Battle

"Water Release: Water Wall!"

Yan rapidly formed hand seals, and a massive wall of water rose in an instant, blocking all the shuriken.

The Otogakure ninja's expressions turned even grimmer at the sight.

They were now certain that the other side had come here to capture Orochimaru.

Immediately afterward, another volley of shuriken was thrown. At the same time, their hands flashed through seals, and waves of chakra radiated from their bodies.

Yan could only sigh helplessly at the sight before turning to the five children beside him.

"Go on. The leader is a Chunin, while the rest are Genin. You should be able to handle them."

"There's no need to hold back. It doesn't matter if they die—Orochimaru won't care!"

"..."

Kabuto and the others nodded without a word. After throwing the kunai in their hands, they charged at the enemy.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

"..."

The wind fed the flames, making the massive fireball even more ferocious under the enhancement of the Wind Release. Like a roaring beast, it swept toward the Otogakure ninja.

The blazing flames instantly illuminated the surroundings, and the air filled with a scorching scent.

Itachi's gaze was focused and calm as he watched the fireball's trajectory closely, ready to make his next move based on the enemy's response.

Just as the fireball closed in on the Otogakure ninja, their Chunin leader shouted.

"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"

An earthen wall rose in an instant.

Boom!

The searing fireball crashed head-on into the earthen wall, shattering it instantly and sending countless stones flying.

Yet to everyone's surprise, the fireball did not lose any momentum after smashing through the wall and charged straight into the crowd.

The Otogakure ninja scattered in panic, but several Genin were still struck by the flames' aftershock, letting out agonized screams.

Taking advantage of the enemy's chaos, Kabuto moved through the battlefield like a phantom.

His movements were light and agile, each one perfectly avoiding the enemy's attacks. The kunai in his hand glinted coldly under the sunlight as he swiftly closed in on an Otogakure Genin and stabbed at his vital point with blinding speed.

The Genin's eyes widened in terror as he tried to dodge, but Kabuto was simply too fast. The kunai pierced his body with precision.

Naruki and the other two children refused to be outdone. They worked closely together, making full use of their respective strengths.

Naruki nimbly dodged the enemy's shuriken while searching for an opening to attack.

When an Otogakure Genin revealed a weakness, Naruki charged forward without hesitation and viciously slashed down with the kunai in his hand.

At the same time, one of the other two children used Wind Release to disrupt the enemy's movements, while the other continuously threw shuriken to obstruct their vision.

Under Kabuto and the others' assault, the Otogakure ninja fell into an extremely disadvantageous position.

The leading Chunin's expression darkened.

As expected of Konoha's pursuers. Even a handful of children were this troublesome.

He rapidly formed hand seals. The ground began to tremble faintly, while the surrounding chakra fluctuations grew increasingly intense.

Itachi keenly noticed the Chunin's movements and shouted, "Careful, he's about to use an Earth Style ninjutsu!"

Kabuto and the others immediately became alert and scattered.

"Earth Style: Earth Shore Return!"

The Chunin shouted as he slammed both hands onto the ground.

Cracks instantly appeared in the earth ahead, spreading toward Itachi and the others.

The fissures rapidly widened across the ground, as though they were about to swallow everything.

Itachi's eyes narrowed as he swiftly leaped into the air, forming hand seals with both hands.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Several small fireballs shot toward the Chunin like meteors, attempting to interrupt his ninjutsu.

At the same time, Kabuto flashed away. While avoiding the cracks, he rushed toward a nearby Otogakure Genin.

The kunai in his hand flashed like lightning, and another Genin fell to the ground.

At that moment, there was only one thought in his mind: eliminate these enemies as quickly as possible and not let them threaten his companions.

Naruki and the other two children reacted swiftly as well.

Naruki nimbly leaped between the cracks, evading danger.

Seizing the right moment, he threw a shuriken at a Genin, striking the opponent's shoulder with precision.

"Damn it!"

The Otogakure chunin was furious when he saw Itachi interrupt his ninjutsu.

He formed hand seals again, but he could feel that he had little chakra left. His movements inevitably slowed.

The ground trembled slightly as several smaller rocks slowly rose into the air and flew toward Kabuto and the others.

Itachi barely shifted positions several times in midair, dodging the rocks as fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

Kabuto also noticed that his chakra was running low.

His figure flashed as he nimbly dodged the incoming rocks and charged toward a nearby Otogakure genin.

He gripped the kunai in his hand tightly, deciding to end the battle quickly through close combat.

As he approached the genin, Kabuto slashed out with his kunai at incredible speed. The genin panicked, but he had no time to dodge and fell to the ground in an instant.

Seeing the effects of his ninjutsu greatly diminished, the Otogakure chunin grew both furious and anxious.

Gritting his teeth, he charged straight at Itachi and the others, intending to end the battle as quickly as possible.

Kabuto's gaze sharpened at the sight, and he fearlessly met the chunin head-on.

The chunin's eyes widened in fury as he brandished his kunai and lunged viciously at Kabuto.

Kabuto swiftly slid to one side, easily avoiding the chunin's fierce strike.

Without hesitation, Kabuto thrust his kunai out like lightning, aiming directly for the chunin's wrist.

The kunai's edge glinted coldly beneath the sunlight as it tore through the air.

The chunin had no time to react. A sharp pain shot through his wrist, and he could no longer hold his kunai. It fell to the ground with a clang.

Kabuto seized the opportunity to kick the chunin in the abdomen.

The tremendous force sent him flying backward toward Itachi.

Itachi instantly understood Kabuto's intention. He flashed forward and viciously drove his kunai out at the same time.

"Splat!"

The sharp kunai instantly pierced through the Otogakure chunin, its keen tip protruding from his chest, stained crimson.

The chunin's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief. He seemingly had not expected to be defeated so quickly by a group of children.

His body trembled slightly as pained groans escaped his mouth.

Itachi's gaze remained calm, without the slightest trace of pity.

He swiftly pulled out the kunai, and the chunin's body collapsed limply to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

When the surrounding Otogakure genin saw that the chunin was dead, their hearts filled with fear, and they began fleeing in all directions.

Kabuto stood not far away, watching the scene as he let out a slight sigh of relief.

Just then, several screams suddenly rang out from nearby.

Itachi and the others turned toward the sound, only to see that several genin who had been fleeing moments ago were now lying in pools of blood.

The people who had attacked them were also wearing musical-note forehead protectors.

Kabuto frowned. "What's going on? Aren't they from the same village?"

Itachi also sensed that something was wrong and quickly called Kabuto, Naruki, and the others over.

The five children drew close together, weapons in hand, silently watching the Otogakure ninja approaching them.

A grim, murderous atmosphere gradually spread across the area, as though even the air had turned heavy.