dmims Chapter 115 The Collector Arrives
Chapter 115 The Collector Arrives
Chapter 115 The Collector Arrives
Inside the medical room, pale green medical chakra flowed through Gen Takuno's palm as he expressionlessly stopped the bleeding and repaired the bones of a new batch of wounded soldiers.
However, his thoughts had already pierced through the blood-soaked camp, projecting onto the chaotic front lines through the memories provided by his shadow clone.
Although Konoha won this battle by a narrow margin, the heavy price made him realize that this was not a formula for victory that could be replicated, and that what he was seeing was just a lucky accident fraught with danger.
The key to victory or defeat lies in the two fragile fronts.
Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails, versus the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and the Jonin group; Killer Bee's ferocious tailed beast power was like a sword hanging overhead.
In comparison, the Nara clan's Shadow Binding, the Akimichi clan's Multiplication Technique, and the Yamanaka clan's Mind Transfer Manipulation, even with their exquisite coordination, appear precarious in the face of absolute overwhelming power.
Every momentary mistake could cause these Konoha elites to vanish into thin air.
Uchiha Shisui vs. Two-Tails Yugito; on the other side, the genius known as "Shisui of the Body Flicker" is powerful.
But how easy is it to win against a powerful enemy who has transformed into a tailed beast, relying solely on speed and illusion techniques? Not to mention that he must win before the Ino-Shika-Cho trio is defeated!
Even more fatally, even if Yugito is defeated, he can easily break through the encirclement and escape with ease, thanks to the powerful regenerative ability and mobility of the tailed beast chakra.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio of Konoha, however, had no such escape route.
As for the clash between the Fourth Raikage and Jiraiya, these two main forces? In Genji Takuno's eyes, they had already become mired in a quagmire of entanglement.
Jiraiya was caught up in the relentless onslaught of the Fourth Raikage and the Jonin, leaving him no time to complete the Sage Mode activation process.
Unless he has the extraordinary ability to prepare at the exact moment the battle breaks out, it is nothing short of a fantasy.
Therefore, he had no choice but to stop the Fourth Raikage and the Jonin from Kumogakure at the very beginning of the battle.
Otherwise, if the Fourth Raikage joins another battlefield, the other two important battlefields will collapse directly, there is no other possibility!
So Jiraiya had no choice. Even though he knew this couldn't go on, he could only struggle on like this.
Perhaps he is also looking for an opportunity to use Sage Mode, but finding such an opportunity is easier said than done.
The balance of power is clearly tilting rapidly in a direction unfavorable to Konoha.
However, it was precisely this obvious disadvantage that ignited a dark flame called "opportunity" in the heart of Gen Takuno.
His gaze turned slightly cold, the brilliance of his medical ninjutsu remained undiminished, but his brain was racing, calculating the timing.
"The time is not right."
He needs to throw out a lifeline as the mysterious "collector" at a time when the Ino-Shika-Cho trio's crumbling front is on the verge of collapse and the Konoha leadership is plunged into despair.
"In exchange for assisting in slaying the Eight-Tails, we will take a part of the Eight-Tails—whether it be flesh and blood, severed horns, or a high-concentration chakra mass."
This reason is irrefutable for collectors.
Normally, Jiraiya wouldn't accept a deal from an unknown source, but faced with the abyss of the annihilation of his entire elite Jonin force, Konoha had no choice but to grit its teeth and swallow its blood.
However, even so, Yuan Tuoye still felt that he seemed to have been at a disadvantage.
After all, he had already obtained the severed horn of the Eight-Tails from Orochimaru through a transaction, and given time, it was not impossible for him to cultivate a large amount of pure Eight-Tails chakra using his own technology.
But he quickly suppressed it, saying, "Fine, let's just consider it saving precious cultivation time."
Time itself is also a cost, especially for the Eight-Tails, which is a special existence second only to the Nine-Tails.
The vast amount of chakra in the Nine-Tails is almost impossible to meet the required scale by simply relying on "dispersion collection". That is why, when the Nine-Tails was divided during its rampage, he risked taking action to personally seize the core chakra.
