Moments later, explosions thundered through the night as hidden detonating tags began to go off, adding to the chaos.

Fugaku could only hope the damage was enough to cripple the supply base.

Ahead, Kurosawa appeared with four Sunagakure Chūnin by his side, his eyes wide with fury as he took in the sight of the burning warehouse. Rain poured over the flames, trying to put them out, but the fire was already too intense. Just as it seemed the flames might be controlled, the boxes rigged with explosives detonated, blowing the warehouse into a massive fireball that shot up into the sky.

The blast left a crater where the warehouse once stood. All the supplies were gone. ‘Kurosawa isn’t going to let this go,’ Fugaku thought, noticing the fury in Kurosawa’s gaze.

"Renga! I knew it was you!" Kurosawa shouted, his usually calm demeanor cracking under the weight of anger and panic. Losing the supply point would bring serious consequences for him, as one of the base’s main defenders. With Ishida already dead, the responsibility—and the blame—would fall on Kurosawa alone unless he captured the infiltrators

Without a word, Kurosawa began forming hand seals. He unleashed a powerful Wind Style technique, sending a massive gust of wind surging forward. It tore through the heavy rain, kicking up water droplets and mud, barreling toward Fugaku and his team with intense force, like a storm bearing down on them.

"Keep moving!" Fugaku called to his team. "Don’t let him slow us down."

He formed seals of his own.

Snake, Dragon, Rabbit, Tiger.

"Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu!"

Crimson fire dragons erupted from Fugaku’s mouth, their heat cutting through the rain and creating clouds of steam as they advanced. The dragons collided with Kurosawa’s wind attack, gradually overpowering and dispersing it. Though weakened, the dragons continued toward Kurosawa.

Tongmu and Murakami, standing beside Kurosawa, moved quickly, pulling water from the soaked ground to form a barrier in front of them. Water met the fading fire dragons, generating thick steam that spread across the battlefield.

Behind them, the supply warehouse had been reduced to a crater, with debris scattered everywhere. Sunagakure reinforcements were starting to close in on Fugaku and his team, tightening the circle around them. Every second they stayed increased the risk of being trapped with no escape.

Fugaku’s team prepared for the next move. They pulled out kunai, each hurling them forward. Fugaku’s kunai flew with precision, bouncing off each other mid-air to shift directions. The Sunagakure ninja countered, sending their own kunai, causing sparks to flash as the weapons collided.

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Fugaku’s Sharingan tracked every path perfectly, allowing him to parry each incoming weapon with flawless precision, his kunai perfectly timed to intercept the incoming attacks.

Fugaku’s kunai struck three of the Sand ninja at unexpected angles, inflicting wounds that, while not fatal, took them out of the fight. Now, the odds shifted from six-against-five to six-against-two, putting Fugaku’s team at an advantage.

"Sato Maru, Haranogi," Fugaku commanded, his voice steady yet urgent, "keep pushing forward. Don’t let anything slow you down."

Without hesitation, Fugaku charged at Kurosawa, while Ning targeted the remaining Chūnin. Activating his Sharingan genjutsu, Fugaku briefly distracted Kurosawa, allowing him to close in and slash Kurosawa’s shoulder, drawing blood.

At the same time, Ning swiftly cut down the Chūnin, ending the fight. The team moved quickly, pushing past the Sand ninja and racing toward the stronghold’s exit.

As Fugaku passed Kurosawa, he spun mid-air, throwing several kunai back at him. The kunai clashed with Kurosawa’s, creating a brief distraction that allowed Fugaku’s team to gain some distance. Behind them, the Sunagakure ninja split up, with the Jōnin gaining ground on the Chūnin. Each flicker of their movement closed the gap.

Seeing they were catching up, Fugaku performed another series of hand seals.

"Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu!"

Five fiery dragons burst from his mouth, spreading in a fan shape to block the Sand ninja’s path. The flames roared through the rain, adding more steam to the air. Aimed in front of the Sand Jōnin, the dragons forced them to stop, slowing their advance.

Launching eight fire dragons in succession drained Fugaku’s chakra reserves. He quickly popped a military ration pill into his mouth, feeling a surge of chakra as his energy returned. The fire dragons circled, halting the Sunagakure ninja.

The dragons collided with the muddy ground, sending wet earth flying in all directions. One of the Sand Jōnin raised an Earth Wall to block the debris and heat. In the rain-soaked, dim landscape, the growing distance made it harder for the Sand ninja to track Fugaku’s team, giving them natural cover.

"Ning," Fugaku called, "are they still tracking us?"

Ning, his Byakugan active, scanned the area.

"Yes, they’re still on us. Looks like they have a sensor or tracking ninja with them who’s following our route."

Fugaku nodded, expecting as much. With so many elite forces gathered in the Land of Rain, skilled trackers were inevitable. Following their planned escape route, they wove through the terrain. Suddenly, Shinji and Nozawa appeared ahead, waiting for them.

"Captain," Shinji greeted, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Was the mission successful?"

Fugaku glanced at Ning, who gave a subtle nod, confirming their identities and showing that everything had gone according to plan.

"Yes, we completed it, but we’re far from safe. Sunagakure ninja are right on our trail and closing in fast. The traps you and Nozawa set will be our last line of defense," Fugaku replied, his tone tense yet steady.

"Understood, Captain," Shinji responded with a firm nod, confidence in his voice.

"Nozawa and I set plenty of traps along the escape path," he added, gesturing back toward the hidden snares. "They’re primed and ready."

"Good," Fugaku said, a hint of relief crossing his face. "Let’s keep moving. Stay sharp—those Suna ninja could catch up at any moment."

With silent agreement, the eight-man team pressed onward through the rain-soaked terrain, every sense heightened as they moved toward Konoha’s camp, knowing the danger was still far from over.