HLnovel Chapter 437 437: Fourth Kazekage Captured|Sunagakure's Defeat
Chapter 437 437: Fourth Kazekage Captured|Sunagakure's Defeat
Konoha Village's temporary camp in the Land of Rivers.
Kitazawa appeared directly inside Kurenai's tent. She was already lying in her sleeping bag, preparing to rest.
Upon seeing Kitazawa, she instinctively sat up. "Why are you back at this hour?"
Kurenai casually put away the sleeping bag. When she was alone, she slept inside a sleeping bag so she could respond to emergencies at any time.
But now that Kitazawa had returned, there was no longer any need for it. With his strength, he could react to any situation instantly.
"I received news from White Zetsu that the Hidden Sand Village plans to use the Chakra Cannon, so I came back to check on the situation," Kitazawa explained as he sat down beside her.
"I see." Kurenai had already known this information for a while, so she was not surprised.
"How is the situation now?" Kitazawa asked again.
"For the time being, there are no new developments." Kurenai shook her head slightly.
"Then we'll wait and see tomorrow." Kitazawa gave a faint chuckle. "You don't need to worry. Any movement from the Hidden Sand Village cannot escape White Zetsu's eyes."
"Mm." Kurenai lay back down and added softly, "Goodnight."
"Are you very tired?" Kitazawa reached out and gently stroked her face.
"It's mainly mental exhaustion," Kurenai said with a yawn. "I've been on missions all day."
As for physical fatigue, it had long since been eliminated by the Yang Seal Kitazawa had given her.
"Goodnight." Kitazawa did not disturb her further. He held her close and soon drifted into sleep as well.
---
A new day began.
After breakfast, Kurenai left on a mission with Yakumo, Karin, and Kiba.
Kitazawa did not depart. He remained in the tent, waiting for White Zetsu to report further movements from the Hidden Sand Village.
It was not until sunset that Team Kurenai returned. Soon after, Kabuto summoned the Jonin of the Fourth Division of Ninja Forces for a meeting.
Having nothing else to occupy his time, Kitazawa also attended.
"The Hidden Sand Village's attacks were very aggressive today," Kabuto said slowly.
"We felt the same." Kurenai nodded in agreement.
"This is most likely related to the Chakra Cannon," Kakashi spoke calmly.
"But there hasn't been any movement at the stronghold where the Chakra Cannon is located," Aburame Shibi said with a hint of confusion.
Since Shino was part of Kakashi's Team 2, many members of the Aburame Clan had also arrived in the Land of Rivers.
"I suspect the Hidden Sand Village's goal is to locate our Main Camp," Kabuto said gravely.
"You mean that once they confirm the location of our Main Camp, they'll use the Chakra Cannon against us?" Kurenai's gaze sharpened.
"That is indeed possible," Aburame Shibi replied thoughtfully.
"Using the Chakra Cannon to destroy our Main Camp would undoubtedly achieve the greatest effect."
"Tomorrow, I'll have White Zetsu map out the movement trajectories of the Hidden Sand Ninjas," Kabuto said after brief consideration.
Under normal circumstances, mapping enemy movement trajectories would be extremely difficult.
But with White Zetsu, it would be very simple.
"If we confirm that their target is our Main Camp, how should we counterattack?" Kurenai asked.
"We'll beat them at their own game," Kabuto pondered briefly before replying. "We'll leave them an empty Main Camp and move to flank their main base."
"That's a good plan." Kurenai smiled faintly. "If it succeeds, this war will be nearing its end."
"As for the specific execution, we'll wait for White Zetsu's intelligence tomorrow," Kabuto nodded.
"Everyone has worked hard today. Return and rest."
The Jonin Meeting concluded.
Kitazawa and Kurenai returned to their tent.
Time passed into the next day. Once again, the sun began to set.
"Judging from this map, the Hidden Sand Village's target is indeed our Main Camp," Kabuto said as he unfolded a map.
Numerous lines were drawn across it. Each line represented the movement trajectory of a Hidden Sand Ninja squad.
Though the lines appeared chaotic at first glance, a pattern emerged upon closer inspection.
They were gradually converging toward Konoha's Main Camp.
