"Too fast…" Mizuki muttered, stunned as he saw Kurenai Yuhi felled in a single round by Sasori. She hadn't even had the chance to properly engage. Although Mizuki's chakra shield gave him a better defense in such situations, Kurenai was a seasoned jōnin. Still, in this poor visibility and under the rapid Iron Sand Drizzle, getting hit was understandable—though it was unclear whether her wounds were fatal. Mizuki was genuinely caught off guard.
"Is Kurenai-sensei too weak… or am I just getting stronger?"
Mizuki had survived multiple near-death encounters recently and felt his strength had grown significantly, but he didn't expect to reach a jōnin-level so quickly.
Despite his racing thoughts, Mizuki dashed forward, chakra shield active, and intercepted another wave of Iron Sand, shielding Kurenai from further harm.
Sasori reacted fast—after Deidara was taken down, he had knocked Kurenai out of the fight almost effortlessly. Though the Konoha side still outnumbered him, only Hyūga Hiashi and Mizuki were at full combat readiness. Hinata was pushing herself to her limit, while Temari and Gaara remained sidelined, drained and barely standing.
Mizuki understood that sacrificing one for another could be practical, but watching a comrade die—especially someone he'd worked alongside—was not something he could tolerate. It wasn't just logic; it was pride, empathy, and a desire not to regret his choices.
"The Iron Sand is intensifying… I can't hold it back much longer," Mizuki thought, straining against the barrage. He couldn't administer aid to Kurenai mid-battle.
Then Hiashi stepped forward, activating Rotation (Hakkeshō Kaiten) to shield them both. With the pressure momentarily relieved, Mizuki scooped up Kurenai and retreated, Hiashi covering their withdrawal.
"You still planning to fight in this state?" Mizuki said, glancing at the others.
Gaara looked completely spent. Even at his age, prolonged battles were too much. Temari had enough strength only to help him withdraw.
"Fall back," Hiashi echoed Mizuki's unspoken suggestion. "Our goal was never to kill them—just to survive and return. We've delayed long enough."
"Reinforcements?" Temari asked skeptically. "This was a surprise attack—what backup?"
"Even in ambushes, adults know how to send for help," Mizuki said calmly. "Don't underestimate them."
"Yes," Mizuki confirmed in a low voice. "A message was sent earlier. They're coming."
He hadn't announced it earlier to prevent false hope. But now, with the aerial advantage lost to the enemy, it was time to regroup and await backup. If both sides were grounded, Konoha's chances of survival dramatically improved.
"Living is victory," Mizuki reminded himself. "There's still so much to answer for when we return."
Hiashi had been trying to probe Mizuki's background for some time, suspicious of his rapid progress. Mizuki, however, revealed little.
The morale lifted at news of reinforcements. Despite Sasori's unrelenting attacks and deploying the Third Kazekage puppet, they had endured. Mizuki's explosive clone and Hyashi's strike had turned the tide, even if only temporarily.
Still, Mizuki feared the reinforcements might be insufficient. If Konoha underestimated the threat and sent only mid-level support, the rescue team could end up as casualties.
Hiashi, now giving formal orders, instructed everyone to hold position.
"Reinforcements are en route. Our priority is to delay, not to win outright. Sasori has lost his flight advantage. We just need to endure."
"Mizuki, I'll take the rear guard. You focus on keeping Kurenai alive."
Mizuki nodded. He was clearly the better candidate for rearguard, with his chakra shield and large reserves, but Hiashi insisted. Preserving Kurenai's life was paramount.
"Her wounds are grave, but not fatal—if I act now."
Mizuki activated his medical ninjutsu, Mystical Palm Technique, stabilizing her. Combined with the omnipotent potion he'd administered earlier, she had a real chance of survival. The concoction was still repairing her tissue and resisting Sasori's potent toxins.
...
With Deidara's bird grounded, the team could breathe again. Mizuki treated Kurenai while Hiashi fended off Sasori's attacks.
The Iron Sand Drizzle remained the biggest threat—fast, widespread, laced with deadly poison. Without Mizuki's antidote, they would've been long dead. Still, overusing the potion came with side effects. Everyone would require extended recovery, especially Kurenai.
The rest of the Kazekage puppet's Iron Sand techniques—like Iron Sand Gathering Assault, Iron Sand World Method, and Iron Sand Armor—had limitations. They were devastating in enclosed spaces or during stand-off battles, but during a retreat across open terrain, they were far less effective.
"How are you holding up?" asked Hinata's cousin, Hyūga Neji, joining Mizuki briefly.
"Still going, just tired," Mizuki said, drenched in sweat. His chakra was holding, but his body was reaching its limit.
"Let me assist," Neji offered. "My medical ninjutsu isn't at your level, but I can help."
Mizuki considered it and nodded. Sharing the burden was wise. Kurenai's condition had stabilized, so Neji could take over temporarily.
Just then, a massive crash rang out behind them. Trees cracked and fell.
Mizuki turned sharply—only to see Sasori's puppet form hurled through the forest by an enormous force. He smashed through tree trunks and hit the ground hard.
"Reinforcements!" Neji exclaimed.
Mizuki saw the figure approach—Might Guy, Konoha's taijutsu specialist.
Hiashi, visibly relieved, greeted him.
"You're just in time, Guy."
"No need for thanks!" Guy beamed. "Who's the creepy puppet guy? He's got a weird vibe."
"That's not a costume," Hiashi replied grimly. "He's a human puppet."
Guy's face darkened. "Disgusting… I'll handle it."
Hiashi pointed out the Third Kazekage puppet.
"Watch out—that one controls the Iron Sand. Deadly and poisonous."
"I noticed. That attack had bite," Guy admitted. "Didn't expect the Sand's strongest technique."
"We'll leave it to you." Hiashi glanced at Mizuki. "Got any more medicine?"
Mizuki hesitated. "I used up more than I planned… didn't expect a battle this intense."
That wasn't the whole truth. Mizuki had held back some. He didn't want to mass-distribute the omnipotent potion—too dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands.
"I've got a little left," Temari said, offering her vial.
Mizuki nodded, finally releasing the tension in his chest.
"Guy, there's one more person coming," he added. "I just got here faster."
Relief washed over the group. Reinforcements had truly arrived.
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