Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Konan and Yahiko

In the dim and gloomy night, there was only continuous, unending rain.

Natsuki looked up into the distance.

There was a lake.

In the center of the lake was a small island.

The Amegakure ninjas on the island were their targets.

Natsuki finally understood why this stronghold was so important.

This stronghold was undoubtedly one of the water sources for Amegakure ninjas.

Besides that, it was easy to defend and hard to attack.

Especially since Amegakure ninjas all excelled in Water Release.

Water Release already received a boost in rainy weather, and with this lake, the boost would be even greater.

Moreover, this lake itself was located in a valley, quite remote.

It probably took a lot of effort and time for Konoha’s sensory and reconnaissance ninjas to find this place.

"Senior Kosuke, Senior Katsuhisa, what are your sensory results?"

Natsuki asked.

Besides his and Namikaze Minato’s squads, there were two other squads.

One squad was led by Uchiha Mikoto, and the other by Aburame Katsuhisa.

Both the Uchiha and Aburame clans were major ninja clans in Konoha, and what they excelled at needed no explanation.

"According to the sensory results from my kikaichu, there are five squads on the island."

Aburame Katsuhisa replied. "Among them are three Jonin."

"I sense a ninja turtle in the lake."

Maruboshi Kosuke frowned slightly and said. "It’s highly likely a summoning beast of a certain Amegakure ninja."

"No wonder I didn’t sense any hidden sentries or patrols."

A look of realization appeared on Aburame Katsuhisa’s face.

But it was normal that he didn’t sense the situation underwater.

The sensory abilities of the Aburame clan all came from the insects they controlled.

Insects had very poor sensory abilities underwater.

And he didn’t control any insects to go into the water either.

"One? Or a group?"

Natsuki’s heart stirred, and he asked.

He had previously planned to find an aquatic summoning beast but never found one.

If possible, he could persuade this ninja turtle to change allegiances through physical means.

Although most summoning beasts were intelligent, they weren’t necessarily loyal to their contractors.

The most typical example was the snakes of Ryuchi Cave.

They ran away when encountering danger, never caring about the life or death of their contractor.

"One."

Maruboshi Kosuke paused and said. "But it’s surrounded by many schools of fish. This might be its ability."

"If we want to infiltrate, we have to deal with this ninja turtle first."

Uchiha Mikoto said thoughtfully.

"It’ll be difficult."

Maruboshi Kosuke shook his head and said. "This ninja turtle is at the bottom of the lake. As soon as we enter the water, it will definitely notice us."

"I actually have an idea."

Natsuki looked at Nawaki and said. "The Greatsword Samehada."

"Oh right!"

Nawaki woke up as if from a dream and said. "Samehada is essentially an underwater creature, not a sword."

"Tell it to leave it alive."

Natsuki reminded him.

Nawaki was slightly taken aback, then understood.

Natsuki most likely had his eyes on this ninja turtle.

"Don’t worry."

Nawaki said immediately. "If it doesn’t comply, I’ll teach it a severe lesson."

"Mm."

Natsuki added. "We’ll get ready. Once the ninja turtle sounds the alarm, we’ll launch a strong assault."

"Yes."

Everyone responded in unison.

After determining the attack strategy, Natsuki and the others headed toward the lake.

Upon getting close, Nawaki took off the Greatsword Samehada and let it dive into the lake water.

Once the Greatsword Samehada entered the lake, it dove to the bottom at extreme speed.

As it went deeper, the ninja turtle immediately sensed it.

However, it didn’t sound the alarm right away but felt confused instead.

Its contractor told it to notify him immediately upon discovering any Konoha ninjas.

But the problem was that this wasn’t a Konoha ninja, not even a human, but a special kind of fish.

In that moment of distraction, the Greatsword Samehada arrived in front of it.

Just as it was about to communicate with it, it saw the Greatsword Samehada open its mouth and bite toward it.

The ninja turtle was startled and hurriedly retracted its limbs into its shell.

The Greatsword Samehada bit onto the turtle shell, leaving the ninja turtle completely unharmed.

But the problem was that it couldn’t escape or sound the alarm either.

"It seems it succeeded. Let’s go onto the island."

Natsuki waited for a moment. Seeing nothing happened, he waved his hand.

Everyone immediately disappeared from their spots.

Using the rainy night as cover, they quickly crossed the lake and got onto the island.

