Chapter 147: Invasion of the Invasion, Roshi and Han!

The news that Sand Ninja Village and Konoha had joined forces to attack the Land of Earth spread rapidly and could not be hidden. Among the five great nations, each village had spies embedded in others, and such a major invasion was impossible to conceal. Until now, only Iwa Ninja's surprise attack forces, known for their ability to silently invade other nations, had managed to keep their operations under wraps—thanks to their unique ability to move through the skies.

However, the sudden and coordinated attack by Sand Ninja and Konoha taught all other nations a harsh lesson.

For Iwa Ninja stationed on the Rain Country front, the news came as a heavy blow. Their morale faltered, and Konoha's forces pressed the advantage, forcing Iwa Ninja into retreat.

A Small Town in the Hinterlands of the Rain Country

Orochimaru walked through the pouring rain, Kusanagi sword in hand. Blood dripped from its blade, washed away by the downpour to pool beneath his feet. Around him, the bodies of Iwa Ninjas clad in red half-armor lay lifeless, their blood mixing with the rain and seeping into the earth.

Clang.

Nearby, Shimura Danzo casually dropped a bloodied dagger, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield.

The cry of a hawk pierced the rain, catching Orochimaru's attention. He raised his arm, and a ninja hawk descended, landing gracefully. Orochimaru retrieved the message attached to its leg, reading it with a sinister chuckle before handing it to Danzo.

"Interesting," Orochimaru mused. "It seems Hiruzen's plan is working. Quite impressive, Raiden."

Danzo read the intelligence carefully before slicing it into pieces with a wind jutsu. The blood-soaked paper scraps fluttered to the ground.

The report detailed the successful invasion of the Land of Earth by Konoha's surprise attack forces and credited Uzumaki Raiden as the mastermind behind the bold and calculated plan. Danzo, a seasoned political operative, couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and wariness at Raiden's genius.

"The boy is a terrifying talent," Danzo remarked coldly. "I realized it the moment I faced him. His growth is even faster than I expected."

Orochimaru's narrow eyes glinted as he responded, "Danzo-sama, now that we have new orders, it's time to focus on Iwa Ninja. This is no time for secret dealings with Hanzo of the Salamander. We must prioritize the frontlines."

Danzo's expression didn't falter, but Orochimaru's sharp words made it clear that he was aware of Danzo's covert dealings with Hanzo. Danzo nodded faintly.

"Very well. I won't fail. After all, if you want to become Hokage, a victory against Iwa Ninja is essential," Danzo said, leaving the battlefield with a cold demeanor. Orochimaru watched him go, a flicker of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Konoha's Offensive Intensifies

With new orders, Konoha's forces in the Rain Country began launching aggressive attacks against Iwa Ninja. The unrelenting offensive caused Iwa's forces to retreat steadily.

To stabilize morale, Iwa leadership spread a message among their troops a week later:

"Jinchuriki Roshi and Han will lead a large force to eliminate the Sand and Konoha ninjas who have invaded the Land of Earth."

The news restored the spirits of Iwa's troops. However, even as the message spread, Roshi and Han had already mobilized their forces to strike at the strongholds established by Konoha and Sand Ninja within the Land of Earth.

A Sand Ninja Stronghold in the Land of Earth

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Explosions roared outside the village as the barrier protecting it shuddered violently. Iwa Ninja forces, nearly 500 strong, relentlessly attacked the stronghold.

Inside the village, a Sand Ninja reported with a pale face, "We're surrounded by 500 Iwa Ninjas. There are only a dozen of us here—we can't break out."

"What about reinforcements?" a calm middle-aged man asked.

"No word yet!"

Before they could respond further, a deafening explosion erupted at the village entrance. A massive, fiery red chakra ball descended into the center of the village, instantly transforming into a sea of molten lava. The Sand Ninja within were incinerated without even a chance to scream.

"First one," Roshi murmured, suppressing his chakra as he surveyed the destruction.

At the same time, Han led another force of 500 Iwa Ninjas to a Konoha stronghold. Once the barrier was breached, Han unleashed his power, reducing the stronghold to rubble amidst the screams of Konoha's defenders.

The Battlefield Shifts

News of these devastating attacks spread rapidly across the Land of Earth. The strongholds established by Sand Ninja and Konoha were under siege. Reacting swiftly, Sand Ninja deployed Rasa to reinforce their forces in the Land of Earth.

Uzumaki Raiden's Team

Under a jagged rocky peak in the Land of Earth, Uzumaki Raiden's team had just intercepted a 12-member Iwa Ninja transport unit, successfully seizing supplies. The battle had left Hizashi and Duy with minor injuries, and Hyuga Kaoru tended to them while Fugaku stood guard atop the peak.

"Captain, Hokage-sama's latest orders," Hatake Sakumo called out, handing Raiden a scroll.

Raiden raised an eyebrow. "Orders? Does the old man only trust you to deliver these things?" He took the scroll with a smirk, scanning its contents quickly. His expression darkened.

"What's wrong, Captain?" Sakumo asked, curious.

"Trouble," Raiden said grimly. "Iwa has sent Roshi and Han to dismantle our strongholds. Half of our positions are already lost. Over 200 of our ninjas have been killed, and the remaining forces are retreating."

Sakumo was shocked. "Roshi and Han? That explains the losses... but does retreating mean abandoning all the progress we've made?"

Raiden sighed. "The enemy is too strong for our current forces. Hokage-sama has ordered me to take command of the surprise attack forces to counter Iwa's advance."

Sakumo's eyes widened. "You've been made the commander-in-chief? Against Iwa's main forces?"

Raiden shot him a sharp look. "What do you mean by that? This is the best decision the old man has made. Who else can handle this but me?"

Raiden continued, "In terms of strength, only you and I are capable of standing against Han right now. But since you're my subordinate, the role of commander falls to me."

Sliding the scroll into his cloak, Raiden said firmly, "Sakumo, gather the team. We're changing direction."

(End of Chapter)