Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic

Chapter 78 An Old Acquaintance, the Last Outpost of the Mission

Having gained experience from the large-scale battles at the first stronghold, they were able to gain valuable experience.

This time, Qingwu was much more adept at controlling it.

After Kakashi held off the Iwagakure Jonin inside the base, he quickly used his "Summoning Squad" to clear out the remaining "minor enemies".

however……

To Kakashi and Qingwu's surprise, they ran into an acquaintance at this second base.

"Explosive Release: Landmine Fist!"

The Explosion Release ninja, Kari, who fled after assassinating the Third Hokage a few days ago, has unexpectedly appeared here.

Furthermore, while Kakashi was fighting with the Jonin captain inside the base, he used Explosion Release to launch a sneak attack and injure Kakashi.

Subsequently, while Qingwu commanded the Pegasus to launch an attack, Shou, along with the Iwagakure Jonin, disappeared into the ground.

"Damn it!" Yugao cried out worriedly, supporting Kakashi. "What do we do now?"

Kakashi's injuries were severe; his left arm and shoulder were covered in blood from the Explosion Release chakra explosion.

Yugao was worried that if the treatment delayed things and allowed the two Jonin and the Iwa ninja forces at the third base to join forces... and with prior precautions, it would be difficult to launch a strong attack.

"I never expected that guy to be hiding here."

Qingwu frowned and carefully sensed the surroundings. After discovering that it could not be tracked, he complained in frustration.

The hunter who escaped that day was also injured.

Even if the Jonin was fast, and set off a day earlier than the Shadow Guard who had rested at the camp for a night, it still shows that he came back at full speed.

"Cough..." Kakashi said, "That guy has probably already sent the information back, making the next mission very difficult."

The reason why the first and second strongholds were able to succeed so easily was that they caught the Iwa ninja off guard.

If the Iwa ninja were prepared, there might even be other Iwa ninja reinforcements... The difficulty of the mission has obviously increased.

"Let's heal first!" Qingwu shook his head and reached out to use the water-based magic [Healing].

Watching Kakashi's injuries heal rapidly in the blue-green light, a hint of envy flashed in Yugao's eyes.

Having a medical ninja in a squad is very important.

However, this medical ninja also possesses what is possibly the team's most destructive range; such a person...

How can a person grow up so fast...?

Is this the difference between me and a true genius...? This mission left Xiyan feeling somewhat frustrated.

Especially with the second stronghold that was just taken down, Kakashi and Qingwu were leading the way, so her assassination attempts were not needed.

10 minutes later……

Kakashi moved his arm, which had fully recovered, and said, "I'm all better now."

If there hadn't been a "medical ninja" on the scene, he would likely have faced the risk of amputation given the severity of his injuries.

Even if Qingwu uses magic, he still needs to wait for the cooldown to perform several healings.

"Let's go over there and see what the situation is like."

Kakashi decisively mounted Pegasus: "If the third base is ready, we'll find a suitable opportunity."

They were all quite tired tonight.

Launching a surprise attack from the shadows is feasible.

If the opponent is well-prepared before launching a strong attack, unexpected things can easily happen.

The third outpost is the furthest.

They have penetrated deep into the heart of the Land of Grass, diagonally opposite the second base, and are located closer to the Land of Waterfalls.

Moreover, because its influence extends across four countries—the Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Waterfalls—it is a crucial, large-scale hub.

More than two hours later.

Kakashi gazed at the distant "walls" and watchtowers, and whispered, "Retreat ten kilometers and rest."

The watchtower was filled with figures and flickering firelight, clearly indicating that this large stronghold was not "asleep".

It was already past midnight, making it even less suitable to launch a surprise attack.

Most importantly, although their physical injuries had been healed, the mental exhaustion had left the Shadow Guard in extremely poor condition.

"I don't know if it was someone from the first outpost who passed on the intelligence, or that guy called 'Hunter'," Yugao said, troubled.

"Anything is possible," Kakashi pondered. "We could fly here in a straight line, but the Earth Release techniques of the Iwagakure Jonin also cover a straight-line distance, and we can't rule out the possibility of a summoning beast relaying information!"

Qingwu suddenly realized, "No wonder."

That hunter was able to get back from the southern part of the Land of Fire so quickly.

"Then... what about the mission?"

Tianzang rarely spoke; it was a habit ingrained from his roots that made him very concerned about completing the task.

"I don't think we can drag this out for too long," Qingwu pondered. "With both strongholds destroyed, the Iwa ninja have already assessed our combat strength."

"!!" Yugao was stunned for a moment before realizing what was happening. "That's right. If we wait until tomorrow night to make our move, we'll likely be facing a large force from Iwagakure."

There must be a way to transmit intelligence between the outposts, and if a large number of Iwagakure reinforcements arrive, they will lose the possibility of completing their mission.

Qingwu glanced at the sky and said decisively:

"We must launch an attack before dawn, even if it's just a probing attack. We need to figure out the strength of this stronghold."

Kakashi thought for a moment and added:

"The Jonin will lead their troops into the Land of Grass to meet us after dawn. Let's give it a try. If it doesn't work, we'll retreat decisively."

Upon hearing this, Yugao looked at Kakashi in surprise.

There was a rumor within the Anbu that Kakashi was the most focused on completing missions, even if it resulted in the deaths of innocent people.

How come now...

Qingwu also realized that Kakashi... had really changed a lot and had started to care about his comrades.

"Take a rest, half an hour later—launch the attack!"

Kakashi didn't say anything more and closed his eyes.

Qingwu hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'm feeling alright, so... I'd like to give it a try first?"

The restorative effects of natural energy are clearly incomparable to those of chakra.

He's fine now, except for feeling a little sleepy.

Kakashi opened his eyes: "'Elephant,' what do you mean?"

Qingwu turned his head to look at the stronghold in the distance, which stood like a sturdy, earthen-yellow city between the mountain passes.

This is a core supply point of Iwagakure within the Land of Grass.

Unlike the previous medium-sized strongholds, this one actually had a "city wall"—a three-zhang-high earthen wall built against the mountain, with several watchtowers standing on top.

Just kidding, four people attacking such a "city"? Nobody would believe it if I told them. I don't know if the Third Hokage was testing him or what he was thinking.

"Since we can't avoid alerting them, why don't we let my summoned beast give it a try?" Qingwu said.

At that moment, he thought of one person... Sasori of the Red Sand!

It is said that the number one puppeteer in the ninja world once had the glorious feat of conquering an entire city single-handedly.

Qingwu felt that... if the Deadwood Guardian were also there, he could probably do it too.

The problem now is that the Drywood Guardian is stationed in the territory, and the highest level of Pegasus he can use is four Jonin-level Pegasus.

However, the losses of basic troops were no longer a big deal for him. He wanted to take advantage of the Iwa ninja's lack of preparation to see how much effect he could achieve.

"Summoning beasts..." Kakashi thought for a moment, then looked at the sky, and finally agreed:

"You are only allowed to use summoning beasts to test the Iwa ninja's defensive strength. If things go wrong, retreat immediately! We will provide backup!"

"Alright!" Qingwu stood up excitedly.