Chapter 8

Sindbad covers his ears due to the high-pitched roar of Shukaku, narrowing his eyes at what lies before him. Seizing the moment, the skilled ninja attacks Sindbad, prompting his sixth sense at his waist to scream, enabling him to defend against Jonin Sonagakuri's assault.

Jonin Sona smiles, "Focus on your fight, young man, and do not be distracted by anything else."

Sindbad wipes sweat from his forehead, muttering to himself, "I must end this fight quickly and find Anko-chan." Then he smiles, "Get ready."

Sindbad changes his sword's attribute to lightning, gradually causing the sword to turn blue like lightning. He shouts, "Haaaaa!" directing a surge of chakra towards the chakra blade, transforming it into a plasma sword that bends the air around it.

"Be cautious, because one touch will cost you dearly," Sindbad warns.

Jonin Sona exclaims, "What is this cursed jutsu he's using?"

Sindbad channels what remains of his chakra to his feet, launching like a rocket and leaving behind a small crater. The Jonin instinctively tries to deflect Sindbad's sword with kunai, but the chakra sword pierces through effortlessly, cutting the Jonin in half from top to bottom.

Exhausted, Sindbad pants, "It's finally over, this cursed battle."

He turns around, searching for Anko.

On the other side, with Anko, she's held by Jonin Sona, his saliva dripping on her hand, unable to breathe. He places a kunai on her other shoulder.

Anko cries weakly, "S-Sind..."

Suddenly, the pressure on Jonin stops as everyone looks to see a young man with purple hair standing on a tree. He disappears instantly, and the Jonin finds his hands severed before he can scream, seeing his body fall.

Jonin Sona, surprised, "Isn't this my body?" His head rolls to the ground, where Sindbad stands, carrying Anko.

Sindbad looks at Jonin's comrades, who had mocked Anko's suffering, now burdened under the weight of their guilt.

Sindbad, with a muted voice, "What's so funny?!"

There's no response from them; they all stare at the ground, unable to lift their eyes.

One of the Jonin sighs inwardly, panting, "Damn... What's with this insane pressure? Is this boy younger than me?"

Suddenly, Sindbad disappears and reappears instantly, and the surrounding ninja adjust their gaze to a lower angle.

Among the trees, one of the Anbu watches with shocked eyes, "Damn, what was that feeling just now? Is this fear? I felt fear? From a child less than half my age? What monster has Orochimaru gotten?"

The Anbu disappears in a puff of smoke.

Elsewhere, facing Shukaku and Manda,

Manda says, "Orochimaru, you must provide 5,000 people next time you summon me. We didn't agree on fighting Jugo."

Orochimaru retorts, "Don't be so resentful. This is the weakest of them; your strength is close to his."

Manda coils around Shukaku, attempting to strangle him to death. Shukaku directs sand between him and Manda in an attempt to separate them.

One of the Jonin from Sonagakuri shouts, "Withdraw now!"

The ninja Sonas begin to retreat, pursued by the Konoha ninja for a while before they also retreat.

Bomboko manages to get rid of Manda and withdraw with his forces.

Once Sonas' forces withdraw, Sindbad rushes to the medical tents. Upon reaching the ninja medics, he orders them to leave Anko lying on a bed on the ground and return to the battlefield to help with the wounded.

As Sindbad returns to the battlefield, he finds smoke, rubble, and groans everywhere around him, clear signs of the fierce battle. There are pits and cracks in the ground from powerful attacks and devastating techniques used by both sides.

Sindbad walks amidst the wreckage, stepping on bloodstains and ninja remnants, whether from Konoha or Sonagakuri.

He finds a person crying with a severed leg in a nearby corner. Sindbad rushes to him, extending a helping hand and carrying him to the medical tents.

Upon his return, he finds Orochimaru and the Jonin gathered together. Seeing Sindbad extremely tired after the tough battle, signs of exhaustion and fatigue evident on his face. Perhaps there are marks of battle, like minor wounds or bruises.

His hair is disheveled and scattered, a result of intensive movement and fierce clashes during the battle. His hair might be wet with sweat or stained with dirt and smoke.

His clothes are dirty with dust and have many bloodstains, with some wounds here and there.

Orochimaru says in a gruff voice, "Come back now and rest from this battle, young man."