With Qin Yi's orders issued, the vast forest was immediately set into motion by the Shinobi teams.
The primary routes connecting to the outside world were swiftly sealed off, while the borders of the forest and the Nation of Qin were heavily fortified by an overwhelming number of troops.
At this moment, six thousand Shinobi spread across the entire forest, ensuring no gaps in their defense.
In the northwestern region of the Qin Forest, a four-man team cautiously advanced, moving steadily toward the Nation of Qin.
"Captain Kakuzu, another team has been discovered. The situation is getting worse." A young Shinobi, his face concealed by a black cloth, spoke quickly in a hushed tone.
"Ignore them. Keep moving forward. As long as we secure the Seven-Tails, the mission is a success. The other team is just a diversion. We are the ones truly carrying out the mission." Kakuzu's eyes narrowed as he spoke in a deep, measured voice.
"Understood!" The four-man squad responded in unison, quickening their pace rather than slowing down.
About five minutes later, the Shinobi responsible for detecting chakra fluctuations suddenly tensed, his expression shifting.
"Captain Kakuzu, this is bad! We've been discovered. A large enemy force is ahead."
"Push through their defenses. We're close to the heart of the Nation of Qin."
Kakuzu decided after a brief pause.
The sensor-nin felt a pang of unease. He had sensed a large number of enemies, and the situation seemed far more difficult than anticipated. But before he could voice his concerns, the others had already surged forward.
"Enemies sighted!"
"Relay the message, intruders have appeared! Initiate encirclement immediately!"
"Prepare for battle! No one escapes!"
Shouts rang through the dense forest.
Kakuzu and his squad narrowed their eyes, their gazes cold and murderous. Ahead, faint silhouettes were already emerging from the trees.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Kunai whizzed through the air, dozens of them hurtling toward the intruders in an instant.
"Scatter!"
Kakuzu barked the command, and the four instantly dispersed, weapons at the ready, scanning their surroundings warily.
These enemies were skilled. Within moments, more than a dozen Shinobi had already sealed off their escape routes, tightening the encirclement.
"We fight through!"
With resolute expressions, the four showed no hesitation and charged forward.
Each of them was a Jōnin, their speed and strength at their peak. In the blink of an eye, they closed the distance and engaged the Shinobi of the Nation of Qin.
Their movements were precise and lethal, Palm Techniques executed with ruthless efficiency. Within moments, the first wave of defenders collapsed, their throats slit before they could even counterattack.
"We broke through!" Kakuzu's eyes gleamed, a cold smirk playing at his lips.
Just a bunch of Chunin thought they could stop him?
However, before he could savor the victory, the bodies of the fallen Shinobi suddenly erupted into white mist with a sharp "bang!"
"Shadow Clones?!"
Kakuzu's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Impossible! These were just Chunin!"
Not to mention, wasn't the Shadow Clone Jutsu exclusive to Konoha? How could the Shinobi of the Nation of Qin use it?
Before they could process the shock, the very ground beneath their feet exploded as concealed enemies burst out from the shattered branches and underbrush.
"Die!"
Caught off guard, two of Kakuzu's men barely had time to react before Kunai pierced their faces and chests. Blood splattered, staining the forest floor.
Kakuzu and the sensor-nin barely managed to execute a series of flips, retreating back to their starting position.
"The caliber of these Shinobi is impressive..."
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, his expression turning grim.
As they sized each other up, the enemy Shinobi remained eerily silent, making no immediate move.
"They're waiting for reinforcements. We need to break through now, Captain!"
The sensing Shinobi warned in a low voice.
"I know!"
Kakuzu's eyes flashed with determination. He crouched slightly, taking a deep breath. Then, without hesitation, his hands blurred through a rapid sequence of seals.
"Doton (Earth Release): Earth Flow Sand Technique!"
"Suiton (Water Release): Great Waterfall Technique!"
"Raiton (Lightning Release): Lightning Earth Walk!"
In one fluid motion, he unleashed three high-level techniques simultaneously. The sheer power of the combined jutsu was devastating, trees shattered under the torrent of water, the ground trembled from the earthen surge, and crackling lightning arced wildly, illuminating the battlefield with bursts of white-hot energy.
"Scatter!"
The Qin Shinobi's expressions shifted as they quickly leaped away to avoid the onslaught.
"Move!" Kakuzu barked.
The massive force of his attack tore open a gap in the encirclement, presenting a rare opportunity to escape.
Without hesitation, the four-man team regrouped and dashed toward the exit.
"The Takigakure (Village Hidden by a Waterfall) must obtain a Bijū (Tailed Beast)," Kakuzu thought as he sprinted forward. "Among the great nations, the Nation of Qin seems the easiest to exploit."
The dense forest thinned, and in the distance, the outlines of buildings emerged, they were close.
Suddenly,
"Buzz!"
The air itself seemed to tremble, sending an unsettling vibration through Kakuzu's entire body. His pupils contracted in alarm.
"Bang!"
A deafening impact erupted beside him. A shadowy figure shot forward like a missile, slamming one of his teammates into a tree. Blood sprayed from the Shinobi's mouth as the wood splintered on impact.
Kakuzu barely flinched before another voice rang out,
"Enemy attack!"
The sensing Shinobi shouted in urgency.
Kakuzu snapped his gaze ahead just in time to see three figures descending from the treetops, hands forming seals at blinding speed.
"Dodge!" he roared, leaping backward.
"Hyōton (Ice Release): Willow Prison!"
"Yōton (Lava Release): Molten Fire Barrage!"
A bone-chilling frost surged through the air, immediately followed by a searing wave of molten rock, distorting the atmosphere with violent temperature shifts.
"Crack!"
"Boom!"
Two more of Kakuzu's team were caught in the ambush. One was impaled by razor-sharp ice, while the other was struck mid-air, plummeting to the ground engulfed in flames.
Only two remained.
A voice rang out from the canopy above, calm, commanding.
"Shinobi of the Takigakure (Village Hidden by a Waterfall), you cannot escape."
Kakuzu landed on a nearby branch, his eyes narrowing as he looked up. A figure in a flowing cape and straw hat stood before him, exuding an overwhelming presence. Around them, more figures emerged from the shadows, sealing off all possible routes.
"QinKage."
Kakuzu recognized him instantly.
Qin Yi studied the infamous rogue Shinobi before him, confirming his identity.
"Kakuzu of the Takigakure (Village Hidden by a Waterfall)."
Kakuzu chuckled, though his grip on his Kunai tightened.
"I didn't expect to be recognized by the esteemed QinKage. It is truly an honor."
Qin Yi remained unfazed.
"Names mean nothing to me." His voice was cold. "From this moment on, your life is no longer yours."
The weight of those words sent a ripple of tension through the air. Kakuzu had seen the fighting capability of these Shinobi. With their numbers growing, his chances of escape were rapidly dwindling.
"So, this is where I meet my end?" he mused silently. His expression hardened as his eyes flashed with defiance.
"However, if you think the mere Nation of Qin can contain me, you are gravely mistaken!"
At the same time, Qin Yi's voice rang out once more.
"Then answer me, will you surrender, or…"
His gaze sharpened.
"Will you die here?"
(End Of This Chapter.)
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