The Third Hokage Takes on the One-Tails

"It looks like the One-Tails has completely taken control of Gaara!"

Ye Fan glanced at Naruto, who still hadn't regained consciousness, and thought to himself:

Looks like I'll be stealing your spotlight this time.

Ye Fan didn't have much respect for Konoha's higher-ups, but the villagers were innocent.

Their thinking had been influenced by Konoha's higher-ups. Sometimes, they didn't even realize they were doing anything wrong.

If he stood by and did nothing now, even more innocent people would be injured or killed.

"One-Tails Shukaku, let's see what kind of power you have."

After making sure Naruto was safe, Ye Fan leaped into the air and raced toward the rampaging One-Tails.

Just as he reached the scene, the One-Tails slammed a palm into the ground. The earth shook, and deep fissures split the ground.

Several shinobi who hadn't managed to dodge in time were crushed into bloody pulp, their lives snuffed out in an instant.

"Are you Uchiha Ye Fan? Get out of here! This isn't something you can handle!"

One of the shinobi surrounding One-Tails Shukaku recognized Ye Fan and hurriedly shouted at him.

Konoha had always had an unwritten rule: young people were never to be sent on extremely dangerous missions.

Usually, those assigned to such missions were older shinobi.

"This monster is far too destructive. Hurry and evacuate the civilians. Leave the rest to me!"

Instead of retreating, Ye Fan charged toward the One-Tails even faster.

"Ye Fan, have you lost your mind? You can't handle it! Get out of here!"

"This is the kind of mission we old-timers should handle!"

Someone in the crowd shouted.

Seeing that Ye Fan still hadn't stopped, they furrowed their brows.

The Jonin leading the group waved his hand. Another shinobi immediately understood and rushed toward Ye Fan, hoping to drag him away.

But!

In that brief opening, One-Tails Shukaku seized its chance and brought down another palm.

A powerful gale burst outward, stinging their faces.

"Captain!"

The Jonin surrounding the One-Tails could only watch helplessly as its enormous hand came crashing down on their captain.

They knew perfectly well that even if they rushed in, they couldn't save him. They would only throw their lives away.

Ye Fan's expression darkened as he looked up at the enormous hand. He raced forward at incredible speed and pulled the captain back from the brink of death at the last possible moment.

"Glad I made it!" Ye Fan let out a long breath. He didn't want that man dying because of him.

The others stared at the unharmed captain, unable to understand what had happened.

When they finally came around, they were dumbfounded.

"Ye Fan's speed..."

"That was unbelievably fast!"

"Did any of you see how he saved the captain?"

"No, he was moving too fast. I couldn't see a thing!"

For a moment, the group even forgot that they were still in danger and could lose their lives at any second.

Only after the captain reminded them did they snap out of it and continue using ninjutsu against the One-Tails.

The captain, who had just escaped death, had no time to be surprised. He rushed back into the group and resumed directing their efforts against the One-Tails.

Ye Fan admired their spirit from the bottom of his heart. They had truly put their lives on the line.

Though the shinobi world was full of hypocrisy, some people were still willing to risk everything for what they wanted to protect.

Ye Fan suddenly realized that perhaps this world wasn't quite beyond saving after all.

Ye Fan stretched, his thoughts unclear, but there was more resolve in his eyes.

Just as he was about to act, a booming voice rang out around them.

"Ninjutsu: Summoning Technique!"

A giant toad dropped from the sky and landed heavily on the One-Tails, pinning it into the ground.

A white-haired middle-aged man stood atop the toad's head. It was Jiraiya.

"I hope I'm not too late," Jiraiya said softly.

"Lord Jiraiya!"

"No, you arrived just in time!"

The crowd stared at Jiraiya, trembling with excitement.

The One-Tails' strength had left them feeling hopeless, but the man before them rekindled their hope.

It was as if, with him around, even the sky could fall and everything would still be all right.

"Has the Jinchuriki completely lost consciousness? This is going to be troublesome."

"Looks like I'll have to beat the Jinchuriki awake!"

After thinking it over, that was the only solution Jiraiya could come up with.

"Go help out elsewhere. I'll handle things here."

Jiraiya swept his gaze over the scene and gave the order.

Without hesitation, the others hurried off to help elsewhere.

They understood that if they stayed, they would only distract Jiraiya. They'd be more useful supporting the others.

"Ye Fan, is the Third Hokage all right?"

Looking at Ye Fan, Jiraiya realized that Orochimaru had been defeated.

Otherwise, Ye Fan and the others wouldn't have been here.

"He was injured a little. He'll probably need to rest for a while."

"Mm. That's already the best possible outcome. You should get out of here, too!"

Feeling the One-Tails' fierce convulsions, Jiraiya knew Gamabunta wouldn't be able to hold it down much longer.

Ye Fan considered it for a moment, then nodded.

"Jiraiya, be careful... You looked pretty cool just now."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Fan slipped into a nearby high-rise and quietly watched from there.

Now that Jiraiya was here, Ye Fan wouldn't have to get involved.

He had every confidence in Jiraiya. The One-Tails Jinchuriki shouldn't be any problem for him.

"Huh?"

Jiraiya turned Ye Fan's words over in his mind, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"If I remember right, that brat Ye Fan has never complimented me before."

"Please. I'm the Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku. Of course I'm cool."

"Jiraiya, stop daydreaming! I can't hold it down anymore!"

Gamabunta roared and launched himself off the One-Tails.

He knew he'd get hurt if he didn't move now!

"Whoa..."

Gamabunta's sudden departure nearly made Jiraiya lose his balance and tumble to the ground.

"Gamabunta, do you have to be so jumpy? The One-Tails hasn't killed me yet, but you nearly shook me to death!"

"Quit talking. The One-Tails is getting back up. I can feel how furious it is."

Gamabunta took a deep drag on his pipe, drew the long sword at his waist, and braced himself for battle.

Jiraiya watched the One-Tails, whose Qi had grown even more volatile, his expression unusually grave.

"Die! Die! Die!"

"You dared to pin down Lord Shukaku! You must die!"

The One-Tails snarled through gritted teeth, its voice chillingly eerie.

"Gamabunta, get to work." Jiraiya's expression turned serious as he began forming hand seals.

"Got it!"

With his pipe clenched between his teeth, Gamabunta charged at the One-Tails, long sword in hand.