Chapter 110: Fierce Assault
Leaning against her massive folding fan, Temari declared proudly, "We're not useless dead weight—we won't hold you back."
Gaara, his panda-like eyes calm, added, "Since they've come for me, it's only right that I stand and fight."
Mizuki glanced at Hiashi Hyūga already clashing with Sasori, then turned to the two Sand siblings. "Do what you want—but be careful. Stay behind our formation, and don't rush ahead. These enemies are beyond your current level. Support from the rear when the opportunity comes."
Not just Temari and Gaara—even Mizuki himself felt barely qualified to face such opponents. If it weren't for his many tricks and self-enhancing techniques, he wouldn't even be able to stand on this battlefield.
Sasori could be left to Hiashi for now. But Deidara was an extremely tricky opponent for both Kurenai and Mizuki. With his enhanced scope that rendered genjutsu almost ineffective, their primary attack method became useless. On the other hand, Temari and Gaara's large-scale, offense-defense hybrid ninjutsu was much better suited for neutralizing Deidara.
Temari's Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel had already demonstrated its power during the Chūnin Exams, forcing Tenten into a crushing defeat. And with her summoning technique—Kirikiri Mai—she had felled an enhanced Sound Four member. Temari wasn't quite on Nara Shikamaru's level tactically, but she was smart and composed—very unlikely to make a fatal error.
As for Gaara, he was practically the perfect counter to Deidara. Though he lost in the original timeline, many underestimated the context. Most of the battle took place in the sky, where Deidara's mobility far outclassed any Sand support, and Gaara was forced to protect the village below. This time, there were no hostages. Gaara could go all out. His chakra-rich sand was the natural enemy of Deidara's explosive clay.
"They're still a few years too young—but at least they're useful now. If only this were three years later…"
Meanwhile, Hyūga Ke attempted to charge in and engage Deidara directly.
"I'll take the lead," Mizuki interrupted. Deidara's explosives depended on chakra-infused clay. In theory, the Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist, which destroyed chakra flow, should work. But unlike Sasuke's Chidori, which was quick and controllable, Gentle Fist required close-range accuracy—dangerous when Deidara could detonate his creations before contact. Mizuki's versatility made him the better choice for spearheading the assault.
"Every time… I'm the one tanking. I need a proper bruiser on my team. This isn't sustainable."
He'd taken weeks to recover from the last mission. Hopefully, this wouldn't end the same way.
Gaara was tougher defensively, but lacked the mobility needed to chase down Deidara in the air. Mizuki had no choice but to go in first.
Wielding two Windmill Shuriken, Mizuki barked, "I'll go in front. Hyūga Ke, you follow. You can handle the close-range bombs, right?"
"Of course," Ke replied.
"Gaara, sweep wide-scale explosives. Your sand is perfect for it."
Gaara nodded silently.
"Temari, if we start getting overwhelmed—fire away. Don't worry about friendly fire."
"That's allowed?" Temari asked, surprised.
"With Gaara here, I can afford it," Mizuki smirked. Sand shielded better than any armor.
Kurenai confirmed the strategy. Though she was technically the ranking shinobi, coordination was better left to someone familiar with everyone's strengths.
"Let's move!"
Mizuki surged forward, chakra flaring beneath his feet. Hyūga Ke kept pace behind him. Gaara trailed—his body slow, but his sand fast enough. Temari didn't need to keep up. Her timing was key.
Deidara, busy crafting more clay birds, launched his bombs toward the advancing team.
"Careful! There's a trap!" Mizuki shouted.
Hiding behind the regular birds were Deidara's deadlier fast-jumping locusts and twin-winged birds—designed to bypass defenses.
"Cheap tricks. But not bad. You're sharper than I expected, kid."
"Temari!" Mizuki called.
"Got it!" she responded, swinging her fan. "Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel!"
A barrage of wind blades roared forward, ripping through the explosive birds and filling the battlefield with smoke and noise.
"Gaara—flush them!" Mizuki ordered.
Gaara complied, unleashing a wave of sand that surged forward, sweeping through the lingering smoke to detonate any missed explosives.
"Push forward, don't slow down!" Mizuki urged Ke. "I'll take point. Cover the flanks and rear!"
Hidden in the smoke, a faint blue shimmer wrapped around Mizuki's front—a focused chakra shield.
"Time to test this in battle… If Sakura could use it to block Dosu's sonic attacks, I can handle Deidara's clay."
Concentrated chakra shields weren't cheap—they required precise control and rapid refueling. Mizuki's advanced chakra control made it possible, but even he could feel the strain.
A few of Deidara's bombs exploded too close, slowing Mizuki down.
Then—a locust bomb slipped past the shield and detonated.
"Damn it! You noticed my pattern. Smart little bastard."
Ke called out, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Mizuki winced, flexing his scorched arm. "Keep moving!"
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