War brought me surprises

Mitaraishi Anko had suffered two more wounds. Blood seeped out, staining her clothes in dark red patches.

When the Stone Ninja fighting Anko saw his captain burn to death, his movements slowed. He could not decide whether to keep fighting or flee.

Their attack on the three Hidden Leaf genin had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Their real mission was to investigate the Hidden Leaf Village's supply routes.

He had just forced Anko back with his kunai when a short blade came crashing down toward his head.

The Stone Ninja hurriedly raised his kunai to block.

What incredible strength! The Stone Ninja was pinned beneath the pressure, unable to move.

"Anko, step back. Leave this one to me."

Mitaraishi Anko breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps she was imagining it, but once she relaxed, even more blood seemed to flow from her wounds.

Uchiha Ling's ninja blade pressed against the Stone Ninja's kunai with a grating creak.

Seeing the Stone Ninja's legs begin to buckle, he leaped backward.

While still airborne, Uchiha Ling formed hand seals and unleashed Great Fireball.

A fireball the size of a house hurtled diagonally downward toward the Stone Ninja.

The Stone Ninja rolled to the side, but failed to escape the Great Fireball's range. With one final scream, he was swallowed by the flames.

The Great Fireball exploded against the ground, and the blast of heat flung a charred corpse into the distance.

Who said Fire Release was merciful? It worked perfectly well in actual combat.

After landing, Uchiha Ling spoke to Mitaraishi Anko, who was down on one knee.

"Orochimaru-sensei uses snakes in a move called Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, I hear. He's killed countless enemies with it. Why do your snakes only give people a fright, Anko?"

Anko pursed her lips. "Orochimaru-sensei summons the