Blood Stains the Yellow Sand

Konoha's forces are currently scattered throughout the Land of River. Allowing this weapon to enter the country is far too dangerous, both for the Land of River and for Konoha's own troops!

With both sides at daggers drawn and a massive battle on the verge of breaking out, Senju Genma stepped forward from the ranks to the front line.

Seeing him arrive at his side, Sakumo Hatake immediately smiled and said, "That monk is Bunpuku. I'll leave him to you."

Following Sakumo Hatake's gaze, Senju Genma spotted a bald, elderly man with white eyebrows and a white beard amidst the vast Sand Ninja army.

Senju Genma had seen his photograph and identified him at a glance.

"Then I'll take him. I'll do my best to lure him away and keep him far from the battlefield."

"You all be careful as well. Don't get caught in the crossfire."

Sakumo Hatake nodded. "I understand. You don't need to hold back for the sake of our lives; your safety is the most important thing."

Although he didn't want to say such things, it was the truth.

To the village, Senju Genma was indeed more important than "ordinary people" like them.

"Rest assured, I value my life quite a bit. I won't do anything reckless," Senju Genma said with a grin.

He was quite selfish; to him, every life was not equal. The only ones worth sacrificing his life for were those he held dear.

But unfortunately, the only person he held dear currently in the Land of River was Tsunade, and she was stationed far in the rear, managing the logistics troops.

As for the others—even those who could barely be called friends, like Orochimaru and Sakumo Hatake—Senju Genma had never considered giving his life for them. If they were to die, he would feel sorrow at most.

Senju Genma thought for a moment, then looked at Sakumo Hatake, Orochimaru, and Danzo Shimura.

"Very well, then Chiyo and Ebizo will be left to you."

"Understood."

"No problem."

Sakumo Hatake and Orochimaru answered immediately.

Danzo Shimura stared fixedly at Senju Genma with his one unbandaged eye, lost in thought for a moment.

"This old man understands."

Although he viewed Senju Genma as a rival on his path to becoming Hokage, now was not the time for infighting.

If they lost this battle, there would be no need to think about becoming Hokage in the future.

Conversely, if they won, he could atone for his past mistakes and perhaps have a sliver of a chance.

Under Sakumo Hatake's lead, the Konoha ninjas launched their charge.

In an instant, the sound of battle cries shook the heavens.

The usually desolate desert was filled with the roar of voices.

Under the pure white moonlight, ninjas clashed in close-quarters combat or unleashed ninjutsu, splashing bright red blood onto the yellow sand.

Senju Genma charged into the fray, leading the way. Any Sand Ninja who dared to approach was repelled, their bodies sent flying backward like kites with broken strings.

"Don't get too cocky, brat." Chiyo stepped forward and pulled out a scroll. "White Secret Technique: Chikamatsu Ten Puppets!"

She used all ten fingers to simultaneously control ten white-robed puppets, launching a coordinated attack on Senju Genma from every angle.

Senju Genma focused his mind and swung the Senju Greatsword in his hand.

Clang!

The female puppet wielding two large blades, who had been charging head-on, was the first to be repelled.

The blue-faced puppet extended five iron whips from its head, while the double-faced red and white puppets linked their arms together. The red-faced puppet's head transformed into a high-speed rotating four-bladed chakra knife, and the white-faced puppet's arm turned into a chain, launching the red-faced puppet toward Senju Genma.

Senju Genma threw several kunai, gripped his greatsword with a reverse hold, and leaped high into the air, passing through the gaps between the iron whips. The five whips scraped against his armor, sending sparks flying.

The red-faced puppet's chakra blade was right before his eyes, and suspended in mid-air, Senju Genma had no room to dodge.

The next second, white light shone upon Chiyo's face, and Senju Genma appeared at her side.

"Sage Art: Chidori!"

Senju Genma held high-intensity black and white electricity in his hand, thrusting at high speed toward Chiyo.

The ox-headed puppet, responsible for close-range protection, stepped across to block them, crossing its arms in front of its chest.

As the electric light and the sound of chirping birds dissipated, Senju Genma appeared behind Chiyo, the ox-headed puppet's arms shattered to pieces.

"In the end, they are just puppets. How can they compare to my tempered ninjutsu!" Senju Genma shook his head and sighed. "I have my own opponent to deal with, so I won't play with you anymore."

Chiyo roared, "Damn White Yasha, don't think you can escape!"

The three white-robed puppets formed a triangular formation, opening the "Buddha," "Dharma," and "Sangha" mechanisms, their hands forming the Tiger seal.

A flash of steel flickered, and the puppet formation was instantly shattered.

"Old hag Chiyo, your opponent is me!"

Sakumo Hatake stood in the field, raising his short blade, White Fang, which shimmered with a cold, piercing light.

"Damn White Fang, today, I will make you die here."

"If you have the ability, then come and get me!" Sakumo Hatake said calmly.

Enemies meeting face-to-face were blinded by rage; the moment Chiyo saw Sakumo Hatake, she abandoned Senju Genma and manipulated her puppets to launch an assault against him.

Ebizo and Rasa also rushed to Chiyo's side.

Trailing behind them were two more figures: Orochimaru and Danzo Shimura.

The two had already selected their opponents; Orochimaru extended several large snakes from his sleeves to strike at Ebizo, while Danzo Shimura unleashed Wind Style ninjutsu to launch an attack on Rasa.

Senju Genma did not linger, turning to charge into the troops behind Chiyo in search of Bunpuku.

"Found you!"

In less than a second, Senju Genma released his sensory perception and felt that chakra belonging to the Tailed Beast.

Senju Genma arrived a short distance in front of Bunpuku, who was being guarded in the center by four Hidden Sand Village Jonin.

Seeing Senju Genma appear, the Hidden Sand Village Jonin raised their kunai or drew their shuriken.

It was clear they all recognized Senju Genma, and faced with such a dangerous individual, they chose not to attack rashly.

"Benefactor, have you come to kill me? Must we truly resort to conflict?" Seeing that Senju Genma did not launch an immediate attack, Bunpuku pressed his palms together, chanted a Buddhist mantra, and stopped the Hidden Sand Village Jonin before speaking.

"If you don't die, do you expect me to?" Senju Genma merely curled his lip and said disdainfully, "When you entered this battlefield, you should have anticipated that this situation would arise, right?"

"I understand the benefactor's meaning, but sometimes, there are things we are compelled to do," Bunpuku said with lowered eyes.

"Whatever. Since I'm here, there's nothing left to say!" Senju Genma raised his Senju Greatsword, and a blue light erupted from the blade.

Using the Body Flicker Technique, Senju Genma reached the group in the blink of an eye.

The greatsword swept horizontally, slicing two Jonin in half at the waist; the other two Jonin were knocked back, their defensive kunai shattered by the impact.

A layer of Sand Shield appeared around Bunpuku, and Senju Genma's greatsword sank into the sand barrier.

"Is this the White Yasha? Truly terrifying; I couldn't even see his movements just now," one Jonin said, lingering fear in his voice.