"Next, we'll allow the Hidden Sand Village to learn the location of our Main Camp," Kabuto said steadily.
"Then we'll divide into two forces. One group will destroy the Chakra Cannon, and the other will flank their Main Camp."
"To avoid arousing suspicion, the group assigned to destroy the Chakra Cannon must not be too large," Aburame Shibi said after thinking it over.
"I agree," Kabuto nodded.
"In that case, my squad and Kakashi's squad will go," Kurenai volunteered without hesitation.
"Those two squads are indeed the most suitable," Kabuto replied. "With two Jinchuriki, the mission should be more than sufficient."
He paused briefly before adding, "However, it would be best to wait until the Hidden Sand Village actually uses the Chakra Cannon before taking action."
"Understood." Kurenai nodded.
"The movement of our main force will inevitably be detected by the Hidden Sand Village," Kabuto said, turning his gaze toward White Zetsu.
"I'll have to trouble you to create confusion when the time comes."
He was referring to the five thousand White Zetsu that Kitazawa had previously allocated to the Fourth Division of Ninja Forces.
"Yes, Kabuto-sama." White Zetsu responded immediately.
"Everyone, go and prepare." Kabuto's voice carried a faint smile, but beneath it lay the tension of an impending decisive clash.
As far as he knew, the other three Ninja divisions were still locked in fierce battles.
If the Fourth Division of Ninja Forces under his command could be the first to bring down the Hidden Sand Village, then he would not have failed Kitazawa's trust.
Under Konoha Village's deliberate indulgence, the Hidden Sand Village soon obtained the location of Konoha's Main Camp.
Rasa and the others harbored no suspicion.
The reason was simple. In terms of numbers, the Hidden Sand Village nearly doubled Konoha Village.
With such a disparity, uncovering the location of Konoha's Main Camp was not an especially difficult task.
At one of the Hidden Sand Village's strongholds in the Land of Rivers, Rasa stood before the Chakra Cannon, his gaze fixed upon it.
At this point, the Hidden Sand Village's only hope for victory lay in this weapon.
Though they held superiority in numbers, such an advantage meant little in the face of a Jinchuriki.
Especially when Konoha possessed two Jinchuriki.
During this period, both Karin and Kakashi had already unleashed the power of their Tailed Beasts.
In truth, there were three.
Kabuto simply had not yet revealed his.
"Kazekage-sama," an ANBU Ninja entered and reported, "We have confirmed that most of the Konoha Ninjas have returned to their Main Camp."
"Very good." Rasa nodded. "Go and summon the other Jonin."
The power and range of the Chakra Cannon depended entirely on the amount of Chakra infused into it.
A single Ninja could not activate it. It required a large number of Ninjas working together in unison.
If provided with sufficient Chakra, the Chakra Cannon could even shatter the moon.
Soon after, thirty Hidden Sand Jonin gathered inside the tent.
"Everyone, tonight will determine the fate of the Hidden Sand Village," Rasa declared gravely. "When midnight arrives, we will activate the Chakra Cannon together."
"Yes, Kazekage-sama!" The Jonin responded in unison.
"ANBU, continue monitoring the Konoha Main Camp," Rasa ordered once more.
"Yes, Kazekage-sama." The ANBU Ninja departed.
Time passed slowly.
The moon climbed high into the sky.
At the Konoha Main Camp, the Ninjas appeared to have drifted into sleep. But in reality, they were all White Zetsu using the Transformation Technique.
Kabuto led the main force along a detour toward the Hidden Sand Village's Main Camp.
With White Zetsu's assistance, even with such large numbers, Konoha's movements flawlessly avoided detection.
Meanwhile, Kurenai's squad and Kakashi's squad headed directly toward the stronghold concealing the Chakra Cannon.
Kitazawa followed them silently from the shadows.
At a certain moment, he lifted his head. Activating his Byakugan, he observed everything inside the Hidden Sand stronghold.
Rasa and the others were channeling Chakra into the Chakra Cannon. When the power reached its limit, the Chakra Cannon trembled violently.
A compressed chakra cannonball shot forth. Its speed was astonishing—far surpassing that of most Ninjas.
