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JST Chapter 182: Ten Thousand Will Die
🕑 Added 2025-02-24 21:11:20 +0000 UTC"Minato, continuing like this is not a solution!" Jiraiya frowned, wiped the blood from his face and said with a bitter smile, "We are too defensive. If we continue like this, sooner or later they will break our ranks. We cannot handle these two Jinchuriki..."
"And the Tsuchikage is the most dangerous of all..."
Jiraiya looked at the battlefield in the distance helplessly. "Even though we are quickly eliminating the Iwagakure shinobi, it is not enough. The Jinchuriki are too powerful."
"Besides, there are too many Iwagakure shinobi. Damn it... I didn't realize how far our village had fallen..."
Minato pressed his lips together and nodded in resignation.
Even though he hadn't mastered the Rasengan, he relied on his speed and taijutsu to eliminate dozens of elite shinobi as long as he had enough kunai bearing the mark of the Flying Thunder God. But his greatest weakness was obvious...
When it came to fighting the Jinchuriki, his single target damage output was insufficient.
Especially against Roshi and his Lava Chakra Mode, he could ignore Minato's attacks and open gaps in Konoha's ranks.
On the other hand, Han was not an easy enemy to deal with either.
And then there was Onoki. His physical defense wasn't particularly formidable, but he could fly.
These three elite fighters from Iwagakure made him realize a painful reality: the Flying Thunder God Technique was not invincible.
Jiraiya also felt limited.
"Jiraiya-sensei, all that's left for us to do is test the weapons Kazuki left us..."
Minato looked at the battlefield from afar. As time passed, Konoha's shinobi died, and his heart filled with frustration.
By this time, although Minato still believed in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, he no longer blamed Kazuki for starting the war.
Or rather, can a single person really start a war?
Wars only arise when interests drive them.
With such overwhelming military power, it was only logical that Iwagakure would initiate war. In that sense, Kazuki's actions were not provocations, but attempts to delay the war, giving Konoha time to prepare...
If he hadn't scared the other villages, the war would have started long ago. There would have been no time for nonsense like wars of public declarations, showing off strength, or using the Chunin Exams as a pretext to measure opponents.
If the war had broken out earlier, Konoha would be in an even more unfavorable situation.
"There is no other option, Minato." Jiraiya sighed. "I hope it works."
His heart was divided. Although he sided with Mount Myoboku, he did not want to see the Konoha shinobi die.
But if Kazuki's weapons proved useful, Minato would no longer need to fight for the position of Hokage...
Jiraiya didn't know the situation on the Kirigakure front. Perhaps they were in a stalemate?
But if they used Kazuki's support, no matter whether they won or lost in Iwagakure, the credit would be shared.
Minato seemed to notice his thoughts and shook his head. "Jiraiya-sensei, now is not the time to think about that. The only thing we can do is win this war."
Jiraiya also shook his head, not intending to discuss the matter with Minato.
The Child of Prophecy...
That title represented the key to ending the disputes in the shinobi world and bringing about definitive peace.
Winning a war was important, yes, but if the root problem was not resolved, the tragedy would continue to repeat itself endlessly.
In the blink of an eye, they both disappeared.
Minato and Jiraiya appeared next to Yamanaka Kaze. Minato spoke urgently: "Jonin Yamanaka, contact headquarters. We need to immediately deploy bombing support and the Tobirama No. 2 bombs. The situation is critical."
"This is the enemy's first wave. If we don't resist it, the morale of our troops will completely collapse."
With a serious face, Yamanaka Kaze nodded. "Give me the exact coordinates for the bombing. I will transmit the order immediately."
"We must plan the impact zone approximately forty-five minutes in advance. The radius of destruction of the Tobirama No. 2 bombs is enormous. Our troops must evacuate as soon as possible, but we must also devise a way to keep the enemies within the area."
Minato and Jiraiya exchanged a look, both feeling a chill.
Contain the enemy and at the same time get our troops to evacuate?
If they were in an offensive position, it might be feasible, but being at a disadvantage, they did not have the initiative in the battle.
"Can't we just bomb them right away?" Jiraiya asked with a hint of hope.
"It is possible, but this would cause overlaps in the impact zone, reducing the effectiveness of the explosion. In addition, it would force the bombers to fly at low altitude, which would greatly increase the risk of casualties in the unit."
With his usual cold expression, Yamanaka Kaze replied as if he were an emotionless machine: "I do not recommend it. I have already previously indicated to you how to contact the air unit."
