Chapter 14

The battlefield became a canvas of chaos, with jutsus colliding, explosions resonating, and the clash of wills echoing through the gorge. Shikaku, Choza, and the remaining Leaf Shinobi fought with every ounce of their strength, determined to navigate through this lethal gauntlet and emerge victorious.

"Quick stop them; they are about to breakthrough."

As the chaos of battle raged on, the Kumo Jonin leader keenly observed Shikaku's strategy. Recognizing the imminent breakthrough attempt led by Choza, he quickly grasped the perilous intent behind the black-clad ninja rushing to intercept. These mysterious figures, poised for self-destruction, aimed to take Choza down with them.

In a split-second decision, Shikaku, his strategic mind working at lightning speed, snatched another seal tag and hurled it towards the approaching enemy. Activating the [Jryoku Fūin], the seal marks rapidly expanded, forming a translucent sphere with a radius of about 30 metres. Shikaku ensured that only the enemy ninja were encapsulated within the sphere, leaving the Kumo Shinobi, who were caught within, with an ominous feeling.

"Quick, get out of there!" the Kumo Jonin leader barked, realizing the impending danger. However, before he could react, the seal tag in his hand glowed, triggering two distinct explosions within the battlefield.

The first explosion compressed everything within the sphere to a single point at its centre. The suicide ninjas, unable to escape the confines of the seal, were compressed and exploded simultaneously. As the dust settled, the Kumo Jonin leader emerged battered and bleeding, missing an arm, as a testament to the destructive force of the explosion.

The second explosion, a consequence of the pursuing Leaf Ninja taking advantage of the chaos, claimed the lives of more than two dozen Shinobi. Seizing the opportunity, the Leaf team broke through the encirclement and made a swift escape, leaving the black-clad ninjas in pursuit, their relentless pursuit unaffected by the Kumo Shinobi's predicament.

"Leader, please issue us an order! Let us pursue; we might still be able to capture and kill them," Kumo Jonin pleaded, eager for vengeance. The battered leader contemplated the situation, his disappointment evident in the aftermath of their unpreparedness against Shikaku's array of lethal tactics.

The Kumo Jonin leader acknowledged defeat, realizing that they underestimated the Leaf Jonin commander's strategic prowess. Each unexpected move had proven more lethal than the last, and their lack of information on the seal tags had cost them dearly. Surveying the devastation and considering the proximity of the fire border, he deemed pursuit unwise. Shikaku, armed with superior knowledge and a knack for deploying high-end traps, would render any pursuit futile.

"Retreat," the leader commanded, erasing any traces of their involvement as they vanished from the scene, their pride wounded and lessons learned in the wake of an unexpected clash with the Leaf's formidable Jonin commander.

Deep within a secure cave, about 60 miles away from the site of the Leaf diplomatic team's ambush, Shikaku activated the defensive barriers provided by Kazuki. The sealing barriers were of high quality, providing a secure location for the Leaf team to regroup and strategize. While they had successfully escaped the immediate threat, the black-clad ninjas were relentless in their pursuit.

The Leaf team, however, did not emerge from the ambush unscathed. They had lost a Jonin during the ambush, a sombre reminder of the dangers they faced. Shikaku, though striving to keep everyone alive, couldn't prevent the casualties. All members were injured to varying degrees, and their chakras had bottomed out, except for Shikaku and the Nara Jonin. Having undergone the Fuin ritual, their chakra reserves were nearly five times greater than before, granting them a substantial advantage.

In the dimly lit cave, Shikaku swiftly pulled out a few scrolls and distributed them among the weary team. He provided clear instructions on how to use the scrolls, and a green halo enveloped each of the six leaf ninja. Miraculously, their injuries started healing visibly, and even Choza, who had sustained severe injuries, felt his fighting spirit restored after using a second scroll on himself.

