Chaos erupted as elites from Sunagakure and Celestial Renni Village clashed head-on. Screams and dying cries echoed across the battlefield as blood soaked the ground.
This was not a duel between Kage-level shinobi, but a brutal collision of ordinary ninja. Even so, the battlefield was no less lethal. Wind blades, fireballs, and earth spikes tore through the ranks, and uncontrolled ninjutsu often harmed allies as much as enemies.
Both sides fought to the brink, but Sunagakure suffered far heavier losses. For every Celestial ninja that fell, three from the Sand lay dead. Whether in numbers or elite strength, Sunagakure was completely outmatched.
"Clang!"
Xiaodajing Second collided head-on with an enemy elite, sparks flying as kunai met steel.
Seizing an opening, Xiaodajing Second spun and delivered a vicious side kick, knocking the enemy back before rapidly forming hand seals.
"Wind Release: Wind Blade!"
A crescent-shaped blade of compressed wind tore forward, shrieking through the air toward the retreating Celestial elite.
"Puff!"
The wind blade sliced cleanly through its target—
—but shattered into splinters.
A Substitution Technique. Only broken wood remained.
Before Xiaodajing Second could react—
"Earth Release: Earth Spears!"
Jagged spikes erupted from the ground within a ten-meter radius.
"Damn—!"
Xiaodajing Second dodged, but several spikes tore into his side, drawing blood.
"Shadow Clone?"
The Xiaodajing Second before the enemy dispersed into smoke, leaving the Celestial elite momentarily stunned.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball descended from above.
"Boom!"
Before the smoke cleared, Xiaodajing Second burst forward from within it.
"Puff."
His kunai pierced straight through the enemy's heart. The Celestial elite collapsed, chakra fading instantly.
Xiaodajing Second barely had time to breathe before a chilling killing intent washed over him.
"You damned Celestial dog! I'll kill you!"
A Sunagakure ninja, eyes bloodshot, charged forward with a chakra-infused blade, swinging wildly in a frenzy of grief and rage.
All around them, the battlefield descended into madness.
Only thirty to forty Sand ninja remained standing. Surrounded by the bodies of their comrades, their eyes burned red with hatred as they charged the Celestial forces.
"Kill them!"
"Even if we die, we take them with us!"
Sunagakure's medical ninja had long since fallen. Wounded shinobi fought on regardless, even at the cost of their lives.
In less than an hour, Sunagakure's forces had been reduced from over a hundred to barely a fraction.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
A roaring dragon of fire surged across the battlefield, incinerating several Sand ninja in its path.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
A massive water dragon collided with the flames.
"Boom!"
Steam exploded outward, thick white vapor blanketing the field.
Through the haze—
"Is that you, Xiaodajing Second?"
A Sunagakure elite recognized him, voice shaking with rage.
Xiaodajing Second turned coldly. He recognized the man as well.
"There's no surprise left between us," he said. "Only hatred."
The Sand elite sneered. "Last time, you led that covert unit through the Grass Country to hunt me. If I hadn't escaped, I'd be dead."
Xiaodajing Second's fist slammed toward the man's temple, his voice icy with restrained fury.
"And today," the Sand elite replied calmly, eyes full of killing intent, "I end this traitor myself."
Only now did he understand how the enemy had infiltrated so deeply.
Xiaodajing Second had been guiding them from the shadows all along.