Konoha had never faced an overt and large-scale attack before. In all its history, wars had always been fought outside its borders, sparing the village from direct conflict. None of the other four great villages had ever managed to launch an attack directly on Konoha.
But today, the peaceful Konoha was about to face unprecedented turmoil.
Although the village had never experienced a full-scale invasion, its defenses were always a top priority.
A sensory barrier encompassed the entire village. The moment an enemy infiltrated, the Barrier Team would immediately detect it, triggering an instant response from Konoha's ninja. A direct invasion would mean immediate resistance.
Ye Zi and Orochimaru, having spent time in Root, knew how to evade the sensory barrier to enter Konoha. However, they had only identified two weak points for entry: one in the northeast and the other in the southwest.
Ye Zi chose the northeast entry point, which coincidentally led to the training grounds. Orochimaru's Edo Tensei forces, meanwhile, would enter from the southwest.
Sasori and Shin formed a separate team and were tasked with breaching the village directly through the front gates once the signal for the attack was given.
In the northeastern training grounds, Ye Zi's infiltration brought him face-to-face with an unexpected encounter: Kakashi, training in the woods.
It was a strange twist of fate.
When Kakashi saw Ye Zi, he was momentarily stunned. Ye Zi had appeared so abruptly that it caught him completely off guard.
While Kakashi hesitated, Ye Zi wasted no time. In a flash, he closed the distance and delivered a heavy kick aimed at Kakashi's abdomen.
Kakashi reacted just in time, hastily blocking the kick with his arm. The impact rang out with a dull thud, sending Kakashi flying backward like a cannonball. Luckily, he didn't crash into any trees but broke several branches as he was flung out of the forest. He managed to adjust his posture and landed roughly on the training ground.
His feet dug into the dirt, carving two long grooves into the ground. Glancing quickly at his left arm, which was concealed by his sleeve, Kakashi couldn't see the extent of the injury, but it was likely swollen and bruised.
At this moment, the rectangular training field still held several genin practicing. Seeing Kakashi suddenly hurtling out of the forest, they froze in shock.
As they stared at Kakashi in confusion, he barked sharply, "Get out of here now! Go alert the others and tell them there's an enemy invasion!"
The genin had no chance against someone like Ye Zi, not even for a single round. Staying would only mean certain death. The best option was to flee and warn the village.
Ye Zi appearing alone was already suspicious enough. This likely meant he wasn't the only one invading.
Hearing Kakashi's stern command, the genin scattered, rushing to spread the alarm about the enemy incursion.
At that moment, a massive serpent appeared among the buildings to the left. Its colossal body swung back and forth, toppling structures with loud crashes as dust and debris filled the air.
Terrified screams erupted from the fleeing civilians as they ran for their lives, trying to escape the monstrous creature.
The genin froze in fear, their bodies trembling uncontrollably as they stared at the giant snake. Having never experienced war, they were paralyzed by terror.
It was… Manda.
Kakashi's face darkened as he saw Manda wreaking havoc among the buildings. He had no time to worry about it, though. His focus remained on the forest, his expression grim and filled with killing intent.
Ye Zi emerged from the woods, walking slowly. His right hand rested on the hilt of his blade, Chijin, strapped to his back. As he fully stepped out into the open, he unsheathed the blade, holding it in his hand.
Kakashi alone wasn't enough of a threat to make him activate Sage Mode.
Kakashi's expression hardened as he gripped his short sword, holding it horizontally in front of him. The blade gleamed with chakra infused with Wind Release, crackling with bolts of Lightning Release coursing through it. This technique combined the power of wind and lightning.
"As the son of the White Fang, it's no surprise you know this move," Ye Zi remarked, observing the fused wind and lightning chakra on the blade. Lightning Release chakra surged across Kakashi's body, enhancing his speed and strength.
The reddish blade in Ye Zi's hand shimmered faintly with its own lightning-like energy.
"Die!" Kakashi growled, his anger flaring at the mention of his father. Despite his fury, his mind remained focused as he used Lightning Release to energize every cell in his body. His form blurred into a black shadow as he lunged at Ye Zi.
Kakashi had been defeated by Ye Zi several times in the past, they were decisive, crushing losses where he stood no chance. But this time, he aimed to glimpse victory.
This time, he wouldn't lose.
With the confidence of a charging bull, Kakashi closed the distance, displaying his determination.
