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"Just in time, I've already mastered that jutsu," Kaito said with a smile.

"Learning an A-rank jutsu in three days?" Cangwu was taken aback, then heartily patted Kaito on the shoulder, saying, "You're quite the kid, joking at a time like this. But it's good to lighten the mood a bit. Thirty minutes ago, according to the scout's report, the Cloud ninja's main force appeared five kilometers away. You should give the order."

Kaito didn't explain the skepticism, instead furrowing his brow and asking, "Thirty minutes ago? Didn't I specify that wartime intelligence updates should be every fifteen minutes?"

Cangwu's expression changed drastically. Due to organizing the team and the oppressive atmosphere of impending death, they completely overlooked this detail.

"Uzuki, something's wrong. Yamanaka Fu and Torune are missing," a Chunin responsible for guarding hurriedly reported.

With these words, everyone's nerves suddenly tensed. These two incidents seemed unrelated. But if you think deeply, their scouts could have been silently taken out, unable to even send a warning. Could it be related to those two?

"Everyone, fall back to the cave!" Kaito shouted urgently.

The expressions of everyone present changed drastically.

"Haha, only realizing now? I thought Konoha sent someone formidable to stop our Cloud ninja, but it's just a rookie." A hearty laugh echoed unexpectedly. Figures flashed from all directions, numbering over a hundred. Leading them, on a small hill several hundred meters away, was the fearsome A–B Duo.

"It's bad, we're surrounded," Inuzuka Feng said, his face pale. Seeing the Cloud ninja blocking their path, anyone could tell it was a trap.

"Over a hundred people, plus the A–B Duo, and we're ambushed. We're doomed."

"Senior Uzuki, what do we do?"

"It must be Yamanaka Fu and Torune; otherwise, our defenses and scouts wouldn't have been compromised."

The scene was chaotic, facing over a hundred led by the next Raikage, A, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee. This was undoubtedly a disaster.

"Calm down," Cangwu's face was also ashen, and he couldn't help but be stunned when he looked at Kaito. His face was calm, as if he didn't care about any of this. Was he scared stiff?

"Haha, your panic really amuses me," A laughed unrestrainedly. "I want to know what you plan to do next. Will you surrender obediently, or let me kill you myself?"

"Kill, kill!"

"Surrender or die!"

The shouts of over a hundred people made all the Konoha ninja's nerves tense to the extreme, their panic unmistakable. The Cloud ninja before them perfectly demonstrated taking the initiative.

"Kaito!" Shizune's face turned pale, and she couldn't help but look at Uchiha Kaito.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine," Kaito said, ruffling Shizune's hair. "Senior Uzuki, you take them back to the cave and hide within the barrier. Leave the rest to me."

Kaito had anticipated all of this. After all, the Root in the original story would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Now that Yamanaka Fu and Torune had been stripped of power by Kaito, they abandoned their comrades and strategic positions. If Kaito and the others returned alive, it would likely cause negative repercussions for the Root. So, the only way was to strike first, using others to do their dirty work. However, this played right into Kaito's hands. Next time they met, he could act against the Root without hesitation. He now had a legitimate excuse.

"Kaito, just you alone?"

"Are you crazy? We won't just watch you go to your death alone." Cangwu's expression changed; he never expected Kaito to give such a response. Even though they were facing over a hundred Cloud ninja and the fearsome A–B Duo, he couldn't let Kaito face them alone.

"Kaito, don't blame yourself too much. We'll face this together; there's always a way," Shizune urged anxiously.

"Kaito, you really don't need to worry. We chose to stay voluntarily."

"Yes, we're Konoha ninja. We've long since disregarded life and death."

In many people's eyes, Kaito's actions were because he felt guilty for forcing the whole team to stay.

"Going to my death?" Kaito chuckled dryly and shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm not foolish enough to do that. Stay within the barrier. I'm just worried I might have to come out and save you later. I'm the captain you all chose. This is an order."

His voice, though not loud, was filled with undeniable authority at that moment.

"Senior Uzuki, what do we do?" Shizune asked anxiously.

Cangwu's expression changed repeatedly. Looking at Kaito's calm face, he gritted his teeth and said, "Everyone retreat into the cave. Be ready to support Kaito at any time. Don't forget, he's stronger than I am."

With these words, both the Konoha ninja and the Cloud ninja were taken aback. However, remembering how Kaito had instantly taken down Yamanaka Fu and Torune, both Jonin, with just genjutsu. Their hearts were uneasy, but they still forced themselves to retreat. They silently vowed that if anything went wrong, they would intervene swiftly and decisively.

Watching the Konoha ninja retreat orderly into the cave, a Cloud ninja squad leader couldn't help but ask, "Lord A, should we stop them? If they enter the barrier, it might be disadvantageous for us."

"Hmph, what's there to worry about? They're just a ragtag bunch. I thought the Uchiha clan had sent Shisui of the Body Flicker, but it's just an unknown nobody," A scoffed disdainfully. "According to the report, this rookie is just a Chunin. These Konoha ninja actually taking orders from a Chunin? They must be either desperate or foolish."

The squad leader quickly smiled and said, "Lord A, you're right. These people are already in our grasp. Once we break through this pass, the vast Land of Fire will become part of the Land of Lightning."

The Cloud ninja in the field all showed expressions of joy. Konoha opening three battlefronts simultaneously and holding them for so long indeed made the Cloud Village feel threatened. Now, being able to become the straw that breaks the camel's back was certainly cause for joy.

"Are you done talking?" Kaito suddenly spoke up. "Now, I'm giving you two choices. First, leave immediately. Second, I'll kill you all."