As the steam from the scorched battlefield dissipated, the Third Kazekage emerged from the thick haze.
He had no time to dodge, only able to defend hastily. Though not directly struck by Fire or Water Release, the searing steam had already caused severe burns. His sharp, chiseled face was marred, and even his exposed arms bore painful scorch marks.
It was reminiscent of Pakura's Vapor Demonic Murder, yet the irony was clear. The most damage had not come from the fierce strikes of Sakumo or Orochimaru's lethal attacks, but from Jiraiya, observing from the sidelines, manipulating the battlefield with his combined ninjutsu.
The Kazekage's face twisted with rage.
"I'll kill you all!"
Magnet Release: Iron Sand World Technique.
With immense chakra, the Third Kazekage summoned the Iron Sand, violently gathering it from the surrounding ground and launching some skyward. His ultimate move displayed overwhelming power and momentum, a devastating finisher saved for the right moment.
Why hadn't he used it earlier? No one begins a battle with their ultimate, just like no one plays their trump card at the start of a card game. The move consumed vast amounts of chakra, and he had underestimated these four opponents initially. He had hoped for a quick quadra kill, planning to return and crush the rest later.
But reality was harsher than ideals. His teammates were still standing, and his health was already low. Reluctantly, he unleashed his trump card.
Yet his opponents didn't wait. Sakumo, wielding White Light Chakra Saber, and Orochimaru attacked immediately. Hayashi, observing from the side, snapped his fingers and sent a genjutsu toward the Kazekage. Normally, it would have been ineffective, but Jiraiya's Fire Release had broken the iron sand layer over his ears, allowing the genjutsu to reach him.
"One second," Hayashi reminded Jiraiya, drawing kunai in each hand. This genjutsu wasn't Sharingan-based, so its duration was much shorter.
Sakumo and Orochimaru reached the Kazekage. Within that single second, Orochimaru slashed at his shoulder while Sakumo stabbed at his chest. Without the Iron Sand Shield, the Kazekage's defense was ordinary—one precise strike could be lethal.
Hayashi noted the hesitation. Why weren't Orochimaru and Sakumo aiming for vital points? Then it clicked: a living Kazekage had more value than a dead one.
Jiraiya explained with a grin, "Only the living can create the greatest impact."
Indeed, in this ninja world, it wasn't about taking life, but gaining advantage. A captured Third Kazekage held immense strategic and monetary value.
Seeing the Kazekage struggle to open his eyes, Orochimaru quickly formed several seals, slamming his palm on the Kazekage's forehead and striking the back of his neck. Within moments, the Third Kazekage slipped into a complete coma.
Orochimaru produced a sealing scroll from his ninja tool bag, unrolled sturdy hemp ropes, and expertly bound the unconscious Kazekage, hoisting him onto his shoulder.
"Just a small chakra-sealing trick," he remarked when Hayashi raised an eyebrow.
Hayashi could only be impressed. Success in even this abduction required incredible skill.
"Let's head to the main battlefield. Jiraiya, signal the jonin captains—we've won here."
"Alright!" Jiraiya said, grinning smugly. He had contributed the most and clearly relished the credit, imagining Tsunade impressed enough to consider him romantically.
Orochimaru's patience waned. "Jiraiya, hurry up."
"Just a moment! I'm naming our child first."
Sakumo sighed and summoned two eagles. Small ninja beast summons were standard for commanders. The eagles cried loudly as they soared above, their shrill calls carrying far across the battlefield.
Orochimaru and Hayashi, carrying the Third Kazekage, advanced to the final battlefield. The eagles' cries served as a clear signal of victory for the Leaf shinobi.
The Sand Shinobi could not decipher it, but every jonin from Konoha understood: the strongest Kazekage had fallen. Even the most confident felt the weight of relief.
The four-year war that began in the Land of Rain seemed on the verge of ending.
Atop a massive slug, Tsunade's voice rang out, amplified by chakra:
"Leaf shinobi! The Third Kazekage has fallen! We have won this war! The village is behind you, your families await—what are you waiting for? Let our enemies hear our roar, witness our strength, and feel the will of fire in our hearts. Shinobi, fight for the Leaf! Charge!"
Her voice surged across the battlefield. Countless ninjas raised their heads, pride swelling in their chests as they watched the bloodied woman who had led from the front.
"Everyone, charge! Eliminate these enemies!"
"Charge!"