Naruto: Eating Kaido's Azure Dragon Devil Fruit-Chapter 269 Returning to Konoha Again

"Oh. Some skill. You actually managed to deflect my Particle Style."

Ōnoki looked at Orochimaru somewhat unexpectedly. He then sneered coldly. "But how many times can you use such a petty trick?"

"Old man. You really talk a lot of nonsense."

Jiraiya seized this opportunity. He formed hand seals with both hands. "Ninjutsu. Senbon Hair Needles."

Countless white hairs as hard as needles shot towards Ōnoki in the air like a rainstorm.

Orochimaru also acted at the same time. His body stretched unnaturally. He sprang up like a giant serpent. Countless poisonous snakes shot from his sleeves, winding towards Ōnoki’s feet.

"Trivial tricks."

Ōnoki nimbly rose higher. He avoided the hairs and snakes. At the same time, his hands prepared to form seals again.

For a time, in the sky, Ōmoki relied on the deterrent power of Particle Style and his agile flying ability. He engaged in an intense offensive and defensive battle with Jiraiya and Orochimaru on the ground.

Jiraiya’s various powerful ninjutsu bombarded continuously. They restrained Ōnoki’s attention.

Orochimaru was like a poisonous snake hidden in the shadows. He used various bizarre and tricky ninjutsu and taijutsu. He constantly looked for Ōnoki’s opening, trying to get close.

Ōnoki was powerful. But simultaneously facing two top-tier Kage-level powerhouses of Konoha, he did not dare to be the slightest bit careless.

Particle Style required preparation time. And the attacks of Jiraiya and Orochimaru were like an endless tide. They did not give him the leisure to perform it.

Sometimes he used other Earth Release ninjutsu to block and counterattack. Sometimes he used his flying ability to pull away and look for another chance to use Particle Style.

The battle completely entered a white-hot intensity.

Three powerful chakras clashed intensely on the battlefield. The scattered energy shock waves made it impossible for ordinary ninja below to get close.

On the other side, the battle between Sora and Kitsuchi and the others also became increasingly "intense".

...

The intense battle lasted from noon until evening.

Ōnoki’s Particle Style had unparalleled power. Every time he used it, it made the Konoha side fearful. But Jiraiya and Orochimaru were, after all, experienced Kage-level powerhouses.

The two of them very tactically adopted a guerrilla fighting tactic. They absolutely did not fight head-on. They used various ninjutsu to harass and restrain.

Whenever Ōnoki showed signs of using Particle Style, they immediately interrupted or forced him to change target with swift attacks.

Ōnoki was, after all, advanced in age. Maintaining high-intensity combat and flight for a long time, while also constantly guarding against sneak attacks from two top masters, consumed a huge amount of his chakra and stamina.

Several times, Particle Style returned without success. He was even almost caught by Orochimaru’s eerie Hidden Shadow Snake Hands around his ankle. After that, he also realized that today, wanting to break through Konoha’s defense line by himself was probably very difficult.

"Hmph. Konoha’s rats only know how to hide."

Ōnoki hovered in mid-air. He looked down gloomily at Sora and Kitsuchi who were still fighting "intensely" below, but clearly neither could do anything to the other. He then glared fiercely at Jiraiya and Orochimaru who were standing ready. Finally, unwillingly, he waved his hand and gave the order.

"Iwagakure, withdraw troops."

Woo.

A low horn sounded in the Iwagakure camp. The Iwagakure ninja who had surged forward like a tide now slowly retreated like a tide, leaving behind a mess and the bodies of ninja from both sides.

Seeing this, the Konoha side also breathed a sigh of relief. Under Jiraiya’s command, they cautiously began to clean up the battlefield.

Sora, after exchanging another punch with Kitsuchi and forcing him back several steps, also withdrew, creating distance.

He looked at Kitsuchi, who was panting and had multiple wounds. The corner of his mouth under the mask curled slightly.

’That’s about enough. If we fight any longer, it will really give it away.’

He deliberately showed a flaw, his movements slowing by a half-beat.

Kitsuchi was puzzled why Sora’s strength today was much weaker than when he captured him. But a battle opportunity was fleeting. He still seized the chance. A heavy Earth Release fist wind forced Sora back. Then, without looking back, he followed the main force in retreat.

Sora also pretended to be unable to pursue due to exhaustion. He let Kitsuchi disappear into the Iwagakure ranks.

Jiraiya, busy with command and being vigilant against Ōnoki turning back, did not notice this scene.

However, Orochimaru, who had been lingering on the edge of the battlefield, saw Sora’s "perfectly timed" mistake clearly.

His golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly. A flash of understanding and amusement passed through them.

’Intentionally holding back. Right, Sora-kun.’

Orochimaru licked his lips. His wariness towards Sora deepened another level.

...

At night, the Konoha front-line camp was brightly lit.

Inside the commander’s tent, Jiraiya rubbed his throbbing temples. He had just finished a remote meeting with the village’s higher-ups.

In the meeting, the higher-ups demanded that the front line must stabilize the situation.

After dealing with a series of tedious matters like, reinforcing the defense line, Jiraiya called a meeting with several core personnel including Sora and Orochimaru.

"The situation is clear to everyone."

Jiraiya spoke wearily. "That old guy Ōnoki is not easy to deal with. The pressure ahead will be great. Does anyone have any thoughts?"

Orochimaru leaned in the shadows, toying with a kunai in his hand, looking like it was none of his business.

Sora pondered for a moment. He took the initiative to speak.

"Lord Jiraiya. After today’s battle with Kitsuchi, I deeply feel my own strength is still insufficient. Especially in the variety of ninjutsu and dealing with special Kekkei Genkai. I request to temporarily return to Konoha. I wish to enter the Anbu Ninjutsu Repository for advanced study, to supplement my shortcomings. I hope to be able to serve the village better in the future."

This was the reason he had prepared long ago.

Staying on the front line would inevitably mean being pushed to deal with Ōnoki. That contradicted his strategy of lying low and hiding, avoiding attracting Uchiha Madara’s attention.

Returning to Konoha could not only avoid direct conflict, but also let him legitimately access the ninjutsu scrolls collected by the Anbu. After all, he had achieved considerable merits.

Hearing this, Jiraiya frowned.

The front line was in a critical period needing personnel. Especially a top-tier fighter like Sora. His departure would undoubtedly be a great loss.

He was just about to tactfully refuse, citing the great pressure from Ōnoki and the need for high-end combat power...

"Report."

A guard’s voice came from outside the tent. "The Night Owl squad is here to report. Ordered to reinforce the front line."

Before the words fell, a nimble figure walked in, wearing an animal mask. It was Night Owl.

Her squad members followed behind her, but did not enter. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Night Owl’s appearance slightly changed the atmosphere inside the tent.

"It’s Lady White Princess."

"I heard she was at the Land of Grass border. She alone routed a hundred-man squad of Iwagakure."

"And that summon of hers. They say it can become as big as a mountain. It can swallow the enemy’s position in one bite."

Whispered discussions from other ninja faintly came from outside, filled with awe.

The name of Night Owl, "White Princess," was now a resounding presence on the Konoha front line as well.

Night Owl walked into the tent. Her gaze swept over everyone. When her line of sight crossed Sora’s, both sides nodded almost imperceptibly. Everything was understood without words.

Seeing Night Owl, Jiraiya’s eyes immediately brightened.

Night Owl’s own strength was hard to say. But he knew about that giant summon. It was definitely Kage-level combat power.

With her joining, the pressure on the front line’s high-end combat power would be much less.

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