While the Eight-Tails is far less exaggerated than the Nine-Tails, replicating it by breaking off its horns is a feasible path. However, nowadays, skipping the long cultivation cycle and directly obtaining the ready-made high-concentration portion through trading is also a more worthwhile deal.
With his thoughts drifting to this point, Yuan Tuoye was still pondering whether he could acquire more.
Since Konoha is already at our mercy, can we extract even more value from it?
The invaluable Book of Seals was already in his hands; he had also obtained the First Hashirama cells he had longed for; his desire for Sage Mode burned brightly, but signing a contract with Mount Myōboku would undoubtedly place the identity of "Minamoto no Takuya" under the spotlight, with risks far outweighing the rewards.
"Tsk—" A faint sense of regret swept through Yuan Tuono's heart.
It was as if looking at a treasure chest that had been emptied of all its treasures. Despite all the resentment, one could only admit that this transaction seemed to have to stop at the "single item" of the Eight-Tails.
Although it feels like a slight "loss", exchanging key tailed beast resources and time costs for minimal risk is ultimately a choice where the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
However, it might also be possible to ask for more things that aren't really important.
He currently possesses a considerable amount of wealth. His initial capital came from Gato, a man whose wealth rivals that of a nation. Later, when acquiring the Grell mine, he also profited from Hyde, a wealthy Jonin from that region.
So he himself is not short of money.
But you can never have too much money. Even with the Snow Village around, the materials needed for the experiments, as well as the more sophisticated instruments, all require money to purchase.
It would be a waste of time to resort to force when things that can be solved with money are things that can be solved with money.
A barely perceptible smile vanished behind the lines of weariness that had settled on his lips. He pulled himself back from his reverie and refocused his gaze on the mangled wounds of the injured soldier before him.
The battlefield resembled scorched earth covered by heavy leaden clouds, the air thick with the despairing scent of blood and gunpowder.
As the situation unfolded, it indeed confirmed Gen Takuno's earlier predictions.
The presence of the Fourth Raikage, A, has given the Hidden Cloud Village a much-needed boost.
Despite suffering heavy casualties in the early stages due to the Two-Tails Jinchuriki Yugito's inability to withstand Uchiha Shisui, Kumogakure quickly adjusted its tactics, becoming exceptionally cunning and cautious.
Whenever Yugito could no longer effectively restrain that young Uchiha genius, the Cloud Village troops would retreat decisively like a tide. This strategy, like a cold iron curtain, greatly reduced the casualty rate of ordinary Cloud Village ninjas on the front lines.
Their objective was laid bare before Konoha. They were waiting, waiting for Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, to be the first to defeat Konoha's ace trio, the "Ino-Shika-Cho," and the Jonin group they led, who were responsible for delaying him.
Once this solid barrier is completely shattered, Konoha's crumbling defenses will collapse in an instant.
Reality is sliding in this cruel direction. Konoha's territory is being relentlessly compressed time and time again, like a fist that has been forced to clench, leaving it scarred and battered.
Inside the frontline command post, filled with the strong smell of medicine and a tense atmosphere, Jiraiya gripped the latest casualty report tightly.
The cold numbers on the paper felt like red-hot steel needles piercing my heart.
After several days of bloody fighting, the balance of casualties between the two sides has been completely reversed, with the heavy weight falling on Konoha's side.
Each update to the list of the fallen made this one of the legendary Sannin feel as if his heart was bleeding and his throat was tightening.
The air inside the room was thick and still, and all the Jonin sitting around chose to remain silent, even deliberately keeping their breathing soft.
Each breath seemed to require immense effort, and an invisible, heavy pressure weighed heavily on everyone's shoulders.
Everyone knows that this battle has reached the brink of collapse.
To make matters worse, the elite Jonin who were working with the Ino-Shika-Cho trio to delay the Eight-Tails had already suffered losses, and the time to maintain the defense line was rapidly running out.
A change in strategy is necessary and must be implemented immediately!
