Hearing Kirabai's urgent plea, Ai's face was a mixture of frustration and resignation. He couldn't understand how, given the personalities of Iwagakure's Senganzuchi and Hanzo of the Rain, they'd somehow turned on them. Konoha's swift involvement, along with Kato Dan's stealthy assassinations, only added to the confusion.
"Could it be that Konoha anticipated this all along?" Ai muttered. "Those Konoha ninjas are definitely capable of setting something like this up."
Gulal, looking worried, chimed in, "If that's the case, we're in a worst-case scenario. Konoha likely knew we were coming and allied with Iwagakure in advance. Now, with three parties targeting us, Hidden Cloud Village doesn't stand a chance."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Ai nodded. "Withdraw! We can't risk everyone's lives for my pride."
With the order to retreat, Hidden Cloud's forces prepared to leave. However, Senganzuchi's mocking voice echoed from nearby.
"Ai, leading your team here all on your own—how bold of you," he sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "A major power like the Land of Lightning resorting to dirty tricks instead of open combat. How disgraceful!"
On the other side, Hanzo of the Salamander emerged, blocking their escape. "Shameless, indeed. Don't you even have the confidence to fight in the open?"
As the elite of Hidden Cloud stood surrounded, Ai, Kirabi, and the others realized escape wouldn't be easy.
"It seems you won't let us leave peacefully," Ai said, anger flaring in his eyes. "If it's a fight you want, then let's get started!"
His body sparked with electricity as he activated *Lightning Release: Armor,* increasing his strength, speed, and durability. Ai was a force to be reckoned with, and his prowess with taijutsu and lightning style made him a walking tank on the battlefield.
Seeing Ai ready for battle, Kirabi, the perfect Jinchuriki, released the Eight-Tails' chakra, instantly transforming. Meanwhile, Kato Dan was forced to retreat from Kirabi's power.
"You're not escaping!" Kirabi growled, spotting Kato Dan in the distance. In an instant, he formed a Tailed Beast Bomb and launched it at him. The resulting blast was powerful enough to shake the battlefield, causing even Kato Dan's spirit to falter, though he managed to flee just in time.
Nearby, an invisible Reiki observed, impressed by the sheer strength on display. No matter what world he was in, power always held sway.
*Whoosh!* Just then, Minato and several Konoha ninjas appeared on the scene, joining the fray. Reiki, Shisui, and Nozuki's shadow clones remained in place, while the real team readied for battle.
Seeing Konoha's ninjas arrive, Senganzuchi made the first move. *Earth Style: Rock Explosion!* Stones erupted toward Hidden Cloud's forces as he unleashed his jutsu.
Ai dashed forward, smashing the explosive rocks with a punch and heading directly toward Senganzuchi. Hanzo moved in as well, only to be intercepted by Kirabi, whose tentacles lashed out, forcing Hanzo to face him instead.
Watching the battle, Tsunade maintained her distance, her team on high alert. The remaining Hidden Cloud shinobi prepared to guard Ai and Kirabi, ready to buy time if needed.
After half an hour of relentless fighting, Ai and Kirabi regrouped, breathing heavily but ready to continue.
"Damn it!" Ai snarled. "Kirabi, hold them off while I take care of Tsunade and her medics!"
Frustrated by Tsunade's healing slugs, Ai realized that as long as she was around, his opponents would recover their chakra and injuries. Dealing with her had become crucial.
With a flash, Ai charged at Tsunade, throwing a punch. Tsunade met his fist head-on, and their collision created a sonic boom that echoed through the battlefield.
*Necrotic Bug! Partial Expansion Technique! Wind Style: Vacuum Bullet!* Minato and his teammates attacked from all sides, forcing Ai to retreat under the combined assault. Realizing he was now trapped, Ai felt a pang of dread.
"This should do it…" Reiki raised his hand and activated *Room: Scalpel,* targeting a group of Hidden Cloud ninjas from a distance.
"Kirabi, we have to go!" Eight-Tails' voice rang in Kirabi's mind. "There's a powerful space jutsu user hiding nearby. If we don't leave now, we're done for!"
Eight-Tails' warning had detected Reiki's surgical powers. Sensing he was about to be exposed, Reiki quickly returned the heart he had removed and cloaked himself once more, slipping away from the Eight-Tails' detection. Even with the short exposure, the oppressive force of the Eight-Tails had been overwhelming.
Meanwhile, Gulal, weakened from having his heart temporarily removed, staggered. "Brother… go now!"
"Thunder Style: Thunderstorm!" In a desperate move, Gulal's body crackled with immense lightning, his entire form surging with energy and creating a massive explosion. He was forcing everyone nearby to retreat with the threat of a self-sacrifice attack.
"Gulal…" Ai's face twisted in anguish, but he couldn't act on impulse now.
"Let's go!" Kirabi transformed fully, unleashing Eight-Tails' chakra to grab Ai with his tails and pull him away from the battlefield.
With Konoha, Iwagakure, and Amegakure now converging, Ai and Kirabi knew their only choice was to retreat and preserve what forces they could.
>>>>>
Gimme Power stones I'm Poor