Chapter 89: A Deceptive Maneuver
As Orochimaru, Kabuto, and the Sound Four fled in disarray, the battle between Naruto Uzumaki and Gaara had reached a critical juncture.
After losing an arm, Gaara finally resorted to using the Fake Sleep Technique. With Gaara falling into a deep slumber, Shukaku's consciousness awoke completely.
In his awakened state, Shukaku's personality was surprisingly whimsical and eccentric, giving him an unpredictably wild demeanor.
The ensuing battle between Gamabunta and Shukaku was nothing short of a cataclysmic storm. The sheer destruction they unleashed was akin to a natural disaster.
Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet continuously shot out, mowing down entire groves of giant trees as if they were mere blades of grass. The immense power and violence of the attack sent Temari fleeing for her life.
Mizuki couldn't help but feel grateful for not acting recklessly earlier. If he had gotten too close, he would have been shredded like the fallen trees. The collision between Wind Release and Water Release chakra projectiles created a pressure wave that obliterated everything in its path.
Fortunately, aside from Mizuki—who had deliberately approached for his own reasons—there were hardly any others nearby.
"What kind of power is this?" Sasuke Uchiha muttered, staring at the distant battle in disbelief. Even the tornadoes from the clash didn't faze him. "Ninjas can really achieve this level of power? This strength should be enough to kill that man... right?"
Hearing Sasuke's involuntary self-talk, Sakura thought for a moment and said, "Sasuke-kun, Mizuki-sensei actually mentioned a month ago that Gaara is the strongest among the Chunin Exam candidates. Even if everyone joined forces, they wouldn't be his match."
"A month ago? Was the difference in strength that obvious? And everyone knew it?" Sasuke asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
"I'm not sure. Mizuki-sensei said that after a month, it would be uncertain."
"A month later... that means now..." Sasuke murmured, staring at Gamabunta's gigantic form and the barely visible figure of Naruto on top. "The gap is too wide... Someone has already caught up, but what have I been doing all this time..."
Frustrated, Sasuke punched a nearby tree trunk with such force that his hand started bleeding.
In truth, Sasuke's current strength was already impressive—his speed was enhanced by Lightning Release, his Sharingan improved his prediction and reflexes, and his mastery of Chidori made him formidable. He was more than qualified as the top student. However, when compared to Naruto—whom he once dismissed as weak—the fact that Naruto had not only caught up but possibly surpassed him was a bitter pill to swallow.
"Sasuke-kun, you're hurt," Sakura said with concern as she moved closer to heal his hand.
Sasuke seemed not to notice his bleeding hand, turning to ask, "Sakura, did Mizuki-sensei ever comment on me?"
Sakura hesitated, but decided to answer truthfully, finding it hard to lie to Sasuke. "A month ago, Mizuki-sensei said that Kakashi-sensei is the most suitable mentor for you right now, and that your potential is the highest among the rookies..."
"Right now? Does that mean in the future it might change? Potential... so that means I'm still not good enough?" Sasuke whispered, easily grasping the underlying implication.
Sakura hastily added, "But that was a month ago! You've gotten a lot stronger since then, and under Kakashi-sensei's guidance, you'll only become even stronger!"
"Yeah..." Sasuke nodded absently, lost in his own thoughts.
Damn it... How much longer until I can finally kill that man?
As Sasuke brooded over his inadequacies, the battle between Naruto and Gaara was reaching its climax. Utilizing the Combination Transformation Technique with Gamabunta, Naruto managed to restrain Shukaku long enough to punch Gaara awake, dispelling Shukaku's consciousness.
With Shukaku's will receding and the chakra support cut off, Gaara—already exhausted—could no longer maintain the massive sand construct, which soon crumbled into dust. Gamabunta, having depleted his energy, returned to Mount Myoboku. The rest was simple: both Naruto and Gaara, utterly drained, collapsed onto the ground, unable to fight any longer.
The time to reap the rewards has come.
Mizuki, who had been keeping his distance, cautiously approached the fallen duo. Naruto seemed fine despite his exhaustion—after all, he had already been through one grueling fight with Neji Hyuga earlier, and his injuries had yet to fully heal. Still, he was in relatively good shape compared to Gaara.
Gaara, on the other hand, was in much worse condition. Taking several hits from Chidori on top of his already fragile health, his body was pushed beyond its limits.
After carefully examining Naruto and confirming there was no immediate danger, Mizuki turned his attention to Gaara. He extended his hand, aiming at Gaara's abdomen to assess his chakra.
Just then, sensing imminent danger, Mizuki swiftly grabbed Gaara and leapt aside, narrowly avoiding a slicing wind blade that tore through the spot he had just occupied.
"Return Gaara to me!" shouted Temari, who had just arrived.
"Quite the dedicated sister, huh? Risking her life to save him," Mizuki muttered, impressed. It reminded him of his own instinct to protect Chihiro.
Temari stood poised for battle, her face tense and serious. Mizuki sneered, "Sand is the enemy now. Why would I hand Gaara back? You just want to unleash Shukaku again."
"We're retreating—we won't use him again!" Temari insisted, her voice trembling with both fear and determination.
Mizuki put on a mocking expression. "I don't believe you."
Truthfully, Mizuki knew that the Sand Village had no chance left. Still, he wanted to make sure no one witnessed what he was about to do.
I need to win—and win fast.
Temari wasn't an easy opponent—her large-scale wind techniques made fighting her particularly annoying for someone who relied on precise attacks. The killing power of Wind Release was immense, and her proficiency with long-range attacks made her even more troublesome.
But luck isn't on your side today, Temari.
Without further hesitation, Mizuki moved decisively, aiming to subdue Temari before she could counterattack. He knew that if he hesitated, the opportunity to extract Shukaku's chakra might slip away.
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