The mist cleared, and Uchiha Ling reappeared in everyone's view. He was still standing where he had been, as if he'd never moved at all. Only a little dust clung to him, and his breathing remained steady.
Around him, one Iwagakure elite jōnin lay dead, another had been lightly injured by the backlash, and the remaining two stared at him in shock, braced for a deadly enemy.
The sight sent another jolt through everyone on the battlefield.
Among the Konoha defenders, their initial shock had turned into fervent admiration and the wild relief of having survived a disaster!
"Look! He took down another one!"
"Captain Ling is invincible!"
"Hahaha! You Iwagakure scum finally know what you're up against!"
"We... we can really win! Follow Captain Ling and wipe them out!" The one-armed shinobi had somehow found a broken blade. He raised it high with his remaining arm and roared until his voice gave out, his face streaked with blood and tears, a near-mad smile on his lips.
Mimura Yome gripped her Ninja Blade so tightly that her knuckles turned white, but this time, it was from excitement.
She stared at the figure strolling casually as four elite jōnin attacked him, only for him to kill one in return. She was filled with an indescribable shock.
"Is this really a Chunin's strength? No... this has to be Kage Level!"
Mimura Yome couldn't bear to think further. Uchiha Ling's figure loomed larger and larger in her heart, as if he were the only light on this battlefield.
All her earlier despair and doubts had now turned into absolute trust.
"Everyone, follow my orders! Support Captain Ling and prepare to counterattack!" Mimura Yome's voice trembled with excitement, yet carried a strength she had never shown before.
[ Ding! Detected a massive surge of