Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 5

The fight was long and bloody with many lives lost and unfathomable numbers of injuries. Catching Gari and Pakura were not easy in the slightest. And when it was all over the Third Division were exhausted gathering themselves together. What remained of the swordsmen retreated back into the forest. And while few wished to pursue them, the General was against the idea. He didn't want to scatter the ninja remaining and possibly wander into another trap. Should the person controlling them have another trick up their sleeve.

"I wonder how the other divisions are holding up?" Belva questioned.

She was roughed up from her battle with Kushimaru before helping with the defeat of Gari and Pakura. Their bloodlines had come a little too close for comfort a number of times.

"We haven't heard from HQ in a while."

"They will contact us if something is important before the end of the day," Kakashi said. "If they stay quiet it's a good thing."

"But is it?" They stared at each other. "What if they were hit?"

"I'm sure the Kages wouldn't stand for it and would step in."

His attention wavered towards the Be Fong. She sat just off to the side, shifting from foot to foot. Though her expression remained passive observing the field should they be attacked again he could tell something wasn't sitting right with her.

"What's wrong?" Kakashi asked

Her head turned on his approach before staring back at the wrapped bundles consisting of the resurrected ninjas and swordsmen.

"Madara is using the world's strongest ninja to fight against us at once," she said. "If there are ninjas with bloodline limits, then..."

Was it even a good idea to ask? That if bloodlines were being used against them... would that mean she'd come face-to-face with–?

A cry of agony came from within the ranks. The sudden noise made all heads turn and watch as a handful of ninjas were suddenly torn to pieces before their very eyes. Those around them backed up in fear of seeing their comrades killed by an unknown force, quickly observing the immediate area. The mist had lifted, but had the swordsmen returned?

"What the hell is going on?" Maki shouted.

The Jounin's eye flickered in his former pupil's direction. "Mai..."

"I know, but it wasn't me," she stated in surprise. Where had that come from?

Belva's face had gone pale. As she turned to stare towards her student, Mai had her eyes on the forest tree line. The exact direction as the others had emerged.

"What is it?" Gai asked, seeing their reactions.

Mai's fingers flexed at her sides sensing the chakra approaching. Another group with levels that matched the seven swordsmen, but not with the same numbers. However, less did not mean this would be easier. Their uniforms were dark in color. They didn't even attempt to hide among the branches as they came to meet the division head on.

"I'm a little rusty..." the one at the front mused. His hand flexed in discomfort. "But I guess that is to be expected."

"Oh god no..." Belva choked out.

The new individuals only carried a small weapon pouch on them, along with arm guards that stretched over the skin up to the knuckles. The two females in their ranks had their hair pulled back in a tight bun or ponytail, every dark eye sizing up their opposing forces. All wore headbands from the Leaf. But there was one thing that stood out on the leather front of the pouches that only confirmed Kakashi, Belva, and Mai's fear. If they could see the back of their uniform tops the teen was almost positive of the symbol embroider on the surface. Of course, only one technique could be responsible for ripping apart a human with such precision in this way.

"Who the hell are they?" a Sand Ninja questioned with narrowed eyes. Though exhausted, what remained of the Third Division prepared themselves.

"Elite ninja from the Be Fong Clan," Belva answered gravely.

Fear gripped at the division, similar to when facing off against the swordsmen from the Mist. These five were almost on a whole other level of accuracy, killing, and skill. Whatever tactics that had been used against the first wave wouldn't be useful this time around.

"We need to get out of here!" a ninja exclaimed.

"It's too late," Mai finally found her voice. "We're already caught in their web. If you move, you'll be killed on the spot."

She spoke the truth, picking out the invisible strings that crossed over the field in every direction. It was careless to let down her guard and not realize their situation sooner. Yet at the same time this could not be avoided. Especially with so many using the same technique. None dared to move.

"It seems they have a very strong sensor with them," the woman that stood to the right of the leader said. "Good. Maybe then they can release us of this horrid curse. I don't particularly like being used for this bastard's twisted purposes. We shouldn't be fighting against our allies, but alongside them."

Though they didn't exactly have a choice in the matter.

"Do you not recognize her?" Belva wondered.

Her eyes flickered between the two and another man that stood just behind them, who's own eyes had yet to leave her. It looked like he had seen a ghost. The individuals in question didn't understand, staring at Mai. The teen found herself silently begging her sensei to stop, fearing her own thoughts on the five in front of them to be true.

"She's your daughter!"