"Fire Style: Impatiens Fire Jutsu!"
Using a dozen small fireballs as cover, Ruri charged in.
Following behind her naturally were Hakushi and Ayane. Among the combined strength of the three, Ruri was undoubtedly the most suitable to charge at the front lines.
Because there was a Wind Style Ninja among the enemies this time, smoke bombs weren't very effective, at most causing some interference before being blown away by Wind Style.
Even if one wanted to create smoke that couldn't be easily dispersed by Wind Style, it would require time and materials, followed by a complex harmonizing process, something that can't be made in a short period.
Luckily, the Jonin skilled in Earth Style was initially disturbed by Ruri's Illusion Technique, thus suffering not inconsiderable injuries. This meant in the surrounding Hidden Sand forces, only two Jonin were in full condition, the others were Chunin.
So, compared to last time, this should be much better.
The dozen small fireballs fell, naturally causing a bit of chaos. The trees burned, and black smoke with a charred smell rose up.
To avoid being caught by Ruri's unusual Illusion Technique, the Hidden Sand Ninja naturally tried to evade as much as possible.
But Ruri's Instant Body Jutsu was very quick. Once she locked her sights on a Jonin, getting out of her vision wasn't a simple matter.
So, without figuring out how Ruri's Illusion Technique was triggered, they primarily employed feint tactics.
Both Hakushi's trio and the Hidden Sand Ninja knew the battle's turning point didn't lie on their side.
It lay in the battle where Sakumo was.
Victory or defeat there would determine the final direction of this combat.
All they could do here was try to delay time as much as possible.
Hakushi targeted a Chunin; judging by his moves, he specialized in Taijutsu. His speed and strength were a notch above the usual Chunin, forcing Hakushi to use the Swordsmanship learned from Sakumo to barely hold his ground.
His opponent, seemingly finding an evenly matched foe, felt slightly relieved.
If possible, he really didn't want to fight Ninjas with the Sharingan and Byakugan, especially the one with Byakugan, the pure and harmless-looking girl.
Last time, when a comrade attacked her, she pierced his heart with two fingers, killing him instantly.
It was completely different from the Gentle Fist mentioned in the textbook; although it had traces of Gentle Fist, it was more a personal flair, and getting hit meant certain death.
Fighting the Sharingan meant being wary of unpredictable Illusion Techniques; even Jonin could fall for it. For him, as a Chunin, it was too much.
"Holding out for so long against me, you have some skills, don't you?"
The opponent's self-assured attitude suggested someone prone to overconfidence against weaker foes.
"But... meeting me is where it ends for you!"
Suddenly, his speed increased, circling behind Hakushi, locking his neck with an arm, making breathing difficult.
"How about now? Here you..."
Bang!
Hakushi turned into a log with an Explosive Tag burning on it.
The Hidden Sand Chunin's pupils shrank, swiftly retreating.
With a boom!
The explosion's shockwave blew him back, slamming into a tree, stopping him. Blood touched the corner of his mouth.
Hakushi stood on a tree branch, smiling. "Impressive, dodging the Explosive Tag blast. It's one of my few tricks."
"You damned brat! How dare you—"
His embarrassment and anger over Hakushi's trick compelled him to gather Chakra at his feet, rapidly charging up the tree to give Hakushi a taste of his own medicine.
"Too bad, it's already over..."
Just as Hakushi finished speaking,
The Sand Ninja's fist was just a few punches from his face when a white blade extended forward like lightning from behind Hakushi's side.
The Sand Ninja's neck bore a clean cut, losing consciousness almost instantly, falling from mid-air.
"Seems that side is resolved, Sakumo-sensei."
"Looks like you didn't need my concern here."
Sakumo nodded, satisfied with the trio's performance.
With some honing, they would soon follow in his footsteps.
After all, they were only twelve, their future promising.
Against Ruri and Ayane, the Hidden Sand Ninja realized trouble when Sakumo appeared.
They silently cursed the male and female Puppet Masters, who claimed victory was assured, but failed even faster than last time, in just minutes.
Their will to fight vanished.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow City Wall!"
The Earth Style Jonin didn't hesitate, gathering Chakra in his hands to cast a wide Earth Style Ninjutsu.
Rumble!
Rumble!
A towering stone wall rose, extensive in impact, causing the ground to tremble with a vibrating hum.
Ruri and Ayane stood atop the massive stone wall, seeing nothing below.
Sakumo and Hakushi arrived beside them.
"Ayane, team up with me, begin the operation!"
"Yes!"
Even from a brief signal, the trio understood Sakumo's intent.
Sakumo was undoubtedly targeting the most troublesome foe, needing Ayane's Byakugan for support.
To trace the male and female Puppet Master's trail and eliminate them.
Now starts Konoha's counteroffensive on Hidden Sand, hunting the retreating Hidden Sand Ninja.
Thus, Sakumo teamed with Ayane, Hakushi with Ruri, beginning their search.
Shortly, Hakushi and Ruri encountered the disheveled Jonin Tenchiku. A dozen Konoha Ninjas followed, slightly wounded but not severely.
Confronting Jonin Tenchiku was another Jonin, plus several Chunin.
Neither could gain the upper hand immediately, but with the Puppet Master pair's defeat, the Sand unit lost its backbone, opting for retreat.
"In that case, I'll join the search, and this time, avenge fallen comrades!"
Jonin Tenchiku's face was one of hatred.
This Hidden Sand unit, roaming the Land of Fire, was rumored to have attacked five or six Konoha outposts, killing many Ninja, including lone Jonin.
If not for Sakumo's team fortuitously resupplying, the entire outpost's Konoha Ninjas might have faced annihilation.
Bidding farewell to Jonin Tenchiku, he led the remaining Konoha Ninjas on another path to search.
If encountering strong foes, focus on signaling.
Even if something went wrong, there would be timely support.
"By the way, Ruri, I have a good plan to lure them."
While running, Hakushi spoke, smiling.
"What scheme are you plotting?"
"It's the quickest way to end the fight, and with Sakumo-sensei and Ayane away, I needn't hide my strength."
Saying this, Hakushi suddenly accelerated, quickly distancing from Ruri, vanishing from her sight.
Ruri watched where Hakushi vanished with her Double-Tomoe Sharingan, saying nothing as if approving of his 'plan.'
Half an hour later, Hakushi arrived in a serene, open forest, with a clear stream ahead, where a few fish played.
Hakushi glanced around, picking a sharp-edged stone by the stream, stopping at a tree, ready to carve a mark.
A frigid chill on his throat caused goosebumps. A Kunai.
The hand wielding the Kunai was wooden, extended from a black sleeve, with smooth, hairless limbs and the rounded joints typical of Puppets.
Puppet Puppet.
"Drop the stone, raise your hands."
A cold female voice.
Hakushi obediently dropped the stone, raised his hands, a bead of cold sweat rolling naturally down his face.