The Main Battlefield, Arrival

Rumble!

Trees were effortlessly knocked down, buried, and crushed as shifting sand rampaged through the forest like a flood.

With Bunpuku as their bond, Shukaku and Rasa coordinated with each other and launched a fierce assault on Sen Chisato.

Sen Chisato darted through the forest. Even as he had to deal with attacks from Shukaku and Rasa every so often, he remained relaxed and composed.

"Is this brat a monkey or something? How can he be so nimble?" Rasa's brow furrowed as he controlled the Gold Sand and sent it attacking.

What was more, they weren't getting any closer to the kid.

At this rate, he really would escape to the main battlefield.

So Rasa turned to Bunpuku and shouted, "This is a battlefield. Put aside your mercy! That brat is our enemy. If he grows stronger, he'll be a disaster for the Sand Hidden and the Land of Wind!"

This was no exaggeration!

Given the brat's age and talent, once he grew up, he might well become the next "God of Shinobi."

They couldn't let Konoha produce another powerhouse like that!

That was why Rasa was reminding Bunpuku so earnestly.

He was already giving it his all, and still hadn't caught the kid. Bunpuku had to be the reason!

Bunpuku must have been overcome by compassion again and started hesitating.

Bunpuku sighed. "Telling me that won't help. In fact, Shukaku has been the one directing the attacks all along."

He was Shukaku's Jinchuriki, but he wasn't a ninja. He really wasn't suited to fighting.

So he wasn't controlling Shukaku's attacks. Instead, he'd left everything to Shukaku, letting him make his own decisions.

Rasa eyed Bunpuku suspiciously, then looked at Shukaku.

Seeing this, Shukaku roared, "What, you think I'm messing with you?"

"No!" Rasa snapped, ignoring the pair and focusing on his own attacks.

That only made Shukaku angrier.

What was that supposed to mean?

He didn't think Shukaku was messing with him, so he thought Shukaku was weak?

At the thought, Shukaku flew into a rage too. His attacks grew even more ferocious. He raised one sandstorm after another and bombarded them with ninjutsu, then began gathering chakra for a Tailed Beast Bomb.

Boom!

One Tailed Beast Bomb later, another stretch of forest several kilometers wide had been leveled.

The earth shook, and the dazzling light outshone the sun in the sky.

Orochimaru, who was on his way over, stopped again. He leaped onto a treetop and watched the site of the explosion, his brow furrowing. "Heading for the main battlefield?"

He had already noticed that the battlefield where Sen Chisato was fighting kept moving. After all, the commotion Shukaku and Rasa were making was enormous.

Now he was sure of it. After thinking for a moment, he stopped chasing after the moving battlefield and changed direction, heading for the main battlefield instead.

At a time like this, the best option was to wait for them at their destination.

As for Sen Chisato's safety, he wasn't too worried.

That child had plenty of secrets. There were even some he didn't know.

At the thought, Orochimaru licked his lips and gave an eerie smile.

Meanwhile, the fighting on the main battlefield was interrupted once again.

"What's going on over there?" asked a Konoha Ninja who had managed to break free from an attack and retreat to safety.

There had already been a massive chakra explosion earlier. The sounds of fighting hadn't stopped since, and although they didn't seem as intense as the first time, they were getting closer and closer.

But now, an explosion of that magnitude had happened again.

What was going on today?

Could the Sand Hidden have another operation underway?

The Konoha Ninjas around him were just as confused.

Someone shook his head and reminded him, "Forget about what's happening over there. Don't get distracted. Focus on the enemy in front of you first. As for the rest, Lord Orochimaru will take care of it!"

"Right." The Konoha Ninja nodded.

He looked up and saw that the Sand Ninja were just as baffled, which reassured him.

On the Sand Hidden side, Chiyo's brow was furrowed so deeply it looked like she could crush a fly between it.

"What is Rasa doing?"

They'd agreed to launch a Surprise Attack. What kind of Surprise Attack was this supposed to be now?

It would've been bad enough if the Surprise Attack had failed, but how had he let Shukaku come this way too?

Had Shukaku gone berserk? Was Rasa not even able to suppress and seal him?

Chiyo sighed, looking disappointed.

Rasa was still too young. If the Third Kazekage were here, sealing a Jinchuriki would be a piece of cake.

"Whatever happens, let's finish the battle here first!" Chiyo collected herself and resumed directing the Sand Ninja's attack.

Though the Surprise Attack had failed, they still had to buy more time.

The explosions died down and the shockwaves faded. Rasa lowered the arm he'd held up in front of himself, his face dark with anger.

"What are you doing?!" He turned toward Shukaku and demanded furiously.

Shukaku looked displeased. "Wasn't that what you told me to do?"

The human had questioned his strength just now... Besides, Shukaku had controlled the range of his attack. This time, neither of them had been caught in it.

Looking at Shukaku, who was acting as if he were in the right, Rasa clenched his teeth so hard they almost shattered.

The Tailed Beast Bomb was indeed terrifying, but they'd been held up too! If that brat was still alive, he'd use the opportunity to put more distance between them... Weren't they practically giving him a chance to escape?

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Sen Chisato suddenly appeared in their sight.

What was more, Sen Chisato waved at them as if greeting them.

Rasa's eyes lit up at first, then his face turned livid.

What was that supposed to be?

Mockery? A taunt?

As he watched Sen Chisato continue fleeing, Rasa coldly spat out one word: "After him!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The muffled sounds were like a giant running, accompanied by the roar of a river crashing against its banks. The earth shook again and again, interrupting the battle on the main battlefield once more.

The sounds grew clearer and clearer.

Something was definitely approaching!

At the thought, a Hyuuga Ninja activated his Byakugan and looked in that direction.

The next second, he shuddered from head to toe, his face paling. "W-what kind of monster is that?!"

What filled his vision was terrifying chakra and a gigantic body. His limbs went cold, and sweat poured down his face.

"Q-quick..." He tried to warn his companions in a trembling voice, but fear left him unable to speak clearly.

Just then, a hoarse voice rang across the battlefield. "All Konoha Ninjas, retreat immediately!"

Some Konoha Ninjas looked up and were instantly overjoyed. "Lord Orochimaru!"

They promptly withdrew from the battlefield and relayed Orochimaru's order.

In an instant, the Konoha Ninjas began retreating.

Seeing this, the Sand Ninja excitedly gave chase.

This was a great chance to press their advantage!

Chiyo's expression darkened.

Those fools!

Orochimaru had appeared. How could they dare charge in?

She hurriedly ordered, "Stop chasing them! Get back here!"

But the order came a few seconds too late.

A figure suddenly darted into the battlefield from midair, the Konoha Headband on his forehead gleaming.

The Sand Ninja who had been planning to retreat all paused, their attention drawn to him. Their steps slowed despite themselves.

Then the figure landed and immediately sped away from the battlefield.

The next second, a huge shadow fell over them.

The Sand Ninja instinctively turned their heads. Their eyes widened, and their mouths slowly fell open.

"Brat, stand still!" Shukaku gathered chakra in his belly, then slapped himself on the stomach.

Wind Release: Air Bullet!

A massive ball of wind hit the ground and exploded at once.

Boom!

A violent explosion erupted in the center of the battlefield, and the surrounding ninjas screamed as they were blasted away.