"Charge in!"
The Iwagakure commander brandished his sword and roared as masses of Iwagakure Ninja poured through the breach.
The left flank had fallen.
"Brother! The left flank can't hold!"
Killer B shouted urgently as he fended off Roshi and Han's joint assault.
The Fourth Raikage was being pinned down by Ōnoki and could not spare any attention.
He gritted his teeth as he watched the Iwagakure Ninja pouring into the stronghold, then looked at his own forces being driven back step by step. Finally, he made his decision and said through clenched teeth:
"Pass the order... retreat."
"But the stronghold..."
"We can't hold the stronghold!" the Fourth Raikage roared. "Preserve our strength and retreat to the second defensive line!"
The order was swiftly relayed.
The Kumogakure Ninja began an orderly withdrawal, using the speed advantage of Lightning Release to fight as they retreated and minimize casualties.
But Iwagakure's pursuit was exceptionally fierce.
"Don't let them escape!"
"After them!"
The Iwagakure Ninja pursued relentlessly. Kumogakure Ninja kept falling behind, swallowed up by the Iwagakure Forces.
The Fourth Raikage watched with eyes stretched wide in fury, but he could not stop. He was the commander and had to answer for all of Kumogakure.
"Lord Tsuchikage, should we pursue?"
Kitsuchi asked.
Ōnoki watched the retreating Kumogakure forces and pondered for a moment.
"Pursue, but don't press too hard. Kumogakure is like a wounded beast right now. Corner them, and they'll strike back."
"Also, send men to occupy the stronghold, clear the battlefield, and tally the spoils."
"Yes!"
Iwagakure's pursuit lasted an entire day.
Kumogakure fought as they withdrew, retreating all the way from the stronghold on the plains until they finally held their ground in a gorge three hundred li from Kumogakure.
This was the second defensive line Kumogakure had prepared