"Who are you? Uh...!"
The Anbu Ninjas could no longer keep it hidden. Tsushima led Team Shadow inside and swiftly took down every Sand Ninja he encountered. Soon, they were discovered by other Sand Ninjas, leading to a fierce battle.
"Damn it, how did someone infiltrate without us noticing? Where are the guards!"
Jonin Bosui, a Sand Ninja, was furious about the invasion of their headquarters. It was a disgrace to have their base infiltrated. He yelled loudly to draw the attention of everyone inside and charged forward.
"Wind Release·Hurricane Fist!"
Strong winds gathered on his hand, forming a storm-like vortex. He charged at an incredible speed towards Tsushima!
"Secret technique : shadow imitation technique!"
A shadow entwined with Sand Ninja's silhouette, regardless of his speed, a shadow still formed on the ground.
"It's a stab—!"
Sand Ninja, who was airborne, was caught off guard and stumbled, but his immense strength allowed him to break free from the shadow's grasp!
"Earth Release·Earthen Wall!"
A sturdy wall of earth emerged as Sand Ninja quickly formed seals. It rose from the ground, obstructing the view of the situation.
"Hmph! Aren't you assassins? Why so hesitant!"
Sand Ninja sneered, his wind-covered fist even more ferocious, "It's useless, break through it!"
"Boom—!"
The earth wall shattered, a resounding boom echoed through the narrow space, reaching everyone present.
"What?!"
Even though Wind Release : Hurricane Fist managed to break through the earth wall's defense, it seemed to hit an immovable barrier, showing no sign of movement.
"Hmph!"
Tsushima grunted softly, a fierce light glinting in his slightly squinted eyes, a departure from his usual demeanour.
His body was as hard as obsidian, and after the powerful Wind Release was weakened, it posed no threat.
"Scared to act? I just don't have time to waste with you!"
A pitch-black arm, like cast iron, brutally gripped Sand Ninja's neck, and in his horrified gaze, it "snapped"!
A Jonin was instantly killed, and the Anbu members attacked without hesitation!
"Enemy attack! Assassins! Eliminate these pests!"
More Sand Ninjas converged, some with Genin level strength, even including logistical and civilian staff caught up in the chaos.
"No time to waste. Once the reinforcements arrive, the Black Snake will be overwhelmed."
The headquarters was in chaos. Chiyo had yet to make an appearance, casting a shadow of doubt over Tsushima's mind. Without further hesitation, he formed seals and employed the Earth Release secret technique.
"Earth Release: Earth Flowing Clay!"
This unique Earth Release ninjutsu, a secret jutsu collected by the Senju clan in the Warring State Period, was reserved for Anbu-level operatives.
The ceiling seemed to warp under the influence of a mysterious force, a blue vortex appearing. However, instead of revealing the outside, a vast expanse of vermilion clay descended like a thick paste. The unsuspecting dozen individuals present were drenched in it!
"Yuto, don't hold back, use Fire Release to break free!"
The leader of the Shadow Squad, an Anbu member of the Nara clan, instructed a quiet comrade, identified by a red mask that exposed his mouth.
"What is this?!"
The clay from the sky was incredibly viscous, akin to the strongest adhesive, bonding the Sand Ninjas together. Their immobile bodies were rendered incapable of employing ninjutsu.
The Anbu member inhaled deeply, his initially slender form expanding like a balloon. His index and middle fingers formed a seal beside his mouth, and with Sand Ninja's horrified gaze upon him, he exhaled a torrent of intense flames.
"Fire Release : Burning Ember !"
The sky-borne clay was highly flammable, igniting swiftly upon contact with flames. The Anbu member seemed to exhaust his very lungs, but the flames ravaged the confined space!
"Earth Release · Earth Flowing River!"
The intense fire in the partially enclosed space detonated like an explosion. A ninjutsu from Tsushima resolved the crisis, as a mudslide-like flow surged out in all directions from the center, nullifying the danger of the blaze.
"What—!!"
Several Sand Ninjas were charred to ash in the fire, no longer discernible as human figures. Subsequently, the outer walls, crafted using ninjutsu, finally gave way, leading to a cascade of collapses.
Thick smoke billowed into the sky, the scorching heat crystallizing sand and gravel, permeating the air with an indescribable burnt aroma.
"Damn it, why such a ruckus? Are they trying to attract attention?"
This commotion rendered Nightingale's Wood Release barrier ineffectual. The true extent of what had transpired inside was now evident. The alarm resounded, with a throng of people hastening towards the scene.
"Protect Lady Chiyo!"
