Although the Earth Dragon Bullet couldn't compare to Senjutsu: Rasenshuriken in terms of destructive power, it caused the colliding Senjutsu: Rasenshuriken to explode directly.
Instantly, a massive wind sphere was unleashed between Veigar and Aiki's group.
Countless sharp, incredibly tiny wind blades obliterated the Earth Dragon Bullet, and the fierce gale spread, causing many trees to snap in half.
"What a terrifying Wind Style Ninjutsu."
Aiki, finding cover behind a large rock before the gale hit, couldn't help but gasp in shock, muttering to himself.
In the strong winds, Akatsuchi and Minato were also affected. The two, locked in combat, had no choice but to temporarily cease fighting, which gave Akatsuchi a chance to catch his breath.
Though he felt incredibly unwilling and reluctant to admit it, the situation on the field forced Akatsuchi to face reality.
Facing two Kage-level powerhouses, Minato and Veigar, he found it difficult enough to contend with Minato in a one-on-one fight. If Veigar were to free himself and join Minato in attacking him...
There would be absolutely no way out; he would surely die.
"Mission failed, we retreat!"
Akatsuchi's furious roar echoed through the still-unreceding gale.
This shout also meant that Akatsuchi had tacitly accepted the impending defeat on the front lines, as he understood better than many that if the Iwa-nin on the front lines didn't receive this batch of war materials, they wouldn't be able to withstand the Konoha ninjas led by Jiraiya.
That's right, withstand, not defeat.
The Iwagakure was currently at a disadvantage, in an extremely perilous situation in the war on the front lines. The reason they hadn't surrendered and were still stubbornly resisting was to buy time.
Time to ally with the Kumogakure and launch a joint attack on Konoha.
However, they couldn't buy any more time now.
With Veigar and Minato, two Kage-level powerhouses, present, they had no chance of reclaiming the supplies under Veigar's feet, let alone delivering them to the front lines.
To protect Aiki and the others facing Veigar, Akatsuchi had no choice but to accept mission failure, unwilling to let Aiki and the others sacrifice themselves in vain.
Thirty-odd Jonin were not easy to cultivate. For some smaller ninja villages, a Jonin was already a high-level combat force.
"Yes, Akatsuchi-sama."
Aiki and the others also received Akatsuchi's command. Although they didn't want the mission to fail, their lives were clearly more important.
"Minato Namikaze, next time we meet, I will definitely have my revenge!"
The indignant Akatsuchi possessed a very calm mind. Currently, he hadn't thought of a way to counter the Flying Raijin Technique, but he would definitely research it upon returning to the Iwagakure, and he would also reveal the secret of the Flying Raijin Technique.
"Go!"
As the wind subsided, Akatsuchi immediately intended to retreat, taking the intelligence about the Flying Raijin Technique back to the Iwagakure.
"You want to leave? Did you ask me first?"
Just accepting mission failure allows for retreat? Veigar wouldn't agree to that; they were dreaming.
Let alone during wartime, even in times of peace, if he encountered ninjas on a mission, Veigar wouldn't just let them go.
Moreover, Veigar had already perceived that Akatsuchi's strength had reached Kage-level. If he were to return to his village, what difference would that make from letting a tiger return to its mountain?
"Sensei, hold him back!"
Veigar shouted to Minato, telling him to hold back Akatsuchi and prevent him from leaving for now.
After all, it would take Veigar some time to deal with Aiki and the others.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Minato's eyes, but he quickly agreed to Veigar's decision.
He threw the Flying Raijin kunai towards Akatsuchi, and Minato's figure vanished.
Veigar's shout made Akatsuchi's expression change. His greatest fear had come true: Veigar and Minato's relentless attitude meant they wouldn't easily retreat.
Clang.
The sound of kunai clashing rang out as Minato and Akatsuchi engaged once more.
Meanwhile, Veigar, who had told Minato to hold back Akatsuchi, did not stop his advance.
"None of you are getting away!"
Bang, bang, bang.
Two Shadow Clones appeared on either side of Veigar, and another leaped into the air.
At the same time, Veigar also pulled out two shuriken.
As senjutsu chakra was infused...
Senjutsu: Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...
A large number of Senjutsu: Wind Style Shuriken cut through the gale. The piercing whooshing sounds caused Aiki and the others, who intended to retreat, to blanch.
With no time to think, facing so many Senjutsu: Shuriken, Aiki and the others quickly formed hand signs, using ninjutsu for defense.
Earth Release: Multiple Earth-Style Walls.
The rising earth walls obstructed their view of Veigar. Aiki, slightly out of breath, was just about to retreat.
"Go! Don't engage in a prolonged fight!"
Just then, Aiki and the others' expressions changed again. Before they could retreat, they discovered that the Earth-Style Wall Jutsu they had used was completely incapable of stopping the Senjutsu: Wind Style Shuriken. Its powerful cutting force instantly pierced through the thick earth walls.
With no other choice, Aiki and the others could only dodge and then figure out a way to retreat.
However, they had already lost their chance.
Bang.
As Veigar in mid-air voluntarily dispelled his Shadow Clone, the Veigar standing there and his two Shadow Clones received the memories.
In an instant, three figures vanished.
It was the Flying Raijin Technique.
From the very beginning, Veigar had anticipated how Aiki and the others would try to defend against his attacks. The Shadow Clone in mid-air was what he used to observe Aiki and the others' movements.
A Senjutsu: Wind Style Shuriken sliced past one of the Iwa-nin among Aiki's group.
Simultaneously, Veigar's figure appeared.
Swish.
The rotating Shinigami Blade flashed, its edge glinting coldly.
A large head flew into the air.
Among the Senjutsu: Wind Style Shuriken thrown by Veigar, the Flying Raijin Jutsu formula was also attached.
Swish, swish, swish...
Just a moment ago, there was only one dark purple light flickering; now there were three.
In just half a breath of Aiki's, over thirty Jonin-level Iwa-nin were all slain by the Shinigami Blade in Veigar's hand.
Just as terror crept into Aiki's eyes, he too was cut down by Veigar.
"Now, there's only one left."
Veigar looked up in the direction where Minato Namikaze and Akatsuchi were fighting. Although separated by an earth wall, it didn't prevent him from "seeing" Akatsuchi's position.
The Flying Raijin kunai Minato wielded was the best proof.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Veigar leaped onto the collapsing earth wall, his two Shadow Clones vanishing behind him.
At this moment, Akatsuchi, less than half a meter from Minato, had his right hand transformed into a rock fist, swinging towards Minato Namikaze. His left hand held a kunai in a reverse grip, ready for a corresponding attack at any moment.
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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]