A sphere of blue chakra suddenly condensed mid-air!

Swipe!

The thumb-sized chakra sphere expanded rapidly, transforming into a blazing sun in an instant, its intense glow reflecting off the earth's surface.

Super Big Ball Rasengan!

Boom!

The Super Big Ball Rasengan clashed violently with the Particle Style technique, detonating like a planet colliding with another.

The sky erupted in chaos, bathed in blinding hues of blue and white as the explosive shockwaves tore through the atmosphere, scattering clouds like feathers in a storm.

At the epicenter, arcs of purple-black lightning sparked, surging wildly through the space between the techniques—space itself trembling, warping under the strain of their collision.

For a long moment, the world stood still.

Then, gradually, the brilliance faded. The sky returned to its natural shade, though the tension lingered like a bruise.

Far away, on a rocky slope—

The surviving troops of the Hidden Stone Village watched with eyes wide in disbelief. Their bodies trembled as the truth set in.

Now they finally understood Tsuchikage-sama's muttered regret.

This wasn't just a battle. Even the aftermath could vaporize a Chūnin in seconds.

But what frightened them more was the calm, composed figure in a mask—Ayanami Kaito—who seemed utterly unfazed, even dominant.

Gulp.

Someone swallowed hard.

"H-He's too strong..."

"Lord Tsuchikage, we're no match for them!"

"Then—who is that man?"

Voices rose with confusion and dread, only to be swallowed by an eerie silence.

---

On the battlefield—

Kaito stood unmoved. After effortlessly countering Ōnoki's Particle Style, the old Tsuchikage had regrouped with Roshi and Han.

But now, something was different.

Both Roshi and Han had tails flicking behind them—tailed beast chakra swirled ominously around them, thick and malevolent.

"They've tapped into their tailed beasts," Kaito muttered.

He didn't seem concerned.

The earlier clash had given him all the data he needed. Ōnoki was operating at peak Kage level.

Roshi was also Kage level in base form—fully transformed? Unknown.

Han, on the other hand, was Elite Jōnin at best normally, but became Kage-level when fully utilizing his tailed beast.

Even together, they couldn't match Kaito.

His strength was on another level—one step above even the strongest Kage. A Super Kage.

"You seriously think this is enough to keep me here?" Kaito asked coldly.

"Boy!" Ōnoki barked. "I told you—I will capture you today! For the 10,000 shinobi who fell in our village!"

He turned to his comrades. "You two—press the attack. I'll provide support!"

The two nodded grimly.

Whoosh!

They shot forward.

Roshi's body radiated molten heat like a living volcano.

Han surged forward like a steaming juggernaut.

Two streaks—one crimson, one silver-white—charged straight at Kaito.

From a distance, Ōnoki formed a hand seal. Earth chakra surged beneath him.

[Earth Style — Gangeki Style Technique!]

The ground trembled violently. Rocks and soil converged behind Kaito, forming an enormous golem with arms raised high.

With a roar, it hurled a punch the size of a house straight at Kaito's back.

At the same time, Roshi and Han closed in.

Steam exploded from Han's body, amplifying his power.

Roshi's lava flames intensified, heating the air to a blistering boil.

Three-pronged attack. From both flanks and above.

Kaito scowled.

"Wasting my time," he muttered.

Lightning flickered across his right hand, condensing into a blade of pure thunder.

With a casual backhand slash, he cleaved upward without looking.

His palms thrust forward.

Chakra surged at his fingertips—ten mini Rasengans emerged and launched instantly.

Each one expanded midair, transforming into Big Ball Rasengans.

Lava and steam stopped mid-charge.

The sight of ten enormous Rasengans filled them with dread.

They'd seen one of these cancel Ōnoki's Particle Style earlier.

Now there were ten?

Roshi and Han immediately dodged—but they knew the margin for error was razor-thin.

As they evaded, Kaito weaved hand seals.

[Shadow Clone Technique!]

A clone burst into existence. Both Kaito and his clone blitzed the two retreating enemies.

Boom!

Twin fists collided with Han and Roshi's defenses, sending both flying. Blood sprayed midair.

At the same time, the giant rock golem above Kaito collapsed in half from his earlier slash, crumbling into rubble.

Ōnoki's eyes widened. Blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.

"No... we still can't hold him back?!"

His heart clenched.

He couldn't fail—not today.

He grit his teeth, slamming his palms together again.

"[Get up for this old man!]"

The crushed golem resurrected, rocks reforming midair behind Kaito once more.

"Boy! I won't let you escape! I carry the dignity of the Third Tsuchikage—and the will of the 10,000 fallen shinobi!"

Ōnoki shouted with all his might, his body lifting into the air as he commanded the golem forward again.

"Die!"

The massive rock fist descended with explosive force.

Kaito didn't even flinch.

"No matter how many times you come... The gap between us isn't small—it's a canyon."

Lightning surged across his blade again.

Slice!

A blinding flash cleaved the golem clean in two once more.

ROAR! ROAR!

From the horizon, two guttural bellows echoed through the sky, rattling the clouds.

Two monstrous chakra signatures surged forward.

Tailed Beasts.

---

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