Capture Pakura Alive

Seconds later, the Third Kazekage arrived in the sky, but the place was already deathly silent, with only blood and fire burning in his heart with rage.

Fortunately, Rasa did not die.

but.

He sensed it briefly and knew that Rasa was in a very bad situation.

Poisoning, burns, dehydration, external and internal injuries, and bleeding profusely from one hand—although he wasn't dead yet, he was not far from it.

It's hard to imagine what kind of battle he went through.

Furthermore, it appears that there was no particularly intense fighting at the scene.

The Third Kazekage was extremely anxious and desperately needed to know what was happening, but he knew that he couldn't afford to panic.

Calm!

He took several deep breaths, and his thoughts gradually cleared.

Bang!

Bang! Bang!

Three signal flares exploded in succession in the air, visible from a great distance across the open border region.

soon.

Signals were launched one after another.

"A complete retreat?"

Pakura turned around and looked at the sky behind him.

How so!

What happened?

She had no way of knowing, but for now, she had no choice but to retreat with everyone else.

"Retreat! I'll cover the rear."

She shouted, and flames surrounded her, forming clusters of high-temperature fireballs.

Flames danced, creating a scorching inferno all around, scorching trees until they withered and died.

On Kikyo Mountain, Orochimaru frowned slightly.

"That's not right!"

Why would they run away? Why did they run?

He realized that something beyond his plan had definitely happened, and he could no longer proceed according to the original plan.

Orochimaru was somewhat angry.

He had painstakingly laid the bait, waiting for the other party to fall into the trap, only to have his plans and rhythm disrupted by an unexpected person.

but.

It's no use saying anything now.

"Chase them down!"

Orochimaru gave the order without hesitation.

Then, he opened his mouth, and snakes crawled out and surged in all directions.

The Many Snakes Formation.

Orochimaru originally planned to let Sunagakure get a taste of success first, then bet more heavily on the Land of Rivers before finally wiping them out in one fell swoop.

But now, we can no longer proceed slowly.

[He personally intervened, forcing Sunagakure to retreat and salvaging the losses at the front.]

[Reward: Water Style: Water Wall Upgrade]

Kyohiko was slightly surprised, but then he understood.

He has already cultivated the Water Style: Water Wall to a very high level on his own. According to his own estimation, he is not far from the Grandmaster level, and may only be one step away.

but.

Often, the final push is the hardest.

So he wasn't too discouraged, and instead focused more on Orochimaru.

Without their intervention, Orochimaru would have definitely lured the enemy deeper into his territory, allowing them to deploy more troops, and then launched a pincer attack to inflict heavy damage.

Snakes are known to be very patient creatures.

but.

Kyohiko didn't approve of it.

Perhaps that situation could severely damage Sunagakure, making it impossible for them to attack Konoha for several years or even a decade, but it would also cause considerable losses to Konoha.

Tsunade probably anticipated this, which is why she sent them to provide reinforcements.

He recalled briefly.

Just as Kyohiko had thought, the extra memories this time weren't many, but they didn't seem bad either.

He could already do two seals before.

Reaching the Grandmaster level allows one to create large amounts of water to use the Water Wall even in waterless or water-scarce environments, while reducing Chakra consumption.

Most importantly--

Linked Hand Seals!

He can release Water Style Ninjutsu by Hand Seals with another individual; this technique can only be used for some simple Hand Seals techniques.

Alternatively, the opponent's Chakra is the same as one's own.

For example, Shadow Clone.

Furthermore, the range, defense strength, casting speed, and other aspects are more entirely at your discretion.

The advancement to Grandmaster level is quite significant!

As Kyohiko ran, he pondered how to seize even greater benefits.

The next step is to ideally gain control over the strategic deployment at the front lines; even if that's not possible, we must at least have a decisive influence on Orochimaru's decisions.

His gaze swept towards Minato Namikaze.

"Minato, we'd better be prepared to get a scolding later."

Kyohiko moved closer.

Minato Namikaze forced a smile but didn't answer.

Before entering the battlefield, he certainly didn't understand what Orochimaru was thinking, but now, after interacting with the ninjas of Sunagakure, how could he not understand Orochimaru's scheme?

Even without many Jonin, if Orochimaru were truly determined to defend, the Sunagakure would have no chance of reaching this point.

so.

Orochimaru must have some ulterior motive.

For example, sacrificing the lives of Chunin and Genin to obtain a better battlefield and tactical environment.

but.

He disagreed.

"Let's go, let's hunt them down first, especially the puppeteers and Jonin."

"It's difficult for Jonin to distinguish..."

Kakashi chimed in from the side.

"Then let's find a target that's easily noticeable."

Kyohiko Port finished speaking.

At that moment, Kakkō shot into the sky in the distance.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

A special Chakra fluctuation!

