"After all that effort, two of them actually got away?" Tōka let out a heavy breath, jumped onto the shore, and dropped down onto the ground.
The female ninja had escaped with Baki, while Jonin Miyano had been struck by the ash bones alongside the male ninja while protecting him.
Because of the nature of the All-Killing Ash Bones, there was no such thing as "cleaning up the battlefield" in Tōka's fights.
So, Tōka shifted his gaze to the other side of the oasis.
Killing amid "silence" was even more dangerous and terrifying.
"I didn't really feel it just now, but now..." Tōka narrowed his eyes, sensing the powerful killing intent weaving through the air. A faint unease stirred in his heart.
Clang!
A crisp collision rang out.
Tōka's stunned mind instantly cleared.
"Something's wrong. It makes sense for that Puppet Master Jonin to fight from a distance with puppets." A trace of doubt flashed through Tōka's eyes. "But the other three don't seem to be planning to fight Sakumo Hatake to the death."
Could it be...
Tōka's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding rose within him.
Buzz!
Having recovered a little, Tōka gathered chakra and sent it surging outward.
Chakra Sensory Technique!
Though it could not compare to the Byakugan or Mind's Eye of the Kagura, it could still detect nearby activity.
With Tōka's current strength, sensing within a kilometer was no problem.
"As expected! Someone's approaching! Such powerful chakra!"
A grave look clouded Tōka's eyes. Anyone appearing at this time and in this place could not possibly be from Konoha.
Their operation had been carried out in secret. Before the Cat-faced man and Dog-faced man returned to Konoha Main Camp, no one could possibly have known.
Jiraiya and Tsunade might have known, but they definitely would not have led a team here.
"Captain, they're stalling for time!" Tōka grew anxious and shouted loudly.
That shout alerted the Sunagakure Shinobi fighting in the distance that Tōka had already dealt with a standard four-man squad.
At once, killing intent surfaced in the Puppet Master's eyes. He controlled a grotesque-looking monster and charged toward Tōka.
Tōka's expression changed slightly. He was exhausted right now and could barely move.
Trying to dodge quickly would practically kill him!
"An opening!" At that moment, Sakumo Hatake seized the opportunity.
Bang!!
With a heavy kick too swift to react to, he sent the Jonin entangled with him flying.
Then, he used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside the Puppet Master.
The white short blade in his hand flashed coldly as it stabbed down hard!
"This is bad!"
"Save him!"
The two Sunagakure Jonin protecting the Puppet Master cried out in alarm and rushed toward Sakumo Hatake.
Puppet Masters specialized in poison and puppet control, while their own combat ability was weak.
Especially against a Kage-level killing god like Sakumo Hatake, close combat was no different from Tōka facing Sakumo Hatake—it meant being killed in an instant.
One Sunagakure Shinobi wielded a tachi and rushed forward.
Though he was not as fast as Sakumo Hatake, his full-force slash already threatened him.
If Sakumo Hatake forcibly drove the White Fang blade into the Puppet Master's body, the exposed back of his body would also be struck by the tachi-wielding Jonin.
Suddenly! A shocking change occurred!
A flash of silver streaked across the field. Sakumo Hatake spun and thrust instantly with the White Fang blade, driving its sharp edge directly into the tachi-wielding Jonin's chest.
"Urgh... cough... You were targeting me from the beginning?!" Blood sprayed from the tachi-wielding Jonin's mouth as he spoke. He could feel his life slipping away.
The figure before his eyes was growing darker and darker...
Pfft!!
Sakumo Hatake struck quickly, but withdrew his blade even faster.
With another Body Flicker Technique, he left the spot. The attacks of the two Jonin coming from behind instantly missed.
Meanwhile, the terrified Puppet Master hurriedly recalled his puppet, naturally removing the threat against Tōka.
"As expected of Konoha's White Fang. His combat experience is incredibly sharp." Tōka silently gave him a thumbs-up. Only now did he understand.
It was not that Sakumo Hatake did not want to end the battle quickly. He was conserving chakra and avoiding injury.
The Puppet Master's puppets protected the tachi-wielding Jonin in close combat, while the other two Jonin protected the Puppet Master.
The four supported one another in a tightly linked formation. They were not trying to defeat Sakumo Hatake, only to stall for time.
With Sakumo Hatake's strength, breaking the deadlock was only a matter of time.
If this had been within the Land of Rivers or the Land of Fire, Sakumo Hatake would have ended the battle long ago regardless of chakra consumption.
But he had no choice but to hold back, because this was within the Land of Wind!
A white blur flashed past, and Sakumo Hatake disengaged from the battle and appeared beside Tōka.
"Looks like I helped you indirectly after all!" Tōka tilted his head up at Sakumo Hatake.
"Get up. Whoever's coming is strong. I may not be able to watch over you." Sakumo Hatake stared intently toward the southeast, his voice filled with cold killing intent.
Tōka curled his lips. Why did it feel like he could no longer cling to this thick thigh?
