Chapter 223: The Trap for Hoshikawa
"The urgent task is to locate them first," Tsunade said after a moment's thought. "I will take responsibility for this matter."
She had already spent three days in the main camp, treating the wounded. While healing the injured was important, she wasn't willing to let Danzō Shimura have his way by keeping her tied down. Now that these thousand Kumogakure ninja had opened a new front, it was perfectly logical for her to handle it.
"Tsunade, your mission is—" Danzō Shimura immediately spoke up, but was cut off.
"You have no right to comment on what my mission is," Tsunade said calmly. "I am the Deputy Commander!"
"Tsunade!" Danzō Shimura was infuriated. "You will regret this!"
Many people looked subtly intrigued. They felt as if they had heard this dialogue somewhere before. Danzō Shimura also realized his mistake. He twitched his mouth and looked at Orochimaru.
"Tsunade, take people to investigate," Orochimaru paused, casting a warning glance at Danzō Shimura. "You will be responsible for support and backup."
Danzō Shimura was secretly delighted by this. Support? It was clearly surveillance.
It's true. Keeping Tsunade confined to the main camp permanently was unrealistic. Now, he could only use missions to set her up.
"Understood." Tsunade replied indifferently.
"Next, let's assign the personnel." Orochimaru's expression was normal as he spoke.
An hour later, the Jōnin conference ended, and everyone left the main tent.
"Tsunade-sama," Hizashi Hyūga stepped forward. "When do we depart?"
"Now," Tsunade instructed. "Go call them to assemble."
"Yes." Hizashi Hyūga quickly replied.
Tsunade's strategy was simple: find this unconventional Kumogakure unit first. The ninja she selected were all tracking specialists, such as those from the Hyūga Clan, the Aburame Clan, and the Inuzuka Clan.
"Tsunade-sama." Shibi Aburame arrived with a group of ninja wearing white trench coats.
Hoshikawa glanced at them, feeling their appearance stood out awkwardly. After all, other Konoha ninja wore the standard flak vests. This was related to their secret technique; the tight white trench coats allowed them to conceal more insects.
"Woof woof woof!" A giant, nearly human-sized dog ran up to Hoshikawa, wagging its tail enthusiastically.
"Kuromaru, long time no time see." Hoshikawa reached out and rubbed its head.
"I didn't expect you to remember its name." Tsume Inuzuka, Kiba Inuzuka's mother, walked up behind the dog. Hoshikawa had previously done a supply escort mission with Tsume Inuzuka and her team.
"How could I forget such a distinctive dog?" Hoshikawa said with a smile.
"If you like dogs, I can give you one," Tsume Inuzuka said, smiling broadly. Hoshikawa was immensely popular; even the Hyūga Clan wanted to maintain good relations with him, and the Inuzuka Clan was no exception.
"No need," Hoshikawa shook his head. "I'm not an Inuzuka Clan ninja. Following me would only bury its talents." He rarely used summoning animals. Moreover, Inuzuka Clan dogs were primarily used for tracking, and combat required coordination with their clan's secret jutsu, such as the classic Fang Over Fang.
Tsume Inuzuka saw his refusal and said no more. After all, she couldn't teach the Inuzuka Clan's secret jutsu to Hoshikawa.
"Tsunade-sama, everyone has arrived," Hizashi Hyūga stepped forward. "There are thirty squads in total, all equipped with sensor or tracking ninja."
"Our mission is to locate the Kumogakure ninja, not to engage them in battle," Tsunade reminded them. "Notify me as soon as you find their trace."
"Yes!" Hizashi Hyūga, Shibi Aburame, and the others replied in unison.
"Split up, and be careful." Tsunade waved her hand. "Go!"
The thirty ninja squads departed in different directions.
Tsunade cast a warning glance at Danzō Shimura in the distance and then left the main camp.
"There are eight ninja secretly following us," Hoshikawa said with his eyes closed. Although the Root members were elites and concealed themselves well, he had his cheat. The 100% boosted Heart's Eye (Shingan) made it impossible for them to hide.
"Find a way to shake them off," Tsunade said with a slight frown. She disliked being tracked, especially by someone who was more foe than friend. Given Danzō Shimura's personality, he would likely deliberately leak their movements to Kumogakure, leading them into an ambush.
"Walk ahead. I'll stay behind to intercept them," Hoshikawa suggested after a moment. "You go on ahead, and then, Master, you can use the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to call me back."
"They are Konoha ninja after all, don't kill them," Tsunade said thoughtfully.
"I understand," Hoshikawa nodded. "I'll just use ninjutsu to trap them for a short time."
The group walked for another half hour, completely distancing themselves from the Konoha camp. When Hoshikawa judged the time was right, he stopped. Tsunade and the others continued forward, ignoring him.
