"The timing is perfect. I've already learned that jutsu," Kai said with a smile.
"Learned an A-rank jutsu in three days?" Uzuki Ao was stunned, then he patted Kai's shoulder heartily, "You little rascal, you're still joking at a time like this."
"But it's good. It's eased the tension a bit. Thirty minutes ago, according to the reports from our scouts, the main force of the Cloud ninjas has appeared five kilometers away. Give the order."
Kai didn't explain the questioning, but his brow furrowed as he smiled, "Thirty minutes ago?"
"I didn't set the rule, but wartime intelligence updates are supposed to be every fifteen minutes."
Uzuki Ao's face turned pale.
They had been so focused on integrating the team and dealing with the oppressive atmosphere of their impending doom that they completely overlooked this.
"Uzuki, it's bad news. Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame are missing," a genin who was responsible for guarding them rushed over.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's nerves tightened.
These two things seemed unrelated.
If they thought about it carefully, their scouts had been silently eliminated, without even a warning.
Could it be related to those two?
"Everyone, retreat back into the cave!" Kai shouted urgently.
Everyone's expressions changed.
"Haha, finally realized it, huh? I thought Konohagakure sent someone formidable to defend against our Cloud ninjas. Turns out it's just a greenhorn," a hearty laugh echoed without warning.
Figures appeared from all directions, a total of over a hundred.
At the forefront, on a hill a few hundred meters away, stood the AB duo, feared throughout the nations.
"No good, we're surrounded," Inuzuka Haka's face turned pale.
Seeing the Cloud ninjas blocking their path, anyone who wasn't an idiot would realize this was a trap.
"Over a hundred, plus the AB duo, and we're ambushed. We're dead meat."
"Uzuki-san, what do we do?"
"It must be Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame. Otherwise, our defenses and scouts wouldn't have been compromised."
The scene was chaotic. Facing over a hundred Cloud ninjas led by A, the next Raikage of Kumogakure, and Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, this was undoubtedly a disaster.
"Calm down," Uzuki Ao's face also turned pale. He looked at Kai and was stunned.
Kai's face was calm, as if he wasn't bothered by any of this.
Was he scared stupid?
"Haha, your panic really makes me happy," A laughed unrestrainedly, "I'm curious to know what your plans are. Will you surrender obediently, or will I kill you myself?"
"Kill, kill!"
"Surrender, or die!"
Over a hundred voices shouted in unison, making all the Konoha ninjas' nerves tense to the limit. The panic on their faces was impossible to hide.
The Cloud ninjas had completely taken the initiative.
"Kai!" Shizune's face also turned pale. She couldn't help but look at Uchiha Kai.
"Don't worry, everything will be alright," Kai rubbed Shizune's head, "Uzuki-san, take them back to the cave and hide in the barrier. Leave the rest to me."
Kai had anticipated this.
After all, Root in the original story would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
Now that Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame had been usurped by Kai, they had even abandoned their teammates and an important strategic location.
If Kai and the others were allowed to return alive, it would likely have negative consequences for Root.
Therefore, the only solution was to strike first, using a knife to kill someone.
However, this was exactly what Kai wanted. The next time they met, he could attack them without hesitation.
He had a perfect excuse.
"Kai, you're going alone?"
"Are you crazy? We won't watch you go to your death alone."
Uzuki Ao's expression changed. He never expected Kai to give such an answer.
Even though they were facing over a hundred Cloud ninjas, including the feared AB duo, they couldn't let Kai face them alone.
"Kai, don't blame yourself. We'll face this together. We'll find a way," Shizune said urgently.
"Kai, you really don't need to worry. We volunteered to stay."
"Yes, we're Konoha ninjas. We've already accepted the possibility of death."
In the eyes of many, Kai's actions were due to his guilt for forcing the entire team to stay.
"Suicide?" Kai chuckled and shook his head, "Don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to go to my death."
"Stay inside the barrier. I'm just worried that I'll have to save you later."
"I'm your elected captain. This is an order."
His quiet voice, at this moment, was filled with an undeniable authority.
"Uzuki-san, what do we do?" Shizune was anxious.
Uzuki Ao's expression shifted, and he looked at Kai's calm face. He gritted his teeth and said, "Everyone, retreat into the cave. Be ready to support Kai at any time. Don't forget, he's stronger than me."
As soon as these words were spoken, both the Konoha ninjas and the Cloud ninjas were stunned.
But remembering that Kai had single-handedly defeated Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame, two Jonin, with just genjutsu, they were hesitant but still retreated, although they were nervous.
They silently swore that if anything happened, they would rush to his rescue.
As the Konoha ninjas retreated into the cave in an orderly manner, a Cloud ninja squad leader couldn't help but say, "A-sama, should we stop them? If they get inside the barrier, it might be unfavorable for us."
"Humph, what's unfavorable? They're just a bunch of rabble. What's there to worry about? I thought the Uchiha clan sent Shisui of the Body Flicker, but it turned out to be just a nobody," A snorted disdainfully, "According to intelligence, this greenhorn is just a Chunin."
"These Konoha ninjas are actually taking orders from a Chunin. They're either stupid or desperate."
The squad leader quickly flattered him, "A-sama is right. They're already in our grasp."
"Once we break through this stronghold, the entire Land of Fire will be ours."
The Cloud ninjas all showed signs of joy.
Konoha had simultaneously opened three battlefields, and they still hadn't made any progress. This had indeed threatened Kumogakure.
Now, with the opportunity to be the straw that breaks the camel's back, how could they not be happy?
"Finished talking?" Kai suddenly spoke.
"Now, I give you two choices."
"First, get out of here."
"Second, I'll kill you all."
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