The oppressive atmosphere deep within Annihilation Valley had almost become tangible. The warped Nether Purification Stone pulsed with an ominous purple-black glow, Sasuke Uchiha struggled in agony amid the tides of dark energy, and Obito's cold gaze from afar seemed to set the final seal on this portrait of despair. Hidden behind a massive, grotesque black rock, the Allied Forces' reconnaissance squad faced a difficult choice.
"We have to stop them!" Kankuro kept his voice low, guiding Crow in circles overhead to capture a clearer view. "Sasuke's in danger. The energy coming off that stone is making even my puppet's chakra threads tremble!"
C looked equally grave. "Obito and Zetsu are both here. We have no chance in a head-on fight. Our priority is to get this intelligence back to Allied Forces headquarters immediately!" As one of Kumogakure's elite, he understood what mattered most.
Akatsuchi's usually good-natured face was solemn as well. "I agree with C. The energy field here is too strange. It's severely suppressing our strength."
Shino Aburame's insects relayed their uneasy agitation. He said nothing, but clearly favored retreating to seek reinforcements as well.
Everyone's eyes turned to Ling. Of everyone in the squad, he was the most sensitive to the energy here and the Sacred Lord's power. He was also an old friend whose connection to Sasuke was unlike anyone else's.
An azure Water Mirror glow covered Ling's eyes as he fixed them on Sasuke at the center of the energy storm. He could "see" Sasuke's own fierce, proud chakra being forcibly tainted and smothered by an alien darkness, cold and foul. The faint light born of the Senjutsu intent Ling had transmitted earlier flickered deep within Sasuke's consciousness like a candle in the wind, liable to go out at any moment.
Retreat was the most