Chapter 111

Chapter 111

 Chapter 111: Tsunade and Orochimaru's Cursed Seal Forms

""Summoning Jutsu""

In a hilly terrain, three massive clouds of white smoke erupted simultaneously, followed by a chorus of excited shouts from Konoha's ninjas on the battlefield.

"Orochimaru! Calling me out again? This time I demand twenty sacrifices! Roar…"

As the smoke dissipated, the ferocious roar of the purple-scaled Manda echoed. Though it seemed to undermine its summoner, Orochimaru, standing atop Manda, didn’t mind in the least.

“Heh heh, Manda, there are plenty of sacrifices here. The battlefield is swarming with enemies. How much you can devour depends on your own strength.”

Orochimaru’s hoarse laugh carried across the battlefield as he gazed nonchalantly at the leader of Amegakure in the distance. To him, whether it was humans or summoned beasts, as long as they were valuable, he would indulge them, completely disregarding appearances.

“Jiraiya, this time our enemy is no simple foe. Hey, Jiraiya! What are you doing? Are you injecting me?!”

The toad Gamabunta, exhaling thick smoke with an air of dominance, suddenly flailed in protest as Jiraiya atop its head crouched down and administered an injection.

Jiraiya’s rare serious expression reflected in his low, steady tone, “Gamabunta, this enemy isn’t ordinary. This antidote was specially prepared by Tsunade herself!”

As the three summoning beasts made their dramatic entrances, Tsunade stood with arms crossed, gazing coolly ahead. Her voice was sharp and commanding:

“Katsuyu, prepare for battle!”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade!”

Unlike the ferocious Manda or the domineering Gamabunta, Katsuyu emanated a gentleness that starkly contrasted Tsunade’s fiery demeanor.

“Relay this to all Konoha ninjas: intercept Amegakure forces along the route; don’t cluster together!”

Tsunade’s cold orders reverberated as she directed the Konoha ninjas. Hanzo of the Salamander’s strategy was clear: draw enemy forces into one location, maximizing the effects of his poison techniques.

“Everyone, exercise caution. The antidotes don’t provide complete protection. Avoid inhaling too much poison mist.”

Though Tsunade’s voice was steady, her heart weighed heavily. Time had been too short; the antidotes she’d managed to produce were woefully insufficient.

“Let’s go!”

Jiraiya, full of fighting spirit, shouted as Gamabunta leapt high into the air. Watching the scene, Tsunade couldn’t help but mutter, “Idiot!”

But soon after, with roars from Orochimaru, Tsunade, and their Konoha allies, they all surged forward toward Hanzo of the Salamander.

The enormous salamander serving as Hanzo’s summon was a glaring target—no one could miss his location.

Under the darkened, stormy skies, lightning flashes illuminated the battlefield sporadically. The deafening sounds of thunder couldn’t overshadow the fierce clamor of thousands of battling ninjas.

**Elsewhere on the Battlefield**

“Divide and conquer! Don’t give the Ame-nin a chance to combine their Water Release techniques!”

Konoha ninjas knew full well how devastating Amegakure’s joint Water Release techniques could be—akin to natural disasters.

""Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!""

"Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets!"

From opposite flanks, Uchiha Yosuke and Uchiha Mikoto unleashed synchronized fireballs. Although Fire Release techniques were weakened in the rain, they required less chakra and were effective against vulnerable targets.

Despite Lightning Release’s superior destructive power, it consumed more chakra, making coordination, rather than brute force, essential in this war.

“Watch out! It’s Uchiha’s steel wires!”

Using the fireballs for cover, Yosuke and Mikoto expertly manipulated steel wires, binding eight Ame-nin in a web of deadly precision. In an instant, Kushina Uzumaki struck with a series of Wind Blades, sharp and swift like bullets.

**Water Release: Water Formation Wall!**

Two Ame-nin combined their efforts, erecting a massive water wall to shield their comrades. Others worked to sever the steel wires with ninja tools.

“Now’s the time!”

Seeing the opportunity, Yosuke shouted as he formed hand seals, unleashing a dazzling Lightning Release spear.

**Lightning Release: False Darkness!**

A piercing thunderclap followed as the lightning spear tore through the water wall. The two Ame-nin who had erected the barrier screamed in agony as electricity coursed through their bodies. The wall collapsed into a pool of water, leaving the other Ame-nin exposed.

Kushina’s Wind Release followed, tearing through their ranks and leaving the unfortunate Ame-nin riddled with bloodied holes.

The Konoha forces, bolstered by clan elites like the Hyuga and Aburame, dominated the battlefield. Their superior resources and unique bloodline abilities gave them a clear advantage.

However, despair drove the Ame-nin to reckless tactics. Severely wounded, some detonated explosive tags in suicidal attacks, attempting to drag Konoha ninjas down with them.

**Amidst the Chaos**

In a wooden house within a nearby town, a young Konan peeked nervously through the window as flashes of lightning illuminated the dark skies.

“The explosions are so loud… Is this war? Lord Yosuke, please come back safely!”

Beside her, Nagato nodded solemnly, “Konan, believe in Lord Yosuke. He’ll be fine.”

In another house, Yahiko stood resolutely among other children, watching the distant flashes of battle with apprehension and determination.

“Yahiko, will the war come here?”

“Don’t worry. We’ll become strong enough to protect everyone,” Yahiko replied, his voice brimming with conviction.

“Not just me. Together, we’ll surpass Lord Yosuke and become gods who bring peace to the world!”

Youthful dreams, however naive, often carry the seeds of unimaginable feats.

---

Back on the battlefield, Jiraiya gasped in shock as Tsunade and Orochimaru revealed the marks of cursed seals on their bodies, their power surging.

“When did you two learn this?!”

Faced with Hanzo’s overwhelming strength, even the combined might of the legendary Sannin seemed insufficient. With their summoning beasts retreating or spent, the battle hung in a delicate balance.

Tsunade and Orochimaru exchanged a determined look. “This ends now!”

The storm continued to rage, its thunder mirroring the ferocity of their struggle.