A sudden turn: Kazuma's backup plan

In the deep, dark Valley, the Third Hokage took a slight breath, his face pale as he stared coldly at Orochimaru.

The coldness in his eyes was bottomless, but even more so, it was a deep sense of self-blame and sadness.

The figure before him seemed to transport him back to the past, to the scene of the first meeting between master and disciple years ago, which was still vivid in his mind. A thin mist clouded the eyes of the Third Hokage.

"Still daydreaming at a time like this? It's an injustice if you don't die, Third Hokage!" Tōka, who had been watching the Battlefield closely, narrowed his eyes coldly.

The battle is about to end!

Orochimaru was clearly not going to let go of such a golden opportunity. He immediately moved closer to the Third Hokage and thrust out his sharp Kusanagi Sword, aiming straight for the Third Hokage's heart.

In true battles between strong individuals, flashy Ninjutsu is merely an initial probe and a means of attrition, because few strong individuals can be hit by powerful Ninjutsu.

Therefore, the real battle that decides the outcome lies in the most mundane strike or sword!

Boom!

Suddenly, a huge Mushroom Cloud shot into the sky, engulfing the entire Forest in smoke and dust.

In the Valley, black mist filled the air, making it impossible for the Third Hokage and Orochimaru to see what was happening outside.

But the deafening roar made their hearts tighten, and then an extremely evil and countless negative emotions filled the space.

The Third Hokage snapped back to his senses, sidestepped, and kicked Orochimaru in the stomach. The immense force sent Orochimaru flying backward like a bent shrimp.

"This chakra..."

It's the Nine-Tails, there's no mistake!

Naruto...

The Third Hokage performed several somersaults and leaps to create distance, quickly escaping Orochimaru's entanglement. He then turned and, like a nimble ape, swiftly climbed up the cliff.

Orochimaru was tumbling in mid-air, plunged his sword into the ground, wedging it between two Rock slabs, forcefully dissipating the impact force to stabilize his body.

Upon seeing the Third Hokage's actions, Orochimaru's Golden Slit Pupils narrowed dangerously, his killing intent palpable, like a ferocious beast about to erupt.

They ran away!

That old guy actually ran away!

A feeling of being abandoned, a feeling of being looked down upon, a feeling of being ignored, just like when I was running for the Fourth Hokage!

Everyone...

Everyone in Konoha hopes that the Fourth Hokage will be that man!

Orochimaru, expressionless, lowered his body to gather his strength. Chakra erupted from his legs, and his body sprang into the air like a spring, landing steadily on Manda's head.

"Manda, chase!" Three simple, cold, and emotionless words.

Even Manda, who always liked to challenge Orochimaru, remained silent this time and "obediently" followed, wiggling his large tail as he chased after them.

Because Manda knew that Orochimaru was angry.

While Orochimaru is dangerous in his normal state, he's nowhere near as terrifying as when he's angry...

Whew!

A gust of wind whistled past my ears, and the Tree Shadow on either side rushed past.

The Third Hokage's purpose in coming here was to rescue Naruto, Sasuke, and the others. When he sensed the chakra surge during the Nine-Tails' rampage, he naturally had no reason to stay and fight any longer.

After leaving Orochimaru behind, the Third Hokage's figure transformed into a black shadow and flashed into the dense forest.

He didn't even need to turn around to see what was happening behind him; he could hear the noise behind him.

Orochimaru stood atop Manda, crushing everything in his path, swathes of Forest flattened by Manda's massive body.

A series of rumbling buzzing sounds constantly assaulted the Third Hokage's ears.

"No, they'll catch up if this continues!" At this moment, the Third Hokage didn't want to deal with Orochimaru; he only wanted to ensure Naruto's safety first.

Once the Tailed Beast Transformation reaches its complete form...

The thought of this possibility sent a chill down the spine of the Third Hokage!

On the night the Fourth Hokage died several years ago, the house was ruthlessly destroyed, and figures lay in pools of blood amidst the ruins, their fates unknown...

Screams of grief, cries of helplessness.

Everything felt as if it had happened just last night; all the scenes kept flashing before the Third Hokage's eyes, lingering there for a long time.

Roar!!

A heart-wrenching roar shook the mountains and forests, and tangible, blood-red chakra permeated the air, creating an evil and eerie atmosphere that pressed down on everyone's hearts.

Kakashi had already evacuated everyone; at this point, he simply couldn't possibly take care of hundreds of defenseless villagers.

The villagers dropped their heavy objects and scattered in all directions. At this moment, time was of the essence; perhaps running a hundred meters more in just one minute would save them from certain death.

A woman is holding a child, a man is carrying an elderly person on his back...

"I remember you!" Kakashi, who had already lifted his Forehead Protector to reveal a scarlet Sharingan, stared at Kazuma with a serious expression.

