Naruto: Hyuga Warlord

"There are likely three Sunagakure ambush units ahead, each containing between twelve to twenty-one shinobi," Yechame Hamako said, pulling out a map and briefing the intelligence obtained from interrogating the Yamanaka Jonin. "Also, the attacking force from Suna numbers around seven hundred shinobi, but our Advancing Unit's base has already been captured."

Although Hyuga Soushu's frenzied behavior was somewhat unsettling, there was no denying his combat prowess—that was what truly gave a ninja face on the battlefield, especially in the current battle-ready state. Therefore, Yechame Hamako exercised extreme patience in trying to guide the clearly battle-thirsty Hyuga Soushu as their vanguard reinforcement.

After all, the elite shinobi he now commanded were all drawn from his First Squad. If they were wiped out, his personal Ninja Force would effectively be destroyed!

And what mattered most for an experienced Jonin?

Wasn't it having direct control over one's own Ninja Force?

While his superior officer wished to return to Konoha, Maki's ambitions weren't that grand—he only hoped to become the successor of the Western Border Forces.

Therefore, whether it was earning military achievements or preserving strength, Maki wanted both—he aimed to grab both with both hands!

"Just tell me if we need reinforcements or not!"

Hyuga Soushu, already worked up by the sight of enemy heads, cut straight through Maki's lengthy explanation.

"That definitely is needed!" Maki shot back decisively.

Then he quickly added, "Of course, this all depends on whether there's still something worth fighting for."

"Then what are we waiting for!" Soushu urged again impatiently. "Didn't your interrogation reveal three ambush locations? Why don't we counter-ambush them and wipe them out!"

"That makes sense, but the Advancing Unit is currently retreating in good order, so we don't have to"

Maki seemed partially convinced yet hesitant.

Actually, it wasn't that he didn't want to save them—it was just that reinforcements needed careful planning. Most importantly, he couldn't afford to risk losing his own shinobi forces.

"If we can eliminate those three ambush Suna units quickly, wouldn't the retreat of the Advancing Unit go more smoothly?"

Soushu coaxed persuasively.

"That's true!" Maki nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

"And once we wipe out those Suna ambush units, won't rescuing the Advancing Unit be much easier?" Soushu continued earnestly.

"Jonin Soushu, scion of a powerful clan as you are, sure sees things clearly!" Maki immediately responded with an exaggerated look of realization, playing along naturally.

After all, they were all Jonin—knowing how to play their roles was only natural.

Thus, after carefully comparing maps and engaging in deep tactical discussion, based on collective decisions made by the senior Jonin officers present, the reinforcement unit adjusted their operational objectives appropriately according to current circumstances. Maki smoothly proposed a twelve-word strategy: "Tie up enemy forces, seize key points, destroy instead of merely reinforcing." The Jonin assembly voiced strong approval for the plan.

Certainly, as the reinforcement unit, they still needed to express concern for the rescue target — the Advancing Unit, so the Jonin unanimously decided to release communication ninja hawks to establish contact with the remnants of the Advancing Unit.

Before making formal contact, though, they'd stick to the reinforcement unit's pace and methodically dish out as much damage as possible to the despicable Sunagakure forces.

"That's settled then!"

Yechame Hamako threw a kunai into the area marked on the map as the Sunagakure ambush zone, savagely declaring: "March forth! No prisoners in this battle!"

"Victory assured!"

The assembly of Jonin raised their arms together in a rallying cheer, then waved their hands broadly and led their subordinates into action.

"Jonin Soushu, we're counting on you from here on!"

Yechame Hamako earnestly added.

"No problem!"

Hyuga Soushu licked his dry lips and nodded, his bloodshot eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Eradicate them all!"

After stomping his foot, Hyuga Soushu immediately Body Flickered forward, once again leading at the front of the reinforcement unit.

"Suddenly picked up the pace—what's going on?"

Even experienced Jonin Yechame Hamako couldn't help but twitch his eyebrows, feeling rather incredulous.

In his opinion, the speed of Hyuga Soushu's Shifting Body Technique and the Body Elevating Art seemed to have increased by nearly one fifth after the previous battle.

"Could pushing oneself to the brink really be that effective?"

Yechame Hamako recalled a martial breakthrough through desperate combat theory long circulated among martial faction ninjas, which he had never taken seriously before.

"Hmm, I'll give it a try next time when it's safer."

Although Yechame Hamako indeed wanted progress, he relatively preferred advancing more securely, so after hesitating briefly, he gave up on replacing Hyuga Soushu as the vanguard.

Of course, it wasn't that experienced Jonin Yechame Hamako was afraid of battle—it was just that he carried greater command responsibilities. At least, that's how he saw it, and believed wholeheartedly.

[Power Strike!]

[Jumping Slash!]

With intelligence gathered from interrogation guiding him, Hyuga Soushu easily found the second group of hidden enemy ninjas.

Still starting with the WQ combo, Hyuga Soushu was the first to rush into the Sunagakure ninja's hidden formation!

This time though, he was slightly more cautious, so before entering the Sand Hidden ambush zone, those Sunagakure ninjas hiding attentively among stone forests and gravel remained completely unaware.

But after Hyuga Soushu successfully eliminated two Sunagakure Chunin with his combo attack, even if these Sunagakure hidden units had the worst attention possible, they couldn't possibly miss the Leaf ninja's presence anymore.

"Enemy attack!"

The disturbed Sunagakure Jonin immediately shouted orders: "Just one person—kill him!"

Undeniably, the Sunagakure ninjas' response speed was very prompt. Even when encountering such a sudden assault, the ten surviving Sunagakure ninjas still swiftly leaped from their respective hiding places, slightly adjusting their formation midair before launching fierce jutsu and weapon attacks toward Hyuga Soushu!

[Counter Storm!]

Hyuga Soushu let out a low shout, simultaneously executing a body flicker retreat while raising a Wind Barrier to block the concentrated attacks from the Sunagakure ninjas!

This time, even the chakra splash damage from mid- to low-level ninjutsu had been significantly reduced thanks to his magic-resistant cloak—provided, of course, that the skill [Counter Storm] first blocked the direct impact damage from their techniques.

As for those crude ninja tools like poisoned needles, shuriken, and kunai, they couldn't even scratch him.

"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

However, just as the Sunagakure ninja were preparing to launch another attack against Hyuga Soushu—who had seemingly emerged unscathed—a Konoha reinforcement unit led by Yechame Hamako suddenly struck from close range. Dozens of premeditated combined wind and fire element ninjutsu blazed through the sky toward the Sand ninja who had just landed.

"Damn it!"

A Sunagakure jonin was taken aback and immediately bit his finger, slamming it onto the ground.

"Summoning Technique!"

The Sand jonin hastily summoned a giant sand lizard to act as a shield.

But this desert beast lasted barely a second before the ferocious combined techniques shattered it into pieces—leaving no time to cancel the summoning technique or attempt to escape.

Thanks to this brief interference, only two chuunin at the edge of the blast zone were obliterated, while the rest of the Sunagakure ninja, though a bit battered, remained relatively unharmed.

"We're—"

The Sand jonin, who had successfully used his summon as cannon fodder, exhaled in slight relief and prepared to issue further commands to turn the tide.

[Flash!]

Suddenly, a figure appeared behind him.

[Crescent!]

Hyuga Soushu's massive torch pole came crashing down, smashing straight into his skull with devastating force!

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