A Myth of an Era - White Fang!

Tōka sprinted eastward from the outpost, unsure how long the Genjutsu could hold Ebizo.

He had to seize the moment, putting as much distance between them as possible.

Fortunately, the outpost wasn't that large, and before long, the Slug's massive form appeared before Tōka.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Just as Tōka prepared to move forward, two dark figures dropped down, blocking his path.

"Sand Ninja?"

Unlike Konohagakure's leaf-shaped forehead protectors, Tōka recognized the Sand Ninja's insignia instantly.

Why were Sand Ninja here?

Tōka felt a flicker of unease. Had the Sand Ninja already cut off Konoha's retreat?

"It's a Konoha brat, take him out!" While Tōka sized them up, they were also observing him.

Both Sand Ninja were Puppet Masters. Though only Chunin in strength, they were skilled in poison and setting traps.

Creak, creak...

Mechanical joints twisted, emitting strange sounds.

Two bizarre puppets suddenly charged, their blades flashing green in the night, sending shivers down Tōka's spine.

"Puppet Masters again?" Tōka's small face sank slightly, but he wasn't afraid of mere Chunin.

Pfft!

A blade sliced through flesh, piercing Tōka's body.

Simultaneously, a cloud of white smoke erupted, revealing a log.

"Substitution Technique!"

The two Puppet Masters hiding in the shadows tensed, sensing a dangerous aura rapidly approaching.

A chill crept up from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads.

"Are you looking for me?" Tōka's playful voice echoed. His sustained speed might not be his strong suit, but his burst speed was definitely on par with Kai's.

The two Sand Ninja looked towards the sound, only to find two fingers pressed against their foreheads.

A decaying aura, an aura of death, cast a shadow over their hearts.

"Bone Bullet Barrage!"

Pfft pfft! Short finger bones plunged into their foreheads, and their bodies instantly crumbled.

They dissolved into a shower of paper scraps, vanishing into thin air.

"Now, what about the traps in this area?" Tōka frowned, looking at the desert ahead.

A fierce battle raged to the east of the outpost. The Slug's enormous size drew the attention of most of the Sand Ninja.

Meanwhile, Sakumo Hatake, tasked with eliminating the Sand Ninja elite from the shadows, was tied up by Chiyo.

Chiyo had unleashed her White Secret Technique, White Fang, and wouldn't be able to disengage anytime soon.

The battle had reached a stalemate. Konoha's ninja were outnumbered, and the Sand Ninja were not lacking in strong fighters.

Unbeknownst to them, Konoha had fallen into a completely suppressed situation.

"There are too many Sand Ninja at this one outpost!" Tsunade bit her lip, her expression grim.

She was unaware that the infiltration and sabotage mission at the southern outpost had failed, and she was still deliberately drawing the Sand Ninja's attention.

Tōka saw all of this.

"We can't delay any longer. No matter how strong Sakumo Hatake and Tsunade are, they can't stand against an army of thousands of Sand Ninja."

Tōka didn't care about Konoha's casualties.

His current position was behind the Sand Ninja lines. Wearing a Konoha forehead protector, he would undoubtedly be classified as an enemy by the Sand Ninja, and he couldn't escape alone.

Tōka and Konoha were in the same boat; if one sank, they both sank!

"To get past, I have to destroy the traps."

Thinking of destroying traps, Tōka immediately ran into trouble.

He knew absolutely nothing about setting or disarming traps! The Ninja Academy taught it, but Tōka was only a transfer student.

Moreover, his time at the academy had been limited.

"What should I do..." Tōka rested his chin in his hand, his brows furrowed into a deep '川' shape.

At the Sand Ninja outpost, Tsunade stood atop the massive Slug, looking weary. She glanced towards the interior of the outpost.

The large fire had flashed and then gone out.

Tsunade had clearly noticed the problem; the plan to infiltrate and burn the supplies had likely failed.

"Tell everyone to prepare to retreat!" Though a woman, Tsunade was decisive.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, she immediately ordered the Yamanaka Clan ninja beside her, who were responsible for relaying messages.

"Yes!"

The Sand Ninja nodded slightly, forming hand seals and shouting, "Ninjutsu: Mind Transmission Palm Jutsu."

This technique allowed direct communication with others without any devices, implanting one's words directly into their minds.

