Accompanied by a thunderous roar, an explosion of lightning erupted in the distant dunes.
The dunes vanished in an instant, with sand drifting all around.
"Do not fear, she's alone!"
Some Hidden Sand Ninja shouted loudly, as if to inspire others and themselves, dispelling inner fear.
A large number of Hidden Sand Ninja bodies were already lying on the sand, many injured in the lightning explosion, with blood streaming continuously from their foreheads, their vision filled with crimson.
Flames, lightning, storms, chakra-infused shuriken, and explosive kunai—all fired towards Susanoo.
Facing hundreds, possibly more, of the Hidden Sand Ninja's combined assault, Ruri felt a slight resistance.
Even half-exposed, Susanoo struggled to advance, wielding the chakra giant sword and swinging it with radiant flashes.
Although initially caught off guard by Ruri's surprise attack, resulting in significant casualties, the Hidden Sand Ninja quickly regained the demeanor expected of the Five Great Nations' Ninja Villages.
The gathered Hidden Sand Ninja were talented elites from the Hidden Sand Village; their combat power aside, their willpower prevented easy breakdown, even against formidable foes.
The stronger the enemy, the more their ferocious fighting spirit was stimulated.
Shrouded in dissipating smoke, Ruri and Susanoo stood there unscathed.
The Hidden Sand Ninja did not feel disheartened; they had long known the formidable nature of the opponent's technique.
Yet, no matter the ninja technique, there must exist a weakness, and maintaining such a colossal chakra entity certainly consumed chakra.
Even adopting a delaying tactic to deplete the enemy's chakra for victory was a viable strategy.
This was the shared thinking among most Hidden Sand Jonin on the scene.
In the absence of a direct confrontation option, a strategic retreat was indeed a method.
"Even the smallest bugs can become troublesome in large numbers."
Ruri seemed to perceive the Hidden Sand Ninja's containment tactics, but showed no disappointment.
She wouldn't naively assume the Hidden Sand Ninja were brainless fools; even if their individual prowess was far inferior to hers, sheer numbers could pose a significant threat.
Especially with a war of attrition attempting to exhaust her chakra.
Her chakra was far from spendable in abundance.
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
Two voices rang out simultaneously, and Ruri turned her head slightly.
Two spinning kicks struck the back of Susanoo at the same time; Duy and Guy had both activated the Eight Inner Gates.
Duy opened to the Fourth Gate: Pain Gate.
Guy likewise opened to the Fourth Gate: Pain Gate.
In this mode, the powerful spinning kicks, enhanced with chakra on their feet, made Susanoo's body wobble slightly before stabilizing.
Duy and Guy wore expressions of solemnity.
The stability and resilience of Susanoo exceeded their expectations.
Ruri glanced at them, turned, and Susanoo followed suit, raising the giant sword mercilessly to strike down.
"Karai!"
The burst of lightning exploded, and even as the two timely retreated, they were swept by the electrical flash, restricted by lightning, and let out a faint, painful groan.
Yet, they quickly used the continuous outpouring of chakra within to extinguish the electric currents on their bodies.
"Wakurai."
Duy and Guy's eyes widened as the enormous Susanoo vanished from the ground.
Chilled to the spine.
Boom!
The attack struck from behind, lightning swept, Guy coughed blood, rolling away, the green steam flickered.
"You still lack training, Guy."
"No matter how long it's been, you're still so strong, Teacher Ruri..."
Guy struggled to rise from the ground, wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth, and pulled out a feeble smile.
"Unfortunately, this is not like past exercises; this is a real battlefield! Even if you're my student, I will show no mercy!"
Ruri's eyes glinted coldly, the giant sword sweeping out again with dense lighting.
Boom!
Golden sand flew up before his eyes.
Guy stared blankly at the towering wall before him, glowing brilliantly.
"Don't stand idly here, Konoha. Rest assured, I will fight alongside you next."
Kazekage Rasa's voice came from behind Guy, arms crossed, imposing as he dispersed the gold sand before him, facing off against Ruri within Susanoo.
Around them, a large number of Hidden Sand Ninja surrounded, poised to strike.
Duy leapt to Guy's side, as other Konoha Ninja arrived, one approaching Guy, using medical ninjutsu to heal him.
Rasa stepped forward, solemnly addressing Ruri, "You have nowhere left to go, Uchiha Ruri. Accept judgment now, and you'll be spared. Do not expect aid from your subordinates; they've been intercepted by Hidden Sand's striking force and won't be coming."
His voice exuded confidence.
One of the Five Kage, over two thousand Hidden Sand Ninja, along with Konoha's many elite Jonin.
Such a lineup, in the Ninja Realm, would ensure no one could escape.
Especially as the opponent was alone.
The battle's outcome was decided.
Ruri controlled Susanoo to lower the giant sword, the momentum quickly dwindling, restoring calm.
"Planning to surrender?"
Rasa squinted, although the opponent indeed showed such intent, caution was advised lest she resort to desperate measures.