Chapter 122: Survival Comes First

Chapter 122: Survival Comes First

"That was way too fast..." Mizuki was dumbfounded as he looked at Kurenai, who had been taken down by Sasori's Iron Sand Drizzle before she could even react. While Mizuki had been trained in Chakra Shield techniques and could handle such situations more effectively, Kurenai was still a jōnin—yet she'd gone down in a single exchange. The iron sand was terrifyingly fast, and in the dim light, it was hard to see. Still, for her to be gravely wounded and on the verge of death was something Mizuki hadn't expected.

'Was it that Kurenai was too weak... or have I really gotten that much stronger?'

After so many close calls, Mizuki knew his strength had increased, but he had never thought he'd catch up to—or even surpass—a jōnin so quickly.

Even as thoughts swirled in his head, Mizuki didn't stop moving. With a flash, he darted to Kurenai's side, erecting his Chakra Shield just in time to block the follow-up attack from Sasori's iron sand.

Sasori responded quickly, kicking Kurenai aside without hesitation. Though Konoha still had the numerical advantage, in terms of usable combat power, only Mizuki and Hiashi remained. Ko was barely holding on, and Gaara and Temari were essentially out of the fight.

In this trade-off, Mizuki actually considered the outcome favorable—Kurenai being downed in exchange for disabling Deidara was worth it. But in the bigger picture, losing a jōnin was still a heavy blow. While Kurenai wasn't crucial to the village's survival, she was a colleague and comrade. Watching a familiar face die wasn't something Mizuki wanted to see.

'The iron sand's attacks are getting fiercer... If this keeps up, I won't be able to protect her for long.'

Mizuki held off the attacks, but he had no time to tend to Kurenai. If this dragged on, not only would she be beyond saving, but he might go down with her.

In this dire moment, Hiashi stepped forward once again. With a burst of chakra, he activated Rotation and blocked the next wave of iron sand attacks, buying Mizuki precious seconds.

Seizing the opportunity, Mizuki picked up Kurenai and dashed to the rear, with Hiashi covering their retreat.

"Time to run. Can you all still move?" Mizuki called out as he returned, Kurenai on his back.

Gaara was clearly at his limit. With minimal rest and prolonged combat, his young body simply couldn't take any more. Temari, even if she had some stamina left, could only assist Gaara's retreat.

"Retreat!" Hiashi confirmed, giving Mizuki's call official weight. "There's no need to fight any longer. Our goal isn't to kill them—it's to return to the village, or hold out for reinforcements."

"Reinforcements?" Temari blinked. "This was a surprise ambush. I didn't think help would come…"

"Even ambushes can be answered," Mizuki replied with a wry smile. "Don't underestimate adults."

"And don't worry—reinforcements are on their way," Hiashi added.

Mizuki had already secretly informed Hiashi of the emergency message he'd sent back to Konoha using a sealed summoning technique. While he hadn't told the others earlier to prevent complacency, now that escape was the priority, knowing help was coming could bolster morale.

'Living is victory. Everything else can wait. There's still a mountain of trouble waiting once we get back...'

Hiashi had tried several times to probe Mizuki for more information, curious about how Mizuki had coordinated such a contingency plan. But Mizuki's cautious replies had revealed little.

"Well, that's a relief." The others let out sighs of relief. They'd been facing overwhelming enemies, taking injuries one after another while their foes seemed tireless and implacable. But with Deidara grounded and Sasori's swarm of puppets destroyed, hope had returned.

By now, the sun had risen high. Reinforcements could arrive at any moment. Mizuki, however, was more concerned about whether the village had sent strong enough ninja. If the rescuers were too weak, they'd just be more casualties.

"Now that everyone knows, I won't keep it a secret," Hiashi said as he ushered them into formation. "Reinforcements could arrive any moment. We just need to hold out. There's no reason to keep clashing head-on. With their air advantage gone, we can outlast them."

"Mizuki, I'll hold the rear for now. When I tire, we'll switch. Do everything you can to keep Kurenai alive."

"I understand." Mizuki nodded. Though it made more sense for him to take the rear guard with his Chakra Shield, Hiashi was right—Kurenai needed immediate treatment. Mizuki was the only one capable of administering that care.

"Kurenai-sensei's wounds are severe, but she should survive if I act quickly."

Though her injuries were numerous—including several piercings—none were immediately fatal. With his healing jutsu and the aid of his miracle drug, Mizuki had a good chance of saving her. And in this world, chakra was the foundation of everything—life and death included.

...

Without Deidara's flying bombs tailing them, the Konoha team could finally breathe easier. Mizuki carried Kurenai while casting healing techniques, and Hiashi guarded the rear, repelling Sasori's pursuit.

Sasori, for his part, had fallen back on his most reliable technique: Iron Sand Drizzle. Fast, wide-ranged, and poisonous—it was a deadly combo. Without Mizuki's broad-spectrum antidote, they'd all have died already. As it was, they'd need a long rest after this mission… assuming they survived.

"Sasori still has that damn Third Kazekage puppet…" Mizuki thought grimly. "We still haven't seen its full power."

Gaara and Temari were clearly spent. Ko was barely moving. Mizuki himself was dangerously low on chakra, even with his reserve techniques. If he collapsed now, no one would be able to protect Kurenai.

"Mizuki, how are you holding up?" Ko called out.

"I'll live. Just... exhausted." Mizuki wiped sweat from his brow.

Seeing his condition, Ko offered, "Let me help with Kurenai. I know some basic medical ninjutsu."

Mizuki hesitated, then nodded. He needed to conserve strength. Ko wasn't on Mizuki's level, but any help was valuable now.

Just then, a massive crash echoed from behind. Trees shattered as something flew backward.

Mizuki turned in time to see Sasori being knocked back through the forest, crashing into several trees before hitting the ground.

"Reinforcements!" Ko cried out in relief.

"I see them," Mizuki replied, tension easing.

The newcomer: Might Guy, the Blue Beast of Konoha.

Both sides were exhausted, but fresh energy had arrived. Sasori's chakra reserves were low. As a puppet master, he was efficient, but even he couldn't fight forever. Now that reinforcements had arrived, the tide was finally turning.

"Perfect timing, Guy," Hiashi said, visibly relaxing.

"You're too kind, Hiashi-dono," Guy grinned. "Who's that creepy puppet guy? His body felt weird when I hit him."

"His real body is a puppet—made from human flesh," Hiashi explained. "And that one's the Third Kazekage puppet. Be careful. It uses Iron Sand."

"Got it. I'll handle this!"

"Do you still have more of that miracle drug?" Hiashi asked Mizuki.

"I used most of it already," Mizuki replied. It wasn't a lie, not exactly—but he did have a small emergency stash. He just didn't want to show all his cards, not when the stakes were so high.

"I've got a little left," Temari said, pulling out her last vial.

As she handed it over to Guy, Mizuki finally let go of the last of his tension.

"I wasn't alone. Another reinforcement is on the way," Guy said casually. "I just happened to be the fastest."

The others barely had time to process this before they prepared to move again.

『Finally... maybe now we'll survive.』

To be continued...

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