Even though Uchiha Ryun possessed extremely high talent in Magnet Release, he was still countered by Scorch Release even when using natural chakra.
Therefore, he began to consider what else could rival it besides Magnet Release.
Fire Release? No, Scorch Release was superior to Fire Release. Moreover, Pakura's chakra reserves were not inferior to Uchiha Ryun's, so overwhelming her with quantity was impossible.
So he pondered, and then a sudden inspiration struck him: the Sharingan! Yes, the Sharingan—he had almost forgotten his innate talent.
The genjutsu inherent in the Sharingan was not weak. Thus, Uchiha Ryun's eyes lit up, and he channeled Yin-natured chakra, gathering it in his head.
Instantly, Uchiha Ryun's eyes transformed into three-tomoe Sharingan, their blood-red pupils striking fear into those who saw them.
"Pakura!" Uchiha Ryun then activated the Sharingan genjutsu. Pakura shuddered. The stronger a shinobi, the more powerful their mental energy, especially for those with dual Kekkei Genkai.
Pakura froze momentarily, her chakra flow paused, and her Scorch Release dissipated. Seizing the opportunity, Uchiha Ryun used the Body Flicker Technique to close the distance, drew his sword with his right hand, and executed an Iaido slash.
By the time Pakura regained her senses, her face paled. At this distance and speed, she couldn't dodge. Just then, a red-haired man manipulated three puppets—one shielded Pakura, while the other two attacked Uchiha Ryun's head and chest.
Uchiha Ryun's eyes darted left and right, then he used the Substitution Technique. Clank, clank! The sound of metal piercing wood echoed.
Uchiha Ryun examined the puppets and traced the chakra threads back to their controller. He froze momentarily, thinking, Sasori of the Red Sand? No, that can't be! Sasori is just a child right now. Besides, if it were him, he would have already used the Hundred Puppets Technique.
This person only controlled three puppets, so Uchiha Ryun quickly realized it must be Chiyo's son.
Pakura exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Chiron."
Chiron shook his head. "No problem. The North and West Gates had no enemies, so I came here to reinforce. It was good timing."
Pakura was puzzled. Why had only the East and South Gates been repaired? Then she looked at Uchiha Ryun, who clicked his tongue. He knew he couldn't defeat Pakura today, but he had already achieved his goal of pressuring Sunagakure.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow. Until we meet again!" With these words, all eight hundred Uchiha shinobi retreated.
Pakura and Chiron were left dumbfounded. They didn't understand why Uchiha Ryun didn't press the attack. However, time was of the essence, so the two joined forces and led a thousand shinobi toward the East Gate, where Chiyo was stationed.
When they arrived, the shinobi there had already retreated. They hurriedly asked, "Elder/Mother, what's going on?"
Chiyo fell silent. At first, she couldn't comprehend it either. Konoha had only attacked the South and East Gates, and it was all for show—no real fighting had occurred.
Suddenly, her eyes brightened, and her breathing quickened. She urgently said, "Everyone, prepare to pursue Konoha immediately. We must hurry, or the Third Kazekage-sama will be in danger!"
Politically, they might have their differences, but from Sunagakure's perspective, they were family. Thus, Chiyo would never ignore the Third Kazekage's peril.
Pakura nodded firmly, while Chiron hesitated. But under Chiyo's gaze, he chose to obey.
-----
Land of the Wind, Konoha Forces
"Danzō-sama! Suna shinobi are pursuing us!" a scout reported.
Danzō Shimura nodded, then glanced at Uchiha Ryun, who gave him a thumbs-up. Only then did Danzō relax.
If this operation went wrong, they would be the ones caught in a pincer. Uchiha Ryun had already devised a strategy before arriving.
If the Suna shinobi didn't leave the village, the plan wouldn't be necessary. But if they did, they would suffer the consequences.
Soon, explosions and shouts echoed from the distance. Uchiha Ryun smirked. During their retreat, Konoha forces had laid traps in specific locations. If the Suna shinobi charged recklessly, they would encounter spikes, bear traps, and explosive tags.
Even though Chiyo could deduce their goal was the Third Kazekage, her anxiety made her rush forward. In such situations, the simplest traps were the most effective.
Chiyo watched as shinobi were impaled or blown to bits, her heart heavy. Her once-straight posture slumped. She should have noticed—the traps were crude. But her haste had cost more lives, making her wonder if she was getting old.
From then on, a saying spread across the shinobi world: Never pursue a retreating Konoha force, or you will be ambushed. But that was a story for later.
Pakura quickly supported Chiyo. "Elder, should we keep pursuing?"
Chiyo looked at Pakura, then at the eight hundred dead and the wounded. She sighed. "We must. There's no turning back now."
Yes, no turning back. If she gave up now, who would take responsibility for the eight hundred dead? If the Kazekage died, who would bear the blame?
Chiron gritted his teeth but followed his mother's orders. As for Pakura, she didn't overthink—she simply obeyed the elder's commands.
After a brief rest, the Suna shinobi resumed their pursuit.
"Ryun, you're brilliant. Those traps were perfect!" Danzō laughed heartily.
Uchiha Ryun smiled but said, "At best, they'll only slow Suna's advance. They'll still catch up."
Danzō paused, then realized it was true. There was no turning back. If he were Chiyo, he would keep chasing.
But a weakened force was far less threatening. Even if surrounded, the pursuing Suna shinobi wouldn't pose much danger.
"This is already good enough, Ryun. We're close to the Third Kazekage's location." He had just received word that the Third Kazekage, leading four thousand shinobi, had just crossed the Three Mountains and entered the Land of Wind's border.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi led twenty-five hundred shinobi in hot pursuit. The Third Kazekage occasionally launched attacks, each casually claiming two or three lives.
But compared to the Kazekage's forces, Hiruzen's side suffered far fewer losses.
Just as the Third Kazekage's troops descended the mountain and advanced a hundred meters, a wind blade suddenly shot toward him.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!" It was Danzō Shimura. He had struck! Konoha was saved—ahem.
Danzō's attack was swift and precise. The Third Kazekage's pupils contracted, and he bent backward to dodge the blade. Unfortunately, Rasa behind him wasn't so lucky.
Rasa froze, then a wind blade aimed for his head. He tried to dodge but was too slow—the blade severed his arm!
Agonized screams erupted as he collapsed in disarray.
Uchiha Ryun was stunned. Damn, Danzo just scored big! The future Fourth Kazekage had lost an arm! Right now, Orochimaru hadn't even developed the technology to regenerate limbs.
In other words, Rasa was now permanently disabled.
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