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The List of The "ANBU" Member:
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-Goha21
-Cherudim
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"Obito" maintained his intangible state and retreated to Konan's side.
Asuma and Jiraiya exchanged a glance and also returned to the ranks of the Leaf shinobi.
"Obito" turned his head and asked, "Has Nagato not woken up yet?"
Konan shook her head.
"This is troublesome," "Obito" said, glancing at the Leaf shinobi. "The best opportunity has passed. With Nagato unconscious and your combat ability greatly reduced, relying on me alone might be a bit difficult now."
Konan gave him a cold look, implying that it was his fault for stalling earlier and not fighting with full effort.
"Don't look at me like that."
"Obito" met her gaze with a cold stare.
"You, Nagato, and the Six Paths of Pain all need my help to escape."
"You can explain it to Nagato yourself later!" Konan averted her eyes.
She knew that at this point, assigning blame was meaningless.
If this man didn't give his all now, both she and Nagato might die at the hands of the Leaf shinobi.
"Jiraiya-sama."
The Leaf shinobi now stood behind Jiraiya, waiting for his instructions.
"Hold your ground and engage from a distance. Don't get too entangled with them."
For Jiraiya, protecting Naruto and preventing him from being taken was the top priority.
Additionally, the battle in the village hadn't ceased, and he was inclined to force Konan and "Obito" to retreat.
Moreover, "Obito's" abilities were extremely troublesome, and Jiraiya couldn't guarantee that his side wouldn't suffer casualties in a direct confrontation. Caution was the best approach.
"Obito" formed hand seals and said to Konan, "I'll make one last attempt. If it doesn't work, we'll retreat."
"Fine," Konan said, carrying Nagato on her back as she stepped back.
"Fire Style: Blazing Storm Dance!"
The spatial vortex in "Obito's" eyes guided the flames he spewed from his mouth, creating a massive swirling inferno that swept toward the Leaf shinobi.
"A Fire Style of this magnitude," Jiraiya said with a serious expression. "Prepare Water Style and Earth Style!"
"Yes."
The Leaf shinobi began forming hand seals in unison.
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
A towering wave of water surged forward, followed by thick earthen walls rising from the ground.
The flaming vortex collided with the water, creating a cloud of white steam that extinguished most of the flames. The remaining fire and spatial distortions were barely blocked by the earthen walls.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
Lee's voice suddenly rang out. Everyone turned to see "Obito" appearing next to Naruto, reaching down to grab him.
"Protect Naruto!!"
Shikamaru crouched and formed hand seals.
"Shadow Sewing Technique!"
Taijutsu, kunai, shuriken, insects, shadow tendrils...
Everyone near Naruto unleashed their attacks, but they all passed through "Obito's" intangible body.
"Hmph," "Obito" let out a hoarse laugh and suddenly formed another hand seal. "Wood Style: Wooden Spikes."
Sharp wooden thorns burst from the ground, rapidly branching and growing, piercing through several Leaf shinobi in an instant before spreading further.
"Get out of the way!"
Choji spread his arms and rolled on the ground with Ino and Shikamaru, dodging the blood-stained thorns that chased after them.
"Fang Over Fang!"
Asuma appeared in a flash, his chakra blades slashing through the thorns, reducing them to splinters.
"We're saved."
Choji stopped rolling, looking at Asuma's back with relief.
"Ha!"
Lee swung his nunchaku, standing in front of Tenten.
"Naruto!!"
Shikamaru didn't have time to stand up and turned his head to look.
At Naruto's location, a massive chakra sphere was spinning rapidly, blocking all the thorns.
"That's... the Hyuga's Rotation!"
Shikamaru couldn't help but sigh in relief, lying flat on the ground.
That must be Hyuga Tokuma. I didn't expect him to master the Hyuga clan's secret technique so quickly.
He caught his breath and was pulled up by Choji, turning his gaze back to Naruto.
In the center of the crowd, "Obito" stopped forming hand seals, passing through Tokuma's Rotation and charging straight toward Naruto.
Tokuma quickly stopped spinning and thrust out a palm.
"Obito" dodged and reached for Naruto again.
"Secret Technique: Insect Wall!"
Shibi Aburame's insects burst from the ground, also spinning rapidly around Naruto.
At the same time, Jiraiya and Asuma once again blocked "Obito's" path.
"Really, what a pain."
"Obito" glanced at them and retreated.
"Tend to the wounded!"
Jiraiya didn't pursue, instead directing everyone to treat the shinobi who had been pierced by the thorns.
Although some had been fatally wounded, others had avoided critical injuries and needed immediate treatment.
He then walked forward, keeping a close eye on "Obito" and Konan.
"Let's go."
Seeing "Obito's" failed attempt, Konan didn't say anything more. She carried Nagato on her back and ran toward the location where she had stored the Six Paths of Pain.
"Obito" gave the Leaf shinobi one last glance, chuckled, and then turned to leave.
"Jiraiya-sama?"
Asuma turned to Jiraiya.
"No need to pursue," Jiraiya raised his hand. "Our comrades need treatment. Let's return to the village and support Tsunade."
At that moment, the explosions in the village suddenly ceased, and a giant clay bird flew overhead.
Everyone looked up as the bird soared past them.
"Is it over?"
"The enemy has retreated!"
"Did we win?!"
"Thank goodness!!!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"What's going on?"
Unlike the others' excitement, Jiraiya frowned deeply.
"Jiraiya-sama?"
Asuma also asked in a serious tone.
"Yeah, you feel it too, don't you?" Jiraiya's expression was grave. "Deidara and Sasori are powerful, but for them to retreat unscathed after facing Tsunade, Kakashi, Yamato, and the other Leaf reinforcements... that's highly unusual."
He grew anxious, quickly walking back to Naruto and slinging him over his shoulder.
"Everyone!"
He raised his voice, silencing the crowd.
"The battle in the village has also ended. Please take the wounded and fallen comrades to the hospital. Asuma, come with me to report to the Hokage."
"Yes!"
The crowd responded, watching as Jiraiya carried Naruto and left with Asuma.
"Shikamaru, what are you thinking about?" Choji sat on the ground, looking at Shikamaru, who was deep in thought.
"Ah, something feels off," Shikamaru said, resting his chin on his hand. "But even if something big happens, it's not our place to interfere."
"I don't get what you're saying."
Choji pulled out a bag of chips from his pouch and started munching.
"Shikamaru! Choji!" Ino's voice called from a distance. "Honestly, you two, come and help!!"
"Coming..."
Shikamaru and Choji reluctantly stood up and began carrying the wounded that Ino had stabilized onto stretchers.
Meanwhile, Guy, who had been unconscious, suddenly sat up and shouted, "I won't let you harm my comrades!!!"
"Guy-sensei!! You're awake! Waaah..." Lee immediately threw himself at Guy.
Tenten quickly patted Lee's back.
"Lee! Be gentle! Ah! You idiot! Guy-sensei passed out again!"