They had to hold out until Jiraiya's Sage Mode was ready, until Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's injuries flared up!
High above the edge of the battlefield, Uchiha Itachi firmly blocked Isshiki's escape route to the side.
He, too, refrained from launching an all-out attack.
Itachi was meticulous. He knew Isshiki's strength was overwhelming; attacking recklessly would only waste his energy and expose openings.
He watched quietly, tracking Isshiki's presence and patiently searching for an opportunity. All he wanted was to catch the instant Isshiki exposed an opening and launch a single, lethal surprise attack.
Across the battlefield, everyone fulfilled their role, fighting to the death without retreating.
Yet faced with such a tight encirclement and stubborn defense, Isshiki showed not a trace of concern, only utter indifference and contempt.
He casually raised a hand, instantly punching through the defenses of a charging Jonin and sending the gravely injured ninja flying.
Watching the Konoha ninja fall and charge again, one after another, Isshiki's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile.
"A swarm of ants that don't know their place."
"Since you're so determined to die, I'll play with you a little."
In his eyes, the Konoha elites surrounding him from every direction, ready to fight to the death, were no different from ants or weeds beside the road.
His injuries had yet to heal, and he did not want to use his full strength. That was the only reason he was willing to toy with these ants, treating them as idle entertainment.
Isshiki flickered, moving too fast for the naked eye to follow as he darted through the battlefield.
Every time he raised a hand, another ninja was put out of action;
Every time he set foot down, another ninjutsu shattered with a boom.
Konoha's defensive line was being worn down at a