Another Sneak Attacker? Sunagakure Enters the Fray!

Beyond the battlefield, behind an inconspicuous earthen slope.

Two figures concealed in the shadows of the Dense Forest, gazing at the battlefield from afar. They deliberately concealed their Chakra to avoid being detected by anyone.

It was Sunagakure, the Third Kazekage Sajie, and Master Bunpuku, the Jinchūriki of the One-Tail Shukaku.

The Third Kazekage's eyes coldly gazed at the center of the battlefield, his gaze sweeping over Danzo's figure, a hidden killing intent lurking in his eyes. Years ago, he and Roshi fought a bitter battle to a draw, both suffering heavy injuries, and he too fell Danzo to Danzo's sneak attack. This time, he had quietly arrived with Master Bunpuku, not immediately entering the battlefield, but silently lying in wait, coldly observing the three parties— Konoha, Amegakure, Iwagakure— were weakening each other, patiently awaiting his opportunity to strike.

"Lord Kazekage, Konoha, Iwagakure, and Amegakure are fighting to the death here. Why are we here?" Bunpuku asked, puzzled.

Upon hearing this, Sajie remained calm and patiently explained, "Hehe... Master Bunpuku, it's normal that you, as a monk, don't understand these things."

"Do you see that sinister-looking man? That guy is Shimura Danzō from Konoha, an incredibly dark and ruthless fellow. He's the one who ambushed me back then, which is why I was seriously injured." He pointed at Danzo on the battlefield and said with hatred in his eyes.

He then pointed to the Tailed Beast Transformation Roshi and continued, "Look at that Tailed Beast Transformation Jinchūriki. He's the Four-Tail Jinchūriki of Iwagakure. He killed so many of our Sand Ninja back then. Shouldn't we stop such a demon from killing?"

At this point, Sajie's expression grew even colder, and he said in a chilling tone, "And also, that man with the gas mask on his face, he is the culprit behind the constant wars between the Shinobi World's nations over the years, Hanzo of the Salamander!"

"Most importantly, this guy also killed my teacher, the Second Kazekage of Sunagakure. How can I not avenge such a blood feud?"

Listening to the stories told by Sajie, Bunpuku lowered his head. He had no way to dissuade Sajie from his thoughts, because so many national and personal grievances were beyond the reach of a lowly monk like himself.

As if sensing Bunpuku's inner turmoil, Sajie said calmly, "It's alright, Master Bunpuku. I didn't bring any Sand Ninja this time, only you, to find an opportunity to kill Hanzō and Danzo. As for the Four-Tail Jinchūriki, I'll leave him to you to keep him occupied."

"After this battle is over, when I return to Sunagakure, I will make sure to bring great benefits to the people of the Land of Wind. At that time, I will definitely deliver the peace you desire!"

Just as the two were intently watching the battlefield situation, Roshi, who had activated his Tailed Beast Transformation, had his two tails lashing out like frenzied fire serpents, whipping wildly at the surrounding air. Each lash stirred up a gust of hot air, and Roshi's aura was rising steadily. He no longer had time to pay attention to Shimura Danzō in front of him.

At that moment, he was filled with rage, and his heart was filled with the urge to destroy everything.

Hunting is dead!

The man who was always loud and boisterous, who never admitted defeat but was always willing to stand behind him, quietly collapsed in a muddy puddle not far away.

With this thought in mind, Roshi suddenly raised his head, his crimson pupils fixed on Tsunade and Jiraiya dozens of meters away, and a hoarse, torn roar was squeezed out of his chest.

"Tsunade--!"

Danzo, Danzo was not about to let him pass easily. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, and he swung his right arm, sending several Shuriken. Each Shuriken was wrapped in a sharp Wind Release Chakra, cutting through the rain and heading straight for Roshi's back.

"Don't even think about leaving!"

It seemed as if Roshi had eyes in the back of his head. Without turning his head, he simply turned to the side and his tail suddenly curled up.

Ding ding ding!

Several sharp, crisp sounds rang out as the Shuriken, imbued with Wind Release Chakra, collided with the scorching Tailed Beast Chakra. Instantly, they were heated to a red-hot color, and then the Wind Release dissipated, causing the Shuriken to fall limply to the ground and embed itself in the muddy soil.

Such a mere attack couldn't stop him, who was already consumed by rage.

"Get out of my way!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Roshi turned around abruptly and slammed his palm into the ground. "Lava Release, Flower-Fruit Mountain!"

Boom!

