[Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu]!
Hiruzen Sarutobi rapidly formed hand seals and spat out a series of fireballs.
The fireballs followed twisting, unpredictable trajectories, striking at the partially transformed Second Raikage in the valley from every angle and cutting off all his escape routes.
Scorching fireballs filled the air, their flames heating it to a suffocating temperature. From afar, the firelight bloomed like phoenix flowers.
Hiruzen kept his eyes fixed on the crimson monster below, watching his every move as he digested and analyzed the intelligence Hatake Sakumo had provided, preparing his next approach.
His hands remained clasped, ready to form hand seals and change tactics at any moment.
But the crimson monster did not even try to dodge. He lowered his forequarters, bringing his center of gravity down.
The four tails behind him rose, then smashed apart the imposing barrage of fireballs with a series of heavy bangs.
The shattered flames exploded into a huge mass of searing orange-red fire.
The crimson monster charged straight through it, trailing a long streak of flame as he rapidly closed in on Hiruzen and the others.
"Scatter!"
Hiruzen shouted, and the Konoha ninja around him scattered at his command.
This form of Tailed Beast Transformation is highly resistant to fire. If I use Fire Release again, I'll need to add more chakra to increase its power and concentrate the attack on a single point.
As he drew his conclusions, he turned his wrist, and the Adamantine Staff, black along its length with gleaming gold ends, appeared in his palm.
Before coming to their aid, he had told his summoned beast, Enma, to be ready to transform into the Adamantine Staff at any moment to help him fight.
The staff instantly lengthened in his hands. He swung it overhead, gathering force, then brought