"Commander, what kind of divine scroll is this? How is it healing our injuries? I can feel my chakra being restored. And those Fuin tags literally saved our lives out there today," inquired the Sarutobi clan ninja, expressing the collective curiosity of the group.

Choza, grateful for Shikaku's preparedness, joined in, eager to uncover the secrets that had proven life-saving during their dire situation.

"It's just some new things that our Nara clan created. I'm relieved that I was carrying these along. But what worries me is something else altogether. Something still doesn't feel right," Shikaku confessed, his mind still racing to identify the missing piece of the puzzle.

"Honestly, it would be great if the Nara family could share these life-saving items with other clans. Young Master Asuma is always a bit of a hothead, and with a few more trump cards, it will relieve some of Sandaime's stress," remarked the Sarutobi clan Jonin, unaware of the impending urgency in Shikaku's demeanour.

Suddenly, a shift in Shikaku's expression caught everyone's attention. His tone grew serious as he addressed the Sarutobi clan ninja.

"Asuma Sarutobi, we need to move quickly. Asuma Sarutobi's life might be in danger. We are going to split up. Jin, Taiki, both of you are with me. Choza, I want you to lead the other two towards the village, cause a distraction, and make sure you reach the village. Pass the message; we will need reinforcements if I am right."

Shikaku's instructions were delivered with urgency, and the team quickly mobilised. The necessity of splitting up was clear—with the black-clad ninjas still on their trail, a prolonged battle was not an option. Shikaku shared a few scrolls and their functions with Choza, and though the team didn't fully understand the situation, they trusted Shikaku's intellect and followed his orders. Time was of the essence, and a blind rescue mission began to unfold. Luckily, Taiki had casually asked Asuma about their mission, so they had a general direction to move; if not, Shikaku would have been flying a blind rescue.

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The dense forest echoed with the rhythmic pounding of footsteps, accompanied by the heavy panting of a man sprinting through the shadows of towering trees. In a swift and desperate motion, he clutched a young teenage lad to his back, his body limp and unconscious. The forest path seemed to blur as the man moved with urgency, navigating the uneven terrain with a singular focus.

Upon closer inspection, the signs of an intense struggle became apparent. Both the man and the teenager were covered in dust, dirt, and fresh wounds. The teenager's face was pale, and his body hung lifelessly over the man's shoulder. Blood seeped through a makeshift bandage hastily tied around the lad's torso, evidence of a severe injury.

The man, too, bore the scars of a fierce battle. His clothes were torn and stained with blood, and the left side of his shirt hung loosely, revealing a gruesome sight—his left arm was missing. A crude and hurriedly tied cloth attempted to stem the bleeding, but the fabric bore witness to the difficulty of the task.

Despite the urgency of their flight, the man moved with controlled desperation. His eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of pursuit. Every rustle of leaves or snapping twig caused him to tense, ready to react to an unseen threat. The forest canopy above cast intermittent shadows on their path, creating an ominous backdrop for the man's desperate journey.

The air was heavy with a sense of urgency, and the man's gritted teeth and furrowed brow revealed the pain and determination etched on his face. He navigated through the forest with an almost instinctive knowledge of the terrain, as if every step was a calculated move to elude an unseen adversary.

The distant echoes of pursuit, or perhaps his own racing heartbeat, fueled the man's determination. He knew that time was of the essence, and the forest, with its twisting trails and concealed dangers, became both his ally and his enemy. The gravity of the situation was palpable, etched into the lines on his face and the silent plea in his eyes.

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Meanwhile, in another place, the moon hung high in the velvety sky, casting an ethereal glow upon the darkened forest. Leaves rustled and shadows moved silently among the trees as the ANBU guards of Hiruzen Sarutobi stealthily navigated the underbrush. The Third Hokage, a silhouette of wisdom and power, stood with an air of anticipation.

