Several minutes later, the dust slowly settled.
At the bottom of the massive crater, shattered rocks and scorched earth lay everywhere. The air was thick with the pungent smell of gunpowder and sulfur, leaving throats dry and raw.
Rōshi lay sprawled across a cracked boulder, completely motionless, as though he had been repeatedly roasted by raging flames countless times.
His entire body was blackened, his monk's robes shattered and charred, stuck to his burnt skin. Even the rise and fall of his breathing was nearly imperceptible.
The Super Shinra Tensei had struck the fully transformed Son Goku head-on, forcibly scattering the Tailed Beast's body before that destructive power.
It had now retreated into Rōshi's body, without the slightest movement.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—several figures leaped down from the edge of the crater and landed beside Rōshi.
Kitsuchi dropped to one knee, pressing his fingers against Rōshi's neck. He felt a faint, intermittent pulse, thin as a thread, but it was still beating.
His brows drew together slightly, his expression grave, before gradually easing after a moment.
He was still alive. Though gravely injured, his life had been saved. Kitsuchi turned and gestured to the medical ninja behind him.
The two immediately stepped forward and knelt on either side of Rōshi.
"Lord Kitsuchi..." Her voice was hoarse and rapid, filled with barely suppressed gravity.
"Lord Rōshi's condition is extremely poor. More than sixty percent of his skin has suffered severe burns.
The backlash from Lava Release chakra, combined with the impact of that attack, has caused severe shock to multiple internal organs.
His right humerus and at least three ribs on the left side have suffered comminuted fractures. There are countless other bone fractures.
Most importantly, his chakra is nearly depleted. The Tailed Beast has fallen completely asleep and cannot provide any