"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Ryun Uchiha planted his chakra blade into the ground, his hands swiftly forming seals without pause. Soon, a massive fireball erupted from his mouth, crashing directly toward an attacking Rain-nin jonin.
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
The Rain-nin jonin countered with a ninjutsu of his own. The fireball and water wall collided violently, sending waves of heat and steam across the battlefield.
Ryun's eyes gleamed with a sinister crimson hue. Now was not the time to hold back. This battle could very well cost him his life. He didn't believe the young Sannin stood a chance against Hanzō of the Salamander. This fight was likely already lost.
He could still fight, but if the situation turned dire and his own survival was at stake, he wouldn't hesitate to flee first.
Clang! Clang! Clang!!!
The sound of fierce metal clashes echoed through the steam as Ryun engaged in close combat with the enemy.
His blue Chidori blade clashed repeatedly against the Rain-nin's katana.
The enemy's katana was clearly no ordinary weapon. Despite multiple exchanges, though it was now heavily notched, it had yet to break.
Damn brat, he actually has a chakra blade and can even channel lightning through it...
As they locked blades again, the Rain-nin jonin cursed inwardly at the sight of his treasured sword being chipped away.
But then, greed took over. He resolved to kill this brat by any means necessary and claim the chakra blade for himself.
"What's so interesting about a sword? You should be looking at my eyes instead..."
During their close-quarters struggle, Ryun suddenly smirked and spoke these words.
The Rain-nin instinctively met his gaze—the three tomoe Sharingan spinning ominously.
Damn it, a three-tomoe Sharingan!!!
The Uchiha clan's Sharingan was infamous across the ninja world. As a jonin of the Rain, how could he not know its power?
The moment their eyes met, regret flooded him. He never expected such a young brat to not only possess jonin-level strength but also a three-tomoe Sharingan!
Since when did such a monster appear in the ninja world? If he were allowed to grow, how terrifying would he become?
Unfortunately, though the Rain-nin desired to eliminate this threat, facing a three-tomoe Sharingan at close range left him powerless. The instant their eyes met, he collapsed to the ground.
Ryun's overwhelming spiritual energy, combined with the three-tomoe Sharingan, had trapped him in an illusion.
At this moment, Ryun perfectly embodied the well-known ninja adage: "When facing a three-tomoe Sharingan user one-on-one, turn and flee!"
The Uchiha clan's Sharingan genjutsu could ensnare anyone effortlessly. Without an ally present, breaking free was nearly impossible. Even if one had the ability to dispel it, the enemy wouldn't give them the time.
Just like now.
Ryun tightened his grip on his blade, ready to bisect the man where he stood.
But at the critical moment, several sharp poison needles shot toward his neck at blinding speed.
Another Rain-nin jonin had noticed the battle and rushed to assist!
Sensing the lethal threat, Ryun had no choice but to abandon his target and deflect the needles with his blade.
"Water Release: Water Gun Technique!"
A high-pressure water blast surged toward him. Knowing he couldn't withstand it, Ryun immediately activated the Body Flicker Technique to evade.
The moment he vanished, another Rain-nin jonin placed his hand on his genjutsu-stricken comrade and channeled chakra into him.
"Genjutsu: Release!!!"
As the chakra stabilized within the Rain-nin's body, he awoke with a start.
"Amekaze, that brat has a three-tomoe Sharingan! I looked into his eyes and got caught in an illusion. Be careful!" the awakened Rain-nin urgently warned.
"I saw. A three-tomoe Sharingan at such a young age—this monster can't be left alive. Ametori, let's work together and kill him first!" Amekaze declared grimly.
Hearing the two jonin's conversation, Ryun frowned. But before he could dwell on it, a faint abnormality in the air made his expression twist in alarm.
Damn it, the poison gas has spread here already!
Having personally experienced Hanzō's toxins, he knew how deadly the Rain's poisons were.
He couldn't identify the exact poison in the air, but instinct screamed at him not to inhale it. Fighting in such an environment was out of the question. Without hesitation, he turned and fled.
The enemy wore gas masks—they weren't afraid of the poison. But Ryun had no such protection.
The poison in the air was indeed Hanzō's signature toxic mist. Ryun had recently survived exposure to it, meaning his body now carried some antibodies.
But unaware of this, the moment he detected the poison, he had no choice but to retreat in panic.
"You're not getting away!!!"
The two Rain-nin jonin gave chase without hesitation.
Whether it was Ryun's chakra blade, his three-tomoe Sharingan, or his future threat level, they had every reason to prioritize killing him.
"All Konoha-nin, retreat immediately! Break through enemy lines and fall back to the strategic reserve camp!"
Seeing the three great summoning creatures succumbing to Hanzō's poison mist and the Sannin on the verge of defeat once more, the Yūhi clan leader decisively issued the retreat order.
Defeat was inevitable. As the commander, he had to make the hard call—Konoha's forces couldn't be wiped out here.
"Nara Clan, Akimichi Clan, Aburame Clan, Sarutobi Clan, Yūhi Clan—stay behind and cover the retreat!" the Yūhi leader commanded.
"Yes!"
The named clans roared in acknowledgment, advancing instead of retreating.
Aside from the Yūhi, these clans were best suited for rear-guard action. Though the risk was immense, they stood their ground without hesitation.
A ninja's duty was to obey orders. Military command was absolute. Moreover, since even the Yūhi leader and his own clansmen weren't fleeing, how could the others dare to desert?
No matter how perilous, they had no choice but to hold the line.
Ryun couldn't care less about stupid orders. He had already started running before the retreat was called. But even as he fled at full speed, two powerful figures relentlessly pursued him.
"You really think I'm afraid of you?" Ryun's crimson eyes burned with fury.
Seeing no escape, he suddenly spun around and unleashed a jutsu:
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"