Under Orochimaru's All-Encompassing Sword Technique, the group finally managed to pressure the Third Kazekage.
"Did we get him?" Jiraiya, who had contributed a crucial control technique, asked casually.
Hayashi clenched his fists. Didn't Jiraiya know that such words often implied the fight wasn't over? Even he had thought the same just moments ago.
But even a fool would know it wasn't over yet.
The Third Kazekage, famed as one of the strongest, didn't rise to power by receiving compliments.
Protected by the Iron Sand Shield, even a precise Kusanagi Sword strike could only do limited damage.
Furthermore, the shield itself could attack, while the numerous Kusanagi Swords were mere shadow clones.
The spectacle was grand, but its real damage was restrained.
As the smoke cleared, a solid black Iron Sand sphere remained in the center of the crater.
Gradually, it merged back into the surrounding flood, revealing the Third Kazekage, injured but far from defeated.
He wiped the blood from his hand, his expression fierce.
For a Kage to be suppressed by four juniors was humiliating.
Facing the Third Hokage in the future would be unbearable.
"You will all die!"
With a roar, the Iron Sand Shield shattered, and countless sharp fragments erupted, separating Orochimaru and Sakumo.
Completing a rapid series of hand seals, the Kazekage launched one Iron Sand spear after another from the black flood on the ground.
Vibrating at high speed, each measured over three meters.
"Iron Sand Gathering Assault!"
Orochimaru pulled the Kusanagi Sword from the python's mouth, bracing against the attack.
Ordinary weapons would not endure.
The vibrating Iron Sand clashed against the tip, producing sparks and grinding sounds.
The legendary sword, however, held firm, inching forward slowly but steadily.
Sakumo's White Light Chakra Saber radiated brilliantly, slicing the Iron Sand Spears with precision.
The Third Kazekage knew these efforts were insufficient but succeeded in isolating the pair for a moment.
He couldn't defeat both, but perhaps he could handle one.
He advanced toward Orochimaru, launching ninjutsu with reckless abandon.
A well-aimed side kick struck Orochimaru's ribs, sending him flying.
"Cough… cough…" Orochimaru spat blood, relieved that his body modifications prevented serious injury.
A heavy thud came from the ground—Jiraiya had summoned Mount Myōboku's toad, Gamabunta.
In the chaos of battle, such summons might seem extravagant, but Jiraiya had a plan.
"Hayashi, can you put the Third Kazekage under genjutsu? I have a way to destroy the Iron Sand."
Hayashi, surprised, quickly assessed the situation.
The Third Kazekage's movements were relentless.
Continuing without a strategy would be futile.
"Let's risk it," Hayashi said through gritted teeth.
He immediately formed a Shadow Clone.
The clone grabbed the main body's arm, flinging him into the air.
At the apex of his ascent, Hayashi flipped backward one and a half times, spinning 360 degrees, releasing eight kunai toward the ground.
The Iron Sand intercepted the kunai.
The Third Kazekage kicked Sakumo aside, turning just in time to see Hayashi descending.
Their eyes met.
The genjutsu struck instantly: Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.
Four Iron Sand spears flew in, sealing the Kazekage's space midair.
"Chidori Stream!"
The Third Kazekage countered, but Hayashi's genjutsu finally took hold.
After a long battle, this success was crucial.
"It can only last a few seconds," Hayashi warned Jiraiya.
The Sharingan-specific genjutsu trapped the Kazekage's limbs as if driven by wedges, powerful yet fleeting.
It couldn't compare to Itachi's Mangekyō-level techniques.
A few seconds wasn't enough to kill the Third Kazekage.
The Iron Sand shield continued to operate autonomously, forming a massive defense.
Even Sakumo's most powerful techniques might struggle to breach it.
"You two get out of here!" Jiraiya shouted, forming hand seals.
Sakumo immediately used Body Flicker Technique to retreat.
Hayashi, falling through the air, formed a Wind Release seal to distance himself.
"Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"
Flames fused with Gamabunta's oil and Jiraiya's fire chakra, roaring toward the Kazekage.
Simultaneously, the Shadow Clone activated: Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
This mixed ninjutsu was equivalent to several jōnin working together.
Under the wind's enhancement, the flames approached S-rank magnitude.
Hayashi, a natural Uchiha fire user, had never seen Fire Release of this scale.
The Third Kazekage awoke mid-flame, unable to dodge:
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Defense!"
Iron Sand rushed to protect him, forming an airtight triangular barrier.
The fire raged, but even water would struggle to penetrate this compact shield.
For nearly two minutes, the flames burned the Iron Sand, melting the defense gradually.
Finally, the near S-rank ninjutsu ended.
But the battle wasn't over.
Gamabunta expelled four massive Water Release attacks, dousing the Iron Sand heated by the flames.
Steam and cracking sounds filled the air—the Iron Sand was fracturing.
If the shield failed, the Third Kazekage's strength as a Kage would be severely compromised.
Jiraiya's plan had worked: using two extreme elemental techniques to weaken the Iron Sand.
Hayashi could only admire his foresight.
"Truly a genius," he muttered silently.