Chapter 138: Ninjutsu Clash
Two Rasengan blasts struck the sand barrier, instantly tearing two massive holes through it. The powerful shockwave nearly caused the entire structure to crumble. Already weakened, the barrier finally collapsed under the subsequent bombardment from the Great Vacuum Sphere, disintegrating into a cloud of uncontrollable sand and dust that filled the sky above the Sand Shinobi Army.
At that moment, Sasuke seized the opportunity to unleash another Wind Style ninjutsu. "Wind Style: Infinite Sand and Dust Breakthrough!"
Instantly, every grain of sand in the air was transformed into a countless number of tiny, poisoned needles, blanketing the Sand Shinobi positions. While not lethal on their own, the dust spikes were coated in the venom from the gas bombs. Even the slightest inhalation of the gas would cause paralysis; a wound from one of these spikes would be even more severe.
Only the puppeteers and those with absolute defense like Karuo could effectively resist. The average low- and mid-rank Sand ninja could only wait for death.
"We were too conservative," Sasuke chastised himself, a little pained. "We wasted too many gas bombs."
"Attack!" the Konoha Hundred below shouted, launching explosive kunai toward the Sand army. To avoid the poison gas, they were a considerable distance away, and their initial volleys were ineffective.
Then, several chūnin with a wind affinity unleashed a unique Sand Village ninjutsu they had learned. "Wind Style: Airflow Surge!"
It was a brilliant tactic: using a Suna defensive jutsu against them, turning the chaotic air currents into a delivery system for their explosive projectiles. The kunai landed amidst the Sand army and exploded, the S-rank level blast tearing through their ranks.
Karuo countered, using his own technique. "Flowing Sand Waterfall!" He transformed the terrain into a desert and then unleashed a wave of sand tens of meters high, which rushed toward the Konoha Hundred.
Meanwhile, Sasuke, soaring in the sky, unleashed his own counter. "Water Style: Water Shockwave!" Instantly, a huge, swirling water column similar to a tornado was summoned, crashing down into the sand. As expected of Tobirama's signature Water Style, it not only offered both offense and defense, but also significantly countered the Sand Style. Once infiltrated by the water, the flowing sand instantly lost its chakra activity.
The dozens of shadow clones within the Konoha formation finally broke free, each unleashing a B-rank Wind Style. "Great Scythe Weasel Technique!" Dozens of Wind Style ninjutsu converged, transforming into countless, dense wind blades, which fell upon the Sand Ninja positions at a dizzying speed.
Karuo didn't even have time to unleash his Sand Style to mount an effective defense. The Sand Ninja suffered numerous casualties, leaving only a handful of puppeteers and powerful jōnin who had been injected with antidotes.
"Retreat!" Karuo took the rearguard, letting his men retreat first.
The Hundred of Konoha, fearing contagion, refrained from pursuing the enemy. However, the dozen or so Shadow Clones, undeterred, gave chase.
"Sand Waterfall Imperial Funeral!" Karuo decisively unleashed his ultimate attack, buying his men time to retreat. A huge torrent of sand surged toward them, turning the pursuing Shadow Clones into clouds of white smoke.
The rearguard action was extremely effective, and the twenty or so remaining Sand Shinobi quickly entered the canyon. In the sky, Sasuke had already surpassed Karuo and released a barrage of explosive kunai into the canyon, triggering rockfalls and cutting them off into several sections, significantly slowing their escape.
Even if the few Sand Ninja in front managed to survive the explosion, they were met with the door-like figures of Fūjin and Raijin, along with a group of powerful Konoha ninja. Clad in thick, sticky golden armor, Fūjin and Raijin stood at the mouth of the gorge, blocking the Sand Shinobi's path. Brandishing their huge iron rods, they resembled two gods of death guarding the entrance to hell, annihilating the fleeing Sand Shinobi one by one.
And even if a Sand Ninja managed to break through their defenses, they were doomed to face the encirclement and attacks from the rearguard of Yeshan, Shun, and the others. Thus, with the Konoha Hundred and their shadow clones containing the stranded Karuo, the explosive tags continued to bombard the canyon from above, and the exit of the canyon was guarded by the experts of the Konoha Hundred. The Sand Ninja Army was on the verge of annihilation.
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