The rumored Rashomon, said to separate life and death, held for only three seconds before being overwhelmed by the relentless torrent of Iron Sand.
Yet Orochimaru remained calm. If the barrier failed, they had teammates ready to cover.
As expected, Jiraiya leaped forward, planting both hands on the ground.
"Toad Mouth Binding Technique!"
With a surge of chakra, a red, sac-like wall erupted from underground, writhing like a living creature.
The Iron Sand collided with it and was swallowed, absorbed as effortlessly as a clay ox sinking into the sea.
Jiraiya grinned smugly. The stomach and intestines of the toads from Mount Myōboku were renowned for their defensive and trapping capabilities. They could handle even a torrent of Iron Sand.
Could it burst? Not a chance. While smaller than the mighty Slug Sage, the toad's digestive system was impressively vast. Ordinary intestines might measure six or seven meters—these were far larger.
Jiraiya's confidence was absolute. In his view, no ninja alive could hope to destroy the toad wall.
"Good defense," Orochimaru praised, stepping back. Even he could manage to block the Kazekage's Iron Sand if necessary.
But there was no need. Rashomon and the toad wall worked together in tandem. The heavier the barrier, the more chakra consumed, but as a team, they could rotate pressure without exhausting any one member.
Jiraiya nodded at the praise, pride evident in his smile. Opportunities to show off were rare—why waste one?
"As long as you give me enough chakra," he boasted, "I could even swallow Shukaku."
Orochimaru blinked. Among them, everyone except Jiraiya had fought Tailed Beasts, some multiple times, including Hayashi. And yet Jiraiya spoke of them as casually as if they were ordinary animals.
Orochimaru concluded that Jiraiya must have lost his mind during his time in the Rain Village—either he had grown remarkably powerful or recklessly foolish.
Once the Iron Sand was absorbed, Jiraiya dispersed the toad wall. The Third Kazekage floated above, untouchable for now.
"Fire Release: Hōsenka Tsumabeni."
Hayashi, though an Uchiha, rarely relied on Fire Release. Still, he was proficient, and now he launched multiple fire-imbued shuriken, each with head-sized flames attached, scattering across the air toward the Kazekage.
Being airborne limited the Kazekage's mobility, and adding shuriken to fire made the attack's trajectory unpredictable.
He waved a hand, and another layer of Iron Sand rose, shielding him with dense, flowing barriers. The flames collided with the sand with a tearing sound, the heat forcing some of the iron to fall.
Sakumo drew his White Light Chakra Sabre, swinging three times into the air. Electricity arced along the blades, extending them five to six meters instantly.
"Clang!"
The chakra blades met Iron Sand with a piercing, metallic screech.
"A skilled swordsman," the Third Kazekage remarked, descending to the ground. Airborne granted safety but limited his taijutsu and speed. He realized that repeated Iron Sand attacks alone would not overcome this coordinated team.
After all, Magnet Release could not compare to the Tsuchikage's Dust Release—a Kekkei Tōta capable of annihilating anything. Though both were elemental releases, Dust Release was far superior.
As the Kazekage landed, Orochimaru and Sakumo charged without hesitation, while Hayashi fell into the support role they had planned.
With Hayashi's genjutsu ready, Orochimaru and Sakumo could breach even the Kazekage's thick Iron Sand defenses. Jiraiya remained at range, prepared to harass and rotate with the frontline as needed.
The four of them moved in perfect coordination, each prepared for a rotating battle rhythm.
By now, Tsunade and Shikaku should have already deployed the full Konoha force. As long as the Kazekage could be contained, victory in this war would be within reach.