After getting onto the island, they found places to hide.

"There are traps around the houses."

Maruboshi Kosuke reminded them.

"I’ll infiltrate first."

Natsuki paused and said. "Once the battle starts, use long-range ninjutsu to attack the houses directly!"

"Be careful."

Maruboshi Kosuke, Nawaki, and the others said immediately.

Natsuki nodded and used Shadow Assassin.

A mass of shadow headed toward the houses.

Because it was just a mass of shadow, it didn’t directly trigger the traps.

The houses were large, five of them, obviously one for each squad.

Natsuki thought for a moment and approached one of the houses.

He soon heard voices coming from inside.

These Amegakure ninjas were actually playing cards?

Was it because no Konoha ninjas had ever been to this stronghold?

Natsuki didn’t waste any more words, took out five Swords of the Thunder God, and threw them in through the window.

"Where did this—"

Before the Amegakure ninja inside could finish speaking, the five Swords of the Thunder God suddenly exploded.

BOOM!

Flames tore through the house.

Of the four Amegakure ninjas, two Chunin were blown to pieces on the spot.

The sound of the explosion immediately echoed across the small island.

"Enemy attack!"

The alarm sounded subsequently.

"I’ll destroy the traps."

After Maruboshi Kosuke finished speaking, he threw a single shuriken.

Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!

One shuriken turned into countless ones.

They landed on the ground, immediately activating the traps.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

More explosions rang out.

Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!

Namikaze Minato aimed at an Amegakure ninja and rapidly formed hand seals.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!

Without the Greatsword Samehada, Nawaki could only use Water Release ninjutsu.

Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!

Uchiha Mikoto took a deep breath and spat out a giant fire dragon.

Aburame Katsuhisa’s attack method was the simplest.

He raised his hands, and a dense swarm of kikaichu flew out.

The other Konoha ninjas also used their respective long-range ninjutsu.

For a moment, various ninjutsu sped through the air and then landed on the five houses.

Explosions occurred again, countless chakra air currents swept outward, and all five houses were completely destroyed.

But the Amegakure ninjas naturally wouldn’t be taken out so easily.

They quickly organized a counterattack, and a fierce battle unfolded.

After Natsuki used Broken Phantasm for a sneak attack, he immediately took out a Kurosawa.

"Damn it! He’s over there!"

An Amegakure Jonin spotted him.

Natsuki leaped up, and like an arrow released from a bow, swung his sword.

Water Breathing: Fourth Form — Striking Tide!

Rapid water flow crashed toward the Amegakure Jonin like blade light.

The Amegakure Jonin immediately realized this was no ordinary ninja.

Although young, his strength was very great.

He quickly took out a flying sickle and met the attack.

Sparks flew.

Terrifying force was transmitted, and the Amegakure Jonin’s expression changed drastically.

He immediately retreated backward and formed a hand seal with one hand.

Water Release: Water Formation Wall!

A wall rose up, blocking Natsuki’s Kurosawa.

The Amegakure Jonin didn’t dare slack off in the slightest.

In an instant, he stepped on the wall and flew into mid-air.

He swung forcefully, and the flying sickle attached to a chain flew out like a boomerang, spinning in a half-circle toward Natsuki’s neck.

Natsuki didn’t use Soru, nor did he use Armament Haki or Tekkai.

Because he wanted to unlock the Artoria template’s Mana Burst, he could only use kenjutsu.

Natsuki activated the Sasaki Kojiro template’s Eye of the Mind (False).

In an instant, a profound sensation welled up in his heart.

He suddenly ducked his head, dodging the Amegakure Jonin’s flying sickle.

"What?"

The Amegakure Jonin’s sure-hit attack missed, and it was dodged so easily, making him feel it was unbelievable.

Water Breathing: Sixth Form — Whirlpool!

Natsuki gripped Kurosawa with both hands and slashed upward from below.

Water flow spun, forming a powerful vortex.

The Amegakure Jonin, currently in mid-air, hurriedly threw the hilt in his hand.

The hilt, connected to the chain, wrapped around Natsuki’s Kurosawa.

But in the next second, it was deflected.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Amegakure Jonin formed hand seals with both hands.

Water Release: Wild Water Wave!

In his haste, he spat out a stream of water crashing toward Natsuki.

Starburst Stream!

Natsuki grabbed with his left hand, projecting another Kurosawa.

