Thick Thighs, Soloing Sand Ninjas.

"After all that effort, two got away?" Tōka exhaled heavily, jumping ashore and slumping down.

The female ninja had escaped with Baki, while Upper Ninja Minyan and the male ninja were both hit by the All-Killing Ash Bones while protecting each other.

Due to the nature of the All-Killing Ash Bones, there was no possibility of "cleaning up the battlefield" after Tōka's fight.

Therefore, Tōka's gaze shifted to the other side of the oasis.

Killing in "silence" was even more dangerous and terrifying.

"I didn't feel it much just now, but now..." Tōka squinted, sensing the powerful killing intent intertwined in the air, his heart stirring faintly.

Ding!

A crisp collision sound echoed.

Tōka's stunned heart instantly cleared.

"Something's not right. It's understandable for that puppet master upper ninja to keep his distance and fight with puppets," a hint of confusion flashed in Tōka's eyes. "But the other three don't seem to intend to fight Sakumo Hatake to the death."

Could it be...

Tōka's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding arose.

Bzzz!

Tōka, having recovered somewhat, gathered his Chakra and unleashed it.

Chakra Sensing Technique!

Although not as good as Byakugan or Mind's Eye of the Kagura, it could still detect the situation nearby.

With Tōka's current cultivation, one kilometer was not a problem.

"As expected! Someone's approaching! Such powerful Chakra!"

Tōka's eyes were covered with a solemn expression. Anyone appearing at this time and place could not possibly be from Konohagakure.

Their actions were secret. Before the Cat-faced man and Dog-faced man returned to the Konoha camp, no one could have possibly known.

Perhaps Jiraiya and Tsunade knew, but they certainly wouldn't be leading a team here.

"Captain, they're stalling for time!" Tōka couldn't help but become anxious and shouted loudly.

It was this shout that alerted the Sand Ninjas fighting in the distance, making them realize Tōka had already dealt with a standard four-person squad.

Immediately, killing intent flared in the puppet master's eyes, and he controlled a monstrously strange-looking creature to charge forward.

Tōka's expression shifted slightly. He was exhausted and could barely move.

Dodging quickly would be the death of him!

"Opening!" Just then, Sakumo Hatake seized the opportunity.

Bang!!

With a lightning-fast, thunderous kick, he sent the upper ninja he was entangled with flying.

Then, with a Body Flicker Technique, he moved beside the puppet master.

The short white blade flashing in his hand fiercely stabbed down!

"Bad!"

"Save him quickly!"

The two Sand Ninja upper ninjas protecting the puppet master cried out in alarm and rushed towards Sakumo Hatake.

The puppet master specialized in poison and puppet manipulation, with very weak combat power.

Moreover, facing a Shadow-level god of death like Sakumo Hatake, close combat was the same for him as it was for Tōka facing Sakumo Hatake – an instant kill.

One Sand Ninja, wielding a katana, closed in.

Although his speed was not as fast as Sakumo Hatake's, his full-force slash threatened Sakumo Hatake.

If Sakumo Hatake forcefully stabbed the short White Fang blade into the puppet master, his exposed back would also be struck by the katana-wielding upper ninja.

Suddenly! An unexpected change occurred!

A flash of silver light appeared in the field. Sakumo Hatake, holding the short White Fang blade, spun around and thrust it, the sharp blade piercing directly into the chest of the katana-wielding upper ninja.

"Ngh... cough... you were targeting me from the start?!" the katana-wielding upper ninja said, spitting blood, realizing his life was draining away.

The figure before his eyes grew darker and darker...

Pfft!!

Sakumo Hatake's stab was fast, and his withdrawal was even faster.

With a Body Flicker Technique, he left his original position, and the attacks of the two upper ninjas coming from behind missed instantly.

The puppet master, terrified by Sakumo Hatake, hastily recalled his puppets, and the threat to Tōka was naturally lifted.

"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 wasn't that Sakumo Hatake didn't want to finish the fight quickly, but rather that he was conserving Chakra and avoiding injury.

The puppet master's puppets protected the katana-wielding upper ninja in close combat, while the other two upper ninjas protected the puppet master.

The four supported each other, their movements interlocking, not aiming to defeat Sakumo Hatake, but merely to stall for time.

With Sakumo Hatake's strength, breaking the stalemate was only a matter of time.

If they were in the Land of Rivers or the Land of Fire, Sakumo Hatake would have ended the fight long ago without regard for his chakra consumption.

But he had to take it easy; after all, they were within the borders of the Land of Wind!

A white shadow flashed, and Sakumo Hatake disengaged from the battle, appearing beside Tōka.

"It seems I indirectly helped you!" Tōka tilted his head, looking up at Sakumo Hatake.

"Get up. The person who's coming is strong. I might not be able to look after you," Sakumo Hatake said, his gaze fixed on the southeast, his voice carrying a murderous tone.

