"A good sense of combat, as expected of an old relic who has endured three ninja wars!"
Watching Ōnoki's swift commands, Kaito couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
He hadn't expected that one move would be enough to wipe out all of the Iwa-nin; if that were the case, they would be far too weak. However, Ōnoki's ability to lead in the face of danger truly earned Kaito's recognition.
"But against absolute power, experience alone is not enough."
With that, Kaito began walking toward the gathered Iwa-nin step by step.
Ōnoki, hovering in the sky, immediately shouted, "Be careful! Kaito is approaching!"
Hearing the warning, Kitsuchi quickly formed seals and used Seismic Core once again, raising the sunken ground beneath them.
He then pointed at Kaito and roared, "Everyone, attack together! Stall him and create an opening!"
"Understood!"
The Iwa-nin responded in unison, their morale high.
However, seeing the towering, half-formed Susanoo, over ten meters tall, they immediately abandoned the idea of direct engagement.
Fortunately, most of the Iwa-nin specialized in Earth Release, and this terrain was the most advantageous for their techniques. They launched a coordinated attack, using their jutsu to reshape the very land itself!
The ground beneath Kaito seemed to come alive, shifting and morphing in an instant.
From both sides of Susanoo, two massive earthen dragons rose and coiled around its arms, attempting to pull them down and restrict its movements. At the same time, an even larger earth dragon erupted from below, wrapping around Susanoo's torso, tightening like a vice in an attempt to crush everything within!
This intricate formation was the result of hundreds of Iwa-nin working in unison, manipulating the earth with precise chakra control.
Confident in their collective strength, they prepared for the moment of triumph.
But—
"Heh..."
Inside the Susanoo, Kaito merely crossed his arms, watching their efforts unfold with amusement.
"Is that all? Then, it's my turn."
With that, Susanoo's arms flexed, shattering the earth dragons that bound them with effortless strength!
Then, in an instant, two golden blades formed in Susanoo's hands.
"Take this!"
With a swift motion, Susanoo crossed its swords over its chest, gathering energy before slashing forward in a devastating arc!
A massive, cross-shaped wave of sword energy tore through the battlefield.
It sliced straight through the final giant earth dragon before continuing its path toward the Iwa-nin.
"DEFEND! DEFEND NOW!" Kitsuchi roared.
But their earlier combined attack had drained their chakra, leaving them vulnerable.
The golden cross-shaped slash tore through their defenses with ease, leaving no comparison between their power and Kaito's.
"Damn it!"
Kitsuchi cursed as he watched the attack tear through their ranks.
Even with his experience, there was no way he could counter such an overwhelming force.
Despair set in.
"Don't give up! This is only the beginning—we still have a chance!"
Ōnoki's voice rang out, snapping them back to reality.
Looking up, Kitsuchi's eyes widened as he saw an enormous rock colossus taking shape before them.
"This is... Gōremu no Jutsu! (Adamantine Style Technique)"
A flicker of hope returned to his face.
The Adamantine Style was an advanced Earth Release technique developed by the Second Tsuchikage. It allowed the user to create a massive rock golem, comparable in size and strength to a Tailed Beast.
Ōnoki, the only one in the village capable of fully utilizing this technique, was channeling all his chakra into its formation.
"Yes! With this, we might just stop the attack!"
The colossal rock giant solidified, and as the sword energy came crashing toward them, Ōnoki landed atop its head, pouring even more chakra into the golem.
"Block it at all costs!" he screamed.
The giant raised its arms, meeting the incoming attack head-on.
A deafening explosion erupted across the battlefield.
The rock giant's arms shattered instantly, the sword energy cleaving through its chest before continuing toward the rear lines.
But—
The giant had done its job.
While it couldn't fully stop the attack, it managed to redirect and diminish it.
Even so, the impact was devastating—more than two-thirds of the Iwa-nin were caught in the aftermath, buried beneath the collapsing earth.
Out of the 400 elite ninja that had surrounded Kaito, most had been wiped out in a single exchange.
These warriors made up nearly 70% of Iwagakure's remaining combat strength.
And yet—
With one move, Kaito had cut their numbers in half.
Ōnoki's heart ached as he took in the destruction.
These were the village's future—its very lifeblood.
Clenching his fists, he gritted his teeth and muttered, "Damn it... Against him, numbers mean nothing at all."
Nearby, Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, Han, and several of Iwagakure's top warriors regrouped atop the partially reformed rock giant.
"I'm sorry… This is my fault. My strategy was reckless."
Kitsuchi hung his head in shame.
But Ōnoki shook his head.
"No… Your command was fine. Kaito is just too powerful."
"Far beyond what we expected."
"...Then what do we do now?"
Han hesitated before speaking again.
"If there's no other way… you can hand me and Rōshi over. Iwagakure cannot afford to—"
"NO!"
Ōnoki's voice boomed across the battlefield, cutting him off.
"You are all part of Iwagakure!"
"This village will never surrender its people just because of fear!"
"Kaito is indeed terrifying… I can't promise victory, but I can promise this—"
"If he wants you, he'll have to kill me first!"
"Ōnoki…"
Han's eyes widened.
As a Jinchūriki, he and Rōshi had always been viewed as weapons, not comrades. Even though Iwagakure wasn't as cruel as Konoha in handling Jinchūriki, they were still treated as outsiders.
But now—
Hearing Ōnoki's unwavering words, Han couldn't help but think, Rōshi… if you were here, you would be moved too.
His gaze hardened with determination.
"Then let's fight together."
Kitsuchi and the others nodded, fire returning to their eyes.
"Yes! We'll defeat Kaito together!"
Ōnoki looked at them with pride.
"Gather close. I'll explain the plan."
…
From a distance, Kaito watched them calmly.
"So… they still haven't given up?"
"Do they think they can turn the tide?"
"Very well."
His crimson eyes gleamed coldly.
"I'll make them understand true despair."