Chapter 32: Tsuchikage Onoki
Orochimaru was leading a small group of ninja, mixed with shinobi of varying levels. The Konoha shinobi were currently engaged with a similar sized group of Iwa shinobi, battling over a strategic location of Amegakure. The battle was fierce, and both Konoha and Iwa shinobi's lives had already been taken within the first few minutes, but it seemed as though Konoha would win this skirmish.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Dark snakes extended from Orochimaru's arms, immobilising many of the Iwa shinobi, and allowing the rest of Konoha shinobi finish them off. As the remaining Iwa shinobi attempted a retreat, the Konoha shinobi gave pursuit.
"Particle Style: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu!"
An almost transparent beam descended onto the Konoha shinobi, sweeping across them, and before Orochimaru could react, a white light encased them, atomising them instantly. Just like that, within seconds, more than half of Orochimaru's group had been killed.
The Tsuchikage had arrived. He was flying above them, beyond the reach of any Jutsus that could be redirected at him, and he was currently recharging his next attack.
Luckily for the remaining Konoha shinobi, the Snake of Konoha was not arrogant - this was a battle he could not win, and he ordered an immediate retreat. As the Konoha shinobi retreated, the Iwa gave pursuit, taking many lives - however, another beam never came. Konoha had lost many shinobi and the strategic location, but Orochimaru had gained something valuable - the sacrifice had not been for nothing.
Orochimaru learned afterwards that his team was not the only one to be targeted by the Tsuchikage - 2 other teams had been targeted, totaling 35 total shinobi deaths - but his team were the only team that had survivors.
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"The Tsuchikage's Jutsu is the only Kekkei Totta in the world," Orochimaru announced to the room. "It is immensely powerful - a one-shot Jutsu like no other."
The room was silent.
"We must call for the Hokage immediately," continued Orochimaru. General murmurs of agreement came from across the room - the Tsuchikage could not be allowed to continue like this.
"But not all hope is lost. I've learnt something about the Tsuchikage's Jutsu - it requires immense chakra, and has a sort of charging period before use too."
"How do you know, Orochimaru?" Jiraiya asked, sitting forward.
"Because he only fired it once, and it was the only Jutsu he used. If it was a Jutsu he could fire off in quick succession, he most certainly would have - that means the Jutsu requires a massive amount of chakra, or a long charge time - probably both, because a larger chakra requirement could mean a longer charge time too."
The mood in the room brightened - the Tsuchikage was not invincible after all. Perhaps they could still stand a chance of holding the front while they waited for the Hokage.
"So we need to attack him while he's charging the Jutsu, don't we?" Tajima asked, saying what everyone else was thinking.
"Precisely. But whoever it is will need to have long range Jutsu - the Tsuchikage can fly too. The Jutsu can't be a simple or weak one either - we need to make him dodge or stop the Jutsu to defend himself."
"In that case, whoever believes they can hold the Tsuchikage back, step forward."
Despite eyes wandering around the room, anxious for someone to step up, for a moment, no one did. But before panic could settle into the shinobi's minds, someone stepped up. As the shinobi gazed upon the volunteer, any sense of panic vanished, replaced by a sense of trust and safety. After all, he was the same man that had single handedly captured a Tailed Beast.
Up until that point, Katsuro had not spoken a word. Not since he received news from Orochimaru that 2 Senju shinobi had been killed by the Tsuchikage's Jutsu in the mission. For the 5th time in these skirmishes, clansmen under his command had died, and Katsuro was equally as distraught as he was enraged. He could never get used to the people who he was responsible for dying, no matter how many times it happened.
Granny Mito … I've let you down again …
Daiki and Yuna. They were both young - just ever so slightly older than him, perhaps by a year or two. They were close friends with each other too - Daiki was a silent giant type of man, a physically strong shinobi, well versed in Water Style Ninjutsu. Yuna, on the other hand, was the opposite. Not silent, nor a giant, nor a man. But for what she lacked in physical prowess, she made up for with her quick mind, and mastery over Genjutsu. The Jonin duo were a formidable duo in any setting - yet Onoki's Jutsu had killed them so easily - within a second. They didn't have time to react.
According to Orochimaru, they had died painless deaths - confused, probably scared, but painless. Maybe that was a good thing - a lucky death for a shinobi. But even still …
Daiki … Yuna … forgive me.
But he couldn't dwell on their deaths now - not when there were still those he needed to protect. Katsuro raised his chin, and addressed the room.
"I will handle Onoki. I can't promise that I'll kill him, but I should have enough chakra to be able to keep him occupied so that he doesn't use his Jutsu again."
"I'll go with Katsuro - I have no missions planned tomorrow and I can support him," Jiraiya spoke, eager to help.
"No, Jiraiya. You don't have enough of and powerful enough long range Jutsu, and you're not fast enough. If you truly want to help, stay put and wait. We may be able to take advantage of the Tsuchikage being occupied if the plan works."
Jiraiya, understanding, nodded.
"We should give all shinobi orders to stay scattered and not bunch up from now on, to avoid his Jutsu wiping out multiple shinobi at one time."
"Katsuro should be able to see the Jutsu if he's actively looking for it on standby, but just in case, tell the shinobi to give a signal, like a smoke bomb, when the Tsuchikage comes. Also, they should be hiding - in trees or forests or buildings - to avoid being out in the open."
"And we need to have more scouts around our main camp - if they find it, we'll be obliterated."
"I think we should have at least 3 teams accompanying Katsuro from a distance too - we need to make sure no Iwa shinobi interfere with the battle."
The murmurs in the room grew louder, finally turning into normal speech, as confidence in the room grew.
When the meeting was adjourned, the plan was in place. Katsuro went to sleep with the same conviction.
I will carry out my duty. I will protect my clan.
The next morning, Katsuro woke up at the same time as the first team, immediately going on standby.
The first and second missions were carried out uneventfully, with no signs of the Tsuchikage's presence. However, soon after the third mission started, Katsuro saw smoke in a forest, immediately followed by a moving transparent beam containing bright white light.
"Lightning Style: Thunderclap Impulse! Shunpo!"
The Senju Patriarch disappeared almost immediately, leaving the poor 3 teams assigned to prevent interference to play catch up.
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