However, the distance between the Hidden Sand stronghold and the Konoha Main Camp was considerable.
The chakra cannonball did not arrive instantly.
That delay granted the White Zetsu sufficient time to escape. One by one, they burrowed underground and vanished.
Moments later, the massive Chakra cannonball descended.
Boom!
The night sky was lit ablaze.
The earth cracked, and the heavens trembled as violent Chakra currents erupted into a raging storm, sweeping outward in all directions.
The Konoha Main Camp was instantly obliterated, leaving nothing behind.
"It seems the Fourth Raikage did not exaggerate." Rasa exhaled slowly.
Though he could not see the destruction firsthand, even at this distance, he could feel the violent tremors shaking the ground.
The power was indeed comparable to a Tailed Beast Ball.
"The Konoha Main Camp was struck by the Chakra Cannon without any defense," Rasa continued with a faint smile.
"If nothing else, most of them should be dead."
"But just in case, send ANBU to confirm before we move out."
"Yes, Kazekage-sama!" Excitement flashed across the Jonin's faces.
At that very moment, agonized screams erupted from outside the tent.
"What's happening?" Rasa's smile froze. He rushed outside.
The stronghold had already fallen into chaos. And the culprits were none other than Kurenai's and Kakashi's squads.
Rasa recognized them instantly.
A sense of foreboding rose in his chest. Their appearance was far too coincidental, but there was no time to dwell on it.
"Retreat!" Rasa shouted at once.
Though this stronghold housed more than thirty Hidden Sand Jonin, the enemy had two Jinchuriki.
In an all-out clash, the outcome was uncertain. More importantly, their sudden appearance was too suspicious.
He did not dare risk prolonged engagement.
[Current Task: Defeat the Fourth Kazekage Rasa.]
[Task Reward: Magnet Release: Gold Dust.]
[Do you accept?]
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow at the three lines of text appearing before him.
He already possessed Magnet Release. But it was the Third Kazekage's version—more precisely, Magnet Release: Iron Sand.
Its ability lies in manipulating iron-based materials or the iron particles within sand.
In contrast, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa wielded Magnet Release over Gold Dust. In terms of value, Gold Dust was far more precious than Iron Sand.
It was precisely why Rasa often acted as a gold prospector, panning for gold within the desert.
Kitazawa accepted the mission casually. He had no intention of personally taking action.
The system's mission required Rasa to be defeated, but it did not specify by whom.
More importantly, Kitazawa simply lacked interest.
The reward could only be described as decent. Compared to Origami Replacement or Sukunahikona, it hardly seemed remarkable.
"Everyone, get on!" After speaking, Rasa raised his hand.
Magnet Release: Gold Suspension!
Gold dust surged like quicksand, gathering and forming a massive cloud-like platform before him.
One after another, the Hidden Sand Jonin leapt onto it.
Rasa also stepped onto the platform. With a casual wave of his hand, the cloud-like pad ascended rapidly into the sky.
"They're trying to escape!" Kurenai shouted at once.
"Leave it to me!" Kakashi's eyes sharpened.
A gigantic blue hand materialized in midair and reached toward the Gold Pad. It was the initial stage of Susanoo.
Rasa was momentarily stunned, but immediately formed hand seals.
Magnet Release: Gold Dust Cube!
A massive golden cube condensed and smashed toward Susanoo.
"Kamui Shuriken!" Kakashi hurled a shuriken without hesitation.
The instant the shuriken struck the golden cube, space twisted—and the cube vanished.
"What?" Rasa was stunned once again.
At the same time, the other Hidden Sand Jonin formed hand seals.
Boom!
The giant blue hand shattered under their combined assault.
Just then, Yakumo executed Super Beast Imitating Drawing. A swarm of flying beasts burst forth and charged toward the Gold Suspension platform.
The Hidden Sand Jonin standing atop it were forced to scatter.
"Karin!" Yakumo called out, immediately forming hand seals. Terrifying Illusion!
The Hidden Sand Ninjas near her instantly fell into a genjutsu.
Tailed Beast Chakra Mode!
Chakra Enhanced Strength!
Karin leapt high and stomped directly into the crowd.
