The battle lines of both sides were long and interwoven, stretching nearly 2 kilometers.
No ordinary ninja dared to intervene in the fight between the overall commanders.
Around the battles between Jonin, there were fewer ordinary ninja.
The fights between ordinary ninja were crowded and brutal.
On the battlefield, ninja automatically avoided powerful enemies, seeking matched opponents under their squad leaders' command.
This tested a ninja's judgment and experience. If a Genin mistakenly entered a Jonin's battle zone, they could be killed by ninjutsu aftershocks, dying without value.
Stretching the battle lines also prevented the enemy's Jonin from charging into one's own Genin ranks to slaughter freely.
Hatake Sakumo drew the White Fang short sword and led the charge towards Konoha's left flank, which was the Sand ninja's right flank.
A several-meter-long white blade aura appeared on the battlefield. Two Sand ninja squads instantly died within the blade aura.
Setting aside Hatake Sakumo's idealistic personality, his fighting style was full of aesthetic beauty.
Swift Body Flicker Technique, super-fast reactions, dazzling blade auras, and an unstoppable momentum filled the surrounding ninja with a sense of security.
Many ninja's titles were earned by crushing weaker opponents.
The original work's Yellow Flash killed 50 Rock ninja in one go; the Rock ninja's strength was unknown, but they were all killed with one kunai stab each – yet the number was terrifying.
The Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza, killed all his classmates from the same graduating year.
Watching Hatake Sakumo crush the weaker foes made Yōkō's heart itch.
Yōkō said: "Purple Cat Squad is responsible for recording. White Goat Squad is responsible for protecting Purple Cat Squad. Flower Deer Squad, follow me!"
Flower Deer's entire aura changed. He drew his ninjato and excitedly followed the Fox Squad Leader.
Yōkō followed on Hatake Sakumo's flank, widening the gap he tore open.
While Hatake Sakumo charged ahead, Yōkō intercepted Sand ninja trying to fill the breach in the battle line.
Streaks of Water Release: Water Cutting Wave shot out; each sweep bisected at least one squad of Sand ninja.
The White Fang blade aura excelled at bisecting enemies; the Water Cutting Wave also excelled at bisecting enemies.
One white, one blue, filled with violent aesthetics.
Hatake Sakumo felt the pressure on his left side suddenly lessen. Seeing it was Copper Fox, he thought, So that's how it is.
Copper Fox's Absolute Defense and his powerful offensive Water Release left the Sand ninja unable to cope.
Some fairly skilled Sand ninja used substitution techniques before the Water Cutting Wave hit, but fell into the hands of Flower Deer's squad. Flower Deer accurately identified the targets and executed them.
Yōkō suddenly noticed a Sand Jonin – the very one who had taken Pakura away.
Yōkō thought, I can't beat Rasa, but can't I beat you?
After enduring a wave of wind blades and kunai, Yōkō charged in front of this Jonin.
The Sand Jonin thought, Who is this killing god? Did I offend him before?
Why is the momentum directed at me so furious?
A dodge, a strike, one punch exploded the Sand Jonin's head.
In just over ten minutes, the reinforcements led by Hatake Sakumo had broken through the Sand ninja's right flank.
The Sand ninja's right flank collapsed, unable to maintain a stable battle line. Large numbers of Konoha ninja penetrated to the Sand ninja's rear.
The Sand ninja had to face Konoha ninja who could appear from all directions.
In the center of the battlefield, Rasa saw his right flank broken and that dazzling white blade aura, and inwardly thought, This is bad.
It's over. Sunagakure is finished in this war.
He exchanged a glance with Ebizō, knowing that preserving their fighting strength was the wisest course.
Rasa shouted: "Elder! I'll cover the retreat! Please, Elder, organize an orderly withdrawal!"
Ebizō thought Rasa was worth cooperating with; he was the most outstanding young man in the village.
A pity. He and my sister were destined to put Toci on the Kazekage's seat. Even if Rasa deliberately curries favor with me, he won't get my support.
Ebizō glanced in the White Fang's direction. The White Fang is here... I wonder how Toci is doing? He felt somewhat worried.
Rasa formed hand seals. A wave of gold sand stretching over a hundred meters surged towards Akimichi Yamashiro and the slug.
Akimichi Yamashiro and the slug were forced back temporarily.
Yōkō looked towards the main battlefield. Gigantification wasn't highly efficient in one-on-one combat, but on the battlefield, gigantification methods were major weapons.
Rasa's desperate move killed many Konoha ninja, especially several Konoha staff officers.
Yōkō saw a disheveled Nara Baika.
With her strength, participating in a battle of that level was too much for her.
The Sand ninja collapsed, leaving wave after wave of rear-guard battalions or Fire Squads, retreating deep into the desert.
Hatake Sakumo led the elites in another reverse charge, breaking through the Sand ninja's right flank once more.
The Sand ninja's left flank and central force might escape, but the right flank had to stay here.
