Chapter 123: Repelled

Chapter 123: Repelled

"There's more backup coming?" Hiashi asked with doubt. "Does the village even have that many jōnin to spare right now?"

Considering the state of Konoha after the war, with resources stretched thin and injuries abundant, most capable ninja were busy helping rebuild. Ninjas like Yamato, for example, had Wood Release that was incredibly useful in construction—it far outclassed any civilian method.

Just as Might Guy was about to respond to Hiashi's question, he caught sight of a sudden movement from Sasori.

"Let's talk later," Guy said as he packed up the last of the medicine and tools, darting forward again. With his signature speed, he danced between the iron sand attacks and closed in on Sasori, constantly harassing the puppet master's position.

'This feels like a stronger version of Lee versus a more dangerous Gaara… This is going to take a while,' Mizuki thought as he watched the two vastly different combat styles clash—one relying on speed and force, the other on area denial and deadly poison.

Relieved to catch his breath for a moment, Mizuki left Kurenai in Ko's care. He needed a break to recover. His chakra was nearly depleted from shielding and healing, and fatigue was setting in.

Watching Guy and Sasori duel was like watching a storm—Guy with his ferocity, Sasori with his mechanical precision. Sasori's puppets, iron sand, and devastating poisons were all perfect counters to physical combatants. But Guy's agility and overwhelming power kept Sasori on the defensive. His barrage of continuous attacks, paired with his ability to open the Eight Gates, made him a truly terrifying opponent.

"Should we help?" Mizuki asked Hiashi. "It seems hard for us to intervene."

Hiashi thought for a moment before answering. "The tide is turning in our favor. We still have one more reinforcement incoming. It's best to wait and delay."

"I see." Mizuki nodded. "Then what about trying to capture the bomber? Deidara's probably still nearby."

"Who would go?" Hiashi countered. "We're far from the last battlefield. Splitting up would be reckless. Besides, they're clearly part of an organization—we can't rule out the presence of more enemies in hiding."

Mizuki accepted the logic. He'd only suggested it half-seriously, but Hiashi's reminder about Zetsu lurking nearby quickly sobered him. Chasing Deidara now might lead to a trap. He let the idea go.

Instead, Mizuki returned to Ko and checked in. "How's Kurenai?"

Ko didn't even look up as he used medical ninjutsu. "Still bad, but stable. Your medicine helped. The poison didn't reach her heart. But her wounds are deep and recovery will take a long time."

Mizuki sighed. He hadn't expected miracles, but hoped his treatments would buy Kurenai time. Just then, a new presence appeared at his side.

"How is she?" asked a familiar voice—it was Sarutobi Asuma, breathless from running.

Mizuki gestured to where Kurenai lay. "You can see for yourself. It's not good."

Kurenai looked deathly pale. Her abdomen was wrapped in bloody bandages, and her breathing was shallow.

Seeing her like that made Asuma's hand tremble as he clutched Mizuki's shoulder.

Mizuki raised an eyebrow but didn't stop speaking. "This is after using the best I had. Without the medicine, she wouldn't have made it. But even now, it's unclear if she'll ever return to full strength."

Asuma clenched his teeth, his grip tightening.

'Damn, that hurts,' Mizuki thought as pain shot through his shoulder. It was already injured—thanks to Sasori's earlier attack—and this wasn't helping.

"She's stable. You can let go now," Mizuki said dryly. "I need that arm to treat her."

"…Sorry. I lost control," Asuma muttered, quickly pulling his hand back.

"It's fine. Worrying about someone you love is natural."

Surprisingly, Asuma didn't deny it this time. He just nodded.

"How's your injury?" Mizuki asked, noting the still-bandaged arm.

"Better. Got it looked at yesterday. I can still fight."

"That's good. But save the small talk—Guy needs help." Mizuki gestured toward the fight with Sasori. "I'll keep an eye on things here."

"Got it." Asuma nodded and turned to join the battle.

…

Meanwhile, Guy was struggling. At first, Sasori's iron sand was too slow to track him. But the experienced puppet master had changed tactics, using iron sand mist to limit Guy's movement and make it harder to close the distance.

Just when Guy started feeling stuck, Asuma arrived.

With no time to waste, Asuma unleashed Ash Pile Burning. The flames and embers easily pierced the weak iron sand mist and engulfed Sasori's position.

"Nice shot!" Guy called.

"Let's finish this quickly," Asuma said. "Everyone else is barely hanging on."

"Understood!"

Asuma moved first. His wind chakra-infused trench knives slashed forward, the blades glinting with deadly precision. Using his Flying Swallow technique, he created a deadly aura around his attacks.

Sasori had no choice but to divert his iron sand to block the attack. The wind-enhanced blades cut through hastily-formed defenses, and Sasori barely dodged in time, sustaining minor damage.

But Guy had already seized the moment. While Sasori was focused on Asuma, Guy closed in with his blinding speed, unleashing a flurry of punches that shattered more of Sasori's outer shell.

'This is getting dangerous,' Sasori thought. 'Time to retreat.'

Sasori knew he was losing. The puppets from Hundred Puppet Performance were gone. His chakra reserves were low. Facing two elite jōnin in peak condition, while injured and alone, was suicide.

'This wouldn't have happened if Deidara hadn't failed so badly…'

Without another word, Sasori activated his last-ditch escape technique.

"Iron Sand World Method!"

Hundreds of iron spikes burst forth in every direction, forcing Guy and Asuma to retreat or be skewered. While the terrain was saturated with deadly traps, Sasori slipped away.

When the sand storm ended, he was gone.

"Do we pursue?" Asuma asked, panting.

"You stay here. I'll chase him a little," Guy said.

…

From a distance, Mizuki watched Sasori's retreat with relief.

'Still alive. Damn, I didn't think I'd make it after beating Deidara and cutting Sasori.'

But he didn't have time to celebrate. Kurenai was still critical. He turned back to Ko.

"How is she?"

"Stable—for now. But this kind of trauma… I don't think the village can fully heal her. Not without someone like Tsunade."

Mizuki nodded. "If she takes too much medicine, she might end up like Hayate… barely alive, but comatose."

Asuma, returning from the battlefield, lit a cigarette with shaking fingers. "Even this… is better than losing her."

"There might be a way," Mizuki said. "The village is considering making Jiraiya the next Hokage. If he refuses… Tsunade is next in line."

Asuma took a long drag, then exhaled smoke. "That's what the higher-ups said. And this mission… it was Danzo's idea."

To be continued…

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