The surging fireball swallowed the two men in the blink of an eye.
The Demon Brothers' screams were ear-piercing.
Without reaching the Jonin level, there was basically no way to withstand ninjutsu hurled straight at you like this.
Genin and Chunin relied on throwing ninjutsu to cancel each other out. Taking offensive ninjutsu head-on? Whoever tried it died.
Only those who crossed the Jonin threshold could skillfully coat their bodies in chakra and greatly reduce the direct damage caused by ninjutsu.
But even Jonin had to gather strength and put up defenses beforehand.
Just like when Asuma fought Hidan later on. Caught off guard, he was hit by the backlash from his own Ash Pile Burning, and the entire front of his body was scorched black.
Yet he did not die on the spot even after being burned like that. That alone showed that Jonin and those below them were simply not on the same level.
The Demon Brothers had never imagined that a mere group of Genin could throw out C-rank ninjutsu, and the most destructive kind of Fire Release at that.
After several heart-rending screams, the two were burned by Sasuke's Fireball Jutsu until only two thoroughly charred corpses remained, then they crashed to the ground with a thud.
Sakura had been startled awake by the screams. The moment she forced her eyes open, she suddenly saw two charred corpses facing her, their hollow black eye sockets seeming to still stare at her.
Her entire body jolted. An even sharper scream burst from her throat, and she rolled her eyes and fainted again.
Tazuna, behind Sasuke, let out a long breath.
"Whew, we're saved. Didn't expect this kid to be so capable."
Naruto flipped down from a tree branch, clapping as he laughed.
"Not bad. You're still a