Whoosh~~
Darui stood panting lightly as he stared at the white ape in front of him.
This was too troublesome.
The ape's body was as tough as steel, almost immune to his Storm Release attacks. Its flesh was ridiculously durable—he had even struck its forehead with his blade, and sparks had flown. Could you believe that?
If not for the ape's lack of speed and the flat, open snowfield that made its movements predictable, Darui might have been defeated by this summoning beast.
The Monkey King glanced over his shoulder at Sasuke and the other two, who were retreating slowly. His heart was filled with anCeeety.
Too slow...
The two brats were each carrying an unconscious, heavily injured companion, slowing them down to a crawl. This sluggish pace frustrated the Monkey King, who was eager to go support Sakura.
Sakura's opponent was none other than the Raikage.
One of the five most powerful figures in the ninja world!
Suddenly, the sharp-eyed Monkey King noticed several figures approaching in the distance.
They wore the Konoha forehead protector!
And among them, he recognized someone—Hatake Kakashi!
Finally, Konoha reinforcements had arrived!
Who's in charge of this Konoha unit?!
After so many days, they were just now sending reinforcements?!
Unbelievable! If they can't handle it, plenty of others can!
The Monkey King felt a mix of relief and frustration.
He resolved to file a formal complaint with Hiruzen Sarutobi about the person responsible for this Konoha unit as soon as this was over.
Meanwhile, Darui also noticed Kakashi and his team approaching. His frustration was evident.
What the hell?! This is Kumogakure's territory!
Why are there so many Konoha ninjas here?!
Who's responsible for our defensive line?
Unbelievable! If they can't handle it, plenty of others can!
...
Oh wait, I'm the one in charge of the defensive line.
Never mind, then.
Darui mentally noted to fire the subordinates who were managing the defensive line. Once this was over, they'd all be assigned to clean the army's toilets! Every single one of them!
"Sensei Kurenai!"
Seeing a familiar figure, Kiba's face lit up.
"Kiba!"
Kakashi and his team had clearly noticed Kiba's group, along with the Monkey King facing off against Darui in the distance.
The reputation of this summoning beast preceded it.
"Sensei Kurenai, please save Sakura!"
Seeing his team leader, Kiba felt like he'd found a lifeline. His voice cracked as he pleaded, his nerves fraying.
During the clash between the Monkey King and Darui, they'd overheard bits of the conversation.
That's how they'd learned Sakura was facing none other than the Fourth Raikage himself.
The realization had left Kiba speechless.
To block such a powerful enemy, holding the line alone for the sake of her comrades—
Sakura had not only confronted the Raikage, but also summoned her contract beast to protect him and Shino.
The summoning beast's continued presence meant Sakura was still alive.
But the Raikage was her opponent. Kiba couldn't even imagine what would happen if Sakura lost or was captured.
"What's the situation now? What happened to Sakura?"
Kakashi's calm gaze fell on the distraught young man in front of him.
"Let me explain."
Shino intervened, stopping the overwhelmed Kiba. He explained the situation to Kakashi and the others in a concise and composed manner.
In summary:
They had failed to destroy the enemy's supply line but had managed to capture the Two-Tails' jinchūriki. The Raikage was pursuing them, and Sakura had stayed behind to hold him off, while her summoning beast faced his subordinates.
"What?!"
"That woman is the jinchūriki of the Two-Tails?!"
Shocked, Shiranui Genma glanced at Yugito, unconscious and draped over Kiba's back.
"There's no time to lose. Kurenai, stay here with Shino and Kiba," Kakashi ordered quickly.
"Genma, we'll assist the Monkey King in dealing with that subordinate of the Raikage before heading to find Sakura."
The Monkey King was Sakura's contract beast. Through the connection between summoner and summon, it could accurately locate Sakura's position.
Kakashi gave Shino a quick glance. Seeing the gravely injured and unconscious Sasuke on his back, Kakashi didn't hesitate. He and Shiranui Genma rushed toward Darui, who was still clashing with the Monkey King.
"..."
Darui glanced at the approaching Kakashi and Shiranui Genma. His expression turned grim.
Kakashi's features were unmistakable—there was no mistaking the Copy Ninja of Konoha, an undeniably powerful opponent.
As for Shiranui Genma, Kumogakure intelligence had long noted the skills of this elite jōnin, known for his well-rounded abilities.
To think he could handle the Monkey King, Kakashi, and Shiranui Genma all at once would be sheer arrogance.
The Raikage hadn't shown up yet, likely still tied up with that little girl. After all, she was strong enough to take down the Two-Tails in direct combat.
Darui cast one last regretful glance at the unconscious Yugito in the distance, letting out a soft sigh.
Though separated by only a hundred meters, it might as well have been an insurmountable chasm.
Without looking back, Darui turned and fled.
He was pragmatic enough to know when to retreat. Foolishly pressing on despite knowing the odds was a mistake only fools made.
He had to deliver this information to the Raikage. If possible, he would coordinate with him to take down the pink-haired girl quickly and use her as a hostage to exchange for Yugito.
Of course, if there was still time.
"Kakashi, follow me!"
Suppressing his frustration over the late arrival of reinforcements, the Monkey King gruffly shouted before rushing off toward Sakura's location.
--
Sakura steadily retreated with Cee in tow, heading toward the Monkey King. Meanwhile, the Raikage stalked toward her with a predatory glare.
The two maintained a distance of one hundred meters, locked in a strange balance.
Cee, on the other hand, felt like his tongue was about to freeze from the cold.
Suddenly, a flash of lightning behind her shattered the delicate equilibrium!
It was Darui, who had left earlier!
Did the Monkey King lose?!
The thought flashed through Sakura's mind, only to be dismissed immediately.
There was no way the Monkey King could lose to Darui.
Moreover, she could still sense the Monkey King rushing toward her.
But at this moment, Sakura was forced to evade the incoming lightning that hurtled toward her!
Darui's massive blade crackled with electricity as he charged at Sakura like a lightning-clad predator.
Sakura remained calm. She leapt lightly into the air, using a single hand on Cee's shoulder to support her weight and dodge the attack.
"Cee?!"
Darui froze, shocked at the familiar figure. He quickly withdrew his blade to avoid injuring his comrade.
But while Darui hesitated, Sakura did not. With one hand gripping Cee's shoulder, she lifted him into the air and hurled him directly at Darui!
Faced with his teammate flying toward him, Darui didn't dare swing his blade and had no choice but to dodge.
At that moment, the Raikage moved.
"Lariat!"
A violent burst of lightning surged toward Sakura, who, in midair, was about to use Cee as a human shield.
But before the Raikage's attack could land, a sound like a thousand chirping birds and howling winds rang out!
"Lightning Release: Chidori!"
"Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!"
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