Even, they could interfere with the chakra within their comrades' bodies, causing chakra disruption and impacting their consciousness, just like how they counteract illusions in other situations using their own unique chakra.
Among all the ninjas in Konoha, Jiraiya showed the best resistance to the fear gas.
He was completely unaffected.
Sage Mode enhances a ninja in all aspects, especially in the areas of mental perception and the like.
Not to mention he has two toads on his shoulders, and the three of them can use their chakra to interrupt the illusions of the fear gas.
"Oh? So there are capable people in Konoha after all."
Shimizu, with his hands behind his back, looked at the battlefield, slightly surprised.
Instead of thinking about detoxification, they ingeniously treated the fear gas as an illusion to counteract it.
Although it doesn't cure the root cause and affects combat power, it can reduce the power of the fear gas a lot.
But...
What if I continue to release the gas?
"Increase the dosage and have the main force press on."
Shimizu ordered again.
As long as the concentration of the gas does not exceed the detoxification capacity of the antidote that the Sand ninjas took in advance, then release it with all we got!
Several thousand Sand ninjas, except for the reserve team, all began to move.
Over the years, the battle formation of Sunagakure and the internal structure of each team have been changing with the changes brought by Shimizu, but the framework is still the original framework, only transformed into a three-man cell formation under Shimizu's guidance.
Three people form a small team, and three teams form a small combat group, advancing and retreating in an orderly manner, supporting each other, and cooperating with each other.
The three-person team is based on Shimizu's original team as a prototype, with ninjutsu ninjas as the main ranged output, and melee ninjas standing in front to provide protection for their companions, with the puppeteer in the middle, both are viable.
If a melee companion is injured, the puppet will take the lead; if the ranged firepower is not enough, then add another share of the puppet's firepower.
However, there is a subtle change in that one of the teams in each small combat group is composed of four people—the extra one is a medical ninja.
After years of training, with Chiyo's careful cultivation and the addition of a large amount of medical knowledge brought by Shimizu, Sunagakure has finally cultivated a certain number of medical ninjas.
Although the number is not enough to ensure that each team has a medical ninja, it is enough when spread across three teams.
The balance of the battlefield is rapidly tilting towards the Sand's side.
Even though Konoha had made sufficient preparations for this battle, in the face of the endless stream of new things from Sunagakure, those preparations cannot be said to have been useless, but they did not achieve the effect that the Konoha ninjas expected.
Even with a temporary solution to the fear gas, the combat power of the Konoha ninjas was still weakened a lot, and they naturally retreated steadily.
Sunagakure rear army, in the reserve team.
Shimizu was standing in front of several puppeteers, manipulating the equipment taken out of the sealing scroll in front of them.
A series of long-range surveillance puppet drones faithfully transmitted the entire battlefield and the surrounding situation in real time.
On the main battlefield, the Sand ninjas had already gained a huge advantage.
And in a place outside the battlefield, something was also happening.
"They've finally moved out. Well, the main battlefield has become like this. No matter how patient Orochimaru is, it's impossible for him to watch this side be defeated."
Looking at a team of Konoha ninjas rushing towards him on the screen, a smile appeared on Shimizu's face.
"What are those in the sky? Flying puppets used for surveillance? Similar to the flying ninja tools of the Sky Ninja Village?"
Orochimaru, who was leading the Konoha ninjas on the ground, suddenly raised his head and looked at the few small black dots flying in the sky.
His running posture was different from the other ninjas.
Everyone else had their hands behind their backs, but only Orochimaru was scientifically swinging his arms while running.
"Wind Release Team, use long-range Wind Release ninjutsu to interfere with the airflow in the sky and knock down those flying ninja tools!"
"Everyone, our position has been exposed. After knocking down those flying ninja tools, everyone accelerate, detour from the east side, and avoid them setting up an ambush in front!"
Orochimaru's face was gloomy as he hurriedly instructed.
The situation is very bad now!
It's so bad that it exceeds Orochimaru's estimate!
If they don't rush to support, Jiraiya will definitely not be able to hold on!
Even if they arrive, they may still be defeated, but at least they can consolidate their strength and preserve the main force as much as possible.
Complete defeat, major defeat, minor defeat, these results are different!
Moreover, what if they win?
"They're here."
Shimizu looked in a certain direction outside the battlefield, behind him were the Sunagakure reserve team ninjas ready to go.
