Grind is My Ninja Way

*Sizzle*

Water Release and Lava Release collided, creating a large amount of white mist.

At the edge of the battlefield:

Seimei fully activated his Sharingan, his gaze piercing through the white mist, watching the intense battle between Gamabunta and Roshi in the field, his mind racing.

In terms of power, pure Water Release definitely couldn't compare to Lava Release. In terms of chakra reserves, Gamabunta also couldn't compare to Roshi plus the Four-Tails.

However, Gamabunta, born in Mount Myoboku, possessed a large amount of senjutsu chakra.

As everyone knew, senjutsu chakra could amplify the power of ninjutsu.

Therefore, with its enhancement, the Water Release ninjutsu Gamabunta used was no weaker than the Lava Release ninjutsu Roshi used.

As for the difference in chakra reserves, it wasn't very crucial.

Why was that?

Firstly, Roshi was currently only in his Version 2 state and couldn't use all of the Four-Tails' chakra. This meant he couldn't gain an overwhelming advantage.

Secondly, Gamabunta was more agile and could often dodge Roshi's attacks by jumping, consuming less chakra.

Lastly, and most importantly, Namikaze Minato was also present on the sidelines. Roshi couldn't possibly drag the fight out until Gamabunta's chakra was exhausted.

Therefore, overall, as long as Gamabunta could withstand Roshi's frontal attacks, Roshi would undoubtedly lose unless he fully transformed into the Four-Tails.

Even if Roshi fully transformed, it wasn't certain that he would be a match for Gamabunta and Namikaze Minato.

Not to mention that Gamabunta was originally qualified to fight against tailed beasts, but Namikaze Minato himself hadn't even shown his full strength yet.

At the very least, he still had Sage Mode that he hadn't used. Once he activated Sage Mode, with his strength, directly confronting the Four-Tails wouldn't be a problem.

Moreover, he also had skillful sealing techniques, which were powerful tools against tailed beasts.

So, there was no reason for them to lose.

And the development of the situation was similar to what Seimei had predicted. Under the combined attack of Gamabunta's direct confrontation and Namikaze Minato's surprise tactics, Roshi soon showed signs of decline.

Initially, he could still launch continuous attacks.

But as time went on, the frequency of his defense started to increase, and now, it almost accounted for half of his actions.

If this continued, defeat was only a matter of time.

He might even become Konoha's first captured Jinchuriki if Iwagakure didn't send anyone to rescue him.

As he was thinking this, a familiar mental energy suddenly invaded Seimei's mind.

Then, a voice sounded, "Captain, there's movement on the Iwa ninja side. They seem to be planning to surround your area."

This voice was none other than Yamanaka Kiku, who had initially contacted him.

Hearing his words, Seimei glanced around. As expected, more and more Iwa ninjas were gathering at the edge of the battlefield, and there were obvious signs of them dividing into teams.

Undoubtedly, this was the prelude to an attack.

'No, I can't let them come over.'

Considering the possible rescue measures the Iwa ninjas might take, Seimei immediately made up his mind.

He ordered in his mind, "Kiku, immediately organize people to start clearing out those Iwa ninjas on the periphery."

"This..."

Yamanaka Kiku hesitated upon hearing this.

Seimei frowned slightly and asked directly, "Is there any problem?"

Yamanaka Kiku was silent for a moment, then hesitantly said, "Captain, just now when the Four-Tails Jinchuriki charged at the second line of defense, we suffered heavy casualties, so..."

Before he could finish, Seimei interrupted, "Didn't I tell you not to engage them head-on? Why didn't you listen?"

"Captain, it's not that we wanted to fight them head-on, but the opponent was too fast. Plus, with the other Iwa ninjas blocking us, we couldn't retreat."

Yamanaka Kiku said somewhat helplessly.

Hearing this, Seimei was silent for a moment, no longer dwelling on this issue, and instead asked, "How many people do you have left?"

"About sixty percent."

Yamanaka Kiku gave a percentage and then added, "But only a little over thirty percent can continue fighting. The rest are quite seriously injured."

'In such a short time, casualties have exceeded half. No wonder he was so hesitant to speak!'

Seimei thought to himself.

He glanced around, roughly estimated the number of Iwa ninjas, and then said directly, "Have the injured stay put. The rest, immediately execute the order. I will assist you."

"Yes, Captain!"

Hearing that Seimei would personally take action, Yamanaka Kiku immediately replied loudly.

The reputation of 'Ghost Sword' wasn't only famous among the Iwa ninjas; it was even more renowned among the Konoha ninjas.

Therefore, upon hearing that Seimei would personally take action, Yamanaka Kiku immediately had no more worries.

The Mind Transmission Technique disconnected, and Seimei took one last look at the battle between Roshi, Namikaze Minato, and Gamabunta in the field.

Then, he turned and left.

Seemingly noticing his movement, Namikaze Minato discreetly glanced in his direction.

Then, he swept his gaze across the increasing number of Iwa ninjas gathering around and looked at the direction Seimei was leaving in. He had already guessed what he was going to do.

So, he didn't pay much attention to it anymore.

...

At the same time.

On the other side.

Somewhere in the forest.

Nagashima Tomojiu asked a Tokubetsu Jonin beside him, "Are the other directions ready?"

Hearing this, the Iwa-nin Tokubetsu Jonin replied, "Several captains have just sent messages. They can all be in position within five minutes."

"Five minutes..."

Nagashima Tomojiu pondered for a moment, looked at the battlefield in the distance, and said, "Then we'll act in five minutes!"

"Okay, I'll inform the others right away."

The Iwa-nin Tokubetsu Jonin responded and was about to leave.

But at this moment, his expression suddenly changed. He hurriedly raised his right hand and tapped his temple, as if sensing something.

Nagashima Tomojiu noticed his abnormality but didn't rush to speak. He waited until he put his hand down before asking, "What happened?"

"There's movement from the Konoha ninjas. They... seem to be preparing to surround us. The troops are currently moving towards the outer perimeter."

The Iwa-nin Tokubetsu Jonin's expression was a bit strange.

Hearing his words, Nagashima Tomojiu was also taken aback and asked, "Do they have any reinforcements?"

"None detected so far."

The Iwa-nin Tokubetsu Jonin replied.

"Then on what basis are they surrounding us?"

Nagashima Tomojiu asked in confusion.

"I don't know."

The Iwa-nin Tokubetsu Jonin answered.

For a moment, both of them were a bit dumbfounded.

It was no wonder they were like this. Konoha's behavior was too illogical.

After the previous battle, they knew very well how much combat power Konoha had left here, far less than their side.

Now, without any reinforcements, they dared to disperse their forces for encirclement in this situation. It was simply seeking death!

Wait!

Nagashima Tomojiu seemed to have thought of something and hurriedly said to the Iwa-nin Tokubetsu Jonin beside him, "Quick! Check if Uchiha Seimei is still on the battlefield!"

Hearing this, the Iwa-nin Tokubetsu Jonin also seemed to have thought of something. His expression changed, and he immediately used his technique to sense.

However, after several breaths, he found nothing.

After a while, he put his hand down and said with an unsightly expression, "He has disappeared. I can't sense his presence."

...

(End of this chapter)