Decisive Battle Against Shendu (2)

This smooth combo from the Anbu squad was no stranger to Qian Yu, who was watching the battle from afar in the shelter. That's right! This was the exact same sequence from the original Pain arc, where the Anbu ninjas used a coordinated attack against Pain's Multi-Headed Dog summon.

Although the Multi-Headed Dog eventually broke free, that battle served to patch up the Anbu ninjas—who had previously shown almost nothing—with a display of both strength and intelligence.

It was just a pity that they still suffered from an "information gap." This ninjutsu, which roasted enemies like a furnace, was essentially Fire Style, and it had almost no effect on Shendu, the Demon Sorcerer of Fire.

--ROAR!

A furious roar shook the heavens. Numerous visible cracks appeared on the massive "microwave," and in the next instant, Shendu used his claws to pry open the cage, spitting flames at the Anbu squad.

"Water Style: Water Wall!"

The Anbu squad simultaneously created a massive wall of water to block their front, but before Shendu's flames even made contact, the water was melted into steam.

"Scatter!"

The flames erupted in the center of the four, yet even though they dodged at the first opportunity, Shendu, wielding the power of the Rabbit Talisman, could dash forward at blinding speeds. Before the Anbu ninjas could even react, their bodies were sent flying hundreds of meters away. Their flesh-and-blood bodies collided with buildings due to Shendu's force, crushing them into ruins while leaving the ninjas heavily injured and grounded.

--SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Tens of thousands of Shuriken launched a torrential assault. Anbu reinforcements had arrived, hoping to launch a sneak attack while Shendu's attention was elsewhere.

But the agile Shendu was clearly not so easily hit. His figure blurred into afterimages, and it took him only a fraction of a second to make the Anbu ninjas feel the agony of being "smashed to pieces."

"Damn it!"

The Anbu ninjas were the elite of the village, standing head and shoulders above their peers since childhood. Where had they ever experienced such a one-sided slaughter?

It was as if all their grueling training had been meaningless; in front of a true powerhouse, they were no different from cannon fodder.

Although they all possessed the "resolve to give their lives to protect the village," the immense pressure and suffocating sensation brought by Shendu forced them to ask themselves in their hearts, "Is there really any hope of winning... against a monster like this?"

"Shadow Possession Jutsu!"

"Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu!"

"Super Multi-Size Jutsu!"

Just as Shendu intended to press forward, ninjas from the various clans of Konoha arrived at the battlefield, led by the "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio, who were also the heads of their respective clans.

First was the "Shika" of Ino-Shika-Cho, Konoha's well-known "henpecked husband," Nara Shikaku. Wearing a somewhat tattered vest over his Jonin flak jacket and sporting several scars on his face, he performed hand seals to extend his shadow to Shendu's feet, freezing the demon's movements.

Next was the "Ino" of Ino-Shika-Cho, Yamanaka Inoichi. With long yellow hair tied in a ponytail and wearing a red cloak over his Konoha Jonin flak jacket, he released his spirit. Taking advantage of Shendu being bound by the shadow, he entered Shendu's body, attempting to seize control.

Finally was the "Cho" of Ino-Shika-Cho, Akimichi Choza. With red hair like a lion's mane and two light purple markings on his face, he looked rather "prosperous." He converted the fat in his body into a massive amount of chakra, instantly expanding into a giant dozens of meters tall, and swung a heavy fist at Shendu.

"Wait! Head of the Akimichi Clan! That guy hasn't been controlled at all!"

Just as Akimichi Choza was about to strike Shendu, a remark from the late-arriving head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Hiashi, made everyone gasp.

What? Not controlled?! The combo technique of the Ino-Shika-Cho squad had never failed before!

"Do mere humans think they can surpass me, a Demon Sorcerer, in terms of soul?"

Shendu's fire demon energy erupted, transforming into a shockwave of flames that spread outward. At the same time, Nara Shikaku's shadow snapped directly, and his body was sent flying uncontrollably.

Yamanaka Inoichi, whose spirit had entered Shendu's body, realized in an instant the gap between his own soul power and Shendu's. In a split second, he felt his brain nerves being tangled together and pulled in different directions. It was a pain originating from the soul, making him feel as if his head were splitting; he couldn't even stand. Fortunately, Nara Shikaku manipulated his shadow to pull him back, preventing him from being hit head-on by the flame shockwave.

The most miserable of the three was Akimichi Choza. Because he was closest to Shendu and in his giant state, he had to take the attack head-on.

The fat in his body was burned away through his skin, and his massive stomach rapidly withered into a skeletal, emaciated state. That wasn't all; his body flew out, crushing a large area of Konoha buildings before landing in the center of the medical department in the rear.

"Severe full-body burns! Skin is ulcerating, vital signs are extremely weak! Begin emergency treatment immediately!"

Back at the center of the battlefield, Shendu utilized the power of the Snake Talisman to turn invisible. The Hyuga ninjas led by Hyuga Hiashi immediately activated their Byakugan to search for his trail.

But in the end, it was all for nothing. Although the Byakugan claimed to be able to see through everything, including the chakra pathways and tenketsu of the human body, it was ultimately only effective against beings with chakra and was completely useless against Shendu.

--At the Namikaze household, to ensure the safety of the Jinchuriki, Kushina, Minato Namikaze had been assigned by Sarutobi Hiruzen the task of escorting her to the shelter.

After all, Konoha was currently in a state of war, and all available hands had been sent to deal with Shendu. It would be disastrous if a Tailed Beast rampage were to occur on top of everything else...

"Ahhh! That damn old Hokage! He's making me so mad! I could clearly help protect the village too!"

Kushina's hair stood up in a fury as she transformed into her red-haired demon persona. After all, she was a Jonin, and she could attempt to seal Shendu using the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques. Even if she couldn't seal him, she still had the Adamantine Sealing Chains to significantly restrict Shendu's mobility!

And now, just because she was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, she was being sent to a shelter?! Did that old geezer Sarutobi Hiruzen really not take the fists of "Uzumaki Kushina" seriously?!

"Ahhh! Stop looking down on me!"

Seeing his little chili pepper waving her small fists and looking like she was about to explode, Minato found himself in a difficult spot. He had to carry out the mission entrusted to him by the Third Hokage while also soothing Kushina's heart.

"It looks like I have no choice but to use my ultimate move...!"

Minato gathered his resolve and, with lightning speed, hugged Kushina tightly, saying gently, "Lord Hokage is just afraid that something might go wrong... can you please stop being angry?"

Just by meeting Minato's handsome, refined face, Kushina's anger vanished by more than half. Her face turned red, and she muttered, "Fine... I'll forgive that old geezer this once, just for your sake..."

At this moment, the Nine-Tails within the mental space felt Kushina's anger leaking and the seal loosening. Just as it was overjoyed and grabbing the opportunity to do something, the anger it held in its grasp slipped away in an instant...

"Damn you, Minato Namikaze! When I get out, you'll be the first thing I eat!"

After calming Kushina down and taking her to the shelter beneath the Hokage Rock, Minato's gaze became resolute. He held his Flying Thunder God Kunai, looked at the fiery clouds in the sky ahead, and his figure flickered into a flash of gold.