of Rain battlefield under such circumstances, and even personally take to the field.
Hiruzen Sarutobi led a group of elite Konoha ninjas, preparing to rush to the front lines. He had also gathered more Konoha chunin and genin troops to follow him, in order to quickly stabilize the situation after the crushing defeat and regain control of the battlefield.
Just as everyone stepped out of Konoha Gate, they suddenly received urgent intelligence from the front lines.
Whoosh!!
A ninja delivering intelligence landed in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi at the front of the group, knelt on one knee, and quickly spoke.
" Lord Hokage, urgent report from the front!"
"Explain."
Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep breath and spoke in a low voice, already prepared to accept any terrible outcome.
"Commander-in- Hatake Sakumo, together with Jonin Uya, defeated the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, Tsuchikage Ōnoki of Both Scales, Ōnowa killed his Tsuchikage, Ono. The Iwagakure ninja Stone Ninja defeat!"
"During the pursuit, more than half of the Stone Ninja killed or wounded, and the escaping ninja were all severely injured. It is estimated that not many will be able to return to the Land of Earth alive."
The two extremely short sentences caused the atmosphere in the room to freeze instantly.
An eerie silence fell over the scene.
"What did you say?!"
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat flustered at this moment, looking at the ninja in front of him in disbelief.
As for the other Jonin and Anbu Ninja, they looked at each other blankly, some even wondering if they were dreaming.
What did they just hear?!
The underground of Konoha.
Danzo has not yet returned to the front lines in the Land of Rain. If he were there, perhaps even if he encountered the Tsuchikage Ōnoki, the situation wouldn't be too bad. Danzo and Hatake Sakumo joined forces, they should be able to hold off Ōnoki more reliably.
Even if it's difficult to defeat Ōnoki, it's still possible to stall him.
Danzo's strength was also at the Kage Level, and a very special one at that, possessing a host of forbidden and Secret Technique.
In the original work Danzo only revealed Izanagi and the Reverse Four Symbols Seal, but in reality, Danzo mastered far more forbidden techniques Secret Technique than those. It's just that Danzo could only use those two at that time, and there wasn't time for him to use all the forbidden techniques one by one.
Even a Peak Kage Level expert could be Danzo by Danzo if they're not careful.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who stood above Danzo and held him firmly in his place until his death, was certainly worthy of the title of "Shinobi Hero."
Has Hokage been released yet?
Danzo spoke calmly into the darkness before him, as if talking to himself.
Whoosh!
A puff of smoke appeared, and a Root ninja knelt before Danzo, saying, "Lord Danzo, the Hokage has been appointed."
"Um."
Danzo nodded, a strange glint in his eyes.
Since Hiruzen Sarutobi is heading straight to the battlefield, then his Hokage's assistant must remain in Konoha to maintain control of the situation.
On the surface, the Tsuchikage Ōnoki's attack on the battlefield of the Land of Rain seems to be an extremely disadvantageous thing for Konoha.
But for Danzo personally, it was actually an opportunity.
"Losing Hatake Sakumo and Uya will make conquering the Shinobi World much more difficult, but Sarutobi's right-hand men have been severed... which is a good thing."
He muttered something to himself, a cold glint flashing in Danzo's eyes.
His goal remains the Hokage Position!
In the original story, Six Paths of Pain attacked Konoha, nearly destroying the entire Konoha. Even the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, faced a crisis, yet Danzo managed to restrain himself from intervening.
For Danzo, everyone was labeled in only two ways: sacrificial or unsacrificial.
"This time, perhaps there will be a chance... If I become Hokage..."
Danzo's gaze was unfocused, as if he could see himself becoming Hokage, conquering the Shinobi World step by step, allowing Konoha to completely rule the world, and reaching the pinnacle of power.
But the next moment, the Root ninja in front of him suddenly froze, as if he had received some unbelievable news, and couldn't help but interrupt Danzo's fantasy.
" Danzo, urgent report from the front lines!"
"Speak."
Danzo out of his daze, picked up a cup of tea from the table, and took a small sip.
This must be intelligence from the front lines. I wonder which one of them, Uya Hatake Sakumo, is dead, or perhaps both of them are dead...
" Uya Jonin, together with frontline commander Hatake Sakumo, defeated the Tsuchikage Ōnoki, killed Tsuchikage's Ōnowa, and led the Konoha Ninja to completely crush the Stone Ninja!"
Snap!!
A crisp sound echoed on the ground—the sound of Danzo's teacup falling and shattering into countless pieces. Hot water soaked Danzo's clothes, but he remained completely unaware. (To be continued.)