"You are the original Twelve Guardian Ninja, Kazuma Furido!"

"Oh? You actually remember me, Kakashi. Do you know what he is?" Kazuma sneered, pointing at Sora, who was in a berserk state not far away.

"Nine-Tails' chakra, Tailed Beast Transformation..."

At this moment, Sora was just like the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki going berserk, with a blood-red Chakra Cloak covering his body.

Kazuma glanced at Sora Tailed Beast Chakra was overflowing and howling in agony, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

This is his son, and also his most outstanding work.

During the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha, Sora had a portion of the Nine-Tails' remaining chakra transplanted into her body by Kazuma, becoming Nine-Tails Pseudo-Jinchūriki.

In other words, Sora Kazuma created Jinchūriki, Tailed Beast who possessed the Jinchūriki of Tailed Beast Chakra but did not have one.

It may not be as Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, or even the One-Tail Jinchuriki, but its strength should not be underestimated.

With a flick of the wrist, it can turn an entire mountain forest into ruins; its destructive power is astonishing.

"Aren't you going to stop him? Kakashi!" Kazuma roared, his eyes flashing with a crazed, bloodthirsty glint.

Having lost his mind in his Tailed Beast Transformation, Sora has become a pure killing machine.

In its eyes, there is no distinction between good and bad, life and death; there is only one word—kill!

Kill! Kill! Kill! Destroy everything!

Roar!!

With a roar, Sora, Tailed Beast Transformation, leaped into the air, covering a distance of over a hundred steps in an instant, his hand, wreathed in evil chakra, lashing out with a claw strike!

In an instant, a foul wind arose, and three clearly visible scarlet claw marks streaked through the air.

Any tree or rock touched by the claw marks was split into four pieces, the cuts clean and smooth, without a single burr or protrusion.

Get out of the way!

This was Kakashi's first thought. If he were hit head-on by the opponent's attack, he would be no different from those broken trees and rubble that had been neatly cut open.

It will definitely be divided into four!

However, Kakashi, who had just raised his foot to dodge using the Body Flicker Technique, suddenly froze in place, because he remembered that many villagers had recently fled behind him.

Given the villagers' speed, it would be impossible for them to escape the enemy's attack range in such a short time.

"Using Earth Release... I wonder if it can withstand that."

Kakashi's hands flew rapidly, Earth Element chakra within his body surged wildly, quickly converging as the hand seals formed.

Earth Release: Multiple Earth-Style Walls!

Boom boom boom!!

Countless earthen walls sprang up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, standing in rows in front of Kakashi.

Instantly shut out the gust of foul wind that Kong raised his hand to stir up.

The brief silence did not reassure Kakashi; instead, he increased the amount of chakra he channeled. Although there were many Earth Release: Earth Style Wall, they were as fragile as paper in the face of the Nine-Tails Chakra.

We must weaken the enemy's strength layer by layer!

Boom!

With a muffled thud, Kakashi's expression changed slightly, his Finger Bones protruded, and his pale fingers pressed hard against the ground.

Come on! Drink up!

Buzz!

A surge of powerful chakra rushed into the earth, making the earthen walls in front of Kakashi seem even stronger and more solid.

Bang!

Three blood-red claw marks slammed into the first layer of earthen wall, and a crisp cracking sound rang out!

No surprises!

The Earth Style Wall shattered instantly, turning into countless fragments of rock and debris that scattered across the sky.

Although the wall was destroyed, Kakashi's efforts were not in vain. The three scarlet claw marks suddenly weakened as they broke through the earthen wall.

Clearly, the claw marks thrown in the air were much less powerful.

"There are two more layers..." Kakashi's face turned pale, and the three bewitching Tomoe in his Sharingan began to spin wildly.

Bang!

The second layer of earthen wall collapsed with a deafening roar, and the powerful force rebounded onto Kakashi's body, causing a sweet, warm, and slightly metallic sensation to rise in his throat.

Kakashi gritted his teeth and swallowed back the sweet, metallic taste of blood.

The three scarlet claw marks that rushed straight down from the sky became much more transparent, as if they would disappear in an instant.

But only Kakashi knew that the last earthen wall couldn't hold them back.

Should we move aside?

Once they moved aside, the villagers fled into the Forest behind them...

Just as the claw marks were about to crash into the last Earth Style Wall, a strange whirlwind swept by, and the claw marks that had been so menacing just moments before were blown away as lightly as mist.

"Kakashi, you look rather disheveled!" A cool voice sounded behind Kakashi.

Kakashi glanced to the side and saw Tōka standing there with his arms crossed, a mocking expression on his face. The noise outside had also ceased.

It looks like Tōka Ge was the one who did it.

However, a question also arose in Kakashi's mind at the same time Tōka appeared.

Since Tōka appeared here unharmed, why would he send out that message?

