Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 189: Konoha vs. Sand Shinobi

Tonari handed the wounded scout over to the medical team and followed Orochimaru out of the command tent.

The sudden onset of the war was shocking enough, but the immediate clash upon reaching the battlefield was even more startling.

Even Tonari, seasoned in numerous battles and missions, felt his palms sweat slightly.

This was his first large-scale shinobi battle, involving thousands of participants. While he had experienced warfare in his past life, those battles relied on firearms. Here, it was a clash of extraordinary chakra-powered techniques.

However, his sweating hands didn't signify fear. Instead, a strange sense of excitement and familiarity coursed through him, causing his blood to boil.

With a sweeping motion from Orochimaru, the combat-ready shinobi gathered, dropping whatever tasks they were working on.

Tonari's students weren't among the forces.

At this initial stage of the war, when all sides were at their strongest, it wasn't suitable to deploy newly graduated genin. They were Konoha's future, and the chaotic opening clash was no place for them.

The fully equipped shinobi wasted no time moving. According to the scout's report, Sunagakure's forces were already within the Land of Rain, closing in quickly.

If the battle were to spill over to the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire, a defeat would allow the Sand Shinobi to invade the Land of Fire, wreaking havoc.

Thus, the battle had to occur within the Land of Rain to provide Konoha time to prepare defensive lines in the worst-case scenario.

The Sand Shinobi, brimming with momentum, would undoubtedly be ferocious in this initial encounter. If Konoha could withstand this, they could transition into a prolonged war of attrition, buying time for strategic adjustments.

The Konoha forces entered the Land of Rain boldly, without concealing their presence, heading directly to meet the Sunagakure forces head-on.

By chance—or perhaps by design—the two forces encountered each other on a plain in the Land of Rain.

Above, the sky churned with dense, low-hanging clouds. The oppressive atmosphere pressed down on the shinobi, making it hard to breathe.

A brilliant flash of lightning illuminated both sides, revealing solemn faces on either side of the battlefield.

Boom!

Thunder roared, and soon, heavy rain began to pour, soaking everyone present.

The rain brought a subtle shift in morale. Orochimaru, Tonari, and the other Konoha leaders seemed relieved, while many Sand Shinobi displayed unease.

Rain was a significant handicap for the Sand Shinobi, especially those who specialized in manipulating sand. The waterlogged environment weakened their abilities considerably.

Even with this disadvantage, Konoha still faced an uphill battle due to their numerical disadvantage.

Tonari scanned the Sand Shinobi forces from the frontlines. Judging by the density of their formation, he estimated they had around 4,500 troops, significantly outnumbering Konoha's 3,000.

This advantage of approximately 1,500 was no small gap.

Tonari marveled at Sunagakure's audacity. Sending such a large force—nearly a quarter or even a third of their total ninja population—was a bold move.

Unlike other villages, Sunagakure's ninjutsu techniques, particularly sand manipulation and puppet techniques, required extensive training.

Tonari estimated Sunagakure's total combat-ready ninja numbered between 15,000 and 20,000.

This placed them in the middle tier among the Five Great Shinobi Villages in terms of numbers.

By contrast, Iwagakure likely had the largest standing force, with an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 shinobi. However, this came at the cost of a lower proportion of elite ninja.

The gap in numbers between the Five Great Shinobi Villages' jonin and chunin was far smaller than that between their genin.

Tonari's attention returned to the battlefield as he observed Sunagakure's elite shinobi standing at the forefront, easily distinguishable by their unique demeanor and attire.

Orochimaru's expression remained grim. The numerical disparity was evident, and there was no avoiding this battle.

Victory hinged on Konoha's elite jonin overpowering Sunagakure's strongest shinobi, disrupting their ranks.

Orochimaru's gaze settled on the opposing leader, Chiyo, a veteran shinobi with Kage-level strength.

Standing beside Chiyo were prominent figures such as Rasa, the future Fourth Kazekage, Pakura of the Scorch Release, Chiyo's brother Ebizō, and several renowned Sunagakure shinobi.

The pressure was palpable.

"Once the battle starts, prioritize survival and unleash your full strength. Hold nothing back," Orochimaru instructed.

Tonari nodded silently, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Orochimaru and Chiyo locked eyes, their intent clear. There would be no negotiations, only battle.

Almost simultaneously, Tonari and Orochimaru began forming hand seals.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Boom! Boom!

Two massive plumes of smoke erupted on the battlefield.

"Again, Orochimaru? What do you want this time? Don't think I'll work for you without my two hundred sacrifices!" roared Manda, his arrogant voice cutting through the downpour.

Orochimaru, unfazed, replied coldly, "If you're capable, the Sand Shinobi over there can be your meal."

Meanwhile, Tonari's summoning was far calmer.

"What are your orders, Tonari-sama?" asked Aogake, a massive serpent, its tone respectful.

"It's time to trouble you again, Aogake," Tonari said with a smile.

While Aogake lacked Manda's size and aura, its obedience made it a better fit for Tonari's strategies.

Seeing the two summoned serpents, Konoha's forces, initially disheartened by their numerical disadvantage, regained their morale.

Yes, their numbers were fewer, but they had Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, and Tonari, known as the "White Fang of Konoha."

The sight of these serpents struck a psychological blow to the Sand Shinobi.

Chiyo, unwilling to be outdone, unfurled a scroll adorned with intricate seals.

Poof! Poof! Poof!

Ten white-robed puppets appeared before her.

"White Secret Technique: The Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets!"

Chiyo's puppets, masterpieces of craftsmanship, were unparalleled in their lethality, cementing her status as the top puppet master before Sasori's rise.

As the two leaders summoned their forces, the battle began in earnest.

Orochimaru, astride Manda, led the charge, while Chiyo, with her puppets, advanced to meet him.

The battlefield descended into chaos as the two armies collided.

Tonari, standing atop Aogake, found himself locked in a confrontation with Rasa, the master of Magnet Release.

"You again! The White Fang of Konoha!" Rasa exclaimed, recognizing Tonari's weapon and aura.

Their clash was inevitable.

Tonari smirked, gripping his blade tightly. "Rasa, let's see if you're worthy of my full attention this time."

The storm raged overhead, mirroring the ferocity of the battle below.

(End of Chapter)

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