"Prepare for battle!"
Teacher Shinku shouted. The Fuma Shuriken instantly appeared in his hand as chakra surged into it, making it emit a low hum.
Aoba immediately tightened his grip on his Kunai as chakra rapidly coursed through his body, readying himself for battle.
A brutal fight was about to begin, and this was only the start of their three-day stand.
The Sunagakure ninja charged fiercely, manipulating sand into countless blades and spikes that assaulted Konoha's defensive line.
Konoha's ninja immediately counterattacked. Ninjutsu, Kunai, and shuriken intertwined, forming a dense barrage.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Consecutive Slash!"
Teacher Shinku struck first, hurling the Fuma Shuriken in his hand. Countless wind blades accompanied it as it flew into the mass of Sunagakure ninja.
Wherever the wind blades passed, Sunagakure ninja fell one after another, their screams unceasing.
Aoba was not idle either. Forming hand seals, he continuously unleashed Fire Release ninjutsu, sending fireballs and flaming blades toward the Sunagakure ninja. Though they were less powerful than Teacher Shinku's attacks, they still served to restrain the enemy.
The battle was exceptionally fierce, and both sides suffered heavy casualties.
Taking advantage of the desert terrain, the Sunagakure ninja launched relentless assaults, while Konoha's ninja relied on their fortifications to resist stubbornly.
One Sunagakure ninja broke through the barrage and rushed before Aoba, thrusting a Kunai that flashed coldly toward his chest.
Aoba reacted swiftly, twisting aside to evade the attack while driving his own Kunai toward the man's throat.
With a wet pfft, the Kunai pierced the Sunagakure ninja's throat with precision, blood spurting out.
The Sunagakure ninja's body crumpled limply to the ground, utterly devoid of life.
This was the first time Aoba had personally killed an enemy. He could not help feeling uncomfortable, but on the battlefield, it was kill or be