Chapter 40: What!? They Plan to Launch a Surprise Attack on Iwagakure!? (2/2)

"The Third Tsuchikage has issued orders! Reinforcements are on the way. Do your best to intercept them!"

The sight of a giant dragon flying in the sky and a massive serpent chasing beneath it was extraordinary and rarely seen.

Amidst their shock, the Iwagakure ninjas finally realized the true intent of the duo. With the direction they were heading, their destination was unmistakably Iwagakure!

The Iwagakure ninjas, now burning with rage, rallied with high morale. Orochimaru's audacity to invade their homeland so brazenly was infuriating. They would not let it stand!

Thus, more and more Iwagakure ninjas attempted to intercept the duo, their anger fueling their efforts.

Initially, Wakaho was disinterested in engaging them.

He only needed to control Manda to crush the opposition.

Manda was equally uninterested.

How dare this brat provoke Manda! He must be devoured!

Orochimaru was even less concerned.

He observed the scene from the sky and couldn't help but feel a bit anticipatory.

Wakaho-kun...

It seemed like he and Manda got along well, didn't they?

However, as more Iwagakure ninjas closed in from both behind and ahead, trying to block their path, Wakaho's straightforward advance became increasingly apparent.

To counter this, the Iwagakure ninjas quickly set up an emergency defensive line, raising a massive wall several dozen meters high.

Yet, this mere wall was insufficient to stop Wakaho.

Wakaho increased the chakra in his fire dragon, soaring above the Iwagakure blockade while leaving behind a Rain of Fire.

The Iwagakure ninjas could only helplessly watch as the fiery downpour rained down upon them, their frustration mounting, directing their anger at Orochimaru on Manda.

Honestly, if Manda had ended the summoning at this moment and returned to the Ryūchi Cave, Iwagakure might have ended up with a Sannin as a prisoner.

Fortunately, despite Manda's malevolence, he still had a professional code.

With a burst of earth-shifting power, Manda created a tunnel and, with audacity, emerged from above the wall. He then devoured several unlucky ninjas to replenish his strength before continuing his pursuit of Wakaho.

The sight of the blazing dragon in the sky and the stubborn serpent below only confirmed one thing for the Iwagakure forces.

They were indeed planning an attack on Iwagakure!

Once past the temporary defensive line, there was virtually no effective obstacle remaining for the duo.

One could fly, the other could burrow underground—how could they be stopped?

The Iwagakure ninjas, watching in frustration, found it nearly impossible to confront them. The speed at which the duo traveled was astonishing; they were determined to press forward without any intention of engaging in battle.

"Too audacious! Absolutely too audacious!!"

Far away in Iwagakure, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, roared with fury.

"That brat of Sarutobi Hiruzen's, does he think Iwagakure is weak and easily bullied?"

Does he think he's Uchiha Madara or something?

"Bring Han and Zetsu to me! Today, we must show this upstart what Iwagakure's power really means!"

"Lord Han has already departed for the Shinu Bridge, Lord Third!" reported a female Iwagakure ninja, who was both Onoki's secretary and daughter-in-law.

"What!? Why is he going there? There's… there's…"

The Third Tsuchikage suddenly realized something, rushing to the map and cross-referencing it with the reported route.

"Lord Han said their destination might be the Shinu Bridge. He went to check it out."