In an instant, the ground fractured. Chakra shockwaves mixed with shattered debris, cutting through the Hidden Sand Ninjas and felling them one after another.
"Kiba!" Kurenai formed hand seals and cast Genjutsu: Infinite Darkness.
The Hidden Sand Ninjas before her were plunged into pitch-black darkness.
Kiba and Akamaru, already transformed into the Three-Headed Wolf, charged forward immediately.
Relying on their extraordinary sense of smell, they ignored the darkness entirely and tore into the Hidden Sand Ninjas, leaving them riddled with wounds.
These were the two coordinated tactics their team had refined during this period.
In comparison, Shino, Chino, and Sakura's killing efficiency was not as high.
However, their coordination was equally seamless.
Chino used the Blood Dragon Eye to control enemies, while Shino Aburame's Honey Technique provided additional restraint.
Sakura utilized Water Release in conjunction with Shino's Kikaichu and Exploding Insects to launch attacks.
The most lethal were the Exploding Insects. In bursts of blinding white light, many Hidden Sand Ninjas were blown apart instantly.
"Damn it!" Rasa had never expected the Hidden Sand forces to collapse so swiftly in the blink of an eye.
But at this moment, he himself faced grave danger. Looking at Kakashi blocking his path, he inhaled deeply.
Kakashi had already activated Tailed Beast Chakra Mode.
Violent Chakra surged across his body. And those Mangekyō Sharingan eyes made him appear even more fearsome.
Magnet Release: Gold Dust Wave!
Rasa formed hand seals once more.
The ground trembled as dense gold dust surged upward, forming a massive tidal wave like seawater in a storm.
The golden wave crashed toward Kakashi and the others, while Rasa turned and fled.
The situation had already exceeded his control.
"Kamui!" Kakashi vanished from sight.
"Super Beast Imitating Drawing!" Yakumo quickly unfurled a blank scroll.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" Sakura formed hand seals.
A towering wall of water rose to intercept the Gold Dust Wave.
Shino lifted his hands. Countless Kikaichu swarmed outward.
Rasa had only just covered a short distance when Kakashi suddenly appeared before him. His pupils contracted in shock.
"Space-Time Ninjutsu?" Rasa's heart sank.
The fastest techniques in the Ninja World were undoubtedly Space-Time Ninjutsu.
Though he could soar high using Magnet Release, he could not outrun Space-Time techniques.
In other words, escape was impossible. He would either defeat Kakashi and the others or wait for reinforcements from the Hidden Sand.
Magnet Release: Gold Dust Spear!
Rasa accelerated toward Kakashi. Before him, gold dust gathered and condensed into a sharp spear.
Like an arrow loosed from a bow, it shot forward.
Kakashi did not move. The spear pierced through his body and passed straight through.
"What—?" Rasa halted abruptly.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Cutter (Raikiri)!" Kakashi offered no explanation.
He raised his right hand and slashed forward.
Rasa reacted instantly.
Gold dust formed a shield before him. At the same time, he retreated, stepping onto another Gold Pad and ascending into the air.
"Double Kamui!" Space tore open. Kakashi vanished once more.
Rasa's heart jolted violently as he scanned his surroundings. Kakashi appeared behind him—Lightning Cutter aimed directly at his back.
Rasa responded swiftly.
He thrust out both hands. Gold dust flowed like liquid, seizing Kakashi's right arm.
Turning around, Rasa unleashed countless sharp, bamboo-shoot-like spikes of gold dust from his palms.
Magnet Release: Gold Dust World Method!
Kakashi's answer was simple.
Genjutsu: Mangekyō Sharingan!
Rasa did not recognize the Mangekyō Sharingan.
And in this perilous moment, his focus was entirely on sustaining Magnet Release: Gold Dust World Method.
He had not guarded against genjutsu at all. In an instant, his vision blurred. The gold dust halted midair.
Seizing the opportunity, Kakashi clenched his left fist and struck Rasa directly on the head.
Bang!
Rasa was blasted backward. Like a cannonball, he crashed violently into the ground.
Kakashi looked around and saw that most of the remaining Hidden Sand Ninjas had already lost their ability to resist.