"Come out," Hoshikawa turned around and said.
But there was no response. The eight Root ninja in the shadows split up, with the majority attempting to pursue Tsunade and the others.
"It's not that easy." Hoshikawa clapped his hands onto the ground.
Earth Release: Moving Earth Core!
With a loud rumble, the ground shook. A huge square chunk of earth rose from below. This chunk of earth was precisely where five Root members were standing. Their figures were instantly exposed to Hoshikawa, and at the same time, they were unable to pursue Tsunade's group.
"Control him first!"
As the voice faded, the nearby shadow suddenly came alive, launching a surprise attack at Hoshikawa.
"A Nara?" Hoshikawa formed hand seals.
A water wall rose on all sides, enclosing him like a cylinder. His shadow was blocked, and the Nara Root member immediately lost his ability to control Hoshikawa.
Just then, Hoshikawa sensed an invisible mental wave pierce through the water wall.
It's the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Body Switch Technique .
Hoshikawa reacted instantly. His body vanished from the spot, dodging the mental attack. He reappeared in mid-air and immediately spotted the frozen Yamanaka ninja. When the Mind Body Switch Technique fails an attack, the spirit cannot return immediately, leaving the body immobile.
Water Release: Water Whip!
Hoshikawa formed hand seals and lashed out with a whip condensed from water. The water wrapped around the Yamanaka ninja, binding him completely.
"The first one," Hoshikawa silently noted.
A scorching heat suddenly flared up. A fire dragon roared and flew toward Hoshikawa.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
Hoshikawa stood on the water wall and spat out a water dragon. The water dragon overwhelmed the fire dragon and rushed directly toward the Root ninja.
The ninja's expression changed slightly, completely surprised by the immense power of Hoshikawa's Water Release. In a critical moment, he used the Body Flicker Technique .
Earth Release: Crushing Earth Dome!
Hoshikawa continued forming hand seals. In the sky above the Root ninja, space warped, and a massive, green, dome-like structure descended. Although he had used the Body Flicker Technique, he still couldn't escape the area and was directly covered.
"The second one," Hoshikawa nodded slightly.
The sound of wind picked up. A fire dragon, boosted by the wind, grew incredibly large.
Hoshikawa turned, seeing the two Root ninja cooperating seamlessly. In addition, the shadow was crawling up the water wall.
The instant the fire dragon collided with the water wall, Hoshikawa leaped up, disappearing into the ground.
"Be careful! He's gone!" one Root ninja warned.
But the next second, a gasp sounded. A pair of hands suddenly shot out from under his feet and grabbed his ankles. Before he could react, he was pulled underground, leaving only his head exposed.
This was the Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu .
He struggled, ready to break free, but then saw Hoshikawa's fist. Dizziness washed over him, and he lost consciousness.
"The third one." Hoshikawa looked down, then saw his shadow captured, and his body stiffened.
A cold glint flashed. A Root ninja instantly appeared before him, his ninja blade stabbing toward him.
But no blood flowed. Hoshikawa turned into a human-shaped rock.
The Root ninja instinctively tried to pull out his blade, but it was stuck. Just then, a puddle of water at his feet leaped up and transformed into Hoshikawa's likeness.
Water Release: Great Waterfall Arm Technique! (Suiton: Gōsuïwan no Jutsu)
Hoshikawa's arm enlarged, and he slammed a fist down. The Root ninja was sent flying by the immense force, crashing to the ground, his condition unknown.
"The fourth one." Hoshikawa then noticed the shadow advancing towards him. He looked up at the Nara Clan ninja.
Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!
Hoshikawa clapped his hands. The ground where the Nara ninja stood instantly turned into a swamp. His body swayed and sank, forcing him to release his ninjutsu.
Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique!
Hoshikawa Shunshin-ed in front of him and threw a punch. The ninja was immediately submerged entirely in the swamp, unable to move.
"The fifth one." Hoshikawa looked at the remaining three Root ninja and formed hand seals.
Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!
He leaped into the air, opening his mouth to spew forth a lake-sized torrent of water. The water poured down like a heavy storm. The three Root ninja reacted quickly, but were inevitably affected.
Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique!
A dense fog arose, severely limiting the three Root ninja's vision.
Hoshikawa opened his mouth again.
Water Release: Heavenly Weeping!
Four water needles accurately struck the closest Root ninja. He took two in each leg, lost his footing, and immediately fell into the rapidly forming lake.
Just then, one Root ninja formed hand seals. A tornado formed in front of him, blowing away the dense fog.
But Hoshikawa was already gone.
Water Release: Instantaneous Water!
Beneath the Root ninja's feet, the water suddenly surged, wrapping around him like a pair of hands, dragging him under the water. He immediately felt a suffocating sensation, followed by intense dizziness. He struggled frantically, finally sinking into darkness.
