"It must be him," Nawaki said, his voice low and tense.
The unusual scent lingering in the air had unsettled him earlier, but now it all made sense. As the younger brother of the greatest medical ninja in the world, Nawaki had picked up an uncanny ability to sense abnormalities. Though he didn't practice medical ninjutsu himself, years of exposure to Tsunade's teachings had given him a keener sense of danger than most.
The name "Sasori of the Red Sand" carried with it a reputation for deadly precision and ingenuity, especially in the use of poisons. Nawaki's memories flashed back to the battle where Sasori's father met his end, a pivotal moment that marked the rogue ninja's descent into hatred and vengeance.
At the border of the Land of Hot Springs, Sasori had once attempted to ambush Kakashi and Minato. But faced with the might of the Yellow Flash, he was utterly outclassed. Only through desperate measures had Sasori managed to escape with his life.
"You mean to say your sister created an antidote for Sasori's poison without ever obtaining a sample of it?" Fugaku Uchiha's voice betrayed both disbelief and grudging admiration.
Nawaki smirked faintly. "My sister's mastery of medical ninjutsu is unmatched in the ninja world," he replied, though his expression soon turned serious. "However, this antidote isn't perfect. It's a general countermeasure, not specifically tailored to Sasori's toxins. Its efficacy may be limited."
Fugaku frowned but said nothing, his Sharingan glowing ominously. He scanned the battlefield ahead, where Kirigakure forces were advancing, their gas masks confirming the use of airborne poison. The inland wind carried the toxins directly toward Konoha's camp, accelerating their spread.
Despite the rising tension, Fugaku quickly composed himself. "If Sasori is nearby, we can't afford to let him escape. But for now, we must focus on repelling the Mist forces."
Yoruki Uchiha's voice was cold and filled with murderous intent. "He'll pay for this. I'll make sure of it." His scarlet Sharingan spun menacingly, reflecting his resolve.
Within Konoha's camp, the distribution of antidote pills continued at a frantic pace. Despite Tsunade's foresight, the ninjas who had ingested the antidote were still far from peak condition. It would take time for the medicine to take full effect, leaving the army weakened and vulnerable.
"We can only muster 50% of our combat power," Nawaki admitted grimly. "Retreat isn't an option, and facing the enemy head-on in this state is nearly suicidal. But we have no choice."
Fugaku gritted his teeth, unsheathing his blade. "Anyone who can stand, follow me!" he commanded.
Behind him, a hundred ninjas rose to their feet. Many of them trembled from lingering poison effects, but determination burned in their eyes. Among them were Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and other seasoned warriors who had prioritized distributing antidotes to Konoha's elite fighters.
As the Kirigakure army drew closer, Fugaku led the hundred-strong force into battle.
At the forefront of the Kirigakure forces, Terumi Mei's expression darkened as she observed the approaching Konoha soldiers. According to Sasori's plan, the enemy should have been incapacitated by now. While the majority of the Konoha army was indeed paralyzed, the sight of a determined vanguard advancing to meet her forces was unexpected.
"Impressive," Terumi muttered, though a grim smile tugged at her lips. "But it won't be enough."
From the rear, Nawaki stepped forward, forming hand seals with practiced ease.
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique!"
A massive torrent of water surged forward, crashing toward the Kirigakure troops like a tidal wave.
Yet Nawaki frowned. "This isn't even half the scale I can usually achieve," he muttered. The effects of the poison lingered, limiting his chakra reserves.
Biwa Juzo, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, chuckled as he watched the weakened jutsu approach. "They're struggling," he said, hefting his massive Executioner's Blade onto his shoulder.
Nawaki didn't stop. He formed another set of hand seals.
"Water Style: Water Spike Shark Technique!"
The water from the Great Waterfall Technique coalesced into dozens of ferocious sharks, each one snapping and tearing toward the Mist forces. But even this jutsu was a shadow of its usual power, and Nawaki's frustration was palpable.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen moved swiftly, cutting down the water sharks with ease. Their blades flashed through the air, dispelling Nawaki's attack before it could reach their comrades.
As the battle lines closed, Fugaku observed the Mist ninjas' behavior closely. Their reliance on masks limited their ability to perform ninjutsu, forcing them to rely on weapons and close combat. This realization brought a glimmer of hope to the Konoha side.
"They can't use large-scale ninjutsu while wearing those masks," Fugaku murmured. "That's the break we need."
Uchiha Yoruki surged forward, his katana blazing with flames. He was the fastest among the Konoha forces, and in a flash, he appeared before Kushimaru Kuriarare, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
"Your speed isn't what it used to be," Kushimaru taunted, dodging Yoruki's strike with ease.
Yoruki's blade missed its mark, and before he could recover, Biwa Juzo's massive Executioner's Blade came swinging toward him.
Clang!
Yoruki parried the attack, but the force behind it sent him skidding backward. His arms trembled from the impact, the effects of the poison still sapping his strength.
Seeing their comrade in danger, Fugaku and Nawaki rushed to his aid. Together, they clashed with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, their combined efforts barely holding the line.
Despite their weakened state, the Konoha forces fought with unrelenting determination. The antidotes began to take effect, slowly restoring the ninjas' strength.
Yoruki, regaining his composure, unleashed a flurry of strikes. Flames erupted from his blade, transforming into a whirlwind of fiery slashes.
"Uchiha Style: Blazing Flame Dance!"
...
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