novelhk Chapter 112 A war of life and death, a war where you risk your life and everything!
Chapter 112 A war of life and death, a war where you risk your life and everything!
Chapter 112 A war of life and death, a war where you risk your life and everything!
"I'm sorry, Lord Minato."
The Jonin from the medical team was pale and his voice was hoarse; he could hardly look Minato Namikaze in the eye.
She also wanted to save Jiraiya-sama, the hero who died fighting for Konoha, but the extent of his injuries was completely beyond her capabilities.
"Extensive defects in the chest and abdominal cavities, spinal cord injury, severe lacerations to the heart and lungs, excessive blood loss, and multiple ruptures in the chakra pathways —"
"This level of injury is beyond the limits of what medical ninjutsu can handle."
"Even if Lady Tsunade were here, I'm afraid she would—"
She looked at Jiraiya, who was covered in blood on the hospital bed and whose breath was so weak that it was almost imperceptible, and her eyes were filled with helplessness.
The words were not finished, but the meaning was already very clear.
Minato Namikaze clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, blood seeping out between his fingers.
He looked at Jiraiya's face, which used to always have a hearty smile, but now it was as pale as paper, his lips were bluish-purple, he was barely breathing, and his wounds were shocking. The emotions in his heart at this moment were indescribable.
Self-blame, pain, anger —
If he could be a little faster.
If he had noticed Makoto Goji's intentions sooner.
if----
But there are no "what ifs" in this world.
Minato Namikaze held Jiraiya's hand, his lips trembling, while the medical ninja beside him continued to exert his best efforts in using the Palm Healing Technique.
But it was no use; Jiraiya's vital signs continued to slowly and steadily slide into the abyss.
"Watergate".
A deep voice came from outside the tent.
Minato Namikaze turned around and saw Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and several Konoha Jonin who were injured but still exuded a powerful aura as they walked in through the curtain.
They had clearly just returned from the front lines, and their bodies bore the marks of battle.
Danzo's right arm was wrapped in a new bandage, with faint traces of blood seeping out. Mitomon Homura had a bloodstain on his face. Although he was injured, it had been treated simply, and he was in relatively good condition, although his face was a little pale.
They instinctively wanted to ask about the battle situation on Minato's side, but when they saw Jiraiya on the verge of death, everyone's expression changed.
"this!"
Danzo's one eye was fixed on Jiraiya, who was barely breathing on the medical bed, his pupils contracting uncontrollably.
Even with his composure, seeing Jiraiya's miserable state at this moment still caused a great uproar in his heart!
Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin known for his unrestrained spirit, immense strength, and tenacious vitality, was now—
Even Danzo, who was used to life and death and cruelty, could tell at a glance that this injury was beyond the scope of conventional medical ninjutsu. Although Jiraiya had not completely died, it was only a matter of time.
"—Was this made by Makoto Goji Berry?"
Danzo's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of disbelief and chill.
Minato Namikaze lowered his head, tightly gripping Jiraiya's cold hand, his voice dry and hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing together.
"Yes."
"Makoto Karatachi used space-time ninjutsu to wreak havoc on our rear lines. After Jiraiya activated Sage Mode, he began to fight fire with fire, forcing Makoto Karatachi to return to defense—which ultimately led to this situation."
A deathly silence fell over the tent.
Mitomon's face turned ashen, and his fingers clenched involuntarily.
Although his elite troops achieved some success in the surprise attack on Yagura, severely injuring two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the resistance from Kirigakure was more tenacious than expected, and Yagura's own strength was unexpectedly strong.
I thought that with Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze on the front lines, even without an advantage, we should be able to hold our own.
But the result exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Notify Tsunade immediately!"
Mitokado Homura's voice was urgent: "If there's anyone in this world who can save Jiraiya, it's only Tsunade!"
"—It's too late."
T
Minato Namikaze shook his head.
He had no doubt about Tsunade's medical ninjutsu. As the most powerful medical ninja in the entire ninja world, Tsunade had saved countless people from the brink of death, and even those on the verge of death could be brought back by her.
But now.
After her lover Dan Kato and her younger brother Nawaki died in the war, Tsunade developed hemophobia, left Konoha, wandered around gambling, and almost stopped caring about the affairs of the ninja world.
Even if they really had a way to deliver the letter to Tsunade in a special way, and Tsunade was willing to come back, could she overcome her psychological barriers?
All of this is unknown.
Besides, even if Tsunade could come, even if Tsunade could heal, it would all be too late.
