Though it's unclear why the opponent chose to wield a weapon that would restrain him, discovering Akago had such a weakness was an unexpected delight.
Witnessing this, Sarutobi Linko and another Konoha Jonin's eyes lit up. After paying a heavy price in sacrifice, they finally saw the hope of victory.
With hands forming a seal, the Konoha Jonin spat out a beam of thunderous light. It transformed into a light rope entwined with lightning and wrapped around Akago, binding him tightly.
Severely injured by the Blood Spear, Akago's physical strength began to rapidly deteriorate.
The Blood Spear pierced through once again, and Akago, restrained by the light rope, was powerless to dodge, watching helplessly as his body was pierced.
He coughed up blood and fell stiffly to the ground.
The shaft of the Blood Spear pointed skyward.
Sarutobi Ryu walked over, pulled out the Blood Spear from Akago's body, gripping it tightly, meeting Akago's gaze.
Akago grew increasingly weak, raising a trembling hand towards the Blood Spear in Sarutobi Ryu's hand, wanting desperately to reclaim it.
"...give...it...back...wake..."
The weakness was evident in Akago's eyes, devoid of ferocity and bloodlust, leaving only pitiable pleading as if begging Sarutobi Ryu to return what was his.
Sarutobi Ryu merely stared coldly at Akago without responding, but felt relieved inside, knowing this weakness wasn't feigned.
This meant the otherwise immortal creature finally could perish.
He didn't know why Akago craved this spear, but no way would he return such a mysterious and potent ninja tool capable of killing the undead creature.
This was Konoha's spoils of war, and he needed to take it back to Konoha, to unlock its secrets and mark it with the insignia of Konoha Village.
As Sarutobi Ryu's eyes clearly refused, Akago continued to look pitiably pleading, but when he opened his mouth, he found himself too weak to produce any sound.
Shortly, his hand fell weakly from mid-air, and the breath of life vanished from his body.
"Is he dead?"
Sarutobi Linko walked over to ask, glancing warily at Akago's corpse.
It was her first fight against an enemy with such bizarre powers; if Akago had been more clever and rational, it would have been them who perished.
"If he hadn't died now, I'd really be at a loss. Seems we got lucky."
Sarutobi Ryu made a jest before coughing weakly, his wounds tearing further, letting out cold, hissing sounds.
Sarutobi Linko finally felt relieved.
Sarutobi Ryu leaned on the Blood Spear for support, letting Sarutobi Linko perform simple wound treatment, turning his gaze towards Jiraiya's side.
"It's okay, Linko."
"But your body..."
"Your Chakra is already low, use it sparingly. As the son of the Hokage, I haven't fallen that low yet. All that's left is handling the situation over there."
Sarutobi Ryu took a deep breath, exchanged glances with Sarutobi Linko and the other Konoha Jonin before moving closer to Jiraiya, heading over to assist in battle.
As the three turned and took a few steps, a strange sound erupted from behind, accompanied by a chill that made their bodies freeze, causing their movements to stiffen.
Turning back, they saw Akago, who should have been dead, slowly rising from the bloodstained sand.
His neck twisted grotesquely, lifeless eyes fixed on the three.
The gray, lifeless eyes made their hearts tremble.
Bang!
His body exploded without warning.
Rain of blood spattered, landing on Sarutobi Ryu and the others.
The trio stood stunned, unsure of what had just occurred.
From the bloody remnants of Akago's explosion, a being unfurled its previously curled limbs, gradually opening its eyes, emerging from sleep.