The stadium, once a bustling arena of anticipation, now lay in ruins. Dust, thick and acrid, hung in the air, illuminated by the harsh, unfiltered sunlight that pierced through the shattered remnants of the roof. The smell of burning wood and scorched earth mingled with the metallic tang of blood, a grim testament to the sudden and brutal invasion. The air, still warm from the midday sun, carried the distant cries of panicked civilians, a stark contrast to the silence of the fallen.
Sasuke, his Sharingan blazing crimson, surveyed the chaos from the upper spectator levels. His gaze, sharp and analytical, darted across the ruined tiers, tracking the movements of the Sand Shinobi as they emerged from hidden passages and the disarrayed crowd. His mind, a whirlwind of strategic calculations, prioritized the protection of the civilians, their safety a paramount concern.
A group of Sand Shinobi, their faces masked in grim determination, advanced towards a cluster of terrified civilians, their hands crackling with chakra.
Sasuke moved with a speed that belied his age, a blur of motion against the backdrop of destruction. He launched a swift barrage of kunai, each strike aimed with lethal precision, forcing the Sand Shinobi to halt their advance. Simultaneously, he unleashed a wave of fire release, a wall of searing flames that acted as a barrier, shielding the civilians from further harm.
"Stay back!" he commanded, his voice sharp and authoritative, cutting through the din of chaos. "I'll handle this."
His Sharingan, enhanced by his past-life knowledge, allowed him to anticipate the Sand Shinobi's movements, predicting their attack patterns with uncanny accuracy. He moved with a calculated efficiency, each strike aimed to incapacitate or eliminate, minimizing collateral damage. His movements were fluid, a deadly dance of precision and power.
As he engaged the Sand Shinobi, he caught glimpses of the surrounding battles. Konoha Jonin, like Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Raidō Namiashi, fought with coordinated ferocity, repelling the invaders with well-executed taijutsu and ninjutsu.
His allies & classmates, consisting of Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, Sakura Haruno, Tenten, and even a reluctant Shikamaru Nara, worked tirelessly to escort civilians to safety with a small team of anbus, creating makeshift barricades and using basic healing techniques to tend to the wounded.
However, in his focus, he nearly missed a Sand Shinobi approaching from behind, a kunai raised for a surprise attack. Kakashi, his Sharingan active and his expression stern, intervened, blocking the attack with a swift parry.
"Sasuke," Kakashi's voice was sharp, "you can't afford to lose focus. Stay alert."
Sasuke, nodded curtly. "Understood."
He turned his attention back to the Sand Shinobi, his movements now even more precise and deliberate. He unleashed a calculated fire release technique, a wave of searing flames that incinerated multiple opponents simultaneously, leaving behind charred remains. He followed up with precise Chidori strikes, each aimed at vital points, piercing through defenses with lethal efficiency.
His mind was a whirlwind of calculations, assessing the situation, predicting enemy movements, and planning his next attack. "This needs to end quickly," he thought, his voice a low growl in his mind. "The civilians...this situation is whole lot different from original."
The Curse Mark began to activate, its tendrils of energy spreading across his skin, enhancing his speed, strength and senses. His fighting style became more brutal, more efficient, reflecting the raw power of the curse. His 2 tomoe sharingan tracked every movement of the sand shinobi. He used his knowledge of sand shinobi tactics to counter their strategies, anticipating their every move.
He stopped a group of sand shinobi who were trying to reach the arena floor, by unleashing a powerful Chidori stream, that pushed them back with incredible force. He made tactical use of the environment, using the ruined structures as cover and vantage points.
Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind swept through the upper levels, carrying with it the unmistakable presence of a seasoned Jonin. Baki, his eyes narrowed and his expression grim, landed before Sasuke, his presence radiating an aura of raw power.
"You," Baki's voice was low and dangerous, "you're proving to be a significant obstacle. I cannot allow you to interfere any further."
Sasuke, his Sharingan locked on Baki's movements, met his gaze with a cold, unwavering stare. "You're too late," he said, his voice laced with a quiet confidence. "This invasion ends will with konoha's victory."
Just as Baki was about to attack, two figures landed beside Sasuke, their presence radiating a determined resolve. Neji Hyuga, his Byakugan active, and Rock Lee, his fists clenched and his eyes burning with determination, stood ready to assist.
"Sasuke," Neji's voice was calm and collected, "we'll handle this together."
"Yes!" Lee shouted, his voice filled with youthful enthusiasm. "We will protect everyone!"
The fight began, a clash between a seasoned veteran and a genins trio, and the safety of the civilians caught in the crossfire.