"No matter what, we must do our best!"
Mitokado Homura said in a deep voice, "At the same time, immediately report the entire situation here in detail to the Hokage!"
"The situation on the Eastern Front has fundamentally changed; we must—"
"Watergate!"
The sudden sound interrupted Mitokado Yan's words. The tent curtain was flung open, and a red figure rushed in, looking travel-worn and anxious.
The red figure rushed forward so fast that it almost knocked over the support frame at the entrance, catching everyone inside the tent off guard and instantly drawing their attention to it.
The intruder was a young woman, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a head of bright red hair that was now somewhat messy, tied into a simple ponytail at the back of her head, and a few strands of hair stuck to her smooth forehead and cheeks with sweat.
She had bright, eager eyes that were quickly scanning the scene inside the tent. She was delighted to see Minato, but then her attention was drawn to Jiraiya, who was lying on the medical bed, barely breathing.
A beautiful face, signature red hair, and a vibrant chakra surge that even fatigue couldn't completely conceal—
Inside the tent, apart from the shocked medical ninja, Minato Namikaze, Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and the few Konoha Jonin were all stunned.
Especially Minato Namikaze.
"Ku...Kushina?"
"What are you doing here!"
According to the original plan, after the Hokage went to the Iwagakure battlefield to meet up with Orochimaru, Kushina, as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and with a special identity, should have safely returned to Konoha Village to rest under the escort of the Anbu!
Judging by the time, she should have already arrived at Konoha Village by now.
How could they suddenly appear on this war-torn and perilous battlefield of Mist Shadow?!
Mitokado Yan's face also darkened instantly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi went to the front lines of Iwagakure because he was worried that Kushina would be captured by Onoki.
But to his surprise, Kushina not only didn't return to the village, but instead came here.
"Kushina Uzumaki, who gave you permission to leave the escort team and come here without permission?!"
"I, I————"
Kushina looked at Minato in front of her, then at Jiraiya: "I was worried about Minato, and about your safety, so I—what exactly happened here? Why is Jiraiya-sensei like this?!"
"You don't need to worry about things here. Your current task is to return to Konoha!"
Mitokado Homura's voice was stern. He stared at Kushina, his eyes sharp as knives: "The safety of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is the village's highest priority! Do you know how dangerous it is to leave the escort team and come to the front lines without permission? If Kirigakure, especially that Makoto Karatachi, finds out, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
If the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki were to die on the front lines, the consequences would be far more severe than losing ten Jiraiyas!
Danzo, however, did not speak up. Instead, his gaze kept shifting between Kushina and Minato Namikaze, as if he were thinking about something.
"I----"
Kushina was intimidated by Mitokado Homura's imposing aura and subconsciously took a half step back.
But seeing the undisguised exhaustion and pain on Minato's face, and Jiraiya's shocking injuries, her eyes hardened again: "I'm just worried about everyone! And I'm also a Konoha ninja, I have a responsibility—"
"Your responsibility is to protect yourself, and to protect the Nine-Tails within you!" Mitokado Homura interrupted her, his tone even colder. "This is no joke! Prepare immediately; I will send someone to escort you back to Konoha. There must be no further delays!"
Minato Namikaze nodded as well.
He was touched that Kushina came to the front lines, but what Mitokado Homura said was true.
Kushina's identity is too special and too dangerous. Staying on the front line is like being a moving target. If Kirigakure discovers and targets her, the consequences will be unimaginable.
"Kushina, listen to Elder Yan, we'll talk later—"
"I don't think it's necessary to rush Kushina Uzumaki back."
A deep voice interrupted Minato Namikaze's words.
It's Danzo!
He slowly took a step forward, his one eye calmly sweeping over Mitokado Homura and Namikaze Minato before finally landing on Kushina, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
Mitokado Homura frowned and looked at Danzo: "Danzo, what do you mean? The safety of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is a matter of life and death for the village. How can we treat this lightly? You've seen the situation on the front lines. That monster, Makoto Karatachi—"
"It is precisely because the situation on the front lines is critical and Makoto Tachibana poses a significant threat that we need to reassess all our forces."
Jiraiya's serious injury not only means that Konoha has lost a top fighter, but also that the initiative on the eastern front will completely fall into the hands of Kirigakure!
Goji Ju Cheng — Goji Ju Cheng!
This name was like a poisonous thorn stuck in Danzo's heart, but at the moment they had no way to deal with Makoto Karatachi, so even he remained silent.
