coobybook Chapter 794 Denial
Chapter 794 Denial
Faced with the overwhelming offensive of the Sand Ninja, the Third Hokage carefully considered Zhang Hai's plan. He had to admit that it was indeed the best solution at present.
"The defense of Konoha will be easier," the Third Hokage said in a deep voice. "Once the pressure on the battlefields of Kumogakure and Iwagakure decreases, the main force can return to the village to provide support, and then we can form a pincer movement against Sunagakure."
Of course, the risks are enormous; Konoha may face a catastrophe, and might even need to be rebuilt. But this is the only chance to turn the tide of the war, provided the village's overall strength is preserved.
After much deliberation, the Third Hokage finally issued the order:
"Konoha ninja, take everyone from Mount Kikyo back to the village!"
Despite their doubts, the Konoha ninja obeyed the Hokage's orders without question. They swiftly mobilized, leading the garrison ninjas from Mount Kikyo and a small number of civilians in a retreat towards Konoha.
Shortly after the Konoha ninjas retreated, hordes of puppet troops advanced once more in orderly fashion. With each step forward, they brought immense pressure and shock; their footsteps, like the urgent beat of a death knell, drew ever closer to Konoha.
The Sand Village discovered this situation on the very night the Third Hokage abandoned the Kikyo Mountain stronghold. Rasa's eyes lit up; he astutely seized this golden opportunity and immediately mobilized all his forces, leading the Sand Village ninja and a large number of puppets like a tidal wave, approaching Konoha Village within three days!
Their advance was unstoppable; Konoha had completely abandoned its outer defenses, much to Rasa's surprise. He even regretted not bringing more troops. Now, victory seemed within reach. Rasa was even more confident in his trump card—the One-Tailed Shukaku.
"attack!"
With Rasa's command, the Sunagakure army roared with battle cries, crashing towards Konoha like a black tsunami. The Battle of Konoha had officially begun!
The rapid advance of Sunagakure caught everyone off guard.
The ninjas guarding the gates of Konoha Village were forced to retreat under the overwhelming pressure of the puppet army, their morale plummeting. The enormous beast-shaped puppets slammed against the village walls with deafening roars, seemingly poised to smash the village gates to pieces at any moment.
Just then, a figure arrived like a whirlwind. He was none other than the current head of the Hyuga clan—Hyuga Hiashi.
"Stop! Don't retreat!" Hiashi Hyuga shouted sharply, his voice carrying an undeniable authority that instantly silencing the fearful ninjas. He leaped onto a nearby high building, activated his Byakugan, and his gaze sharpened like lightning as he surveyed the enemy situation outside the village.
As far as the eye could see, an endless army of puppets swarmed in like locusts. Even Hiashi Hyuga couldn't help but feel a sense of tension. He took a deep breath, recalling the elders' parting words and the Hokage's resolute gaze.
He whirled around and roared at the Hyuga clan members who were gradually gathering below:
"Fellow members of the Hyuga clan! We are the guardians of Konoha! We are the Hyuga clan, possessing the strongest bloodline limit—the Byakugan! We will never be intimidated by these cold puppets!" His voice was full of power, inspiring every member of the Hyuga clan. "Konoha... will prevail!"
Encouraged by Hiashi Hyuga, the previously somewhat dejected Hyuga clan members rallied. They responded in unison to their clan leader's call, their eyes brimming with fighting spirit:
"Konoha will win!"
"open!"
With a series of low shouts, the Hyuga clan members activated their Byakugan, veins bulging, their gazes sharp. Their morale surged instantly, like clusters of burning flames.
Seeing his clansmen's reaction, Hyuga Hiashi nodded in satisfaction. He then gave the order: "All Hyuga clansmen, assemble! Prepare... a collective charge! Crush these damned puppet armies!"
At a single command, a large number of Hyuga clan members quickly assembled, their faces filled with a death-defying resolve, each prepared to fight to the death. They assumed Gentle Fist stances, chakra surging within them, their gazes fixed intently on the puppet army outside the village, as if they wanted to devour them alive.
At the same time, other ninjas from the village rushed out, and ninjas from various clans and squads surged towards the village entrance like a tide. They knew that this was a battle for the survival of Konoha, and no one could back down.
In the open space in the center of the village, a huge figure attracted everyone's attention—a giant slug!
Tsunade and Zhang Hai stood atop the slug's head. Tsunade's gaze was icy, filled with a chilling aura; her fists were clenched, and chakra surged within her. Zhang Hai, on the other hand, held a lightning blade, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, radiating a cold killing intent.
"Where did these Sand Villages get such a large number of puppets?" Tsunade frowned, her eyes filled with doubt, as she looked at the densely packed puppet army outside the village. She knew that making puppets was not easy, and such a large number was something even the Sand Villages could not easily achieve.
Tsunade gazed at the overwhelming puppet army outside the village, her eyes filled with solemnity. She couldn't help but recall the Second Shinobi World War, when Sunagakure was far less powerful than it was now. Her immunity to poison had even allowed her to once reach the village's gates. However, the situation in the Third Shinobi World War had completely reversed. Sunagakure's strength had reached a level that astonished her.
"These puppets..." Tsunade murmured to herself, a hint of confusion in her voice, "Where did they come from?"
Zhang Hai stood beside her, his gaze deep. He naturally knew the true origin of these puppets and was aware of Sasori's arrangements. But he simply comforted her, saying, "Since the Hokage has decided to set the battlefield in Konoha, he must have his own methods. Lady Tsunade, trust the Hokage."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade looked at Zhang Hai with some doubt. She felt that these words were not what Zhang Hai would normally say. Yet, there seemed to be an inexplicable confidence in his calm eyes. However, with the war pressing, Tsunade did not have time to delve deeper.
"Zhang Hai, you assist me in treating the injured ninjas," Tsunade quickly gave the order, her tone decisive. "We must restore their fighting strength as quickly as possible. Konoha doesn't have many ninjas; every one lost is a huge blow to us!"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade, I will cooperate fully," Zhang Hai replied respectfully.
He remained remarkably calm. As the only one who understood the true strengths and weaknesses of both sides, he was certain that Sunagakure would be defeated in this battle.