Chapter 224: Samui: Where is Your Restriction?
Rin Nohara suddenly opened her eyes. She had released the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, and her soul had returned to her body, restoring her consciousness.
"The moment I entered the stronghold, I was discovered by the Kumogakure ninja," Rin Nohara said quickly and urgently. "I suspect it's a trap specifically targeting us."
"A trap?" Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
"They are already surrounding us." Hoshikawa closed his eyes and used the Heart's Eye . In his perception, large numbers of Kumogakure ninja were rushing toward them.
"Regardless of what Kumogakure is planning, we need to leave first," Tsunade said, nodding slightly, her calm returning. Although the Kumogakure ninja were numerous, those who could actually threaten her and Hoshikawa were few. Even while protecting Rin Nohara and Kurenai Yūhi, she was confident they could escape.
Just as she finished speaking, Kumogakure ninja began appearing one after another. They spread out systematically, blocking all escape routes.
Hoshikawa quickly scanned the area. The person leading them was Dodai. He was the supervisor of the Lariat (Gale Release: Lightning Plough Hot Blade) technique and a user of Lava Release. Aside from him, Hoshikawa also spotted a familiar and beautiful figure: Samui.
A thought struck him; this kind of deployment felt eerily familiar. Could this be for him?
Hoshikawa and Samui's eyes met. Catching the meaning in her gaze, he confirmed his suspicion.
But how did they know we would come to this specific stronghold?
Hoshikawa thought carefully and roughly guessed the reason. Opening a new front required a new commander. On the Konoha and Sunagakure side, Tsunade was the most suitable choice. Of course, this was a gamble. If it hadn't been Tsunade leading the team, their preparations would have been for nothing. But they had won this bet.
Are they trying to test my restriction? Or are they trying to expose my identity? Hoshikawa sank into thought.
"Capture them!" Dodai yelled, immediately forming hand seals.
Lava Release: Rubber Ball!
Chakra surged from his body, transforming into sand-like rubber. The rubber formed a hollow sphere, attempting to encase Hoshikawa. The Lava Release of Rōshi was magma; Dodai's was sand-like rubber, leaning toward defense. The Lava Release: Rubber Ball was somewhat similar to the Water Release: Water Prison Technique it could both protect the user and imprison an enemy.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
Hoshikawa reacted quickly, clapping his hands together, and a wall of water rose up. The rubber spat out by Dodai hit the water wall, creating a sizzling sound.
At the same time, Tsunade, Kurenai Yūhi, and Rin Nohara also entered combat mode.
Heavenly Kick of Pain! (Tsūtenkyaku)
Tsunade stomped her foot onto the ground. The nearby Kumogakure ninja immediately lost their balance, being violently thrown backward by the immense force.
Rin Nohara stood beside Kurenai Yūhi, tightly gripping a kunai. When a Kumogakure ninja charged, she let her soul leave her body, seizing control of his.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique! (Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu)
Kurenai Yūhi immediately spat out a water dragon, striking the controlled Kumogakure ninja. As he was hit, Rin Nohara's soul retreated. This was the combat strategy they had devised: one controls, one attacks.
The water dragon erupted into countless droplets, completely covering the Kumogakure ninja. The tremendous impact sent him flying backward, knocking him unconscious.
The air whizzed. The tall, voluptuous Samui flashed behind Hoshikawa. She didn't use the short sword at her waist, instead throwing a punch.
Bang!
Hoshikawa caught her fist. The terrifying force made her body tremble, creating a sudden, impressive undulation.
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow. He felt something appear in his palm.
Samui's expression was cold. She stomped her foot down hard and raised her leg to kick him. The sheer speed made her pale thigh a blur. Simultaneously, her left hand drew her short sword, slashing toward Hoshikawa's right hand, which was gripping her fist.
Hoshikawa released her hand and retreated. Samui's kick missed.
Earth Release: Earth Spikes!
Just as Hoshikawa stabilized, Dodai's attack arrived promptly. The ground swelled, forming a spear of rock that lunged at him.
Body Flicker Technique!
Hoshikawa dodged again.
Samui closed the distance, her short sword whirling as she slashed at him.
Clang!
Hoshikawa pulled out the Raijinken (Lightning-Fire Blade) and began exchanging blows with Samui.
Dodai's eyes narrowed at the sight, but his hands didn't slow. He formed hand seals, then clasped his hands together, looking at Hoshikawa with anticipation.
