"Orochimaru... seems to have vanished from our sight for quite a while. I hope nothing's happened to him," Jiraiya said, standing atop the rooftop of the Round Tower, scanning continuously for any trace of Orochimaru, with several still-warm corpses of Mist Ninja lying beneath his feet.
"Tch. With Orochimaru's nature, he'd be right at home in a place like this. Instead of worrying about him, we should focus on what we need to do," Tsunade replied from behind Jiraiya.
Actually, Orochimaru hadn't disappeared—he had simply never been with them from the start.
Unlike Jiraiya, though, Tsunade didn't feel particularly concerned about Orochimaru's safety. Her perception and understanding of him had, to some degree, been deeply influenced by Haseo.
And that influence was definitely more than just minor.
Jiraiya felt puzzled—when Tsunade spoke just now, her tone and manner were completely unlike her usual self; yet it wasn't unfamiliar either. In fact, it felt oddly familiar.
How strange.
That's why true friends stick around forever—only Jiraiya genuinely cared about Orochimaru's whereabouts.
But in Kirigakure, an enemy stronghold filled with threats, there was no time or space left for them to dwell on anything beyond their own survival. Inside enemy territory, staying focused was essential for staying alive.
Jiraiya's brief emotional distraction ended instantly. The next moment, he instinctively crouched into a posture brimming with sharp vigilance.
Tsunade's eyes were locked onto something not far ahead—an enemy squad led by a one-armed figure.
"Third Mizukage?" she asked.
Jiraiya nodded. "Most likely. The features match."
Beneath the Round Tower lay a mighty Toad, a colossal Katsuyu, and a giant serpent. These powerful summoned beasts had already inflicted serious damage on the Hidden Mist Village in a short amount of time. Whether through destruction of infrastructure or heavy casualties, they had carried out their duties admirably.
So when the Third Mizukage saw the devastation of his village, however composed his face remained, his inner fury was easy to imagine.
In comparison, losing an arm previously wasn't such a big deal after all.
"Tsunade, normally speaking, considering the mission, we should avoid direct combat with someone as powerful as the Mizukage. However… this time, I want to give it a try." After a moment's thought, Jiraiya finally stopped retreating and made his decision.
The mission required their infiltration team to keep moving while causing destruction for maximum effect. Yet fighting the Mizukage would inevitably lead to an all-out battle—one that would devolve into a grueling, drawn-out conflict.
At which point, being surrounded and trapped to death became the most likely outcome.
But sometimes people act on emotion, not reason. Young Jiraiya, for instance, was driven by a fierce desire to prove himself—to finally become a ninja who could stand on his own.
For him, the standard of becoming a true ninja was to step out from Haseo's "shadow." Although he couldn't surpass Haseo in one step, the outcome of his fight against the Mizukage would certainly prove something.
"Yeah, let's give it a shot... I've got your back on everything but the Mizukage."
The bond among teammates wasn't worth doubting, but Tsunade's straightforward agreement still surprised Jiraiya noticeably.
"I thought you'd object."
"Cut the crap. I only hope I won't come to regret this."
Jiraiya thought his determination had moved Tsunade… Well, that was part of it. Actually, at that moment, Tsunade recalled Haseo and the Third's "star-making plan."
Therefore, engaging in battle with the Mizukage seemed like a necessary thing to do.
...
At another unknown location within the Mist Village.
Sakumo Hatake had become separated from everyone else when an enemy suddenly blocked his path.
"If I'm not mistaken," said the bulky enemy, "the sword you carry on your back should be Mist's Samehada. There's always luck within misfortune—no matter how big or small—tonight, despite the village being attacked, we've managed to regain Samehada."
His eyes locked greedily onto Samehada.
Though Sakumo showed no special expression, he clearly began building up his thoughts and emotions internally. He unsheathed Samehada, holding it before him, then spoke. "You want it? If you want it, come take it! How will I know you really want it if you don't say so first?
How can you prove you truly desire it unless you try taking it?"
Damn it, where the hell did you pick up that retarded way of talking?!
However, even before its master fully pointed Samehada forward, the blade itself became unusually excited ahead of time.