A chorus erupted, and the four Black Snake Squad members seemed destined to be overwhelmed by the crowd.
"Don't falter; proceed as planned."
Confronted with the turmoil, the team members quivered, even their hands trembling. A firm hand gripped the sword.
"Unbelievable, Anbu missions are beyond even what ordinary ninjas can handle, it's a death sentence. How did Kakashi manage to retire?"
Takeshi sighed wistfully. True assassination wasn't merely infiltration, slitting throats, or poisoning – those tactics were feasible only if the target was present unguared. Otherwise, it resembled Orochimaru's assassination of the Third Hokage.
In a situation like Sand Shinobi strictly guarding against Konoha, Chiyo wouldn't be easily singled out for assassination. It could be that Chiyo hadn't acted at all. Nevertheless, even if Chiyo were to perish, Tsushima and his comrades could become casualties too.
"Ninjutsu: Four Violet Flames Formation!"
Takeshi summoned a ninjutsu scroll. This was a high-level product from the Anbu. Four rays of violet light streaked upward, forming an expansive space encompassing the entire headquarters. Purple-black flames ascended, erecting an impenetrable barrier. Only those with scrolls could traverse it.
"Ah! Help!"
Several rushing Sand Ninjas collided with the barrier, only to be consumed by the flames, reduced to ashes.
Remaining Sand Ninjas, alarmed, launched successive attacks. Kunai filled the skies, and diverse ninjutsu rained upon the barrier. Countless luminous explosions erupted, causing the Four Violet Flames Formation to quiver slightly.
"Damn it! Wasn't the Four Violet Flames Formation impenetrable?"
Takeshi's relief was short-lived.
In the original scenario, Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja launched a massive attack, but Konoha Ninja was preoccupied. Key was that Konoha's powerhouses seemed disinterested in saving Sarutobi Hiruzen, allowing only four direct subordinates and Hokage's Anbu to attempt rescue, a futile endeavour.
However, they were now deep within Sand Ninja territory, besieged by numerous assaults. Thankfully, the barrier could endure for five minutes, deriving its power from the scroll's chakra, which wasn't boundless. Takeshi's expression grew somber as his heart chilled.
"That's the Four Violet Flames Formation's radiance. With Chiyo trapped, regardless of her fate, Sand Shinobi won't have the luxury
to intervene elsewhere. This is our chance to strike with full force and triumph in one fell swoop!"
In Konoha's encampment, Senju Fumio barked orders, oblivious to Homura and Koharu's reactions. He surged forward to command the troops, inducing chaos among the ranks.
"You... Damn it, you have no sense of decorum!"
Homura scolded in a low voice, then began donning armour. As the highest-ranking officer, he had no choice but to enter the battlefield.
"Nervous, are you?" Koharu remarked casually from bed.
"Of course not! I'm Hokage-sama's esteemed disciple. Don't think I'm a mere staff advisor!"
Homura's visage twitched, glaring at Koharu before storming out the door.
This night promised an intense battle!
"Explode—!"
Takeshi's roar triggered a concealed trap, detonating an array of explosive tags. Numerous detonations propelled the attacking Sand Ninjas toward the sky.
"Time to determine life and death."
Takeshi's hands moved in a blur, forming seals. He spoke with an afterimage, "Tiger, Falcon, aid Master Tsushima. Nightingale, utilize Wood Release to bolster my defense. Tonight, your role is crucial!"
"...Understood."
Takeshi's authority prompted hesitation among the team members for only a second before they complied. He gazed back at the ruins with solemnity.
"Hu-hu-"
Yuto panted heavily after executing the Fire Release. The subsequent explosion had ravaged the area. However, the conference room, likely Chiyo's location, remained standing amid the devastation.
"Crack—"
Finally, the wooden door of the conference room shattered, collapsing. As if in a chain reaction, the room's walls crumbled, unveiling its contents.
"Didn't expect you to arrive, though it took you a while."
Upon seeing Chiyo and Ebizō together, Tsushima's pupils constricted – they were prepared!
The intelligence wasn't wholly inaccurate. On the journey, they only encountered one Jonin. Most of the other elites were Chunin, and Chiyo's composed demeanour made Tsushima uneasy.
More significantly, a cryptic figure stood beside her. Old Kaizo had maintained a low profile, and Tsushima couldn't gauge his strength!
"I am afraid he is powerful!"
Tsushima's eyes narrowed, internally cursing their predicament. But he clung his kunai steadfastly.
Leaving Tiger and Falcon aside, along with the hordes of attacking Sand Ninjas outside, the earth bellowed.
"Attack—!"
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