Still, he stood as instructed. After sitting for a while, he felt even more tired!
The first burst of effort was strong, the second weaker, and by the third, one was exhausted.
That was exactly Tōka's state. He was fine without resting, but once he rested, he did not want to get back up.
"Later, stand farther away." Sakumo Hatake naturally noticed Tōka's condition and frowned.
"You're going to fight one-on-one? That's perfect!" Tōka's tone immediately brightened as he flashed backward.
He moved so quickly that even Sakumo Hatake clicked his tongue in amazement.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!
Four figures flashed into the battlefield. The person leading them was none other than Sunagakure's advisor, Chiyo!
Behind her came fellow advisor Ebizo, along with two other Sunagakure Shinobi.
"White Fang! Die!" The instant Chiyo saw Sakumo Hatake, she threw all reason to the wind.
She grabbed with both hands, and two scrolls rolled from her sleeves into her palms.
Puff! Puff!
Two clouds of white smoke rose, revealing a male and female humanoid puppet.
Though they were mechanically assembled, in the hands of the puppet grandmaster Chiyo, they moved as flexibly as living people.
"Everyone, move back!" Ebizo shouted in a deep voice.
Chiyo had gone mad. She would attack anyone without distinction.
The best course of action now was to let her fight Sakumo Hatake. Ideally, she could kill or defeat him.
Even if she could not, they still had others who could reinforce them.
Hearing this, the three Jonin who had previously tied down Sakumo Hatake and the two Jonin who had arrived afterward quickly withdrew from the battlefield.
Ebizo also retreated a few steps. He was weaker than Chiyo, and joining the battle would only get in her way.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!
A barrage of senbon gleaming dark green shot from the puppets' mechanisms, transforming into a rain of arrows that rushed toward Sakumo Hatake.
"Such petty tricks?" Sakumo Hatake sneered inwardly. With the Body Flicker Technique, he easily moved ten paces away, leaving the arrow rain's range.
His speed might not have matched Minato's, but Minato was the only one faster than him!
White light flashed, and killing intent erupted.
Sakumo Hatake rushed forward and closed in on Chiyo.
When fighting a Puppet Master, the best and most effective method was close combat.
The premise was that one had to find the Puppet Master's real body. Aside from poison techniques and puppet control, Puppet Masters were also highly skilled at concealing their true bodies.
Chiyo lightly lifted her five fingers, and the male puppet moved in front of her with a large blade raised before chopping down heavily!
She had accurately predicted Sakumo Hatake's path of movement!
In combat experience, Chiyo lost to no one! Even against Sakumo Hatake, he could only be considered a junior before her!
"What a crafty old hag!" Sakumo Hatake stopped abruptly, forcibly halting his forward charge.
Chakra gathered beneath his feet, and one stomp shattered the sandy ground.
Holding the White Fang blade, Sakumo Hatake resembled an unrivaled treasured sword drawn from its sheath.
Secret Technique: Flash!
A blinding silver light flashed. Sakumo Hatake's body transformed into a silver-white streak, cutting across the yellow sands like a comet sweeping toward the moon.
"Dodge!" Chiyo's pupils shrank sharply as she screamed with bloodshot eyes.
Yet how many people could evade Sakumo Hatake's full-power attack?
Squelch!!
The short blade pierced the Puppet Master Jonin's chest, and blood gushed out like a fountain.
"How could he be this fast?!" A flash of unwillingness and confusion crossed the Puppet Master Jonin's eyes.
Just now, he seemed not to have used his full strength?
Darkness swept in, and a gray pall of death clouded the Puppet Master's eyes.
One move, one Jonin!
Wind Release: Air Cannon!
With a low shout, one of the Sunagakure Shinobi rapidly formed hand seals, unleashing a powerful blast of vacuum air.
However, Sakumo Hatake's body was merely an afterimage. His true body had already retreated ten paces away.
Because he had moved too fast, the afterimage he left behind was instantly scattered by the powerful air current.
"Nice! As expected of White Fang's thigh—so thick and sturdy!" Tōka's eyes lit up. Under the full-force assault of a Kage-level expert, Sakumo Hatake had effortlessly slain an enemy Jonin.
Though the victim had been a Puppet Master with relatively weak close-combat ability, a Jonin was still a Jonin!
The Sunagakure side, meanwhile, suffered a severe drop in morale. Chiyo clenched her teeth so hard they nearly shattered, making her wrinkled face look even more sinister and frightening.
"Big sister, let's attack together!" Ebizo called out, seizing the moment.
Now was not the time for revenge. They should join forces to bring down the powerful enemy!
The anger in Chiyo's heart gradually subsided due to the Puppet Master Jonin's death.
More than a hundred Puppet Masters from the unit that had previously infiltrated the Land of Fire had died, severely damaging Sunagakure's ace force.
And now, another Puppet Master Jonin had died!
