Chapter 81: The Legend of the Hero
Chapter 81: The Legend of the Hero
After treating several wounded shinobi, Mizuki made sure that Tsubaki and her colleagues prepared to evacuate as planned. As the battle intensified, it was only a matter of time before the conflict reached their vulnerable position. The sporadic skirmishes they'd faced so far were just the beginning.
"Tsubaki, are you sure you can manage? Do you need my help?" Mizuki asked with concern. Most of the ninjas here were not strong fighters, with Tsubaki being the exception due to her versatile combat skills. If they encountered powerful enemies without the protection of the barrier, they would be in serious trouble.
Tsubaki smiled reassuringly. "We'll be fine, Mizuki. The enemy shouldn't reach us if we move now. You still have other duties to attend to, right?"
"As long as you're safe," Mizuki replied, relieved. "Take care."
"Don't worry, we'll be okay. You should get going," Tsubaki said firmly.
After watching Tsubaki and the others depart toward safer areas, Mizuki took a deep breath and steeled himself before rushing back to the battlefield.
---
As he approached the combat zone, Mizuki noticed the massive snake summon rampaging through the village defenses. The towering snake had broken through the fortified walls, allowing Sand Village shinobi to flood in and clash with the Konoha defense forces. The defenders hurled kunai with explosive tags at the snake, but the creature hardly seemed affected.
"Summoning Jutsu is truly a fearsome technique," Mizuki muttered to himself. "A powerful summoning contract can be more valuable than a lifetime of training. No wonder some say that without summoning beasts, even Jiraiya's strength would be significantly reduced."
Observing the chaotic scene, Mizuki wisely avoided charging into the front lines. As a mid-tier Chunin, he knew better than to throw himself into the thick of battle where high-level ninjutsu and wide-area attacks were being exchanged. Instead, he scanned the area, searching for familiar faces. Finally, he spotted Morino Ibiki giving commands amidst the turmoil.
"Ibiki-taicho!" Mizuki called out, making his presence known. "What can I do to help?"
Ibiki turned around, slightly surprised. "Mizuki? Weren't you assigned elsewhere?"
"Things changed. I'm here to provide medical support and backup," Mizuki replied.
Ibiki grimly nodded. "Come with me. We're establishing a temporary aid station."
---
Following Ibiki, Mizuki reached a makeshift field hospital. His expression hardened when he saw the sparse number of injured being treated.
"Why so few? Shouldn't there be more wounded here?" Mizuki asked, his tone tense.
Ibiki's eyes darkened. "Most didn't make it back alive. The initial assault was devastating. The giant summon and the Sand-nin's coordinated attack wiped out many before they could even react. Some injured were left behind on the battlefield because we couldn't retrieve them."
Mizuki clenched his fists. The chaotic first wave had claimed too many lives. Such overwhelming force had left the defenders struggling to regroup.
Just then, a loud rumbling shook the ground, and Mizuki saw a massive toad leaping into the fray, crushing one of the giant snakes under its weight.
"Jiraiya-sama has joined the fight," Mizuki muttered.
Ibiki raised an eyebrow. "You knew he was back in the village?"
"I was the one who informed the Hokage about it," Mizuki explained.
Ibiki grunted in approval. "Good. If Jiraiya-sama's here, that beast won't be an issue for long. Can you stay here and tend to the wounded? We're still waiting for the Medical Corps to arrive."
"Understood. I'll stabilize them until reinforcements get here," Mizuki replied, activating his Mystical Palm Technique to heal the most critically injured.
---
Meanwhile, at the Chunin Exam Arena, Sasuke Uchiha was locked in battle with Gaara. Sasuke's Chidori had successfully pierced Gaara's sand defense, causing visible damage. However, instead of retreating, Gaara only grew more ferocious, his body gradually losing human form as Shukaku's influence surged.
Sakura, watching from the sidelines, felt her heart race.
"So this is why Mizuki-sensei said Gaara was the most dangerous genin. He's a monster!"
Despite his initial success, Sasuke's body showed signs of strain. Using Chidori repeatedly had pushed his chakra reserves and body to the limit. To make matters worse, the Cursed Seal on his neck pulsed ominously.
"Sakura! Now!" Sasuke shouted, preparing another Chidori.
Sakura nodded, quickly forming hand signs and casting a Binding Formation. Chains of light appeared around Gaara, momentarily restraining his grotesque form.
With Gaara trapped, Sasuke dashed forward, his Chidori crackling in his hand. The ground trembled as the electricity arced toward Gaara, the force of the attack enough to crack the hardened sand.
---
Back at the arena, within the Four Violet Flames Formation, the battle between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru was reaching its peak. Orochimaru had summoned Hashirama and Tobirama Senju using Reanimation Jutsu. The Hokage was barely holding his own, contending with both his former masters and the traitorous student.
Panting heavily, Hiruzen reached into his ninja pouch and pulled out a vial containing a special elixir.
"So it has come to this..." Hiruzen thought, resigned to his fate.
He knew that without drastic measures, there was no way to emerge victorious. Orochimaru had surpassed his expectations, and the reanimated Hokages were too formidable to defeat in his current state.
"I wanted to see Konoha's future... to watch the next generation grow... but I can't let this man destroy everything we've built."
As the darkness deepened, muffling the sounds of battle, Hiruzen steadied his breathing, preparing to make his final stand.
---
Outside the barrier, Mizuki's clone observed the fight intently, aware that the situation was growing dire.
"This is it... the fated moment. Whether he wins or loses, the Third Hokage is already prepared to give his life."
Mizuki couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Regardless of the outcome, the legend of Hiruzen Sarutobi would end today.
But he couldn't afford to dwell on sentiment. The battle still raged, and Konoha needed every able shinobi to hold the line. Releasing his clone, Mizuki continued to tend to the wounded while preparing himself for the chaos yet to come.
"I won't let your sacrifice be in vain, Sensei," Mizuki whispered under his breath, pushing away his doubts and redoubling his efforts to save his fellow villagers.
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