Feeling the faint killing intent emanating from Tōsō Noerujin, Asako's face instantly turned pale.
A Jonin's strength was far beyond what she could contend with, and after finally reaching the Village gate, she was unwilling to fall here!
She quickly glanced at Kushina standing beside her, gritted her teeth, raised her Kunai, and aimed it at Tōsō Noerujin.
"Kushina, you go in first! I'll handle this here."
Kushina froze, a look of unwillingness appearing in her eyes.
Why? Why was it always like this?
Hayato protected her, and now Asako wanted to protect her too? She had Chunin level strength; she couldn't remain idle anymore!
"Oh?" Tōsō Noerujin slightly raised his chin, his excited expression showing a sinister cruelty. "You're not running, huh?"
A morbid delight burned in his eyes. Killing these two Uzumaki Family girls was no longer enough for him; he wanted to torture them with his own hands in front of the Uzushiogakure Ninja, completely destroying their hope.
"Stay away from them!" Uchiha Hayato's voice suddenly came, with a hint of urgency.
"Even from an enemy's perspective, I'd commend your courage," Burabi blocked Uchiha Hayato's path, his tone filled with regret. "Unfortunately, you killed our Hidden Cloud Village Ninja, so you can only die here."
"What's with the chatter!" Ai snorted, instantly appearing behind Hayato, blocking his escape. Around them, Ninja from Hidden Mist and Kumogakure also surrounded them, all looking unfriendly.
"You two are responsible for Uchiha Hayato!" Dodai commanded coldly, "The rest of you, attack Uzushiogakure with full force!"
A cold glint flashed in Dodai's eyes as he directed; he had a bad premonition that if they dragged this out any longer, Konoha's reinforcements would arrive.
"Don't command me!" Tōsō Noerujin's gaze sharpened, and he turned back, saying coldly, "Nakayoshi, the Hidden Mist matters are left to you."
Before he finished speaking, he had already raised his blunt blade, its cold gleam chilling, and fiercely brought it down towards Asako and Kushina.
"Roar!"
A roar erupted like flames, Monferno clasped its hands together, firmly blocking the blade, while simultaneously spewing scorching flames, forcing Tōsō Noerujin to retreat.
"Kushina," Hayato turned, his gaze firm, "Arcanine is stronger than you think; it also wants to protect you."
Kushina was slightly stunned, then nodded firmly: "I understand, Arcanine, let's fight together!"
Arcanine leaped beside Kushina, its scorching aura pushing back the enemies a few steps, its gaze fixed on the Ninja in front of them.
Monferno agilely leaped back to Hayato's side, standing back-to-back with him.
Inside Uzushiogakure, the villagers were angry and anxious.
"Family Head, let's fight them!"
"We absolutely cannot stand by and watch our friends die in front of us!"
The middle-aged Family Head suppressed the anger in his heart and said in a deep voice: "I also want to save them, but what about the Village's civilians? What about the life and death of the entire Village?"
"Village Head, we can fight too!"
A child who looked no older than six stepped forward, his eyes full of stubbornness. "That big brother isn't much older than me; we can't let him fight alone!"
"You all hide in the barrier. My purpose in rushing here so quickly is to ensure your survival."
Hayato's voice came from outside the barrier, exceptionally calm, moving the people of Uzushiogakure.
He only needed to deal with Ai and Burabi with Monferno, but the question was, could Kushina and the others survive under the attack of so many Ninja?
Dodai stared at Hayato, a complex light flashing in his eyes. Hayato's tone suddenly became sharp: "If you dare to attack these two girls together, I swear not a single one of you will return alive!"
Ai sneered; the enemy's most crucial weakness was the place they should attack the most. Just as he was about to retort mockingly, the next second, Uchiha Hayato's words made him wary again.
"Are you sure I can't use that Ninjutsu from before?"
"If you lay a hand on them, not a single one of you will return alive."
Dodai and Ai exchanged glances, their grim expressions indicating their unease.
Burabi, meanwhile, frowned inwardly. Unless he could fully master the Eight-Tails' power and instantly kill Uchiha Hayato, he had no way of dealing with Hayato.
"Of course, Tōsō Noerujin can. Kushina, this is the opponent I've chosen for you; your and Arcanine's opponent."
"You can also attack Uzushiogakure's barrier." Hayato looked at Dodai, as if seeing through his true thoughts. "We're all stalling for time; let's see who gets the last laugh."
"People of Uzushiogakure, use all your strength to protect your Village."
He smiled.
"Hmph, I agree." Dodai gave Burabi a look. Being seen through and forced to do as he said, this feeling was truly awful.
It must be said that Uchiha Hayato's aerial attacks seemed to leave others with not many options, except for those two from Iwagakure and Hidden Sand Village.
The cost of losing all Kumogakure Ninja was unacceptable to him.
"I seem to be underestimated..."
Tōsō Noerujin revealed a sinister smile, gripping the blunt blade in his hand.
He would show that brat his loved ones dying before his very eyes.
Thinking of the desperate expression that might appear on that face, Tōsō Noerujin became even more excited, swinging the giant hammer in his hand.
"Then, let's change our battleground slightly." Uchiha Hayato breathed a slight sigh of relief, placing his hope in the two Uzumaki Family girls and Arcanine. He looked up at Burabi, a hint of provocation in his tone.
"You wouldn't want to accidentally injure the Village's Ninja during the fight, would you?"
Burabi's eyes sharpened, and he stood still with Ai. Behind him, Monferno's fighting spirit soared, as if ready to pounce and fight at any moment.
Hayato couldn't help but chuckle. Although Burabi and Ai were powerful, if Burabi didn't use Tailed Beast transformation, he might not necessarily lose, at most being slightly disadvantaged.
As for Tailed Beast transformation, he had other methods.
"Hmph!" Ai snorted, anger surging in his eyes, then he and Burabi moved simultaneously, rapidly closing in on Hayato.
"Xiao Yan, maintain 'Flame Charge' status." Hayato whispered to Monferno.
[Flame Charge: Engulfs the user in flames to attack the target. This also boosts the user's Speed.]
"Roar!"
Monferno let out a low roar, flames burning even more fiercely all over its body.
After two years of training, it had already mastered this technique to perfection, precisely for today's battle! Under the glow of the flames, its eyes burst with fiery fighting spirit.
Ai suddenly accelerated, lightning flashing around him, instantly closing in on Hayato.
"Enough, this spot is fine!" he roared sharply, Lightning Release Chakra surging violently in his arms. "How much longer do you want to stall? Don't think I can't see through your tricks!"
"Lariat!"
One in front, one behind, two attacks infused with Lightning Release Chakra aimed directly at Hayato's neck, as if they could twist it off the next moment!
Extreme Speed!
Facing this deadly threat, Hayato showed no fear; instead, a slight smile played on his lips. He quickly activated Lightning Release Chakra, and his figure suddenly vanished from its original spot.
He knew very well that even he couldn't easily use a "Extreme Speed" technique of this intensity, but at this moment, he felt incredibly exhilarated.
Why... do I enjoy fighting so much?
Am I also craving the evolution of the Sharingan like other Uchiha Family members?
His chest was throbbing with excitement, and his brain seemed to subtly tremble. He tilted his head to look at Monferno beside him and said softly:
"Xiao Yan, let's go!"
Monferno heard the command, flames suddenly erupted, and it roared as it charged towards the enemy, facing Ai and Burabi with fearless courage.