He could also remember pulling out explosive tags out in many numbers determined to wipe them out or delay them as long as possible. However, it all ended there. He had been knocked out through unknown means. As he tried to recall what had happened, he suddenly remembered a key fact.

He was. .h.i.t by some projectile that was painful but it didn't seem to be serious. As the reality that he was knocked out by some drug that was used by the Suna nin, Teuchi's eyes narrowed as he tried to plot a way for him to get the information that Suna had poison techniques meant to incapacitate ready to use.

--------

Pakura peeked down at the young man who was frowning and gritting his teeth. While there were no visible expressions on her face, she had doubts about this war. She had joined the war for her village to serve it well in the battlefield, but seeing the youthful faces among s.h.i.+n.o.bi brought chills to her.

There was nothing that explicitly stated the wars would be fought by adults, but it was still off putting to see people who she would still identify as children in the battlefield. She couldn't help but wonder when there would be an end to all these wars that kept on popping up again. It hadn't even been two decades since the last s.h.i.+n.o.bi World War, but she had been able to see the consequences especially in this war.

A generation scarred by the deaths of their fellow villagers and loved ones raged for battle and once they got their chance, they all threw themselves into battle. All wanting to kill someone who had wronged them in some way or bring justice to their unjust pain.

Pakura shook her thoughts away as she kept watch on both the young man and the old man who was able to kill several s.h.i.+n.o.bi before being subdued by the poison developed by Chiyo-sama. Despite those s.h.i.+n.o.bi being of the Jounin rank, he was much faster and stronger. It was thanks to the efforts of multiple comrades who restrained him that he was captured.

-------

He was covered in his own blood and the blood of the slain, but the old man looked oddly peaceful. He was mentally calculating how long he would be able to sustain a release of the sixth gate before his body would break. He was originally planning on unleas.h.i.+ng it, but he couldn't sense killing intent so he decided to refrain from going all out while still killing other s.h.i.+n.o.bi.

The old man could tell that Teuchi was awake, but made no mention of it. As the group continued to advance closer and closer to where Fugaku was bound to be, the sensei prepared his heart and hardened it. He was getting a bad feeling and he knew that he would most likely have to be the one to act.

-------

Fugaku took in a ragged breathe and continued to walk with Duy across his shoulder. He was fully concentrated on taking step after step with his worn out senses prying for any hints as to a change in the environment. The humid air left in drenched in sweat and it looked like rain was about to fall once more, but Fugaku continued on despite his exhaustion.

Saving Duy would make the sacrifices of Teuchi and Duy worth all the more. As the walk continued and continued, Fugaku's sense of unease was continuing to grow. He was almost sure that someone or some group was stalking them. The trees were looking so familiar and marked with the spiral and triangle symbol of Konoha.

At last, a squad of s.h.i.+n.o.bi were spotted. Fugaku waved them down while signing the secret code meant to distinguish friendly from enemies. As the ready to go s.h.i.+n.o.bi landed, Fugaku's sense of unease spiked. He turned around with his eyes blazing red and threw a handful of shuriken that connected with the ones that had been launched towards the friendly s.h.i.+n.o.bi.

As the s.h.i.+n.o.bi from Suna finally walked out and Fugaku got a clear look at them, his breathe involuntarily hitched. As did the breathes of the s.h.i.+n.o.bi by his side. In peak condition, Fugaku would have been mildly worried, but he was very worried now. Three squads worth of Jounin and Pakura of the Scorch Release were formidable opponents, especially Pakura who had already built up her name with success after success.

When he spotted Teuchi and his sensei, Fugaku wanted to charge right into the fight despite the possible negative consequences. Keeping his urges in check, Fugaku glanced back at the s.h.i.+n.o.bi and his heart sank. They looked ready to flee and he finally noticed that none of them were Jounin level. They were basically cannon fodder and they knew it.

"Go ahead. Run and don't look back."

Taking the advice from one of the Suna s.h.i.+n.o.bi, the s.h.i.+n.o.bi were about to leave when Fugaku shoved the body of Duy into one of their hands. Locking eyes with the ninja, Fugaku spoke quietly.

"Take him to the emergency treatment area. He needs to be treated as soon as possible."

The s.h.i.+n.o.bi quickly fled while Fugaku got prepared for the battle of his life. Except, it never happened. Several Jounin walked up to Fugaku holding the still weak but conscious bodies of his sensei and Teuchi.

"Hand over your Sharingan for the lives of your comrades."