Tōka pouted. Why did it feel like he couldn't cling to a strong back anymore?

However, he still got up as instructed. Sitting for a while made him feel even more tired!

"Once a fighter's courage is broken, they lose their spirit."

Tōka was in this state. He would have been better off not resting; now that he had, he didn't want to get up.

"Wait a moment, you should move further back," Sakumo Hatake said with a frown, noticing Tōka's condition.

"You want to fight one-on-one? That would be fantastic!" Tōka's tone became cheerful, and he dashed back.

His speed was so fast that even Sakumo Hatake clicked his tongue.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!

Four figures flashed into the battlefield. The person leading them was none other than Sunagakure elder Chiyo!

Following her were Ebizo, also an elder, and two other Sand Ninja.

"White Fang! Die!" The moment Chiyo saw Sakumo Hatake, all reason flew out of her mind.

She grabbed with both hands, and two scrolls rolled out from her sleeves into her palms.

Poof! Poof!

Two clouds of white smoke appeared, revealing two human-shaped puppets, one male and one female.

Although they were mechanical constructs, their agility in the hands of the puppet master Chiyo was like that of living beings.

"Everyone, get back!" Ebizo shouted sternly.

Chiyo had gone mad and would attack anyone.

The best course of action now was to let her fight Sakumo Hatake, with the best outcome being that she could kill or defeat him.

If not, they still had others who could reinforce them.

Hearing this, the three Jonin who had been engaging Sakumo Hatake and the two Jonin who arrived later quickly withdrew from the battlefield.

Ebizo also took a few steps back. His strength was inferior to Chiyo's, and joining the fight would only hinder them.

Swish, swish, swish!!

A series of needles with a dark green luster shot out from the puppets' mechanisms, turning into a rain of arrows that flew towards Sakumo Hatake.

"Such petty tricks?" Sakumo Hatake sneered inwardly. Using the Body Flicker Technique, he easily moved ten steps away, leaving the range of the arrow rain.

While his speed wasn't comparable to Minato's, only Minato was faster than him!

A white light flashed, and killing intent erupted.

Sakumo Hatake surged forward, closing the distance to Chiyo.

When fighting a puppet master, the best and most effective method was close-quarters combat.

The prerequisite was being able to find the puppet master's true body. Besides poisons and puppet manipulation, puppet masters were also very skilled at concealing their true location.

Chiyo flicked her fingers lightly. The male puppet moved its large sword in front of her and swung it down heavily!

She had accurately calculated Sakumo Hatake's movement trajectory!

In terms of combat experience, Chiyo was second to none! Even facing Sakumo Hatake, she considered him just a junior!

"You crafty old fox!" Sakumo Hatake stomped his foot, forcibly stopping his forward momentum.

Chakra gathered at the sole of his foot, and he stomped, shattering the sandy ground.

Sakumo Hatake held his short sword, White Fang, giving the impression of a peerless sword drawn from its scabbard.

"Secret Technique: One Flash!"

A blinding silver light flashed. Sakumo Hatake's body turned into a silver-white stream of light, streaking across the sandy terrain like a comet embracing the moon.

"Dodge quickly!" Chiyo's pupils constricted, and she roared with rage.

However, how many people could dodge Sakumo Hatake's full-power attack?

Squelch!!

The short sword pierced the chest of the puppet master Jonin. Blood gushed out like a fountain.

"How can it be this fast!!" A hint of unwillingness and confusion flashed in the puppet master Jonin's eyes.

Just now, did he not use his full strength?

Darkness swept over, and a layer of dull, lifeless gray covered the puppeteer's eyes.

One move, one Jonin!

"Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!"

With a low shout, one of the Sand Ninja quickly performed hand seals, unleashing a powerful vacuum of air.

However, Sakumo Hatake's body was merely an afterimage; his true form had already retreated ten steps away.

Due to his extreme speed, the afterimage left in his original position was instantly scattered by the powerful airflow.

"Nice! Just as expected of White Fang's leg, so thick and strong!" Tōka's eyes lit up. Under the full power attack of a Kage-level expert, he had effortlessly killed an enemy Jonin.

Even though he was a puppeteer with weaker close-combat abilities, a Jonin was still a Jonin!

Meanwhile, the Sand Ninja's morale plummeted. Chiyo gritted her teeth, her wrinkled face appearing even more sinister and terrifying.

"Sister, let's attack together!" Ebizo seized the opportunity and shouted.

Now was not the time for revenge; they should work together to defeat the strong enemy!

Chiyo's anger gradually subsided with the death of the puppeteer Jonin.

Previously, the puppeteer unit that infiltrated the Land of Fire's borders had lost over a hundred men, dealing a severe blow to Sunagakure's elite army.

And now, a puppeteer Jonin had died!

The cost of training a puppeteer was immense, unlike Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, or Genjutsu!