Centered on the spot where he landed, the earth suddenly cracked open, and spiderweb-like fissures spread rapidly in all directions. Countless streams of magma carrying fierce flames burst forth from the ground, and pillars of magma fire shot out, fiercely blasting towards Danzo.

Danzo's expression changed slightly. He stomped his foot and activated the Body Flicker Technique, retreating backward while simultaneously Hand Seals: "Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"

Before the words were finished, an extremely sharp and narrow Wind Blade roared out and slammed into the oncoming torrent of lava.

The viscous magma torrent, when hit by Wind Release, was not easily dispersed. It was only cut open by the Wind Blade. But the next second, the magma on both sides instantly closed in, and the scorching heat wave rushed in again, forcing Danzo to retreat continuously, desperately dodging the gushing magma.

Taking advantage of the moment when Danzo was forced back, Roshi stopped pursuing and turned to rush towards Tsunade.

With each step he took, the soil beneath his feet was dried by the intense heat. In the midst of the chaos, many Amegakure and Konoha ninjas who couldn't dodge in time sensed this terrifying aura and hurriedly tried to escape, but it was too late. They were merely grazed by the Tailed Beast Chakra emanating from Roshi's body, their clothes immediately catching fire, and their flesh was burned by the intense heat, with shrill screams echoing continuously.

Roshi was like a monster wanting to destroy everything, charging straight towards Tsunade. Tsunade also saw the crimson figure heading straight for her. She stepped forward, shielding the weakened Jiraiya behind her, clenching her fists, ready to fight back.

Just as the two were about to make contact, a cold, high-pitched shout suddenly rang out, "Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!"

As soon as he finished speaking, countless dense, sharp Iron Sand, like needles, swept past the chaotic crowd and rained down directly on Roshi.

The killing intent came without warning. Roshi, who was striding towards Tsunade, suddenly looked up and saw the sky full of Iron Sand. He immediately dodged, and then countless Iron Sand slammed down, instantly riddling large areas of soil with holes and leaving a mess.

Roshi turned his head and looked at the familiar figure in the distance, his anger and hatred rising even higher.

Holy crap!

Another enemy!

That battle back then, it was this person who fought me like a madman to the death that gave Danzo opportunity to take advantage of me, which is why my old wounds have not yet fully healed.

"It's you again, you madman, the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure!"

"Heh heh, so many familiar faces! I'd like to join in the fun too!" Upon hearing this, Sajie shouted wildly, his expression crazed.

Hmph! Watching the tigers fight from the sidelines may be enjoyable, but nothing beats the satisfaction of personally taking down your enemy.

Moreover, he only brought Bunpuku, the One-Tail Jinchuriki, with him this time, so he had no worries at all and could finally vent his hatred!

Thinking of this, Sajie stared intently at the Roshi he had stopped and Shimura Danzō who was rushing towards them from afar. A disdainful sneer appeared on his face as he continued to control the scattered Iron Sand in his palm, preparing to launch another attack.

Bunpuku sighed softly, his cloudy eyes watching the escalating battle, secretly communicating with Shukaku, preparing to make his move.

"Heh... aren't you the one who can't stand this kind of thing the most, old man?" Shukaku's deep, mocking voice echoed in his mind.

"Alas, all sins have befallen me! Shukaku, I beg you to refrain from killing." Bunpuku sighed softly to himself, his face expressionless.

"Hmph! I'll handle this!"

Then, Bunpuku slowly closed his eyes, his lips moved silently, and the seal that had been sealed within his body for many years began to tremble violently. Layer upon layer of yellowish-brown Chakra broke through the seal and surged outward from his body.

Old man--!

After a muffled, loud bang, a cloud of yellow sand rose from the muddy ground, Bunpuku's body was quickly swallowed up by the rolling sand, with countless sands piling up and expanding wildly.

With a loud bang!

The earth suddenly sank, and a huge yellow raccoon, as large as a mountain, emerged from the dust storm.

Its thick, rugged limbs and massive body covered in deep purple spiral patterns almost blotted out a small patch of sky. Its large ears drooped on either side of its head, and its vertical pupils coldly swept across the entire battlefield. With a casual sweep of its thick tail, it stirred up a sandstorm that blotted out the sky, and the gale-force winds whipped up sand that stung the skin.

The heavy, domineering, and unparalleled pressure of the Tailed Beast was as tangible as a physical weight pressing down on everyone's hearts.

With One-Tail, Shukaku has fully revealed itself to the world.

"Hahahaha!"

"I'm finally out!"