Drip, drip, drip.
At some point, a light rain had begun to fall from the sky.
It landed on people, cool and refreshing.
But deep in Kirigakure, the rain hadn't even had a chance to fall before a scorching force swept it away!
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
"Roar!"
Soon, torrents of powerful Chakra erupted one after another, strong enough to split the sky. Like a volcano suddenly blowing its top, they burst out around Yagura!
Boom!
Crack—bang!
In that instant, the ground, which had been paved with bluestone bricks, was torn apart!
The deep earth beneath was exposed!
The ruined houses, already battered by the fierce battle, were swept away by the rampaging energy!
A tornado of Chakra rose from the heart of Kirigakure, reaching all the way to the sky!
"Not good! He's gone berserk! The Three-Tails has completely lost control! Retreat, retreat! Get back!"
Mei Terumi's expression changed drastically at the sight.
Her alluring green eyes were filled with panic and worry.
This was the heart of the village, not somewhere outside. Even with barriers in place, they might not be enough to stop the rampaging Three-Tails!
Besides!
Unlike the power of a fully transformed tailed beast, a rampaging tailed beast was like a tool that knew nothing but destruction!
It did nothing but destroy everything in its path!
For a village, that was nothing short of a devastating blow!
So, after hesitating for just a second, she grabbed Ao, who was still stunned, and tossed him away while warning him. At the same time, she covered herself in Lava Release Chakra:
"Go get Lord Genji!"
"Lady Mei Terumi—" Ao's startled cry came from the air.
His feelings told him he couldn't leave Mei Terumi behind in the middle of the battlefield.
But!
His reason told him he'd be