"I miscalculated. I always thought your strongest shadow was the Great Sword; I didn't expect there to be an even more exaggerated muscular deer. With my current Chakra, I can't get close to you anymore. You should still have enough Chakra to maintain your shadows, right?"
Kano nodded.
"What, going to admit defeat?"
"Hahaha, how could I admit defeat! I know you held back; there were several times you could have dealt a lethal blow and killed me."
But give me the chance to challenge you. Next, I'll use Taijutsu to deal with your muscular deer. Eight Gates, Open!"
Rock Lee and Guy in the stands were shocked. He knows this move too?! Rock Lee clenched his fists unwillingly; he wanted to prove that his Taijutsu wouldn't lose to anyone! Seeing this, Guy patted Rock Lee's head to encourage him.
"Kakashi, how does your disciple have time to practice the Eight Gates while knowing so many Ninjutsu?"
"He is a true genius, and an Uchiha genius at that."
That was the result of Kakashi's special training for a month. If it weren't this intense, it wouldn't be worth Kakashi's effort over that month. He had practically brought out all his signature skills!
Sasuke had copied a ton of Ninjutsu from him, saying it was for emergencies. Although Sasuke wasn't using them much now, the ones he copied the most were Water Release.
Kano was also very polite and agreed to Sasuke's request.
"No problem. I won't interfere, and don't you suddenly hit me either. Also, you can use Ninjutsu; you haven't used the ultimate move Kakashi taught you yet, right?"
"As expected of you, knowing even about that. Is there anything you don't know?"
"Since there's nothing for me to do, I'll play a battle song for you guys."
She stuck the hunting flute into the ground and formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough! Marching Tune!"
The magnificent music surged like ocean waves. Blood began to boil, and eyes gradually filled with confidence. It felt as if their bodies were overflowing with inexhaustible strength, determined to strike down the enemy before them.
Even the Daimyo in the stands was so excited he could hardly contain himself, wishing he could go down and fight a few rounds. But the guards still stopped the Daimyo who wanted to try; if he 'tried' and died, they would be waiting for their own deaths too.
Sasuke said his thanks and started fighting Shadow Deer Tube.
Kano watched from the side. She had to admit, Sasuke really had a lot of skills now; he had almost gone through a round of common Ninjutsu of the five elements.
Despite this, he was still being pummeled by Shadow Deer Tube.
Although Sasuke's output and speed had increased, he couldn't withstand Shadow Deer Tube's massive health bar. Sasuke had been fighting for two minutes, and Shadow Deer Tube hadn't even lost one percent of its health.
Kano was actually constantly on guard against those traitors from the Land of Wind in the stands. It seemed they were also affected by Kano's music.
Music is a magical power; it can guide people's emotions, but this emotion is not singular but comprehensive.
For example, the Marching Score, while it can make one's fighting spirit soar, can also make one lose their reason. Just like now, they could no longer hold back.
Pure white feathers drifted down from the sky, and everyone present fell into a Genjutsu. Kano also went with the flow and fell down, lying on the Shadow Deer's back, pretending to be under the Genjutsu.
Shadow Deer Tube, who had just been pummeling Sasuke, suddenly disappeared. This left Sasuke stunned, and he instantly looked over toward Kano.
Pretending again, are you? How could a Genjutsu of this level possibly control you!
Kano was pretending, but the Otogakure and Suna Ninja were not; they immediately began their rebellion. Sasuke didn't bother pretending; he was going to go on a rampage.
Kano lay on the ground. She didn't plan on following Naruto to deal with the Ichibi Shukaku, nor did she plan to participate in Orochimaru's battle against the Third Hokage.
She intended to frantically harvest shadows during this period of combat. After all, many Ninjas, whether friend or foe, would die during this time.
Among them were no shortage of capable Jonin and Anbu. Moreover, enemy Ninjas could be killed at will~
Kano, who was lying on the ground pretending to be controlled, suddenly felt something was wrong. She hurriedly got up and dodged as a giant hand made of quicksand slammed into the spot where she had just been playing dead.
Gaara!
Why was he here? Shouldn't he have fled and then been caught by Naruto and Sasuke?
Recalling the classic scenes from the anime, since everything had been more or less the same as the original work, Kano subconsciously thought things would develop the same way. She hadn't planned on looking for trouble with Gaara, but now he had come looking for trouble with her.
"Kano! Only you! Only by killing you can I prove my existence!"
"Are you crazy! I just gave you a beating once, do you have to hold such a grudge?"
Gaara, who had already partially transformed into his Tailed Beast state, lost his reason and charged at Kano. Temari and Kankuro saw they couldn't stop Gaara, and since this was part of the plan anyway, the two of them left the area to avoid being accidentally killed by him.
Kano was now in a real bind. Let her solo the Ichibi? She wasn't confident to that extent yet!
She had been so focused on remembering the original plot that she forgot why Gaara had to flee. He had been injured by Sasuke and fled temporarily to recover.
Otherwise, he definitely would have transformed into the Tailed Beast and started a rampage on the spot.
And now was that 'otherwise'. Sasuke had just been pummeled by her, and Naruto was caught in the Genjutsu and couldn't get up. Everyone else had their own battles; for now, she could only rely on herself.
Naruto, wake up quickly!
This is going to be troublesome...
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!
