Chapter 32

Just as Gai found himself at a momentary disadvantage, surrounded by skilled opponents, the Kumo commander launched a powerful lightning-infused punch aimed at Gai's midsection. However, just as the attack was about to land, a sudden scream from the Kumo Jonins caught the commander's attention.

In the chaotic turn of events, the Kumo commander's attention was diverted by the shocking betrayal within his own ranks. The deputy commander, seemingly loyal until that moment, swiftly executed one of his comrades, while the Jonin by his side ruthlessly dispatched the remaining Kumo Shinobi. The Jonin commander, initially focused on the threat posed by Gai, now found himself faced with a different form of treachery.

"Traitors!" The commander's roar echoed on the battlefield as he grappled with the sudden betrayal. His mind raced to comprehend the motives behind such an unexpected act. The chakra signatures matched; there was no sign of external manipulation. The only conclusion that surfaced in his bewildered mind was that their own comrades had defected, turning against their own village.

The commander's intent to charge at the deputy and the other Kumo Jonin was momentarily halted by the emergence of a looming danger. Gai, taking advantage of the commander's distraction, seized the opportunity to elevate the intensity of the battle to a whole new level.

"Hirudora!"(Daytime Tiger) Gai's voice thundered as he unleashed the devastating technique. The air crackled with the raw power emanating from Gai's unleashed chakra. The Leaf powerhouse, propelled by the might of the Sixth Gate and the partially opened Seventh Gate, became a force of nature. The technique, named after the fearsome beast, struck with unparalleled force.

Caught off guard and momentarily stunned by the internal betrayal, the Kumo commander, clad in his lightning armor, was ill-prepared for the impending onslaught. The sheer pressure and impact of Gai's ferocious attack tore through the commander's defences as if they were mere illusions. Lightning flickered, and the commander was tossed like a ragdoll, his body contorting in response to the devastating assault.

As the dust settled and the echoes of Gai's ultimate attack resonated across the battlefield, the Kumo commander lay battered and defeated. The betrayal within his own ranks and the overwhelming power of Gai had turned the tide decisively against the Kumo forces.

Gai, having brought down the Kumo commander with his formidable technique, shifted his focus to Kazuki, gesturing in a relaxed manner.

"Kazuki, is everything on your end sorted out? Have the hostages been rescued?" Gai's inquiry carried a mixture of concern and confidence, his eyes reflecting the unwavering determination that defined the seasoned ninja.

Kazuki, though impressed by Gai's ability to pierce through his disguise, returned to his original form before responding. Nearby, the Jonin under Kazuki's influence retained their Kumo appearances, seamlessly blending in with the remaining Kumo Genin and Chunin, who were still engaged in skirmishes with the Leaf reinforcements. Gai, curious about the disguised Jonin, awaited an explanation, but Kazuki merely smiled, deeming it inappropriate to reveal the intricacies of his strategy at that moment.

"Yes, Gai sensei. The hostages are secured," Kazuki affirmed, his voice carrying a sense of accomplishment. "The remaining Kumo ninjas are still attempting to break the barrier I erected around town. Once we regroup, we should be able to eliminate or capture everyone."

With the Kumo commander defeated, the morale of the Kumo forces dwindled rapidly. Gai wasted no time and swiftly issued orders for the Leaf ninjas to regroup, preparing for a counterattack against the remaining Kumo Shinobi, who persisted in their efforts to breach the barrier.

Regarding the hostages that Gai had inquired about, they found refuge in a corner of a dimly lit warehouse, their faces etched with expressions of fear and gratitude. Among them, palpable tension lingered as their eyes darted nervously towards a seemingly innocuous yet eerily cute black wolf pup.

The memories of the recent chaos were vivid in their minds. The wolf pup, an unexpected saviour, had torn through their captors with a ferocity that defied its adorable appearance. A black puppet, standing stoically in a corner, contributed to the relentless assault on their oppressors, leaving the once-confident Kumo Shinobi reduced to tattered remnants.