Without warning, the tranquility shattered. Lightning arced through the air as the Kumo Shinobi revealed themselves, a well-coordinated ambush led by Dodai. The Hidden Leaf's defenders reacted with practiced efficiency, kunai meeting shuriken in a symphony of clashing metal. Dodai's voice cut through the chaos.

"Tonight, the hidden leaf falls!" he proclaimed.

As the battle ensued, Dodai's elite Jonin squad moved with speed and precision, attempting to outmanoeuvre the ANBU. A Kumo shinobi launched a barrage of senbon, aiming for the Hokage. Hiruzen swiftly deflected them with a twirl of his staff.

"[Doton: Shinju Zanshu no Jutsu]!" (Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique)One of the ANBU chanted, causing the earth to swallow an approaching Kumo ninja, trapping them in a prison of solid rock.

Amidst the melee, Dodai, fueled by arrogance, advanced towards Hiruzen with a whirlwind of momentum. "Your era ends here, Sarutobi!"

But the Third Hokage remained unfazed, executing a seamless substitution jutsu. Dodai's attack connected with a log, leaving him momentarily off balance. Hiruzen reappeared behind the Kumo leader, delivering a precise kick that sent Dodai sprawling.

Meanwhile, the Eight-Tails loomed, its chakra resonating with the forest. Hiruzen's ANBU guards, expertly coordinating their efforts, engaged in a synchronised dance of taijutsu. The Eight-Tails swung their immense tails, creating shockwaves that threatened to upend the battleground.

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, and his hands wove through a rapid series of seals. "[Katon: Haisekishō!]" (Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning) he incanted, spewing forth a torrent of burning ash that obscured the battlefield. Dodai's squad struggled to maintain their formation as the ash clung to their forms, limiting their visibility.

The Hokage seized the opportunity, his staff channelling wind chakra. "[Fuuton: Reppushou!]" (Wind Release: Gale Palm) he shouted, unleashing a powerful gust that dispersed the ash and sent Dodai's squad reeling. The Kumo Shinobi, disoriented, found themselves facing a renewed assault from the ANBU.

Yet Dodai, undeterred, gathered his composure. "Raiton, Gian!" (Lightning Release: False Darkness) he roared, sending a lightning javelin hurtling towards Hiruzen. The Hokage met the challenge with finesse, weaving through the attack and countering with a barrage of explosive tags.

"Doton: Kekkai: Dorōdōmu!" (Earth Release Barrier: Earth Prison Dome of Magnificent Nothingness)another ANBU intoned, erecting an earthen barrier that confined Dodai within a makeshift prison. The Jonin struggled against the confines, thwarted in his attempt to reach the Hokage.

Amidst the chaos, the Eight-Tails roared with fury, their tails morphing into deadly weapons. Hiruzen, undeterred, faced the colossal beast head-on. "Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu!" (Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique) he commanded, conjuring a massive water dragon that clashed with the Eight-Tails, creating a spectacle of elemental power.

As the battle reached its crescendo, Dodai's voice echoed, strained but defiant. "You can't stop us, Sarutobi!"

The Third Hokage's eyes gleamed with unwavering resolve. "This is the village that will endure through generations!" he declared, channelling his chakra into the very core of the battlefield.

The majestic dance of fire, earth, wind, and water continued beneath the moonlit canopy, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Hidden Leaf. The forest bore witness to a battle that transcended time, etching the saga of a Hokage who stood resolute against the storm.

As the battle raged on through the night, the moon waned, and the first light of dawn began to pierce through the dense forest canopy. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and the residue of chakra-infused clashes. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, stood resolute amidst the dwindling shadows, his ageing yet formidable frame a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Hidden Leaf.

The Kumo shinobi, battered and bloodied, faced an adversary who seemed to draw strength from the very essence of the village he protected. Dodai, the Kumo squad leader, sported injuries from the numerous exchanges, his haughty demeanour replaced by a simmering desperation. The Eight-Tails, now diminished with two sacrificed tails, loomed ominously behind him.