"Run!"
Kawakaze and Ōnoki let out simultaneous cries of alarm.
The Ninjas on the battlefield all felt an overwhelming threat at once. Son Gokū wasn't here to entertain them with harmless tricks—this was deadly serious. There was only one conclusion: they were going to be killed.
The Konoha and Iwa ninjas abandoned their fights, fleeing in every direction without exception. Tsunade, quick to react, immediately withdrew from Son Gokū's attack range.
In a flash, a massive crack split the ground before Son Gokū, spreading rapidly across the battlefield. The moisture in the earth evaporated, leaving the dry ground fractured like a feral beast baring its teeth. Steam hissed out from the fissures, enveloping the battlefield in a dense cloud.
The air became heavy with the pungent stench of sulfur, obscuring the scene from view.
"Ahhh!"
Screams of pain echoed across the battlefield. Some unlucky ninjas, unable to escape in time, plummeted into the widening crevasses, where they were consumed entirely by the surging lava.
Son Gokū's Chakra flowed into the ground in vast quantities, causing the lava to boil and surge with even greater intensity. After a brief buildup,
Bang!!!
The ground erupted as if a volcano had exploded. A devastating volcanic shockwave tore through the battlefield, sparing no one—friend or foe alike. Son Gokū's rage targeted everyone indiscriminately.
The destructive force of the Tailed Beast was utterly overwhelming, leaving ordinary ninjas without the slightest chance of resistance. Had Kawakaze and Ōnoki not issued their warnings, the death toll would have been even more catastrophic.
As Son Gokū prepared to expand the reach of his volcanic assault, Kawakaze vanished in a flash of movement. In an instant, he reappeared, delivering a powerful kick to Son Gokū's side. The force of the impact reverberated through the Tailed Beast's massive body, and the lightning element infused into Kawakaze's attack exploded upon contact.
Bang~
Son Gokū crashed to the ground as Kawakaze's powerful kick sent him hurtling dozens of meters away.
"It's Lord Kawakaze!"
As the steam began to clear, many Konoha ninjas caught sight of the scene.
"He kicked the Tailed Beast away with just one kick. That's insane!"
The Konoha ninjas exchanged looks of shock and disbelief.
Using a weapon to strike a Tailed Beast might make sense, but Kawakaze's feat—sending it flying with Taijutsu alone—elevated him to an entirely new level in their eyes.
While the kick hadn't killed Son Gokū outright, it was still remarkable. This was a Tailed Beast, a creature whose defenses their own attacks couldn't hope to penetrate.
"Lord Kawakaze has fought more than just this one Tailed Beast."
"What's so impressive about a mere Four-Tailed Beast?"
"Even if another one appeared, Lord Kawakaze could handle it."
Several Konoha Jōnin, who had accompanied Kawakaze throughout the battle, sneered at the others' awe. To them, these reactions came from those unfamiliar with real power.
Honestly, we'd be surprised if Lord Kawakaze didn't send Son Gokū flying with one kick!
Meanwhile, the Iwa ninjas were far less composed. The sheer destructive power Kawakaze had displayed left them shaken, their morale clearly faltering.
"What are you afraid of? Lord Tsuchikage is still here," a leading Iwa ninja, his expression stern, hissed in a low voice.
At these words, the Iwa ninjas glanced up at Ōnoki, who hovered in the air, and began to steel themselves. Nods of determination passed between them as they sought to bolster their courage.
Ōnoki was their anchor, a towering figure in their minds. If anyone could match Kawakaze's strength, it was the Tsuchikage.
Yes, they convinced themselves. If Kawakaze Hatake can do this, then surely Lord Tsuchikage can do the same.
Their resolve strengthened, but Ōnoki's confidence wavered. His thoughts were elsewhere, wrestling with how to salvage Rōshi's life amidst Kawakaze's unrelenting power and Tsunade's presence.
Iwagakure had only two Jinchūriki, and one was already gravely injured. If Rōshi were to fall, even victory in this battle might prove meaningless.
"Kill him."
Tsunade dashed past Kawakaze, leaving a streak of crimson in her wake.
The Tailed Beast's incredible recovery abilities were on full display—Son Gokū was already back on his feet. Towering over Tsunade, who wasn't even as tall as his head, he radiated disdain.
Did she think she could treat him like a mere sandbag?
Son Gokū's right fist, cloaked in molten lava, swung down toward Tsunade with devastating force.
"Die," he bellowed, the lava on his fist growing denser and radiating intense heat.
"Die yourself!"
Kawakaze's voice slithered into Son Gokū's ear, low and menacing, like a devil's whisper.
"How dare you!"
Ōnoki suddenly surged forward, realizing the danger. With both Kawakaze and Tsunade attacking in unison, Son Gokū was at serious risk of being completely overwhelmed.
"Earth Release: Super Earth-Style Wall!"
Ōnoki descended, slamming his hands onto the ground with urgency rarely seen. His panic was so uncharacteristic that it sent ripples of anxiety through the Iwa ninjas.
A massive earthen wall rose between Son Gokū and Tsunade, reinforced by an enormous amount of chakra. The wall blocked Son Gokū from attacking Tsunade but couldn't stop Kawakaze's assault.
"Oww~!"
Son Gokū's pained roar echoed as his massive body was hurled backward, his head twisted from the impact of Kawakaze's punch, which struck directly against his skull.
Tsunade's fist crashed into the Earth-Style Wall with a deafening "bang." Cracks rapidly spread outward from the point of impact.
Boom!
In moments, the entire wall shattered and collapsed into a cloud of dust, swirling like a massive dragon.
Despite the destruction, Ōnoki's intervention had succeeded. His goal was achieved.
"Let's negotiate?"
Ōnoki, abandoning concern for his reputation, immediately proposed peace.
"It's too late for peace," Tsunade replied flatly. Kawakaze had just warned her to retreat, but this old man wasn't someone she could trust so easily. Tsunade remained cautious with outsiders.
At that moment, the ninjas from both villages exchanged uncertain glances.
Would they fight or not?
With no orders to continue the battle, they had become mere spectators.
"Is Lord Tsuchikage asking for peace?" one Iwa ninja hesitantly inquired after a long pause.
"How could that be? This is just a delaying tactic," another Iwa ninja with a sharp eye whispered in response. "Our village's Jinchūriki are the key."
The idea that Ōnoki would openly ask for peace was difficult for them to accept.
"What if the Tailed Beast is killed?" another Iwa ninja asked, his nervousness evident.
If the Tailed Beast died, Ōnoki might escape, but what would become of the rest of them? Kawakaze Hatake and Tsunade were capable of annihilating them single-handedly, not to mention the Konoha ninjas armed with poisoned weapons.
As these thoughts circulated, the atmosphere in the Iwa ninjas' camp grew oppressively silent.
Meanwhile, the Konoha ninjas watched their Iwa counterparts intently. If the Tailed Beast fell, they would surely strike again.
The fate of both camps now hinged on the outcome of the battle between the three and the Tailed Beast—a clash that would decide their next actions, and perhaps their survival.
"Fine, Slug Princess. Don't blame me for being rude," Ōnoki snapped, his fury evident. Without the leverage he'd had last time, his harsh tone sounded almost desperate.
"After I've dealt with Son Gokū, I'll show you what it means to be outnumbered."
Kawakaze chuckled at Ōnoki's words. Since when had Ōnoki ever been polite?