41 Ch-41 Kushina's Struggle.

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As Kushina unsheathed her sword, the leader reminded his comrades, "Remember, our orders are to capture her alive. If capturing her proves impossible, then eliminate her."

"Yes!" replied the remaining members of ROOT, launching their assault on Kushina.

In response, Kushina swung her flaming sword, unleashing a fiery slash known as Fire Slash. The attack surged towards the ROOT members, prompting them to swiftly dodge. Seizing the opportunity, Kushina focused her attention on one of the ROOT members and launched an attack. However, he skillfully parried her strike and swiftly retreated, acknowledging Kushina's formidable strength.

Seizing the moment, Kushina swiftly shifted her attention to another ROOT ninja who sought to harm her. Meanwhile, a cunning First ninja seized the opening and lunged at Kushina, aiming to pierce her shoulder. But just as his blade neared her, a golden chain enveloped him, engulfed in flames that not only constricted his movements but also inflicted burns upon his struggling form. And finally his charred body fell to the ground.

As the ROOT ninja engaged in close combat with Kushina, he contemplated retreating, preparing to exert force to push her back. However, his intentions were abruptly halted when he witnessed Kushina opening her mouth wide, unleashing a torrent of scorching flames that engulfed him, bringing about his demise.

Observing how effortlessly Kushina killed their two comrades, the remaining ROOT members managed to maintain their composure. The leader seized the opportunity, recognizing the favourable circumstances. "This is our chance. Let's make the most of it," he commanded.

Without delay, six ROOT ninjas initiated their jutsu, "Water Release: Water Bowl," causing a copious amount of water to surge forth, rapidly filling the area. The environment became saturated, as if transformed into an expansive water-filled bowl.

Taking advantage of the watery terrain, the leader issued a decisive order, "Now that water surrounds her, she will be severely constrained. Attack her with all your might!"

The battle persisted, with Kushina finding herself encircled by water. Despite the challenging environment, her combat prowess remained unyielding. As half an hour elapsed, Kushina stood resolute, bearing a few cuts and panting slightly. On the other side, twenty exhausted ninjas from ROOTS also panted heavily, their bodies adorned with burn marks and lacerations inflicted by Kushina's relentless onslaught. In the span of this intense exchange, Kushina had claimed the lives of eight additional ROOT ninjas, bringing the total count of her fallen adversaries to ten.

As the battle raged on, Kushina's exhaustion became increasingly apparent, causing her to question her waning stamina. Thoughts raced through her mind, "Why am I feeling this fatigued? It shouldn't be like this. I should have ample strength to endure, at least enough to fight for an hour." She gazed down at the cuts she had sustained, her eyes widening with realization. "Poison," she muttered, a sense of alarm creeping into her voice. The gravity of the situation sank in as she comprehended that if left unchecked, the poison coursing through her veins would render her unable to continue fighting in approximately 15 minutes.

"It appears the poison is taking its toll," remarked the captain, observing Kushina's dwindling strength. He marveled at her tenacity, acknowledging that an ordinary ninja would have succumbed to such circumstances long ago. Determined to exploit this advantage, he commanded his comrades, "Press on with the attack! Do not grant her a moment of respite." The captain recognized the critical importance of capitalizing on Kushina's weakened state, urging his fellow ROOT members to relentlessly assail her, denying her any opportunity to recover.

As the battle persisted, Kushina found herself increasingly disadvantaged with the passage of time. The toll of the prolonged fight took its toll on her, causing her to struggle continuously. Despite her waning strength, however, Kushina's determination remained unyielding. Even in her weakened state, she managed to claim the lives of four more ROOT ninjas, refusing to succumb to the overwhelming odds stacked against her. Her resilience shone through, even as the fight took its toll.

Struggling to maintain her balance, especially on the water-soaked ground, Kushina panted heavily. Her vision blurred, and every movement became a challenge. Despite her weakened state, a fierce determination burned within her. Clenching her fist tightly, she let out a resolute shout, "Even if I perish, I will make you bastards pay!"

Drawing upon every ounce of her remaining chakra, Kushina unleashed her trump card—a devastating technique known as "Fire Tornado." As she focused her energy, a colossal vortex of blazing flames erupted, expanding to engulf the entire Four Violet Flames Formation. Witnessing this formidable display of power, some of the ROOT members instinctively sought refuge within the water. However, to their dismay, the water's temperature rapidly escalated, boiling and scalding them. Realizing the impending danger, the captain hastily employed "Earth Style: Mud Wall," erecting a barrier of thick mud in an attempt to shield his comrades. But it proved futile, as the Four Violet Flames Formation acted as a relentless coffin, trapping and sealing the fate of the unfortunate ROOT ninjas within its fiery grasp.

As the remnants of the Fire Tornado dissipated, only three ROOT ninjas managed to survive the devastating onslaught. However, their bodies were severely burned, bearing the scars of the intense flames. The aftermath of the attack left the entire area inside the Four Violet Flames Formation shrouded in an eerie fog, concealing the aftermath of the fierce battle.

Coincidentally, during this time, Minato ventured into the forest for a hunting expedition, seeking to procure a beast for his dinner. However, his intentions were abruptly halted as his eyes caught sight of a colossal flame tornado enveloped within a barrier of purple energy. Recognizing the magnitude of the battle before him, Minato knew he could not intervene directly. Acting swiftly, he employed a summoning technique, summoning a toad and instructing it to convey the urgent message to Jiraiya. Minato stood silently, observing the unfolding situation while awaiting Jiraiya's arrival and guidance.

As Kushina lay on the ground, utterly drained and her consciousness slipping into darkness, the captain of ROOT swiftly approached, aiming to capture her and expedite their departure from the area. However, as the captain moved closer, a peculiar occurrence took place. The swirling mark on Kushina's forehead, the symbol of her power, ignited with an intense light. Startled, the ROOT ninja froze in his tracks, unable to move. In an instant, a colossal fire vortex consumed not only the captain but also all others present within the Four Violet Flames Formation. The raging flames surged skyward, forming a towering pillar of fire that obliterated the once-enclosing barrier. In its wake, a protective wall of formidable flames shielded Kushina, providing her with an unyielding sanctuary.

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