They were already prepared to face the battle.
Without any extra words, the two sides ignited like dry wood meeting a raging fire, and entered a fierce battle as soon as they clashed.
Still ice burst bombs, still fear gas, still automated cluster puppets.
Shimizu also took the initiative to block Orochimaru's path.
As long as Orochimaru is defeated, Sunagakure will definitely win this battle.
The only difference is the size of the spoils.
And Shimizu naturally wanted to achieve more results!
"White Secret Technique: Five Machine Performance."
Five A+ level puppets appeared, instantly surrounding Orochimaru.
Various attacks instantly poured towards Orochimaru, and Shimizu, who followed closely, held the Kusanagi Sword and swung a magnificent Dust Release sword aura, aiming straight for Orochimaru's head.
"Triple Rashomon!"
Three huge iron gates were summoned by Orochimaru, blocking the main attack in front.
The next moment, a purple giant snake appeared.
"Orochimaru, this time I want..."
"Five hundred sacrifices. Before you can't hold on, use all your strength to help me stop those puppets."
Orochimaru interrupted Wan Snake's words and said coldly.
"One thousand!"
Wan Snake took advantage of the situation.
"Deal!"
Orochimaru spat out two words, and then ignored him, threw out a sealing scroll, sprinkled many huge Wind Demon Shurikens, and at the same time formed hand seals.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
Each shuriken fired from the sealing scroll divided into many under Orochimaru's movements, like a continuous torrential rain, covering the position where Shimizu was.
This ninjutsu, which Orochimaru learned when he was young, has become more and more powerful as he grows older and stronger.
"Dust Release Breathing - Fifth Form - Wind and Thunder Dust Blast!"
Shimizu raised his hand and waved, and endless plasma sword blades flew out from the Kusanagi Sword in his hand, splitting all the shurikens, still pointing directly at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru turned and ran, quickly moving to the other side, forming hand seals.
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"
Shimizu chased after him, holding the sword in his right hand and forming hand seals with his left hand, releasing the same ninjutsu.
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"
The two wind blades collided, and the turbulent airflow spread, flying out even smaller wind blades that carved shallow marks on the ground.
Orochimaru's Wind Release was very strong. Throughout the entire ninja world, it would be hard to find many Wind Release techniques that could surpass Orochimaru's in power.
Unfortunately, Shimizu was among those few, and he was even very likely the strongest Wind Release user among them.
Because his Wind Release was not just Wind Release.
The airflow tore apart, Wind Release was suppressed, and Orochimaru had no choice but to change direction and flee again.
Shimizu was still chasing.
"Ninja Art: Snake Cage!"
A dozen thick snakes suddenly emerged from the ground, like a cage, trying to entangle and restrain Shimizu.
"Breath of Detachment, Seventh Form: Mirror of Separation!"
A bright blue mirror enveloped the snake swarm, then shattered along with it.
Shimizu's figure was like a hurricane, rushing towards Orochimaru's location once again.
Although the Wind Release Chakra Mode was not yet perfect, it could already bring a considerable bonus to the Wind Style Quickness Technique.
And Shimizu's methods were naturally more than just that.
"Bolts of Balthakk!"
This move originated from a certain dimensional demon god's lightning magic. It was simple and brutal to use, but whether it was speed or power, it surpassed most Lightning Release ninjutsu in the ninja world. Moreover, it only needed to accumulate the corresponding energy in advance, and the speed of use was not far from instantaneous, even if it wasn't, and the effect was excellent.
"What kind of Lightning Release ninjutsu is this!"
Orochimaru ran even faster, even his legs turned into snake tails, slithering on the ground with great speed.
One after another, blue-purple lightning bolts continuously chased and bombarded him, leaving large pits behind him.
Just looking at this power, one could know what the consequences would be after being hit by one.
At any other time, Orochimaru, who pursued mastering all ninjutsu truths, would be very happy to discover a completely new ninjutsu that he had never seen before.
But at this life-threatening time, he couldn't be happy no matter what.
"Orochimaru! How long are you going to drag this on? I can't take it anymore!"
Manda let out a painful cry, roaring to the sky.
Being besieged by five A+ level puppets, even a top-level summoned beast like Manda, who could interfere in battles between Kage-level ninja, was having a hard time.
Orochimaru was preoccupied with his own safety.