The last Root ninja rushed toward Hoshikawa like a released arrow. Root ninja were all brainwashed, knowing neither fear nor retreat, only to complete the mission assigned by Danzō Shimura. This, however, worked in Hoshikawa's favor now. He had been worried they might flee. Eight of them running would have been hard to chase. But they all stayed to fight Hoshikawa.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bite Explosion!
Hoshikawa stood his ground, rapidly forming hand seals. The water surface in front of him spun, creating a whirlpool. Just then, the Root ninja charged into his face.
Boom!
The whirlpool surged upward, transforming into a water dragon that blasted the Root ninja into the sky.
"Goodbye." Hoshikawa saw his opportunity and vanished, not lingering any further.
He had stalled for more than enough time for Tsunade's group to get far away.
"The proficiency bar went up a little, at least," Hoshikawa had used only Water Release and Earth Release throughout the fight with the eight Root ninja to grind proficiency. He needed to synthesize Wood Release as quickly as possible for maximum security.
Now fighting Kumogakure, Hoshikawa didn't believe they would let him operate freely; they would likely come after him. He was worried about the worst-case scenario: a complete break, where Kumogakure publicly revealed his spy identity.
In that event, Wood Release would be enormously helpful. Even if he were a spy, with Wood Release, Konoha would have to go all out to clear his name. What spy? He has been Konoha's ninja since birth!
Hoshikawa could even reveal the Lightning Release Chakra Mode at that point. He would simply claim he stole the technique, and everyone would have to believe him. Another, better option was to capture the Fourth Raikage and interrogate him for the method to cultivate the Lightning Release Chakra Mode. However, that was highly difficult and depended entirely on luck.
Hoshikawa collected his thoughts and pressed one hand on the ground.
Summoning Jutsu! (Kuchiyose no Jutsu)
From the smoke, Katsuyu appeared.
"O-Katsuyu-sama, please inform my Master," Hoshikawa said directly, without preamble.
"Yes, Hoshikawa-sama," Katsuyu's voice was gentle as always.
As soon as she finished speaking, her body dissolved and vanished.
Hoshikawa waited on the spot. Moments later, he felt a summons drawing him. He stopped resisting, his body shuddered, and the view before his eyes shifted.
Tsunade and the others came into view.
"Hoshikawa, are you alright?" Kurenai Yūhi quickly grabbed his hand and asked.
"I'm fine," Hoshikawa shook his head. "The eight Root ninja have been trapped by me."
"Excellent," Tsunade nodded in satisfaction. "Now, let's start searching for that unconventional Kumogakure unit."
"Mhm." Hoshikawa used his Heart's Eye as he walked. With the title boost, his sensing ninjutsu far surpassed Tsunade's, allowing him to detect the furthest distance in their squad. Besides him, Rin Nohara was using the Spirit Transformation Jutsu for reconnaissance. Since her body was immobile during the jutsu, Kurenai Yūhi had to carry her.
Time slowly passed. Hoshikawa and the others searched the Land of Frost for a week, engaging in several quick skirmishes which they rapidly resolved.
On the morning of the second week, they finally found a clue. After an accidental battle with a Kumogakure patrol squad, they learned the location of the thousand missing Kumogakure ninja.
"What are they doing gathered here?" Kurenai Yūhi looked at the Kumogakure stronghold in the valley, confused.
"I don't know," Tsunade said thoughtfully. "Logically, there's no meaning in establishing a stronghold in such a remote place."
"In that case, let's scout it out," Hoshikawa looked at Rin Nohara. "Rin, you go try."
"Go on," Tsunade agreed.
Frankly, the four of them going to scout a thousand-person stronghold was audacious. But Tsunade trusted her and Hoshikawa's strength to ensure their escape.
Rin Nohara formed hand seals and used the Spirit Transformation Jutsu. Her spirit flew toward the Kumogakure stronghold. Although there was a barrier outside, she easily passed through it.
"It's you, as expected!" A sudden voice rang out.
A one-eyed ninja appeared; it was Dodai.
"What? Is it a trap?" Rin Nohara had a bad feeling and quickly tried to retreat.
Dodai waved his hand. The Kumogakure ninja behind him scattered and took flight.
"We spent so much time and manpower, but we finally caught Hoshikawa," Dodai sighed inwardly. "I hope the restriction is still in place."
.................
I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to those who support me on this journey. Your contribution make a real difference!
As a patron, you unlock:
Exclusive Access: Get advanced +90 chapters ahead of everyone else.
👉 Join now: P-a-treon/Chaos_God
(Just remove the- hyphen to access normally)
Thank You so much For your Support and for Reading!