The battle lasted half an hour before Yōkō finally retracted his fist.
The blood on his fist was unusually thick and sticky.
Yōkō panted heavily. After prolonged fighting, his chakra was nearly depleted.
The battle stretched from the Gobi desert at the Land of Rivers border deep into the Land of Wind's desert.
Countless Sand ninja corpses lay along the route.
Only when Chiyo brought reinforcements, and the Konoha army, unaccustomed to the desert environment and lacking sufficient fresh water, did they cease their deep pursuit.
Only peace talks remained to end the war.
The Konoha commanders gathered beside an oasis.
Nara Rokaku remained silent, not looking at anyone, lost in thought as he stared at the water's surface.
The abolition of Hatake Sakumo's Ninjutsu Assessment System had caused a complete break with Nara Rokaku.
As for Tsunade, even if she noticed something, she didn't want to get involved.
Yōkō approached Yellow Dog and said quietly, "Battalion Commander, should we spread the news about the deaths of Sunagakure Elder Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law to the Sand ninja?"
Hearing this, Yellow Dog showed no intention of keeping it secret and said directly in front of the several commanders:
"Fox, you go spread it. Spread the word that Deputy Commander Sakumo killed Chiyo's son, and you killed Chiyo's daughter-in-law."
"The Shirano River battlefield is quite far. Perhaps the Sand ninja still hold out some hope for that front."
Yōkō couldn't help but glance at Hatake Sakumo.
Yellow Dog is trying to steal credit. The Anbu killing Chiyo's daughter-in-law makes Hatake Sakumo's battle achievements seem less grand.
Fortunately, Hatake Sakumo is a good man. If it were another high-ranking official, Yōkō would be deeply resented.
Yōkō quickly left to arrange for the news to be spread.
Tsunade took a longer look at Hatake Sakumo and Copper Fox.
Toci and his wife actually died in this war. Konoha has won a complete and overwhelming victory.
Hatake Sakumo showed no trace of joy, not because Copper Fox shared his credit – he didn't care about that.
Nara Rokaku's attitude made him very uncomfortable.
The rumor about the Nara clan manipulating comrades really didn't come from me.
Only he, Nara Rokaku, Tsunade, and the Anbu knew about this matter. Even the aides didn't know.
Nara Rokaku had the Anbu ruthlessly assassinate the problematic Nara ninja, and now Hatake Sakumo became the one who broke the rules.
The news of Toci and his wife's deaths quickly reached the Sand ninja troops through Sand ninja prisoners who had 'luckily' escaped.
Chiyo, leading the support team, listened to the Sand ninja's report in disbelief.
"Evidence! I need evidence!"
Soon, Konoha sent a message offering to exchange the bodies of Toci and his wife for the bodies of several Konoha Jonin.
Chiyo looked at Ebizō in horror. Ebizō lowered his head.
Rasa nearby looked grief-stricken, but a flicker of... relief? passed deep in his eyes.
Within Sunagakure, the puppet masters and the secret technique ninja factions had always been locked in covert struggle.
With Toci dead, Rasa, from the secret technique ninja side, had lost his biggest competitor.
After several days of confirmation and fermentation, the Sand ninja finally agreed to peace talks.
The Konoha forces withdrew orderly, leaving the desert.
Upon returning from the desert, Battalion Commander Yellow Dog summoned Fox.
He carefully looked at the battlefield record scroll and asked, "Are all the details of Hatake Sakumo's abilities in the scroll?"
A momentary confusion appeared in Yellow Dog's eyes. It wasn't that he doubted Hatake Sakumo's strength, but he was imagining how he would go about killing Toci.
The imagined result was: almost impossible.
Yōkō said, "Battalion Commander, Hatake Sakumo is too strong. His chakra short sword technique shredded all the puppets. No matter how exquisite a puppet is, it's useless once reduced to parts."
Yellow Dog nodded. Hatake Sakumo was indeed formidable:
"On the flank battlefield, Hatake Sakumo killed Sunagakure Elite Jonin Toci."
"On the main battlefield, Hatake Sakumo played the decisive role."
"He deserves the primary credit for the Land of Rivers war."
"Before Hatake Sakumo brought the reinforcements, Konoha and the Sand ninja were trading casualties, suffering extremely heavy losses."
"On the main battlefield alone, Konoha lost at least 500 ninja."
"If not for Hatake Sakumo, that number would have been even more tragic."
"Fortunately, you killed Toci's wife; otherwise, all the credit would belong to Hatake Sakumo alone."
After the troops returned to the main camp, the command headquarters was very busy, but Fox Squad found itself idle.
Yōkō summoned the three squad leaders.
"The Land of Rivers war is about to end. I will apply for a short rotation leave for you."
"Don't slack off during this break."
"Purple Cat, White Goat, Flower Deer, after you return, each devise a squad strength improvement plan."
"Last time I applied for a few ninjutsu for you, but it's far from enough."