A few seconds later, Dodai's face darkened, his expression extremely grim.
The seals he had just used were meant to trigger the restriction. If it had worked, Hoshikawa would have been in agonizing pain, losing the ability to move and becoming helpless. But Hoshikawa showed no reaction whatsoever.
This meant that Hoshikawa's restriction had either been undone or sealed.
"Your restriction…" Samui noticed the change in Dodai's expression and immediately guessed the truth.
"What restriction?" Hoshikawa played dumb. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Samui's heart trembled slightly. He had, after all, chosen to part ways with Kumogakure. Yet, she felt an abnormal heaviness in her heart.
"Hoshikawa!" Tsunade slammed her foot down hard. The ground cracked, and shattered rocks flew everywhere.
Screams rang out. Kumogakure ninja hastily retreated, but it was useless. The fragmented rock struck them with enormous force, tearing their skin and drawing fresh blood instantly.
"See you next time." Hoshikawa understood Tsunade's meaning. He retreated without hesitation and then leaped into the air.
"Watch out!" Samui's face changed drastically. "Everyone fall back!"
Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!
Gathering chakra throughout his body to his mouth, Hoshikawa spat out a massive amount of water toward the ground. The water poured down from above, quickly forming a lake, generating huge waves that surged in all directions.
The Kumogakure ninja were forced to dodge and defend.
Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique!
Hoshikawa didn't pause, using a second Water Release jutsu. A thick mist instantly spread out from him, completely enveloping the four of them.
"Wind Release!" Dodai quickly shouted.
A Kumogakure ninja who specialized in Wind Release immediately blew the dense mist away. But Hoshikawa and his team were already gone.
"As expected, we couldn't stop them." Dodai shook his head.
"Hoshikawa's strength is simply too much," Samui said coolly.
"Indeed." A thought similar to the deceased Third Raikage's welled up in Dodai's heart. Why didn't that one-eyed idiot notice Hoshikawa's talent back then? Damn it! They had foolishly lost a powerful individual, and now that strong ninja would likely become their enemy.
"Did the restriction really not work?" Samui whispered.
"No," Dodai sighed.
Samui was stunned by the confirmation. The repeated verification made her feelings even more complicated; she didn't want to see Hoshikawa fully break with Kumogakure.
"I already sent him a message," Samui said slowly. "Now we wait to see if he comes to meet us."
"We wait," Dodai said after a moment. "But before that, the stronghold needs to be relocated."
"Yes." Samui immediately complied.
The location had been discovered by Tsunade's team, and staying put would only result in being cornered by Konoha ninja.
"They aren't pursuing us." After running a long distance, Hoshikawa closed his eyes and used his Heart's Eye.
"This stronghold is truly strange," Tsunade said, frowning slightly.
"They probably planned to ambush us, realized they couldn't handle us, and had to abandon it," Hoshikawa explained casually.
"Perhaps." Tsunade stopped thinking about it and instructed, "Rin, use the Spirit Transformation Jutsu to immediately notify Hizashi and the others."
"Yes." Rin Nohara formed hand seals, and her soul left her body.
Moments later, the sound of movement filled the air. It was the nearest ninja squad, led by Tsume Inuzuka. The other squads were further away and couldn't arrive immediately.
"We have found the thousand-man Kumogakure ninja unit, right up ahead," Tsunade said with a smile when she saw Tsume Inuzuka. "You've come at the perfect time. You can use your sense of smell to lock onto their location."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Tsume Inuzuka sniffed, channeling chakra. Her sense of smell immediately became tens of thousands of times sharper than a normal person's. This was the secret technique of the Inuzuka Clan, which, combined with their summoned ninja dogs, made them the best tracking clan.
"There are indeed many presences," Tsume Inuzuka paused. "They are currently relocating."
"It won't be that easy," Tsunade scoffed. "I don't know their objective, but we can't waste such a good opportunity."
"Kumogakure has the numbers advantage. It would be difficult to defeat them with just us. Someone needs to return to the Konoha camp for reinforcements," Hoshikawa volunteered.
They were on a tracking mission and had only brought thirty ninja squads, which meant a mere 120 people. Facing a thousand Kumogakure ninja, they were heavily disadvantaged.
"I left a slug in my tent earlier. It can use the Reverse Summoning Jutsu," Hoshikawa added.
