Tian Yuan's words gave Hizashi Hyuga pause, but in the end, he found himself agreeing. It wasn't just a matter of trusting Tian Yuan; it was the tactical reality. Even if they attempted to break out,
being intercepted on one side would allow the other three stone forces to converge instantly. They would be caught in a pincer regardless, so it was better to make preparations now and confront the Hidden Stone ninjas directly.
Failure to do so would result in heavy casualties for the Leaf. Perhaps only powerhouses like Hizashi and Tian Yuan would manage to break through and escape, but that would be a catastrophic blow to Konoha,
considering the many elite scouts gathered here. Even if they were truly outmatched, they could fight a retreating battle, especially since they had a significant number of Jonin-level forces. Furthermore, Tian Yuan was rumored to possess Kage level strength.
The Leaf ninjas scattered, beginning their defensive work. Bunching up would only allow the enemy to wipe them out in one fell swoop.
Fifteen minutes later, Hidden Stone ninjas converged from all directions. At their head stood a man clad in purple clothing and a breastplate, sporting reddish-purple hair and a thick beard. He was Roshi, the Jinchuriki of the Four-Tails from Iwagakure.
"I didn't expect you to stay put, Hizashi. That doesn't seem like you," Roshi said, looking at Hizashi Hyuga. It was clear the two had crossed paths in battle before.
"Roshi, I didn't think you would be the one leading the siege against us," Hizashi replied slowly.
"You're the one in command this time, Hizashi. You aren't someone to be taken lightly," Roshi said solemnly.
"Then I am truly honored," Hizashi replied.
"Mr. Roshi, it's been a long time," Tian Yuan interjected suddenly, drawing Roshi's attention.
"Tian Yuan." Roshi's expression darkened. As a team leader, he had participated in the previous Chunin Exams in Konoha and had seen Tian Yuan's strength. It was undeniably at the Jonin level. If it weren't, Tian Yuan wouldn't have been able to defeat Yugito Nii, the Jinchuriki from Kumogakure, so easily.
"The first time we met, you were still following Orochimaru. I didn't expect that in the blink of an eye, your strength would have grown so much," Roshi said slowly. "Thinking back on that time... my subordinates were likely killed by you, weren't they?"
"That is true. That encounter was a massive challenge for me. I almost died," Tian Yuan chuckled.
"Even if I didn't account for your presence here, adding a single Jonin won't have a decisive impact on this battlefield," Roshi said deeply.
It was obvious that these Stone ninjas had not yet received word of the events at Mount Kikyō. No one had notified them, though Ohnoki might have already learned of the situation on the other side.
"Roshi, perhaps your intelligence is a bit outdated," Hizashi laughed from the side.
"Outdated?" Roshi looked confused for a moment but quickly turned cold. "Regardless, you're all staying here today. If a genius from the Leaf and a Jonin from the Hyuga Clan die here, it will be a painful loss for Konoha."
Kushina Uzumaki burst out laughing. To her, Roshi seemed like a comedian trying to threaten Tian Yuan. Did this Tailed Beast Jinchuriki have any idea who he was talking to? Even a fully released One-Tailed Shukaku had been utterly toyed with and sealed by Tian Yuan. What right did the Four-Tails Jinchuriki have to talk like that?
"Kushina Uzumaki of the Leaf," Roshi said, looking at the red-haired woman. "What is so funny?"
It was clear Roshi recognized her as well. Kushina was well-known for her strength among the Leaf's Jonin.
"I'm just laughing because you're overthinking things, Roshi," Kushina said.
"Overthinking?" Roshi frowned. Something about the way Hizashi and Kushina were acting felt incredibly strange.
"The Leaf truly is at a disadvantage right now," Tian Yuan stepped forward. "So, I'll start by balancing the scales."
A kunai appeared in Tian Yuan's hand.
"Kunai Shadow Clone Technique!" Tian Yuan threw the weapon directly at a dense cluster of Stone ninjas.
"Attack!" Roshi roared at the same time.
Countless kunai rained down upon the Stone ninjas. The Stone ninjas pulled out their own kunai with cold sneers, believing it was impossible to kill them with such simple projectiles.
However, just as they prepared to strike back, Tian Yuan's silhouette flickered among them. His kunai slashed through their throats with terrifying speed. Whether they were Chunin or Genin, they could only stare in horror as the attack landed.
They clutched their throats and collapsed slowly to the ground as Tian Yuan returned to his original spot. Dozens of Stone ninjas lay dead, blood pooling around them. In just a few seconds, the situation had changed completely. Roshi and the remaining Stone ninjas were frozen in shock.
"That... that was the Flying Thunder God Technique," Roshi said, his voice dry.
"Indeed. That was the Flying Thunder God Technique," Tian Yuan replied calmly.
"I never imagined you would know the Flying Thunder God Technique." Roshi's gaze flickered with cold intensity. As a space-time ninjutsu, the Flying Thunder God Technique was notoriously difficult to defend against. It had looked as if dozens of Tian Yuans had appeared simultaneously to execute the enemy ninjas.
"However, using a space-time ninjutsu like that must consume a massive amount of chakra," Roshi noted grimly. Even though he knew Tian Yuan could use the technique, stopping him would be an immense challenge.
"Perhaps," Tian Yuan said with a faint smile. With his Uzumaki constitution and his current massive reserves not to mention his optimized version of the Flying Thunder God Technique such a move really had no impact on him.
"Your opponent is me," Roshi said, taking a deep breath. He realized now that this Leaf genius was the most dangerous enemy on the field.
"Then I'll refrain from using the Flying Thunder God Technique for now." Tian Yuan drew his sword. Wind chakra began to swirl around the blade, eventually wrapping Tian Yuan himself in its shroud.
"Blade Art: Instant Wind Slash!"
"Oh no!" Roshi's face changed instantly. "Lava Release Chakra Mode!"
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