With a thought, he instantly formed several complex hand seals, his chakra surging violently.
" Summoning Technique: Salamander Ibuse!"
"Boom!"
A huge plume of white smoke exploded at the rear of the retreating Amegakure forces, not too far from the Sunagakure's defensive line.
That colossal beast, as black and purplish-black as a small mountain, exuded a nauseatingly sweet and fishy stench.
The Salamander Ibuse, descended upon the desert.
The moment it appeared, the surrounding air seemed to thicken.
"Oh no! It's Hanzo's summoned beast! Scatter! Defend!" Chiyo was the first to react, shouting sharply.
However, it was already too late.
Upon its appearance, Ibuse, without any specific command from Hanzo, acted on its most instinctive fighting instincts and understanding of its master's intentions. It abruptly raised its massive head, covered in venomous glands, its abdominal venom sacs throbbing violently, and then—
"Puff--!!!"
A thick, almost tangible, toxic mist, nearly black in color, erupted from its mouth like a volcanic eruption.
This poisonous fog was not only extremely wide, covering a large area in front, but it also sprayed at an extremely fast speed, like a torrent of poison bursting its banks, engulfing the Sunagakure ninjas who had not yet fully dispersed or were trying to Hand Seals to defend themselves.
"Poisonous fog! Hold your breath!"
" Wind Release! Use Wind Release to disperse them!"
" Earth Release · Earth Flow Wall!"
The Sunagakure Fortress was thrown into chaos.
Those who reacted quickly immediately held their breath and retreated or used defensive ninjutsu, while those who reacted slower were instantly engulfed by the poisonous mist, and screams immediately rang out.
Even those ninjas who used Wind Release found that the poisonous fog was unusually thick and heavy, and ordinary Wind Release could not disperse it quickly. Instead, they might stir the fog up more evenly.
This wave of poisonous fog attack was too sudden and fierce. Although the instantaneous fatal casualties may not be as great as in close combat due to the distance and the timely reaction of Sunagakure, the number of people poisoned must be considerable.
Moreover, this highly toxic substance is extremely difficult to handle, and the subsequent medical burden and casualties are certain.
Hanzo was pleased. In that case, Sunagakure would suffer heavy losses. He would come back in a while.
Driven by the instinct of a top-tier ninja to control the battle, he kept a watchful eye on the area he had shrouded in poisonous mist before completely disengaging.
What he expected to see was the panic and chaos among the Sunagakure, the tragic scene of many people collapsing from poisoning, and the inevitable larger-scale unrest and strain on medical resources that would follow in order to treat the wounded.
This would not only cause substantial damage, but also severely damage the morale of Sunagakure, making them fearful of Hanzo and Amegakure's poison for a long time to come.
However, the scene that returned to his senses caused his pupils to suddenly contract.
The poisonous fog did indeed cover a large area, and some Sunagakure were caught off guard and inhaled or came into contact with it, exhibiting typical symptoms of poisoning such as painful suffocation and skin ulceration.
But what happened next was completely unexpected.
The companions of the poisoned, and even some of the poisoned themselves, after the initial panic, did not helplessly wait for medical ninjas or try to use ordinary antidotes as usual. Instead, they quickly pulled out a small, inconspicuous bag made of some kind of tough animal hide or special cloth from their ninja tool pouches or pockets.
They skillfully untied the drawstring of the bag and held the opening towards the mouth and nose of the poisoned person, or pressed it against the poisoned skin wound.
Immediately afterwards, a soft and pure white mist rose from the small bags.
This white mist was completely different from Hanzo's thick, purplish-black poisonous mist, which was filled with the aura of death. It appeared light and clear, and even carried a faint, herbal, refreshing scent.
Even more shockingly, when the white mist came into contact with or was inhaled by the poisoned individuals, their previously contorted expressions of pain visibly eased.
The purplish-black poisoning marks began to fade rapidly, the rapid breathing became steady, the ulcerated skin stopped deteriorating, and even showed slight signs of healing.
In just over ten breaths, those Sunagakure who had seemed to be on the verge of death from the poison actually stood up one after another. Although they were still somewhat weak, they were clearly out of danger, and the poison had been greatly suppressed or even initially neutralized.
They could even immediately pick up their weapons again or assist their companions in defending against and dispersing the remaining poisonous fog.
??????
Hanzo was stunned.
He was arrested?
Hanzo understood instantly.
His usually calm and collected mind was now stirred up by a raging storm—it was Chiyo from Sunagakure!
The Sunagakure elder, renowned for his Puppet Technique and poison skills.
She actually... during the battle in the Land of Rain, or rather, after studying the cases of the Konoha Sannin being poisoned, successfully cracked the unique mixed poison of Hanzo the Salamander.
Not only did they crack the code, but they also developed such a portable, efficient, and effective antidote that could be used by ordinary ninjas, in the form of a bag that releases purifying white mist.
what does that mean?
This means that the power of poison that Hanzo relied on to make him famous and that struck fear into the entire Shinobi World has been greatly diminished in the face of Sunagakure.
One of his most powerful weapons was countered by the enemy.
A chilling coldness, mixed with an unprecedented sense of frustration, swept over Hanzo's heart.
It wasn't because the border conflict failed to achieve greater results, but because he realized that one of his greatest strengths had been figured out by the enemy, who had found a way to counter it.
At the top combat level, the Sunagakure has the Third Kazekage and Chiyo working together, which is enough to stop him.
In conventional battles, Sunagakure can gain the upper hand by relying on terrain and determination. Now, even his most lethal poison has been countered by the opponent...
"... Walk."
Hanzo's voice was low and hoarse. He uttered only one word before turning back and completely merging into the torrent of the retreating Amegakure forces, disappearing at the horizon.
In this war, the Land of Rain Amegakure have lost completely, with no chance of turning the tide.
Outside Sunagakure, Chiyo watched as the poisonous fog was quickly brought under control and a large number of her men were rescued. Her aged face showed little joy, only deep exhaustion and a hint of relief.
She devoted countless efforts to developing this antidote, and even secretly analyzed poison samples brought back from the battlefield of the Land of Rain.
Now, it has finally come in handy at a crucial moment, preventing Hanzo's poison from causing another tragedy like the one at Konoha's camp.
The Third Kazekage walked to her side, looked into the distance, and said in a deep voice.
"He must have seen it. Your antidote shattered his last illusions."
Chiyo sighed.
"After this war, I'll be too old for this, and I won't get involved in village affairs anymore."
She was indeed old. Her son and daughter-in-law had died in the war, and she had no interest in managing Sunagakure anymore. Now, her wish was to raise her grandson.
The Third Kazekage was stunned, then overjoyed.
Chiyo meant that she would no longer be involved in village affairs. Without Chiyo, a veteran of three reigns, Sunagakure would still be her sole authority.