[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grind-is-my-ninja-way":3,"chapter-grind-is-my-ninja-way-grind-is-my-ninja-way-chapter-136":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Grind is My Ninja Way",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1481407,1929,"Chapter 136: Choice","grind-is-my-ninja-way-chapter-136",136,"\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of Iwagakure's last line of defense, the Third Raikage, enveloped in lightning and bare-handed, once again charged ahead alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing him were five Iwa-nin, all true Jonin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, these Iwa-nin didn't dare to clash head-on with the Third Raikage. They merely provided cover for each other, using various ninjutsu and combat techniques to contain him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire process was extremely dangerous. If their coordination faltered and the Third Raikage found an opening, it would result in severe injury or death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the five Iwa-nin present were all very tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially today, they had received secret orders to hold back the Third Raikage at all costs, ensuring he couldn't disengage from the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made them even more nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Raikage's gaze swept over the five, instinctively sensing something amiss, but he couldn't pinpoint the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were carefully selected Jonin. Although these five Iwa-nin were inwardly tense, they didn't show any outward signs of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even during the battle, there were no such indications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time ticked by, and the Third Raikage still couldn't find anything unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he stopped overthinking it. With a thought, he was about to unleash his full power, using absolute strength to dispel the lingering doubts in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third Raikage-sama, there's urgent intel. Please return to headquarters immediately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as he was about to make his move, a voice suddenly appeared in his mind. The Third Raikage knew who the owner of the voice was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was one of his subordinates who possessed a secret mind technique, capable of transmitting sound to any target within a certain range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But what does he mean by that? Urgent intel?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without time to ponder, the Third Raikage decided to disengage from the battle first and then quickly return to see what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had great trust in his subordinates, knowing they wouldn't interrupt his offensive rhythm unless it was an extremely urgent matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if they did, it meant the situation was definitely dire and required his personal attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this in mind, the Third Raikage forced back the surrounding five Iwa-nin Jonin with a few moves, then leaped, intending to break through the encirclement and return to the rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn't expect that as soon as he retreated, these five, despite the risk of being severely injured by him, would forcefully block his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Third Raikage finally realized what felt off earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the Iwa-nin he had encountered in the past few days, these five Iwa-nin Jonin were clearly more conservative in their fighting style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he was about to withdraw, they displayed unusual proactiveness, even willing to risk their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obviously, their behavior was contradictory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, this discrepancy wasn't obvious. The five would only stick to him like glue when he relaxed his offensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once he intensified his attacks, they would quickly revert to their conservative stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before this, he had been focused on attacking and hadn't paid much attention to this, so he only instinctively sensed something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he wanted to retreat, these people finally couldn't sit still, and the contradiction in their behavior was completely exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he finally realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the more it was like this, the more certain the Third Raikage became that there was a major problem at the rear. Otherwise, they wouldn't go to such lengths to keep him here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right, the Third Raikage had already seen through the purpose of their contradictory actions—to stall him on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'In that case, I can't stay here any longer.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, the Third Raikage roared, \"Get out of my way!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the words even left his mouth, he activated the strongest state of his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackling sounds filled the air as tangible lightning surged forth, forming a thick layer of armor around his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Third Raikage's 'Strongest Lightning Armor' in his full-powered state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, let alone ordinary weapons and ninjutsu, even Wind Release ninjutsu, which was the natural counter to Lightning Release, couldn't inflict the slightest damage on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Boom~*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Raikage's figure flickered, instantly vanishing from the sight of the five Iwa-nin Jonin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next moment, before two of the Iwa-nin Jonin could react, they were violently sent flying by the Third Raikage, losing their lives before even hitting the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining three Iwa-nin Jonin, seeing this scene, all stopped in their tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although their orders were to stall the Third Raikage, that was also based on the premise of having a chance of success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with his current strength, how could they possibly stop him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had no desire to throw their lives away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the Third Raikage let out a cold snort and left without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, 'Seimei', with his Three Tomoe Sharingan activated, watched the Third Raikage swagger away, shaking his head in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he dispelled the Shadow Clone Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Poof~*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cloud of chakra smoke dispersed, and 'Seimei's figure vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a relatively concealed cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seimei, who was cultivating, suddenly opened his eyes, then quickly closed them again, beginning to browse through the memories that had suddenly appeared in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, he opened his eyes again and muttered, \"It seems this battle is about to end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his omniscient perspective, he could easily deduce the cause and effect from the Third Raikage's actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wasn't mistaken, the Kumo-nin must have discovered Iwagakure's plot and informed the Third Raikage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why he was rushing back in such a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After learning that he was about to be surrounded, the Third Raikage had two choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first was to go all-in, continue the attack, and try to breach Iwagakure's last line of defense and charge into the village before the Iwa-nin's main force completed the encirclement, thus regaining the initiative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second was to retreat immediately, taking advantage of the fact that the Iwa-nin's main force hadn't yet formed a complete encirclement, and escape through the gaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former involved a time constraint. If they couldn't break into Iwagakure before the Iwa-nin's main force surrounded them, the Kumo-nin would face being attacked from both inside and outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was very likely to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Third Raikage was powerful, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, who was guarding Iwagakure, was no pushover either. His Dust Release ninjutsu wasn't something the Lightning Armor could completely nullify.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with the obstruction of the last line of defense, it was basically impossible for the Third Raikage to breach Iwagakure in a short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they were left with only the second option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But escaping wasn't that easy either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let's not even talk about whether they could find a suitable opportunity. Just the Iwa-nin on the current battlefield wouldn't let them leave easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this wave, the Kumo-nin were bound to pay a price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'So, what about me? Can I seize some benefits from this?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seimei pondered and quickly came up with a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undoubtedly, in the coming period, both the Kumo-nin and Iwa-nin would focus their attention on each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant he had more room to maneuver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seimei had no doubt that the upcoming situation would be chaotic. Kumogakure wouldn't let the Third Raikage stay behind as a rearguard from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, they would definitely try to escape together, even sacrificing some Kumo-nin to cover the retreat of the Third Raikage and the main force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the situation completely collapsed would the Third Raikage use himself as bait to stall the Iwagakure army, creating an opportunity for the other Kumo-nin to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even then, those Kumo-nin would still be pursued. After all, no matter how strong the Third Raikage was, he was only one person and couldn't possibly hold back an army of ten thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, this process was bound to be chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And chaos meant opportunity. He could totally take advantage of the situation to plunder chakra and accelerate his own growth.\u003C\u002Fp>",1346,"2026-06-06T03:30:41.618Z",1,"novelbin.me","5461134882b66deb50bcf7baa783ae9e0b697cad25d5790e9c96f58cf8d95e45","grind-is-my-ninja-way-chapter-137","grind-is-my-ninja-way-chapter-135",1097,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrind-is-my-ninja-way-cover.jpg"]