Chapter 37: Everyone in the trap! 【5】

Although the enemy is strong and they are weak, the Sand Shinobi knew they had accepted a task that could lead to their deaths long ago. By now, they had only one option left: to desperately take a few enemies down with them.

"Hide," the leader commanded, taking a deep breath. If they didn't fight, retreat was still possible, and they might survive. But as members of Sunagakure, retreating at such a critical time would bring disgrace, even if they lived.

Instead, they resolved to fight.

Even if they could take down one or two Jōnin, or injure a Kage-level enemy, it would be worth it.

"Yes," the others nodded, accepting their fate.

The five ninjas concealed themselves expertly, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. They were all seasoned Jōnin, having survived countless battles. By now, their ability to suppress their presence was second nature.

Soon, Uchiha Qiye and his group arrived. They noticed nothing unusual and continued onward, drawing closer to Konoha's station. But as they stepped into the trap laid by the Sand Shinobi, kunai, shuriken, and steel wire sprang towards them from all directions.

"Ambush! Be careful!" Jiraiya shouted, alerting everyone.

"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"

In an instant, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and two other Jōnin slammed their hands onto the ground, raising walls of earth that blocked the incoming barrage. The steel wires were caught and entangled in the walls, preventing the first wave of attacks from reaching them.

Uchiha Qiye, Namikaze Minato, and Uzumaki Kushina were shielded by the swift reactions of their comrades.

"If it weren't for their ninjutsu skills, I wouldn't have been able to react fast enough," Uchiha Qiye thought, grateful for the protection. He knew his own jutsu repertoire lacked defensive techniques, and while his reflexes were sharp, there were times he had to rely on others.

Still, if he were alone, he could have easily escaped with his speed and advanced techniques. His mastery of the Wind and Thunder Body Flicker Technique, coupled with his Time Acceleration from his Sharingan, would have allowed him to evade the danger effortlessly.

As they gathered themselves, a faint sizzling sound filled the air. It was a sound Uchiha Qiye recognized all too well — like the crackle of firecrackers during the Spring Festival in his past life.

"It's a detonating talisman! Quickly, retreat!" Jiraiya yelled.

Through his Three Tomoe Sharingan, Uchiha Qiye could see the edges of detonating tags hidden within the earth walls and even beneath their feet. The traps had only been revealed after the walls had disturbed the ground.

The tags began to ignite, their fuse hissing toward detonation.

Detonating traps were common on the battlefield, but no less deadly. Even Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki, had been killed by one of these. A single talisman wasn't too destructive, but when used in numbers, their power multiplied. Even Jōnin could be severely injured or killed if they didn't react in time.

"Above!" Tsunade shouted.

Their only escape route was upwards, into the air. Jumping would give them the distance needed to avoid the blast, but standing still would mean certain death.

But just as they prepared to leap, a massive slab of earth began to descend from above, summoned by the enemy to block their escape.

"Earth Style: Earth Treasure Zenith!" came the voices of the enemy, their jutsu preventing the Konoha ninjas from fleeing.

"Damn it!" Tsunade cursed.

With a powerful punch, she shattered the first falling slab, but before anyone could react, another one replaced it, falling even faster.

Caught off guard, Tsunade was struck by the descending slab, sending her plummeting toward the ground.

With a quick motion, Uchiha Qiye caught her in mid-air, cradling her in his arms like a princess. "You're really heavy, violent girl!" he teased, knowing full well the kind of response it would trigger.

Tsunade, eyes blazing, nearly smashed him with her legendary strength. But she held back, knowing now wasn't the time.

"Everyone, don't move! I'll handle it!" Uchiha Qiye declared.

He knew he had to act. The situation was dire, and he couldn't afford to let his comrades fall. It was time to show his true strength.

"Mangekyō Sharingan!"

His eyes shifted, the Tomoe connecting into the intricate pattern of his Mangekyō. Blood trickled from his eye as he activated his left-eye ability.

"Pupil Art: Time Slow – 8 Times!"

In an instant, time around him decelerated. Every movement became sluggish as his chakra flared, engulfing him in a powerful aura. He could see everything — the enemies, the detonating tags, and the falling debris — all moving in slow motion.

Outside, the leader of the Sand Shinobi smirked, believing his trap had succeeded.

"What about Kage-level shinobi? Even they won't survive this," he muttered confidently.

But in that moment, the battlefield changed. Uchiha Qiye had taken control, and as the enemy leader initiated the explosion, a fierce light gleamed in Uchiha Qiye's Mangekyō Sharingan.

The next second, everything would be different.

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