In another battlefield, the Iwa-nin were also thrown into a brief chaos due to Hitsugaya's genjutsu.
However, these Iwa-nin, accustomed to team-based combat, quickly began to use jutsu like Earth-Style Wall under the command of their lead Jonin, creating cover and obstacles.
Some even slowly submerged themselves into the ground to avoid potential sneak attacks.
"Phew! That was close! Fortunately, Hitsugaya's genjutsu was timely, otherwise, I would have been in danger~"
At this moment, Uchiha Tetsu, who had just taken an attack from the Iwa-nin, finally felt relieved.
With his strength, enduring continuous concentrated attacks from the enemy had pushed him to his limits. If Hitsugaya hadn't activated the genjutsu in time, casualties on his side would have been inevitable.
"Is everyone here? No casualties, right?"
After taking a breath, Uchiha Tetsu looked at the large group of companions gathered in front of him and asked.
"Why don't you worry about yourself first?"
"I'm fine here, but Hitsugaya..."
En, who had just arrived with Uchiha Ryuho and Asahi to join their companions, voiced her concern for her 'lover.'
Seeing that the opposite party was not injured, her expression slightly softened. Seeing her start to worry about Hitsugaya's condition, she interrupted:
"Instead of worrying about him, we should start moving. Once we deal with the enemies here, his side should be much easier!"
"True!"
"In that case, everyone, follow the previously discussed plan and start moving!"
After saying this, Uchiha Tetsu looked up at his companions, seeing them all nodding, indicating their readiness, and then he didn't delay any further.
He initiated the next round of offensive!
Originally, before they acted, Hitsugaya and the group had already discussed the strategy.
After launching the first round of explosive tags, Hitsugaya would raise a barrier to conceal the movements within the stronghold and restrict the Iwa-nin within it.
Uchiha Tetsu and a few others would then lead varying numbers of their clan to eliminate the wounded within the stronghold.
Meanwhile, Hitsugaya would use sound-based genjutsu to suppress the Iwa-nin who had escaped the first round of the attack and to locate those hidden underground.
After completing these two stages, they would decide how to respond to the Iwa-nin's counterattacks based on the situation.
From the current scenario, it was clear that Hitsugaya decided to use a large-scale genjutsu as cover for the third phase of the offensive.
"Earth Release: Earthquake Core."
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique."
As Uchiha Tetsu's words fell, both he and Uchiha Ryuho executed their prepared jutsu.
Uchiha Tetsu used Earthquake Core to force the Iwa-nin hiding underground to emerge.
Uchiha Ryuho then utilized the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, developed by Hitsugaya. Instead of releasing multiple fireballs at once, he sent them out one by one to bomb the Iwa-nin hiding behind their cover.
Those that fled would be swiftly taken care of by En and Asahi, along with their companions.
The Iwa-nin weren't ignorant of resistance, but at the moment, they were all trapped in a genjutsu.
Their opponents, with the Sharingan's superior perception, had perfect awareness of the surroundings.
Trouble deepened as Uchiha En would occasionally hide their movement as per her side's needs. Although she couldn't completely control this genjutsu, under Hitsugaya's guidance, she could manipulate limited aspects of the illusion.
This enabled them to thwart every attempt of resistance by the Iwa-nin, who invariably met their end in vain.
Some Iwa-nin, unwilling to sit and wait for death, attempted sneak attacks from underground.
But their efforts were futile; before they could reach their enemies, they were mercilessly killed by Uchiha Asahi using Chidori Sharp Spear.
This companion of Hitsugaya, adept in lightning release, showcased perfect control over the technique 'borrowed' from Hitsugaya.
Guided by their teammates, he easily eliminated the sneaking Iwa-nin.
"What do we do?"
"If this drags on, we'll all be done for!"
Among the gathered Iwa-nin, someone couldn't contain their fear anymore, wanting to escape.
"Don't be ridiculous! Hiding here at least gives us a sliver of hope, but if we go out, we'll be caught in that genjutsu and won't even know how we died!"
"But waiting here to die isn't a solution either!"
Indeed, as the other person said, hiding underground or behind cover was relatively safe, but once they showed themselves, they had no idea where the attacks would come from.
At least here, they could look out for each other, which was one of the reasons they hadn't completely collapsed yet.
As for the other reason...
"Has Captain Tsuchio made any progress yet?"
Watching their companions being forced out and killed by unseen attacks using their own village's jutsu, some Iwa-nin finally couldn't help but ask.
"It's not that simple. If the opponent can use such high-level genjutsu, they aren't someone who can easily be dealt with!"
"Instead of relying on Captain Tsuchio, we should come up with our own plan!"
As he spoke, this Iwa Jonin began forming hand seals.
"Earth Release: Earth Prison Dome."
With the ninja's jutsu, a large hemispherical rock cage with a diameter of nearly 20 meters encased the surviving Iwa-nin.
"Hurry! Everyone, fortify this jutsu's defenses! If we hold out until Captain Tsuchio defeats that genjutsu-user, we'll be saved!"
While not ideal, if they couldn't break the enemy's genjutsu, they had no choice but to opt for a passive defense.