On the other side, Pakura led four shadow guards, and they coordinated well.
Those who could serve as shadow guards were all elite Jonin.
The five of them successfully blocked Sakumo's offensive.
The Flying Raijin technique didn't work well because they consciously kept their distance from each other.
Sakumo, who had already opened the fourth gate of the Eight Gates Formation, hadn't killed anyone since the fight began.
He even suffered a minor injury from the Scorch Release technique.
Both sides were in a deteriorating state. Pakura and the shadow guards were all injured and looked nervous.
They took out several Military Rations Pill from their ninja tool bags, crushed one and swallowed it to replenish the consumed Chakra.
Sakumo kept moving. At this moment, a glint flashed in his eyes.
"Swordsmanship, Breaking Through the Void."
A green streak with a whistling sound slashed towards one of the shadow guards.
"Earth Release, Earth Flow Wall."
"Wind Release, Blade of Wind."
"Scorch Release, Over - Steaming Kill."
The others quickly came to support. Sakumo's strike narrowly passed by the ear of that shadow guard.
An ear dropped to the ground. In order to avoid the ninjutsu, Sakumo's strike missed once more.
On the battlefield, the ninjas of both sides were still in a fierce fight, and screams could be heard every moment.
This battle lasted from dawn to dusk before both sides withdrew.
The ground was left littered with blood and corpses.
As night fell, the moonlight shone on the desert, and giant scorpions feasted on the battlefield.
Both the Sand ninjas and Konoha ninjas were resting in their camps. They had no time to take care of their fallen comrades' bodies.
"The Kazekage didn't fight today. He should have led his men to our supply line."
Tsunade and Sakumo were having a sumptuous dinner together. After a day of fierce battle, both of them looked tired.
Shukaku didn't keep hiding until the truce. Bunpuku voluntarily emerged and continued to fight with Tsunade at noon.
Shukaku, constantly on high - alert, and Tsunade couldn't defeat each other, and the fight ended in a tie.
Until the truce, Sakumo still hadn't managed to kill anyone and was extremely annoyed.
"Fortunately, Kawaki has gone. He won't succeed."
Sakumo had confidence in Kawaki, even if the opponent was the Third Kazekage, known as the "Strongest Kazekage."
"That kid is really tough. Don't fret."
The Seven - Tailed Beast grumbled inside Tsunade.
On the Sand ninja side, Bunpuku was meditating in the room, with his eyes closed to heal his injuries.
Pakura was presiding over a meeting.
"Kawaki Hatake of Konoha didn't appear today. He might have discovered the Third Kazekage's plan."
"We can only try our best to hold back the Konoha ninjas so that they can't provide support."
Pakura's face was a bit pale. She also got injured in the fight against Sakumo. These two brothers were equally hard to deal with.
"Both sides suffered heavy losses in today's battle."
"We can only hope that the Third Kazekage will return triumphantly soon."
The intelligence chief calculated today's battle losses and felt heart - broken.
"Can Master Bunpuku endure?"
A shadow guard was a bit worried. He saw the scene where Shukaku was kicked away today.
It was really terrifying, and he felt a chill run down his spine.
"I can still manage."
Bunpuku was too embarrassed to open his eyes. Shukaku in his body almost wanted to jump out and give this shadow guard a slap.
Who did this guy look down on?
"Everyone, go to rest early and fight again tomorrow."
Pakura hastily ended this meeting, and everyone left respectively.
At dawn the next day, the great battle between Konoha and the Sand ninjas resumed.
Tsunade continued to fight against Shukaku, and Sakumo faced Pakura and five shadow guards again.
After yesterday's fierce battle, both sides were a bit more cautious today.
It was far less intense than yesterday's battle. Maybe they were all waiting for the news from the other side.
Two days passed in a flash, and there was even more blood on the battlefield.
Kawaki had joined the supply troops and was on the way to the garrison point.
The Third Kazekage was also leading his men and waiting at the ambush point.
"Teacher, will the people from Sunagakure come again?"
Minato and Nawaki were both beside Kawaki, and there was a long convoy behind them.
Everyone remained vigilant, on guard against any unexpected incidents.
Several members of the Hyuga clan took turns using their Byakugan to scout, not daring to slack off for a moment.
"Wouldn't it be better if they don't come?"
Kawaki smiled faintly. So far, no suspicious figures had been detected.
"But it's so boring."
Nawaki followed beside Minato, as if he was still hoping for something to happen.
"Can't you wish for something good?"
Kawaki gave him a glare.
"That's not what I meant."
Nawaki realized his mistake and explained with an embarrassed smile.
"Alright, stay alert."
Kawaki didn't say more and continued leading the troops forward at a slow pace.
Another day passed. After days of continuous battles, both the Sand ninjas and Konoha were exhausted.
They all chose to cease fire and anxiously awaited news from the other side.
The spies they sent out were engaged in open and covert struggles, each having some wins and losses, but they got no news.
At the Sand ninja camp.
"Chōmei really pisses me off!"
Shukaku roared inside Bunpuku's body. He hadn't gained any advantage in these days of battles.
When Shukaku was young, the Seven-Tailed Beast was no match for him.
"You can't blame the road when you're no good."
Bunpuku was already struggling to cope. Before, Shukaku always boasted to him about how powerful he was.
After these battles, Bunpuku seriously doubted the authenticity of his words.
"It's that woman who's too strong, not that I'm no good."
How could Shukaku admit his weakness? He roared inside Bunpuku's body, eager to go back to the battlefield and fight again.
The sand in the room rose up spontaneously without wind.
"Master Bunpuku, please control him."
Pakura knew it was Shukaku causing trouble. Her face was as pale as paper, and the shadow guards were like eggplants beaten by frost.
"Okay."
After Bunpuku agreed, he said some soft words to calm Shukaku down.
"The Kazekage-sama still hasn't sent any news. It won't work if we keep fighting like this."
A Sand ninja couldn't help but speak up. Even on the Sand ninjas' home ground, the casualties were heavy.
"We're having a truce today, but we'll continue to attack until the Kazekage-sama returns."
Pakura firmly followed the Third Kazekage's order.
"Sigh~"
All the Sand ninjas sighed in unison. What else could they do? They could only pray for the Kazekage to return as soon as possible.
In the Konoha camp, Tsunade's face was also a bit solemn. The Sand ninjas were not as easy to handle as expected.
These days' battles had been very tough. There were only casualties and no substantial progress was made.
Every day after the battles, she had to treat the injured and worry about the supply route. She was a bit exhausted.
"Don't think too much. The Sand ninjas are also having a hard time."
"Once Kawaki returns, Dai should recover within a few days."
Sakumo was in a better state of mind than Tsunade. With Dai, a valuable combatant, joining the fight, the balance of victory will tip in their favor.
"You're right, Aniki."
"By the time frame, Dai should be almost recovered."
Tsunade knew Dai's injuries best. After Sakumo's consolation, her mood improved a bit.
"Get some rest. We'll probably be back in action tomorrow."
After Sakumo said that, Chōmei perked up.
He had been disciplined by Tsunade for his constant noise, but his nature was hard to suppress.
"Tomorrow, I'll slap Shukaku with my big palm."
This guy was the most excited during the battles in the past few days.
It felt so good to think about getting revenge for the bullying he endured as a kid.
"Shut up!"
Tsunade roared, which startled Sakumo.
Thankfully, he knew she wasn't yelling at him.
"I'm leaving first. Go easy on him."
Sakumo adjusted his Forehead Protector and got up to leave. He still thought his Natsuki was gentle - natured.
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