"Taking advantage of this great victory and our squad's excellent performance, I will apply for another round of ninjutsu for you."
"Each person, based on their abilities, should acquire one offensive and one defensive ninjutsu."
"Or you can teach each other ninjutsu internally. After acquiring one offensive and one defensive ninjutsu, you can apply for some powerful B-rank or even A-rank ninjutsu."
"Purple Cat, White Goat, you both have your own clan's secret techniques."
"Think about how to enhance your secret techniques. As long as you propose it, I will apply to the Anbu for it."
The three squad leaders left.
Yōkō thought, I've earned a codename now, I'm somewhat of a figure in the Anbu. Battalion Commander Yellow Dog shouldn't refuse my request for some ninjutsu for my subordinates, right?
The main camp felt somewhat deserted.
Around 2000 Konoha ninja had entered the Land of Rivers battlefield. After nearly half a year of fierce fighting, over 900 had died.
In this war, while Sunagakure suffered heavy losses, Konoha didn't have it easy either.
That night, a figure entered Yōkō's tent.
Yōkō was behind a desk, reading the recent mission reports for Fox Squad.
"Purple Cat, have you already figured out your squad's improvement plan so quickly?"
"Um... Well..."
Seeing Purple Cat's hesitant manner, Yōkō asked, "What's wrong?"
"I just took a bath."
"Huh?" Yōkō glanced at the tent flap; Purple Cat had let it down.
With the war victory, everyone had relaxed.
"Then I should go take a bath quickly too."
Purple Cat said, "Can't wait. I don't mind you."
"Hmm? Wearing nothing underneath? Seems you really can't wait..."
Half an hour later, Purple Cat, panting heavily, pressed against Yōkō's chest. She said, "By the way, Captain, I have some ideas for improving my strength. Can you give me your opinion?"
"Then I'll have to explore you deeply before I can give an opinion, don't you think?"
Another half hour passed, with Purple Cat both pleading for mercy and looking dazed.
"Purple Cat, now tell me your ideas for improving your strength. I'll really give you my opinion this time."
"Captain, I'm from the Yamanaka clan, originally specializing in Yamanaka secret techniques."
"A large part of the Yamanaka techniques' power comes from the Ino–Shika–Chō cooperation."
"I joined the Anbu alone, without an Ino–Shika–Chō team, without suitable comrades. I need to make some changes."
"The foundation of Yamanaka techniques is strong mental power; that's my strong point."
"Captain, do you think if I learn some Genjutsu, it could make up for the lack of Ino–Shika–Chō teammates?"
"Genjutsu-type ninja are also very strong and suit the Anbu's combat style well."
Yōkō nodded repeatedly. The original Yūhi Kurenai was a Genjutsu-type ninja, relatively rare in Konoha. He said:
"That's a good idea. With strong mental power, try learning Genjutsu, and see how it works. Maybe you're a Genjutsu genius."
"Genjutsu ninja are relatively rare. Genjutsu often has surprising effects in ninja combat."
"I will apply a Genjutsu for you, to fully explore your potential."
Yōkō teased Purple Cat for a while, then got up to continue reading the scrolls.
The next day, all three squads submitted their improvement plans.
Yōkō went to find Battalion Commander Yellow Dog.
Battalion Commander Yellow Dog glanced at the ninjutsu reward application and quickly signed it. He said:
"Some techniques are at the Anbu base; we don't have them at the front lines."
"Especially Genjutsu, they are quite precious. I'll give these ninjutsu to your squad after we return to the village."
"Fox, come with me first to execute a mission."
"Sunagakure is about to negotiate with us. The negotiation team will be small; otherwise, it might trigger a major conflict."
"You and I will go together, as the Hokage's eyes, to witness the negotiation process and its outcome."
"Alright."
Yōkō had effectively become Yellow Dog's primary subordinate.
The 7 ninjutsu he applied for, Battalion Commander Yellow Dog didn't hesitate and granted them all.
I should have applied for more, since Yellow Dog signed without looking closely.
Yellow Dog trusted Yōkō greatly, and Yōkō carefully maintained that trust.
For the time being, he wouldn't break this trust; it could bring him a steady stream of resources.
Yōkō could also learn these 7 ninjutsu himself; that was a squad leader's benefit.
If he could become a battalion commander, the benefits would be even greater.
As for Yellow Dog, previously using Kyōi from the Izakaya to warn him, he buried that deep in his heart. As long as Yellow Dog took no concrete action, he wouldn't do anything out of line either.
At the main camp entrance, Yōkō saw the negotiation team.
Commander Nara Rokaku, two aides, Yellow Dog, and Yōkō.
Tsunade was busy in the medical tent. Except for the final decisive battle, Tsunade generally didn't take to the battlefield.
Negotiations required basic sincerity. The small number suggested they likely wouldn't encounter combat.
Even if they did, these five individuals, whether attacking or escaping, would be difficult for Sunagakure to handle.
***
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(Chapter End)