Sasuke's form moved like a roaming dragon, weaving swiftly among several Cloud ninja. Lightning flashed, and in mere moments, four Cloud ninja had fallen beneath his blade.
Before Sasuke could catch his breath, another Cloud ninja lunged at him from behind. His old strength was spent, and his new strength had yet to gather. Just as Sasuke braced himself to fight desperately, even at the cost of his own injury, the enemy's figure suddenly froze in place.
A silhouette stood not far off, hands forming seals.
"Shadow Imitation Technique, success."
Shikamaru couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief at the sight.
As Sasuke cut down the Cloud ninja who'd tried to ambush him from behind, another figure—silent and unnoticed—suddenly pounced toward Shikamaru!
"Fang Passing Fang!"
A whirlwind of taijutsu, born from rapid spinning, erupted out of nowhere, sending the Cloud ninja attempting to ambush Shikamaru flying!
"Not bad, huh?"
Shikamaru wiped nonexistent sweat from his brow.
"Heh heh, this great lord's gonna be Hokage someday!"
Having dealt with the enemy, Kiba rubbed his nose, his signature roguish grin spreading across his face.
Just as Kiba reveled in his triumph, a kunai came flying out of nowhere, aimed straight at the back of his head!
Clang!
A massive swarm of black insects surged forth, intercepting the airborne kunai in an instant.
Kiba, belatedly noticing the weapon now lying on the ground, felt a rush of relief flood his chest.
If it weren't for Shino, he'd probably be done for.
"On the battlefield, don't let your guard down. And if you're wondering why…"
"It's the instinct of the bugs."
Shino adjusted the sunglasses perched on his nose, calm and unruffled as ever.
But at that moment, several Cloud ninja charged straight at Shino!
Shino's expression didn't shift. He merely tilted his head slightly, the dark eyes beneath his shades as still as a pond.
"Meat Tank!!!"
With Choji's resounding roar, a massive sphere spun furiously, barreling forward with unstoppable momentum, wiping out the handful of Cloud ninja in an instant!
"Heh heh, if it weren't for Choji, Shino might've been in trouble, huh?"
Kiba chuckled at the scene before him.
But Shino's words made Kiba's expression falter slightly.
"No, this was within my calculations. It's precisely because of Choji that I didn't worry about my back."
Having dispatched the enemies, Choji scratched his head with a goofy grin.
The next moment, the chirping of a thousand birds filled the air, lightning crackling fiercely.
A figure streaked from afar, closing the distance in a flash and piercing through a Cloud ninja attempting to ambush Choji.
Sasuke raised his crimson eyes, pulling his lightning-wreathed hand from the enemy's body.
"Phew, that was close."
Choji patted his chest, still shaken, as he glanced at the dark-haired boy who'd just saved his life.
"Don't get careless. This is a battlefield."
Sasuke stood tall, his voice steady as he addressed the group.
Yet those cold, scarlet eyes, usually so detached, held a faint trace of warmth in that moment.
Not far from the central command post, surrounded by Leaf ninja in a heavily guarded ravine, Karin and Ino performed the Mind Body Transmission Technique once more, constantly monitoring the battlefield's developments.
They relayed every detail to Jiraiya, who was currently keeping Orochimaru in check.
"The right flank's been thrown into chaos by the Cloud ninja—Central Army Unit 5, move in to reinforce immediately!"
"The left flank and vanguard have broken through the enemy line—Rearguard Unit 3, coordinate with the vanguard's left flank for a strong push!"
"The vanguard's under heavy enemy assault—Central Army Units 1, 4, and 6, provide immediate support!"
…
Jiraiya calmly issued rapid commands to the battlefield while simultaneously holding Orochimaru at bay!
"Well, well, Jiraiya, you don't seem as resolute as you claimed."
Orochimaru, wielding the Kusanagi Sword, pressed Jiraiya relentlessly while mocking him with a sneer.
Jiraiya's icy gaze locked onto his former comrade, showing no inclination to waste words.
As Orochimaru unleashed a Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, Jiraiya swiftly retreated, hands forming seals.
"Fire Release: Giant Flame Bullet!"
A ferocious torrent of flames erupted from Jiraiya's mouth, charging straight at Orochimaru!
Orochimaru let out a derisive chuckle at the familiar technique, watching the flames rush toward him with keen interest.
"Jiraiya, you're the same as ever—stubborn and inflexible."
"Fire may be strong, countering my snake techniques and even Wind Release."
"But this so-called 'counter' is nothing but a joke."
Orochimaru's hands formed seals, his expression cold.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A violent gust burst from Orochimaru's mouth. The fierce flames met the raging wind head-on, and in an instant, the fire flared up wildly. What had been a standard Fire Release technique now exploded into an inferno!
The blaze roared skyward, fueled by the wind, the wind feeding the fire!
Yet that inferno wasn't rushing toward Orochimaru!
It surged back toward Jiraiya!
Jiraiya, caught off guard, couldn't help but feel a flicker of frustration as he scrambled to dodge.
Even so, sparks still clung to his body.
The towering man awkwardly patted out the flames on himself.
"Heh, Jiraiya, if you keep letting your mind wander like this, I won't hold back."
Orochimaru raised the Kusanagi Sword and charged at Jiraiya once more!
Jiraiya had no choice but to engage his old foe yet again!
…
Konoha's Rear Lines
A burly man gazed at the disciplined ranks of Leaf ninja ahead, pulling a small notebook from his pocket and scribbling something with a pen.
Nearby, White Zetsu leaned in with curiosity, peering at what he was writing.
Oh yeah, Lord Killer Bee, gonna peel Konoha like a tangerine, one swift strike, and they won't know head from tail…
"What's this?"
White Zetsu, ever the eager student, looked at Killer Bee with interest.
"My rap lyrics."
"Wanna learn? I'll teach ya."
Killer Bee, warmed by White Zetsu's enthusiasm, perked up instantly.
"Huh?!"
"For real?"
White Zetsu's face lit up as he stared at Killer Bee.
"Of course! Folks like you, hooked on rap, ain't rare anymore."
Snapping the notebook shut, Killer Bee looked at White Zetsu like he'd found a kindred spirit.
"So if you teach me, doesn't that make you my sensei?"
White Zetsu's words sent a jolt through Killer Bee.
"Damn right!"
"From now on, I, Lord Killer Bee, am your sensei!"
"Yes, Sensei Killer Bee!"
"I wanna learn rap!"
White Zetsu's eyes welled with tears as he dropped to his knees before the man.
Killer Bee, looking down at White Zetsu with the air of a proud mentor, flashed his signature grin and ruffled the green mop of hair before him.
"In that case, once this mess is over, I'll officially start teachin' ya rap."
"For now, I've got business to handle."
Using White Zetsu's spore technique, he'd slipped into Konoha's rear lines undetected.
This time, beyond just peeling Konoha like a tangerine, there was another goal.
To take out those damn perceptive Leaf ninja while he was at it!
Cloud Village couldn't afford to let such badass sensory ninja stick around!
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