The puppet of the Third Kazekage showed signs of damage. Sasori, without a moment's hesitation, retrieved a scroll and summoned additional puppets.
Matron gripped a handful of Needles, her wrinkled face curling into a disdainful smirk as she observed the multitude of summoned puppets.
"Lacking in quality, you resort to quantity. While a sufficient number of pawns can pose a threat, it's unfortunate that your puppets are too few to reach a critical mass..."
With that, she released her grip, sending countless needles raining down upon the regenerative core.
...
Meanwhile, in a distant forest, the Allied Shinobi Forces, led by Ōnoki, were covertly observing the battle between the Akatsuki and the refugee army.
Their strategy was to let both sides weaken each other, allowing them to swoop in and eliminate the remnants.
Due to the distance, most shinobi couldn't perceive the battlefield's real-time dynamics. Only Ōnoki, using special means, could relay the events.
At this moment, a slight smile appeared on Ōnoki's handsome face.
"Both sides are evenly matched. The Akatsuki have suffered more losses, but their leader is formidable. The situation is favorable."
Tsunade and the Raikage, upon hearing this, relaxed slightly.
"What are you so pleased about? Care to share?"
A cold voice interrupted, and suddenly, a shadow loomed overhead. A deluge of golden sand poured from the sky like a torrential rain.
Ōnoki's scalp tingled, his smile freezing as he swiftly retreated. The spot he had just occupied was now buried under sand.
Other shinobi scattered, the ground rapidly covered by sand, forming a small desert. Under the sunlight, it shimmered beautifully, yet exuded a deadly aura.
At the center of the desert, a red-haired youth with a gourd on his back emerged. Gaara, with his characteristic dark eye circles and a violent expression, appeared without uttering a word. Raising his palm, the desert began to swirl, forming vortices intent on devouring all life.
The earth trembled, the friction between sand and air producing a hissing sound. The desert expanded, gradually engulfing everyone's vision.
The nearby forest was destroyed, and many slower-reacting shinobi were swallowed by the quicksand in an instant. The survivors watched in horror as the sand approached, faces of the dead surfacing and sinking within the sand sea, emitting a chilling aura.
"With such overwhelming force, can you withstand it?"
The Fourth Raikage turned to Ōnoki.
Ōnoki, recognized as the strongest shinobi in the current world, specialized in individual combat. Facing Gaara's area-wide attacks, he had limited options.
His expression turned grave.
"I can perform techniques of this magnitude, but if we engage recklessly, you might get caught in the crossfire."
The Fourth Raikage snorted angrily, feeling slighted. As a Kage, was he not capable of withstanding residual attacks?
Never one to admit defeat, the Raikage's body crackled with lightning, illuminating him like a living bolt. Glancing at Gaara's position, he leaped into the air.
Swish!
A spear formed from Lightning Release thrust towards Gaara's head. However, Gaara merely glanced mockingly, his body transforming into sand and reappearing behind the Raikage. The sand coalesced into a sharp spike aimed at the Raikage's head.
Lightning flashed as the Raikage, his body stimulated by Lightning Release, reacted swiftly, instinctively dodging and moving erratically. He appeared before Gaara, delivering an uppercut to his chin.
Gaara's face shattered partially, cracks spreading across his body. Yet, his eyes remained indifferent. His body dispersed into sand, reassembling intact in the nearby sand sea.
Rip...
A strange sound emanated from behind. The sand beneath the Raikage's feet writhed. His expression changed drastically as he used Body Flicker Technique to escape. However, the sand formed a spear, striking his arm and leaving a grievous wound.
Sand clung to the wound, infiltrating like worms consuming flesh.
"This sand is peculiar, almost alive!"
The Raikage exclaimed, warning others while severing his arm to prevent further invasion.
Unfortunately, his warning came too late. Many shinobi were already covered in sand, their bodies eroded, faces contorted in pain, screaming as they were consumed, becoming part of the sand sea.
Gaara, arms outstretched, reveled as the sand sea churned, forming whirlpools that trapped the Raikage.
The situation was dire.
Previously, Tsunade had speculated that Uchiha Sasuke and Hyūga Neji were allied with the refugee army's leader. Based on Gaara's actions during Konoha's downfall, he was likely part of the group. Now, it was confirmed—Tsunade's suspicions were correct.
The Allied Shinobi Forces had hoped to benefit from the conflict, but Gaara's sudden assault thwarted their plans.
The sand sea surged like a tsunami, terrifying in its intensity. The Raikage continued to resist, refusing assistance, knowing that any rescuers would be sacrificing themselves needlessly.
Shinobi, especially those from Kumogakure, were filled with grief and anger, hating their helplessness as they watched the Raikage ensnared.
Gaara unleashed a tsunami-like wave of power, the surrounding space seemingly crushed. His dark eye circles deepened, his gaze cruelly fixed on all shinobi, particularly those from Kumogakure. He despised their bonds and reluctance to part with the Raikage. Why should others have what he never did?
If his life was filled with misery, others should experience the same!
"The Shinobi World is on the brink of destruction!"
His cold voice echoed as the sand, driven by his power, grew more violent. The ground shook, splitting open with a deep chasm heading straight for the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Countless terrified shinobi struggled to maintain balance as sand erupted from beneath, dragging them down. Their cries echoed, resembling the wails of countless tormented souls, sending chills down the spine.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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