Haotian's Nuclear Release Kekkei Genkai had long since ceased to be a secret.
The intelligence networks of the Iwa and Sand Ninja had already recorded his name and abilities, and even ranked hunting him as a high priority.
Still, they had underestimated Haotian's influence in a large-scale war.
The battlefield echoed with the enemy's disbelieving roars, filled with shock and fear, like the wails of beasts on the verge of death.
"What is this?!" an Iwa Jonin howled in agony. He felt his Chakra draining away as if being sucked out by a pump, while his strength ebbed like the tide.
His companions beside him—the Chunin and Genin—collapsed straight to the ground, foaming at the mouth and convulsing, strange red spots spreading across their skin.
The charging ranks of Iwa and Sand Ninja were cut in half as if by a scythe. The weak fell swiftly, staining the yellow sands with blood.
The Jonin who had survived by sheer luck struggled to hold on, but they, too, could clearly feel their Chakra draining and their bodies behaving strangely.
By contrast, the Konoha Ninja had been on edge, but seeing this, their morale soared, and their attacks quickened.
Kunai and shuriken rained from their hands, reaping the lives of their enemies.
Haotian's six-person squad swept across the battlefield like reapers wielding scythes.
They worked together seamlessly, balancing offense and defense. Every strike was clean and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Haotian calmly surveyed the battlefield and gave his orders. "Kakashi, Meihui, keep the enemy Jonin occupied. Everyone else, focus on taking out the Chunin and Genin!"
"Understood!" Kakashi and Meihui accepted without hesitation. They flashed forward and engaged the enemy Jonin.
The rest of the squad charged into the enemy ranks like hungry wolves among sheep, the blades in their hands glinting as they claimed one life after another.
The Konoha Ninja nearby heard Haotian's command and quickly spread the tactic. The entire battlefield immediately became more orderly.
Seeing the Konoha Ninja around him obey his orders so readily, Haotian felt a hint of confusion.
This feeling of being treated like a commander seemed at odds with his former status as a newcomer.
"Why..." he murmured, just as he was about to think further. A wave of heat surged from within him...
Haotian took a deep breath. Scarlet Chakra roiled around him like boiling magma.
The air warped as an indescribable wave of heat swept outward. The surrounding plants withered instantly and turned to ash.
His eyes were tightly shut, his skin glowing crimson. Sweat vaporized into mist and shrouded him.
"Vmmm—"
A low hum came from within Haotian, like the growl of an ancient beast.
He suddenly opened his eyes, golden light flashing in his pupils.
A vast energy erupted from his body, forming a dazzling mass of radioactive particles that slammed into the center of the enemy ranks.
Everything within a radius of two hundred meters instantly became a dead zone.
The radioactive particles seeped into the enemy Ninja like venomous snakes, ruthlessly destroying their cells and Chakra.
Screams rose one after another, then quickly faded, replaced by a silence that made one's hair stand on end.
Beyond the radiation zone, the intensity gradually weakened, but it was still powerful enough to inflict tremendous damage on the Ninja.
The Iwa and Sand Ninja who had been lucky enough to escape clutched their chests in agony. Hideous red patches spread across their skin as their Chakra poured away like floodwater through a broken dam.
They stared at Haotian in terror.
Haotian frowned slightly, feeling the Chakra inside him rapidly dwindle.
That single strike had consumed more than ten percent of his Chakra.
He looked around. The Konoha Ninja had formed a tight defensive line, protecting him at the center.
They fought desperately to hold back the red-eyed Iwa and Sand Ninja charging toward him, risking their lives to buy him time.
"Haotian! Watch out for the puppet!"
A shout rang out. Umino Kawamiya's figure flashed past like lightning, and the Kunai in his hand precisely shattered the puppet speeding toward them.
Wood chips flew as Umino Kawamiya landed steadily in front of Haotian, keeping a wary eye on their surroundings.
Haotian gave him a small smile. "Thanks, Kawamiya. When the battle's over, I'll treat you and Iruka to some drinks."
"Yeah, right. Like I want your drinks." Umino Kawamiya sounded dismissive, but a hint of relief flickered in his eyes.
Just then, a streak of silver flashed by...
Silver light gleamed as the Lightning Blade tore through the air with a piercing whistle.
Kakashi's figure became a series of afterimages across the battlefield. With every flash, he claimed an enemy's life.
Lightning Style Chakra condensed in his hand into a high-density plasma, emitting a dazzling white light like lightning splitting the night sky.
"Lightning Blade!" Kakashi shouted, driving the blade through another Iwa Ninja's chest.
Blood sprayed, staining Kakashi's Forehead Protector red.
But just as he was about to pull back the Lightning Blade, another Sand Ninja attacked from the side, slicing his left arm with a sharp Kunai.
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