Both Kurosawas struck out together.

The water stream was instantly sliced to pieces.

Various blade lights headed toward the Amegakure Jonin.

The Amegakure Jonin sensed danger, his eyes almost splitting open in rage.

He instinctively pulled out two kunai and blocked in front of him.

The two kunai trembled violently several times and were then sliced open.

Blood sprayed.

It wasn’t just the kunai that were sliced open, but also the Amegakure Jonin.

His body fell heavily, dyeing the nearby ground completely red.

Very good.

The progress of Mana Burst increased by another fifth.

Natsuki looked around. Everyone was engaged in fierce combat.

Konoha only had four squads here, but Amegakure had five squads.

Fortunately, holding the advantage of a sneak attack, Amegakure lost one squad first, evening out the numbers.

Natsuki quickly locked onto his next target.

The Amegakure Jonin fighting Uchiha Mikoto.

Uchiha Mikoto had indeed awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.

But obviously, having just awakened it not long ago, she wasn’t completely familiar with it yet. Her current strength was at the bottom among Jonin.

The Amegakure Jonin was stronger than her and was also skilled in using poison, restricting her at every turn.

Water Breathing: Seventh Form — Drop Ripple Thrust!

Natsuki seized the opportunity and joined the battle.

He used the fastest move in Water Breathing, aiming at the Amegakure Jonin and launching a thrust.

The Amegakure Jonin noticed him immediately.

Uchiha Mikoto also saw him.

She instantly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

The Amegakure Jonin hurriedly distanced himself from Uchiha Mikoto and instantly took out a black umbrella.

Ninja Art: Senbon Shower!

The black umbrella spun, and a massive amount of senbon flew in all directions.

Uchiha Mikoto immediately took out a kunai and knocked the senbon down one by one.

Although the senbon were very fast, they couldn’t escape her Sharingan.

Natsuki, on the other hand, didn’t dodge at all.

His Kurosawa trembled, and the water flow swept up the senbon, sending them flying far away.

Blade light approached his body.

The Amegakure Jonin immediately blocked Kurosawa with the black umbrella.

The moment the black umbrella was torn apart, he let go and used the Body Flicker Technique.

Water Release: Water Hail!

The Amegakure Jonin reappeared, and his hands rapidly fired shotgun-like water bullets.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

Uchiha Mikoto seized the opening, tilted her head back, and spat out a giant fireball.

The dense water bullets hit the fireball.

The fireball quickly shattered to pieces.

Seeing this, Uchiha Mikoto wasn’t surprised.

Water Release inherently countered Fire Release, and especially in a rainy and lake environment, it was even harder for it to be effective.

But her goal was very simple: to help Natsuki block some of the attacks.

Water Breathing: Tenth Form — Constant Flux!

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Natsuki leaped up, dodging the remaining water bullets.

In mid-air, he gripped Kurosawa.

Several rotating slashes were swung out instantly.

A giant water dragon poured down.

The Amegakure Jonin’s pupils quaked.

This astonishing strike made his hair stand on end.

The most fatal thing was that he had just used Water Release: Water Hail and couldn’t instantly use another powerful Water Release ninjutsu.

Body Flicker Technique!

The Amegakure Jonin chose to dodge.

But he only dodged the water dragon.

The sound of bones breaking rang out.

Natsuki’s rotating slashes all landed on the Amegakure Jonin’s back.

The Amegakure Jonin couldn’t help but let out a miserable scream, almost passing out from the pain.

One-Sword Style: 36 Pound Phoenix!

Natsuki pressed his advantage, and Kurosawa slashed down fiercely.

A flying slash hit the Amegakure Jonin.

His screams stopped abruptly. His entire body was sent flying backward, landing on the ground, rolling over a dozen times before finally stopping.

Natsuki glanced at the progress of Mana Burst: three-fifths.

This meant this Amegakure Jonin was dead.

"Thank you."

Uchiha Mikoto walked up and said.

"We’re teammates. No need to thank me."

Natsuki casually put away Kurosawa.

With the deaths of the two Amegakure Jonin, this stronghold had fallen into the hands of Konoha.

Maruboshi Kosuke dealt with another Amegakure Jonin, and Nawaki, Namikaze Minato, and the others finished off the remaining Amegakure ninjas.

Uchiha Mikoto nodded, sighing emotionally in her heart.