"Is there a person with a fire-related Kekkei Genkai in Sunagakure?"

"Scorch Release: Pakura?"

Minato Namikaze's eyes lit up.

Scorch Release Pakura.

This is a renowned Jonin from Sunagakure, who has repeatedly distinguished himself in past missions and wars, always serving as the vanguard in major battles.

"Walk!"

He perked up for a moment.

If they could kill Pakura, they would have done a great service; if they could capture him alive, that would be an even greater achievement.

"Kakashi, make sure to protect Kurenai and don't let her rush ahead."

Kyohiko looked at Kakashi.

This guy has already used Lightning Style: Rasengan once and killed several others in the process. Now he's exhausted and can't sustain any more intense fighting.

Kakashi nodded silently.

The scorching fireball blew out gusts of hot wind, drying out the venomous snakes that surrounded it.

"Teacher, let's get out of here quickly!"

"Maki, you all come with me to retreat first. Staying here will only be a burden. Wait until I escort another group of people, then come with me. We'll meet up in the Land of Rivers."

Pakura was slightly out of breath.

Some people haven't left yet!

Maki hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Teacher, you must come!"

Don't worry.

Pakura smiled.

Then, sensing the movement around her, she quickly ran in the next direction.

In the direction she was heading, countless snakes were attacking the four of them.

Soon, the snakes overwhelmed them.

The next moment.

Laugh!

All four had been transformed into puppets. Four more emerged from underground, two of them each controlling two crude puppets, continuing to slaughter the swarm of snakes.

but.

Soon, someone let out a scream.

Inside his body, worms were gnawing at his skin, and soon the swarm burst out of his body.

The three teammates around him had already moved away in horror.

Kikaichū!

Aburame Clan.

This bizarre secret technique is extremely terrifying to puppeteers.

Once you are parasitized by them, they are everywhere.

"Help me, help me..."

He released a significant amount of poison.

It did kill some Kikaichū, but most of them were still frantically eating away at his body.

In the blink of an eye, the puppeteer collapsed.

The swarms of insects surged forth, spreading in all directions.

Shibi Aburame was manipulating insects from the shadows, about to surround and kill the three of them, when fireballs came from afar.

The blazing flames scorched the air.

The high temperature instantly killed a large number of Kikaichū.

Shibi Aburame.

Scorch Release!

It's Pakura.

His Kikaichū are not afraid of Puppet Technique, poison, or Wind Release Ninjutsu, but they are terrified of this high-temperature flame Ninjutsu.

"Tachikawa, cooperate with me."

"Yes!"

Wind Style: Great Breakthrough

Scorch Release - Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder.

One person used Wind Style, and the other used Scorch Release.

The two worked together, and in an instant, a scorching gust of wind swept through, turning the forest and insects into withered corpses.

"Walk!"

She was about to leave with her people.

Knock knock knock!

One after another, Kunai the darkness, scattering haphazardly into the woods behind her.

"Careful!"

Pakura immediately became alert.

Although she didn't know what the purpose of those Kunai behind them was, even if each one carried Explosive Tag, it would still be enough to give them a hard time.

Never fall into their trap!

"Come with me!"

She fled in the direction she had come from.

Just then, a dark shadow flashed through the gloomy woods in front of her.

In the blink of an eye, Kunai shot out again, surrounding the area in front of her.

Pakura didn't know the purpose of these Kunai, but she knew that since her opponent had gone to such lengths to place them in front of her, they must have some use.

So--

She drew out Chakra and Hand Seals.

With the help of the wind, fireballs quickly floated in the air, rapidly scorching everything around them.

She took the lead, maneuvering the fireball forward.

The expected explosion did not occur; instead, two people appeared in front of them.

Konoha Ninja!

The next second.

Call out!

The two of them vanished from the spot in a flash.

Wow, so fast!

Pakura channeled her Chakra again, but in the next instant, her opponent was already not far in front of her.

She quickly activated the fireball.

Scorch Release - Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder!

but.

In the blink of an eye, a wall of water rose up.

The rushing water turned into a Uzumaki, pulling the three people inside in.

One maintained the Water Wall, while the other spewed out large amounts of water, surging forward.

One by one, the fireballs were suppressed until they were extinguished.

The Sunagakure Village ninjas were completely stunned.

They had never seen such suppression of the Scorch Release.

Cooling it down with water...

but.

Scorched by the Scorch Release technique, and with absolutely no water around, how could he possess such a large amount of Chakra?

Pakura frowned.

The person before me is none other than Konoha's genius Jonin.

Judging from these few techniques alone, the opponent's skill level is no less than that of Senju Tobirama!

etc?

"Watch out! Use Wind Style!"

but.

It's too late.

Minato Namikaze leaps up, quickly Hand Seals—

Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!

The raging hurricane instantly swept up a large amount of evaporated, high-temperature water vapor, which surged towards them.