It felt as though delicious food had been placed right before its eyes—an experience it had never tasted yet somehow knew deep in its core...
Mm, like the milk of a stepmother for her own child.
...
"What should we do? Should we go assist Mukan-sama?"
On the outskirts of the battlefield where Haseo and the Six-Tails Jinchuriki fought, several Mist teams had already surrounded the area.
This was within Mist territory. Since a jinchuriki is such an important figure for any village, once Mist ninja detected someone battling against the Six-Tails host, they immediately responded by attempting to provide timely aid and protection.
But that was impossible because they couldn't advance further.
"The acidity of the mist ahead is beyond our ability to withstand. Help? The battle up there isn't something we can interfere with at all."
Thick acidic mist covered the entire region, with enough strength to reduce ordinary ninja into bones within just one or two minutes.
"This might actually be good news—no enemy could possibly stand a chance against Haseo in a place like this."
Someone tried comforting themselves like this.
"But... haven't you noticed? The sounds of battle have never stopped since the beginning."
"There are always those who get carried away with optimism, while others throw cold water on their excitement with logic and reality.
But no matter what these Mist Ninja say or think internally, the only undeniable fact is that they truly cannot interfere in the battle currently taking place.
At the center of the acidic mist,
Haseo had already been engaged with the enemy for some time. At first, he was battling the jinchuriki, but as time passed, his true opponent became the Six-Tails itself.
The Nine-Tails (or rather, its chakra) naturally serves as a powerful stimulus to other tailed beasts. Though all tailed beasts share the same origin, their relationships have never been harmonious. Since they're immortal beings, mutual distrust, conflict, and even violent battles among them are nothing serious—after all, none can truly kill another.
Throughout history, countless battles have occurred between tailed beasts.
Especially the Nine-Tails. Its reputation and popularity among the other tailed beasts are notoriously poor. As the strongest among them, it looks down on and mocks every other beast with fewer tails and less power.
Just how many tailed beasts had the Nine-Tails openly mocked and disrespected?
Stimulated by the Nine-Tails' chakra, the Six-Tails' chakra and consciousness grew particularly active.
Precisely because of this, once the jinchuriki partially transformed into a tailed beast form, full transformation became an irreversible process.
Fighting someone like Haseo demands tremendous power, yet that very power risks causing the jinchuriki to completely lose himself.
Haseo gently wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. In this highly corrosive environment, even breathing was a luxury that required careful calculation. He had to consume massive amounts of chakra to maintain his Water Release mode, all while forcing the Six-Tails to fully reveal itself.
By now, he was already quite battered.
Haseo somewhat regretted his earlier decision. If he'd known this would happen, he should've gone after the Three-Tails' jinchuriki first instead of the Six-Tails'. After all, the end result would've been the same—why go through all this trouble just for three extra tails?
Right now, not only was the air filled with acidic mist, but puddles of acid had also formed on the ground. Everything around was continuously being corroded, and the space beneath Haseo's feet was rapidly shrinking.
Setting aside the jinchuriki, this particular tailed beast was indeed formidable. Even when weakened, Haseo couldn't kill it outright—now that it had reached full power, even subduing it would be a challenge.
[Consciousness Sealing], a technique that could easily lead to his own downfall, was absolutely impossible to use while inside an enemy nation.
Fortunately, the most difficult part was already over.
Because now, the Six-Tails had completely overtaken the jinchuriki. It had broken free from its seal and transformed into its full tailed beast form, radiating the peak of chakra power.
At this point, practically any normal method was useless against the Six-Tails. Even Haseo's kinjutsu would struggle to take down a fully transformed tailed beast. Yet… he hadn't released it recklessly—there was always a reason behind it."
This immense chakra would certainly be detectable by a sensor ninja, but the thick mist completely concealed Six-Tails' massive figure.
When Haseo lifted his head, all he could see was a giant shadow.
No matter how many times one witnesses it, the overwhelming chakra of a tailed beast always makes one's heartbeat stop.
Six-Tails aimed its head toward Haseo and began producing its own oil mixture with a two-to-eight ratio of Yin to Yang… Once a tailed beast regains its freedom, it truly transforms into nothing more than a mindless force of destruction.