Jiraiya's gaze was sharp as he slowly swept across the faces of every battle-hardened elite present, finally settling on the silent Uchiha Fugaku and the young yet sharp-looking boy behind him, Uchiha Shisui.
Jiraiya's voice was hoarse but firm as he declared, "The current deployment must be adjusted immediately. I'll handle Killer Bee!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.
He then pointed to Konoha's most coordinated team: "Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi—the Ino-Shika-Cho trio's new mission is to work together to intercept the Two-Tails, Yugito!"
Finally, his gaze, as if anchored by an invisible point, locked onto the boy behind Fugaku Uchiha: "As for the Fourth Raikage, A—"
Needless to say, Fugaku Uchiha already felt the suffocating responsibility that was about to fall on the shoulders of the young Shisui.
As the clan leader, burdened by responsibility and worry, he almost instinctively spoke up to protect Shisui: "Lord Jiraiya, Shisui—he's too young! The Fourth Raikage's power and speed are no joke; he's dancing on the edge of life and death!"
His words were filled with concern for the younger generation and a deep fear of absolute power.
However, before Jiraiya could respond, a clear yet incredibly resolute voice cut through the air of hesitation: "Clan leader! Let me try!"
Uchiha Shisui straightened his back, and in his eyes, which inherited the title "Shisui of the Body Flicker," burned a burning determination beyond his years, as well as a kind of unwavering resolve that was almost like a sacrifice.
"I'm confident! I will definitely stop the Fourth Raikage!"
Fugaku Uchiha sighed deeply and closed his eyes in resignation.
He knew this once-in-a-century genius of the Uchiha clan all too well. His loyalty to Konoha and his willingness to sacrifice everything were almost etched into his very bones, so he knew it would be like this.
Jiraiya gazed into the boy's eyes, his heartstrings deeply touched by the light of defiance in them.
Instead of directly addressing Fugaku's concerns, he said to Fugaku with deep emotion, "Clan Chief Fugaku, your Uchiha clan has truly produced an extraordinary clansman."
This statement contains the highest affirmation of Zhishui's courage and responsibility, and is like a pebble thrown into the water, intended to stir up ripples.
Fugaku Uchiha's mind raced.
Jiraiya's words, and the deep master-disciple relationship between him and Minato Namikaze, allowed him to keenly grasp a deeper meaning.
If this battle is successful, it will undoubtedly greatly enhance the Uchiha clan's standing in the eyes of Konoha's leadership.
Moreover, with himself and a group of elite Uchiha clan members providing support, Shisui's safety was not entirely without guarantee.
He immediately seized this opportunity to further pave the way for Shisui: "Lord Jiraiya, you flatter me. To be honest, Shisui is not only the pride of the Uchiha clan, but also a direct descendant of the Second Hokage's personally taught disciple, the renowned Uchiha Kagami. His blood carries the will to coexist with Konoha!"
"Oh? A descendant of your teacher's colleague?" Jiraiya's eyes flashed with surprise, and his gaze toward Shisui instantly held more respect for the inheritor of the "Will of Fire" and a deeper expectation.
The plan to reorganize the lineup was finalized, but Jiraiya's thoughts did not stop.
He quickly reassessed the battlefield layout in his mind. The initial decision to have the relatively weaker Uchiha hold off the weakest Two-Tails was a last resort, but it unexpectedly unearthed the dazzling gem that is Shisui.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, originally used to delay the Eight-Tails, combines Nara Shikaku's wisdom and Yamanaka Inoichi's perception with Akimichi Choza's immense power to form a sophisticated overall control.
While powerful, Choza's gigantic form lacks the flexibility to deal with the Fourth Raikage's extreme speed, making it only suitable as a "barrier" against behemoths like the Eight-Tails.
Now that we've discovered Shisui, a gem capable of countering high-speed ninjas, our tactics naturally need to change accordingly!
The Sharingan's dynamic vision-capturing ability is a natural weapon to counter the Fourth Raikage's lightning-fast attacks.
With the experienced and prudent Fugaku Uchiha personally overseeing the operation, and the Uchiha elite group at its core, they should be able to hold their own against the "Raikage" and buy time for other battlefields.
