Faced with such an unrestrained Fire Release, Ebizo was briefly stunned before immediately shouting, "Use Water Release!"
Using a counter-nature technique was the most basic defensive tactic. Still, what shocked Ebizo was that it took nearly a hundred Sunagakure ninja working together just to barely suppress the incoming flames.
The Hidden Sand Village was located in a dry, barren region, so very few of its ninja specialized in Water Release. Many did not even possess the Water nature, which greatly reduced the effectiveness of their techniques. In the end, they relied on sheer numbers to form a defense, barely managing to extinguish the blazing assault.
As the flames faded, a dense fog rapidly spread across the battlefield.
"Use Wind Release!" Rasa immediately commanded, attempting to disperse it.
But it was already too late.
Three figures burst through the thick mist and charged straight toward them.
At the front was none other than the Third Hokage.
He wore a black combat outfit with a hooded cape, its protective flaps tightly secured around his head. Running beside him was a white-haired monkey.
This was the Third Hokage's summoned companion, the legendary Monkey King, Enma, a being known for his indestructible body and hailed as one of the strongest contracted summons.
Even Shinnosuke Sarutobi had never been able to gain Enma's acknowledgment.
Enma was notoriously stubborn. Anyone it did not approve of, even the Hokage's own son, had no chance of forming a contract.
"Do we really have to fight again?" Enma asked, glancing at the massive enemy force.
"Yeah, sorry to trouble you again, old friend," the Third Hokage replied.
Enma sighed. "Conflict never disappears, no matter the era."
After that brief remark, Enma transformed into the Adamantine Staff.
The Third Hokage gripped the thick, black staff firmly, adjusting his stance before charging straight into the enemy ranks.
His taijutsu needed no explanation. Combined with Enma's ability to extend and contract at will, his movements were precise, powerful, and relentless. Wherever he passed, enemies were struck down, blood scattering across the battlefield.
Behind him, Hayashi narrowed his eyes slightly.
For some reason, he felt that if the Third Hokage ever fought Roshi, the staff might end up being forcibly taken by the Four-Tails, Son Goku.
Fortunately, once this battle ended, the Third Hokage would return to the village, avoiding such an encounter entirely.
Hayashi chose not to summon his giant green snake.
He had already noticed something strange in Hanzō's gaze. If he brought out another summon now, it would probably remind Hanzō of his lost salamander.
Hayashi considered himself a reasonable person. He would not do something so unnecessarily cruel.
Still, seeing Hanzō like this, he felt that after the battle, it might be worth sending Nawaki to the Hidden Rain Village with a few salamanders as a gesture.
After all, the Third Hokage's strength seemed almost excessive. Who knew, maybe it really had something to do with diet.
The real reason Hayashi avoided summoning was simpler. There were too many people on the battlefield. Sending his snake charging in recklessly would be too dangerous.
If it died, that would be a real loss.
Unlike Enma, which could transform and was nearly indestructible, his summon did not have such advantages.
As for summoning Manda and letting it wreak havoc, Hayashi dismissed the idea almost immediately.
The last time he summoned Manda during the assault on Kirigakure, things had not gone well. Afterward, Orochimaru sent him a letter, specifically warning him not to summon Manda unless absolutely necessary.
Apparently, being beaten by dozens of Kirigakure ninja, pierced by countless kunai, and struck repeatedly by Water Release techniques had left quite the impression.
In Hayashi's view, that was not a big deal.
If Manda had not insisted on trying to eat him, the Kirigakure ninja would not have focused their attacks so aggressively.
That was simply karma.
By now, the Third Hokage had already plunged deep into the enemy formation.
With his overwhelming skill and unyielding mindset, he cut through the battlefield with terrifying efficiency.
Hayashi shifted his focus away from him and gripped Samehada tightly.
Then he moved.
He broke through the formation alone.
Six or seven Sunagakure jonin rushed to intercept him.
As he passed through them, Samehada expanded, its grotesque mouth opening wide as it tore through their bodies, splitting them apart and sending them flying.
Hayashi continued forward without slowing down.
Along his path, every Sunagakure ninja was reduced to a mist of blood.
Strangely, those positioned slightly to the sides died differently.
While the ones directly in front were torn apart, the others collapsed silently. Each had a clean, precise wound, no larger than a kunai.
Some were pierced through the temple, others through the chest or shoulder. Every strike was lethal and efficient.
Only after their bodies hit the ground did the blood begin to flow. By then, Hayashi was already far ahead.
"Die!" someone shouted.
A massive fuma shuriken spun through the air toward his back, its speed and force enough to impale a ninja instantly.
Hayashi did not turn.
Just as the weapon was about to strike, he lowered his head slightly. His left hand, crackling with Lightning Release, shot out and inserted a kunai precisely into the center hole of the spinning shuriken.
With a sharp motion, he redirected it.
Sparks flew as the fuma shuriken shot forward at an even greater speed.
It tore through a distant Sunagakure ninja before slamming into a massive sand construct created by Rasa.
The sand briefly resisted, but the shuriken pierced through it and continued onward, punching a hole straight through another ninja hiding behind it.
The sheer penetrating power ensured instant death.
For a moment, the Sunagakure forces hesitated and began to retreat.
Hayashi stood at the center of the chaos like an unstoppable force.
To conserve chakra, he had already exited Sage Mode, yet his strength remained overwhelming.
No one could withstand even a single strike from him.
His crimson three-tomoe eyes scanned the battlefield. With just a glance, his genjutsu could momentarily immobilize opponents, halting their movements and leaving them defenseless.
Some even ended their own lives under his control.
With Samehada constantly supplying chakra, his stamina seemed endless.
At this moment, Hayashi was like a force of nature, cutting through enemies as if they were nothing more than grass.
He briefly glanced toward the distance, where Rasa and Ebizo were engaged with the Third Hokage.
If they did not come to stop him soon, he would simply wipe out the entire force before they had the chance.