As a mature and composed man, Michikawa's first attack was not like Pakura's as he did not immediately use the newly gained power. Instead, he still employed the basic Magnet Release. However, this did not mean his strength was inferior. After all, the Magnet Release: Iron Sand technique had once made the Third Kazekage earn the title of the strongest Kazekage.
As chakra surged within Michikawa's body, countless grains of iron sand shot up from the earth beneath his feet, gathering around him to form a pitch-black wall of iron sand. From the wall, countless black kunai flew out, transforming into a rain of arrows that shot toward the Iwagakure shinobi.
Under the joint assault of Pakura and Michikawa, the Iwagakure shinobi formation fell into complete chaos at the very first clash.
The jōnin and chūnin naturally used Earth Release ninjutsu to protect themselves and their comrades, but there were still many places they could not cover. Especially the genin, who immediately became cannon fodder on the battlefield. In an instant, cries of agony echoed across the land.
Facing such wide-range, long-distance lethal ninjutsu, the Iwagakure shinobi could not just sit and wait to die.
As the commander of this unit, Rōshi immediately gave the order.
"Go and take out the two jutsu casters!"
"Hai!"
At once, dozens of Iwagakure jōnin stepped forward and charged toward Pakura and Michikawa.
These jōnin were well aware of the reputation of Scorch Release Pakura and Magnet Release Michikawa. Naturally, none of them thought they could handle either opponent alone, so they attacked together.
Just as they were about to reach the two—
Suddenly, everyone sensed something appearing above their heads, casting a massive shadow over the ground.
As seasoned jōnin, their reaction speed was extremely quick.
They immediately leapt to the sides.
At the very moment they dodged, an enormous object crashed down from the sky, slamming heavily into the ground with a deafening boom.
Then they finally saw what it was.
They were giant creatures resembling tanuki, massive as small mountains. They had humanoid physiques clad in armor, each wielding a shield in one hand and a large sword in the other, looking like heavily armed samurai.
"What... what are these monsters?"
While they were still stunned, Pakura and Michikawa's figures flew past overhead, directly bypassing them to assault the Iwagakure shinobi from behind. The jōnin wanted to pursue, but these tanuki monsters, their eyes glowing a fierce crimson, blocked their path. The huge blades in their hands came crashing down.
—
"Is this puppet technique?!"
At the front of the Iwagakure forces, Rōshi's expression turned grim as he stared at the suddenly appearing giant creatures.
Especially since these monsters could actually hold off the village's jōnin.
But he had no time to worry about that now because the two Suna shinobi were already launching their assault on the Iwagakure forces.
Still, only two of them, wasn't that a bit too few?
From the start of the battle until now, aside from the still motionless Kazekage, they had not seen any other Suna shinobi.
Just then, Rōshi suddenly noticed — Pakura and Michikawa's direction of attack seemed to be aimed straight at him.
Suddenly, Rōshi realized the truth. His gaze shifted toward Rasa, who stood motionless in the distance.
"So that's it! This is Sunagakure's real plan?!"
"???"
Rōshi's words left everyone around him stunned.
"Rōshi-senpai, what do you mean?"
With a heavy tone, Rōshi explained.
"The Kazekage of Sunagakure intends to capture the two of us, the jinchūriki, to use as leverage against the village, forcing the war to end!"
!!!
This time, everyone was truly shocked.
"You're kidding, right? They only have three people, and we have six thousand!"
"Besides, Rōshi-sama and Han-sama, you two are jinchūriki."
The Iwagakure shinobi instantly erupted in protest, which angered Han. He grunted and roared.
"Even arrogance has its limits!"
Han, still young and impulsive, immediately became furious, but Rōshi remained solemn, his brow furrowed.
As a jinchūriki, he naturally had strong confidence in his own power.
But the opponent was the Kazekage of Sunagakure. He was no fool. Since he was so brave enough to make such a bold move, he surely had some sort of trump card.
Thinking this, as he watched Pakura and Michikawa rapidly approaching, Rōshi made a decision and stepped forward.
"Han, get ready. Let's move!"
"W-Why now?"
"Rather than sitting here waiting passively, we should strike first and see what they're planning. Besides, letting the others from the village go up against them would only be sending them to their deaths."
Han understood Rōshi's intent. He nodded and stepped forward as well.
At that moment, the two of them began to undergo rapid transformations.
Chakra surged as Rōshi's entire body became enveloped in searing magma, radiating an intense heat, while white steam gushed out from the seams of Han's armor, emitting a high-pitched shriek.
"Be careful, here we go!"
"Yeah!"
In an instant, the two shot forward, launching themselves toward the enemy at an unbelievable speed.
---
"They're coming."
Mid-charge, Pakura and Michikawa immediately noticed the two incoming jinchūriki.
It surprised them a little as they had thought they would have to take down a few more Iwagakure shinobi to lure them out.
But this was even better!
Seeing Rōshi cloaked in the Lava Release chakra mode, Pakura's expression brightened with excitement. She immediately activated her own Scorch Release chakra mode, transforming into a stream of flames that overtook Michikawa and charged ahead.
Of course, she knew to hold something back since right now, she only activated the basic Scorch Release chakra mode.
Thus, under the astonished gazes of everyone present, on the desolate wasteland, a man of fire and a man of magma, both radiating terrifying heat, clashed together.
Boom!
The immense heat generated a vacuum zone around their collision, and scorching steam blew everything away nearby.
Rōshi was momentarily shocked.
He had certainly heard of Pakura of Sunagakure and her Scorch Release, but he hadn't expected her Scorch Release to rival his own Lava Release. His Lava Release had been cultivated with the chakra of a tailed beast, after all.
Feeling the heat emanating from Rōshi's Lava Release, Pakura smirked and said,
"Four-Tails jinchūriki... it seems your Lava Release isn't all that impressive, is it?"
Meanwhile, on the other side, Michikawa watched as Han — surrounded by steaming mist, like a roaring locomotive — charged toward him at incredible speed.
He immediately formed hand seals.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Cylinder!"
Above his head, the countless grains of iron sand rapidly condensed into a massive cylindrical form, shooting toward the onrushing Five-Tails jinchūriki.