The dazzling white light formed a pillar of lightning. As Kakuzu fled, it claimed even more lives on the battlefield.
Most importantly, to reach the center of the desert, Kakuzu had to cross the defensive area where the Konoha Ninja were stationed.
By now, all nine giant snakes Orochimaru had summoned earlier had been slain, leaving them without the slightest protection.
Kakashi looked up at the bolt of lightning crashing toward them, his face pale.
Beside him were comrades whose fates were unknown, as well as Hyuga Senso, who had fought back-to-back with him until now.
Hyuga Senso's arms hung limp. He no longer had the strength to fight.
His Chakra had long since run dry. Until now, he had only managed to protect himself through the Taijutsu of the Hyuga Clan.
Even at full strength, he would have struggled to withstand this advanced Lightning Release Ninjutsu. Now, it seemed all he could do was wait for death.
"It's just a shame I couldn't protect Yuan."
"I don't know if the captain survived, either. Things must be even worse for him than for us. I remember five Jonin went after him."
Hyuga Senso sighed. The battlefield was too spread out, and he hadn't seen Gong Yi's final battle.
He glanced at Kakashi, frozen beside him, and smiled bitterly.
"Ogawara used to hate Kakashi more than anyone. Now Kakashi's going to die fighting alongside all of us. What irony!"
Kakashi wasn't thinking about any of that. His mind was blank, but he still clutched the sword in his hand.
A stern yet beloved face flashed through his mind, and Kakashi shuddered.
"No. I can't die!"
"I still haven't found the answer!"
Kakashi gripped his short sword and swung it toward the sky.
An equally dazzling white light appeared in his hand,