The pressure finally fell on Jiraiya's own shoulders: Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails. The image of that seemingly carefree, burly man who loved to rap strangely flashed through Jiraiya's mind, yet his heart felt heavy.
He was well aware of the terrifying strength of the Eight-Tails, the perfect Jinchūriki, second only to the Nine-Tails.
Even if one were to risk their life and activate Sage Mode, the chances of gaining a slight advantage would be slim.
Kill? That's a pipe dream! Even more fatal is that Sage Mode requires extremely precious preparation time, which is nothing short of wishful thinking on the ever-changing battlefield.
Delay? Sage Mode's sustainable combat capabilities could never be more enduring than the power of the Eight-Tails.
A bitter choice gnawed at Jiraiya's heart. Should he once again ask his elderly teacher, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, to take up arms?
But each time he recalled the scenes he saw outside the battlefield, he saw his teacher's increasingly hunched back, his wrinkled face, and the lingering weariness in his eyes—
Jiraiya felt a strong sense of pity and doubt. How much of his teacher's peak chakra could his aged body still consume?
How long can those arms that once wielded the golden cudgel to sweep away thousands of troops bear the burden of such a brutal war?
Sending an aging hero back to the battlefield is a choice too heavy to bear.
But—what if we don't call for reinforcements?
Jiraiya looked around at the young, tired faces, yet still filled with hope.
Konoha's elite forces are being constantly depleted, and their defenses are shrinking to the point of suffocation.
Can these people hold out until Minato achieves a decisive breakthrough on the Iwagakure battlefield?
That blond student, Minato Namikaze, was someone Jiraiya trusted implicitly, believing in his legendary title of "Yellow Flash" that shook the ninja world. Jiraiya believed he could stabilize the front lines against the Land of Earth and even lead Konoha to victory in the end.
However, facing the cunning and ruthless Onoki, who possesses the terrifying bloodline limit of Dust Release, victory is destined to be a long and arduous battle.
For Minato to achieve a quick victory is as difficult as ascending to heaven.
The harsh reality left Konoha with no other options.
Jiraiya's heavy sigh echoed in the silent command room, like a boulder thrown into a deep pool.
Perhaps, in order to preserve this remaining homeland, and to buy time for the younger generation, the staff of the "Ape Demon King," representing protection, will ultimately be once again firmly grasped by its aging master in hands etched with the marks of time.
But this tragic choice filled him with bitterness and helplessness.
The air inside the Konoha high-level council chamber remained heavy as lead, the heated discussion on the war issue abruptly interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.
Immediately afterward, a ninja belonging to the Anbu rushed in through the door. His mask could not completely conceal the anxiety hidden beneath, and his shoulders heaved slightly as he moved quickly.
"What is it now?"
Jiraiya, seated at the head of the table, frowned deeply, his voice tinged with a hint of alarm.
He knew the limits of the secret service's actions; unless there was an extremely urgent situation, there was no way he would directly disrupt a meeting of this caliber.
All eyes of the attendees instantly focused on the intruder, and the atmosphere froze.
Before the tension had even eased, this untimely intrusion easily put everyone on edge.
The worst possible guess flashed through Jiraiya's mind in an instant: Could it be that the Hidden Cloud Village had started another war? But when he listened carefully, he could not detect a trace of the shouts and roars he had expected.
"Reporting back to you, sir," the ANBU ninja said, his voice low and urgent, "a powerful ninja wearing a fox mask has requested to participate in this meeting—"
The voice was still echoing in the huge council hall when a voice, as indistinct as a thin mist and carrying a strangely languid tone, suddenly rang out: "Hmm~, this ANBU is right."
boom!
An invisible chill instantly swept through the entire venue, causing everyone's heart to skip a beat.
The sound was so close, it clearly came from inside the conference room! It didn't seem to be coming from outside the door at all!
Everyone turned sharply in shock, following the sound, and looked toward the end of the conference table, which they considered to be the safest place behind them.
There, on the wooden chair that should have been empty, a figure was now leaning against something!