Under Chiyo's command, the once-chaotic Sand Shinobi force regained its order.
Squad after squad of Sand Shinobi moved with Fugaku, while Chiyo worked her ten fingers.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Ten Puppets appeared around Fugaku.
They looked battered, having taken damage in yesterday's battle.
Fugaku smiled. "Since you're here, the Konoha force led by Uchiha Jin can't be far from Sunagakure.
"Sunagakure's only path is defeat. Holding out will only get you killed. If you'd surrendered yesterday, Sunagakure would have suffered no damage.
"The longer you fight, the more harm you'll bring to the village and its civilians."
Chiyo's face turned icy. "Still talking tough when you're about to die? Plenty of Ninja are lying in wait at the Sunagakure Gate. They'll hold your forces off long enough for us to kill you."
Fugaku's Sharingan swept over the Sand Shinobi before him. The smile vanished from his face. "If you're so eager to die, I'll oblige."
Body Flicker Technique!
He retreated swiftly, forming hand signs as he went.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Jutsu!"
Five fire dragons twisted through the air, converging on Chiyo from every direction. At the same time, a Shadow Clone appeared beside Fugaku.
Fugaku and his clone leaped into buildings in opposite directions and formed hand signs.
"Earth Release: Earth Moving Core!"
"Earth Release: Rock Lodging Destruction!"
Large stretches of intact buildings on both sides of the street sank. The rock around them crumbled, burying the buildings in an instant.
When the Ninjutsu ended, broad swaths on both sides of the street had become rubble. Some civilians who had yet to evacuate were buried beneath it.
In the distance, Chiyo finally broke free of the Great Fire Dragon Jutsu. Her ten Puppets looked even worse than before.
The sight of the ruined buildings made her heart bleed.