Two hours later, the clan leaders who had left rushed back. Looking at the list in their hands, they wished they could tear it to shreds and throw it on the ground, but their bodies remained obedient. The personnel Tsunade had requested had been assembled and were just waiting for an order to set off for the front lines.
" Lord Hokage, all the ninjas who can support the front lines have assembled outside Konoha and are ready to depart at any time."
Shikaku Nara fulfilled his role as a Tsunade's behalf. The logistics unit responsible for transporting ninja tools, provisions, and medicine would also set off with the support troops.
Besides the contest of raw power, the logistical capabilities of both sides are equally important in war. If the ninjas on the front lines can't even get enough to eat, how can they win the war?
This is probably the most difficult situation for the Kumogakure troops, because their supply lines have been cut off by Konoha, and their plan to raid nearby villages and towns has been thwarted by Jiraiya's team. At this point, the Kumogakure troops are in a state of isolation and helplessness.
Konoha's logistical support was quite abundant, and coupled with their status as Konoha Ninja, they could readily requisition military rations from towns in the Land of Fire.
Tsunade and Naoki Senju didn't say goodbye awkwardly; their relationship no longer needed sweet words. Everything was understood without being spoken.
The two exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes meeting in mid-air, and then nodded in acknowledgment.
With just a glance, they could understand each other's true thoughts. Tsunade had already sensed Naoki Senju's high fighting spirit and unwavering belief in victory!
"For the peace and future of Konoha, I wish you certain victory in battle and complete conquest of the enemy!"
Led by Tsunade, the heads of all the major clans bowed down in unison, proclaiming in a loud voice:
"For the peace and future of Konoha, I wish you certain victory in battle and complete conquest of the enemy!"
Frontline battlefield, Kumogakure base.
"Damn Konoha! Damn Kirigakure!"
The Fourth Raikage was enraged, his hair standing on end, arcs of electricity crackling around him, his eyes bulging like saucers, looking every spiky strand of hair.
While Konoha's main force was tied down, Kirigakure launched a direct attack on the undefended Konoha. To prevent Kirigakure from reaping the Kirigakure, the Fourth Raikage and Killer B personally went to the battlefield, tearing a hole in Kumogakure 'Konoha defenses and preparing to launch a surprise attack on Konoha to take a share of the spoils.
But the despicable Sannin showed no intention of returning to defend Konoha. Jiraiya, he led the Iwagakure defense forces to build a second line of defense, blocking the Kumogakure forces and preventing them from advancing an inch.
"Big brother's angry, how about we break through again, oh yeah!" Killer B danced around in front of the Fourth Raikage in a strange tone.
"Fools!" The Fourth Raikage roared in exasperation, "We don't even know the full extent of Konoha's strength, nor do we know the situation between Konoha and Kirigakure. Are we just trying to commit suicide by recklessly digging a trench?"
Although the Fourth Raikage A, may seem reckless and fight with reckless abandon, it would be a gross underestimation of him to think of him as a mindless brute.
At least compared to Killer B, the Fourth Raikage A can be considered 'exceptionally intelligent'.
Although the Fourth Raikage was unwilling to take the enormous risk of leading the entire Kumogakure forces to attack Konoha's second line of defense, the changing Fourth Raikage of the battle left him with no choice.
The curtains of the temporary base were hastily pulled back, and the Anbu Ninja in charge of intelligence gathering rushed into the operations room.
" Lord Raikage, the Konoha Ninja have completely cut off our supply lines, and the team we sent out to provide backup hasn't replied yet; they've probably met with misfortune... We only have enough food left to last two days..."
Bang!
The hard granite used as an office desk was smashed to pieces by the Raikage's punch, sending fragments of varying sizes flying everywhere. Killer B's body surfaced with a surge of red Chakra, blocking all the fragments. He even extended several agile octopus tentacles to help the Kumogakure Anbu block the fragments as well.
"Why be angry, brother? Let's break through the encirclement now and take Konoha for ourselves! Yay!"
"Break through the encirclement..." The Fourth Raikage murmured to himself, then made up his mind. He was not one to hesitate, and since his retreat was cut off, he would destroy all obstacles in his path!
"All ninjas, rest in place for five hours to reach peak condition, then break through Sannin 'Jiraiya defenses!"
The front lines, the Konoha headquarters.
"Cough cough..."
Jiraiya lay on the hospital bed, coughing weakly twice. Although the medical-nin had given him meticulous treatment, his injuries would not heal anytime soon.
The Fourth Raikage's powerful Taijutsu and Killer B's Eight-Tails Chakra both caused him serious damage. Facing the Kumogakure A B Combo on his own was indeed extremely difficult.
Jiraiya more strongly that it was truly a remarkable achievement that the young Minato was able to force back the A B Combo and cover the retreat of the Konoha Ninja.
But before he could rest for long in his hospital bed, the door was anxiously pushed open by Konoha Ninja.
" Lord Jiraiya, the Kumogakure has launched another attack, and... this time it's led by the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Well..."
Lying in his hospital bed, Jiraiya sighed helplessly. It seemed that this battle was unavoidable.
"I really owe Konoha a debt. Traveling the Shinobi World collecting writing material is so enjoyable, but unfortunately, after wading through these muddy waters today, it's hard to say whether I'll even survive..."
" Lord Jiraiya..."
Jiraiya removed the bandages from his body, dressed neatly, and walked steadily Earth Flow the temporary ward.
"What's there to cry about? As a Konoha Ninja, you have to be prepared to face any challenge, to protect your comrades in Konoha, and for the ever-burning Will of Fire. But Icha Icha Paradise won't be able to continue updating..."
Jiraiya, wearing wooden clogs and muttering incantations, hurried to the battlefield.
"Jiraiya, the white-haired toad Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku and one of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya his appearance!"
On the front lines, the Fourth Raikage was like a leaping bolt of lightning, invincible on the battlefield, often taking the lives of Konoha Ninja before they could even react.
Killer Bee Killer B somewhat distracted, lazing around behind the Fourth Raikage, but his unique Eight-Sword Style was difficult for any Konoha Ninja to handle.
" Summoning Technique."
The sky suddenly darkened, as if the sunlight overhead had been blocked. The Konoha Ninja were already familiar with Jiraiya's fighting style, so they fled immediately, leaving only the Kumogakure unable to escape.
But Killer B was invigorated; the opponent he had been waiting for had finally appeared! Red Chakra surged forth, and eight enormous tail legs lifted up a giant Toad that was falling from the sky.
" Jiraiya, you can't stop us. If you step aside now, you might save your life." The Fourth Raikage didn't want to waste time because of Jiraiya. If Kirigakure had already occupied Konoha, it would be too late.
"But what if I'm included?"
A voice amplified by Chakra came from afar. Although the three combatants were unfamiliar with the voice, the power it contained made them take it very seriously.