The Death of Bunpuku

A brilliant flash streaked across the ruined ground and through Elder Matsuho's body. A violent explosion followed.

A fierce wind swept over the Konoha shinobi, sending planks from the houses flying through the sky.

Dust and smoke blotted out the sky once more. Amid the Tailed Beast's pained howls, the shock wave hurled Elder Matsuho's mangled corpse away.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball!"

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"

Ninjutsu after Ninjutsu tore into the smoke and struck the Five-Tails.

Explosive Tags followed, engulfing its entire body in blasts.

Pain racked the Five-Tails. It howled and thrashed its five massive tails, flinging away many Ninja who had come too close to dodge.

Blood sprayed from their mouths. Bones shattered and tendons tore.

At the former Senju Clan Residence in Konoha, the explosions woke a woman nearing seventy. She was Mito Uzumaki, wife of Hashirama Senju and Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

Mito Uzumaki stepped outside and looked toward the explosions.

The two Ninja assigned to care for her hurried over.

"What's happening in the village?"

"Senior Mito, Konoha is under attack. The One-Tail and Five-Tails are rampaging through the village."

Mito Uzumaki nodded, her expression calm. "Let's go see. If I can do something for Konoha before I die, I'll have an answer for Hashirama when I reach the Pure Land."

"Senior, you..."

Mito Uzumaki cut the Medical Ninja off. "Let's go. If my death can save countless young lives in Konoha, then I'll have upheld the Will of Fire Hashirama spoke of."

"Yes."

The three figures made their way toward the battlefield.

The Third Hokage's Kongō Nyoi extended and contracted at will. It slammed into Shukaku's belly and kept extending, driving him backward.

Orochimaru appeared beside the Third Hokage and summoned a Giant Snake. It quickly coiled around