But Kushina's sudden arrival gave Danzo a glimmer of hope!
"Watergate".
Danzo didn't speak directly to Kushina, but instead looked at Minato Namikaze, his voice low and deep: "If you were to take over supreme command, what are your plans?"
Minato Namikaze was taken aback; he hadn't expected Danzo to suddenly ask him that.
He instinctively tried to repeat his usual rhetoric: tighten the defensive lines, stabilize the situation, and launch a counter-attack.
But the dying Jiraiya beside him made the words he was about to say stuck in his throat.
With the war having escalated to this point, how could he not understand that defending and counterattacking was tantamount to slow suicide? Fugaku was dead, Shiki was dead, and now even Jiraiya-sensei was...
But what else can he do?
"I----"
Now that the teacher is seriously injured and on the verge of death, Konoha's eastern front has suffered repeated heavy blows, and the rear has been turned upside down by Makoto Karatachi, resulting in low morale at the front.
He really dared not speak recklessly.
The pressure weighed on his shoulders like a mountain.
Although Minato Namikaze possessed exceptional talent, he became renowned throughout the ninja world in his early twenties, his title "Yellow Flash" known to all, and his strength unparalleled. However, truly taking command of a large army in dire straits, facing veteran leaders like Danzo and Homura Mitokado, and making decisions in such a desperate situation that concerned the lives of tens of thousands and the fate of Konoha—
This burden is too heavy.
Seeing the undisguised struggle and confusion in Minato Namikaze's eyes, Mitokado Yan frowned and sighed inwardly.
Minato's talent and strength are beyond doubt, but he is still too young and lacks experience in standing on his own and the decisive courage to fight in desperate situations.
At times like these, what is needed is not a warrior with exceptional talent, but a commander who can withstand pressure and make the most ruthless and effective choices.
He was about to say something when Danzo spoke first.
"Do you not know, or are you afraid to say?"
"Minato, I know what you're thinking. Self-blame, pressure, fear—but these emotions are useless on the battlefield."
"Jiraiya risked his life to hold off Makoto Karatachi for the sake of Konoha, even at the cost of his own life, only to end up like this."
"He risked his life for this, not so you could stand here hesitating and wallowing in self-pity!"
Danzo, leaning on his cane, took a step forward, his voice suddenly rising, carrying an unquestionable air of authority.
"What he risked his life for was an opportunity! An opportunity for Makoto Karatachi to be forced back to the front lines and temporarily unable to attend to other matters! An opportunity for Konoha to readjust, and even—to counterattack!"
"If you waste this opportunity, then Jiraiya's blood will have been shed in vain!"
Minato Namikaze's body jolted violently, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head.
yes----
In the final moments of his life, the teacher wasn't thinking of himself, but rather how to limit Makoto's life as much as possible, creating a glimmer of hope for Konoha.
If you let pressure and pain hold you back, that would be the greatest betrayal of your teacher's sacrifice!
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, his voice becoming hoarse and husky due to the extreme emotions.
"I understand what you mean, Lord Danzo—"
"The current situation is extremely unfavorable to us. Makoto Kuraki's actions in this battle demonstrate that he possesses extremely high mobility and destructive power. If he wants, he can easily bypass our frontal defenses and directly strike our core territory. And our conventional forces will find it difficult to effectively intercept or pursue him."
"In other words, we are caught in a classic asymmetric warfare dilemma. The enemy possesses a 'superweapon' that we find difficult to contain, while we lack equivalent countermeasures."
"So, what's your strategy?"
Danzo nodded noncommittally, but Mitomon Homura spoke up, "I think we should first shrink our defensive line, switch to full defense, abandon the outer strongholds, concentrate our forces to hold the key nodes, and at the same time request the village to send more reinforcements."
"Once Hiruzen takes care of Iwagakure, we can join forces to face Kirigakure!"
"—Wait until Hiruzen finishes off Iwagakure?"
Danzo sneered and retorted directly, "A full-scale defense, passively taking hits, will only embolden Kirigakure and give Makoto Kotachi more time and opportunities to find our weaknesses! Moreover, a war of attrition is disadvantageous to us. Although Kirigakure is fighting across the sea, they are mobilizing the entire nation's resources, while we also have to contend with pressure from Iwagakure and Kumogakure!"
"You're waiting for Hiruzen to finish off Iwagakure? Do you think Onoki and his two Jinchūriki are made of clay? If things go according to your plan, it won't be long before we have to fight a war to defend Konoha!"
