[Check Out My P4treon For +30 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/talkfictome]
===
The battlefield beneath Kikyō Mountain Castle had already turned into a burning, bloody hell. The initial vigor and fanaticism of the Sunagakure army were completely shattered by Konoha's carefully planned counterattack and overwhelming display of absolute power, leaving behind only desperate resistance and mounting casualties.
High in the sky, the face of Fourth Kazekage Rasa was so dark it looked like water was about to drip off it. He controlled the overwhelming Gold Dust, which swirled around him like a golden storm, yet he was exhausted from the chase. His opponent, that Golden Flash, was simply too much to handle. Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique had no conventional trajectory; every flash appeared at the exact moment the Gold Dust defenses were weakest, in the most crucial position. Rasa could only rely on his Kage-level Expert's astonishing reaction speed and the wide-ranging nature of his Gold Dust to desperately construct defenses, block, and compress, forcing Minato to be unable to wreak devastating havoc on the Sunagakure forces below.
He possessed destructive power, yet he was completely countered by speed, forced into passive defense with no opportunity left for offense. Every time the Gold Dust barrier barely managed to block a fatal Kunai, his heart grew heavier. He watched helplessly as his own soldiers fell constantly under Konoha's counterattack, unable to split himself to save them. This sense of powerlessness nearly drove him mad.
On the flank, the situation for Elder Chiyo and Ebizō was equally precarious. Three of the Kuroari, Hitokiri, Sasoris Puppets had already been torn apart by Manda's terrifying brute strength or corroded and disintegrated by Orochimaru's venomous Ninjutsu. Ebizō's Genjutsu and traps had limited effect against opponents the caliber of Orochimaru and Manda. The siblings were covered in blood, their Chakra rapidly depleting. They could only rely on years of tacit understanding and experience to desperately maneuver, barely holding back Orochimaru's tidal wave of fierce attacks, and protecting the rear from total collapse.
The defeat was certain!
Rasa recognized this with absolute clarity. If they continued to fight, Sunagakure's last elite forces would certainly be annihilated here! As the Kazekage of the village, he had to make the most painful, yet most correct, decision.
He abruptly manipulated the Gold Dust to temporarily force back one of Minato's flashing surprise attacks, and using this brief interval, he forcibly amplified his Chakra-infused voice—a voice filled with his decision and infinite unwillingness—across the entire battlefield:
"All Sunagakure forces—! Obey the command! Provide alternating cover! Full retreat! Retreat toward the Land of Rivers! Those who disobey will be executed!"
This command was like ice water poured over the heads of all the Sunagakure Ninja still fighting desperately. Retreat? After paying such a huge price, they were actually ordered to retreat?! But looking at their comrades constantly falling around them, and at the invincible Golden Flash and the terrifying giant snake, the despairing Ninja understood this was the only way to preserve their seed.
The command had to be carried out! But retreating, especially under such a disadvantage, was far more difficult than attacking, requiring someone to make a massive sacrifice to cover the rear!
Elder Chiyo made her decision almost the instant she heard the command. While controlling her puppets to tightly ensnare Manda, she screamed with all her might toward Sayo, who was not far away: "Sayo! Listen! I hereby authorize you in the name of the Frontline Commander! Effective immediately, take command of all frontline Puppet Squads! Buy time for the main force to retreat at all costs! Preserve our remaining strength! This is an order!"
Sayo was currently piloting the "mirage," using a Magnet Iron Sand Wall to block a wave of lethal fire Ninjutsu. Hearing Chiyo's command, his heart suddenly constricted. Taking command of all Puppet Squads in a moment of crisis? This meant he would become the hardest shield and the most dangerous target in this desperate retreat!
He had no time to hesitate, or even to feel fear. His gaze swept over the Puppeteer forces on the battlefield, who were still fighting individually and falling into chaos. Sayo took a deep breath, channeled Chakra into his throat, and his voice was unnaturally calm for a youth:
"All Puppeteers listen up! I am Special Jonin Sayo, taking command by order of Elder Chiyo! Abandon all offensive missions! Front lines become the rear guard! All Defensive Puppets move to the outermost perimeter! Form a circular defensive line! Offensive Puppets fire freely to suppress pursuing enemies! Release all spider puppets for suicidal obstruction! Medical Puppets prioritize rescuing the severely wounded before retreating! Execute the command!"
His voice seemed to carry a strange calming power, clearly reaching the ears of the chaotic Puppeteers. In their desperation, a clear commander became their backbone. The remaining Puppet Squads instinctively began to obey the instructions, struggling to converge toward Sayo's location.
Massive Salamander Puppets and heavy Shield Puppets were pushed forward, forming moving steel ramparts. The Offensive Puppets no longer aimed for kills but frantically poured fire onto the Konoha Shinobi attempting to pursue, slowing their pace. Countless spider puppets rushed toward Manda and the pursuing Konoha forces like moths to a flame, using self-detonation to buy a negligible second of hesitation.
Sayo himself piloted the "mirage," rushing around like a firefighter to provide support. His Magnet Release Iron Sand occasionally transformed into a massive Wall of Sighs to block the Kunai Minato occasionally threw (though it couldn't stop them entirely, it could disrupt their trajectory), and at other times it became an Iron Sand Storm sweeping toward the most aggressive pursuing Konoha squads. His brain worked at high speed, calculating the position of every squad and every retreat path, enduring immense pressure.
Every step of the retreat path was paved with blood and sacrifice. Puppets were constantly destroyed, and the Ninja covering the rear steadily fell. But Sunagakure's main force finally began to disengage, struggling and orderly, retreating along the way they came, thanks to the precious time bought with lives.
Standing atop the "mirage," Sayo watched the backs of his gradually departing comrades, then looked toward the Konoha pursuers surging forward like a tide, and the two figures resembling demons. He clenched his fists tightly. He knew the most brutal fighting was only just beginning. He had to lead these remaining Puppeteers to carve a path to survival out of this deadly place.
===
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 115 on my patreon, go check it out
exclusive 18+ character images, and early chapters, please visit my Patreon. Thanks for your support!
p4treon.com/talkfictome
if you want more updates == supports with power stones
Every 30 Power Stones == Bonus Chapter
every three 5-star reviews == Bonus Chapter