On the battlefield between the Land of Grass and Amegakure, the fighting had raged for some time. The air reeked of acrid smoke, stinging their noses and throats.
Battle cries and the booming blasts of ninjutsu intertwined, forming a grim symphony.
The Konoha Ninja stood resolute, working together seamlessly as they pressed forward in waves. In their earlier clashes, they had constantly probed for the enemy's weaknesses, searching for a chance to break through.
At that moment, Salamander Hanzo was locked in a fierce battle with Chiyo of Sunagakure, unable to spare a thought for the fighting elsewhere.
For Konoha, this was undoubtedly a perfect opportunity. Uchiha Clan ninja swung their sharp Ninja Blades, their blades flashing as enemy after enemy fell.
Chen Baojun barreled through the battlefield with his powerful Taijutsu, charging as if no one could stop him. Whenever he unleashed his signature move, Konoha Dragon God, the Rain Ninja were left utterly helpless.
The other Konoha Ninja also made full use of their abilities, unleashing Wind Release, Fire Release, and other techniques one after another. In no time, the enemy ranks were driven back.
Konoha's support and medical ninja worked busily and methodically behind the lines, racing against time to treat the wounded so they could return to battle as soon as possible.
As time passed, Konoha's advantage became increasingly clear. Amegakure's defenses began to crumble, and the Rain Ninja wore looks of terror and despair.
The Konoha Ninja pressed their advantage, their battle cries growing louder. They knew this was a rare opportunity. Only by seizing it and pressing their attack now could they gain a massive advantage on the Amegakure front, perhaps even push the front line back into the Land of Rain. Then, when they reunited with the forces led by Hatake Sakumo, they could lay the foundation for victory in the war!
The wind howled across the cliff, whipping Salamander Hanzo's robes around him.
He had just driven back the Sunagakure forces led by Chiyo. Now he gripped the report delivered by his deputy, Salamander Shinda, so tightly that his knuckles had turned pale. News of the crushing defeat on the Land of Grass battlefield stabbed straight into his heart like a blade.
Hanzo's eyes flew wide, bloodshot and blazing with fury. His face flushed, and veins bulged across his forehead like writhing earthworms. He clenched his teeth until they ground together, as if he wanted to chew the report to pieces.
"Bastards! Damn Konoha!"
Hanzo roared, his voice echoing through the valley, filled with boundless rage and resentment.
He flung the report to the ground and stomped on it, as if he could crush the humiliation of defeat beneath his feet.
Salamander Shinda stood silently to one side, head lowered, hating his own weakness and the fact that he had been unable to help Salamander Hanzo.
Hanzo paced back and forth, each step seeming to carry a thousand pounds and making the ground tremble. Scenes of defeat and memories of the great nations bullying and oppressing the smaller ones crowded his mind...
"I refuse to accept defeat like this!"
Hanzo stopped abruptly, fists clenched, determination and resolve shining in his eyes.
"Regroup the troops! I'll make those self-important great nations pay dearly!"
His voice was low but authoritative. Salamander Shinda hurriedly nodded and rushed off to deliver the order.
Salamander Hanzo gazed into the distance, the flames of vengeance burning in his heart.
Without Salamander Hanzo drawing Sunagakure's fire away from Konoha, the situation on the battlefield changed in an instant.
When Chiyo and her younger brother, Ebizo, heard that Salamander Hanzo had left, their sharp, icy gazes swept toward the map and fixed on the location of Konoha's temporary camp in the Land of Rain, facing Sunagakure.
The atmosphere grew tense at once, as if the air itself had frozen beneath the killing intent.
At noon the next day, the sound of clashing metal rang out through the steady rain of the Land of Rain.
Chiyo gave a cold laugh and swiftly formed Hand Seals. In an instant, several puppets appeared at her side. They came in all shapes and sizes: some wielded blades, while others concealed hidden mechanisms. They stood facing Hatake Sakumo.
Ebizo was no less formidable. His puppets flitted like ghosts along the edge of the battlefield, waiting for their chance to strike.
Hatake Sakumo's expression was grave. He knew how dangerous the siblings were, and gripped the katana in his hand tightly as its blade glinted coldly. He quickly arranged the Konoha Ninja into formation, ready to face the coming onslaught.
The battle began in an instant. The puppets attacked first, sending countless Senbon streaking through the air, their dark purple glow flickering as they shrieked past.
The Konoha Ninja showed no fear, countering with ninjutsu. The glow of their techniques mingled with the clang of metal against puppets, and the entire battlefield descended into chaos.
Hatake Sakumo led from the front, darting through the puppet ranks like a brilliant blue flash of lightning. Each swing of his blade severed several Chakra Threads, temporarily disabling one puppet after another.
But Chiyo and Ebizo's assault grew fiercer. Their attacks with countless poisoned weapons quickly took many Konoha Ninja out of the fight, even when they had suffered no more than a minor graze. Gradually, Konoha's forces began to struggle against the onslaught.
Smoke filled the battlefield, and the sounds of combat still rang deafeningly through the air.
Hatake Sakumo keenly assessed the situation. Although the enemy had no advantage in numbers, many of the Konoha Ninja had been poisoned. If they let Sunagakure drag the battle out, their side would be put at a disadvantage.
He made his decision at once. With a cold, resolute gaze, he ordered the Konoha forces to retreat in a low voice.
The Konoha Ninja were worried about his safety as he stayed behind to cover them, but years of understanding between them left no need for discussion. They followed his instructions and quickly withdrew with the wounded.
Hatake Sakumo stood alone, his blade gleaming coldly as he faced the encircling Sunagakure Ninja, his posture steady and straight as a pine.
"I am Hatake Sakumo, a Konoha jonin. Anyone from Sunagakure who dares take one step forward will die!"
Chiyo and the others only laughed at Hatake Sakumo's threat before continuing their attack.
The Sunagakure Ninja surged in from all sides like hungry wolves, but Hatake Sakumo showed no fear. Lightning enveloped him as he flashed through the enemy ranks like a ghost, his blade sweeping through the air and spraying blood wherever it struck.
The Sunagakure Ninja attacked without pause, blades flashing as dust billowed around them. With the speed of Lightning Release Nintaijutsu, the keen edge of Wind Release Chakra, and his superb swordsmanship, Hatake Sakumo turned back one crisis after another, cutting down every enemy who came close.
Every strike carried tremendous force, and the Sunagakure Ninja's corpses piled up at his feet.
Farther away, his Konoha comrades retreated while looking back, filled with concern for Hatake Sakumo as he held the rear.
As time passed, the number of fallen Sunagakure Ninja grew, while Konoha's forces had already retreated to a safe distance.
Seeing that she could gain no further advantage, Chiyo had no choice but to call it there. She led the Sunagakure forces away with their wounded and some of their fallen comrades.
By then, Hatake Sakumo's flak jacket was somewhat battered, but he himself had suffered no significant injuries. After quickly sealing several bodies inside a scroll, he turned and left the battlefield as well.
At last, after both sides had left dozens of bodies behind, the day's clash came to an end. The brutal battle ended with Konoha and Sunagakure retreating in turn, while the image of Hatake Sakumo standing alone against an army was forever etched into the memories of the Sunagakure Ninja.
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