chapter 116 part 2
Now that he was in the Land of Wind, he didn't need to have as many scruples, especially since turning enemies into zombies on the spot was something he was very skilled at.
Thus, if one were to look down from high above, one would see a several-thousand-strong force completely surrounding a few-hundred-strong team.
From beginning to end, Tsukasa Kaede stood at the very front of the corpse horde with his hands in his pockets, not habitually letting a group of zombies form many layers of defensive circles around him as he had in the past.
Some spies were remotely observing this battle using various methods: flying in the sky, crawling underground, and even Hidden Cloud Village spies using large-scale sonic Sensory Perception techniques. Each spy used every means to observe.
They had originally thought Tsukasa Kaede would fully utilize the advantage of a Space-Time Ninja, constantly ambushing Hidden Sand Village's forces, simply appearing in an instant, then using Summoning Jutsu to call forth a pile of zombies to attack Hidden Sand Village's forces' weak points, achieve some results, acquire a certain number of corpses, and then immediately retreat, repeating the cycle.
Even a powerful ninja village like Hidden Sand Village would constantly bleed and lose more ninja under such flexible and brutal tactics, further depleting its already relatively weak national strength.
But Tsukasa Kaede did not do that.
Instead, he stood still, quietly waiting for the enemy to surround him!
"Is he crazy? No numerical advantage, no tactical arrangements at all, just planning to take them head-on?!"
"Unfathomable, but Tsukasa Kaede isn't stupid. Intel shows he's a very cunning and terrifying individual. The battle where he single-handedly annihilated hundreds of Hidden Cloud Village troops involved a pre-arranged ambush."
"No ambushing corpse forces were detected nearby."
"Perhaps Tsukasa Kaede is prepared to use Summoning Jutsu, summoning a large number of corpses at once, but how many could there be? Four thousand against four thousand?"
This joke wasn't funny, and it was somewhat unrealistic — controlling four thousand corpses capable of using their Ninjutsu from when they were alive all at once? Absolutely impossible, and such a person shouldn't exist! The spies frantically recorded intel, periodically transmitting it through various means — as for why they didn't wait until the war was completely over to compile a comprehensive report, it was simply because none of them dared to say they would definitely survive until then.
They might be discovered and killed on the spot by Hidden Sand Village's Assassination Squads. Intel, after all, was useful no matter how much could be transmitted back through Summoning Jutsu or other means.
Tsukasa Kaede quietly watched the Hidden Sand ninja surrounding him. With his current vision, he could even see the drops of sweat on each person's forehead, and their tense and vigilant expressions.
Even at this moment, they all believed Tsukasa Kaede had a trick up his sleeve, perhaps pulling out a large number of zombies and then using Space-Time Ninjutsu to transfer his main body — this was the most likely and "simplest" tactic they could imagine.
But Tsukasa Kaede did not do that; he only had these few hundred zombies.
Araki of the Sand stood beside Tsukasa Kaede, fine grains of sand swirling around him. If one ignored his gray skin tone and pale pupils, he looked like a healthy, living human ninja.
"Araki of the Sand..."
Rasa looked at the Magnet Release senior with a solemn expression.
In recent years, Araki of the Sand's reputation had grown even more, but as a zombie, he had rendered outstanding service to Tsukasa Kaede. In many battles where Tsukasa Kaede took action, Araki of the Sand was almost always present.
Each time, it was like a slap in the face for Hidden Sand Village.
"I remember, back then, Senior Araki of the Sand was ordered to capture Tsukasa Kaede to obtain the Corpse Release Secret Technique and combine it with his Human Puppet Secret Technique..." Rasa recalled the relevant intel from the Second Great Ninja War.
To him, the Second Great Ninja War, which had ended a few years ago, felt as distant as decades past. Humans were forgetful animals, engrossed in their current hatred and aversion.
Beside Tsukasa Kaede were several other powerful figures, each having left a mark in the Ninja World, now all reduced to consumables in Tsukasa Kaede's hands.
"Have you observed enough? If so, we can begin. I can't wait to replenish my zombies. Thank you for Hidden Sand Village's gift; you will become my best source of corpses."
Tsukasa Kaede spoke. Surrounded by so many people, his expression remained calm. His imposing, sturdy figure was concealed by his loose clothes, exuding an aura of unspoken authority that made some Hidden Sand ninja subconsciously gulp.
"Don't get too carried away, you damn guy. It seems your village has abandoned you, sending you here alone to die... Don't think you can replicate the battle where you defeated the Hidden Cloud Village forces. Hidden Sand Village ninja are not like Hidden Cloud Village's!"
The Third Kazekage spread his hands, and a large amount of black Iron Sand surged from his sleeves.
Rasa also manipulated a large amount of Gold Sand. The abilities these two displayed were clearly from the same lineage.
On the other side, Chiyo and Ebizō also brought out their puppets.
It could be said that, apart from the younger generation like Pakura and Karura who were not participating in the battle, all of Hidden Sand Village's top powerhouses were here.
"Tsukasa Kaede! You only have today because of Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu. Today, I will reclaim this Forbidden Jutsu that I personally developed!" Chiyo sternly declared.
"Is that so? Then you'll have to try harder then. If I kill you, don't complain... I have a suggestion. How about we play a game of battle royale? You escape, and you also kill."
Tsukasa Kaede performed Hand Kaedegns and then slammed his hands onto the ground: "Even I don't know how strong I am right now. Perhaps it's time to show a little bit of the true power of Corpse Release. Thank you for stepping forward to help me verify this."
Corpse Release... Dance of the Sacrifice! As Tsukasa Kaede performed the Hand Kaedegns, an immense surge of Chakra erupted from him. Raging blue currents furiously streamed out, transforming into a perceptible gale! "This Chakra..."
"Is this the power Tsukasa Kaede possesses after his resurrection?!"
"How is that possible? This power is no less than a Tailed Beast! Wasn't he not known for his large Chakra reserves?!"
The Hidden Sand ninja in the front rows could most directly feel the overwhelming pressure. Their clothes violently fluttered, and their expressions changed dramatically one after another, their bodies uncontrollably trembling slightly.
It was too ridiculous. Just generating and erupting Chakra caused such a commotion. To what extent had Tsukasa Kaede reached now?! Chakra volume shouldn't increase explosively upwards; it should be closely related to Bloodline Limit, and physical and mental strength. But what was going on with Tsukasa Kaede?! The Chakra storm alone fiercely impacted the Hidden Sand Village forces.
And what happened next would be even more terrifying.