The cost of training a Puppet Master was enormous, unlike taijutsu, ninjutsu, or genjutsu!
Making puppets consumed vast amounts of money. Not only did it require large quantities of metal, wood, and various other materials, but it also required countless hours of training.
"Support me!" Chiyo roared through gritted teeth, controlling the male and female puppets as they charged at Sakumo Hatake.
Ebizo's narrowed eyes suddenly widened as he stared at Tōka, seemingly forming an idea.
A brat capable of following Konoha's White Fang on an S-rank mission clearly had immense potential!
Ebizo did not choose to support Chiyo. Instead, he used the Body Flicker Technique to appear before Tōka.
"Huh? You can't handle Sakumo Hatake, so you're coming after a brat like me instead?" Beneath the fox mask, Tōka smiled mockingly.
Underestimating him would get people killed!
Ebizo was a wise man. Though weaker than Chiyo, he was not someone Tōka could compare to.
At least, the current Tōka was no match for him.
"That mask should belong to Konoha's Anbu. How unfortunate for an old man like me, with these aging bones, to face Konoha's most elite Anbu." Ebizo's heart was calm as still water, and Tōka's few words could not stir any ripples in him.
Tōka grinned. This old man had not only completely shaken off the accusation of bullying the weak, but had even painted himself as the disadvantaged party.
Still, talking people to death was one of Tōka's strengths too!
"In that case, I suppose we shouldn't fight!" Tōka nodded, gladly accepting the compliment with an expression that said he would not bully an old man with such frail bones.
Even Ebizo could not help twitching at the corner of his eye upon hearing that.
What a sharp-tongued brat!
"These old bones of mine will not fall apart so easily. I'd like to see whether Konoha's Anbu are really as formidable as the rumors say!" Ebizo raised both hands as chakra began to gather.
Tōka quietly took a step back, thoughts racing through his mind.
Fight? Flee? Skirmish? Stall?
Unlike Chiyo, Tōka knew absolutely nothing about how strong Ebizo was or what abilities he possessed.
Whoosh!
Without giving Tōka much time to think, Ebizo flicked his wrist and launched a kunai, signaling the start of battle!
Tōka tilted his head slightly, and the kunai grazed past his fox mask.
It left a shallow cut on the mask!
"What happened? I should have dodged that!" Tōka's expression changed. By his calculation, the kunai should have missed by more than a palm's width!
Yet it had unexpectedly carved a tiny mark into his mask!
"Guess." Ebizo naturally would not answer Tōka's question. With a flick of his fingers, he launched two more kunai.
Tōka dodged them with three consecutive backflips while widening the distance, deciding to fight at range!
Whoosh!!
Just then, Tōka's ears twitched as he heard something slicing through the air from behind.
With no time to think, he lowered his body and rolled away.
Three kunai flew back, passing close against his body.
At this point, the two stood ten paces apart!
"Huh? Chakra threads attached to the kunai?" Tōka had figured out part of it. The kunai would not fly backward for no reason, and Ebizo clearly did not possess the Uchiha Clan's shuriken throwing techniques.
The only explanation was the ability Chiyo had used before: controlling kunai!
Whether Ebizo was a Puppet Master or not, this kunai control alone revealed just how dangerous his methods were!
"Returning a gift is only proper. My turn!" Tōka's voice dropped as he stomped hard on the sand.
Ten steps was the maximum range of All-Killing Ash Bones: Earth Spear Stab!
Chakra surged and gathered in his leg.
The sand churned as though something terrifying was about to burst from the ground.
Ebizo, who had been about to charge forward, sensed the danger and forcibly pulled back his extended foot.
He twisted his body to the side in a movement that should have been impossible, yet it appeared on an old man.
Pfft!!
A thick gray bone shot up from the sand, narrowly missing Ebizo as he dodged.
"You really are an old fossil. What a pain!" Tōka panted slightly after barely managing to use that move.
After one fierce battle after another, it was truly difficult for someone whose chakra reserves were only slightly greater than a genin's.
A flicker of surprise crossed Ebizo's eyes, followed by an even stronger, more terrifying burst of killing intent.
As a Sunagakure Shinobi advisor and a figure from the Third Hokage's era, his hands were surely stained with blood.
The powerful killing intent seemed almost tangible. Tōka's chest tightened, and he nearly fainted with his eyes closed.
It was not that he was too weak; his body was simply too frail right now.
Suddenly!!
An even more terrifying and frigid killing intent erupted, like towering waves crashing down.
"White Fang?" Ebizo's momentum faltered, and he hurriedly retreated!
He knew his own limits. He might be able to exchange a few moves with Sakumo Hatake, but he definitely could not defeat him!
Seeing Ebizo retreat, Sakumo Hatake did not pursue. He grabbed Tōka and swiftly vanished...
Ebizo froze for a moment, unable to understand how Sakumo Hatake had escaped the group's encirclement.
He instinctively turned his head to look, only to see...
(To be continued)
Before you continue