"A third meteor!"
The messenger shinobi's voice had already cracked as he shouted those words.
The first meteor bore down on the fourth position, the second was still barely being held back by A and Darui, and the third fell from clouds higher above, heading straight for Central Command.
Ōnoki glanced up, and his cane nearly slipped from his hand.
"Has Madara gone mad?"
Gaara reached out to catch the scattering sand.
"He hasn't gone mad. He's forcing us to choose."
"Choose what?"
"Save the front line or protect Central Command."
Mei Terumi immediately turned around. "Kirigakure, come with me to Central Command."
Ōnoki stopped her. "If you go to Central Command, what happens to the fourth position?"
"Didn't you say we had to choose?"
"I was describing the situation, not telling you to throw away your brains."
A tremendous crash came from ahead.
The first meteor crushed the stone pillars, smashing Ōnoki and Gaara into the ground at the same time.
Sand scattered, and the thick layers of earth cracked wide under the pressure.
"Kazekage!"
Kankuro rushed over with his men, only to be driven back by falling rocks as soon as they drew near.
Gaara pushed himself up from the rubble, his right arm hanging at his side, while sand continued gathering in midair.
"I'm fine."
Ōnoki coughed up blood, planted his cane in the ground, and used Earth Release to stand.
"You call this fine?"
"I can still move."
"Then keep going."
Ōnoki looked up at the sky. "The first one mustn't fall into the position."
The two formed hand seals again.
Sand and rock rose from the ground, supporting the underside of the meteor.
The meteor's descent slowed a little.
But Ōnoki's body began sinking.
"Lord Tsuchikage!"
"Shut up and keep feeding me chakra!"
Gaara looked