"Black Gorilla, first demonstrate the chakra application of the Cross Seal."
Black Gorilla stepped before the group, formed three hand seals, and released the Cross Seal.
A large amount of chakra instantly appeared on his hand.
Flower Deer and the others were extremely surprised.
Black Gorilla hadn't extracted chakra; the chakra had abruptly appeared from the seal.
Black Gorilla quickly formed hand seals, releasing five Earth Release: Earth-Style Rising Spears in succession!
There was no interval, as if he was afraid the released chakra would dissipate too quickly.
After releasing the five jutsu, Black Gorilla wasn't even out of breath, showing no sign of fatigue.
Yōkō said, "This is the Cross Seal I developed. It can immediately enhance your immediate combat power."
After thinking it over, Flower Deer said:
"Captain, if we all master this seal that allows instant release of five jutsu, couldn't we use jutsu to initiate combat, suppressing the enemy from the start?"
White Ram said, "It could also serve as a trump card, allowing a sudden burst of power when completely exhausted."
"Indeed," Yōkō said.
"It's essentially a large amount of free chakra during battle. Whether used for initial suppression or as a trump card, it's an excellent choice.
From now on, you are all shinobi with a hidden ace."
White Ram asked, "Captain, what about the Hippo and Yak squads..."
Yōkō said, "There's a distinction between close and distant. I have no test for you, but I do have one for them.
Without sufficient merit or performance that satisfies me, I will not bestow such an important seal upon them.
After you master the seal, you must not inform anyone.
I trust you, which is why I hold nothing back from you, and I hope you do not betray that trust.
This kind of seal, potent enough to be a trump card, should be used secretly. Don't let others know about it and then devise countermeasures against us."
White Ram nodded repeatedly. They were the old guard from the Fox Platoon days, while the Hippo and Yak squads were originally the Hippo and Yak Platoons from the old Yellow Dog Battalion era.
Vice Minister Yellow Dog would sometimes task the Hippo or Yak squads with missions through Captain Fox.
White Ram Squad: members Black Gorilla, Horned Ox, Brown Bear.
Flower Deer Squad: members Leaf Monkey, Field Duck, Antelope.
These eight people were Yōkō's trusted confidants.
Maintaining the bond between captain and subordinates, fighting alongside them, providing them with jutsu, helping them build their mission records, and most importantly, helping them increase their strength.
A high-level sealing technique like the Cross Seal, which boosts immediate combat power, would make them even more loyal to him.
The Cross Seal was inferior to Tsunade's Yin Seal. Yōkō planned to continue developing and upgrading the Cross Seal based on its foundation, making it increasingly powerful, perhaps even allowing his subordinates to fight above their level.
Eight Special Jōnin, temporarily equivalent to eight Jōnin in combat – who wouldn't be afraid of that?
When operating outside, having a faction, a group of capable brothers and subordinates, would make enemies more wary.
Dealing with one person is simple; soft or hard methods, there are plenty of tactics.
Dealing with a group is troublesome; the considerations multiply.
In the future, when Yōkō held greater power, these eight people would be his valuable core team.
Yōkō sequentially placed the Cross Seal on each squad member.
The members looked curiously at the seal on the backs of their hands, thinking to themselves how good it was to follow the Captain.
Yōkō said, "The Cross Seal is relatively stable and generally won't cause problems. If the seal becomes unstable, come find me as soon as possible to reinforce it."
Yōkō would not use the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal to control his squad members. From past observations, these eight subordinates would not betray him.
The Cross Seal not only provided benefits but also served as a form of indirect control.
Once the members became dependent on the Cross Seal, they could only rely on Yōkō to maintain and reinforce it.
Yōkō said, "When your strength growth reaches its limit, the Cross Seal also has a set of Limit Stimulation Training methods that can help you break through your limits and continue improving."
Flower Deer and the others were astonished. They hadn't expected the Cross Seal could also break through strength ceilings.
This seal was just too comprehensive.
"Next, I'll teach you how to channel chakra into the seal and how to release the chakra."
Yōkō took off his fingerless glove, revealing the back of his own hand, which also bore the Cross Seal.
Most shinobi wore fingerless gloves because they frequently handled wires, and gloves prevented hand abrasions.
The fingerless gloves could also conceal the seal's cursed mark.
The squad members quickly learned how to use the Cross Seal. With diligent practice, they would be combat-ready within a few days.
—
The full moon was like a silver platter.
A new lunar cycle had arrived.
While patrolling the border on one occasion, Yōkō met Yakushi Nonō in a valley.
This time, Yakushi Nonō was disguised as a slightly plump young woman with a full figure. She brought new intelligence.
"Root has been replenished with 4 new members. They received the masks and codenames Ji, Kō, Shin, and Jin.
With manpower restored, Root has re-established contact with intelligence networks in various regions.
Ki is an old Root member. She is currently at the Land of Earth border with Shin, liaising with the head spy from the Land of Earth."
Yōkō asked, "You are currently in the Land of Lightning. Which Root member is liaising with you regarding the Land of Lightning?"
Yakushi Nonō paused slightly, then said, "The person I deal with cannot be compromised. I don't want Danzō to suspect me."
Yōkō didn't press further, saying, "Ki's specific location."
Yakushi Nonō named a small town in the Land of Earth, then added:
"Intelligence transmission takes time. I cannot guarantee the information is 100% accurate.
Perhaps Ki has already completed her mission, left the town, and is on her way back."
After a moment's hesitation, Yōkō suppressed the impulse and decided not to move against Ki at this time.
"Since it's not accurate, then continue gathering intelligence."
Orochimaru, the Lynx Squad, and Root members were currently searching全力 for the Uzumaki remnants with all their effort. He couldn't let Yuka take the risk now.
Yōkō said, "Yakushi Nonō, do you know the pattern of the Kumo-nin main camp's movements?"
Both the Kumo-nin and Konoha main camps were constantly relocating.
During the great shinobi war, both sides deployed two to three thousand shinobi. The distance from the front lines to the main camp was vast, with many squads in between, making successful enemy raids impossible.
In these small-scale border conflicts, each side only had two to three hundred shinobi. The depth of the battle lines was insufficient. Once the main camp's location was exposed, it was highly vulnerable to raids.
Yakushi Nonō said, "My current identity is that of an ordinary Kumo-nin on the front lines.
The Kumo-nin are very cautious. In the over month I've been here, I've only entered the main camp twice.
Normally, our squad rests in nearby hidden caves.
I have a rough guess about the camp's location.
All intelligence has elements of truth and falsehood. Even intelligence I see with my own eyes cannot be guaranteed to be absolutely accurate.
Once the intelligence reaches you, it's up to you to analyze and judge it."
Yakushi Nonō seemed somewhat apprehensive. Last time, due to inaccurate intelligence about the Land of Iron, Root sent four people instead of the two she mentioned, causing Fox to be very displeased with her.
She also felt wronged; no spy could guarantee absolute accuracy of intelligence.
"This time I will verify carefully."
Yakushi Nonō pressed, "When will you move against Ki?"
Yōkō thought to himself, Are you this eager to use me as your weapon?
***
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(End of Chapter)