A bone-chilling wave of death washed over the Third Kazekage, snapping him out of his contemplation. In a desperate twist, he barely managed to dodge a sneak attack. A sickening rip echoed as a savage gash appeared across his back.
"Gekkou Yoru!" The Third Kazekage roared, his voice hoarse with exertion, his gaze fixated on a distant figure. Hatred blazed in his eyes, a raging inferno fueled by the treachery.
Gekkou Yoru, cloaked in invisibility once more, vanished from sight after the failed strike. His Kekkei Genkai, the Transparent Escape Technique of the Moonlight Clan, allowed him to move unseen.
"He's not giving up," the Third Kazekage gritted his teeth, a grim realization settling in. Gekkou Yoru was content to wait, a predator stalking its wounded prey.
Fuelled by a surge of desperate fury, the Third Kazekage unleashed his ultimate jutsu:
"Magnet Release: Sand Iron Law Domain!"
Gathering every ounce of chakra he possessed, he pushed his limits, even resorting to sacrificing his own life force.
A colossal wave of black sand iron surged from the battlefield, coalescing with the remnants of the shattered pyramid. The sheer scale of the technique was awe-inspiring.
"Finally getting serious, are we?" Zashi, his strength gradually returning, watched the spectacle unfold with a malicious amusement. In his eyes, the Third Kazekage's display was a last-ditch effort, a cornered animal lashing out.
Severely injured, depleted of chakra, and now bearing the additional wound inflicted by Gekkou Yoru, the Third Kazekage's fate seemed sealed.
A metallic screech pierced the air, a sound filled with ominous intent.
An unnerving grinding filled the air as countless black specks of sand and iron erupted upwards. They multiplied like branches on a monstrous tree, swiftly spreading across the battlefield below. Panic seized the Konohagakure forces – the jutsu's devastating range encompassed half the battlefield!
The scene devolved into a horrifying spectacle. One by one, Konohagakure shinobi fell prey to the razor-sharp sand and iron spikes that erupted from the ground. Life extinguished in an instant, crimson staining the earth once more.
The sheer scale of this jutsu was immense, even encompassing Aizen and his companions on the outskirts. However, their superior skills allowed them to easily deflect the onslaught with a few well-timed techniques.
Unfortunately, the same luxury wasn't afforded to the ordinary Konohagakure shinobi. A conservative estimate placed the casualties at a staggering five to six hundred – a grim toll inflicted in a single, indiscriminate attack.
The jutsu's massive area of effect also forced Gekkou Yoru out of hiding. Seeing his opportunity, the Third Kazekage twisted his lips into a cruel smile.
Black sand and iron churned within the Sand Iron Law Domain, coalescing once more. This time, they formed a menacing trio – a colossal pyramid, a menacing cuboid, and a deadly cylinder.
With a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes, the Third Kazekage slammed his hand down. The monstrous geometric figures launched themselves towards Yoru in a coordinated assault, a brutal display of overwhelming force.
"Hmph!" A flash of purple lightning marked Zashi's intervention. He materialized in front of Yoru with astonishing speed, a determined look etched on his face.
Zashi, his body crackling with electric energy, shattered the sand-iron constructs one by one. His technique, Purple Lightning Chakra Mode, embodied this raw power – lightning-fast speed and earth-shattering strength.
"Mitarashi Zashii!" The Third Kazekage roared, his voice laced with frustration. Zashi merely smirked in response.
The purple lightning surrounding Zashi intensified, his entire form resembling a living thunderbolt as he launched himself towards the Kazekage. Simultaneously, Yoru blurred into invisibility, preparing to join the assault.
The Third Kazekage, nearing his limit, could barely muster the strength to manipulate the remaining sand and iron into crude spears, a desperate attempt at a final stand. He was prepared to die a warrior's death, upholding the legacy of the Sand Village.
A flicker of disdain crossed Zashi's lips as he and Yoru closed in. Just as despair flickered in the Kazekage's eyes, a series of unsettling creaking sounds filled the air, like the opening of a door. A colossal puppet worm erupted from the ground, engulfing the Third Kazekage in a single, swift motion.
The puppet's mechanical workings whirred to life, panels on its body opening to reveal dark cavities spewing out a torrent of miniature bombs. Deafening explosions rocked the battlefield, a cloud of dust and smoke obscuring the scene.
Forced back by the blast, Zashi and Yoru lost sight of their target. This unexpected intervention had cost them their golden opportunity.
As the smoke cleared, the colossal puppet worm burrowed back into the earth, carrying the Third Kazekage with it. An enraged Zashi turned his gaze towards a distant figure who had just arrived – Ebizō.
"Ebizō, that was a rather delayed entrance," Zashi said, a cold glint in his eyes.
A sense of unease settled over him. Contrary to his initial plan, he hadn't intended to kill the Third Kazekage. At most, he aimed to inflict severe injuries. Sand Shinobi also possessed three Kage-level fighters. Even if forced to retreat, Chiyo, the Sand Counselor, and her brother could intervene and ensure the Kazekage's survival.
However, Ebizō's delayed appearance was unsettling. It hinted at an undisclosed motive.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Zashi maintained a confident demeanor. He had meticulously planned every aspect of this operation, including a contingency for Chiyo's potential intervention. He was prepared to counter any unforeseen actions.
This made Mitarashi Zashi feel that something was wrong.
"Ebizō, do you have any plans in secret? However, even if you have any plans, it will be useless. You will lose this war."
In his mind, victory was inevitable. Even if Sand Shinobi managed some tactical advantage through underhanded means, the overall outcome wouldn't change. This was Konohagakure's day of triumph, and Sand Shinobi were destined to be the losers.
"They say you're not just strong, Mitarashi Zashi, but also a cunning strategist," Ebizō countered, shaking his head with a hint of pity. "But today, it seems your brilliance may be misplaced."