Chapter 73 - 73 (1/2)

Just like the Sand's, Konoha's camp was also prepared to fight.

Every one of Shalun's moves was being monitored by the Aburame's insects. After he returned to his camp, Ryo received the news and went straight to Sakumo's camp.

”Kid, you're finally here!” Jiraya also got the news, and was waiting in the tent for Ryo's arrival.

”Ryo, time is tight. Let's began the pre-battle meeting.

Ryo nodded. He, Jiraya and Sakumo started discussing their following steps.

At night, a team led by Jiraya placed Explosive Tags around the Sand's path to the battlefield

At the same time, Ryo set up some more hidden traps on the battlefield, most of them being Explosive Tags as well.

The two and their squad, with the help of the Aburame clan, quickly finished their task and returned to the camp.

The following day, the Sand didn't rush into the fight. They started checking their path for traps.

Ryo knew well that with Chiyo prudence, the Sand wouldn't send out their troops without doing such a check. He told Jiraya not to place traps on the Sand's route. Instead, they were hidden on the sides of the road, on piles of gravel surrounding a portion of the path through which many of the Sand Ninjas should cross.

And because they were fighting in the desert, the Sand should be really confident about the battlefield. But they shouldn't drop their guard, because Ryo has also left them a few big surprises.

Without Sensor Ninjas, after checking for traps, the Sand Ninjas found none. Ryo's plan was a success.

After confirming ”safety”, Rasa and Chiyo proceeded to action immediately, and the Kazekage ordered his troops to march forwards.

Rasa, Chiyo, the Ichibi Junchuriki Bunpuku, Pakura, Shalun, 5 elite Jonins, and over 10000 Ninjas were on the Sand's side.

On the other side, Konoha had Sakumo, Jiraya, Ryo, 6 Jonins and 6000 other Ninjas.

When it came to the stronger ones, Sakumo could take care of Chiyo, and Jiraya's Sage mode was enough to take care of Rasa. Ryo's was confident that he could handle the Pakura, Shalun and Shukaku with his with Tobirama's S class Jutsu [Hard Whirlpool Water Blade].

If this battle could take the lives of over 3000 of the Sand Ninjas, the hidden Rock would definitely look to seize the opportunity and declare war on the Sand. With that, all 4 enemy clans will have their forces scattered and there will be less pressure on Konoha.

On the Sand's side, over 10000 Ninjas were advancing to face their enemies, when they were hit from both sides by the rabble caused by the explosion of the hidden Explosive Tags.

Rasa's and Chiyo 's Faces looked heavy. The Kazekage stared at Hugo who was leading the investigation team. The latter felt the gaze behind him and didn't dare to turn around is he was all in cold sweat.

He was also extremely shocked. He didn't expect that Konoha's traps would not be layed out on the road itself. They were on the gravel piles were no one would normally go. Without Sensor Ninjas, he shouldn't have been able to find them.

Of course, he didn't dare to say this to Rasa. While he wasn't there on the battlefield, over 300 hundred of the Sand Ninjas were killed by the explosions, and the injuries also were numerous. He couldn't just avoid the responsibility.

Chiyo understood everything when she saw their Ninja being killed, and she was able to comprehend how Konoha lured them into this trap step by step.

And Rasa also was no fool. Seeing what was happening, he understood everything as well. But still, this battle was inevitable.