Kaede Tsukasa never saw himself as a savior. He couldn't save everyone, but when it came to someone who looked decent and possessed a secret technique that piqued his interest, that was a different matter.
If possible, he would take every chance to help—rescuing Kato Dan, for example—and he even had a clever idea that might produce some interesting effects on the course of future history.
But if he couldn't save them, there was nothing to say. At most, it would count as a failed support mission. After all, the highest commanders across the battlefield were down, and as a support team leader, Kaede Tsukasa could only do so much.
"Tch, my personal record card is probably going to pick up another failed high-level mission. This feeling really sucks."
Kaede Tsukasa began dispersing his zombies, sending them off to rescue the Leaf ninjas trapped in danger.
Zombies' greatest trait was their fearlessness of death. If it served a purpose, under Kaede Tsukasa's will, they would act recklessly—though this consumed more of his chakra, since zombies only possessed the instinct to bite.
Thus, the Leaf ninjas struggling in the midst of geological upheaval immediately received aid from a fearless, death-defying squad.
In extreme cases, zombies even used their own bodies as stepping stones to boost the jumping Leaf ninjas, though they soon fell into lava, leaving no trace of bones behind.
Similar acts occurred repeatedly, shaking people deeply amid this catastrophe.
"So this is the legendary new secret technique… Zombie Release. I'll remember it."
"Whoa! Using the enemy's body like this—I never imagined it!"
"Killing enemies with their own corpses during battle to protect allies, rescuing allies using enemy bodies—there's no better technique than this!"
Those who instinctively rejected zombies found their attitudes change instantly when they witnessed this unprecedented rescue firsthand, casting grateful glances toward the serious-faced Kaede Tsukasa.
"Kaede Tsukasa—sir, the situation along the coastline is the most critical. It's very dangerous!"
"As soon as we entered the Land of Hot Springs, this disaster erupted. It seems to have been caused by the enemy's human sacrifice!"
"Kato Dan stayed behind alone to hold off the enemy, giving us time to retreat. You must be careful!"
"There's an enormous chakra reading over there."
Iroha followed Kaede Tsukasa closely, using his Byakugan to scan and shouted out.
Several moved swiftly across the chaotic land, dodging jets of steam and lava.
Kaede Tsukasa ordered, "Stop. Don't follow me further. I'll go alone to rescue Kato Dan."
"What? That's not acceptable! We're not afraid of dying!" Might Duy shouted, preparing to activate more of the Eight Gates technique. "Actually, I haven't said this yet, but my Eight Gates technique still has even greater potential—"
"I know!"
Kaede Tsukasa interrupted, looking seriously at Might Duy. "Senpai Duy, I truly believe in your extraordinary talent. You could become my best assistant. But leave the next task to me. You're trying to make me believe in your strength, but don't you believe in mine?"
"Lord Kaede Tsukasa, your youth truly makes me…"
Might Duy, moved to tears, excitedly opened two more gates.
"My bugs can fly," Aburame Shibi said. "If used properly, they can provide some assistance."
"Being afraid of death is one thing. Throwing yourself to die is another! Even I can't guarantee survival against a tailed beast. Why should you? Who among you has a strong jutsu capable of countering a tailed beast? Who can seal it? Who possesses the massive chakra to fight it?"
Kaede Tsukasa looked back at them. "Follow orders. None of us have experience fighting an enemy of this level. It's better if I go alone. I don't want to be questioned by the village for leading a team twice and surviving solo twice."
Last time, he had to take down those three Root ninjas because of the White Zetsu, but this time there's no need to risk everyone. Kaede Tsukasa had to keep his path open in Konoha; there's no reason to burn bridges unless absolutely necessary.
The group watched Kaede Tsukasa's figure disappear into the distance.
Akimichi Fujiki used Multi-Size Technique to scoop up two Leaf ninjas and said, "Hyuga kid, remember to constantly observe the battle ahead with your Byakugan. He's the captain, so we follow his orders."
"But… are we just going to watch him fight alone?"
"I understand how you feel, but it's precisely because you're young that you seem immature and hesitant… The mission comes first. Right now, our task is to obey the captain's orders and rescue as many comrades as possible!"
Akimichi Fujiki recalled his own teenage years—full of vigor and pride, only to realize his talents weren't enough to support his ambitions. That energy eventually faded.
Aburame Shibi spoke quietly, "The captain possesses space-time ninjutsu. Even if the enemy has the power of a tailed beast, he should be able to escape. Our priority should still be rescuing the other comrades."
Iroha's pride as a scion of the Hyuga clan made it unbearable to watch a superior go to certain death. Yet he could do nothing, leaving even his proud heart with a faint crack.
Then, he suddenly turned. "Senpai Shibi? You've been here all along? My apologies. I was following Lord Kaede Tsukasa's movements and didn't notice you were still here. I thought you had gone elsewhere to rescue others."
Aburame Shibi said nothing, simply sending out swarms of her insects.
Suddenly, Iroha turned his gaze in another direction, surprised. He even narrowed his lateral scanning range, extending his vision along a single line. From the southwest, he faintly spotted a small team rushing over.
…
The coastline.
Beneath their feet, much of the ground had turned to lava, with dense, boiling steam constantly rising.
Standing here alone required immense courage.
"Your body should be nearing its limit. The drawback of the Spiritual Transformation secret technique is that the spirit must periodically return to the body."
Roshi pressed a hand against the ground, standing atop a solidified lava rock created with Lava Release, coldly watching the panting Kato Dan across from him.
Kato was in terrible condition. As an elite Jonin, facing Roshi with the terrain advantage, he was at a total disadvantage.
Chakra was nearly depleted, injuries were severe—victory seemed impossible.
Yet the moment he chose to stay behind to prevent Roshi from using Lava Release to further destroy the nearby ley lines and buy time for the main force to retreat, he had already accepted his fate.
Once again, he used Spiritual Transformation Technique. His spirit body, now noticeably dimmer, shot out of his body, piercing through the mist and rushing at Roshi.
"Even if you are a jinchūriki, this level of expenditure is a heavy burden! I will never allow you to single-handedly annihilate Konoha's two thousand ninjas."
Kato poured every last drop of chakra into the attack, abandoning his fallen body, recklessly flying toward Roshi. This would be his final strike; the best outcome he could hope for was mutual destruction.
But Roshi was not so easily defeated.
"Yes, I feel tired too, but the one inside me doesn't."
Expressionless, Roshi's Four-Tails had just warmed up and was now in a frenzied state.
His level of tailed beast transformation increased further. Three tails now swayed behind him, his body almost fully taking the humanoid Four-Tails form, red chakra solidifying into nearly tangible matter coating his body.
He opened his mouth.
Lava Release: Scorching River Rock Technique!