He began to survey his surroundings.
Among those who noticed the roaring Eight‑Tails and Two‑Tails, both Gamabunta and Manda widened their eyes at the same time.
"What the hell, Jiraiya? You think so highly of me?" Gamabunta barked.
"You think you can take on the Tailed Beasts? Just how much do you underestimate my strength?"
Even Gamabunta, who had faced Shukaku, the One‑Tailed Beast, didn't think he could handle it. The Two‑Tails and Eight‑Tails in front of them were far beyond ordinary comprehension.
"Well…" Jiraiya, perched atop Gamabunta's head, scratched his head awkwardly at the toad's sarcasm.
Manda was much more straightforward.
"Orochimaru, you bastard! After this, you owe me a thousand men! And don't even think about bailing at the last minute!"
Orochimaru, calm as ever, didn't flinch. This was far from the first negotiation like this, and he was accustomed to it.
Manda stayed silent after that. Alongside Gamabunta and Katsuyu, he moved to confront the Two‑Tails and Eight‑Tails.
"Come together! Mrs. Wentai!"
"Ninja Art — Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"
Jiraiya made the first move, combining toad oil with his Fire‑Style techniques. Tsunade and Orochimaru weren't idle either; they coordinated attacks, striking at the Two‑Tails and Eight‑Tails with precision and combined strategy.
---
Elsewhere, combat raged across other parts of the battlefield.
Minato Namikaze confronted his old rival, the future Fourth Raikage, A. Yotsuki.
"Minato Namikaze, right? Your strength is impressive. I acknowledge you," the Raikage said. Their fight had been ongoing for years, and now A. Yotsuki had recognized Minato's skill.
"This is for atonement," Minato said, his warm, sunny aura replaced with grim determination. The stigma of being "Konoha's sinner" had changed him.
Meanwhile, the Third Raikage moved relentlessly across the field.
Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza struggled to restrain him. Even the legendary Ino‑Shika‑Cho trio, known worldwide, found it nearly impossible to hold him.
"Damn it! Shadow Binding Technique is useless!" Shikaku growled, frustration written across his face. The Third Raikage's speed was too great for his shadow to keep up. Even if connected, the Raikage's superhuman strength broke the hold instantly.
"Don't even mention my Mind Transfer Technique—it's useless!" Inoichi said, equally helpless.
They could only try to coordinate with Choza, using the Akimichi clan's Multi‑Size Technique to restrain the Raikage.
"Hahaha! Pig, deer, and butterfly? Nothing special!" the Third Raikage laughed, seeing the trio struggle.
Shikaku's face darkened. Once again, he felt the futility of planning in the face of absolute power. Even with his exceptional intellect, restraining the Third Raikage was impossible.
"If only Lord Liuyun were here…" Shikaku sighed.
The thought of Qingshan Liuyun comforted him. Under Liuyun, there had been no concern about enemy strength. No matter how strong, Liuyun had always been stronger.
---
The Third Raikage, however, overheard Shikaku. Though he internally acknowledged Ryūun's power, he kept his composure outwardly.
"So what if that Golden Lion is here? I've trained hard. Next time we meet, I won't lose!"
This was the Third Raikage's last act of defiance. He might not win, but he would never admit defeat.
Just as Shikaku was about to reflect on the Raikage, a calm, familiar voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Yeah?"
"Um?"
The sudden sound froze the Third Raikage mid‑attack. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Flowing Clouds!"
Tsunade also stopped, her expression lighting up as she followed the voice.
From mid‑air, Qingshan Liuyun descended at lightning speed. Noticing Tsunade's gaze, he smiled and raised a hand toward the Two‑Tails and Eight‑Tails.
"Earth Scroll — Technique of the Earth's Rise!"
"Boom! Boom!"
The ground beneath the Two‑Tails and Eight‑Tails trembled violently. Within several hundred meters, the earth shifted, rocks and soil moving unnaturally. Waves of stone surged, enveloping the tailed beasts.
"Here we go again…"
The Two‑Tails and Eight‑Tails exchanged helpless glances. It was that monster again. Neither attempted further resistance; they knew they couldn't match Qingshan Liuyun. Better to feign submission than be crushed.
"It's him!"
Through the Two‑Tails' perception, Yugito recognized Ryūun and felt joy. She had thought she might never see him again, but now, the longing in her heart was reignited.
Seeing the tailed beasts subdued, the Third Raikage's eyes burned with resentment.
"This monster…"
After half a year apart, Aoyama Ryūun's strength left the Third Raikage in near despair. He could not comprehend it. At this level, further growth required time—a resource he had yet to accumulate.
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