Mitomon Homura hesitated, wanting to say something more, but Danzo just snorted coldly and didn't look at him.
What Mitokado Homura was talking about was a relatively safe strategy and tactic, something that Konoha had been implementing ever since Kirigakure played Makoto Karatachi.
However, the fact that the war has escalated to this point demonstrates the infeasibility of this strategy and tactics.
Today we cede five cities, tomorrow we cede ten more, and then we can have a peaceful night's rest.
Looking around, the fog had already descended once more.
However, the land of Konoha is limited, while the desire of the Blood Mist is insatiable; the more it is offered, the more urgently it invades.
As they retreat step by step, the Hidden Mist will advance step by step; if they act like tortoises, the Hidden Mist will become even more ruthless!
"Minato, what was Jiraiya's final decision?"
"Wh-what?"
Minato Namikaze was taken aback for a moment, but quickly realized what was happening and whispered.
"—After the Battle of Kazan, the teacher believed that the best way to deal with an individual like Makoto Karatachi who is highly mobile and destructive was not to passively defend, but to launch equally mobile attacks, forcing the opponent to be distracted and retreat to defend, thereby limiting their space for movement and their destructive efficiency."
"His plan is to abandon the tactic of confronting Kirigakure while Makoto Karatachi is causing destruction, and instead, like Karatachi, directly infiltrate behind enemy lines to carry out the same destruction!"
"This is a lose-lose situation!"
Mitokado Homura gasped, "How could Jiraiya make such a decision? If he does, our losses will expand infinitely, and then—"
"The losses suffered by Kirigakure will also be substantial."
Danzo indifferently interrupted Mitokado Homura's words.
"The fact that Makoto Karatachi is such a special existence has already doomed us to not be able to win this war. Once that guy decides to cause trouble, no one can stop him."
"So Jiraiya's idea is excellent, and it's the only way I think can break the current deadlock!"
'
"We must attack, and attack fiercely and fatally enough, to strike where Kirihiko is most vulnerable, to force Makoto Karatachi to come to his aid!"
"In this way, we might suffer significant losses, but so will Kirigakure. We might lose this war, but Kirigakure will not be the victor!"
hiss!
Danzo's words caused everyone present to widen their eyes in disbelief.
Abandoning reciprocal defense and directly engaging in offense against offense will only result in mutual damage and a lose-lose situation.
This is simply—
Crazy!
But upon closer examination, in the face of a strategic threat like the Masamune, which cannot be contained by conventional means, this seems to be the most direct, and perhaps even the only, effective way to break the deadlock!
"Danzo, you'd better think this through."
Mitokado Homura's face paled slightly: "If we really do that, the price we have to pay will probably increase several times over. The thousands of ninjas on the front lines will likely be in danger. You bear such responsibility—"
"There's never a war without a price!"
Danzo's single eye flashed with a cold light, his voice as hard as iron: "As for responsibility—"
"I, Danzo, am a root deeply embedded in Konoha, bearing the weight of the entire tree. So many of Konoha's shady dealings are handled by me; so many problems requiring bloodshed and darkness to resolve are carried on the shoulders of the roots!"
"If something really happens, and if someone really needs to take responsibility."
"I, Danzo, will shoulder this responsibility!"
"Danzo————"
Mitokado Homura stared at Danzo in disbelief, while Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina also widened their eyes in shock.
After a long silence, Minato Namikaze took a deep breath, his eyes resolute.
"Please teach me, Lord Danzo!"
"teach?"
Danzo looked at Minato Namikaze, then turned his gaze to Kushina.
"The reason why Makoto Karatachi is able to act so recklessly is that he has mastered the unpredictable space-time ninjutsu and can also use the Susanoo, a highly threatening and destructive technique."
"But don't we have them too?"
"The Flying Thunder God Technique's mobility far surpasses that of Makoto Karatachi, and in terms of destructive power, who in this world can compare to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?!"
"this!"
Having said all that, everyone present immediately understood Danzo's implied meaning.
Minato Namikaze took a deep breath, exchanged a glance with Kushina, and nodded emphatically.
But Mitokado Homura still frowned: "Danzo, I understand what you're saying, but the Mangekyou Sharingan can control tailed beasts, just like Madara Uchiha did."
"If Kushina makes a mistake, Makoto Karatachi will—"
"No mistakes!"
Danzo's words were firm and unequivocal: "Those who hesitate and look back will always fail, especially in war! This is war!"
"A war where lives are at stake, where everything is at stake, a life-or-death struggle!"