Chōmei was flying steadily when he suddenly felt a crushing pressure. His body plummeted toward the ground, and it took great effort to stabilize himself and ascend once more. He narrowly avoided being struck by Kokuō's Tailed Beast Ball.
"Why have you suddenly become so heavy?"
Chōmei opened his mouth, and Tsunade's voice emerged. The weight pressing on him now was entirely different from what he had experienced earlier.
"I was tricked by that old Third Tsuchikage," Kawakaze said.
"The Chakra of this technique is strange. I can't dispel it."
Kawakaze attempted to undo the Added-Weight Rock Technique but failed. He could only wait for the Chakra to dissipate naturally from his body.
"I don't have time to help you now either. Kokuō is about to lose control."
Unable to avenge his humiliation or strike a target, Kokuō's rage was palpable.
"Ōnoki is coming," Kawakaze said, noticing the old Tsuchikage approaching. He turned to Tsunade and added a warning.
Then a thought struck him—he could fly.
"Fly over and take him out," he suggested.
"Fly yourself!" Tsunade snapped.
A Tailed Beast Ball narrowly missed Chōmei's wings, hurtling past. If he hadn't moved quickly, that attack might have hit him directly.
"We need to figure out how to deal with Kokuō."
If Kokuō wasn't stopped, it would spell disaster for everyone on the battlefield, especially the ninjas on both sides. A few more Tailed Beast Balls could leave no survivors.
"I can't use the Gate of the Great God," Kawakaze admitted, frustration evident. His movements were restricted, and his strongest technique wasn't an option against the rampaging beast.
Ōnoki, observing Kokuō, pondered his options. The large Tailed Beast was a prime target for Dust Release, but using it now would also obliterate Han.
After a moment's thought, Ōnoki had a daring idea.
"Kawakaze Hatake."
"What?" Kawakaze replied, his expression sour. He knew the old man was up to something.
"Let's talk."
Ōnoki's reluctance was clear. After all, Kawakaze had nearly killed him before, and Han's current state was a direct consequence of Ōnoki's actions.
"What's there to talk about?" Kawakaze said sharply.
He had already guessed Ōnoki's intentions, but the idea seemed so outlandish that he wasn't ready to believe it.
"We'll fight Kokuō together, and I'll take Han with me," Ōnoki said plainly. "In return, I'll ensure you return to the Land of Fire safely. How's that for a deal?"
Ōnoki clearly had a read on Tsunade's thoughts. Chōmei seemed tempted by the proposal, but with the two nations at war, she couldn't bring herself to trust Ōnoki so easily.
"After we've dealt with you, we can still return to the Land of Fire safely," Kawakaze said dismissively, rejecting the offer outright. "Why would I accept such a trivial benefit?"
"If that's how you feel, I'll just turn around and leave," Ōnoki said, unfazed. "I won't save Han, and if your people from Konoha make it back to the Land of Fire unscathed, I'll take your last name."
His firm tone made it clear he wasn't bluffing. If forced, he was prepared to retreat with the Iwa ninja and strike the Konoha forces during their retreat. He couldn't wipe them out entirely, but he could ensure they left their wounded behind.
"Oh dear, I'm getting old," Ōnoki sighed mockingly. "I shouldn't get so worked up."
Kawakaze's expression darkened. He knew Ōnoki wasn't joking, which forced him to reconsider.
"Fine, it's not like this can't be discussed," Kawakaze said, softening his stance slightly. "But why should I trust you?"
While avoiding the incoming Tailed Beast Balls, Chōmei and Ōnoki exchanged wary glances. Kawakaze, however, stood unconcerned, seemingly unaffected by the chaos.
"Do you really think I'll have the time to come after you if I'm busy taking Han back?" Ōnoki replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
He wasn't lying. Even if they managed to subdue the rampaging Han, it wouldn't be a simple task to bring him back under control. To stabilize the situation, Ōnoki would need to personally oversee the sealing process alongside a dedicated team.
"You understand the value of a Jinchūriki," Ōnoki continued. "If Iwagakure loses one, it's a serious blow."