Natsuki’s current strength was truly terrifying.

She wondered if their Uchiha clan’s genius clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, could be his match.

"Medical ninjas, treat the wounded."

After chatting briefly with Uchiha Mikoto, Natsuki began issuing orders as the captain.

Although this sneak attack was a major victory, members of their three squads were also injured.

Fortunately, there were no casualties.

"Senior Katsuhisa, your squad will clean up the battlefield."

Natsuki continued. "Senior Kosuke, you and Nawaki reset the traps around the area."

"What about that ninja turtle?"

Nawaki remembered the Greatsword Samehada and the ninja turtle at the bottom of the lake.

"You fish it up. Just don’t let it escape."

Natsuki paused and added. "Minato and Kae, come with me to check the situation outside the valley."

After the tasks were assigned, everyone moved out.

Natsuki took Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kae and left the island in the center of the lake.

This lake was located in a valley, with dense forests on both the left and right sides.

Normally, there would be patrol personnel in the dense forests.

But Amegakure hadn’t made such arrangements.

The reason was simple.

This entire area belonged to Amegakure, and there were other Amegakure ninjas outside the valley.

However, Natsuki and the others didn’t need to worry about this. Orochimaru had already sent other Konoha ninjas to deal with them.

Their mission was to guard this core island in the center of the lake.

Natsuki’s trio took a lap outside the valley and found no problems.

They returned to the island in the center of the lake.

Natsuki immediately saw the ninja turtle, which wasn’t very large.

In the original work, Might Guy’s summoning beast was also a ninja turtle. His ninja turtle was relatively large, capable of carrying a person on its back.

Natsuki suddenly thought of Kumogakure’s Turtle Island, a turtle as big as an island.

On Turtle Island, there was also a Waterfall of Truth that could help Jinchuriki become perfect Jinchuriki.

Without much effort, Natsuki re-signed a summoning contract with this ninja turtle.

[When the Ninja Turtle Banshi is summoned using the Ten Shadows Technique, its defense is permanently increased by 30%.]

After Natsuki signed his name, a line of text appeared before his eyes.

The ninja turtle’s name was Banshi.

The enhancement it received was an increase in defense.

After communicating with it, Natsuki discovered it had two abilities.

One was retracting into its shell to save its life.

The increase in defense obviously corresponded to this ability.

The other was that it could communicate with underwater creatures.

This ability was somewhat useful to Natsuki.

In the future, wherever there were rivers, seas, or lakes, he could summon it.

The brief interlude ended, and everyone gathered in front of the tents.

"Our next mission is to guard this stronghold for three days."

Natsuki spoke up. "We’ll split into four teams. Two teams will patrol outside the valley, and two teams will patrol inside the valley, rotating regularly."

Everyone nodded, having no objections.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, Natsuki and Namikaze Minato’s squads went to patrol outside the valley.

The two squads didn’t stay together but split up to patrol the left and right sides.

"There’s nothing going on for now. You guys can take the time to train."

After Natsuki used Clairvoyance and confirmed there were no Amegakure ninjas nearby, he said.

"You guys train. I’ll keep watch for you."

Maruboshi Kosuke said with a chuckle. "You’re still young, the perfect time to increase your strength."

Natsuki thought for a moment and created another shadow clone, having it use Clairvoyance to monitor the surroundings.

Besides that, he also summoned the Crow Kurobane and the Ninja Eagle Aozora.

After doing all this, he finally joined Nawaki and the others in snatching some leisure time to train.

The time came to the afternoon.

"There’s a battle four kilometers away to the northeast."

Natsuki’s shadow clone suddenly spoke up. "It’s four Konoha ninjas and two Amegakure ninjas."

"It must be another squad executing a mission."

Maruboshi Kosuke said immediately.

"I’ll go check the situation."

Natsuki stopped training and headed toward the northeast.

However, by the time he arrived, the battle had already ended.

Natsuki’s appearance made the four Konoha ninjas vigilant.

But after seeing clearly who he was, they all relaxed.

Natsuki stepped forward and communicated with them.

They had chased the Amegakure ninjas all the way here from somewhere else.

After the conversation ended, they didn’t linger and said their goodbyes.

Just as Natsuki was about to return, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He hadn’t turned off Clairvoyance.

Thus, he saw two children hiding in the bushes three kilometers away.

One with orange hair, one with bluish-purple hair.

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