Crisis! Appears!

Uchiha Ying's expression turned grave. His brows knitted tightly, and his narrowed eyes revealed vigilance and unease. He took a deep breath and said in a lowered voice to Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him, "This is bad. Move, now! Someone's caught up with us—it's the Hidden Cloud Village. I didn't expect them to hold back before the match, only to ambush and kill us afterward." His voice 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 Village shinobi were not to be underestimated. If they were caught, the consequences would be unimaginable. His heartbeat quickened, and a faint sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead, but he forced himself to remain calm as he considered a response. His gaze stayed fixed behind them, as though he could see the enemies steadily closing in through the air itself. His eyes were full of vigilance, missing no possible threat. He knew that he could not let his guard down in the slightest. He had to remain alert at all times.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face immediately turned grave. He swiftly scanned the surroundings, his mind racing through possible countermeasures. Wisdom gleamed in his eyes, like a seasoned commander assessing the battlefield.

"The terrain around us is complicated, which gives us some advantage, but we don't know how many enemies there are. We can't act rashly," Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured.

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

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

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

His movements were decisive and forceful, as though conveying a message to everyone: they could not sit around and wait for death. They had to move immediately.

Everyone sprang into action, racing toward Konoha at top speed.

"Faster! Move faster!" someone shouted anxiously.

They streaked through the forest like arrows loosed from a bow. Every face was filled with tension and anxiety. They knew that if the Hidden Cloud Village caught up to them, the consequences would be disastrous.

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

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

"These bastards just won't let up!" Uchiha Ying roared.

The Hidden Cloud Village shinobi sounded arrogant and confident, 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 in the air, creating a terrifying sight.

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

"Be careful, everyone! Don't get hit!" Hiruzen Sarutobi warned loudly.

Their figures darted nimbly through the barrage like storm petrels flying through a tempest.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes remained calm and composed as he continuously observed the enemies' attack patterns, searching for openings.

Uchiha Ying activated his Sharingan, perceiving every movement the enemies made.

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

A red light gleamed in his eyes, as though he could see through everything. He watched the Hidden Cloud Village shinobi's movements intently, overlooking no detail.

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

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were full of urgency and worry, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Quit talking and go! Protect Sakumo Hatake. He's 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 formation. We can break through," Hatake Sakumo said calmly.

"Sakumo Hatake, be careful. Don't be reckless," Uchiha Ying warned.

He gripped the White Fang Short Blade tightly, ready to meet the enemy's attacks at any moment.

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

The Hidden Cloud Village shinobi were numerous, and their strength was not to be underestimated.

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

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and stared intently at Zangbi of the Hidden Cloud Village as he steadily approached.

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

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

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

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

But Zangbi of the Hidden Cloud Village remained unhurried, easily evading the attacks with a contemptuous smile at the corner of his mouth.

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

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi defended with all his strength, yet he still felt overwhelming pressure.

"What incredible power!" Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted out.

His body was forced backward again and again by the tremendous impact, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"Summoning Technique! Enma!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

In an instant, smoke billowed up, and a massive ape appeared out of thin air.

Enma was huge and imposing, radiating a powerful aura. His red fur gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood firmly atop Enma's shoulder, his eyes filled with determination and resolve. "Partner, looks like we're fighting side by side again," Hiruzen Sarutobi said softly.

Enma let out a deep roar, as though answering Hiruzen Sarutobi.

His enormous fists clenched tightly, ready to strike the enemy at any moment.

When Uchiha Ying saw Hiruzen Sarutobi driven into a desperate situation, he risked everything. He led five Uchiha guards to rush in and assist.

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

They raced over like lightning, firm fighting spirit blazing in their eyes.

The atmosphere on the battlefield instantly became even more tense as both sides stood poised for battle.

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

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

A massive surge of chakra swept outward like a storm, sending chills down everyone's spine.

Uchiha Ying and the others wore grave expressions. They understood the terrifying power of an Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

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

Yet no one retreated in the slightest. Instead, their resolve to fight only became firmer.

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

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

Uchiha Ying shouted. The Uchiha guards nodded one after another, gripping their weapons tightly as they prepared for this difficult battle.

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

His attacks crashed down like a violent storm, making them nearly impossible to withstand.

"Watch out!" "Dodge!" everyone shouted.

Uchiha Ying and the others continually evaded the attacks while looking for an opportunity to counterattack.

During the fierce battle, Uchiha Ying discovered that although Zangbi possessed tremendous strength, his control over the Eight-Tails' power was still somewhat unstable.

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

He immediately told the others of his discovery, and everyone decided to exploit that weakness to counterattack.

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

The five Uchiha Jonin activated their Sharingan and used genjutsu at the same time. Their powerful spiritual force became an invisible net that instantly enveloped the Hidden Cloud Village shinobi.

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

The vision before the Hidden Cloud Village shinobi twisted, and their consciousness gradually blurred as they were directly brought under control.

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

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!" A gigantic fire dragon roared as it charged at the Hidden Cloud Village shinobi, its scorching flames seeming to burn even the air.

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

A water dragon soared into the sky, echoing the fire dragon.

The combined double dragon attack erupted with astonishing power, temporarily driving back the Hidden Cloud Village shinobi.

"Go, now!" 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 Village pursued them again. They traveled without rest and finally reached the Land of Fire.

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

As they stepped onto the Land of Fire's territory, a familiar sense of safety welled up inside them.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that this crisis had not been completely resolved.

"This operation by Kumogakure is no simple matter. We need to report to the Hokage as soon as possible," Hiruzen Sarutobi said sternly.

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