Once the encirclement was complete, breaking through was not easy, especially when there was such a disparity in combat power. The struggle of a trapped beast was merely a prelude to death.
Even though Orochimaru, who prioritized the overall situation, had long anticipated this scenario, he remained indifferent, seizing the fleeting chance of victory and pushing the Iwa ninjas' forces back step by step. On the other hand, the remaining Konoha elites were facing the most dangerous situation since they became ninjas.
Not to mention the still naive Shikaku, even after his growth, was powerless in the face of such desperate circumstances. Any wisdom would crumble into fragments before an insurmountable force.
Kōri Uchiha, confident in her physical prowess, tried to lead her brother out first, only to be heavily injured in a single clash. He also dragged down Uchiha Ninashi. If Kōri was not unconscious from his severe injuries, he'd likely be consumed by guilt. Uchiha Ninatsu's situation was also dire; though not unconscious, he had lost his combat ability and was left to await his fate.
Among the remaining people, Shikaku had very little chakra left, Chōza was still unconscious, and Inoichi had some chakra left but had little effective action. Kushina and Minato were in good condition, with sufficient chakra and no injuries, making them the most likely candidates for a breakout. The rest were either injured or incapacitated.
"Attack!"
After a quick glance at the remaining Konoha forces, the Iwa ninjas decisively launched their most fierce attack.
In such a situation, those who understood the importance of priorities would not foolishly stay and resist. Unfortunately, neither Minato nor Kushina were the type to make such choices. Even though they had a good chance of breaking out, they would not abandon their Konoha comrades, even if it meant death.
"Shikaku, form a defensive formation."
Dozens of Iwa ninjas fell from above. Minato and Kushina exchanged a glance and saw the determination in each other's eyes.
Shikaku's expression changed slightly. He had originally intended to have Minato and Kushina find a way to break out but swallowed his words. Taking a deep breath, he gave up on the idea of surrendering, as giving up was never his style. Even though he was powerless now, he had to make a final struggle as a trapped beast.
He and Inoichi still held their ground, protecting the unconscious Chōza and the others behind them. Their hope now rested on Minato and Kushina, but that hope was terrifyingly slim.
The actions of Minato and Kushina, and Shikaku's protective stance, melted the pride of the Uchiha clan.
Ninashi Uchiha looked at the backs in front of him, clenched his fists tightly, and remained silent. He could calmly accept death but hated the thought of being so powerless.
Against the many powerful Iwa ninjas, Minato and Kushina seemed weak. However, Minato was the future Hokage, and Kushina was the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. They were not to be underestimated.
Minato's form was like lightning, extremely fast, even quicker than the Lightning Release-imbued Ye Zi. He displayed the early form of the Yellow Flash, cutting through the air and instantly killing an Iwa ninja.
Kushina's speed wasn't as fast as Minato's, but her punch struck the nearest Iwa ninja. The Iwa ninja, seeing Kushina's petite fist, showed a hint of disdain and swung his large fist at her. The next moment, the Iwa ninja paid dearly for his arrogance.
"Boom!"
With a thunderous crash, the Iwa ninja vanished, and a dozen large trees in front of Kushina were snapped.
Seeing this, the protected Shikaku and the others twitched their mouths. Watching Kushina send an Iwa ninja flying with a single punch, they were at a loss for words. Especially Shikaku, who immediately compared his mother to Kushina, realizing that Kushina was far stronger.
"Women are truly terrifying creatures," Shikaku said with a darkened face.
The sound of that punch alarmed everyone. With the misfortune of that unlucky Iwa ninja as a warning, the other Iwa ninjas did not dare to underestimate Kushina's punches.
Minato smiled slightly. He had long known of Kushina's strength, whether it was her punches or her spirit.
"Then, I can't lag behind."
His gaze became serious as he prepared to fight desperately, believing that only by cutting off all retreat could he have a chance.
However, Minato and Kushina were not fully grown yet. Despite their best efforts, after killing over ten Iwa ninjas, they were eventually injured and forced to retreat.
The Iwa ninjas did not expect that mere children could take down so many of their comrades, nor did they expect that one of them was a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. This was an unexpected joy for them. Capturing Kushina would be a great achievement for Iwa Village.
Yet, in their excitement, they did not realize that even if they captured Kushina, getting back to Iwa Village would be a challenge.
"I will protect you all!"
Kushina, with her beastly eyes, said firmly before charging into the Iwa ninjas.
The Iwa ninjas present were not weaklings. They were not intimidated by Kushina's Nine-Tails chakra. Even with the Nine-Tails' chakra, Kushina did not instantly become an overwhelming powerhouse. Enveloped in the chakra cloak, she fought against dozens of Iwa ninjas, but the effort took a toll on her. Despite the aura of immense power she exuded, she was still just a young ninja struggling to control this newfound strength.
Kushina's chakra cloak, though powerful, soon started to weaken. Her wounds accumulated, and despite the chakra's healing properties, her stamina and energy were depleting rapidly. The Iwa ninjas, though initially daunted, soon adapted to the situation. They began to employ coordinated attacks to overwhelm Kushina.
Minato, unable to bear watching Kushina fight alone, jumped into the fray to assist her. His entry was well-timed, and together, they managed to take down several more Iwa ninjas. However, Minato's intervention only resulted in Kushina getting injured further while trying to protect him, and Minato himself was kicked out of the combat zone.
The battle did not last long, but it was intense. By the time Leaf Village's reinforcements, including Ye Zi and Kato Dan, arrived, Kushina's chakra cloak was nearly transparent. She was bleeding profusely, with many wounds visible, though they were mostly healing. The loss of blood, however, was severe.
Seeing Kushina's condition, Ye Zi felt an involuntary pang of pain in his heart. It was an unexpected reaction, showing just how deeply he was affected by the sight of her suffering.
Ye Zi and Kato Dan quickly joined the battle, and their appearance turned the tide. They engaged the Iwa ninjas with renewed vigor, fighting with precision and skill that began to push the enemy back.
Kushina, despite her deteriorating state, kept fighting with everything she had left. Her eyes, still fierce despite the exhaustion, reflected her determination to protect her comrades. She managed to dispatch a few more Iwa ninjas before her strength finally gave way.
The Iwa ninjas, though initially overjoyed at the prospect of capturing a Jinchuriki, began to realize the mounting losses and the risk of continuing the engagement. As they saw their numbers dwindling and their position becoming untenable, they reluctantly began to withdraw, retreating from the battlefield.
Kushina collapsed, her chakra cloak dissipating as her strength faded. Minato, seeing her in such a state, rushed to her side, his face etched with concern and desperation.
"Hang in there, Kushina!" Minato pleaded as he helped her sit up, trying to assess her injuries.
Kushina looked up at him, her expression one of both relief and exhaustion. "Minato... I did what I could," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The reinforcements quickly tended to the wounded, with Ye Zi and Kato Dan ensuring that the retreating Iwa ninjas were pursued and that the immediate danger was addressed.
Despite the victory, the cost was evident. Many Konoha ninjas were injured, and some had lost their lives. The battlefield was littered with the remnants of fierce combat, and the emotional toll was heavy on everyone.
As the dust settled, Minato and the others worked tirelessly to ensure that all injured comrades were cared for and to prepare for any further attacks. The battle had been fierce, and the victory hard-earned. But the spirit of Konoha's ninja, their resolve, and their determination to protect each other had proven to be their greatest strength.
Kushina, though gravely injured, was surrounded by her comrades, each one vowing to stand by her side and rebuild their strength for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Double chapter today, so one more chapter coming out later!!
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