Crisis! Appears!

Uchiha Ying's expression turned grave, his brows tightly furrowed and his eyes narrowed into slits, revealing his vigilance and unease. He took a deep breath and lowered his voice as he spoke to Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him. "This is bad. Move, now! Someone's caught up to us—it's the Hidden Cloud. I didn't expect them to hold back before the match and choose to ambush us afterward." His tone was low and stern, carrying a trace of tension and anxiety.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "What? Those bastards really are up to no good."

Uchiha Ying knew full well that these Hidden Cloud ninja were not to be underestimated. If they were caught, the consequences would be unthinkable. His heartbeat quickened, and sweat beaded lightly on his forehead, but he forced himself to remain calm as he considered their options. His gaze remained locked on the direction behind them, as though he could see the enemies closing in through the air itself. His eyes were filled with vigilance, missing no potential threat. He knew that he could not relax in the slightest at this moment. He had to remain on high alert at all times.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression immediately turned solemn. He swiftly surveyed the surroundings, his mind racing through possible responses. Wisdom gleamed in his eyes, like an experienced commander assessing the battlefield.

"The terrain around us is complicated, which gives us some advantage, but we don't know the enemy's numbers. We can't act rashly," Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered.

The surrounding environment, the enemy's numbers and strength, their own advantages and disadvantages—all these factors flashed through his mind.

"They must be here for Hatake Sakumo. We can't let them succeed," Hiruzen Sarutobi said quietly, determination shining in his eyes. Though his voice was not loud, it was filled with strength, making everyone feel reassured. He waved his hand, signaling everyone to withdraw at once.

"Everyone, keep up! Don't fall behind, and stay alert!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted.

His movements were decisive and forceful, as if conveying a message to everyone: they could not sit still and wait for death. They had to act quickly.

Everyone immediately sprang into action, racing toward Konoha as fast as they could.

"Faster! Move faster!" someone shouted anxiously.

Their figures shot through the mountain forest like arrows leaving the bow. Every face was filled with tension and anxiety. They knew that if the Hidden Cloud caught up with them, the consequences would be unimaginable.

However, the Hidden Cloud ninja were incredibly fast and soon caught up.

"Hmph, trying to run? It won't be that easy!" the Hidden Cloud ninja shouted, unleashing all manner of ninjutsu against them.

"These guys just won't leave us alone!" Uchiha Ying roared.

The Hidden Cloud ninja's voices were full of arrogance and confidence, as though victory was already theirs. Their ninjutsu came crashing down like a raging storm, leaving no room to breathe. Flames, lightning, water, and other elements intertwined through the air, creating a terrifying sight.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others dodged the attacks while searching for an opportunity to strike back.

"Everyone be careful! Don't get hit!" Hiruzen Sarutobi loudly warned.

Their figures weaved nimbly through the barrage, like seabirds flying through a storm.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were calm and composed as he continuously observed the enemy's attack patterns, searching for an opening.

Uchiha Ying activated his Sharingan, taking in every movement of the enemy.

"Sharingan, activate! Let's see where you think you're going," Uchiha Ying said in a low voice.

Red light flickered in his eyes, as if they could see through everything. He stared intently at the Hidden Cloud ninja's movements, overlooking not a single detail.

"This is bad. It's Zangbi of the Hidden Cloud. He has Quasi-Shadow-level strength now. Junior Brother, you go first!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

Uchiha Ying was startled. "Senior Brother, how can you handle this alone?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were filled with urgency and concern, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Stop talking and go! Protect Sakumo. He is Konoha's hope," Hiruzen Sarutobi said sternly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi swiftly drew a kunai and gripped it tightly, preparing to face this powerful enemy alone.

"Go! Return to Konoha and get reinforcements. We can't let them succeed!" he urged Uchiha Ying again.

"Everyone, don't panic. Hold the formation. We can break through," Hatake Sakumo said calmly.

"Sakumo, be careful. Don't act rashly," Uchiha Ying warned.

He gripped the White Fang short blade tightly, ready to deal with the enemy's attacks at any moment.

As the fierce battle continued, everyone gradually fell into a desperate situation.

The Hidden Cloud ninja were numerous, and their strength could not be underestimated.

"Damn it, there are too many of them!" someone shouted.

Yet they did not give up. They continued to resist stubbornly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and focused completely on Zangbi of the Hidden Cloud as he steadily approached.

A powerful aura radiated from him, and every step he took seemed to make the earth tremble.

"Come on!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted, launching the first attack.

"Take this—Kunai Technique!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted.

