A New Snake In The Shinobi World-Chapter 364:

In the early stages of a shinobi war, battles rely on tactics and intelligence.

It can be said that this stage still retains the essence of ninja combat.

But at the Super Kage-level, tricks and strategies become meaningless.

At that level, the only thing that matters is absolute power.

No matter what kind of ninjutsu or technique one possesses, a single slash of sword energy from a complete Susanoo could reduce them to dust in an instant.

Raw strength trumps all. That is the undeniable truth.

And so, Rasa had no choice but to surrender.

After Orochimaru extracted Shukaku and ensured Gaara's survival, the nine tailed beasts were finally gathered.

Kushina, who had insisted on following them, finally felt relieved about Orochimaru.

In her mind, Orochimaru had always been the most ruthless of the Sannin, someone who reveled in combat and experimentation.

But now, she realized something.

It wasn't that Orochimaru was avoiding battles with ordinary shinobi, he simply no longer cared to fight them.

Perhaps, this was the mindset of someone who had reached a certain level of power.

After escorting Kushina back to the orphanage, Orochimaru immediately set off for the battlefield with Pain and Sasori.

And with that, the war had officially begun.

---

At Iwagakure

Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, had received intelligence confirming that Orochimaru was attacking Kumogakure.

As expected, he immediately deployed an army of Iwa shinobi for reinforcements.

Ōnoki knew very well that if Kumogakure fell, Iwagakure would be next.

Even though he had signed a peace treaty with Konoha, he could not afford to stand idly by.

The ever-changing alliances and rivalries between villages had never been clearer than at this moment.

After all, Iwa and Kumo had just been at war.

But now, with Konoha threatening their interests, they were suddenly willing to cooperate without hesitation.

But would it even matter?

Not at all.

If Iwa wanted to reinforce Kumo, they had two options:

1. Take the sea route.

2. Pass through the Land of Frost.

But the Land of Frost was already occupied by an army of clones led by Akatsuki.

How were they supposed to get through?

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A group of Iwa shinobi in khaki-colored vests quickly leaped toward the Tsuchikage's office.

"Tsuchikage-sama!"

"Many enemy shinobi claiming to be from Otogakure have appeared in the Land of Frost! They are intercepting us! We're unable to reinforce Kumo!"

"Tsuchikage-sama! We have confirmed Akatsuki among them!"

"Tsuchikage-sama! Those Akatsuki members are too strong! Even Lord Kitsuchi is struggling—"

"Tsuchikage-sama! Amegakure is mobilizing troops! They seem to be preparing to attack us!"

One crushing report after another reached Ōnoki's ears.

Otogakure?

Where the hell did Otogakure come from?

Which country even recognized Otogakure as a legitimate shinobi village?!

How was Akatsuki now involved with Otogakure?

And why was Amegakure suddenly trying to attack Iwagakure as well?!

Individually, each of these events might have seemed like a coincidence.

But together…?

Ōnoki immediately realized something was wrong.

"Prepare for battle!" Ōnoki commanded. "We're heading to the battlefield!"

---

In the Land of Frost

On a high mountain overlooking the battlefield, several figures in black cloaks adorned with red clouds stood watching.

Behind them lay a temporary base created by the clone army.

Akatsuki, the most infamous rogue organization in the shinobi world.

Many of them should have been dead.

But thanks to Orochimaru's intervention, they were now pawns in this war.

These were not people who bowed to others.

Many had joined Akatsuki simply to witness the unknown.

And in this organization, they had indeed seen things beyond their imagination.

The Rinnegan, the Gedo Mazo, and now, Orochimaru's Six Paths-level power.

"It's unbelievable… These clones were all created by Orochimaru's technology?"

A deep voice rumbled.

Juzo wore a look of admiration.

This clone army required no training.

The moment they were activated, they possessed the combat ability of elite jōnin.

And even more terrifying, they all had the Sharingan.

"With this kind of technology… does the shinobi training system even matter anymore?" Juzo muttered.

"Even if you train two hundred children for fifteen years, there's no guarantee you'll produce one hundred jōnin."

"But Orochimaru?"

"Give him half a year and the right equipment… and he could mass-produce thousands of jōnin."

"It's a terrifying ability," Kisame remarked indifferently, "but it's not our concern. Our only job is to carry out Pain's orders."

"You're surprisingly laid back about this," Juzo scoffed. "By the way, Kisame—when you joined Akatsuki, was it really because that little girl Terumi Mei became Mizukage?"

"Do you even need to ask?" Kisame replied flatly.

When he had left Kirigakure, Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, had been in power.

He had once served under Fuguki Suikazan, the previous wielder of Samehada.

There was no chance either of them would have become Mizukage.

So aside from them, who else in Kirigakure was even qualified?

No one.

Except for Terumi Mei.

Before Juzo could say anything else, a yin-yang-faced figure emerged from the ground.

Zetsu.

"Sorry to interrupt."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Tsuchikage Ōnoki is on his way here. Pain wants you all to be careful. If you encounter him, do not engage directly, just delay him until reinforcements arrive."

"Understood."

---

At Kumogakure

Given the current crisis, the Fourth Raikage could no longer afford to send troops to guard the borders.

He had no choice but to focus all defenses on Kumogakure itself.

Hearing of Konoha's advance, he prepared for war.

But surprisingly, Konoha did not attack.

There had been no direct clashes between Konoha and Kumo—yet.

Because at this moment, it was clear that Kumogakure stood no chance of defeating Konoha's forces.

If Konoha wasn't making a move, Kumo would certainly not be the one to act first.

"Raikage-sama! The chakra cannon is ready and can be fired at any time!"

A Kumo shinobi knelt before the Fourth Raikage, reporting with urgency.

"Good!"

The Fourth Raikage nodded, his gaze locking onto the massive fortress at Kumogakure's highest peak.

"Without the tailed beasts… this is our village's final trump card."

"Bee! What's the status of our defenses?"

"All set up, bro."

"Good."

Just as the Raikage felt somewhat reassured.

"Raikage-sama! Bad news!"

A Kumo shinobi rushed to the top of the fortress.

"What happened?!" The Raikage frowned.

"A large force of shinobi wearing Otogakure forehead protectors has appeared in the north! They are marching toward our village!"

"What?!"

"How many?!"

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

"Estimated to be… over 10,000!"

***

This book is complete. Support me on Patreon to read all advanced chapters: /Blownleaves.