Chapter 151: Good News

"What's the point of saying all this?"

"Let's all think of a way; time is running out."

Tsunade's heart was heavy with concern about the battle. Her emotions were unstable, so her tone naturally came off as a bit rude.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade."

The Konoha ninja who had been complaining a moment ago now bowed his head and said no more.

Kawakaze rubbed his temples, his thoughts suddenly drifting to Orochimaru. If only he were here. Even if he didn't have a solution, at least there would be someone to talk to.

I wonder how his progress in Senjutsu is. I only heard a few things from Nawaki, so I'm not entirely sure.

Kawakaze figured Orochimaru had likely not yet delved into the Living Corpse Reincarnation and hadn't developed those undesirable side effects. With his talent, he shouldn't encounter too much difficulty.

As Kawakaze was lost in thought, the hall erupted in chaotic discussion. A Konoha intelligence officer burst in, flustered. Not even the guards at the door had stopped him.

What urgent news could it be?

"Night Owl, why are you being so rude? Apologize to the honorable guests."

Hayato immediately recognized the ninja as one of his subordinates. His reprimand also served as a way to shield him.

"My lords, I apologize for my rudeness," Night Owl said hurriedly.

"However, I have important information. The Land of Earth may have been invaded. Ōnoki is already on his way back." Night Owl panted as he delivered the news in one breath.

"Really?"

Tsunade stood up abruptly, her sharp gaze fixed on him. Everyone's attention turned to the report.

"Gululu~"

The nervous Night Owl swallowed hard. Though he had faced tense situations before, standing before such distinguished individuals made his nerves skyrocket.

"There is a 90% chance that it is true. Someone has already gone to the Heartland of the Land of Earth."

"Ōnoki and his men left in a hurry, and I suspect that Kumogakure raided the Land of Earth by waterways."

Night Owl's tone was timid, worried his response might not be satisfactory.

"I don't want a possibility. I don't want a 90% chance," Kawakaze said sharply. "I want accurate information—whether the Land of Earth has been invaded or not. Did Kumogakure do it? Do you understand? Can you do it?"

Kawakaze's words came out in a rush, startling Night Owl, who dared not offend him.

"I understand, and I can do it," Night Owl responded quickly and seriously.

"That's good. Go now," Kawakaze replied, his tone softening. He was skilled at balancing reward with reprimand.

"Yes, Lord Kawakaze," Night Owl said with relief and promptly turned to leave.

"This news seems credible. But... could it be one of Ōnoki's tricks to throw us off?" a more cautious Konoha ninja asked, finding it hard to believe that such a tricky situation could resolve itself so conveniently.

"Whether it's true or not, we just have to wait for confirmation," Hayato Yamanaka interjected. "At least Ōnoki is really retreating. Do we need to doubt the capabilities of our intelligence department?"

"I didn't mean it that way," the ninja replied quickly, waving his hands in defense. He knew well that the Konohagakure Intelligence Division was no pushover.

"That's enough. Let's call it a day," Tsunade interrupted, clearly no longer in the mood for further discussion. With that, she led the way out of the conference hall.

"Everyone, go back. I'll let you know if I get any definite news."

Kawakaze helped Tsunade wrap up the discussion and then hurried to catch up with her.

"How believable do you think it is?" Tsunade asked, not turning around. She recognized Kawakaze's presence by the sound of his footsteps.

"More or less. The Third Raikage is a warlike guy," Kawakaze replied. He didn't doubt for a moment that the ruthless man, who had fought his way through thousands of enemies, would attack the Iwa Ninjas by water.

"What good news," Tsunade said, her face lighting up. The news seemed to clear her thoughts.

"Haha, yes," Kawakaze agreed, and the two laughed together.

Meanwhile, Ōnoki was already seething.

"Damn it, A, these warlike lunatics!" Ōnoki cursed as he flew at the front of his group, heading northeast.

"Lord Third, the front line is in crisis," one of the intelligence officers reported. "Raikage A has broken through our second line of defense."

Hearing this, Ōnoki, already furious, felt his temper snap. The news only added fuel to the fire.

"Faster! Faster!" he roared. But despite his orders, the team's pace barely increased—they were already pushing their limits.

He could only hope the front line could hold out a little longer. At that moment, he fully experienced what it felt like to be taken advantage of. When attacking Konoha, he likely never thought he'd face such a day himself.

It truly is a cycle of karma, and it spare no one!

After three grueling days of forced marches, Ōnoki and his team finally reached the battlefield at night.

Fortunately, Rōshi and Han had arrived in time to assist, preventing the third line of defense from collapsing. Kumogakure's surprise waterway attack had completely caught the Land of Earth off guard.

Using blitz tactics, the Raikage's forces broke through two lines of Iwa Ninja defenses in a short span. The Third Raikage, A, was as outrageous as ever—a ninja who prided himself on being both the "Strongest Spear" and the "Strongest Shield."

"What's the situation?"

Ōnoki forced himself to remain calm as he inquired about the battle's progress upon his arrival.

"Kumogakure's offensive is fierce, and we can't hold them back for long."

Rōshi, barely recovered from his injuries, was facing the Raikage once again. He looked worn and battered, his body bearing fresh wounds from their ongoing clashes.

When Ōnoki arrived, Rōshi finally let out a sigh of relief. Despite their strained relationship, he had to admit that the old man was stronger than him.

"This is too much. You will go out with me tomorrow," Ōnoki declared before turning and leaving the room, leaving everyone exchanging uncertain glances.

Many assumed he was preparing some kind of strategic deployment.

The next day, Ōnoki led the Iwa Ninjas onto the battlefield.

The field was ravaged and scarred, pockmarked with the aftermath of countless Ninjutsu techniques. Dried bloodstains scattered across the ground stood as grim evidence of the battle's brutality.

Hovering in the air, Ōnoki wore a solemn expression, his sharp eyes fixed straight ahead.

On a high mountain opposite him stood the Third Raikage, facing the wind. Behind him, a large group of Kumo Ninja stood poised and ready to attack.

"A, since you've come, don't think about leaving," Ōnoki said, his tone heavy with murderous intent. He made no effort to conceal his hostility.

"We'll see if you're up to it," the Third Raikage replied dismissively. Confidence radiated from him—no one had managed to kill him yet.

As soon as the words left his mouth, lightning encircled his body. In an instant, he leapt from the mountain, charging straight at the Iwa Ninjas' camp like a streak of blue lightning.

His sheer speed and fierce aura struck terror into the hearts of the Iwa Ninjas even before he reached them.

Behind him, the Kumo Ninjas surged forward. Leading the charge was a figure shrouded in crimson-red chakra—it was the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Blue B, the master of Killer Bee.

Both had adopted new names after forming their partnership with the Raikage.