He was already very careful, but he was still hit by several lightning bolts and had to use the Snake Clone Technique to transfer a large amount of damage, avoiding serious injuries to his main body.
This technique was considered the best substitution technique in the ninja world, much more advanced than ordinary substitution techniques. Because it was launched from the inside, it did not require external conditions, only internal preparation was needed to launch it. In many cases, it could act as something close to a resurrection armor.
The only drawback was that the chakra consumption was too high. Apart from Orochimaru, who had undergone snake-like modifications to his body, few people could afford such chakra consumption.
Sasuke during his White Serpent phase in the original timeline could not use the Snake Clone Technique a second time in a short period.
But Orochimaru could.
As long as the number of times he used it in a short period did not exceed his upper limit and he was not controlled by sealing-type skills, this shameless snake could really run away.
When it came to survival and escape, Orochimaru was a professional.
"Cyttorak Crimson Bands."
One chain after another extended from Shimizu's hand, coiling towards Orochimaru like a spirit snake.
What?
You still have new ninjutsu!
Orochimaru's eyes widened, and he stretched out a hand behind him.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Pythons emerged from his sleeve, grappling with the chains.
Orochimaru turned his head and continued to run.
Shimizu exploded with speed under his feet, thrusting forward with his sword.
He had already seen what Orochimaru wanted to do.
It was nothing more than joining up with Jiraiya, the two of them cooperating to change the situation.
But what use would that be?
"Breath of Detachment, Sixth Form: Detached Dragon Night Dance."
A chī dragon condensed from Detachment Release chakra emerged, its aura surging, tearing apart the giant pythons in front of it with its fangs and claws, and attacking Orochimaru.
"Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"
Suddenly, a lion's head composed of white hair collided with the chī dragon, even pulling Orochimaru to the other side.
"Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!"
The lion's head was shattered, and the next moment, countless white hairs appeared again.
Jiraiya grabbed Orochimaru and used ninjutsu to surround and protect the two of them.
"Detachment Release: Thunderclap!"
"Scorching Release: Over Steam Kill!"
"Magnet Release: Golden Sand Tsunami!"
Three different bloodline limits attacked Jiraiya's defensive ninjutsu at the same time, shattering it.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru's figures were gone.
And Shimizu was one step ahead, holding the Kusanagi Sword, attacking a certain direction in the distance.
"Breath of Detachment, First Form: Ion Slash!"
Just as Orochimaru and Jiraiya emerged from the ground using Earth Release, they saw the sword energy coming towards them.
Without the slightest hesitation, Orochimaru immediately lay on the ground, his mouth truly opening one hundred and eighty degrees like a snake, spitting out countless pythons.
"Ten Thousand Snakes Coiling Formation!"
The snake tide surged, and corpses flew everywhere.
Jiraiya clapped his hands together and cast the Summoning Technique again.
This time, not only Gamabunta, but also Gamaken and Gamahiro appeared together.
"Orochimaru, this time we have to fight with our lives!"
Standing on Gamabunta's head, Jiraiya said to Orochimaru with a firm expression.
"Fight with our lives? We're going to run away! Toads! Run! If we don't run, we're dead!"
Orochimaru teleported to Gamabunta's head.
Manda had been beaten quite badly, and had just canceled the summoning technique because he couldn't take it anymore and returned to Ryūchi Cave. He could only hitch a ride on Jiraiya's toad car.
"Stupid snake! Don't think about ordering me around!"
Gamabunta cursed, but still obediently made a big jump, leaping into the distance.
Gamaken and Gamahiro automatically took up their large shields and forks, buying time for the others to escape.
"Orochimaru, this..."
Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru in confusion.
"Look at the current battlefield, Jiraiya. We have already been defeated! If you and I fall here again, then this war will be completely over!"
Jiraiya couldn't help but turn his head and look back.
The three top experts of Sunagakure were still chasing after them.
And in the more distant battlefield, Konoha ninjas were defeated like a collapsing mountain. One after another, the remaining formations were desperately trying to break out of the encirclement of Sunagakure ninjas.
And with the retreat of Jiraiya and Orochimaru, the two mainstays, the morale of the Konoha ninjas was lost, and the defeat was even more severe.
It was unknown how many people would be able to escape alive in the end.
"Orochimaru, shouldn't we do something?"
Jiraiya solemnly said to Orochimaru.