Even among the hostages, a Kumo chunin who had hidden his allegiance dared to catch an innocent hostage and brandish a threat, hoping to regain some semblance of control. However, the cute-looking pup had other plans. With a sudden and efficient motion, the wolf pup dove out of the shadow of the chunin, emerging almost instantly to bite off the chunin's head before he could comprehend the impending danger. The black puppet, having fulfilled its role in the chaos, stood silent witness to the swift justice meted out.

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Amidst the bandit camp, Torune patiently awaited the arrival of the Leaf reinforcements, hidden from sight as he monitored the surroundings meticulously. Unbeknownst to the bandits, the two Kumo Shinobi on external guard duty had already succumbed to the poisoned drinks strategically administered by Torune. While the bandits assumed their comrades had merely passed out, the timely demise of the Kumo Shinobi went unnoticed.

Upon the reinforcements' arrival, Torune swiftly briefed them on the situation, providing a detailed account of the bandit camp's layout and potential threats. The leader from the Leaf outpost, demonstrating decisive leadership, opted to personally lead the assault on the bandit camp.

Within the confines of the camp where the hostages were confined, an abrupt and tumultuous noise from the external surroundings immediately seized everyone's attention. A chunin, breathless from his dash into the camp, conveyed the urgency of the situation to the Jonin in charge.

"The Leaf Shinobi are attacking as we speak!"

Maintaining composure, the Jonin inquired, "How many assailants? Any recent updates from the commander?"

In a concerted effort to gauge the scale of the unfolding events, the Jonin also summoned a small rodent, entrusting it with a scroll containing vital information.

"Approximately eight enemies," the chunin replied. "However, we cannot accurately assess their strength. Even with our numerical advantage, we are struggling to hold our ground."

Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, the Jonin swiftly issued orders to his subordinates. "Quickly, everyone! Move out to support the others. I will remain here with a few to guard the hostages."

In response to Jonin's directive, the majority of the bandits, along with the disguised Kumo ninja, hastened to reinforce their comrades engaged in combat. Left behind were the Jonin, two chunins, and a handful of bandits, forming a small contingent tasked with safeguarding the captives in the heart of the bandit camp.

However, in an unexpected twist, the enemy had infiltrated deep into the bandit camp, catching them off guard. Seizing the opportunity he had patiently awaited, Itachi sprang into action as most of the Shinobi left to engage in the ongoing battle outside.

"[Katon: Hōsenka Tsumabeni]"(Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson)

Itachi unleashed a devastating volley of shuriken, infusing them with fire chakra mid-flight. The flaming shuriken, strategically directed to target all the bandits, caught them off guard. Most regular bandits within range were set ablaze and burned to a crisp. Only a few managed to react in time, and the number of enemies Itachi faced dwindled to a mere half-dozen. However, his attack failed to take down any of the Kumo ninjas, who had reacted faster.

"You, who are you, kid? Do you have a death wish?" The Kumo Jonin, maintaining his bandit persona, sought to catch Itachi off guard. The two remaining Chunin and the remaining bandits closed in, attempting to corner the Uchiha.

"[Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu]"(Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)

Itachi launched a massive fireball directly at the Kumo Jonin without giving any indication. The Jonin, searching for an opening, instinctively used a lightning jutsu to counter the incoming attack, considering the fireball too large to dodge casually.

"[Raiton Dan: Ibuki]"(Lightning Release Bullet: Power Breath)

A seasoned veteran, the Kumo Jonin unleashed a full-powered lightning breath to counter the intense fireball. Meanwhile, the remaining bandits intensified their assaults.

The battle grew increasingly intense. Itachi, relying on his keen instincts, effortlessly dispatched the regular bandits. The Kumo Jonin, with his considerable prowess, proved to be a formidable opponent. Itachi strategically employed explosion tags provided by Kazuki, setting countertraps during the fight. One Chunin miscalculated the explosion range and got caught in the blast, sustaining injuries. Seeing his subordinate in peril, the Jonin moved to intervene, but Itachi reacted swiftly.

