Just like the Sandâs, Konohaâs camp was also prepared to fight.
Every one of Shalunâs moves was being monitored by the Aburameâs insects. After he returned to his camp, Ryo received the news and went straight to Sakumoâs camp.
âKid, youâre finally here!â Jiraya also got the news, and was waiting in the tent for Ryoâs arrival.
âRyo, time is tight. Letâs 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 Sandâs 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 didnât rush into the fight. They started checking their path for traps.
Ryo knew well that with Chiyo prudence, the Sand wouldnât send out their troops without doing such a check. He told Jiraya not to place traps on the Sandâs 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 shouldnât 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. Ryoâs plan was a success.
After confirming âsafetyâ, 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 Sandâs 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 Jirayaâs Sage mode was enough to take care of Rasa. Ryoâs was confident that he could handle the Pakura, Shalun and Shukaku with his with Tobiramaâs S class Jutsu [Hard Whirlpool Water Blade].
The reason why Ryo and Sakumo have assassinated the Sensor Ninjas was to give the rest of their forces an advantage on the battlefield.
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 Sandâs 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.
Rasaâs and Chiyo âs Faces looked heavy. The Kazekage stared at Hugo who was leading the investigation team. The latter felt the gaze behind him and didnât dare to turn around is he was all in cold sweat.
He was also extremely shocked. He didnât expect that Konohaâs 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 shouldnât have been able to find them.
Of course, he didnât dare to say this to Rasa. While he wasnât there on the battlefield, over 300 hundred of the Sand Ninjas were killed by the explosions, and the injuries also were numerous. He couldnât 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.
He had to pretend to be un-phased, and he commanded his Ninjas to advance even more. They soon reached the battlefield.
âRyo san, the Sand have entered your trap.â The Hyuga Ninjas were monitoring the Sandâs advancement. They found that the Sand went over the pit on the battlefield and immediately reported that to Ryo.
âGood! Rasa, Chiyo, I hope youâll like my gift!â Ryo melted the ice he layed underneath the desert, and the Sand Ninjas fell into a pit full of explosive tags.
Ryoâs trap also took the live over 300 Ninjas. The battle hadnât started yet, and the Sand lost nearly 700 of their Ninjas.
âHaha! Kid is doing a great Job! Look at all of those Ninjas already dead and wounded! We have a great advantage this time!â Jiraya said, while laughing.
âI can only relax when we win this.â Said Ryo.
âDonât worry Ryo. the Sand Ninjas have lost their momentum, and over a fifth of their Ninjas are wounded. This time, weâll win!â
Sakumoâs words made Ryo feel a lot more relaxed. Even Sakumo, who was always calm and cautious, felt that their chances were much greater this time.
The Sand did not retreat, and Rasa ordered everyone to charge; Konoha did the same. Chiyo went straight to the one she hated the most, Sakumo, while Jiraya was against Rasa, as usual.
Ryo looked at Pakura heading his way accompanied by a large man that he didnât know. He entered the Ice-Lightning Chakra mode, and went on to face the two.
The Sand Ninjas still had a number advantage over Konoha. However, the traps really hit their morals, and about 2000 of them were injured by the explosions.
Of course, the wounded focused by Konohaâs Ninjas, giving them a great advantage.
Bunpuku was watching the situation on the battlefield, seeing the Sand beginning to lose. He felt that he had no choice. He had to use the [Feigning Sleep Justu] to let Shukaku come out.
âJiraya san, Shukaku is out!â
Ryo threw an Ice Scalpel in the direction of Shukaku and instantly teleported there. He did it three times to reach the beast. Jiraya also forced back Rasa and headed straight to where Ryo was.
âRyo Chan, Jiraya chan told me that you two have a way to suppress Jirayaâs actions. Whatâs your method?â asked Fukasaku.
âYouâll know right away!â Ryo kept him guessing, but Fukasaku didnât continue to ask. Jiraya was preparing to launch something big and he needed his support.
â[Hard Whirlpool Water Blade]â With the help of the Two Great Sages, Jiraya launched a Jutsu holding an immense amount of Senjutsu Chakra.
After the Water Blade became a Whirlpool, its pulling force brought by the high speed rotation was easily able to break through Shukakuâs ultimate defense. The beast that just had been released was wounded before it could do anything.
Kid, I can make this last about 20 minutes. The rest is up to you!â Right after he finished talking, Jiraya turned back and blocked an incoming attack from Rasa. The two continued their fight.
Ryo used his natural energy. Without affecting the rotation speed, he froze a portion of the Whirlpoolâs water, controlling its shape to turn it and blades.
That way, Ryo expects that the speed at which the blades cut through Shukakuâs body should be comparable to that of its regeneration with the desertâs sand. With that, it should be successfully restrained for the full 20 minutes of the whirlpoolâs lifespan.
âNow, as long as I can take care of Pakura and this big man within these 20 minutes, this war could be declared over.â