Minato took a deep breath, took the map and pointed at a specific area with determination: "Here. I will be in charge of holding them off alone. With the Flying Thunder God Technique, I will be their priority target. While they try to kill me, I will be able to dodge the explosion at the last moment."
Jiraiya became alarmed.
No matter how talented Minato was, facing two Jinchuriki and the Third Tsuchikage alone was madness.
"Minato, I'll go with you!"
"Jiraiya-sensei, transporting another person with me using the Flying Thunder God Technique will consume a great deal of my chakra." Minato replied, shaking his head. "I can't calculate how many times I'll have to teleport or how I'll be able to hold them back…"
"But I will try my best!"
Jiraiya clenched his fists, his mind in chaos. Finally, he spoke in a deep voice, "Minato, I will begin accumulating natural energy right now."
"I'll come support you as soon as I activate Sage Mode."
Minato smiled and nodded. "Then I'm counting on you, Jiraiya-sensei."
But inside him, the will to die had already sprouted.
He knew perfectly well how long it would take for Jiraiya to enter Sage Mode.
Forty-five minutes was not only the time it took for the bombs to fall, but also the time needed for Jiraiya to finish his preparation. Which was unreliable.
"Jiraiya-sensei, please take good care of Kushina for me..."
Minato checked his kunai marked with the Flying Thunder God Technique and filled four bags of ninja tools, securing them on his body.
"Don't say such things, Minato!" Jiraiya exclaimed, his concentration wavering.
Minato smiled in resignation and prepared to leave. However, just at that moment, a familiar voice echoed in the command room.
"I will take control of the battlefield."
Kazuki entered the room and nodded towards Minato and Jiraiya. "If you don't have enough capacity, remember to request reinforcements from headquarters next time. That way we can redeploy high-level troops to support you."
"I received the report from central command. I just arrived from the Kirigakure front."
Kazuki sighed and patted both of them on the shoulder.
"I must say that I'm a little disappointed. It seems that you have not properly utilized the weapons and support troops provided to you by the Root, otherwise, your front would not be on the verge of collapsing so soon."
"But I recognize Minato's will of fire."
"You can analyze your mistakes after the war. For now, follow my orders."
At that moment, Yamanaka Kaze's expression changed dramatically. His previously unfazed face now reflected excitement. He immediately fell to one knee. "Kazuki-sama! My apologies for failing to properly lead the air force to attack Iwagakure."
Jiraiya looked at Kazuki, then at Yamanaka Kaze and felt like he no longer recognized Konoha…
Kazuki lifted Yamanaka Kaze up and shook his head. "It wasn't your fault. You did your best."
Then, his gaze fell on Aburame Shikuro, who stood silently at the side. “Shikuro, do you think I didn’t see you? You’re still just as quiet…”
Kazuki smiled and tapped him on the arm. "You don't have as low a presence as you think. Be more confident."
After a brief pause, Shikuro nodded silently and murmured, "Understood, Kazuki-sama."
Even Minato felt uneasy. Due to the Aburame's strange ability to go unnoticed, both he and Jiraiya had forgotten about Shikuro until that moment.
Kazuki turned to Minato and Jiraiya. "You two will take care of Onoki. I'll take care of the two Jinchuriki."
Minato frowned. "Kazuki, those Jinchuriki have mastered the power of their tailed beasts. You must be very careful."
Minato whispered: "I know you are very strong, but..."
Kazuki smiled and pointed at his Sharingan. "Uchiha were born to face the Jinchuriki. Whether or not they can control the power of their tailed beasts, it's still the same."
With an imposing gesture, he raised his hand and, in a cold voice, ordered: "Tell the bombing unit of Tobirama Fortress to bring enough firepower… I want them to deploy their entire arsenal!"
Kazuki narrowed his eyes and muttered with contempt, "I heard that Onoki has specifically come to assassinate a genius of the Uchiha clan…"
His expression hardened and his tone turned icy cold, "Very well… then the shinobi of Iwagakure will repay their blood debt. Today… at least ten thousand of them will die!"
Yamanaka Kaze nodded enthusiastically. He immediately assumed a comfortable posture, put on the helmet with the sensory amplification ninja tool, and established contact with the Tobirama Fortress.
Aburame Shikuro nodded silently.
Kazuki spoke calmly. “Come on, you two.” He turned to his team. “Get all of Konoha’s troops to retreat… The Root will take control of the battlefield.”
Minato nodded. "Understood!"
Jiraiya, on the other hand, watched Kazuki with a frown. The stillness of his face, that icy aura imbued with bloodlust… He couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Finally, he lowered his head with difficulty and muttered, “Understood…”