Hatake Kenjutsu Style…!
Kakashi struck with precision, aiming his short sword at Ye Zi's vital points. Ye Zi parried effortlessly with his blade, though the force of Kakashi's strike clearly demonstrated his growth.
Sparks flew as the blades clashed repeatedly, the sharp sounds of metal striking metal echoing through the air. The wind generated by their strikes carved deep scars into the ground.
Every slash of Kakashi's sword released an invisible wind blade, striking Ye Zi. However, having encountered this technique before, Ye Zi was prepared. Whenever the wind blades targeted a spot on his body, his lightning armor would automatically fortify that area, nullifying the attacks.
To Ye Zi, Kakashi still lacked the skill of his father, Sakumo Hatake.
As the duel continued, Kakashi focused entirely on attacking, unable to gauge the effectiveness of his wind blades. Still, it was clear they had no effect on Ye Zi.
Suppressing his confusion and shock, Kakashi maintained a serious expression, his focus unwavering.
If Kakashi could observe how Ye Zi neutralized his wind blades, he might find a way to counter it. However, Ye Zi's unrelenting pressure demanded Kakashi's full attention, leaving him no room to analyze.
Though Kakashi's wind blades failed to harm Ye Zi, Ye Zi's lightning chakra also failed to paralyze Kakashi, just as it had been with Sakumo Hatake.
That said, Kakashi still lacked his father's strength. While his speed barely kept pace with Ye Zi, breaking through his defense would take more time.
Blades clashed in a whirlwind of sparks and wind.
Kakashi gritted his teeth, feeling the growing weight of the battle. The pressure mounted with each exchange, making it increasingly difficult to keep up. A faint sense of impending failure gnawed at him, though it wasn't yet certain.
In a one-on-one fight, controlling the rhythm was key to suppressing the opponent and gaining the upper hand.
While Kakashi felt on the verge of losing control, Ye Zi could already predict the outcome. He knew it was only a matter of a few more exchanges before he broke through Kakashi's defenses and landed a decisive blow.
This is the difference in strength!
Clang!
This was the moment!
Ye Zi's lightning-imbued long blade broke through Kakashi's short sword, driving straight toward his heart.
The attack came so suddenly that Kakashi's eyes filled with the glare of lightning. The overwhelming sense of danger froze his nerves, sending a chill throughout his body.
This is bad…!
Within the sparks of lightning, Ye Zi's expression remained cold. However, his eyes flickered slightly as if noticing something, though his blade did not pause for a moment.
A green figure darted in at lightning speed, delivering a swift kick that deflected Ye Zi's arm and neutralized the lethal strike aimed at Kakashi.
As the blade, Chijin, came within a hair's breadth of Kakashi, Ye Zi sensed an approaching presence moving at incredible speed. Even though he didn't abandon his killing intent, his attack was still thwarted.
His arm was kicked aside, but Ye Zi quickly suppressed the incoming force. He retaliated by striking the hilt of his sword at the green figure.
The figure, using the momentum of their kick, twisted mid-air, aligning themselves diagonally with Ye Zi. With a quick motion, they blocked the strike with their elbow.
Boom!
The impact sent a burst of wind rippling outward.
The green figure was forced back, taking Kakashi with them and creating distance from Ye Zi.
Relieved at being rescued, Kakashi exhaled softly and looked at the figure standing before him. In a quiet voice, he said, "Guy."
At the most critical moment, Guy had arrived to save Kakashi.
"Are you alright, Kakashi?" Guy stood tall and straight, his left hand resting on his back. His right hand, wrapped in white bandages, extended toward Ye Zi, palm facing upward.
A light breeze swept through, ruffling Guy's neatly trimmed dark hair. Beneath his thick brows, his unwavering eyes radiated an indomitable spirit as they locked onto Ye Zi with intense focus.
"The Blue Beast of Konoha, Might Guy, has arrived!"
Guy's expression was as unyielding as steel, and he stared at Ye Zi with a determined seriousness.
"Ye Zi Sensei!"
The title carried genuine respect, even though they now stood as enemies.
"You've grown, Guy," Ye Zi said, gazing at the resolute expression on Guy's face. With a touch of sentiment in his eyes, he raised his blade horizontally before him.
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Currently on Chapter 466 - The Valley of Clouds and Lightning