The Yamanaka Clan's Mind Transmission Palm Jutsu could perfectly relay orders on the battlefield.

Tōka's mind immediately filled with the Sand Ninja's voice.

"Lord Tsunade commands, retreat immediately!"

"Oh no, if the Konoha forces retreat directly, they'll definitely step into traps!"

Hearing this, Tōka's small face changed drastically. Perhaps Sakumo Hatake and Tsunade could survive the trap zone.

But the other Konoha ninja...

As the thought flashed through his mind, Tōka immediately pulled out an Explosive Tag, tied it to the end of a Kunai, and intended to use it to warn the Konoha ninja.

Tsunade controlled the Slug to cover their retreat, while Sakumo Hatake secretly provided support, eliminating the elite Sand Ninja.

The remaining Konoha ninja also began to withdraw. The first to leave the stronghold was an elite squad: one Jonin and three Chunin.

Tōka stared into the distance with a serious expression, his hand gripping the Kunai tightly. His nerves were so taut that a thin layer of sweat beaded on his palm.

He only had one chance, and Tōka only carried one Kunai!

He was waiting for the right moment to warn the Konoha ninja about the traps in this area!

Seeing the elite squad leading the way from Konoha rushing forward and getting closer and closer to the trap zone...

"Now!" Tōka's gaze sharpened, and with a flip of his hand, he shot the Kunai.

Zzzzt...

The Explosive Tag was activated, emitting a burning smell.

In the pitch-black night, the Kunai with the Explosive Tag shot out like a missile with a long tail, whistling through the air.

BOOM!!

The Kunai landed precisely in the trap zone, and a massive explosion erupted, deafeningly loud.

This immediately triggered a chain reaction with the numerous Explosive Tags buried in the ground, causing the traps to detonate one after another.

RUMBLE...

A huge blast wave spread out, kicking up a sandstorm.

The elite Konoha squad leading the charge immediately stopped in their tracks.

A bead of cold sweat trickled down the Jonin's forehead. Staring at the giant mushroom cloud not far ahead, his heart pounded wildly.

A cold wind blew past, sending a chilling sensation down his back.

He only then noticed his back... it was completely soaked in cold sweat, though he didn't know when it had happened.

If he had taken just ten more steps forward...

As this thought flashed through his mind, the Jonin felt a chill crawl up from the soles of his feet.

"There are traps ahead, everyone follow the path cleared by the Explosive Tags!"

As the captain of the elite vanguard squad, the Jonin possessed exceptional combat experience.

He immediately took out several Kunai, each with an Explosive Tag tied to its tail.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!!

He threw them in quick succession, the Kunai flying in a straight line.

The landing points were completely different...

RUMBLE!!

The traps set by the Sand Ninja were repeatedly bombed, and their mechanisms were all destroyed.

The Konoha ninja quickly retreated along the path of the explosions...

Suddenly!

A terrifying aura surged from behind. Tōka, who had already retreated to the edge of the woods, changed his expression.

He knew it was Ebizo from Sunagakure who had caught up!

"Brat, I'll kill you this time!!" Ebizo roared through gritted teeth, a pair of crimson lights flashing in his eyes.

As a strategist, Ebizo rarely lost his temper.

However, he had been outmaneuvered by Tōka twice in a row.

Ebizo's calm heart, undisturbed for decades, was truly enraged this time!

Crack crack crack...

Two puppets filled with deathly energy transformed into two black shadows, ghosting towards Tōka.

At this very moment, two figures descended rapidly from the sky!

Boom!

The terrifying force shattered the ground, and cracks as thick as a bowl's mouth spread like an earth dragon towards Ebizo.

"Tsunade?!" Ebizo immediately abandoned his pursuit of Tōka and leaped backward.

White Fang and Tsunade landed together, standing beside Tōka.

Most of Konoha's forces had retreated from the Sand Ninja stronghold. At the same time, Chiyo and Rasa led a group of Sand Ninja in pursuit.

The two sides fell into a standoff, with the Sand Ninja intending to capture all of Konoha's forces due to their superior numbers.

Although Konoha's forces were fewer, they were all elites, and the presence of Sakumo Hatake and Tsunade prevented the Sand Ninja from acting rashly.

"White Fang, today is your day to die!" Chiyo said fiercely, her gaze never leaving White Fang.

