The Four-Tails, Son Goku, fled swiftly, having outwitted Tengen. As the battlefield receded, it seemed to escape Susanoo's reach.
A smirk crossed Son Goku's face. "I'm the clever one. Ultimate ninjutsu? If I had such a thing, would I need to run?" it chuckled. "But I got away. Even if you wield the Sage of the Six Paths' power, what of it? I'm still one step ahead."
Its escape quickened, wary until Susanoo was out of sight.
Suddenly, a chilling sensation gripped Son Goku, as if an unstoppable force loomed. "No, !" It turned, only to see a black arrow streaking from the distance. Before it could react, the arrow pierced its rear.
The Four-Tails was struck with excruciating precision.
The pain was unbearable.
"Argh!" Son Goku was blasted skyward, black flames from the arrow, Amaterasu, spreading across its body. The combined force of Armament Haki and ki surged within, overwhelming it.
In an instant, the dozens-of-meters-tall Four-Tails vanished, crashing somewhere unknown.
Tengen stared, dumbfounded. His aim had been unnervingly accurate, striking Son Goku in such a humiliating way. "I swear that wasn't intentional." he muttered, shaking his head. He had no such crude hobbies.
Still, the system chimed, confirming the mission's completion. Rōshi was defeated, securing half of the ultra-clear X-Men video. "I'll spare your life." Tengen said, glancing into the distance. He believed Rōshi might survive the attack.
Susanoo's gaze then turned to the Iwagakure ninjas. They had found Son Goku's defeat amusing, until Tengen's eyes met theirs. Fear replaced their mirth; with Rōshi's fate uncertain, they faced imminent danger.
The battle raged for nearly an hour, ending in Konoha's decisive victory. Of the two hundred Iwagakure ninjas, few escaped. Most perished, while Konoha's losses were minimal, a true triumph, all thanks to Tengen.
The man rumored to wield the supreme Mangekyo Sharingan, a power divine.
"Tengen, you're incredible. I'm convinced." Hyuga Hizashi said, awestruck. "The Mangekyo is truly a formidable kekkei genkai. In terms of attack power, the Byakugan can't compare to the Sharingan." The terrifying might of Tengen's Susanoo likely surpassed Kage-level strength, a warrior capable of clashing with tailed beasts.
"It's a pity we didn't capture Rōshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki." Hizashi added, recalling Son Goku's escape.
"Even if he fled, it'll take time for Rōshi to recover his strength." Tengen replied.
"Well done. Tengen, Kushina, both of you have more than passed." Hizashi said with a smile. Their performance wasn't just satisfactory; it was flawless.
With that, Tengen and the others left the battlefield, heading for Konoha's camp. Normally, a day's reconnaissance would continue, but circumstances made that impossible.
Back at Konoha's camp, word spread of their encounter with Iwagakure's ambush. Tengen had slain dozens with the Flying Thunder God Technique, cut down more with his devastating kenjutsu, and overwhelmed the Four-Tails, Son Goku, with the legendary Susanoo. These feats cemented his reputation among Konoha's ninjas.
This trial had solidified Tengen's standing. He wasn't just Kage-level, he surpassed it.
No one objected when Tengen was named one of the battlefield's commanders.
---
Some ten kilometers from the battlefield, a hand clawed its way from a cave.
"Where… am I?" The red-haired, bearded man, Rōshi, groaned, scanning his surroundings. "I lost control… transformed into the tailed beast."
A sharp pain shot through him as he moved, his body scorched and aching. "What kind of injury is this?" The black marks were Amaterasu's lingering effect. Had the attack struck Son Goku's core, Rōshi might be dead.
"Four-Tails! Four-Tails!" Rōshi focused, seeking answers. Son Goku knew what had happened.
"Stop babbling and get back to your village." Son Goku's weak voice replied. "That Tengen is too strong. Don't cross him again." The arrow's full force had left the tailed beast gravely wounded.
"You were defeated?" Rōshi said, incredulous. Few could challenge a tailed beast, not even most Kage, save perhaps the Third Raikage.
"Obviously. You'll understand when you're back." Son Goku muttered before falling silent, unresponsive to Rōshi's calls.
"To Iwagakure's camp." Rōshi decided, avoiding the battlefield. If Konoha's ninjas remained, he'd be in trouble. Judging by the sky, hours had passed, any surviving Iwagakure ninjas had likely fled.
At Iwagakure's camp, dozens of battered ninjas arrived, startling their comrades. "Weren't they with Rōshi-sama? What happened?"
"Get medical ninjas!" Someone shouted, noting the wounded.
"I need to see Kitsuchi-sama." a Jonin declared.
"Alright." The Jonin was swiftly led to Kitsuchi's tent.
***
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