Uchiha Natsu's shadow clone observed the gazes of Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi and responded, "Why don't you ask Lord Hokage first?"
Both Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi nodded in agreement, recognizing the wisdom in seeking the Third Hokage's counsel. Hyuga Hiashi, however, displayed signs of frustration, evident in the protruding blue veins at the corners of his eyes.
Hiashi, with open eyes, surveyed the battlefield, eventually pinpointing Konoha Ninjas concealed within a pile of boulders.
"I found it," he declared, turning to Uchiha Natsu and Uchiha Fugaku. "Let's go there and seek the Third Hokage's decision."
"Agreed," Fugaku affirmed.
The trio navigated through the woods, arriving before Hiruzen Sarutobi and others.
"Lord Hokage" they saluted, presenting their thoughts to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, after contemplation, advised, "Observe first; then assess the situation."
Hyuga Hiashi acknowledged the directive with a nod. The group then concealed themselves, maintaining a watchful eye on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Uchiha Natsu's wooden puppet engaged in several clashes with the two Kage-level powerhouses. Having been struck in the head by Dust Escape initially, Uchiha Natsu paid close attention to Onoki's employment of the technique. Although Dust Escape dealt significant damage, its slow release speed and difficulty in changing direction allowed Uchiha Natsu to evade it multiple times. However, this evasion incurred considerable chakra expenditure.
Furthermore, the Fourth Raikage continued his ground assault, depleting the wooden puppet's chakra resources. Despite the grandiose claims made earlier, Uchiha Natsu's energy was waning. The current bravado served merely as a façade, concealing the true depletion of his chakra reserves. Facing two opponents simultaneously, Uchiha Natsu somewhat overestimated the wooden puppet's strength, which, at best, could contend with a single Kage-level powerhouse. The ongoing battle showcased his limited proficiency with the newly acquired Wood Style technique.
Onoki and the Fourth Raikage, already weakened from their earlier encounter with Sarutobi Hiruzen and others, found themselves at a disadvantage. The Fourth Raikage, sensing impending failure, began contemplating a retreat, his fighting spirit waning.
In this critical moment, an Iwagakure Anbu rushed towards Onoki, bypassing the battlefield without hesitation. Onoki, while vigilant of the wooden puppet, refrained from impeding the Anbu's approach and withdrew from the frontlines.
"What's happening?" Onogi inquired, maintaining his vigilance against the wooden puppet.
This Anbu, Onoki's trusted operative stationed in Stone Village, bore vital news. Tasked with promptly notifying Onoki in the event of a Stone Village emergency, the Anbu's disheveled appearance and lack of concern for the ongoing battle indicated the severity of the situation.
Iwagakure Anbu, without pausing to salute, urgently reported, "Master, it's dire; the village is under attack!"
"What?!" Onoki's eyes widened, and he questioned, "What's the situation?"
"It's Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki of Cloud Village. Seizing the opportunity while you were leading the elite in battle, he attacked the village. The situation is critical!"
"Killer B?" Onoki exclaimed, comprehending that Killer B had not initially participated in the war due to confinement imposed by the Fourth Raikage. Unanticipatedly, the Fourth Raikage exploited Onoki's focus on the battle to unleash Killer B on Stone Village.
"A..." Onoki seethed with anger. The Fourth Raikage, having offered significant benefits to Stone Village, intended to conquer both ninja villages independently. However, the unforeseen turn of events disrupted this plan.
Onoki directed his ire towards the Fourth Raikage, expressing his displeasure with biting words. "You despicable and insidious villain, attempting to dominate two major ninja villages single-handedly!"
The Fourth Raikage's heart sank, realizing his scheme had been exposed. The meticulously planned war, coordinated with Stone Village, aimed to have Killer B attack Stone Village while capturing Konoha. Success would result in the simultaneous eradication of both enemies and the occupation of the Lands of Fire and Earth. However, the unexpected setback by Akira Senju had turned his intricate plan into chaos.
Acknowledging the need to withdraw swiftly and prepare for potential crises, the Fourth Raikage glared venomously at the wooden puppet controlled by Uchiha Natsu. With a contemptuous snort, he issued a commanding retreat, declaring, "Everyone from Cloud, retreat immediately!"
The Fourth Raikage's voice triggered swift responses from the Cloud ninja army. According to the pre-established plan, they initiated a rapid retreat toward the Land of Thunder. Onoki, equally anxious, issued a similar retreat order to the Iwagakure ninja army.
The battlefield, once teeming with ninjas resembling ants, is now divided into two factions retreating in opposite directions, evacuating towards their respective lands.
Uchiha Natsu grasped the unfolding situation, realizing the nature of the Fourth Raikage's operations.
"I have a big appetite, but I can't chew well," Uchiha Natsu sneered. Sensing the dwindling chakra within the wooden puppet, he frowned. Both the wooden puppet and its clone had reached their limits, unable to sustain further combat.
Acknowledging this, Uchiha Natsu seized control of the wooden puppet, causing it to disintegrate into a pile of branches that seamlessly merged with the ground. Regaining consciousness, Uchiha Natsu employed his main body's chakra to create another wooden clone. This clone assumed the appearance of Akira Senju and swiftly executed Earth Release, reappearing on the battlefield. Performing hand seals, the wooden clone targeted the retreating Fourth Raikage and shouted, "Wood Release, Wood Dragon Art!"
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