Before long, the searing heat from the ground seeped downward through the soil, growing hotter and hotter.
It was not as though Konoha's people underground had failed to notice. As soon as Minato Namikaze arrived, he organized people to resist and brought them to the level closest to the surface. The scorching heat made their skin feel as though it were burning, and they immediately unleashed Water Release.
Only by using clear water to cool the area did they manage to hold back the ever-rising temperature.
Above them, the people of the Land of Waves watched Pakura at the center with wary expressions. They believed Konoha would not simply surrender and would definitely burst out from below.
One of the ninjas noticed movement coming from the ground. He immediately lay down and pressed his ear to the surface, hearing a constant rumbling beneath it. He quickly warned the people beside him.
"Everyone, be careful! They're coming out!"
Sure enough, flames exploded apart from the center. Pakura had not separated them herself; someone had used Earth Release ninjutsu to break through from below, followed by a massive wave of Water Release.
Water and fire collided, producing a piercing hiss—the sound of flames being extinguished. However, Pakura gave them no opportunity.
"Water Release! Great Waterfall Technique!"
The instant they rushed out, all the ninjas surrounded Pakura, their weapons gleaming coldly. At the same time, a ninja from the Hidden Mist Village directly used Water Dragon Bullet to cover the surrounding area.
They wanted to deal a crushing blow in one stroke!
Unfortunately, the idea was beautiful, but reality was cruel.
Though he was a Jōnin and the water dragon he unleashed had some force behind it, in this world of flames, the Water Dragon Bullet was not large enough to reach Pakura.