The kunai in his hand flashed with streaks of cold light as he unleashed various ninjutsu at Zangbi of the Hidden Cloud.

But Zangbi of the Hidden Cloud remained unhurried, effortlessly evading the attacks with a disdainful smile on his lips.

"That's all you've got? You dare challenge me?" Zangbi of the Hidden Cloud mocked.

He began to counterattack, powerful ninjutsu sweeping toward them like a storm.

Hiruzen Sarutobi resisted with all his strength, but he still felt immense pressure.

"What terrifying power!" Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted out.

His body was driven backward again and again by the tremendous impact, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Summoning Technique! Enma!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

In an instant, smoke billowed upward, and a giant ape appeared out of thin air.

Enma was tall and imposing, radiating a powerful presence. His red fur gleamed brilliantly beneath the sunlight.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood firmly upon Enma's shoulder, determination and resolve in his eyes. "Partner, it looks like we'll be fighting side by side again," Hiruzen Sarutobi said softly.

Enma let out a low roar, as though responding to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

His massive fists clenched tightly, ready to strike the enemy at any time.

When Uchiha Ying saw Hiruzen Sarutobi driven into a desperate situation, he fought with all he had and led five Uchiha guards to rush in and help.

"We're here to help, Senior Brother!" Uchiha Ying shouted.

Their figures raced over like lightning, their eyes burning with unwavering fighting spirit.

The atmosphere on the battlefield instantly became even tenser, with both sides poised for battle.

However, at that moment, Zangbi of the Hidden Cloud suddenly erupted, revealing the terrifying form of an Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

"This... it's the Eight-Tails! Everyone, be careful!" Uchiha Ying cried out.

A massive surge of chakra swept outward like a storm, striking terror into everyone's hearts.

Uchiha Ying and the others wore grim expressions. They knew all too well how powerful an Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was.

"Don't be afraid! We'll take him together!" Uchiha Ying shouted.

Yet none of them retreated. Instead, their resolve to fight only grew firmer.

Uchiha Ying's Sharingan flickered with red light as he stared fixedly at Zangbi, trying to find his weakness.

"Everyone, be careful. The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki's power is extremely strong. We must work together."

Uchiha Ying spoke loudly. The Uchiha guards all nodded, gripping their weapons tightly as they prepared for this difficult battle.

Empowered by the Eight-Tails, Zangbi became incomparably powerful.

His attacks came down like a raging storm, impossible to withstand.

"Watch out!" "Get out of the way!" everyone shouted.

Uchiha Ying and the others continuously dodged his attacks while searching for an opportunity to retaliate.

During the fierce battle, Uchiha Ying discovered that although Zangbi was powerful, there were still unstable factors when he controlled the Eight-Tails' power.

"I found his weakness! Everyone, get ready to coordinate!" Uchiha Ying shouted.

He immediately told the others what he had discovered, and they decided to exploit that weakness and counterattack.

"Alright, let's go!" everyone answered in unison.

The five Uchiha Jonin activated their Sharingan at the same time and unleashed a genjutsu. Their powerful mental force formed an invisible net that instantly enveloped the Hidden Cloud ninja.

"Illusion Technique: Hell Viewing!" Uchiha Ying said in a low voice.

The Hidden Cloud ninja felt the scene before their eyes distort, their consciousness gradually blur, and were directly placed under control.

Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately seized the opportunity and rapidly formed hand seals.

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!" A massive fire dragon roared toward the Hidden Cloud ninja, its blazing flames seeming ready to burn even the air itself.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!" Hiruzen Sarutobi followed up at once.

A water dragon soared into the sky, answering the fire dragon's charge.

The combined twin dragon bullets erupted with astonishing power, temporarily driving back the Hidden Cloud ninja.

"Go, now! While we have the chance!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted.

Without the slightest hesitation, Hiruzen Sarutobi led the team swiftly back toward Konoha.

"Everyone, pick up the pace. We can't let them catch us again," Uchiha Ying said.

Along the way, everyone vigilantly watched their surroundings in case the Hidden Cloud launched another pursuit. They traveled without stopping and finally reached the Land of Fire.

"We're finally here. Everyone, rest for a moment," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

As they stepped into the Land of Fire, a familiar sense of safety welled up in their hearts.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that this crisis was far from over.

"The Hidden Cloud Village's actions this time are not simple. We must report to the Hokage as soon as possible," Hiruzen Sarutobi said gravely.

The Hidden Cloud Village's ambitions would not fade easily. They had to report this incident to Hokage Tobirama Senju as soon as possible and prepare for the Hidden Cloud Village's subsequent actions.