Pakura is not afraid.

But her men couldn't withstand the high-temperature steam.

Being a fraction of a second too slow, their entire bodies felt like they were in a furnace; the severe burns made it difficult for them to move.

Even more frightening is...

After the wind blew by, a talisman silently floated to their side.

Pakura's pupils contracted.

She was terrified and quickly Hand Seals, causing fireballs to reappear.

However.

The next second, Kyohiko was already in front of him.

In mid-air, he and his Shadow Clone touched hands and quickly completed three Hand Seals. In an instant, the water beneath their feet gathered and transformed into a water dragon that rose up proudly.

Water Dragon Bullet Technique!

The difference is...

This time, the Water Dragon Bullet Technique enveloped the two of them, carrying them forward at the speed of the water flow, and only roared and rushed towards Pakura when it got close.

but.

It got closer, but was completely evaporated by the flames.

At the same time, three screams came from behind.

"Run! Run!"

One person was shouting with difficulty.

Pakura pursed her lips and turned to run away, but just then, a vine grew out from below and entangled her.

What?

An expression of disbelief crossed her face.

Wood Release!

How is that possible?

She immediately used flames to burn the vines that were binding her, but then, Kyohiko was already in front of her, and a punch came down from above like a bolt from the blue.

Boom!

Under the Strength Enhancement Technique, the earth cracked, Pakura's shoulders slumped, and he vomited blood incessantly.

She was severely injured and could barely move.

Despair flashed in Pakura's eyes.

The boy in front of her wasn't this powerful when she met them last year, but now she's no match for him.

The progress is too fast!

Even if it means death, I will take the other person with me...

With a fierce determination, she channeled all her Chakra, and fireballs emerged from her body.

However.

The next instant, Kyohiko placed his palm on her forehead.

Bang!

He was knocked down with a single blow, and at the same time, scenes from his life in the village flashed before his eyes. Not far away, Maki was diligently practicing his sealing Ninjutsu.

How wonderful!

Pakura was slightly taken aback, then quickly realized what was happening.

This is Genjutsu!

However, when things returned to normal, all that remained was a dim forest and sky.

"I'm sorry, Maki, I have to break my promise!"

A thought of despair flashed through her mind.

The next instant, Pakura lost consciousness.

Are you alright?

"Fine."

Kyohiko shook his head.

What I just rushed over to attack wasn't the real body at all.

However, the feedback from the burning of his Shadow Clone caused his arm to ache terribly.

"Don't kill her?"

"The Scorch Release has high research value."

Kyohiko answered.

The fusion of fire and wind attributes creates a special Kekkei Genkai that even Water Style cannot counter; one can only overpower the opponent by Chakra reserves.

Such Kekkei Genkai is definitely worth studying.

As he was speaking, a laugh rang out from not far away.

"Kyohiko, you and I are thinking the same thing."

Orochimaru quietly emerged from the shadows.

A look of disbelief flashed in his eyes when he saw the vines on Pakura's ankle.

Wood Release!

This child has mastered Wood Release Ninjutsu?

He looked at Kyohiko, his eyes even more fervent and excited. "Kyohiko, I think after this great battle is over, we can have a good talk, discuss Scorch Release and Wood Release, okay?"

"Of course, I also have some questions, and I hope to get your guidance."

Kyohiko remained courteous.

Based on his current relationship with Tsunade, Orochimaru doesn't seem to have much reason to kill him.

Orochimaru licked his lips.

He looked at the four corpses, suppressing his excitement.

"They've all fled far away; there's no point in chasing them. Let's withdraw and regroup. I'd also like to have a talk with you all."

After Orochimaru finished speaking, his figure vanished.

This is just Shadow Clone.

Kyohiko looked at Minato Namikaze: "Minato, you have to put in a good word for me."

"I think Lord Orochimaru admires you, so he probably won't do anything to you."

Minato Namikaze smiled slightly.

but.

He quickly composed himself.

"Later, you must stop Orochimaru from carrying out his plan."

"Certainly."

Kyohiko nodded.

Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi arrived just then.

Seeing the chaotic and horrific scene, they were all shocked.

Although I had just witnessed it with my own eyes, actually experiencing it up close was a completely different experience.

Scorch Release.

What a terrifying Kekkei Genkai!

Fortunately, they have now captured the other party alive.

The two men went to their side.

"Was that Lord Orochimaru just now?"

"Yes, obey orders and remove Kikyo Mountain."

"Yes!"

On their way back, they didn't just rush on their way; instead, they searched along the route for any remaining ninjas. Some of them were still alive but injured, and after receiving treatment, they were temporarily out of danger.

but.

Those who were Scorch Release had their bodies dried out and were beyond saving.

The group was filled with heavy hearts.

This is the most dead people they've ever seen since they became ninjas!