CHAPTER 157
Might Guy's concerns were quickly proven correct.
The three of them fought while rapidly advancing toward Inuzuka Tsume.
They had never been far apart to begin with.
Inuzuka Tsume was stationed on a defensive line nearby, resisting Iwagakure's relentless assault.
She also noticed the three approaching.
Without saying much, she simply gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
She had already witnessed the battlefield performance of Might Guy and his teammates.
These three youngsters were far stronger than she had initially expected.
One Chunin and two Genin.
Yet through flawless coordination, the combat power they displayed...
Was in no way inferior to that of an experienced Chunin squad.
If anything, they still had strength left to spare.
More importantly, they remained calm while advancing and retreating across the battlefield, perfectly balancing offense and defense.
They were clearly not inexperienced rookies who had never seen blood.
Nor were they privileged Ninja who required special protection.
"Perhaps these three kids possess talents beyond what I first imagined."
Tsume didn't dwell on the thought.
Working together with Kuromaru, she drove back another Iwagakure Chunin attempting a sneak attack.
Taking advantage of the brief opening, she quickly surveyed the surrounding battlefield.
Without hesitation, she issued new orders.
"Everyone, regroup toward Captain Yamanaka!"
She had also realized that the enemy's numbers were simply overwhelming.
Although their squad possessed strong individual combat ability, their stamina would eventually run out.
Moving toward Inoichi Yamanaka's position would allow them to link up with more allies.
They could support one another and share the pressure.
After all, they originally belonged to the Intelligence Division.
At this moment, they weren't far from Inoichi Yamanaka's main unit.
Naturally, regrouping was the best option.
The surviving members of Inuzuka Tsume's squad immediately acknowledged the order.
Covering one another, they began advancing together in the same direction.
Including Might Guy's trio, the squad now numbered only fifteen people.
Originally...
There had been twenty.
During the brief but brutal battle, five had already fallen.
Of course...
The Iwagakure side hadn't escaped unscathed either.
Nearby, numerous Iwagakure corpses littered the battlefield.
Some had been killed by Tsume's squad.
Others had fallen to different Konoha Ninja.
A rough estimate placed the overall casualty ratio at roughly ten Konoha Shinobi for every twelve Iwagakure Ninja.
This was only possible because of Orochimaru and Akimichi Torifu.
These two top tier combatants had drawn an enormous amount of enemy attention while bearing the majority of the battlefield pressure.
Otherwise, with Konoha fielding only three thousand five hundred Shinobi against Iwagakure's six thousand...
Their casualty count would have been far worse.
Yet this brutal exchange rate, where both sides were nearly trading lives one for one...
Was something neither army wanted.
Konoha already suffered a disadvantage in manpower.
They simply couldn't afford this level of attrition.
As for Ōnoki...
Every carefully trained Iwagakure Ninja who died was equally painful for him to lose.
Unfortunately...
The battlefield had already become a giant meat grinder.
The slaughter was fully underway.
Unless something decisive happened...
No one could stop.
Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma followed Inuzuka Tsume as they gradually moved closer to Inoichi Yamanaka's main force.
From a distance, Guy spotted a familiar figure within the crowd.
Kurenai Yuhi.
Her face was slightly pale as she continuously formed hand seals.
She was obviously maintaining a Genjutsu with all her strength while providing long range support.
Beside her stood Shikuro Nara.
He guarded Kurenai's side closely while swarms of insects circled around him.
Guy quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Their position lay relatively deep within Konoha's formation.
Several Konoha Ninja surrounded them as an additional layer of protection.
For the time being...
They shouldn't be in any immediate danger.
Kurenai also noticed Guy fighting along the outer edge of the battlefield.
Concern immediately appeared on her beautiful face.
But she understood.
Guy was a frontline combatant.
Holding the outer defensive perimeter was his responsibility.
Even Asuma was currently moving along the edge of the battlefield, continuously engaging enemy Ninja.
Not far behind him, however, a Konoha Jonin maintained a discreet distance.
It was obvious that the Jonin had been assigned to secretly protect him.
Guy gave Kurenai a reassuring glance, silently telling her he was alright.
Then, together with Ebisu and Genma...
He once again threw himself into battle against Iwagakure's advancing forces.
However...
Just as Guy had driven back an Iwagakure Genin...
And was about to activate Dragon's Roar to defend against an attack coming from his flank...
His entire body suddenly stiffened.
Throughout the battle...
A portion of his attention had never left the Kage level duel taking place high in the distance.
He saw Ōnoki, who had been fighting defensively and struggling under White Fang's relentless assault...
Barely avoid White Fang's blade once again.
Immediately afterward...
Ōnoki rapidly formed hand seals.
"Earth Release: Stone Clone Jutsu!"
Four Stone Clones identical to the original instantly emerged.
They charged simultaneously from different directions toward Konoha's White Fang.
Their purpose was obvious.
Use their bodies to delay the terrifyingly fast Sakumo Hatake.
Meanwhile...
Ōnoki's true body seized the opportunity to rapidly ascend even higher into the sky.
His hands slowly came together before his chest.
A terrifying Chakra filled with destructive power rapidly condensed and compressed between his palms.
Dust Release.
Ōnoki was preparing Dust Release.
Konoha's White Fang's expression immediately became solemn.
Yet there wasn't the slightest panic in his eyes.
Like a bolt of white lightning, he flashed through the encirclement created by the four Stone Clones.
His gaze never left Ōnoki high above.
He understood perfectly how terrifying Dust Release truly was.
But only if it could actually hit him.
The fact that Ōnoki had been forced into using such a Chakra intensive technique now...
Clearly showed that the Tsuchikage had begun to feel cornered.
"Does he intend to severely injure me with Dust Release and reverse the situation?"
White Fang narrowed his eyes.
Although seeing Konoha Ninja continuously falling below filled him with urgency...
As a top tier Shinobi...
He understood one principle better than anyone.
The more critical the situation became...
The calmer one had to remain.
Ōnoki was concentrating completely on forming Dust Release while relying on his Stone Clones to buy time.
Wasn't this...
Also his own opportunity?
Casting Dust Release demanded absolute concentration.
That brief moment would also expose an opening.
"The instant he releases Dust Release..."
"His old momentum will be exhausted while his new momentum has yet to form."
"That will be my best opportunity to strike."
White Fang reached his conclusion almost instantly.
The white lightning surrounding his short blade grew even brighter.
He silently prepared for the decisive attack.
The only thing he needed to watch carefully now...
Were the four Stone Clones surrounding him.
The moment Ōnoki unleashed Dust Release...
Those Stone Clones would undoubtedly move at the same time.
White Fang's gaze continuously shifted among all four Stone Clones while keeping Ōnoki's real body within his peripheral vision.
However...
At that exact moment...
High above the battlefield...
Ōnoki, whose hands remained clasped while fully concentrating on Dust Release...
Allowed an almost imperceptible cold smile to appear at the corner of his mouth.
His hands subtly adjusted the angle of the forming technique.
Looking through the dazzling light gathering between his palms...
The center of his aim...
Wasn't Konoha's White Fang at all.
It was...
Asuma Sarutobi.