Chapter 16: The Clash of Tactics: The Water Dragon and the Byakugan
[Just as they were talking, a white line extended along the water flow toward them. When they looked closely, they found that it was actually a huge water dragon. Without thinking too much, it was definitely an attack from the enemy.]
[In this situation, Shion couldn't help but complain: "It's not fire, but a water attack! Your judgment is too outrageous!"]
["This kind of thing is irrelevant, let's go!"]
["Go to higher ground!"]
[Neji quickly ordered everyone to move toward a nearby cliff.]
["I had a feeling you would try to escape inside." Shizuku, who was controlling the water dragon in the distance, said in a tone that suggested she had expected this, and the attack followed closely, continuing to approach the group.]
[They escaped to a spacious flat area, where Neji and the others positioned themselves to protect Shion in the center: "We don't know which direction the attack will come from, let's surround Lady Shion for now."]
[At the critical moment, Shion was still complaining about Neji's tactical arrangement: "Really, what's the advantage of abundant water resources? I thought the most reliable one would be Neji, but now the future looks worrying."]
["Damn, my blood pressure is rising!"]
["If willfulness is a personality disguise from childhood experiences, then a sharp tongue must be my nature!"]
["Sometimes, disguises wear off after a long time, and the real personality shines through. We aren't robots; you can't split yourself into two completely different people."]
[Shion continued muttering about her stubbornness, but then Sasuke's response came: "Hmph!" His voice was sharp, and his eyes scanned the surrounding area. "Sasuke! You guy!" Shion's words were interrupted as she quickly spotted the enemy's location: "Found them, two people on the cliff, huh?"]
["That guy seems to be the one who used Fire Chakra when attacking the Land of Demons." Neji calmly analyzed the enemy's chakra. "As a Jonin, it's normal for him to use multiple chakra types, but the chakra leaking from his body shows no water chakra at all."]
["As expected, the Byakugan is really useful!"]
["You can find the enemy's position from a great distance, and even analyze the nature of their chakra. It's extremely helpful when it comes to tactical planning."]
["That's why the people from the Hidden Cloud Village tried to steal the Byakugan. Though they failed, it's easy to see why they wanted it."]
["Don't talk nonsense. When did our Hidden Cloud Village try to steal the Byakugan? It was Konoha who broke the treaty and killed us first!"]
["When it comes to shamelessness, it's you, Kumogakure!"]
["Damn Kumogakure! You killed Hizashi and still dare to say such things!"]
["What does this have to do with us? Blame your Third Hokage and the leader of the Hyuga clan for this."]
[Neji clenched his fists in anger after hearing those comments, his veins bulging as he glared at the screen. His murderous intent was palpable, making the others in the room uneasy.]
[Kai stepped in and calmed Neji down: "Calm down, Neji. Don't let those comments get to you."]
[Inside the Hyuga compound, Hiashi Hyuga clenched his fists tightly, his body tense, before lowering his head, clearly struggling with his emotions.]
["The enemy is on the opposite cliff," Naruto said, spotting the position. He immediately moved to rush over and take care of the attackers.]
["No, don't leave this area!" Neji stopped Naruto before he could move further, but it was clear that Naruto wasn't one to follow orders. "Why! Those guys are the ones controlling the dragon. I have to go!"]
[Ignoring Neji's command, Naruto charged forward, not looking back.]
[Lee, who was beside Neji, immediately said, "I can't let Naruto go alone. I'll go with him."]
[Watching Naruto and Lee rush off in an instant, Neji let out a helpless sigh: "Lee! Those two…"]
["Naruto really can't follow orders, can he?"]
["I guess Neji's about ready to give up."]
["Actually, dividing the team to stop the enemy is a tactical move! Naruto isn't entirely wrong here."]
["The problem is his lack of discipline! Naruto just doesn't listen to orders!"]
["Lee at least acted on his own, but now he's stuck cleaning up after Naruto."]
["I can already see the headache it's going to be to be their leader."]
[Kakashi, who hadn't been involved with the team for a while, nodded in agreement after seeing Naruto's actions on the screen.]
["Now we have no choice but to rely on those two," Sakura remarked, understanding her teammates' quirks well.]
[Shion looked at the two running off and made a disapproving face: "The one with thick eyebrows and the idiot."]
["Two have gone."] Setsuna and Kusu, both members of the Four, stood by, looking unfazed. "This will make it easier for us to move."
["They're coming." Yoshiyasu and Shizuku, who had drawn the group into the trap, observed Naruto and Lee's approach. "Seems so. You take care of the one using Taijutsu, and I'll deal with the orange-haired one with the Shadow Clones. Got it?"]
["Why not just kill them both together?" Yoshiyasu suggested, but he followed Shizuku's orders, rushing to intercept Lee.]
["The villains stick to the tactical plan, while the so-called 'heroes' don't follow orders and do their own thing. Please, this is a mission that could determine the fate of the world! Naruto, can you be a little more reliable?!"]
["What are 'hero' and 'villain' ninjas? They're just tools to complete the mission. Do you really think Konoha's ninja are the saviors of the world?"]
["Why is everyone so mad? Let's not talk about tools. The group from Huangquan wants to conquer the world, and as regular people, we stand with Naruto to stop them."]
["Aren't ninja supposed to obey orders? This shouldn't even be up for discussion."]