Sudden Opportunity Reveals Marvelous Skill

Gari's Chakra blade descended with a chilling glint. Obito narrowly dodged, but the cuff of his sleeve was sliced open, a cold wind rushing in to make him shiver.

He didn't retreat, though. Gritting his teeth, he unleashed a rain of shuriken, attempting to disrupt Gari's assault.

However, these attacks were child's play to the experienced Gari.

He smirked dismissively, his body flickering like a phantom, easily evading all the shuriken before closing in on Obito once more.

"Overestimating yourself, brat!" Gari roared, raising his Chakra blade high, about to bring it down.

Obito and Zetsu closed their eyes, awaiting the arrival of death.

"BOOM!" A massive explosion echoed, but the expected pain never came.

Obito opened his eyes in confusion. Haotian had appeared before him at some point, blocking Gari's attack with a kunai.

Sparks flew. Haotian's arm trembled slightly, but he stood firm, his gaze resolute.

"Obito, you're too reckless!" Haotian yelled, pulling Obito behind him.

At the same time, Hiruko also arrived on the scene. He was covered in wounds, his face pale, clearly having expended a great deal of energy in the previous battle.

"Damn it! More helpers!" Gari spat, a vicious glint in his eyes. "Then I'll take care of all of you!"

He formed hand seals, Chakra surging around him, making the very air grow heavy.

Haotian and Hiruko stood back-to-back, warily watching Gari. They knew a fierce battle was inevitable.

"Haotian, what do we do now?" Hiruko asked in a low voice, a tremor in his tone.

Haotian didn't answer. He gripped his kunai tightly, his eyes scanning the surrounding terrain, his mind racing to find an escape route.

"Hiruko, can you still fight?" Haotian asked gravely.

"I... I can hold on for a little while longer," Hiruko gritted out.

"Good!" A determined glint flashed in Haotian's eyes. "We'll cover Obito's escape!"

Before the words even left his mouth, Gari's attack struck again. Haotian and Hiruko met it simultaneously, and the three became locked in combat, blades flashing and dust flying.

"Go! Obito!" Haotian shouted, straining to block Gari's onslaught.

Obito froze. He looked at Haotian and Hiruko fighting valiantly, his heart filled with guilt and gratitude.

"No! I'll fight with you!" Obito declared firmly.

"Don't be stupid! You'll only be a burden if you stay!" Haotian roared. "Go! That's an order!"

Obito gritted his teeth. He knew Haotian was right; he would only be a liability if he stayed.

He gave Haotian and Hiruko one last deep look before turning and fleeing into the dense forest.

"Trying to run? Not so easy!" Gari sneered, about to pursue.

"You wish!" Haotian bellowed, his kunai flying from his hand, aimed directly at Gari's face.

Gari was forced to dodge sideways, and Haotian seized the opportunity to block him.

"Hiruko! Now!" Haotian yelled.

Hiruko understood. He poured all his strength into his final move...

Hiruko suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his hands weaving seals at lightning speed. He roared, "Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!" A thick earthen wall erupted from the ground, blocking Gari's path.

Gari slammed his fist into the wall. It trembled violently, covered in cracks, but stubbornly refused to collapse.

These few seconds of respite were incredibly precious to Haotian.

He took a deep breath, a strange energy surging within him, gathering between his hands.

"What is this?!" Gari sensed the terrifying aura emanating from Haotian and felt a growing unease.

Haotian pushed his hands forward. An invisible wave of energy swept out, the air screaming in protest, and the surrounding trees instantly turned to dust.

"Nuclear Style: Super Vibration Wave!" Haotian roared.

The energy wave struck the earth wall, causing it to collapse instantly. Gari was also sent flying by the powerful force, crashing heavily to the ground and spitting blood.

The smoke from the explosion billowed, obscuring everyone's vision.

Haotian grabbed Obito's wrist and shouted, "Go!" Before Obito could react, Haotian was pulling him towards the depths of the forest.

"Hiruko! Keep up!" Obito shouted back, only seeing a blurry figure in the smoke.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Gari struggled to get up from the ground, his vision blurred and his ears ringing.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with rage and unwillingness.

"Damn brats! You dared to injure me!" he roared, staggering in the direction Haotian and Obito had fled.

Haotian pulled Obito, sprinting through the dense forest. Branches scraped his cheeks, blood flowing down from the wounds.

He ignored the pain, his mind focused on one thought: escape!

"Haotian, Hiruko he..." Obito panted, his voice filled with worry.

"He... he stayed behind to hold off the enemy so we could escape," Haotian said in a low voice.

"What?!" Obito stopped abruptly, looking at Haotian in disbelief.

"Hiruko... no..." Obito muttered, stumbling back a few steps. Hiruko's pale but resolute face flashed through his mind.

"He clearly... he said we'd complete the mission together, return to the village together..." Tears blurred his vision.