The hatred for her child's killer was irreconcilable!

Immediately after, a vast amount of gold dust surged from the direction of the stronghold, sweeping towards them like a tidal wave.

"You won't be leaving here safely today!" Rasa declared coldly, hovering in the air.

Then, with a wave of his hand, a group of Sand Ninja quickly emerged from the forest, instantly surrounding Konoha's group.

Ambush?!

The thought struck everyone's mind in unison.

A shadow of despair fell over them.

The atmosphere grew eerie, falling into a deathly silence.

Tsunade's expression was grim, her face a mixture of anger and exhaustion.

"Don't get too arrogant, Rasa!" Tsunade shouted back, unwilling to back down. No one had been born yet who could keep her here!

"There are too many Sand Ninja, don't be reckless!" White Fang said quietly.

"They're just two old geezers with one foot in the grave," Tsunade scoffed. Though she belittled them verbally, a hint of solemnity flickered in her eyes.

"Tsunade, our plan has been exposed. You must have realized..." Sakumo Hatake said meaningfully.

Before Tsunade could reply, he continued, "These people are the foundation of Konoha; we cannot afford to lose them here."

Tsunade pursed her lips, swallowing the retort. The thirty people on this mission were all Jonin loyal to the Hokage, with the lowest being elite Chunin.

They were all branches inheriting Konoha's Will of Fire!

After a brief silence...

"You take the others and go first. I'll cover the rear!" Sakumo Hatake said with a solemn expression.

"What? If anyone's covering the rear, it should be me!" Tsunade's suppressed anger erupted, and she yelled.

The danger of covering the rear alone was immense; it was practically a death sentence.

Sakumo Hatake was the highest commander in this confrontation with Sunagakure. How could he stay behind alone?

The others also volunteered, hoping to stay behind. However, Sakumo Hatake issued an order as the highest commander.

"This is an order!" Sakumo Hatake said sternly.

Instantly, the surrounding voices ceased.

When a man makes up his mind, any comfort or sorrow is an insult to him!

Heroes stand tall and unyielding!

Tsunade gritted her teeth and abruptly turned her head, her blonde hair whipping behind her.

"Slug, take them down!"

"Yes, Lady Tsunade!"

The Slug's massive body suddenly swelled like a balloon.

Pfft~~

A stream of highly corrosive acid sprayed out, instantly creating an opening in the Sand Ninja encirclement blocking Konoha's retreat.

Tsunade dropped low, gathering her strength to leap, leaving a green arc in the air before crashing heavily onto the ground.

"Heavenly Guard Kick!"

Boom!

The ground cracked, and huge fissures instantly swallowed the nearby Sand Ninja.

"Retreat!" Tsunade roared, charging forward at the head of the group.

The nearby Konoha ninja, seeing this, swarmed towards the opening in the encirclement.

"You're not getting away!" Rasa wouldn't let such a good opportunity pass.

If he could eliminate this group of Konoha ninja in this battle, even as the leading nation among the Five Great Nations, such a massive loss would be a severe blow to Konoha.

"Magnet Release..."

As Rasa extended his hands, forming the first hand seal, a silver light flashed, filled with killing intent!

He felt the hairs on his arms stand on end and quickly abandoned his attack, retreating rapidly.

Screeeech!

The sharp blade cut through the air, creating a grating sound.

White streaks left in the air by the blade lingered for a long time.

"If you want to get past, you'll have to go through me!" Sakumo Hatake stared coldly at Rasa, his tone calm yet impossible to ignore.

Rasa's expression sank slightly. He, the Fourth Kazekage, was actually afraid!

Even though the fear only filled his heart for an instant…

He was the Fourth Kazekage!

"Bastard! If you're looking to die, I'll kill you first!" Rasa roared, his hands moving rapidly as a torrent of gold dust surged forward, rushing madly towards Sakumo Hatake.

Chiyo attacked simultaneously at his side. She would never miss an opportunity to kill Konoha's White Fang!

Ebizo opened his mouth, ready to tell Rasa and Chiyo to abandon their siege of Sakumo Hatake and focus on pursuing the Konoha ninja instead.

However, upon seeing Rasa's angry face and Chiyo's crazed expression.

