Chapter 43: Magnet Release
Natsume gazed at the distant valley. "Something feels off. It looks too much like a trap."
"No," Kabuto Yakushi shook his head. "Maybe my sensory jutsu doesn't cover enough range."
"I'll check." Tsunade used her sensory jutsu, but still detected no one else. "Stay alert. Prepare for battle."
She knew there were plenty of ways to block sensory techniques, so she didn't let down her guard.
"Yes," Natsume and the others replied in unison.
Tsunade took the lead, heading toward the north side of the valley.
She was a walking arsenal—she needed no special prep.
Shizune quietly activated the poison needle launcher on her right arm.
Kabuto reached for his pouch, gripping a few kunai.
Natsume, a Water Release specialist, was basically a long-range caster. As long as he had hands, he was good.
"There are signs of a fight," Kabuto's sharp gaze caught it and spoke up.
Truthfully, everyone could see it.
The traces were huge.
"This is the Akimichi Clan's Multi-Size Technique," Tsunade said, looking at the massive footprints, each several meters deep. "If a battle broke out and there's still a survivor, that's suspicious. But we're here to rescue, not to turn back just because it looks fishy."
She looked up and spotted bodies nearby.
Most wore the attire of Cloud ninja; a few were from Konoha.
In the deepest pit, lay the ninja Kabuto had seen during reconnaissance.
It was Shitō Akimichi.
He was battered and bruised. On seeing Tsunade, fear flashed in his eyes and he shook his head frantically.
"The place is rigged with traps," Kabuto sniffed out the threat immediately.
That was why Shitō Akimichi was signaling them to go.
"I'm afraid it's not just traps," Shizune scanned the area. "There are probably people lying in ambush too."
A blatant lure.
Turning back would be safe.
But Natsume knew Tsunade wouldn't abandon someone in need.
More importantly, she had the power to save people. Backing off just because of danger wasn't her style.
"I'll rescue him. You all watch for enemies," Tsunade said as she moved forward.
For a ninja, setting and disarming traps was basic training.
Even though she was a medical ninja, that didn't mean she only healed.
The combined experience of Natsume, Kabuto, and Shizune couldn't match a tenth of hers.
…
On the southern slope, twelve ninja were hiding in ambush, surrounded by a faint barrier that concealed them.
"A woman and three brats? Why would Konoha send such a squad for rescue?" A jonin in a vest sounded disappointed. "Lord Toroi, looks like our plan didn't work."
"Ryousuke, we've actually caught a big fish this time!" Toroi grinned. "You're young, so you wouldn't know. Do you know who that woman is?"
"Who?" Ryousuke perked up, "Is she some big shot from Konoha?"
The other ninja looked hopeful.
Shitō Akimichi was tough. Taking him down had cost them.
When Toroi realized he was Akimichi, one of the clan's top fighters, he decided to use him as bait.
Konoha would definitely send people to rescue him.
"Tsunade," Toroi said.
At once, Ryousuke and the others looked shocked.
One of the legendary Sannin—they'd heard the stories.
"Can we even take her?" Ryousuke was both excited and worried.
"It's nothing to worry about," Toroi said confidently. "History shows Tsunade is famous for her medical ninjutsu. She's stronger than most jonin, but we have four jonin, and I have Magnet Release. You think she can escape?"
"Brilliant, sir!" Ryousuke flattered him. "With your Magnet Release, you're as good as several jonin. As for Tsunade, I've never heard she has any special bloodline."
"As expected of a Sannin—she shrugged off all our traps," Toroi stood up, wielding two massive blocky shuriken. "Now it's our turn. Let the others go, but Tsunade must be captured alive. If we bring her back, Lord Raikage will reward us handsomely."
The group's eyes lit up.
Capturing Tsunade! Not only was the reward tempting, but the fame in the ninja world could earn them a title—like "Sannin Slayer." Just imagining it was exciting.
…
A huge gust of wind roared.
Natsume looked up to see a giant blocky shuriken as big as himself.
That would kill him for sure.
He didn't hesitate—both hands threw six kunai at once.
But as soon as they hit the shuriken, they lost control and bounced away.
"Careful! Something's off!" Kabuto shouted and threw his prepared shuriken.
A swarm of weapons collided with the bouncing kunai and kept going for the blocky shuriken.
But on impact, they too rebounded.
"Magnet Release!"
Tsunade was treating Shitō Akimichi.
He was horribly injured; if she delayed, the damage would be permanent.
Losing a jonin like him would be a huge waste.
She noticed the odd shuriken and recalled the intel: "That's Toroi, the Magnet Release ninja from the Cloud Village."
Water Style: Water Formation Wall!
A wall of water rose in front of Natsume, blocking the rebounding shuriken.
But the massive blocky shuriken cut right through the water wall.
Natsume was ready.
Behind the water wall—an earth wall.
Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!
Natsume mainly trained in Wood and Water Release, but he'd learned some Earth techniques too.
After all, elements counter each other.
The blocky shuriken got stuck in the thick earth.
"Not bad, for a Sannin's student," Toroi said as twelve figures surrounded the four of them.
With a wave, Toroi recalled his shuriken—Magnet Release at work.
"You're surrounded. Surrender and spare yourself the pain," Toroi sneered. "Even a Sannin can't escape now."
Natsume glanced at Tsunade, who was still healing Shitō. He bit his thumb and pressed it to the ground.
Summoning: Katsuyu!
The ground cracked open, and through the dust and smoke, a giant slug appeared.
The Cloud ninja were shocked.
Except Toroi.
He knew Tsunade's summon. Katsuyu wasn't as dangerous as the toads or snakes—her attacks were limited.
And Magnet Release was one of the few bloodlines suited to restraining large creatures.
"I'll handle her. You all get Tsunade," Toroi bit a scroll, and a swarm of shuriken flew at Katsuyu.
He aimed to pin the summon down.
Without hesitation, Ryousuke and the others charged at Tsunade.