Rōshi, in a state between partial and full tailed beast transformation, was now frenzied and powerful. He looked at Uchiha Ryun and retreated slightly, forming hand seals. "Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Technique!"
He opened his mouth, and three to four molten rock balls gathered before shooting toward Ryun.
Ryun's expression turned grave. Unlike the Underground Lava Needles, this technique was a wide-range destructive jutsu. He might be able to withstand it, but the Konoha shinobi and Orochimaru behind him would struggle to defend against it.
Recalling the original story, this technique was countered by Kisame using Samehada to absorb it, followed by water release to suppress it. But now, Ryun didn't have Samehada. While he knew some water release, he had no choice but to confront it head-on.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!" Ryun immediately exchanged points for this A-rank jutsu. With full mastery, he didn't need hand seals—just a single clap of his hands.
A massive wave of water surged forth, crashing against the Scorching Stream Rock. The sizzling sound of fire meeting water filled the air, generating vast amounts of steam that further heated the surroundings. The steam rose into the clouds.
Rōshi gritted his teeth. 'Is this the Second Hokage reborn? Using such a massive water release in a place with no water sources!'
Pure Land
Tobirama Senju sneezed and rubbed his nose. "Who keeps thinking about me? Could it be that inherently evil Uchiha Izuna?"
Uchiha Izuna sneezed. "Brother, are you doing well up there? Are you eating properly? Is everyone in the Uchiha clan alright?"
Battlefield
Rōshi's Scorching Stream Rock was extinguished by the Great Waterfall Technique, but the remaining heat still surged toward Ryun.
Ryun clenched his fists, smashing the molten rocks one by one before kicking the last one back toward Rōshi.
Rōshi activated Lava Release: Hardened Rock Technique, greatly enhancing the defense of his arms as he blocked the returning projectile.
Cold sweat dripped down Rōshi's forehead as he pondered how to break through. Meanwhile, Ryun's heart bled—20,000 points gone! He now only had 280,000 points left!
He mentally added this debt to Rōshi's tab.
Rōshi, realizing he was no match for Ryun in his current state, still had a reason to fight—for his family. He charged forward, launching another Underground Lava Needle with a left hook.
Ryun's Sharingan flicked to the upper right as he blocked with his right arm.
Rōshi didn't stop. His right fist shot forward in a straight punch. Ryun's eyes gleamed as he countered with a right-leg sweep, kicking Rōshi back before his punch could land.
Fists were shorter than legs. Rōshi stumbled back two or three steps, while Ryun used the recoil to flip backward and land gracefully.
"Rōshi, got any more tricks? If not, I'll have to knock you down now," Ryun said with a faint smile.
Perfect Sage Mode was incredibly useful. After all this fighting, his chakra was barely depleted. A moment's rest was all he needed to recover fully.
Though Rōshi's chakra recovery was similar, he couldn't match Ryun in ninjutsu or taijutsu. Yet, he had no choice but to keep fighting—for his family and himself.
With a furious roar, Rōshi transformed into a massive red-furred ape, towering over the battlefield.
The Four-Tails, Son Gokū, roared, its four red tails swaying as it glared at Ryun with crimson eyes.
"Uchiha brat, if you were using your Mangekyō, I'd be wary. But you said you wouldn't. Don't go back on your word!" Son Gokū bellowed, slamming its palms on the ground.
Instantly, hundreds of flaming meteors rained from the sky—far larger in scale, number, and heat than Rōshi's Scorching Stream Rock.
Seeing this, Ryun stopped holding back. Perfect Sage Mode activated as he clapped his hands. "Sage Art: Nine Dragons Shining Heaven Technique!"
Nine golden dragons materialized behind him, lifelike and majestic, their eyes fixed on the incoming fireballs.
"Go!" Ryun commanded coldly.
The dragons surged forward, colliding mid-air. The nine dragon pearls detonated in a deafening explosion, unleashing blinding white light that forced Son Gokū to its knees, its vision overwhelmed. The Scorching Stream Rock disintegrated under the pressure.
"ROAR!" Son Gokū clutched its eyes as it began forming a Tailed Beast Ball. It no longer cared about right or wrong—it just wanted to destroy everything.
Since this attack was focused on Son Gokū, the Konoha and Iwa shinobi on the outskirts were only lightly affected.
"What… what kind of jutsu is this?!" an Iwa-nin muttered in shock.
"Look! The Four-Tails is rampaging! That's a Tailed Beast Ball!" another Iwa-nin shouted.
Ryun's lips twitched. 'Seriously? Can't take a loss? Full tailed beast transformation was bad enough, but now a Tailed Beast Ball after one move?'
A black-red sphere of chakra formed in Son Gokū's mouth, ready to fire.
Ryun unleashed the Nine Dragons Shining Heaven Technique again, this time with precision. The dragons homed in on the Tailed Beast Ball.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Nine explosions erupted, disrupting the Tailed Beast Ball's formation. Son Gokū howled in pain as the force of the blasts sent it crashing backward.
"SCATTER!" Kitsuchi yelled frantically.
The 200 Iwa-nin scattered just as Son Gokū's massive body collapsed, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The Konoha forces erupted in cheers. "Military God! Military God! Military God!"
Ryun crossed his arms and tilted his chin up. "Mere pebbles, not worth half my strength."
Son Gokū's form gradually faded, leaving Rōshi lying motionless on the ground.
Ryun activated Sage Art: Creation of All Things. A giant earthen hand emerged, grasping Rōshi and bringing him forward.
"Someone, bind him!" Ryun ordered calmly.
"Yes, sir!" Konoha shinobi rushed forward. A Hyūga sealed Rōshi's chakra points, while an Uzumaki reinforced his jinchūriki seal, cutting off his connection to the tailed beast.
Now, Rōshi was just an ordinary middle-aged man.
Kitsuchi broke out in a cold sweat. 'Rōshi, a full-fledged jinchūriki and Kage-level fighter, lost even after transforming! Just how strong is Uchiha Ryun?! Damn it! The intel never mentioned he'd be here!'
"Next, it's your turn, old friend Kitsuchi. Last time we met was… well, last time. We hit it off, yet you left in such a hurry," Ryun said with a faint smile.
He raised his right hand. "Magnet Release: Iron Sand Binding!" Iron sand surged from the ground, forming a giant hand that seized Kitsuchi.
Just as he was about to pull Kitsuchi back…