Amaterasu was undoubtedly one of the most powerful dōjutsu abilities.
When paired with Kagutsuchi, the black flames could be shaped and manipulated freely, limited only by the user's imagination. Its versatility rivaled that of the Rasengan, capable of both offense and defense, and able to merge seamlessly with other ninjutsu as an enhancement.
Hayashi did not possess Kagutsuchi.
However, he could first shape his technique, then layer Amaterasu over it like an enhancement. The result was not far from the effects achieved by Sasuke Uchiha.
The main difference lay in activation speed.
Sasuke could ignite Amaterasu instantly with a glance, while Hayashi relied entirely on manual execution. Naturally, this made his process slower.
Fortunately, his hand speed more than made up for it.
With his refined chakra control and exceptional dexterity, few shinobi could rival him in forming hand seals. Even puppet masters, who relied heavily on their hands, could not match his speed.
Once, Chiyo, the greatest puppeteer of her era, had remarked on this.
"Konoha's Lightning Flash possesses divine hands, capable of mastering countless techniques, even those that should never be revealed."
The comment carried an odd tone, but its meaning was clear.
Hayashi's control was extraordinary.
The Chidori Sharp Spear, wrapped in black flames, tore through the air as it shot toward the Jinchūriki.
There were many theoretical ways to defend against Amaterasu. However, when combined with overwhelming force and precise throwing skills, avoiding it became extremely difficult.
Especially when five attacks were launched in rapid succession.
In truth, Hayashi did not need to go that far.
The Six-Tails Jinchūriki had never encountered Amaterasu before. Mistaking it for ordinary Lightning Release, he casually swung his tail to intercept the incoming spear.
The result was immediate.
Black flames spread across the tail, clinging tightly and refusing to extinguish. From a distance, it resembled a dark flower blooming in the air.
The Jinchūriki froze in shock.
The flames would not go out.
Even the corrosive chakra cloak that usually protected him was being consumed.
Before he could react further, another piercing sound echoed.
A second strike landed.
This time, the Chidori Sharp Spear broke through his defenses and pierced directly into his shoulder. The speed and penetrating force of the technique drove it deep into his body.
A painful roar erupted.
The Jinchūriki collapsed, rolling across the ground. Yet it changed nothing.
The embedded spears began to disperse into arcs of lightning, feeding the Amaterasu flames as they burned even more intensely.
Hayashi had no personal grudge against him.
They had never met before.
But this was war.
A battlefield where survival was the only rule.
He did not dwell on ideals or grand philosophies. Ending the conflict and achieving his objective was all that mattered.
And that objective remained unchanged.
Retrieve the Byakugan.
Everything that had happened today was for that purpose.
Allowing Mei Terumī to live had been a decision made in the moment by his shadow clone. It did not reflect his own will.
Human nature was complicated.
Yet in the face of an enemy like the Six-Tails Jinchūriki, hesitation had no place.
From a distance, White Zetsu observed the battle in silence.
For a brief moment, it was stunned.
Then it lowered its gaze.
"Failed."
Without another word, it sank into the ground. Its role was not combat. It needed to report back and determine the next course of action.
If the Jinchūriki completely lost control and transformed fully, the resulting disaster would be far more devastating than Hayashi's attack.
Meanwhile, the battle continued.
Amaterasu had already burned through large portions of the Jinchūriki's body.
Then, suddenly, the flames were forced back.
A surge of dense red chakra erupted outward, isolating the damage.
This was a familiar pattern.
When pushed to the brink of death, a Jinchūriki often lost control, allowing the Tailed Beast to take over completely.
The same thing had once nearly happened to Naruto Uzumaki.
This transformation was not guided by the host.
It was the will of the Tailed Beast.
The Jinchūriki's body convulsed.
Thick, viscous fluid poured out, reshaping his form. His body twisted unnaturally, rising like a puppet pulled by invisible strings.
Then, his human shape disappeared entirely.
In its place stood a massive creature.
The Six-Tails.
Saiken.
Its body resembled a giant white slug, similar in form to Katsuyu, though far more menacing.
A piercing hiss filled the air.
Its six tails swayed, and its antennae trembled as it released a chilling presence.
Having regained control, Saiken immediately attacked.
It opened its mouth and unleashed a torrent of corrosive liquid, scattering it across the battlefield.
The acid struck the ground and trees, producing a violent sizzling sound. Vegetation withered instantly, turning into powder under its effect.
The sheer corrosiveness was terrifying.
Hayashi observed calmly.
He took out a kunai and tested one of the floating bubbles. The liquid dripped onto a patch of Amaterasu on the ground.
The reaction was immediate.
The black flames surged violently, nearly flaring up toward his arm.
His eyes sharpened.
The corrosive substance did not extinguish the flames. Instead, it enhanced their combustion.
Interesting.
A spark of curiosity flickered in his mind.
If this substance could be preserved and studied, it might become a valuable resource.
He crouched down, preparing to seal some of it.
At that moment, Saiken's gaze locked onto him.
It did not matter that Hayashi had contributed to its release.
To a Tailed Beast, humans were all the same.
Saiken launched another wave of corrosive liquid.
Hayashi leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the attack.
But the assault did not stop.
One of Saiken's massive tails swung down with tremendous force.
A cold glint flashed in Hayashi's eyes.
Lightning Release surged through his body, accelerating his movements to their limit. He vanished from his position and reappeared to the side.
The Chidori Sharp Spear in his hand crackled with energy.
In a single motion, he drove it deep into the tail.
Then he moved.
With his speed, the spear carved through in a clean, precise line.
The tail was severed instantly.
This was not his first time doing such a thing.
In fact, it had become almost routine.
With a flick of his hand, he threw out a sealing scroll. A Large Rasengan formed as a temporary barrier while he quickly sealed the severed tail inside.
His movements were smooth and practiced.
This was no spur-of-the-moment decision.
He had clearly planned this.
Targeting Tailed Beast tails so shamelessly, and doing so with such enthusiasm, was something few could imagine.
Yet Hayashi executed it without hesitation.
Saiken froze for a brief moment.
Then its rage exploded.
The ground trembled as it began forming a Tailed Beast Ball.
Seeing this, Hayashi immediately stored the scroll and turned away.
"Time to go."
Without looking back, he dashed off at full speed.