The creation of puppets by puppeteers consumed vast amounts of money, requiring not only a large quantity of metal, wood, and other materials but also countless hours of training.

"You two, assist me!" Chiyo roared through gritted teeth, controlling male and female puppets as she charged towards Sakumo Hatake.

Ebizo's narrowed eyes suddenly widened as he looked at Tōka, seemingly having an idea.

A brat who could accompany Konoha's White Fang on an S-rank mission... his potential was unimaginable!

Ebizo did not choose to support Chiyo. Instead, he used a Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of Tōka.

"Eh? Can't take down Sakumo Hatake, so you're coming after this little kid?" Tōka chuckled mockingly from behind his fox mask.

Underestimating him could be fatal!

Ebizo was a wise man. While his strength might not match Chiyo's, he was still far beyond Tōka's current level.

At the very least, Tōka was no match for him right now.

"That mask must belong to Konoha's Anbu. Poor old man, with his bones so brittle, he still has to face Konoha's most elite Anbu." Ebizo's mind was as calm as still water, undisturbed by Tōka's few words.

Tōka grinned. This old man had not only completely negated the impression of him bullying an elder but had also painted himself as the weaker party.

However, Talk no Jutsu was also Tōka's strong suit!

"In that case, I don't think we should fight!" Tōka nodded, readily accepting the compliment and acting as if he wouldn't bully an old man like him.

Even Ebizo couldn't help but twitch the corner of his eye at this.

What a sharp-tongued brat!

"These old bones of mine aren't going to fall apart that easily. I'd rather test if Konoha's Anbu are as formidable as the rumors say!" Ebizo raised his hands, Chakra already beginning to gather!

Tōka subtly took a step back, his mind racing.

Fight? Flee? Skirmish? Stall?

Unlike Chiyo's abilities, Tōka had no idea how strong this old man Ebizo was or what his capabilities were.

Whoosh!

Without giving Tōka much time to think, Ebizo flicked his wrist, and a Kunai shot out, signaling the start of the battle!

Tōka slightly turned his head, the Kunai grazing past his fox mask.

It left a shallow scratch on the mask!

"What's going on? I should have dodged that!" Tōka's expression changed. According to his calculations, the Kunai should have missed by more than a palm's width!

He hadn't expected it to leave such a small scratch on his mask!

"You guess!" Ebizo naturally wouldn't answer Tōka's question. He flicked his fingertips, and two more Kunai shot out.

Tōka performed three consecutive backflips to dodge, simultaneously creating distance. He decided to fight at range!

Whoosh!!

Just then, Tōka's ears twitched as he heard a whistling sound approaching from behind.

Without time to think, he ducked down and rolled away.

Three Kunai flew back, whizzing past his body.

At this point, the two were ten steps apart!

"Eh? Attaching Chakra threads to the Kunai?" Tōka finally saw through some of it. The Kunai wouldn't fly backward for no reason, and Ebizo clearly didn't possess the Uchiha clan's Shurikenjutsu techniques.

The only explanation was the ability to control Kunai, something Chiyo had used!

Regardless of whether Ebizo was a puppeteer, this display of Kunai manipulation revealed his methods!

"To not return a courtesy is impolite. My turn to make a move!" Tōka's voice deepened as he stomped his foot hard onto the sand.

Ten paces was the maximum range for All-Killing Ash Bones: Earth Spear Pierce!

Chakra surged, converging on his leg.

The sand churned, as if something terrifying was about to burst from the earth.

Ebizo, who was about to charge forward, sensed something and forcibly retracted the foot he had just stepped out.

He wrenched his body to the side, a movement that should have been impossible, yet it manifested on the old man.

Puff!!

A thick ash bone shot out from the sand, narrowly dodged by Ebizo.

"As expected, an old bone, truly troublesome!" Tōka, having barely managed one move, took a slight breath.

The series of intense battles was quite a strain for someone whose Chakra was only slightly more than a Genin's.

A flicker of surprise flashed in Ebizo's eyes, followed by a surge of even more potent, terrifying killing intent.

As a Sand Ninja advisor, a figure from the Third Hokage's era, his hands were surely stained with blood.

The powerful killing intent felt almost tangible, pressing down on Tōka's chest, nearly causing him to close his eyes and faint.

It wasn't that his strength was too weak, it was just that his body was too frail right now.

Suddenly!!

An even more terrifying and piercing killing intent erupted, like a monstrous tidal wave.

"White Fang?" Ebizo's momentum halted, and he quickly retreated!

He knew his limits. He might be able to exchange blows with Sakumo Hatake, but he definitely couldn't defeat him!

Seeing Ebizo retreat, Sakumo Hatake didn't pursue. He arrived beside Tōka, grabbed him, and they swiftly vanished...

Ebizo was slightly stunned, not quite understanding how Sakumo Hatake had escaped the encirclement.

He instinctively turned his head to look, only to see...

... (To be continued)