shadow hokage dark moon

Chapter 48: Heavenly Transfer Technique

In the secret chambers of Kumogakure and Iwagakure, the high-ranking officials of the two villages were carefully devising a strategy to eliminate Uchiha Tsukiko.

Both Third Raikage A and Third Tsuchikage Onoki understood that if they wanted to kill Tsukiko, they first had to deal with Sakumo Hatake, one of Konoha's strongest shinobi.

"The strength of Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, is extraordinary," Raikage A said gravely. "He alone is equivalent to an entire squad of elite ninja. If we don't separate him from Tsukiko's team first, an ambush will be nearly impossible."

Tsuchikage Onoki nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Directly confronting him is too risky. The best option is to teleport him away from the battlefield, then concentrate our forces to eliminate Tsukiko."

They decided to use Kumogakure's secret technique—the Heavenly Transfer Technique.

This high-level space-time ninjutsu allowed them to forcibly teleport a target to a predetermined location. If they could remove Sakumo from the battle, Tsukiko's team would lose its strongest protector.

"The Heavenly Transfer Technique is powerful, but using it without alerting Tsukiko's team will be difficult," Raikage A remarked. "We need our best operatives to conceal themselves and avoid detection by Yamanaka Chinatsu's sensory abilities and Hyuga Ayane's Byakugan."

The final plan was set.

Kumogakure would dispatch three elite jōnin, skilled in stealth and special techniques, to ambush Sakumo Hatake while avoiding detection.

Once Sakumo was teleported away, the remaining forces would signal the main ambush team—over a hundred ninja, including twenty elite jōnin—to surround and eliminate Tsukiko's team.

Both Kage believed that with this level of preparation, Tsukiko would have no chance of survival.

To ensure the mission's success, Kumogakure and Iwagakure utilized the black market to track Tsukiko's movements.

Unbeknownst to them, the Root Division in Konoha, under Danzo's orders, had already provided key intelligence to the enemy.

Meanwhile, Kumogakure's three elite jōnin were making their final preparations.

These operatives were experts in space-time ninjutsu and stealth, and they studied Chinatsu's sensory techniques and Ayane's Byakugan in advance, devising countermeasures.

They knew that Chinatsu could detect chakra fluctuations, and Ayane's Byakugan could pierce through most forms of concealment.

To evade detection, they relied on advanced sealing techniques and special chakra suppression methods.

Tsukiko's team continued traveling, chatting casually along the way.

Hyuga Ayane, looking hesitant, finally spoke.

"Tsukiko, I activated my Byakugan earlier and noticed a few ANBU ninja in the distance. It feels like… they might be following us."

Tsukiko frowned, trusting Ayane's judgment but unsure of the situation.

"ANBU? Are you sure they're tailing us and not just on another mission?"

Ayane nodded, though she seemed uncertain. "I'm not completely sure. It might just be a coincidence that we're traveling in the same direction."

Tsukiko pondered for a moment.

Although he found it odd, he decided not to act hastily.

"Maybe it's nothing. ANBU frequently carry out missions outside the village, and sometimes their paths overlap with ours. Let's stay cautious."

Ayane nodded, though her unease remained.

Little did they know, these so-called "ANBU" were actually Root operatives, secretly tracking their movements under Danzo's orders and relaying their location to Kumogakure and Iwagakure.

At the same time, Kumogakure's three elite jōnin had positioned themselves along Tsukiko's route.

Using advanced concealment techniques, they successfully avoided detection by both the Byakugan and sensory abilities.

As Tsukiko's team entered a narrow mountain pass, the three jōnin struck instantly.

The Heavenly Transfer Technique was activated.

Sakumo Hatake sensed the spatial disturbance, but it was too late.

The powerful space-time force enveloped him, and before he could react, he was forcefully teleported away.

As he vanished, his heart sank.

"Damn it! They weren't targeting me… they were after Tsukiko's team!"

Even as he struggled to break free, the overwhelming force of the space-time technique ripped him away from the battlefield, sending him to an unknown location.

During the teleportation, the violent spatial distortions injured him, making his return more difficult.

His mind raced.

"I need to get back—fast! Tsukiko and the others are in serious danger!"

Meanwhile, Tsukiko, Ayane, and Chinatsu watched in shock as their teacher disappeared before their eyes.

A deep sense of foreboding filled Tsukiko's chest.

He immediately assumed a defensive stance, his instincts screaming that something was terribly wrong.

"Ayane, Chinatsu—scan the area immediately! We're in danger!"

Ayane activated her Byakugan, her eyes rapidly scanning the surroundings.

Moments later, her expression turned pale.

"Tsukiko, I see over a hundred enemy chakra signatures surrounding us! Many of them have chakra levels on par with jōnin!"

Chinatsu also used her sensory technique and gasped.

"She's right! We're completely surrounded! This is a premeditated ambush!"

Tsukiko's mind raced.

They had just lost Sakumo, and now they were facing overwhelming numbers.

"This isn't just an ordinary mission—this is an assassination plot!"

Then, he remembered Ayane's earlier warning about the ANBU following them.

Connecting the dots, he realized the truth.

"Danzo…"

A cold fury rose within him.

Danzo had always hated the Uchiha, and now, he had orchestrated this betrayal, using the enemy to eliminate him from the shadows.

He clenched his fists.

"That bastard used us as bait!"

But there was no time for anger—only action.

"We have to escape! Retreat toward Konoha immediately!"

"We can't fight them head-on!"

Ayane and Chinatsu nodded firmly, trusting Tsukiko's judgment.

They quickly prepared themselves for a desperate breakout.

Tsukiko took a deep breath, his mind completely focused.

This was a life-or-death battle.

One wrong move and they were finished.

"Let's move!"

At his command, the three of them rushed toward Konoha, fighting to break through the encirclement.

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