"What if our retreating team is wiped out in the process?" Kawakaze countered, his tone sharpening again. Seeing that negotiations were possible, he pushed harder. It was clear he wasn't about to settle for empty promises.
In truth, Kawakaze had a straightforward goal: extract as many concessions as possible. His sword was invaluable, and even with his considerable resources, he hated the idea of wasting effort without sufficient reward. After all, how else was he supposed to support someone as demanding as Tsunade, the Legendary Sucker?
"This guy really puts on an act," Chōmei muttered, communicating with Tsunade's consciousness.
"Shut your mouth," Tsunade snapped, equally annoyed by Kokuō's relentless and mindless attacks.
"What do you want?" Ōnoki asked, glancing at Kokuō with a sinking heart. The prolonged chaos was causing irreparable damage to Han.
"I'm not asking for much," Kawakaze replied nonchalantly. "I want your Earth Release Secret Technique."
His demand was bold, bordering on audacious. Money was trivial to Kawakaze; what he really sought were the Third Tsuchikage's Light and Heavy Rock Techniques. The ability to fly and enhance strength made them invaluable supplementary skills. As for Dust Release, Kawakaze didn't dare to mention it, knowing it would end the negotiation immediately.
"Don't even think about it," Ōnoki said flatly. His refusal was absolute—no one in Iwagakure had ever learned his secret techniques.
"Two Ninjutsu for one Jinchūriki," Kawakaze countered, his tone calm but insistent. "You're not losing out no matter how you look at it. Besides, I doubt your technique is something that can be easily mastered."
Ōnoki's face remained stern, but he didn't leave. Seeing an opening, Kawakaze pressed on.
"Someone without talent wouldn't be able to learn it anyway, right?"
Ōnoki scoffed, his confidence in his own abilities unshaken. Even if someone learned his techniques, they'd never use them with the same mastery as he did.
"Then what's there to worry about? Two jutsu in exchange for a Jinchūriki—that's a bargain if I've ever seen one," Kawakaze continued.
He gestured toward Kokuō. "Look at him. How much longer do you think he can hold out like this?"
Ōnoki's gaze shifted to Kokuō, whose eyes were glowing a deep scarlet red. The beast's rage was pushing Han's body to its limits, and time was running out.
"Forget it. Here," Ōnoki said, tossing two scrolls toward Kawakaze.
Kawakaze caught them without hesitation, confident that Ōnoki wouldn't try anything under these circumstances. Without Kawakaze's help, the Tsuchikage—unable to use Dust Release in his current state—stood no chance against the rampaging Tailed Beast.
"This is great," Kawakaze said after a quick inspection. Though he hadn't mastered the techniques yet, he could tell from the formulas on the scrolls that they were authentic. If Ōnoki had somehow managed to prepare fake scrolls in the midst of this chaos, Kawakaze would've grudgingly acknowledged the audacity.
"Then let's do it. I'll restrain Kokuō's movements," Ōnoki said, maintaining his distance from both Chōmei and Kawakaze. Even now, he remained cautious, the instincts of a seasoned veteran guiding his actions.
"Release."
With a single-hand seal, Ōnoki dispelled the Added-Weight Rock Technique. Kawakaze immediately felt the strange Chakra vanish from his body, and the oppressive heaviness was gone. Fighting Kokuō in that condition would have been a serious burden, so he made no effort to thank Ōnoki—this was something the Tsuchikage was obligated to do as part of their agreement.
The uneasy truce between the two sides was now in place, and Kawakaze had gained two of the Third Tsuchikage's secret techniques.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld."
Ōnoki used the same jutsu he had employed earlier against Kawakaze. A vast swamp materialized beneath Kokuō, quickly trapping the Tailed Beast up to its four legs.
"Remember to hold back," Ōnoki warned Kawakaze and Tsunade, his tone firm. He couldn't risk them killing Kokuō outright with a single attack—his scrolls would have been given away for nothing.
If that happened, Ōnoki knew his only option would be to flee, as he would likely become their next target. Even now, he remained on edge, fully aware that the slightest misstep could end in disaster. Despite the tension, he had done everything in his power for Han.