Orochimaru took the lead in attacking the Third Kazekage, while Hayashi played the critical supporting role. As long as his guiding genjutsu landed, Orochimaru could inflict serious damage.
Yet the Third Kazekage remained composed. With a flick of his fingers, the Sand Iron Tree released four or five massive spears.
These iron sand spears, vibrating at incredible speeds, cut with devastating force, moving as fast as Orochimaru himself.
By the time Orochimaru realized their approach, he was already near the Kazekage, yet he twisted his body in a bizarre, serpentine dodge, narrowly avoiding the lethal spears.
The Third Kazekage did not spare Hayashi either, launching several spears in his direction. Thanks to the Sharingan, Hayashi's perception reached its peak. Chidori charged in his hand, and he clashed with one of the three-meter-long spears. With a sharp crack, the iron shattered into scattered fragments.
Hayashi quickly tracked the Kazekage's movements, releasing genjutsu in a surge toward him. But the Third Kazekage vanished in an instant.
"Too slow," the mocking voice rang behind Hayashi.
"You can't even catch my body, yet you dream of casting genjutsu?"
A ferocity flashed in his cold blue eyes. His hatred for Hayashi surpassed that of any other Leaf ninja, fueled by past defeats in the Land of Rain.
The Kazekage waved his hand, condensing a massive flow of iron sand in the sky like a river, forming a descending curtain aimed directly at Hayashi.
Around him, countless iron sand shuriken floated, ready to strike anyone attempting escape. The Third Kazekage's targeting was swift and precise, leaving Hayashi barely any reaction time.
"Lightning Release: Chidori Nagashi!"
A surge of bright blue light erupted. The sand iron clinging to him lost cohesion and fell back to the ground. Electricity disrupted the magnetic properties, proving the basic principles of chakra and elemental manipulation.
Seizing the opening, Hayashi rushed toward the Kazekage, Chidori sparking in his hand.
"A brat not afraid of death, I like that most," the Kazekage murmured.
Iron sand shuriken rained down, surrounding Hayashi. Each strike hit like a miniature bomb, forcing even Orochimaru to evade the lethal edges. The vibrations of the sand iron amplified their destructive power.
Thanks to the Sharingan, Hayashi could predict their paths, adjusting his movements and closing the distance. But the Third Kazekage's mastery meant the field quickly became saturated with iron sand shuriken, forcing Hayashi to retreat with a Body Flicker to avoid being overwhelmed.
Orochimaru pressed forward, sword in hand, clashing against the iron defenses. Minutes passed, and his injuries began to mount. Hayashi considered their next move. Without sight of the Kazekage's body, he relied on sound, attempting another genjutsu. But it failed.
The Third Kazekage's ears were covered with a thin layer of vibrating iron sand, neutralizing external sounds. A seasoned veteran of the First Great Ninja War, he had anticipated the Uchiha genjutsu.
After repeated clashes, Orochimaru was bleeding, struggling under the relentless assault. Hayashi knew that continuing to fight would only wear them down. Escaping seemed the only option, but leaving meant Shukaku would be captured, failing their mission. Determined not to fail, Hayashi shifted to plan B.
He sprinted toward Shukaku's seal. The Third Kazekage noticed the move, unease flickering in his eyes, while Orochimaru pressed on despite his injuries.
Waving his hand, the Kazekage shaped a colossal iron hand from the Sand Iron Tree, pressing down toward Hayashi.
Stars of lightning illuminated the night as Hayashi channeled chakra into his right hand, Chidori expanding and intensifying until it transformed into Lightning Cutter.
The massive iron hand split with a tremendous gap, and Hayashi propelled himself forward, reaching Shukaku's seal. Though he could not break the towering seal with his strength alone, he had a plan.
Pulling out an explosion tag, he pasted it onto the iron sand. Unlike ordinary tags, this one was covered in strange symbols front and back. He activated hand seals, then created distance with a Body Flicker.
"Explode!"
The tag flashed, setting off a chain of explosions. Minutes later, the dust cleared, and Shukaku, condensed from the sea of sand, roared in anger. The Tailed Beast gathered chakra, forming a massive Tailed Beast Ball in its mouth. With a roar, it launched the attack at the Third Kazekage and Orochimaru, still caught in the battle.
Bang!
The Tailed Beast Ball exploded, engulfing both figures instantly, shaking the battlefield with a deafening force.
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