Chp-70: Electromagnetic Storm Battalion

"I took down at least three Iwa ninjas with that shot."

"I got five with mine!"

...

"You guys are competing now?"

The leading shadow clone smacked the heads of the competitive clones, scolding them loudly.

"The real body is still in danger. Our priority is to take down those Iwa ninjas! Understand?"

"Understood, Captain."

The shadow clones sheepishly rubbed their heads and reloaded the electromagnetic cannons.

To maximize the combat effectiveness of the electromagnetic storm battalion, Satoru trained them militaristically.

It seemed to be paying off now.

Although he could only manage a small battalion of about ten men with his current abilities, in the future, as his power grew significantly...

If he could truly form a full battalion, the Electromagnetic Storm Battalion descending upon the ninja world would probably make any major ninja village break out in a cold sweat.

Satoru did not personally engage in this battle. While Tonton's forces were being held off by his shadow clones, he meticulously set up traps along his escape route.

Since he had decided to use this Iwa ninja unit as his whetstone, he was sure to prepare several gifts.

A faint smile curved on Satoru's lips.

...

Tonton, who had been stunned by the successive cannon attacks, finally snapped back to reality.

Turning around, he saw that the Iwa ninja formation had already been scattered. The ground was littered with massive craters, and dismembered Iwa ninja limbs were everywhere.

"Damn it!"

Gritting his teeth, Tonton immediately formed hand seals and slammed his hands onto the ground.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

With a rumbling sound, several rows of stone walls rose from the ground, blocking the path of the electromagnetic cannon fire.

Boom!

Debris flew everywhere as the earth's walls were blasted away, layer by layer, but they managed to temporarily slow down the onslaught.

Taking advantage of this brief respite, the remaining Iwa ninjas quickly reacted, using Earth Release techniques to defend against the electromagnetic cannon fire.

After all, this was Iwa's advanced unit. The ninjas assigned to this team were all considered elites of Iwa, possessing high combat skills and strong mental fortitude.

Despite the brief chaos, they quickly regrouped and prepared for battle.

"Form a team to use Earth Release for defence, while another team uses long-range attack techniques. They're just shadow clones; if we hit them, they'll disappear."

Tonton tried to keep calm, issuing orders in a low voice.

Suddenly, an absurd and comical thought crossed his mind.

I'm actually using tactics against a bunch of shadow clones.

What a joke!

Aren't shadow clones just meant for charging?

Using a disposable, human-wave tactic to exhaust the enemy's stamina or perhaps to obscure their vision so they couldn't find the real body.

Do shadow clones have this kind of purpose?

Is this really a shadow clone? This is a ninja battalion!

As his thoughts spiralled into chaos, the surrounding Iwa ninjas suddenly rushed over in a panic.

"Tonton-sama! It's terrible! Those shadow clones seem to be wearing special metal armour; our attacks can't penetrate their defences!"

Blood pressure rising, Tonton felt his heart was about to explode.

He immediately peeked out, seeing the Iwa ninjas' long-range attack techniques clinking off the bodies of the shadow clones, bouncing off with metallic sounds.

Shadow clones with armour?

This is ridiculous!

Gritting his teeth, Tonton knew he couldn't drag this out any longer.

He had held back from going all out to conserve chakra to deal with Satoru's real body.

But now, faced with these unscientific shadow clones...

If he delayed any further, he wouldn't even get close to Satoru.

Taking a deep breath, chakra surged through his body as Tonton quickly formed hand seals and slammed his hand onto the ground.

"Earth Release: Earth Mountain Jutsu!"

With a thunderous roar, the ground beneath the shadow clones suddenly split open, like a beast opening its maw, swallowing the surrounding shadow clones and their metal weapons.

"Damn it, playing dirty!"

The shadow clones fell into the pit, cursing angrily.

Two massive stone hemispheres slowly closed in, making a deafening noise as they crushed the clones.

Under such terrifying pressure, even with their special metal armour, the shadow clones couldn't withstand the attack, and one by one, they vanished in puffs of smoke.

"Captain, what do we do?"

The few remaining shadow clones looked to their leader.

The leading shadow clone suddenly looked back in the direction Satoru had fled, a smile playing on his lips, muttering.

"Real body, my mission is complete!"

Boom!

The stone walls fully closed, engulfing him entirely.

...

As Satoru, who was setting traps, received feedback from the dispersed clones, he instinctively steadied himself against a tree, panting heavily.

"You've done better than I expected, holding them off for so long. You've done well."

After digesting the feedback, Satoru's lips curled into a smile as he sped off into the distance.

"Tonton, I've prepared a second gift for you."

"I hope you won't be disappointed."

...

"Count the numbers! Report the losses!"

After finishing the Earth Mountain Jutsu, Tonton panted heavily and issued orders.

"Reporting, we have 139 remaining, and we lost 87."

"Damn it!"

Tonton gritted his teeth.

Just a bunch of shadow clones, and they lost over 80 men?

Humiliation and fear combined, intensifying his murderous intent.

They had been chasing for a long time. If they couldn't kill Satoru soon, they'd likely reach the Fire Country border.

The main force was still far away, and entering Konoha's territory would be walking into a trap.

What worried Tonton more was that the Hokage had clearly planted many scouts in the Grass Country.

Even though it was nighttime, such a commotion would surely have alerted them.

For all he knew, the Hokage might have already sent reinforcements.

Tonton's eyes were cold. At this point, there was no turning back.

Satoru's threat was too great—not just because of his terrifying talent, but also considering the upcoming Third Shinobi World War.

The Tsuchikage had been planning for this war for a long time, and Satoru's strange abilities could significantly influence its outcome.

Giving up now, after such losses and gaining nothing, would bring severe punishment from the Tsuchikage.

As the leader of the advance unit, Tonton had pledged a military order.

Given this...

Tonton's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

No matter what, he had to eliminate this threat.

"Can you still lock onto his position?"

The remaining sensory ninja, still trembling with fear, stammered.

"He seems to have exhausted himself. After using the shadow clones, his movement speed is slow. If we chase him now, we should catch up."

"Good. Full speed ahead! We must kill him this time!"

Tonton's face twisted with murderous intent.