"[Katon: Haisekishō]"(Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning)

Itachi employed the burning ash technique to engulf the injured Chunin, ensuring he couldn't escape and obstructing the enemy's vision to prevent them from anticipating his next move.

The Kumo Jonin, understanding Itachi's plan, countered by unleashing a stream of lightning attacks.

"[Raiton: Kangekiha]"(Lightning Release: Wave of Inspiration)

Intent on preventing Itachi from igniting the ash and using the smoke as cover, the Kumo Jonin attacked. However, he didn't anticipate Itachi's next move. A severed head soared into the air, revealing that Itachi's true target had been the other Chunin from the beginning. Just as the Kumo Jonin thought the attack had concluded, a sudden explosion tore the injured Chunin to pieces.

"How?" The Kumo Jonin couldn't comprehend the rapidly evolving battle and questioned Itachi, confusion filling his mind.

Itachi remained silent, watching his opponent closely. However, in the next moment, a blade pierced through Itachi's back. The Kumo Jonin couldn't resist smirking, remarking, "You are still too young to be on the battlefield, kid." The assailant was the woman hidden among the hostages.

But Itachi's expression remained unchanged. As the Jonin observed, Itachi's eyes shifted from normal to one tomoe and all the way to three tomoe Sharingan. At that moment, the Jonin realized his chest had been pierced through by a blade, and a woman stood behind him with a confused and fearful look. The Jonin understood they had fallen under the kid's genjutsu. With blurred vision, his last sight was of the woman being beheaded by Itachi, who leisurely walked towards the hostages. The Jonin whispered his final words, "Uchiha."

After Itachi successfully rescued the hostages at the bandit camp, the remaining enemies faced a swift and decisive defeat. The Kumo Jonin, being the highest combat power among the bandits, couldn't withstand the combined force of the Leaf Shinobi, especially with Itachi joining the battle. The scales immediately tipped in favour of the Leaf Shinobi.

Regrouping, the leader from the Leaf outpost left two Chunin behind to safeguard the newly rescued hostages. He departed with the rest of the force, heading back to reinforce the ongoing battle in the town.

Back in the town, Gai and Kazuki, accompanied by the remaining Leaf Shinobi, initiated a relentless assault on the Kumo Shinobi, attempting to breach the barrier.

"Gai Sensei, can you keep going? Aren't you tired yet?" Kazuki couldn't help but wonder, marvelling at Gai's seemingly limitless stamina. Despite taking Kazuki's medicines, Gai showed no visible signs of fatigue, handling immense pressure since the incident began.

"This is called youth, kid! Soon enough, I will teach you guys too, haha! By the way, Kazuki, how will the others from the bandit camp enter the town with a barrier around it?" Gai, intrigued by the barrier's resilience against the combined attacks of powerful Jonin with lightning attributes, sought clarification on whether their allies could enter.

"No worries there, Gai Sensei. It's just a one-sided barrier. One can enter, but they can't exit. So, if our Shinobi from the bandit camp wants to enter, there will be no issues," Kazuki explained confidently.

Just as he finished explaining, a dozen Leaf Shinobi, including Itachi and Torune, approached. Without waiting for further instructions, they seamlessly joined the ongoing assault against the Kumo Shinobi, reinforcing the Leaf Shinobi's efforts.

The battlefield became a chaotic tableau of intensified combat as the new wave of Leaf Shinobi joined the fray. Kazuki, who had been holding back, discreetly intervened using the shadows whenever any Leaf ninja faced fatal danger. He refrained from deploying his shadow puppets and summoning creatures as he observed that the Leaf side was gradually overwhelming the Kumo ninja. With no proper chain of command and the unstoppable force of Gai wreaking havoc, the Kumo Shinobi could only accept the inevitable fate that awaited them.