Ebizo ultimately kept his words to himself. He sighed lightly, thinking that if they could leave Konoha's White Fang here, it wouldn't be so bad…

The night sky was as if draped in a mysterious black veil, the cold air stinging the skin.

The chill seeped into flesh and bone…

Tōka silently glanced at Sakumo Hatake. That seemingly ordinary middle-aged man stood like a colossal mountain at this moment, blocking all the Sand Ninja.

Perhaps this would be the last time they met.

Time flew by. Tsunade led the remaining Konoha forces and quickly departed, already outside the Land of Rivers.

In the distant sky, a silver-white streak flashed across…

The surging Sand Ninja charged madly at Sakumo Hatake, throwing their lives away.

Sakumo Hatake numbly swung his arms, cutting down everyone who came near him.

His mind held only one thought: to block the path and buy more time for the Konoha ninja.

Corpses piled up at his feet…

For what felt like the hundredth time, Sakumo Hatake felt the bodies around him obstructing his vision.

Blood pooled together, flowing into the sand and being swallowed by it, or flowing into the forest to form visible pools of gore.

Time passed like a fleeting white steed.

A hint of fish-belly white began to appear on the horizon.

The noisy world began to quiet down, and the Sand Ninja stopped their frantic charges.

The expressions on their faces shifted from initial madness to current terror…

They seemed to be afraid, afraid of being killed.

Countless bodies were piled around that man, and blood and corpses buried him deep within.

The air was frozen by an overwhelming killing intent, making even the Sand Ninja Jonin feel ice-cold.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at the entrance to the forest, at that slender figure standing motionless…

Suddenly!

A buzzing sound exploded!!

The White Fang Blade seemed to sense its master's powerful fighting spirit, trembling and emitting a hum that cut through the void and traveled far.

The Sand Ninja instinctively took a step back, their fear of the tall, thin man growing.

The blood-soaked ground released a strong scent of iron that stung their nostrils.

The Sand Ninja were terrified by Sakumo Hatake's slaughter!

This was no human! This was a devil wearing human skin!

His blade was stained red, his hands were red, his clothes were red, his shoes were red.

His face was also red, making his original skin tone impossible to discern.

"White Fang is known for his swordsmanship, don't get close! Use Ninjutsu for ranged attacks!" At the critical moment, Ebizo shouted loudly to remind everyone.

The Sand Ninja, shrouded in darkness, seemed to find a sliver of hope.

They no longer cared about anything else, frantically gathering their Chakra. Outside the forest, countless hand seals flew.

"Magnet Release: Great Burial of Sand Gold!"

"Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel!"

"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"

"Puppet Technique: Three Treasures Absorb and Collapse!"

"..."

For a moment, chakra poured out like a breached dam, the Sand Ninja unleashing their most powerful move.

The wave-like chakra transformed into a myriad of ninjutsu, relentlessly bombarding the man.

Wooooosh~~

A great wind kicked up a layer of yellow sand, savagely lashing the forest.

Sakumo Hatake stood with his sword in one hand, eyes closed, as if unaware of the overwhelming torrent of ninjutsu crashing down upon him.

A trace of tenderness flickered across his tense cheeks, tinged with regret.

Kakashi, I won't be able to watch you grow.

But I believe you will become a remarkable ninja!

Suddenly!!

Sakumo Hatake's eyes snapped open, a powerful aura surging skyward!!

He gathered his remaining chakra, a dazzling white light emanating from his entire body.

It shone so brightly in the darkness, like the North Star fallen to earth.

Hand is sword, sword is blade!

"Blade Technique: Thousand Blade Fang!"

Bzzzz!!!

A white light split the darkness in two.

Several days later, news that shocked the entire world arrived!

Land of Rivers: Sand Ninja designed a trap to assassinate Konoha elite forces.

During their breakout, Sakumo Hatake single-handedly held off thousands of pursuing Sand Ninja. For an entire night, not a single one crossed the sandy border into the forest.

The White Fang Blade, initially pure white, was stained crimson by blood by the final moments, the hilt itself unrecognizable.

The Bloodied White Fang!

Sakumo Hatake died of exhaustion, standing like a mountain until his last breath, guarding the path for the Konoha forces' retreat.

Until...

A night passed, and the morning sun rose.

A Sand Ninja, feeling the warmth of the sun, finally mustered the courage to approach the man with faltering steps... (To be continued)