Kirigakure was already ill-suited for the Sunagakure battlefield; the Water Release Ninjutsu they excelled at was difficult to exert its full power in the dry Land of Wind, and even Mangetsu's Hydrification Technique was greatly diminished.
Originally, the Kirigakure forces could still gain the upper hand through sheer numbers, but the arrival of Pakura changed everything.
Pakura's powerful Scorch Release frequently evaporated Kirigakure's Water Release into steam before it could even reach its target.
Under her leadership, Sunagakure finally managed to organize an effective counteroffensive.
That very afternoon, Asuka personally led an elite squad to raid Sunagakure's front-line positions. The sand beneath their feet was scorched by the blazing sun. The moment they stepped onto the battlefield, a crimson fireball shot toward them like a meteor from behind a nearby sand dune.
Asuka used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge the attack and turned his gaze toward its source.
Sure enough, standing atop a sand dune not far away was the famed "most beautiful back in the Ninja World"—Scorch Release user Pakura, staring coldly in his direction.
Asuka brushed the sand off his clothes and said knowingly,
"Scorch Release? So you must be that Pakura of Sunagakure."
Pakura replied icily,
"So you're the Kaguya Asuka who's been making waves across the Ninja World? I didn't expect Kirigakure to pull you away from the Konoha front."
Asuka smiled casually.
"Don't say that. Sunagakure is one of the Five Great Nations, after all. I've long wanted to see the desert of the Land of Wind for myself."
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, Pakura vanished from her spot and charged straight at him.
Before she even closed the distance, three crimson fireballs materialized beside her, spreading out as they shot toward Asuka.
Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder
Watching the incoming attack, Asuka raised his hand and fired several Bone Bullets.
They were instantly evaporated before they could even get close, turning into drifting ash.
The fireballs pressed forward relentlessly. Asuka stepped back and rapidly formed hand seals.
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique
Taking a deep breath, he unleashed a torrent of water like a roaring waterfall. The surging flood crashed violently into the fireballs, producing a sharp sizzling sound as steam exploded into the air, engulfing the battlefield in dense white mist.
Asuka's Chakra far surpassed that of ordinary Ninja. Empowered by it, the technique's force was overwhelming—yet even so, it only barely neutralized the attack.
The lingering heat within the steam was enough to reveal the terrifying nature of Pakura's Scorch Release—a perfect counter to Water Release users.
Pakura showed no surprise. Against someone like Asuka, she had never expected a simple attack to be decisive.
Using the steam as cover, she hurled several kunai fitted with explosive tags while simultaneously preparing another Scorch Release technique.
Asuka's eyes glowed red as thick laser beams shot out, detonating the kunai midair.
At that moment, Pakura—surrounded by orbiting fireballs—closed in.
This was her signature combat style. Not only could she launch long-range attacks, but she could also keep the fireballs circling her body, combining them with Taijutsu.
These fireballs forced opponents to divide their attention while continuously evaporating the moisture in their bodies, weakening them over time.
As Pakura rushed in, Asuka calmly met her head-on, bone spurs erupting from his arms.
Twisting his body at an unnatural angle, he dodged the fireballs and thrust the bone spurs toward her.
Pakura reacted instantly. Leaning back, she flipped away while sweeping her left leg upward to counterattack.
But she underestimated the Kaguya Clan.
Just as her kick was about to land, a forest of bone spikes erupted from Asuka's entire body.
Her pupils shrank midair.
If she struck him now, her leg would be shredded.
With no time to retreat, she twisted her body desperately to avoid direct contact—but even so, several bone spikes slashed into her leg.
Landing, she braced herself with her hands and retreated with a series of backflips.
Just as Asuka raised his hand to follow up with a Spirit Gun, a sudden wave of dryness washed over him—a fireball above his head dropped straight down.
He stomped the ground and leapt aside, countering with his own fireballs to deflect the attack.
Pakura landed at a distance and quickly formed hand seals.
Wind Release: Wind Sand Cloud
A violent gust mixed with fine sand swept toward Asuka, blasting him backward while slicing into his body with countless tiny cuts.
Her timing was impeccable—she struck while he was distracted.
As for why she didn't use Scorch Release again, it came down to its drawback: speed. Against opponents of this level, slower techniques were easier to evade, which was why she specialized in close-range pressure tactics.
Asuka steadied himself and brushed back his disheveled hair.
Even while suppressing his strength, Pakura had managed to surprise him.
Her combat instincts and timing fully lived up to her reputation.
Still, admiration didn't slow him down.
His hands formed different seals simultaneously.
Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough
The combined technique erupted into a massive wall of flames that surged across the desert toward Pakura.
Faced with the overwhelming heat, Pakura tried to retreat using the Body Flicker Technique—but her injured leg slowed her down.
She couldn't escape the attack's range.
Forced to turn back, she released Fire Release in a desperate attempt to weaken the incoming flames.
When the firestorm finally dissipated, she was left kneeling in the sand, clutching her shoulder. Her clothes were mostly burned away, and her skin was scorched black.
Yet her eyes still burned with unyielding fighting spirit as she stared at Asuka, who was slowly approaching.
Asuka raised his finger, preparing to end the battle with a Bone Bullet—
But suddenly, the sand beneath his feet surged upward, rising like a living wall and blocking his path.