He let out a slow breath of relief, leapt down, and landed steadily on the ground.
"We actually captured the Fourth Kazekage Rasa alive?" Sakura's face was filled with disbelief.
"Hahaha!" Kiba burst into laughter. "I feel like I'm about to earn a title soon!"
"I don't really care about titles." Kurenai clenched her fist lightly. "As long as we can win this war."
"I wonder how things are going on Kabuto-senpai's side." Karin deactivated Tailed Beast Chakra Mode as she spoke.
"At the Hidden Sand headquarters, the only one who can truly be called strong is Ebizo." Aburame Shino adjusted his glasses calmly. "He won't be a match for Kabuto-senpai."
"True." Chino nodded in agreement.
"What should we do now?" Yakumo asked after knocking out the Hidden Sand Ninjas, whom she had controlled one by one.
"Let's go take a look at that Chakra Cannon first." After a brief moment of thought, Kurenai made her decision.
Kakashi and the others nodded. The power of the Chakra Cannon just now had indeed startled them.
If not for White Zetsu's prior preparation, Konoha might have suffered heavy casualties.
The group entered the tent and saw the Chakra Cannon standing silently within.
"It doesn't look like anything special." Kiba rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Take it back. It will definitely be useful in the future." Kurenai directly pulled out a summoning storage scroll.
"I'll go find White Zetsu." Kakashi withdrew his gaze and stepped outside the tent.
Before he could even call out, White Zetsu emerged from the ground.
"White Zetsu, take these Hidden Sand Ninjas back to Konoha headquarters," Kakashi instructed.
"Kakashi-sama." White Zetsu gave a reminder. "The Konoha headquarters has already been destroyed by the Chakra Cannon."
Kakashi was momentarily stunned.
At that moment, Kitazawa appeared before him.
"Hokage-sama." Kakashi quickly bowed in greeting.
"I'll send them back to Konoha Village." After speaking, Kitazawa turned his gaze to White Zetsu once more. "Gather them together."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." White Zetsu stomped the ground sharply.
The earth bulged, and ten White Zetsu emerged. They arranged the unconscious Hidden Sand Ninjas into several neat rows as ordered.
Flying Thunder God Technique.
In an instant, Kitazawa transported them back to the ANBU Base.
"Hokage-sama." The nearby ANBU hurried forward upon seeing him.
After offering their greetings, their eyes fell upon the Hidden Sand Ninjas lying across the ground.
As ANBU members, they were extremely familiar with the high-ranking officials of every hidden village.
The moment they recognized Rasa and the others, shock filled their faces.
It had only been a few days—yet the Fourth Kazekage had already been captured alive?
Some ANBU who had lived through the Third Shinobi World War felt even more dazed.
Although this war was described as a siege by four hidden villages, compared to the previous one, it felt far easier.
"Lock them up."
Kitazawa waved his hand and vanished once more. He returned to the Hidden Sand stronghold.
"Kitazawa!" Kurenai's voice carried excitement. "We won! The Hidden Sand Village is completely defeated!"
"It seems Kabuto's side has results as well?" Kitazawa asked with a faint smile.
"Yeah." Kurenai nodded. "White Zetsu just sent word that Kabuto has already taken control of the Hidden Sand headquarters."
"Alright. I'll take you there."
Flying Thunder God Technique activated again. The group instantly appeared at the Hidden Sand headquarters.
The moment Kitazawa steadied himself, a heavy scent of blood drifted into his nose.
The entire headquarters had been reduced to ruins. He saw numerous traces left behind by massive serpents.
He could roughly guess Kabuto's strategy; the snakes of Ryūchi Cave must have been unleashed first to clear the battlefield.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Kabuto appeared before him.
"Good work." Kitazawa nodded approvingly.
"Continue cleaning up the battlefield. Once everything is settled, lead the Fourth Division of Ninja Forces back to Konoha Village."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei," Kabuto responded immediately.
Kitazawa paused in thought before calling White Zetsu over. Such a rare opportunity to make a name for oneself could not be wasted.
Whether it was Kabuto, Kurenai, Kakashi, or the others, they could all use this victory to carve their names into history.
After all, this might very well be their last chance to rise to fame.