Chapter 58 - Meeting with Jiraiya (2/2)

I kept bullshitting about how I destroyed Tsunade, although it was nothing like I spoke. Jiraiya, at first, didn't believe me, but after confirming I really did had a fight with Tsunade, he started to worry.

I definitely didn't want to fight Jiraiya currently. My current object was to find my squad and Shuji, not fighting with every freaking Konoha S-rank shinobi.

This tactic worked because Jiraiya's kindness to care about his teammates, and Tsunade was his lover? But I knew these bullshits won't ever work on Orochimaru. Luckily, Orochimaru was not here.

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Boss and I kept searching and finally found Gari and Shuji together. They were fighting against 10 Ame shinobi. Boss Eagle roared and sent shockwaves at them, immobilizing them successfully.

I jumped down from Boss and slashed all enemies with now my only buŧŧerfly sword.

”Genji!! Thanks for helping us.” Gari looked happy to see me. Gari's uniform was tattered, and his hair was pretty messed up. It seems like Gari also went through a lot of fights and troubles.

”Hey, Genji! You really save us there. Is that giant bird you summoning?” Shuji asked me. This was the first time he is seeing Boss Eagle, and he was a bit excited to see an actual summoning animal.

”Yea, he is my summoning. You can call him Boss.”

”Woah! Can he speak? What abilities does he have?” Shuji asked a series of questions.

”Look, Shuji. We don't have time for that. You can ask that after this battle. For now, hop on the Boss. After finding Gin and Kan, we would get out of this place.” I spoke to them.

But unexpectedly, Shuji refused me.

”Why are we running away? Tsuchikage-sama didn't give us a retreat order. Genji, are you telling us to ditch the battlefield? There is no way I would do that. My dad is fighting hard, and I can't shame him.”

”Shuji, do you even understand the current situation? We are losing!! At this rate, all of us won't make it alive. A while ago, I met your dad. He asked me to take care of you, and I won't let you die here. So hurry up and get on the Boss!!”

I tried to persuade Shuji, but he just didn't listen. Gari then started to refuse me too.

”Genji. I know you are trying to save our squad and Shuji. But did you forget the consequences of ditching the battlefield? Last time we ditched, I was glad that it was Captain Ishika who forgave us. But do you think Tsuchikage-sama will forgive us?”

Shuji couldn't ditch because of their useless and high pride, while Gari was scared of consequences. But Gari's reason made sense. After listening to Gari, my brain kind of agreed with Gari's reason.

I sat down and started to think carefully.

If we exclude ditching, then the only way for Iwa shinobi to survive this battle was to make Onoki give retreat order.

'Why is Onoki not ordering for a retreat? No matter how stubborn he is, he is not someone who chooses his pride over Iwa shinobi. Onoki should be seeing the grim situation clearly more than any of us. Maybe he wants to retreat, but has no messenger to relay his order.'

”Okay, Gari. Here are several Chakra pills. I want you and Shuji to go find Gin and Kan. They might be in danger and need you guys' help. I will go to Tsuchikage-sama and persuade him to retreat.”

”Okay, good luck!” Gari agreed.

I hopped on to Boss Eagle and went on to find Onoki.