The Land of Earth Front.
This place could no longer be called land.
The air was filled with the acrid stench of burning and the dust of pulverized rock.
Beneath their feet, the original hills and mountains had vanished completely, replaced by a terrifying wasteland that seemed to belong to another world.
Vast craters plunged into unfathomable depths, as though meteorites had fallen from the heavens.
Across the ground lay great swaths of smooth, mirrorlike glassy crystal. It was glass formed when materials melted under the intense heat of Fire Release, then completely erased by Dust Release, leaving only these traces behind.
Beside the crystals were sharp ravines carved by fierce winds, and contorted terrain crushed into shape by earthen walls.
At the heart of this ruinous landscape, two figures stood facing each other from afar. Their labored breathing rang clearly through the silent battlefield.
This was a battlefield where only the two of them could stand. "Huff—huff—"
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, hovered in midair. Fatigue and stubbornness were written all over his wrinkled face.
Even his ridiculous big red nose had turned somewhat pale from the tremendous chakra he had expended.
Across from him, the Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen, clad in battle armor, was breathing just as unevenly. The Adamantine Staff in his hand had returned to Enma's form, and the monkey crouched at his side, baring his teeth as he warily watched their opponent in the sky.
"Monkey—how much longer can you hold out?" Ōnoki's voice was hoarse, his mockery undisguised. "You've burned through far more stamina than I have."
Sarutobi Hiruzen ignored the provocation. Calmly, he put his pipe back in his mouth and took a deep drag. The smoke he exhaled mingled with the battlefield dust.
"Ōnoki, I'll admit you have some advantages in the air—but regardless