"You are well-prepared," Tsunade said with a smile. "It's best if I go back. If you went, you would most likely be obstructed by Danzō Shimura."
She formed hand seals and slammed her hands onto the ground.
Bang!
Katsuyu appeared in a puff of smoke.
"You track them from behind. Harass them and delay their movement, but ensure your safety," Tsunade instructed. "O-Katsuyu-sama, please perform the Reverse Summoning Jutsu at the Konoha headquarters."
A moment later, she vanished from the spot.
"Let's go." Hoshikawa leaped forward, heading toward the former Kumogakure stronghold. Tsume Inuzuka, Kurenai Yūhi, and the others quickly followed.
On the way, Hoshikawa opened the small note Samui had slipped him. The content was simple: she hoped to meet him for a detailed discussion. Hoshikawa wasn't surprised. Given his current strength and status, Kumogakure couldn't remain indifferent.
This is troublesome. Hoshikawa rubbed his chin.
Should I stall for time?
Hoshikawa still didn't have Wood Release. If Kumogakure exposed his spy identity, it would ultimately be a hidden danger. Even without Wood Release, he could maintain his position in Konoha. After all, Tsunade and the others would definitely trust him. But Orochimaru and Danzō Shimura would certainly seize the chance to cause trouble, likely finding an excuse to temporarily sideline him from the battlefield. Only the special significance of Wood Release could render anything Kumogakure said completely dismissible as a rumor.
Hoshikawa thought for a moment and came up with a plan. In short, he would find an opportunity to meet her and observe Kumogakure's reaction.
Konoha Headquarters.
As the smoke cleared, Tsunade's figure slowly became visible. She glanced around, confirming she was indeed in Hoshikawa's tent.
"Stay here," Tsunade instructed Katsuyu, then headed toward the main tent.
"Tsunade?" Orochimaru was somewhat surprised to see her.
"Tsunade!" Compared to Orochimaru, Danzō Shimura was livid.
"You don't need to shout so loudly, I can hear you," Tsunade said calmly.
"Why did you injure the ninja I sent to protect you?" Danzō Shimura asked, his face pale with fury. "Do you know the penalty for harming comrades?" At the same time, he felt a twinge of regret. He regretted that Tsunade and Hoshikawa hadn't killed them. If they had, no matter how great their prestige, they would have faced severe repercussions.
"They interfered with my mission," Tsunade said indifferently. "I know perfectly well what your objective was."
"Nonsense!" Danzō Shimura naturally wouldn't admit it.
"I don't have time for small talk with you." Tsunade looked at Orochimaru. "I have located that Kumogakure ninja unit."
"Where?" Orochimaru raised his hand, stopping Danzō Shimura from speaking. Given Tsunade and Hoshikawa's status, injuring a few Root ninja was nothing.
"Northwest of the Land of Frost." Tsunade laid out the situation completely. "That's the situation. I am leaving now to bring reinforcements."
After saying that, she turned and left.
"Damn it!" Danzō Shimura grit his teeth.
"Your Root subordinates are simply incompetent," Orochimaru said flatly.
"..." Danzō Shimura was speechless. It's easy for you to say! Who would dare claim superior strength when facing both Tsunade and Hoshikawa?
"Orochimaru, are you just going to let them take all the credit?" Danzō Shimura reminded him. "Don't forget what you promised me!"
"A bit of merit won't hurt them," Orochimaru shook his head. "The focus should be on the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Danzō Shimura asked anxiously.
"Tsunade and Hoshikawa are not ordinary ninja. They won't fall into a trap easily. We must wait for the right opportunity," Orochimaru said unhurriedly.
"But…" Danzō Shimura couldn't afford to lose and was unwilling to wait.
"Besides, without Tsunade and Hoshikawa, how are we supposed to defeat the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B?" Orochimaru looked at him and countered.
Danzō Shimura paused, immediately understanding his thought process. He was absolutely right. Their current strength couldn't guarantee a victory against the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki. They would have to rely on the strategy of the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Let Tsunade and Hoshikawa fight the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki. When both sides were exhausted and severely wounded, that would be their time to appear.
"It seems that is the only way," Danzō Shimura sighed softly.
He didn't know when, but everything had started going wrong for him. Especially Tsunade and Hoshikawa, who constantly undermined his plans. It was infuriating!
(End of Chapter)
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