The Wilderness Strewn with Corpses as Dusk Falls

Crimson Chakra danced around Haotian, devouring everything in its path like hellfire.

The screams of Sand Shinobi were endless. To Haotian, the howling of Wind Style sounded like the buzzing of flies, weak and powerless.

Every swing of the Kunai in his hand took a fresh life.

Yellow sand flew, but it couldn't mask the smell of blood that permeated the air.

Haotian took a deep breath, a burning pain in his lungs, but he didn't care.

The crimson light in his eyes grew more intense, as if it would dye the entire world blood-red.

"Wind Style? Nothing more," Haotian muttered, a hint of disdain in his voice.

With a casual wave, he split the last Sand Shinobi in half.

Blood sprayed out, staining the Konohagakure forehead protector on Haotian's body.

He looked down at his blood-soaked hands.

Not far away, Uchiha Mei leaned against a tree trunk, panting. Her face was covered in sweat and bloodstains, and her hand, gripping a Kunai, trembled slightly.

At her feet lay several Iwa Ninja corpses, the fear of death still lingering on their faces.

Meihui looked up at Haotian.

"Haotian... your power..." Meihui's voice was hoarse. She wanted to say something but didn't know how.

Haotian turned his head, the crimson Chakra gradually receding, revealing his pale face.

He felt a wave of intense weakness wash over him, his internal Chakra almost depleted.

He staggered to Meihui's side, forcing a smile.

"It's over..." Haotian said softly, his voice so weak it was barely audible.

"Yes, it's over..." Meihui murmured, her gaze falling on the mountain of corpses and sea of blood behind Haotian. Her heart was filled with shock.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the brief silence.

"Meihui! Haotian!" a familiar voice called out.

"It's Teacher Minato!" Meihui exclaimed.

A golden figure flashed across the battlefield like lightning. Minato Namikaze appeared before them in an instant. His face was weary, but his eyes were filled with concern.

"Are you two alright?" He quickly scanned them, a slight sigh of relief escaping him when he confirmed they weren't seriously injured.

Haotian nodded weakly. His throat felt incredibly dry, and he couldn't utter a word.

Just then, a cold, sinister laugh echoed from a distance, with a chilling rasp.

"Hehehehe... It seems I've still arrived a step too late."

Orochimaru's figure appeared in the distance. His clothes were tattered, his hair disheveled, and there were several scorched marks on his body, making him look disheveled. Yet, a smile of excitement played on his lips. In his hand, he held a bloody arm – the severed arm of the Sunagakure advisor, Chiyo.

He looked at Haotian and Meihui.

"Teacher Orochimaru!?" Meihui cried out in surprise. She hadn't expected Orochimaru to be here, and in such a state.

"It seems Konohagakure is lucky this time. But it doesn't matter, today's spoils are enough to make up for my losses." Orochimaru chuckled, licking his lips. His figure flickered, and he vanished from his spot.

As Orochimaru disappeared, on the distant horizon, dust kicked up. Roshi's figure could be seen intermittently, leading the remaining Iwa Ninja in a rapid retreat.

The Sand Shinobi and Iwa Ninja on the battlefield had been routed, leaving only corpses scattered everywhere.

"We won!" someone shouted, breaking the silence of the battlefield.

"Long live Konohagakure!"

"We won!!"

For a moment, cheers and shouts echoed through the sky. The Konohagakure ninja raised their weapons, celebrating this hard-won victory.

They embraced each other excitedly, sharing the joy of victory.

Some loudly discussed the fierce battles on the battlefield, some excitedly talked about their individual achievements, while others searched for their lost comrades.

"Haotian, your performance just now was astonishing! That power you used, it was like a god descending to earth."

"Yeah, I've never seen such immense power, it was terrifying!"

"Haotian, you are the hero of our Konohagakure!"

The surrounding ninja crowded around, looking at Haotian.

Haotian watched it all, but his heart was filled with exhaustion and confusion.

He felt as if his body had been drained, so weak he could barely stand.

He ignored the cheers and praises around him, merely gasping for breath.

Suddenly, a stern voice rang in his ear, "Haotian! Get over here!"

Haotian looked up and saw Tsunade standing not far away. Her hands were on her hips, and she glared at him furiously.

"Uh..." Haotian's mouth twitched. He instinctively felt something was wrong and took a step back, only to be grabbed by the arm by Tsunade and pulled towards her.

"You! How dare you...!" Tsunade's scolding stopped abruptly. Her gaze fell on a few people brawling not far away, her expression growing even darker. "You few, get over here!"

The clamor of the battlefield gradually gave way to cheers, the smell of gunpowder mixing with the scent of blood and filling the air.