The Rise of Uchiha Clan

Chapter XXXVI

As the Third Hokage lay defeated, the battle was far from over. The Sound and Sand villages launched a full-scale assault on Konoha, chaos erupting throughout the village. Villagers screamed and fled as shinobi clashed in the streets.

Sakura stood at the forefront, kunai in hand, her heart pounding but her resolve unshaken. "We can't let them through!" she shouted to her comrades.

Kiba, with Akamaru by his side, growled, "Let's show them what we're made of!" He charged forward, Akamaru transforming into his larger, more ferocious form.

Shino remained calm and composed, releasing his insects. "We'll create a barrier. They won't get past us." His insects swarmed the Sound shinobi, disrupting their formations.

The battle was fierce. Sakura used her medical knowledge to heal her comrades while delivering precise and powerful strikes. Kiba and Akamaru unleashed their Fang Over Fang technique, tearing through the enemy ranks. Shino's insects overwhelmed the enemy, draining their chakra and strength.

Despite their best efforts, the Sound shinobi were relentless. Kiba and Akamaru were knocked to the ground, injured. Shino's insects were scattered by a shockwave, leaving him vulnerable. Sakura, despite her bravery, was forced back, her stamina waning.

Elsewhere, Team Gai-Neji, Tenten, and Lee-faced off against Kankuro, Gaara, and Temari. The battle was intense, each side giving their all.

Neji, with his Byakugan activated, engaged Kankuro. "Your puppets won't deceive me," he said, deflecting Kankuro's attacks with his Gentle Fist technique. But Kankuro's cunning and the sheer number of puppets began to wear Neji down.

Tenten, wielding her array of weapons, faced off against Temari. "You won't get past me!" she declared, launching a barrage of kunai and shuriken. Temari responded with her giant fan, creating powerful wind gusts that deflected Tenten's attacks and sent her crashing into a nearby building.

Lee, with his unparalleled taijutsu, charged at Gaara. "I won't hold back!" he shouted, his speed and strength overwhelming. But Gaara's sand shield protected him effortlessly, and he counterattacked with crushing force, sending Lee sprawling.

Despite their best efforts, Team Gai was no match for the combined might of the Sand siblings. Neji was trapped by Kankuro's puppet strings, Tenten was incapacitated by Temari's wind jutsu, and Lee was pinned down by Gaara's sand.

At the hospital, the air was thick with the tension of battle and the smell of blood. Jounin and villagers alike were being rushed in, their bodies broken and spirits weary. Among them was Asuma, gravely injured, being carried in by two medics. Shikamaru saw his sensei and felt a pang of guilt and sorrow. Tears slowly fell from his eyes as he witnessed the chaos unfolding outside the hospital walls.

Through a nearby window, he could see the village in turmoil. Comrades who had confronted the Sound and Sand shinobi lay defeated, while the invaders continued their assault on the village. Villagers were crying for help, desperately seeking safety amidst the carnage.

The weight of it all became too much for Shikamaru to bear. Frustrated and overwhelmed, he bumped his head against the wall, tears streaming down his face. "It's all my fault!" he cried out. "If I were more responsible, if I weren't so lazy..."

Chouji, standing beside him, was crying as well, feeling helpless and defeated. They both wanted to help, but their bodies were battered and their chakra depleted from the previous encounters. The sense of failure and frustration was palpable.

Meanwhile, Sasuke, consumed by his need for power, had fallen deeper into darkness. His curse mark had taken hold, his desire for strength to defeat Itachi and protect those he cared about driving him to the edge. Hinata, despite her injuries and the feeling of helplessness, tried to stand. She desperately wanted to prove her worth, but her body failed her, collapsing back onto the bed.