The old rules dictated that when ninjas from opposing sides met, they would first engage in a large-scale exchange of combined ninjutsu, showcasing their power. Following this, the most perilous phase of close-quarters combat would commence on the battlefield.
To avoid injuring their teammates, both sides of ninjas primarily employed close-range combat. Even when occasionally using ninjutsu, they favored low-level techniques with small areas of effect and concentrated power. This was partly due to their speed of execution and, more importantly, the limited chakra available. High-powered, high-impact ninjutsu exchanges were reserved for the rare battles between exceptionally skilled Jonin.
For example, the combination of Uchiha Fugaku, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Tsunade's heroic shout echoed as the plump, white slug was summoned. It was peculiar how the slug's personality seemed to mature with its size. The slug summoned by Tsunade this time was nearly half the size of Manda, Orochimaru's snake. Its once endearingly cute appearance became unsettling when magnified.
"Lady Tsunade, what do you require of me?"
A mature, steady voice resonated from beneath Tsunade's feet. Tsunade looked down at the chaotic battle unfolding between the two factions, her brow furrowed slightly. "The ninjas have engaged. Any attack might harm our Leaf ninjas."
"Slug, your task is solely to provide healing and recovery for our Leaf ninjas."
The slug's tentacles swayed, and it nodded gently. "Understood! However, I still have a way to attack in this situation!"
"Lady Tsunade, I am about to divide!"
Tsunade nodded and leaped off the slug's body, returning to the sides of Orochimaru and Uchiha Fugaku.
"Slug Great Split!"
The slug's tentacles moved, and its body burst into a rain of mucus, instantly covering the battlefield before them. The dispersed mucus wriggled and rapidly coalesced into numerous small slugs, which found the nearest Leaf ninjas and attached themselves. The Leaf ninjas, engaged in fierce combat, felt their spirits lift, their arms wielding weapons becoming noticeably stronger.
"Acidic Saliva!"
The slugs perched on the Leaf ninjas opened their small, daisy-like mouths and spat highly corrosive acid at the approaching Sand ninjas. Caught off guard, one Sand ninja was doused head-to-toe, screaming as he collapsed to the ground. After a few moments of agonizing struggle, he lay still, his body rotted away.
"So powerful!"
The Leaf ninja with a slug on his head watched in awe. He hadn't expected Tsunade's summoned creature to be so formidable in combat, not only providing chakra recovery and healing.
"Esteemed Leaf ninja, a puppet is attacking you from your right."
The slug's soft voice sounded from above. Startled, the Leaf ninja dodged and swiftly slashed to his right with his long sword.
*Clang!*
Looking at the shattered puppet lying on the ground, the Leaf ninja trembled with excitement.
"This..."
"With such abilities, Lady Tsunade truly lives up to her title as the Slug Princess!"
The slug giggled, seemingly pleased with the title. "Indeed!"
"As Lady Tsunade's summoned beast, all of our divided forms can share vision. Therefore... Please fight with peace of mind, ninja!"
"Yes!" The Leaf ninja shouted with renewed vigor, fearlessly charging into more Sand ninjas. Injured? It didn't matter! Chakra? Plenty of it! Attempted surprise attacks? Impossible!
With the support of the powerful medical unit provided by the slug, the Leaf side's morale surged to unprecedented heights. They began to push back the Sand elite brought by Chiyo, who cried out that they couldn't hold on.
Observing this situation, Takuma, standing behind the Sand forces, couldn't help but reach for the sealing scroll in his怀. However, recalling his mother's earlier admonishments, he gritted his teeth and tucked it back away. It wasn't out of genuine filial piety, but rather the potent toxicity of the Salamander poison. With ninjas from both sides locked in a chaotic melee, releasing it rashly would likely end the battle prematurely. They would only need to notify their respective villages to collect the bodies.
"Meiko, let's go!"
"Yes!"
As the enemy commander moved, Hatake Sakumo could not remain idle. The White Fang's short sword gleamed as he instantly moved forward to engage.
*Thwack!*
With a dull thud, Hatake Sakumo's pupils contracted as he parried a large cleaver that suddenly appeared before him, just as he materialized and before he could launch an attack.
"Konoha's White Fang?"
Chiyo appeared in Hatake Sakumo's sight, observing him with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Elder Chiyo of the Sand Village..."
Chiyo flicked her finger, and the white-robed twin-sword puppet spun and lunged at Hatake Sakumo again. "I didn't expect this old woman to still have some fame! Even the renowned Hatake Sakumo recognizes me. Should I consider it an honor?"
Sakumo remained silent, blocking the puppet's attack and immediately lunging at Chiyo.
"Elder Chiyo is correct!"
"As the commander of the battlefield, Konoha's White Fang can only be challenged by the Sand's commander!"
"If you wish to fight, Elder, perhaps you could offer some guidance to us juniors?"
Tsunade suddenly appeared before Chiyo, smashing an incoming puppet away with a single punch. Though she addressed Chiyo as "Elder," her expression held no respect. Orochimaru and Uchiha Fugaku simultaneously appeared before Chiyo, intercepting the puppets attacking Hatake Sakumo.
"Little girl, are you Tsunade, the disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
"To be able to summon such a summoned beast, you truly are a descendant of the First Hokage!"
Chiyo looked at the three young people before her, her eyes flickering slightly, her killing intent surging. A Senju, an Uchiha, and an unknown Leaf ninja. Glancing at Hatake Sakumo, who was already engaged with her son and daughter-in-law, Chiyo sneered.
"My guidance, little ones, is not like playing house in Konoha. If you're not careful..."
"You could die!"
Tsunade pouted and immediately threw a punch. "So much nonsense! If you fear death, why be a ninja! If you don't want to die, go back to the Sand Village and retire!"
Chiyo's face darkened as she looked at Tsunade, who showed no respect for elders. With a rustle, she released the remaining eight puppets of the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets.
"This little girl truly doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth!"
"Puppet Technique: Iron Shield Formation!"
A thick chakra shield was activated from the bull-headed puppet in front of Chiyo. Chiyo clasped her hands, and five chakra wires slowly extended from her fingertips. She flicked them towards the three before her.
"Puppet Technique: String Restraint!"
Orochimaru remained unfazed. Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward, his three-tomoe Sharingan slowly rotating. His hands danced like butterflies among flowers.
*Clink, clink...*
With a series of metallic sounds, each chakra wire was precisely struck by the kunai and shuriken thrown by Fugaku, falling powerlessly to the ground.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Uchiha Fugaku pressed his advantage, unleashing the signature fire jutsu of the Uchiha clan. At that precise moment, Tsunade's fist landed heavily on the chakra shield in front of the bull-headed puppet. With a crack, the Iron Shield Formation, capable of withstanding Scorpion's powerful 'Iron Sand Rain' attack, shattered.
*Boom!*
Fugaku's Great Fireball Jutsu arrived on time, the massive fireball exploding into a surge of burning, scorching flames, engulfing the puppet and Chiyo behind it.