Kakashi squinted at Tōka, scrutinizing him as if trying to discern something from his face.

After a long while, nothing came of it.

Kakashi slowly withdrew his gaze, wondering to himself, "Where exactly are Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura?"

Tōka could also see that Kakashi's strength was more than enough to deal with Kazuma, and even the berserk Tailed Beast Transformation of Sora was no problem for him.

He only had to take the giant claw of the Tailed Beast to protect the villagers who were fleeing behind him.

"What an idiot, if it were me, I would definitely dodge it." Tōka stretched out his hand, a dense ball of Yang Release Chakra shimmering in his palm.

With one hand casually resting on Kakashi's shoulder, a warm current flowed down Tōka's arm and into his body.

Kakashi's internal organs, which had been injured by the Tailed Beast's giant claws, began to heal as if parched land had finally received rain.

This feeling made Kakashi feel as if he had been transported back to more than ten years ago, to the Battlefield of Third Shinobi World War, to the days when he fought alongside Tōka in Minato-sensei's team.

Tōka...

He is a trustworthy companion.

"What are you daydreaming about? They're about to attack." Tōka, having helped Kakashi recover considerably, clapped his hands and stepped aside.

"Can you handle that guy?" Kakashi stared at Kazuma, the guy he was referring to was naturally Sora in his Tailed Beast Transformation.

Tōka smiled faintly without speaking. Although his deep black eyes had Eternal Tenseigan, they still took in the scene within a ten-mile radius.

The Third Hokage arrived quickly, and Orochimaru was no slower. With the help of Manda, the two seemed to be locked in combat once again.

To prevent Kakashi from causing trouble, Tōka decides...

I'll just stay and observe!

"Don't worry, I'll stop him!" Tōka said confidently, and Kakashi was just waiting for these words; his target was Kazuma.

As the captain of the Anbu, Kakashi knew everything about Kazuma's background Kazuma his idea of a jewel.

They insist that real power among ninjas should be held by the Daimyō, and that the Hokage is unnecessary.

This extremely terrifying ideology is even more dangerous than Ku in his Tailed Beast Transformation.

Kakashi's only thought at that moment was to stop him.

"Please!" Kakashi said without turning his head, and then dashed away in Body Flicker Technique.

Clang!

A sharp Kunai leaped out of his Ninja Tool Pouch, and Kakashi caught it with a flick of his wrist.

His thumb passed through the ring on the Kunai's handle, and his four slender fingers gripped the handle tightly, holding the sharp Kunai firmly in his hand.

"Coming for me?" Kazuma is no pushover either. He was already Jonin during the Nine-Tails' Rampage, and even if he's not Kage Level ninja now, he's still Elite Jonin.

Kazuma showed no fear when facing Kakashi, especially Kakashi who had fought him in an aerial battle while he was in his Tailed Beast Transformation.

Kazuma stretched out his Ape Arm, gripped the staff, and charged back at Kakashi.

Clang!

The hard tin staff Kunai with the sharp kunai, the violent impact sparking a burst of blinding Kakkō.

The two men leaned forward slightly, struggling to block each other's weapons, their faces flushed red from the exertion, neither willing to back down an inch.

With Kazuma and Kakashi locked in a stalemate, Sora, in his Tailed Beast Transformation, showed no signs of stopping.

Having lost his target, Kong's gaze fell on the person closest to him— Tōka!

"I said, why don't we just watch the show? Acting is exhausting!" Tōka helplessly shrugged, sensing the murderous intent emanating from Kong's bloodshot eyes.

Having been corrupted by evil chakra, Sora had completely lost his mind and was incapable of understanding Tōka's words.

At that moment, only one thought was churning in his mind: destruction, to destroy everything!

Roar!!

With a furious roar, Sora was now a monster devoid of humanity, completely controlled by the Nine-Tails Chakra.

He braced himself with both palms on the ground, half-squatting, in Beast- like posture.

Call out!

With a sudden burst of energy, Kong's legs propelled him dozens of meters forward. He then used his hands, like forelegs, to support his body, dissipating the intense impact before landing on all fours and sprinting towards Tōka.

"Tsk, what an ungrateful bastard." Tōka shook his head and slowly raised his arm.

A cluster of dazzling golden light flashed at her fingertips, and Ice Blue halo danced in her eyes. Tōka had no intention of killing Kong.

Because he finds these "artificial" Jinchūriki interesting, he will avoid vital points with this move.

Buzz!

A blinding golden light shot through the air, transforming into a golden halo as Tōka waved his arm. Kong, whose mind was consumed by the desire for destruction, was completely unaware of the impending danger.

The blood-red Chakra Cloak looked strangely out of place under the golden light.

"If you cut off the leg, you won't be able to move anymore!" Tōka's eyes turned cold, and her arm suddenly swung down...

Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!!