On the other side, at the border between Sunagakure and Amegakure, the six thousand strong Konoha army led by Danzō Shimura was advancing toward Sunagakure.
Chiyo received the news and felt her scalp go numb. She had originally heard that the Third Kazekage personally led troops to attack Konoha and felt uneasy, sensing something was wrong.
Now it had come true. Chiyo shook her head. The village only had three thousand shinobi left, with all the elites taken away by the Third Kazekage. The remaining forces were mostly chūnin and genin. How could they resist Danzō's six thousand strong army?
But at this point, it was no longer a matter of choice. They had to fight. Sunagakure's walls were low and could not stop the Konoha shinobi. Rather than waiting inside the village, it was better to take the initiative.
She first called a messenger and instructed him to inform Master Bunpuku that Sunagakure was in a life or death crisis and hoped he would come out to fight.
Then Chiyo summoned Pakura and Chiron. Pakura was the rising star of the elder faction, while Chiron was her son, a talented puppeteer who could already control five puppets simultaneously.
"Elder/Mother," they both saluted. Chiyo nodded and handed them the intelligence report. "Take a look."
After reading it, their brows furrowed. The situation was extremely dire. The enemy was already at their doorstep!
Finally, Pakura spoke first. "Grandma Chiyo, just tell me what to do!"
Chiyo's expression softened as she patted Pakura's shoulder and smiled. "Pakura, you and Chiron will each lead five hundred troops to guard the south and north gates. I will lead one thousand to defend the east gate. Remember, if the situation becomes hopeless, you can retreat."
After hearing this, both Chiron and Pakura were stunned. This was the first time Chiyo had ever said they could retreat if things went badly.
It filled them with sorrow. Had the situation already become so dangerous?
What was the Kazekage doing? Hadn't he received the news? Pakura thought to herself, clenching her fists as she looked in the direction the Third Kazekage had attacked.
In reality, the Kazekage had realized the situation and rushed back. The next day, he received news that Konoha's army had surrounded Sunagakure. However, due to Hiruzen Sarutobi's relentless pursuit, he couldn't return to reinforce.
Pakura stopped her thoughts from spiraling and decisively led her troops toward the south gate.
However, when they arrived at the south gate, the sight before her shocked Pakura. The leader of the enemy forces was none other than that magnet release user, Uchiha Ryun.
At this moment, Uchiha Ryun was in high spirits, leading eight hundred Uchiha clansmen to surround the south gate tightly. He had originally only intended to pressure Sunagakure.
But who would have thought Sunagakure would open the gate directly? And the person who walked out was none other than the famed scorch release user, Pakura.
Seeing Pakura appear, Uchiha Ryun smiled faintly. "Long time no see, Miss Pakura."
Pakura raised her eyes and looked at Uchiha Ryun, saying softly, "Uchiha Ryun, right? I heard you excel in fire release and magnet release, possess chakra reserves at the jōnin level, but actually have strength comparable to a Kage-level shinobi."
As she spoke, her slender waist swayed slightly as she walked forward gracefully.
Hearing this, Uchiha Ryun was stunned at first, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha, Miss Pakura, you must be joking. What Kage-level strength? That's nonsense! I'm just an ordinary shinobi."
As he spoke, he waved his hands dismissively, but inwardly he was shocked. He couldn't understand how Pakura knew so much about him.
In truth, Uchiha Ryun didn't know that after he used magnet release and the devastating Great Fire Annihilation technique that nearly trapped Chiyo, detailed information about him had spread rapidly among the five great nations.
Even the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, who was currently battling Kumogakure, had already heard of his name.
"Enough talk! Since you're here, let's fight!"
With this roar, Pakura quickly formed hand seals, and the chakra inside her body surged like a raging torrent.
In an instant, five or even six large brownish-red fireballs materialized. These fireballs then transformed into fiery snakes, carrying terrifying heat and scorching energy as they rushed forward.
A wave of blistering heat swept over them. Uchiha Ryun was slightly stunned.
He cursed inwardly. "Damn, this woman is too fierce! I didn't even plan to fight you, yet you start with a big move right away?"
But the situation was urgent, leaving him no time to think. He hastily leaped back to avoid the attack.
"Uchiha Ryun! Aren't you going to use your magnet release?" Pakura said coldly, her eyes like icy blades locked onto him.
Hearing this, Uchiha Ryun was stunned again and quickly explained, "No, I really don't want to fight you!"
But Pakura didn't believe him. She snorted and said, "Hmph! Stop pretending! You led eight hundred Uchiha clansmen to surround our south gate, yet claim you don't want to fight? Fine, if you won't attack first, don't blame me for making the first move!"
Before she finished speaking, Pakura channeled more chakra, and the already fierce fiery snakes became even more violent, charging straight at Uchiha Ryun.
Left with no choice, Uchiha Ryun had to fight. He activated his chakra and used magnet release, gathering iron sand into sharp cones to counter Pakura's fireballs.
"Scorch Release: Overwhelming Heat Kill!" The fireballs rushed toward Uchiha Ryun, the intense heat making his heart race. He raised his hands. "Magnet Release: Iron Sand World Method!"
The iron cones clashed with the fireballs and instantly melted into molten iron, causing Uchiha Ryun's expression to change. Damn it, scorch release counters me! The fireballs continued their advance.
Uchiha Ryun used the Body Flicker Technique to create distance, then placed a palm on the ground. His self-created jutsu, Iron Sand Spike Formation! Iron sand gathered underground, locking onto Pakura's position before shooting upward.
Iron spikes erupted from the ground. Pakura reacted swiftly, jumping into the air. Her Overwhelming Heat Kill melted the spikes before she landed. She glanced at Uchiha Ryun, somewhat shocked.
Magnet release could be used like this? But with elemental disadvantage, scorch release naturally countered magnet release. As long as she was careful, there wouldn't be any problems.