A ninja village? Sorry, when the time comes to attack, using a Tailed Beast Ball is absolutely necessary. Right now, Six-Tails had grown thoroughly tired of this ninja hopping around in front of him like a flea.
If Mist ninjas witnessed this scene, they would definitely be horrified—who on earth dares to ignite such an explosive display? However… Haseo had always believed that for all its power, the Tailed Beast Ball was a waste of chakra.
Or…
He simply thought its destructive force wasn't strong enough.
Haseo released the Nine-Tails' chakra from his body. The sealing formula on his shoulder slowly opened up, revealing the spiraling patterns of the Four Symbols Seal across his skin.
Ignoring the threat of the incoming Tailed Beast Ball, Haseo started forming hand seals. Then, a soft yet mysterious glow began emanating from his right arm.
[A Creature Who Has Lived Since Ancient Times—Before Even the Era of Ninja—The Loneliness of Thousands of Years Only I Can Understand. And the Only Way to End That Solitude Is Through Eternal Death. But I'm Not Capable of Doing Something Like That.]
[Imagine How Lonely You'd Be Without Me...]
[And My Tenderness Can Only Give You Temporary Relief.]
With those overly dramatic words, Haseo stepped forward—and in an instant, he transformed into a streak of light.
Under his incredible speed, the enormous form of the tailed beast became nothing more than a stationary target.
Although theoretically, he should have no effective means against such a large target.
However, he had already experimented with his new ninjutsu.
Moreover, he was a ninja possessing all five nature transformations.
Without any resistance, Haseo's arm easily pierced into Six-Tails' body. Corrosive bodily fluids immediately began eating away at his skin...
But compared to the damage Haseo received in return, this "simple" and "localized" attack was probably nothing more than a tickle to the tailed beast.
Actually, it didn't even scratch deep enough to be considered a proper tickle.
Yet after delivering this strike, Haseo wasted no time lingering—he immediately sprinted outward as fast as possible.
Chakra is chakra—whether it came from a ninja or a tailed beast. Its essence remains unchanged. Unlike humans, tailed beasts are pure manifestations of chakra itself.
Which meant they were highly volatile—practically a walking bomb.
A small glowing spot lit up on Six-Tails' body.
Then it rapidly expanded.
The Six-Tails' attempt to charge its Tailed Beast Ball was suddenly cut short. Then, it immediately released an extremely sorrowful scream. Its entire body twisted violently, convulsing in agony... It was almost unimaginable that such a colossal creature could cry out this painfully. The sound itself could bring sorrow to those who heard it, making them empathize and feel heartbroken.
Then, the world fell into absolute silence — a pure void of white and black.
In an instant, the Six-Tails was enveloped within a brilliant white orb. Countless ribbons of light, as wide as rainbows, swirled endlessly around it.
The upper half of the orb rotated counterclockwise while sinking downward, whereas the lower half moved in exactly the opposite manner, swirling upward in a violent cyclone rotating clockwise. Its scorching core spewed outward waves of heat like pulses of molten metal, unleashing unstoppable destruction.
Following that, the outer edge of the orb continuously expanded outward, encompassing countless people and objects within its reach.
Until half of the Hidden Mist and half of the surrounding plains were drawn inside.
This orb continued radiating heat like the sun without dissipating after the expansion ceased... No one knew how long it would last.
Beyond the atmosphere, high up in the cold vacuum of near space, on the shadowed side of the moon, deep within the endless expanse of the cosmos... A spinning, blazing spot of light had become a visible astronomical phenomenon spanning several astronomical units.
Every decent ninja eventually needed their magnum opus — a jutsu, or more precisely, an Ultimate Art. And the one before them marked Haseo's culmination of his early life's effort...
[Ninjutsu: Five Elements]
[Shōtenme Daikōhan] – The Great Rainbow Eye of Life
With his small brush, Haseo delivered something refreshingly original upon this tiny planet.
It was just too bad — no matter how powerful this technique might be, it was not the kind capable of transcending time and appearing in the past.
Its legacy would remain visible far into the distant future, yet none from the past would ever witness this magnificent spectacle.
But all things considered...
The planet's eye had been opened, right above the Hidden Mist.
How truly delightful.
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